Pomegranate Margarita

Tags

adult, beverages, cocktails, juice, lime, margarita, pomegranate, tequila, tex-mex

I recently bought a bottle of pomegranate juice for a really good price. This recipe was the perfect use for it. I used a bit less tequila (as I do not really love it) and was thrilled by the result. Next time you make Tex-Mex, you should make a pitcher of these.

Pomegranate Margarita (from Confections of a Foodie Bride)

• 2 cups homemade margarita mix (see below)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 1/2 cup silver tequila
• 16 oz bottle 100% pomegranate juice
• Salt or sugar, for rimming
• Lime wedges

Mix all ingredients in a pitcher. Pour over ice into salt or sugar-rimmed glasses.
Serve garnished with lime wedges.

Margarita Mix

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (~8-12 limes)

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool then add the lime juice. Store in a refrigerator until ready to use.

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Lavender Liqueur

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adult, beverages, cocktails, DIY, gift ideas, gluten free, herbs, lavender, liqueur

My friend Kathryn gave me this gorgeous little bottle of lavender liqueur and I was hooked. It’s fresh, herb-y flavor has so many potential uses (those will be future posts). Presentation is everything and I just love the little bottle. It would make a lovely gift, wouldn’t it? I know two things- 1) I had to share with my blog readers and 2) I will be making this on a regular basis because it is so dang good!

Lavender Liqueur

• 1/4 cup food grade dried lavender flowers
• 750 ml premium vodka 
• 1/2 cup local honey

In a glass container, combine the lavender and the vodka. Allow to steep for three days. Strain off the lavender flowers then stir in the honey. Allow the sediment to settle. Let the liqueur to rest for two days. Strain the mixture through a paper strainer to remove any remaining bits of flowers and sediment. Store in glass containers.

For more lavender recipes on my blog, check out these posts:

• Lemon Lavender Shortbread
• Lavender Rosemary Potatoes
• Plum Lavender Crumble with Almonds and Oats

Limoncello ~ Part 1

Tags

adult, beverages, citrus, cocktails, digestif, Everclear, Italian, lemons, limoncello

Limoncello is an Italian digestif normally served cold. Prior to this little experiment, I have never tried it but when Greg from Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide posted it, I knew I had to make some of my own. Be sure to click on the link above. He has tons of cocktail ideas to use your limoncello. As soon as mine is done, I’ll start posting some of my own. I can’t wait to taste the results. Expect to see Part 2 in about 2 weeks or so.

Limoncello ~ Part 1

• 20 normal lemons
• 750ml pure grain alcohol (one bottle of Everclear)
• 2 3/4 cups water
• 3 cups sugar
• A large glass container

Wash lemons and dry completely. Make sure to remove any dirt, adhesive or writing on skin. Using a potato peeler remove the rind only of each one. Try and have as little pith (white part) on the back of the strips. Place in container. Pour in grain alcohol. Seal and place in a cool (68-70 degrees) dark area. Store for 13 days agitating (shaking) it once a day.

Part 2 will show this part of the recipe:

On the 13^th day mix sugar and water together in a large pot. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Cool completely. Strain lemon liquor into simple syrup. Discard lemon rind. Mix liquid together and pour back into storage container. Seal and store in same cool dark place for three weeks agitating twice a day. When time is up, enjoy.

The Perfect Paloma

Tags

adult, beverages, citrus, cocktails, grapefruit, mezal, paloma, sotol, tequila

One of my good friends, Jason, gave me a great Christmas gift – Sotol. What is sotol? An alcoholic beverage made from the Dasylirion wheeleri, an evergreen shrub native to the arid dessert of northern Mexico and the southern US. I must stress that Sotol is NOT tequila. I repeat, NOT TEQUILA. It is more like tequila’s cousin. It still has that smokey flavor without all the heaviness. And none of the cat cough inducing, nasty after taste at the end. Some people enjoy it enough to drink it straight. If that’s not you (it’s not me, for sure), try this paloma.

