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Grand Fir Vodka

Grand Fir Vodka

Grand Fir Vodka

Grand fir needles add a great flavour to the alcohol. You can also use rum or gin with excellent results. Other needles like spruce and pine work well. You could also use rose petals or aromatic herbs like wild fennel to infuse the liquid.

 

1 cup (250 mL) grand fir tips, needles only

1 bottle (26 oz [800 mL]) good-quality vodka

 

Place the grand fir needles in a clean 1-quart (1 L) mason jar. Top up with the vodka and screw on the top. Set on your counter for 1 week. The mixture can be strained or you can keep the whole batch in the refrigerator

Blackberry Bitters

Blackberry Bitters

Blackberry Bitters

 

6 ounces blackberries (about 1½ c.)

1 Peel, including pith, from 1 organic lemon, minced

1/2 tsp. whole allspice berries

5 white peppercorns

1 cups grain alcohol (Everclear) or a 100-plus-proof vodka

2 T. sugar

1 T. water

 

Combine the berries, lemon peel, allspice berries, peppercorns and alcohol in a quart-size jar and lightly mash the berries with a wooden spoon. Cover with a lid and let the mixture sit in a dark, cool place for at least 1 week. The day before you plan to complete the bitters, make a syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir to keep the sugar from scorching. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat, pour into a small jar with a lid and let sit overnight at room temperature. Strain the berries and solids first through a fine wire mesh sieve, and again through a coffee filter. Add the simple syrup to the strained bitters—omitting any sugar crystals that formed overnight. Store the bitters at room temperature in a tightly sealed jar or bottle.

Kiwi Melon Sangria

Kiwi Melon Sangria

Kiwi Melon Sangria

 

2½ cups cubed honeydew melon or light-fleshed summer melon

1 (750 ml) bottle dry white wine

½ cup brandy

¼ cup tequila

3 kiwis, peeled and sliced, or a pint of kiwi berries from the farm market

1 lime, sliced

1 cup club soda or seltzer water

Fresh mint for garnish, if desired

 

Add 1½ cups of the honeydew melon and ¼ cup of the white wine to your blender. Blend on high for 2 minutes. Transfer the purée to a large pitcher or Mason jar. Then stir in the remaining white wine, brandy and tequila. Add the kiwi slices, lime slices and remaining 1 cup of cubed honeydew melon. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, up to overnight. Divide the sangria mixture evenly into serving glasses. Top each with soda water; stir in gently. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and a lime wheel.

Peach-Mango Sangria

Peach-Mango Sangria

Peach-Mango Sangria

 

2 (750-ml) bottles Pinot Grigio

2 cups peach-mango juice

1 cup peach-flavored vodka

1 (1-oz) pkg fresh mint

2 cups frozen sliced peaches

2 cups frozen cubed mango

 

Stir together wine, juice, vodka and mint in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or up to 2 days. Just before serving, stir in frozen peaches and mango.

Uncle Sam’s Sangria

Uncle Sam’s Sangria

Uncle Sam’s Sangria

 

1 bottle dry white wine

2 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup apple juice or white grape juice

1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced

3–4 thin slices pineapple or Granny Smith apple

1 bottle prosecco (or other dry sparkling white wine)

 

Using a small, star-shaped cookie cutter, cut small stars out of pineapple or apple (pears work too) to get the “white” in the red, white and blue and for extra visual whimsy with this sangria version. Mix all ingredients together, except for the stars and sparkling wine, and let sit overnight or for 4 hours in the refrigerator. Stir in the fruit stars and sparkling wine just before serving.

