Peach Margaritas

Tags

adult, beverage, cocktail, lime, margarita, peach, summer, tequila

Nothing says summer like fresh peaches. Their fuzzy skin and slurp inducing juiciness is so inviting you can barely stop eating them long enough to make this cocktail…. But you really should. Save just one. It’s worth it.

Peach Margaritas

• 1 peach, quartered (and peeled if you prefer)
• 2 oz peach lemonade (or regular lemonade)
• 1 1/2 oz silver tequila
• 1/2 lime, juices
• 1 to 2 tbsp agave nectar
• Ice
• Salt to rim, if desired

In a blender, add the peach quarters, lemonade, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar. Blitz until the peaches are smooth. Rim the glass with salt, add ice, and pour in the margarita mix. Serves 1.

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A Derby Cocktail – Raspberry and Thyme Gin and Tonics

Tags

beverage, cocktail, gin, Hopportunity, Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Proud, raspberry, thyme, tonic

My favorite summer cocktail is the Blackberry and Basil Gin and Tonic. Right now my basil plants are tiny but my thyme is really growing like gangbusters. It inspired me to make these new gin and tonics. I really enjoyed them! Either of these cocktails are delicious and would be great served at your Derby party. Have you picked a horse yet? You can check them out here. My pick is Hoppertunity. How did I pick him? I looked for the prettiest horse but all are brown/black. Then I read the names. Hoppertunity is the mosty food/drink oriented horse of the group. Who doesn’t love hops? What horse will you be betting on?

Raspberry and Thyme Gin and Tonics

• 12 raspberries
• 4 large sprigs of thyme, bruised to release flavor
• 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 12 ounces gin
• Tonic water
• Ice

Set out four high ball glasses. Place 3 raspberries, a thyme sprig, juice of ½ lemon, and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in each glass; muddle together. Fill each glass with ice, followed by 3 ounces of gin. Top off each drink with tonic water, stir and serve. Makes 4 drinks.

Passion Tea Lemonade Cooler

Tags

beverage, gluten free, knock off, lemonade, passion, starbucks, tea

I am sort of getting bored with my usual water or lemon water that I drink each day. I don’t want to add very many calories though. I mean, that’s sort of the point of water – low calorie hydration. This recipe is a knock off of the popular Starbucks drink but much cheaper. And with only 77 calories per recipe, this is way better for you than soda!

Passion Tea Lemonade Cooler

• 2 Tazo Passion Tea Bags
• 16 oz water
• 5 oz lemonade (I used Simply Lemonade)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

In a large glass measuring cup, add two cups of water. Place in the microwave and heat to a boil. Add the tea bags, sugar, and vanilla extract to the hot water. Allow to steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let sit on the counter until a bit cooler. Refrigerate until cool (about an hour). In a large glass, add the tea, lemonade, and lots of ice. Makes one very large cup or two average size water glasses.

Chai Lattes to Ward off the Bitter Cold!

Tags

beverage, black tea, chai, cheap, drink, gluten free, homemade, latte, vegetarian

According to the National Weather Service, we are currently experiencing gust of wind up to 35 mph. Though our temperature is 55F, it is expected to drop 8F with wind chills below -5F. Tomorrow promises to be even better – Highs around 9. Wind chill readings 12 below to 22 below zero. Thank goodness for my electric blanket and this chai.  The flavors of this chai are perfect. Exactly like my local coffee shop makes it, only I didn’t use steamed milk. Plus my version is a heck of a lot cheaper!

Chai Latte for One

• 1 cup water
• 1 black tea bag
• 1/4 tsp of ginger, cardamon, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon
• Sugar to taste
• 1 cup milk

In a small saucepan, combine the water with tea and the spices. Boil gently until the tea is steeped well. Add your sugar and the milk. Simmer until heated through. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer. Serves 1 but multiplies well.

Bluegrass Sundown ~ The Cocktail

Tags

beverage, Bluegrass Sundown, bourbon, cocktail, cream, hot, Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Kentucky Proud, Southern

On our recent tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, we visited Town Branch Distillery in Lexington. In addition to their Town Branch bourbon and Kentucky Ale beers, they also make Kentucky Sundown, a coffee flavored liquor with a bit of bourbon and sugar infused for additional layers of flavor. The back of the bottle features the recipe for a deliciously warm cocktail perfect for the rainy fall days the weatherman is predicting will come later this week.

Bluegrass Sundown ~ The Cocktail

• 2 ounces of Bluegrass Sundown
• 4 ounces of boiling hot water
• Heavy cream

Shake the Bluegrass Sundown well and measure out into a glass. Add the boiling water and stir. Tilt the back of a spoon touching the liquid and gently pour the heavy cream over the spoon. This allows the cream to float on the top. As you drink, the hot mixture will flow through the cold cream. The contrast is as divine as the flavor. Makes one cocktail.

