Sip

The specialty cocktail at the hotel from our honeymoon was Rum Punch.  It wasn’t overly sweet, and was super refreshing… the perfect way to cool down after a rough day at the beach.   To celebrate Valentine’s Day I wanted to whip up a fun version of Rum Punch that would bring us back to that amazing week… love at first… sip?

Strawberry Blood Orange Rum Punch 

recipe via Bojon Gourmet

• 4 strawberries
• 1 tsp cane sugar
• 2 oz blood orange juice (from 1 orange)
• 1 oz meyer lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)
• 1/2 oz lime juice (from 1/2 lime
• 1 1/2 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz dark rum

1. Muddle strawberries and sugar in a cocktail shaker until juices are released and sugar has dissolved.
2. Add citrus juice and give a quick stir.
3. Strain through a mesh sieve to remove pump.
4. Pour remaining juice into an ice filled glass and top with white and dark rum. Stir.
5. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a lime wedge or small strawberry.

While I went a little blood orange crazy last year (1, 2, 3), I’ve vowed to tone it down a bit… but that doesn’t mean I can go cold turkey!  I’m not usually a Cosmo girl (sorry SATC fans!) – but with a little blood orange and ginger, how could I say no!?

Blood Orange Ginger Cosmo

• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz Cointreau
• 1 blood-orange, freshly squeezed

1. Placed freshly grated ginger in the bottom of a martini glass.
2. Shake vodka, Cointreau and blood orange juice in an ice filled shaker for 30 seconds or until icy.
3. Strain into martini glass.
4. Garnish with orange wedge, candid ginger, etc.

With store shelves already in full Valentine’s Day swing, I couldn’t help but join in!  Here is a cute cocktail to share with your sweetie, gal pals, or just enjoy by yourself 🙂

Pomegranate Margaritas

• 2 oz tequila
• 1.5 oz Grand Marnier
• 2 oz pomegranate juice
• 2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave

1. Rim a cocktail glass in lime juice and salt.
2. Combine above ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into an ice filled/salt rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
4. Cheers to love!

In 4th grade we had to bring a snack to share with our class that reflected something from our family’s ancestry/history.  My mom is from Vermont, so she and my dad brought in shaved ice that we poured real Vermont maple syrup  over (they used to pour it over snow for an easy treat).  While it was a huge hit, it wasn’t something we ever had on a regular basis at home – so when I grew up and bought a snow cone maker (isn’t that how it usually works!?), I couldn’t wait to try a grown up version of the Vermont concoction. Here is what I came up with…

Bourbon Snowcones

• lemon juice
• maple syrup
• water
• bourbon

1. Fill large ice cube trays 1/3 way full with lemon juice, top with a splash of (Vermont) maple syrup and fill remaining tray with water.
2. Let freeze overnight (or longer) until completely frozen.
3. When ready to make your snow cones, remove ice cubes from freezer (they will be very sticky), and put into a snow cone maker.
4. Fill glass to desired level and top with bourbon (about an ounce or so…. depends if you want more of a snow cone or more of a slushy).

With apples and oranges taking over the farmers markets these cooler months, I’ve been missing fruity, fun colored cocktails.  Luckily, I came across this recipe for some gorgeous Cranberry infused Gin and Tonics to get my fill!

Cranberry Thyme Gin + Tonic

recipe via A Cozy Kitchen

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup  sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• splash of orange juice
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• fresh English thyme leaves
• gin
• tonic

Cranberry Syrup:

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes (stirring occasionally) until cranberries soften.
3. Add thyme.
4. Strain mixture through a fine sieve and store in an air tight container.

Cocktail:

1. Combine 1 oz of the cranberry syrup and 2 oz gin in an ice filled shaker.
2. Shake and pour over ice.
3. Top with tonic water and garnish with thyme.