The Lavender Daisy

The Lavender Daisy

The Lavender Daisy

 

10 fresh blueberries (3 reserved for garnish), rinsed

½ tsp. fresh (or ¼ tsp. dried) lavender flowers

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

1½ ounces Bombay Sapphire Gin

Sparkling water

1 ounce honey syrup*

 

In a highball glass, muddle 7 blueberries with lavender blossoms and honey syrup. Add ice, fresh lemon juice, gin and top with sparkling water. Garnish with 3 blueberries. * Combine 1 cup local honey and 1 cup water in a saucepan over low heat and stir until honey dissolves. Cool and pour into a clean glass bottle. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

St. Patrick’s Brownies

St. Patrick’s Brownies

St. Patrick’s Brownies

 

1 box brownie mix

60 ml Guinness

60 ml vegetable oil

1 egg

 

325 g chocolate chips

120 ml double cream

120 ml Guinness

 

Heat the oven to 180°C (160ºC fan). Grease a 20 cm (8”) square baking pan. Whisk together the brownie ingredients, then spread into the prepared pan. Bake according to the package directions on your mix, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, 35 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan. Meanwhile, make the ganache: Place the chocolate chips in a medium, heat-proof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the double cream and Guinness just to a boil. When bubbles begin to break the surface around the edges of the pan, turn off the heat. Pour the hot cream over chocolate chips. Let sit for 15 seconds, then whisk constantly until the sauce is smooth. Once the brownies are cool, pour the ganache over and spread evenly. Refrigerate brownies until the ganache has set, about 15 minutes. Slice into squares and serve.

Honeyed Orange Breeze

Honeyed Orange Breeze

Honeyed Orange Breeze

 

3 T. Tennessee honey whiskey

3 T. orange juice

1½ tsp orange flavored liqueur

Ice cubes

¼ cup ginger ale

Garnish: orange peel strip

 

Add whiskey, orange juice, orange liqueur, and ice to fill a cocktail shaker. Cover and

shake until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into an Old-Fashioned glass filled half full with ice. Top with ginger ale. Garnish, if desired.

Holiday Crantini

Holiday Crantini

Holiday Crantini

 

2 ounces White Cranberry Juice

1 ounce Vodka or Gin

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

 

Mix in a shaker with ice. Shake and pour. Garnish with dried cranberries.

Evergreen Holiday Mixed Drinks

Evergreen Holiday Mixed Drinks

~Spruce Tip Martini~

 

1 1/2 oz Verstovia Spruce Tip Vodka

1/2 oz Dry Vermouth

Flake of Sea Salt

 

Stir with ice, strain into glass and garnish with a lemon twist

 

 

~Salal Martinez~

 

1 oz Cold Tree Gin

1/2 oz  Salal Berry Liqueur

1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth

1 dash Portland Bitters Project Cacao Bitters

 

Stir with ice, strain into glass

 

 

~Huckleberry Gimlet~

 

1 oz Riverain Gin

1/2 oz Huckleberry Jam

1/2 oz Lime

 

Shake with ice, strain into glass

 

Bloody Caesar with Maple-Fennel Bacon

Bloody Caesar with Maple-Fennel Bacon

Bloody Caesar with Maple-Fennel Bacon

 

8 c. Clamato juice

1 c. vodka

1 c. plus 2 T. fresh lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)

1/4 c. prepared horseradish, drained

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

Pepper

Celery salt, for serving

6 slices Maple-Fennel Bacon

 

In pitcher, combine Clamato juice, vodka, lemon juice, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with pepper and celery salt. Spread some celery salt on a plate. Dip rims of 6 highball glasses in water and press into celery salt to coat. Add ice to glasses, then pour in vodka mixture. Top each glass with 1 slice Maple-Fennel Bacon.

 

Maple-Fennel Bacon

 

3 T. pure maple syrup

1 T. dark brown sugar

12 slices thick-cut bacon

2 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Mix the maple syrup and dark brown sugar in a small bowl. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a rack on stop. Put the bacon on the rack leaving space between the strips. Brush with the maple syrup mixture and then sprinkle some fennel seeds on top.  Fennel is a strong spice so use it sparingly. Season with black pepper. Bake until brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Loosen the bacon from the rack and let it cool there 5 minutes before serving.

Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

Salted Spicy Watermelon Margarita Popsicles

 

4 cups cubed watermelon

1 jalapeño, halved and seeded, if desired (optional)

2-6 tablespoons granulated sugar, using more or less to your taste

1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon tequila

2 tablespoon Cointreau (orange liquor) (orange liquor)

1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus 1 tablespoon lime zest

4 kiwi, peeled and chopped

2 Persian cucumbers, peeled and chopped

flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

 

In a blender, blend the watermelon, jalapeño, and sugar. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher. Add the tequila, Cointreau, and 1/2 cup lime juice + lime zest, stirring to combine. Pour the mixture among 6 popsicle molds or Dixie cups. Freeze one hour. Rinse the blender out and blend the kiwi, cucumbers, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1 tablespoon tequila, blend until smooth. Pour the kiwi over the watermelon layer, filling the molds to the top. Insert popsicles sticks. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours. Serve with lime wedges and flaky salt…and maybe even a margarita too!

Pineapple Chili Margarita

Pineapple Chili Margarita

Pineapple Chili Margarita

 

1 1/2 ounces silver tequila

3/4 ounce premium triple sec

2 ounces pineapple juice

3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1 dash hot sauce

Coarse salt and/or Tajin Seasoning, for optional rim

Pineapple wedge, for garnish

Lime wheel, for garnish

 

In a cocktail shaker, pour the tequila, triple sec, lime and pineapple juices, and hot sauce. Fill with ice.  Prepare the rim of the glass by rubbing a slice of lime along it, and dipping glass in coarse salt and/or Tajin Seasoning for extra spice, if desired.  Strain cocktail into the ice-filled glass.  Garnish with a pineapple wedge and lime wheel.

Cactus Pear Margarita

Cactus Pear Margarita

Cactus Pear Margarita

 

9 ounces white tequila

4 ounces orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Cointreau)

4 ounces cactus pear juice, plus more for the rim

2 ounces fresh lime juice

1 1/2 cups crushed ice

Coarse salt, optional

Lime wedges, for garnish

 

Place tequila, orange liqueur, cactus pear juice, lime juice, and ice in a blender and blend until smooth. Carefully pour a few ounces of cactus pear juice onto a plate and a few ounces of salt onto another plate. Dip the rim of each margarita glass into the juice and then into the salt. Pour margaritas into each glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Phoenician Gold Margarita

Phoenician Gold Margarita

Phoenician Gold Margarita

 

1 ½ ounces gold tequila

1 ounce Cointreau

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

4 ounces fresh lemonade

 

Combine ingredients in a shaker and mix well. Salt the rim of the glass if desired and pour the drink over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge if desired.

Strawberry Pazzo Cocktail

Strawberry Pazzo Cocktail

Strawberry Pazzo Cocktail

 

1½ ounces black pepper-infused gin (must be prepared well in advance)

¾ ounce fresh lime juice, chilled

3 ounces strawberry purée, chilled

½ ounce Simple Syrup, plus more to taste

Ice cubes

1 large, perfect fresh basil leaf for spanking

 

Mix the pepper gin, lime juice, strawberry purée, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Taste and add more simple syrup if you like a sweeter drink. The character of strawberries changes from month to month, so add more syrup or lime to adjust the flavor. Spank the basil leaf and float it on the drink. (Hold basil in on palm, and slab it hard with the other hand to release the oils)

 

Black Pepper-Infused Gin

 

2 cups gin, preferably Tanqueray 10

½ cup (4 ounces) black peppercorns

 

Pour the gin over the peppercorns in a clean glass container. Store in a cool, dark place for 24 hours. Strain, and put the peppercorns aside for another use. Cover the container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

The Ruby

The Ruby

The Ruby

 

makes 1 cocktail

 

1 shot vodka

1 shot triple sec

2 shots pomegranate juice

1 shot orange juice

squeeze of lime juice

fancy sugar to rim glass

 

Fill a shaker with 4 – 5 ice cubes and add vodka, triple sec, pomegranate juice, and orange juice. Shake vigorously to combine. Rub the rim of a martini glass with a lime wedge and dip in sugar. Pour drink in glass and add a squeeze of lime juice.

