Browsing Tag

vodka

Sip

Lavender Lemonade Martini

January 24, 2014

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Lavender is a tricky herb to infuse because it can turn into this horrible “cough-drop” taste… so I tend to be weary about ordering anything with it.  Luckily after going to The Grove in SF and trying their refreshing lavender lemonade my faith in this refreshing drink was renewed!

IMG_5075 Inspiration hit me again when I was at the farmer’s market and came across some lavender bunches being sold.  I have a bunch of lavender infused drinks pinned (follow me on Pintrest here!) but they often call for “culinary lavender,” which frankly, was confusing to me.  I searched for it at the grocery store (it isn’t in the spices section? or the vegetable aisle…), and had almost given up on ever finding it, when I decided to ask the nice couple working the farmers market.  They educated me, that basically recipes are just saying not to use potpourri lavender, and that any lavender you pick up at a farmers market should do the trick!  Phew 🙂

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So naturally Fun Drink Friday wouldn’t be so, without an elevated beverage… so I introduce to you – the Lavender Lemonade Martini.

Lavender Lemonade Martini

  • 1.5 oz Lavender Lemonade (you can use this recipe or pick up some pre-made concoctions at a farmers market or specialty store)
  • 2 oz Vodka

Combine vodka and lemonade in a shaker with ice.  Shake until icy and strain into a martini glass.  Bottoms up!

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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

Sip

The Pennytini

October 25, 2013

Rose Martini

For Penny’s birthday party (full post here), I created a couple specialty cocktails.  One was a Marin Mule (named after a Moscow Mule – recipe here) and the next was a concoction by yours truly.  Penny has really been into these Rose Watermelon juices from the farmers market, so I wanted to do a spin off of that… here is what I came up with!

Watermelon Juice Vodka Rosewater

Pennytini

2 oz vodka
4 oz watermelon juice
1/2 oz rosewater
1 oz lime juice

Pour ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and give it a few good shakes.  Strain into a martini glass and enjoy!

Bryce – my dedicated juice pourer

Martini Shaker

Bryce’s dad – the dedicated Martini Shaker

A made a large batch and had it available to pour individual portions into the shaker for fresh cocktails!

Sip

La Poire Cooler

October 18, 2013

Pear Vodka Cocktail

Pear Vodka Cooler

  • 2 oz Grey Goose La Poire Vodka
  • 1 oz Cucumber Juice
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • 6 oz Sprite

Add vodka and juices into an ice filled glass and stir.  Top with Sprite and stir once more. Bottoms up!

Sip

Peach Ginger Vodka Cocktail

August 30, 2013

Peach Ginger VodkaThe farmers market had some gorgeous peaches so I grabbed some of my ginger infused syrup, some peaches, some seltzer and got to work!

Peach Cocktail

Peach Ginger Vodka Cocktail: 

  1. Muddle 1/2 a peach in the bottom of your glass.
  2. Add 2 Tablespoons Ginger Simple Syrup.
  3. Muddle 3 mint leaves into mixture.
  4. Add 1 oz vodka (you could also do a light rum).
  5. Fill glass with ice and then top with seltzer.
  6. Stir and enjoy!

Peach Vodka

* Ginger Infused Syrup: 

  1. Heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water on the stove until sugar has dissolved.
  2.  Turn off heat and add 1 ginger root (peeled and sliced) into the simple syrup mixture and let steep for about 30 minutes.

Peach Ginger Cocktail