The Perfect Paloma (from Annie Eats)

1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1/8 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup Sotol
1 tbsp simple syrup
1/4 cup club soda

Rim a cocktail glasses with juice from a grapefruit wedge and dip in coarse salt.  Fill glasses with crushed ice.  Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila and simple syrup in a liquid measuring cup or cocktail shaker.  Mix well to blend. Pour the club soda into the glass. Top each serving off with half of the cocktail mixture.  Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

The Promised Crantini

Tags

adult, beverages, cocktails, cranberry, crantini, drinks, lime, vodka

Remember the cranberry-lime infused vodka I made the other day? The photo on the left was taken on the day I put the bottles together. The photo on the right is after the bottles matured about 3.5 weeks.

Before

After

The vodka is good enough to drink alone but also very nice in this crantini. 

Crantini

• 1/2 oz triple Sec
• 1 1/2 oz cranberry-lime infused vodka 
• 4 oz cranberry juice
• Ice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker to combine. Serve with ice if desired. Garnish with a few cranberries or a lime zest curl.

Root:1 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Tags

2011, cocktails, root, sauvignon blanc, wine

I walk through the liquor store and buy wine based off it’s packaging. Pretty=tasty to me. This bottle is gorgeous! Very organic and clean looking. I paid a little less than $12.

Here is how Wine Enthusiast describes it…

“Minerality and passion fruit aromas control the bouquet. The palate is fresh and zesty, with grapefruit, lime and green apple flavors. Holds its form and tightness on the finish, staying juicy and fresh from front to back.” 

Yep! I agree with that! A very nice bottle for a very nice price.

Photo Source: Wine.com

Four Cocktails for Fourth of July!!!!

Tags

4th of July, American, beverages, celebration, cocktails, fireworks

Today is a lazy day. Both the hubby and I have off today. The plan is to clean up a little, rest a lot, and enjoy a fireworks show in Berea. No cooking today. Instead, I am going to steer you toward four fantastic cocktail recipes that I want to try this summer season. They are sure to get the party started!!!

Rosemary-infused Lemonade

Summer Thyme Martini

Raspberry Mojitos

White Strawberry Lemon Sangria

The best thing about this post is the gorgeous photography, none of which came from me. All photos used were taken directly from the original post. These bloggers are blessed to be a good chefs and photographers.

Bloody Derby

Tags

bloody mary, bourbon, cocktails, Kentucky

A Bloody Derby may sound a bit odd but I think it is about perfect for Kentucky. This  is not the traditional Mint Julep that most will have today. Honestly, I don’t like them. Since it seems you can only get them on Derby Day, I don’t think many other people do either. I really enjoyed this drink. Maybe you can serve it for your next brunch or while you are watching the ponies race this afternoon.

Bloody Derby

• 4 cubes ice
• 4 oz tomato juice
• 1 1/2 oz bourbon
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated horseradish to taste
• 1/4 tsp minced garlic to taste
• Celery salt to taste
• Freshly cracked pepper
• 1/2 tsp Tabasco
• Lemon Juice
• Lime juice
• Celery to garnish

Mix ice, tomato juice, bourbon, horseradish, garlic, salt, pepper, Tabasco, juice of one lemon wedge and juice of one lime wedge in a chilled glass. Garnish with remaining citrus, celery and carrot sticks.

Skinny Vodkarita

Tags

citrus, cocktails, margarita, vodka, vodkarita

This recipe is originally from NPR. They bill it as the “healthy” version of a margarita because it has about 100 calories per drink. I just picked tried because I like the citrus and vodka combination. I am glad I did. The fresh citrus makes it refreshing, not sickly sweet like some fruit based drinks. The vodka taste is pretty masked so it would be good for people who normally don’t like alcohol. I plan to make this for a work get-together planned soon.

Skinny Vodkarita

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 lime, juiced
• Splash fresh orange juice
• 2 ounces calorie-free citrus soda (I used 4 ounces and omitted the club soda because I didn’t have any on hand)
• 2 ounces club soda
• Lime wedge for garnish

Mix vodka and juices in a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice. Strain into a tall glass. Finish with sodas. Garnish with lime.