So This is Christmas Cocktail

So This is Christmas Cocktail

So This is Christmas Cocktail

 

1/2 ounce Rosemary Simple Syrup (see below)

1/2 ounce pomegranate juice

1 tsp. pomegranate seeds

Champagne, for topping glass

Rosemary sprig, for garnish

 

Rosemary Simple Syrup:

1/2 C. water

1/2 C. sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

2 cardamom pods

2 small fresh rosemary sprigs

 

 

In a champagne flute or highball glass, combine the rosemary syrup, pomegranate juice, and pomegranate seeds. Top off the glass with champagne and add a rosemary sprig for garnish.

 

Rosemary Simple Syrup: Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Strain, transfer to a lidded jar and refrigerate; the syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks.

 

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 48g

 

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

 

1 1/3 C. Sugar

1 C. Water

8 Lemons

1 C. (or more) Vanilla Vodka

1 L Bottle Club Soda

5 large Sprigs Fresh Mint, more for garnishing glasses

 

First you will need to make a simple syrup mixture: place the water and sugar in a small pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved—about 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and chill. Now cut all of the lemons in half and juice them over a bowl large enough to hold all the juice. Mix the juice with the simple syrup mixture and vanilla vodka in large pitcher (or 2 carafes). Slowly pour in the club soda—you may not want to use all of the soda so taste it after you’ve added about 2/3 of the soda . You can also add more vanilla vodka if you want it a little more boozy and vanilla-y. Add the mint sprigs to the pitchers. Pour the lemonade drink over a glass of ice and add a sprig of mint. Salut!

Throwdown Cocktail

Throwdown Cocktail

Throwdown Cocktail

 

2 lime wedges

¼ cup finely diced fresh pineapple

6 fresh mint leaves, plus whole sprigs for garnish

4 fresh Thai basil leaves, plus whole sprigs for garnish

1 T. sugar

2 T. Ginger Simple Syrup

3 ounces golden rum

Ice cubes

2 T. cream of coconut, such as Coco Lopez

 

Combine the lime, pineapple, mint leaves, Thai basil leaves, sugar, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and muddle well. Add the rum and shake for 10 seconds. Fill 2 rocks glasses with ice, pour the drink over the ice, and float 1 T. of the cream of coconut over each drink. Garnish with mint and Thai basil sprigs.

 

Rhubarb & Strawberry Vodka & Cocktails

Rhubarb & Strawberry Vodka & Cocktails

Rhubarb & Strawberry Vodka

 

4 C. rhubarb  (the pale pink, thin-stemmed kind), cut into short lengths

8-12 ripe strawberries, halved

1.5 C. Granulated sugar

2 thin slices fresh ginger

2 pints vodka

Optional, vanilla bean, halved

 

Put all the ingredients in a large clip top mason jar and shake well to dissolve the sugar. Leave in a cool place and shake 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks until the liquid is a rich pink color. Set a large sieve over a large bowl and line the sieve with muslin. Strain the vodka though the sieve, then transfer to a jug and pour carefully into clean, dry bottles. Seal and label the bottles. The vodka is now ready to drink, or will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Serve over ice or neat in chilled shot glasses or make into a long drink topped with soda or fizz, adding half a strawberry just before serving.

 

Rhubarb & Strawberry Martini

2 oz. Rhubarb & Strawberry Vodka

1 oz. Triple Sec

1 oz. Lemonade

4 Crushed Strawberries

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

 

Shake all ingredients together and pour into martini glass.  Garnish with strawberry if you like.

 

Sunburnt Greyhound

 

304 Mint Leaves

2 oz. Rhubarb & Strawberry Vodka

6oz. Grapefruit Juice

Juice of half a Lime

 

Add ingredients to muddler and muddle the mint. Shake with ice and pour into glass.

