Browsing Tag

simple syrup

Sip

Go Red!

February 7, 2014

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Happy National Wear Red Day!  The 1st Friday each February is a special day dedicated to bringing attention to the #1 killer of women – heart disease.  Click here to learn more about the Go Red Movement and National Wear Red Day.

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It only felt natural to create a red colored cocktail, and with oranges being good for heart health…. I felt this was the way to go!

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The “Heart” Stuff (like the Hard Stuff… get it?!)

Serves 3-4

  • 3 blood oranges
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lime
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 4 oz vodka
  1. Juice citrus.
  2. Rim glass with lime juice then sugar (with a dash of salt added), if you desire.
  3. Shake juice, simple syrup, and vodka in an ice filled cocktail shaker.
  4. Strain into glasses and enjoy… you’re helping your heart! (kind of 🙂 )

*Inspired by Nerds & Nomsense 

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Domestic

Last Minute Gift Ideas

December 23, 2013

Gift Bag Scrounging for some last minute present ideas?!  Forgot one of your coworkers?  Need a gift for your gardener? Look no further! I love the DIY approach to holiday gift giving and often find it best to make a little artisan or gourmet treat…

Last year I made homemade vanilla and while it does take a little planning (or at least waiting on the recipient’s end – it takes 3 months to really ferment) it is SO worth it.

Vanilla

This year I went with an infused simple syrup route.  I made my famous (to myself) Ginger Simple Syrup, and attached a homemade ginger ale recipe for the 21 and younger crowd and a Ginger Bourbon Fizz recipe for those that like to imbibe!

Homemade Ginger Ale Mix

Super simple (aside from the sticky mess that your kitchen is bound to fall victim to) and so delicious! Plus infused syrups are now like $12-15 a bottle at the store nowadays… and you easily can whip these up (bottles and all) for around $3!

DIY Holiday Gift

Other quick/less involved gift ideas:

  • wine (BevMo $0.05 wine sale!)
  • gift cards (Starbucks, Jamba, iTunes)
  • candles (I’m telling you… by them on sale when you see them!!!)
  • books (I love a great cookbook or coffee table book – Costco has great ones with CRAZY markdowns)
  • a beautiful frame with a picture of you and gift recipient (girls love pictures)

Bottle Top

What are some other quick and easy gift ideas!?

Sip

Tom Collins

December 20, 2013

Gin Tom Collins

With the influx of Meyer lemons at my disposal, they have taken center stage in my cooking (can you tell? Lemon Bars, Petrale Sole in Lemon Sauce, Kale Salad with Meyer Lemon Dressing…) AND bar-tending.

Tom Collins

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz Meyer lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 tsp of Marashino or Luxardo Cherry syrup 
  • 1 Luxardo Cherry
  • 1 orange slice 

Mix gin, juice and syrup in an ice filled cocktail shaker.  Strain into an ice filled glass and stir in some cherry syrup and garnish with a cherry and orange slice!

Cocktail Pour Marashino syrup will result in a more pink colored drink, but the Luxardo syrup is just as a tasty!

Cheers!

Cocktail Shaker

Sip

Christmas Mojito

December 13, 2013

Cranberry Mojito Cocktail2

I realized that the majority of my cocktails lately have been cider/apple based and I decided it was time to give it a mix-up. How do you take a summer fun drink and turn it into something holiday appropriate?  Introduce the cranberry.

I am usually a little weary of cranberries… the tartness is usually a bit much for me, but when used to flavor a simple syrup (ie sweet), it was the perfect addition.  Plus cranberries and mint pose a striking resemblance to holly!

Cranberry Christmas Mojito

  • 2 oz Cranberry Simple Syrup (add a single layer of cranberries to simmer in the pot you are using)
  • 2 oz White Rum
  • 3 oz Club Soda
  • Handful of Mint Leaves
  • Juice of 1/2 a lime
  1. Muddle lime juice and mint leaves in a glass.
  2. Add simple syrup and rum. Stir.
  3. Fill with ice and top with club soda
  4. Garnish with additional cranberries and mint.

Cranberry Mojito

Sip

Ginger Pear Sip

November 8, 2013

Chopin Vodka

For those of you that follow a gluten-free diet or have people in your life that do, you know how difficult meal planning can be.  It wasn’t until my mom started eating gluten-free, that I began to understand just how much of the food and drink we consume has gluten in it!

Chopin Vodka

No one could be happier than me, when I was introduced to Chopin vodka and their amazing products. Did you know they are one of the only major vodka brands to produce gluten-free products (namely their Potato Vodka – one of my favorites and included in the cocktail below!).

Pear Cocktail

They also meticulously produce their vodka in small batches at their distillery in Poland, using local ingredients and sustainable farming practices… doesn’t get much better than that!

Ginger Pear Vodka

So when I was invited to try out some of the vodka, I wanted to whip up a fall friendly vodka cocktail… so I now introduce to you The Ginger Pear Sip!

Ginger Pear Sip 

Add vodka, pear juice/puree and simple syrup to an ice filled shaker… shake thoroughly. Line the rim of a glass with lemon juice and dip in brown sugar.  Fill with ice and strain cocktail into glass.

Chopin Vodka Shot