Blackberry and Basil Gin and Tonics

Tags

adult, basil, beverage, blackberry, cocktail, gin, lemon, tonic

I love a good gin based cocktail. Most every bartender can make a basic Tom Collins without screwing it up too bad. Which is good for you on dollar well drink nights at your local watering hole. This cocktail is a little more mature than those watered down cheapies. It’s perfect for those who love herbs or gin or citrus.

Blackberry and Basil Gin and Tonics (a variation of this recipe)

• 12 blackberries
• 12 basil leaves, torn
• 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• 12 ounces gin
• Tonic water
• Ice

Set out four high ball glasses. Place 3 blackberries, 3 basil leaves, juice of ½ lemon, and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in each glass and muddle together. Fill each glass with ice, followed by 3 ounces of gin. Top off each drink with tonic water, stir and serve. Makes 4 drinks.

Start Your Morning With a Taste Bud Bang!

Tags

beverage, chili, cocktail, lime, mango, pepper, smoothie

Mangoes are on sale at my grocery and I bought way too many of them. Usually I just eat them plain or make them into salsa. I am needing some variety and this smoothie sounded like a wonderful breakfast. Add vodka and rim your glass with sugar for a cool treat on a hot summer afternoon.

Chili Lime Mango Smoothie (a variation of this recipe by Matchbox Kitchen)

• 1 mango, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1/2 cup limeade
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend into a smooth puree. Add more pepper if you want it spicier but be careful, the heat builds up as you drink it. Serves 1.

Lavender Lemonade for the Grownups

Tags

adult, beverage, cocktail, lavender, lemon, lemonade, liqueur, refreshing, summer

Everyone loves lemonade. That tart, sweet combo is unlike anything else. Especially in the hot summertime. This lemonade takes it to a whole other level with the addition of lavender liqueur.

Lavender Lemonade for the Grownups

• 1 1/2 cup prepared lemonade
• 1 to 2 shots of lavender liqueur
• Sugar for rimming the glass

In a shaker, combine the lemonade and liqueur.  Pour into a sugar rimmed glass. Enjoy!

A Cajun Bloody Mary – NOLA Series Part 6

Tags

adult, beverage, bloody mary, Cajun, cocktail, New Orleans, NOLA, Southern

Hurricanes seem to be the “traditional” drink of New Orleans. That makes me sad because I cannot stand rum and sickly sweet fruit juice together. I would just as soon have water, thank you very much. My friend Lynne said I should try a Cajun Bloody Mary instead. That suites my taste way better. You have probably noticed my preference for savory over sweet. And this Bloody Mary is savory in all the right ways. I love this cocktail! I think it may just be the best Bloody Mary I’ve tried.

A Cajun Bloody Mary (from Saveur)

• 4 oz tomato juice
• 1 oz beef broth
• 1 tsp whole-grain mustard
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• ⅛ tsp garlic powder
• Tabasco, to taste
• Pickled okra juice, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ oz vodka
• Pickled okra, pickled green beans and caper berries, for garnish

In a mixing glass, combine the tomato juice, broth, mustard, lime juice, lemon juice, vinegar, and garlic powder and season with Tabasco, okra juice, and black pepper; refrigerate mixture until chilled. To serve, fill a rocks glass with ice cubes, pour in vodka, and stir in tomato juice mixture. Garnish with okra, beans, and caper berries. Makes one cocktail.

This recipe is my final post in the NOLA Series. I have very much enjoyed exploring the flavors and ingredients used in traditional Louisiana/New Orleans cooking. I hope you have too. For more recipes in this series, check out these links:

Barbecue Shrimp- NOLA Series Part 1

King Cake – NOLA Series Part 2

Southern Breakfast Napoleons – NOLA Series Part 3

Shrimp Po’ Boys with Remoulade Sauce – NOLA Series Part 4

Crab and Shrimp Étouffée – NOLA Series Part 5

My photos were not nearly as appealing as the one of Saveur’s website. So I used theirs. Thanks guys for such a great recipe and photo. Photo credit: Saveur.

Bourbon Hot Chocolate for One

Tags

adult, beverage, bourbon, chocolate, cocktail, hot, winter

When it gets just a little too cold outside, a good cup of hot chocolate will warm you, body and soul.

Adult Hot Chocolate for One (from Emeril)

• 1 cups whole milk
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 1/2 star anise
• Pinch of lime zest
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of grated nutmeg
• 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp bourbon

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate, bourbon and cream. Heat over medium low heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add the chocolate to the pan and continue to cook over low heat, whisking until all of the chocolate has melted. Add bourbon and stir to combine.

Photo from here.