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

1 & 1/3 C. sugar

1 C. water

8 lemons

1+ C. vanilla vodka

1 liter bottle of club soda

5 large sprigs of fresh mint & more for garnish

 

First you will need to make a simple syrup mixture: place the water and sugar in a small pan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved—about 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and chill. Now cut all of the lemons in half and juice them over a bowl large enough to hold all the juice. Mix the juice with the simple syrup mixture and vanilla vodka in large pitcher (or 2 carafes). Slowly pour in the club soda—you may not want to use all of the soda so taste it after you’ve added about 2/3 of the soda . You can also add more vanilla vodka if you want it a little more boozy and vanilla-y. Add the mint sprigs to the pitchers. Pour the lemonade drink over a glass of ice and add a sprig of mint. Salut!

Orange Creamsicle Cocktail

Orange Creamsicle Cocktail

Orange Creamsicle Cocktail

 

4 oz orange juice (or more to taste)

2 oz vanilla infused vodka

Ice

Fresh orange rounds for garnish (optional)

Blender (optional)

 

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in vanilla infused vodka, top with orange juice. Stir. Serve with fresh orange rounds for garnish. Optionally, you may blend the ingredients with ice to make a slushy/daiquiri-type drink!

Sparkling Watermelon & Lemon Verbena Drink

Sparkling Watermelon & Lemon Verbena Drink

Sparkling Watermelon & Lemon Verbena

 

1 C. superfine sugar

3/4 C. cold water

1/2 C. packed fresh lemon verbena leaves, plus more for garnish

 

6 C. seedless watermelon, diced, plus small slices for garnish

1 (75O-ml) bottle Prosecco or seltzer water

Juice of 1 lime

 

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a quick boil. Remove from the heat and add the lemon verbena leaves. Let cool completely, then strain through fine-mesh strainer and refrigerate. In a blender, puree the watermelon. Strain the watermelon puree, reserving the juice. Mix the watermelon juice with the Prosecco, lime juice, and 1/2 C. of the syrup (add more if desired). Serve well chilled, garnishing each glass with a thin slice of watermelon and some lemon verbena leaves.

Blue Moon Cocktail

Blue Moon Cocktail

Blue Moon Cocktail

1 C. crushed ice

1/4 C. vodka

1/4 C. blue curaçao

1/4 C. whipping cream

2 T. vanilla-flavored syrup (such as Torani)

2 T. fresh orange juice

1 T. Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur

 

In a blender, combine all ingredients and whirl until smooth. Pour into four martini glasses (4 oz.) and garnish the rim of each glass with a slice of orange.

Blue Margarita

Blue Margarita

Blue Margarita

1 1/2 oz. Tequila

1 oz. Blue Curacao

1 oz. Lime Juice

Coarse Salt

 

Rub rim of cocktail glass with lime juice. Dip rim in coarse salt. Shake tequila, blue curacao, and lime juice with ice, strain into the salt-rimmed glass, and serve.

Melon and Lemon Verbena with Prosecco

Melon and Lemon Verbena with Prosecco

Melon and Lemon Verbena with Prosecco

 

¾ C. sugar

¼ C. lemon verbena leaves

1 small ripe cantaloupe

Prosecco or other sparkling wine (for serving)

 

Bring sugar, lemon verbena, and 1½ C. water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer 10 minutes. Let cool. Strain syrup into a pitcher; discard solids. Meanwhile, halve cantaloupe and remove seeds. Scoop flesh into a blender and purée until smooth. Stir into syrup and chill melon mixture until cold and foam has settled, 1–2 hours. To serve, fill 8 glasses a third of the way full with melon mixture (you’ll have some leftover); gently top off with Prosecco. Do Ahead: Melon mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

Winter Fruit Martinis

Winter Fruit Martinis

Winter Fruit Martinis

 

1 apple

1 pear

Lemon juice

Fresh blueberries

1 orange

Orange juice

About 1/4 c. coconut rum or vodka

Sugar (for coating glasses)

Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

 

Dice apple and pear. (For fun you can cut slices of the apple with a cookie cutter.) Place in mixing bowl.  Add lemon juice to keep fruit from turning brown. Add blueberries to bowl.  Peel and segment orange: Cut off both ends and slice off rind. Then cut along natural segments. Add orange segments, orange juice and rum (or vodka) to bowl. Let sit for approximately 2 hours.  Serve in a martini glass with a sugarcoated rim. Garnish with an orange wedge and mint leaves.

Sweet Rhubarb Lemonade

Sweet Rhubarb Lemonade

Sweet Rhubarb Lemonade

 

4 Basil Leaves

1 oz lemon juice

1 oz rhubarb syrup

1.5 oz vodka

3 dashes rhubarb bitters

2 tsp. simple syrup

½ cup chopped rhubarb

 

Add 4 basil leaves, lemon juice, and rhubarb syrup into a cup or cocktail mixer. Muddle basil gently to release flavor. Add ice and vodka, shake until cold. Pour into a cocktail glass and stir in rhubarb bitters. In a microwave safe bowl, mix chopped rhubarb and simple syrup. Heat about 2 minutes or until slightly bubbly. Strain into cocktail glass and enjoy!

Sparkling Citrus Sangria

Sparkling Citrus Sangria

Sparkling Citrus Sangria

1 lemon

1 lime

1 orange

20 ounces pineapple chunks in juice (1 can)

750 milliliter moscato wine (1 bottle)

1/2 C. gin

4 C. ginger ale (you can use diet or regular)

Slice the fruit into thin rounds. Cut some or all in half if you wish. Place the fruit in a large pitcher. Pour the pineapple chunks and juice in the pitcher. Add the wine and gin and stir. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for an hour or until ready to serve. Make sure the ginger ale is also in the refrigerator, so it is cold when you add it. Right before serving, add chilled ginger ale. Serve with pretty-colored garnishes for a fresh, summery look!

Purple Dragon Martini

Purple Dragon Martini

Purple Dragon Martini

3 ounces vodka

1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice

1/2 ounces blue Curacao liqueur

1/2 ounces sweet and sour mix

1/2 ounces of 7-Up

2 to 3 ice cubes

 

In a blender or food processor add all ingredients and blitz for 20 to 30 seconds on high speed. Salt the rim of your martini glass.  Pour and imbibe.

Ocean Breeze Cocktail

Ocean Breeze Cocktail

Ocean Breeze Cocktail

 

2 oz. Coconut Rum

2 second count 7-Up or Sprite

2 oz. Blue Curacao

Ice

Cherry for garnishment

 

Fill a large glass or shaker with ice Pour 2 oz, of Coconut rum, 2 oz, of Blue Curacao, and two second count of sprite. Shake well. Pour into a glass filled with ice

Peach Sunrise Cocktail Cubes

Peach Sunrise Cocktail Cubes

PEACH SUNRISE COCKTAIL CUBES

3 3-oz. pkg. orange-flavor gelatin

1 ½ cups boiling water

11/2 cups cranberry juice

¾ cup vodka

6 Tbsp, peach schnapps

Nonstick cooking spray

 

In a bowl stir together gelatin and boiling water until completely dissolved. Add cranberry juice; vodka- and schnapps. Coat a 3-qt. rectangular baking dish with cooking spray. Pour gelatin mixture into dish. Chill about 3 hours or until firm. Cut into 1-inch squares. Serve in cocktail glasses.

 

number of servings 6

per Serving 296 cal., o gfat, o mg chol., 169 mg sodium, 52 g carb., o g fiber, 52 g sugars, 4gpro.

Confit de Vin

Confit de Vin

Confit de Vin

This is actually not a jam but a jelly. After having made it once, you will be sold. Serve with a cheeseboard, for example. We also eat the confit on toast with aged cheese. The type of wine you choose matters: This recipe calls for white wine, but red wine is also fine. Adjust your spices and use those that are warmer and fuller in flavor: Cloves, mandarin peel, and star anise, for example. You can also vary the types of wine: A sauvignon blanc will result in a different jelly from a muscat.

 

For approx. 4 1 cup jars

 

2 vanilla beans

1 1/2 bottles white wine

4 1/2 cups jelling sugar or use granulated sugar and pectin (add pectin according to instructions on the package)

6 cardamom pods

juice of 1 lemon

zest of 1/2 lemon

zest of 1/2 orange

 

Cut open the vanilla beans, scrape out the seeds and combine with all other ingredients in a large pot (seeds and pods). Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for approx. 30 minutes. Check if the jelly sets properly by pouring a teaspoon on a saucer and briefly placing it in the refrigerator. If it is nice and stiff, it can be poured into clean jars. First remove the cardamom pods and vanilla beans. Tighten the lids on the jars and turn the jars upside down, allowing them to cool.

Marocha

Marocha

Marocha

A marocha is a woman with dark hair and smoky coloring; it’s also slang for a party girl, the one who’s always going out and hitting the dance floor. This drink tastes how a marocha looks: earthy papaya (which becomes buttery when pureed) paired with smoky mezcal and brightened with orange juice. It’s also what a marocha might drink to get the night going.

 

2 shots papaya puree

1 shot smoky mezcal

¼ C. fresh orange juice

 

Pour the papaya puree into a glass, then fill the glass with ice. Add the mezcal and orange juice and stir well.

Blue Hawaiian

Blue Hawaiian

Blue Hawaiian

1 oz Light rum

2 oz Pineapple juice

1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

1 oz Cream of coconut

1 Cherry

1 slice Pineapple slice

 

Pour light rum, blue caracao, pineapple juice and cream of coconut into shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into glass. Garnish with pineapple slice and cherry.

Champagne Grapefruit Mojito

Champagne Grapefruit Mojito

Champagne Grapefruit Mojito

1 T. agave nectar

12 mint leaves

juice of one lime, about 2 T.

3 ounces good rum

juice of one grapefruit

1 C. ice, broken into large cubes

about 1/3 C. champagne, club soda or tonic can be substituted

 

I like to juice the lime and grapefruit, then cut them into wedges and muddle. To a shaker add grapefruit juice and wedges, mint, agave, ice, lime juice and lime wedges. Muddle crushing to release flavors. Add rum and shake. (do not add carbonated beverage) Spoon out the grapefruit and lime wedges. Fill 8 to 10 ounce glasses with ice and pour half full with grapefruit/mint mixture. Finish filling glass with champagne and stir to combine. Garnish with grapefruit wedge and mint stem

Classic Bloody Mary

Classic Bloody Mary

Classic Bloody Mary

1 Lemon wedge

1 Lime wedge

2 oz Premium Vodka

4 oz Tomato juice

2 dashes Tabasco Sauce

2 tsp. Prepared horseradish

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 pinch Celery salt

1 pinch Ground black pepper

1 pinch Smoked paprika

1 Celery stalk and lime wedge

 

Pour some celery salt onto a small plate. Rub the juicy side of the lemon or lime wedge along the lip of a pint glass. Roll the outer edge of the glass in celery salt until fully coated. Fill with ice and set aside.   Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a shaker and drop them in. Add the remaining ingredients and fill with ice. Shake gently and strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with a celery stalk and a lime wedge.

 

Early Start

Early Start

Early Start

1 1⁄2 oz Krogstad Festlig aquavit

1⁄2 oz Fresh lime juice

1⁄2 oz Orgeat syrup

1 Egg white

1 French sorrel leaf

Red-veined sorrel leaf

Muddle the French sorrel leaf in a mixing tin. Add the rest of the ingredients, dry-shake, then shake with ice. Fine-strain into a coupe. Garnish with a red-veined sorrel leaf.