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Thu
13 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Grapefruit Mules

Posted by Erin — No Comments

The best part about traveling with Brian is A) he likes to extend vacation as long as possible B) he knows that the fun is in the journey C) he likes to drive while I navigate. This means that sometimes we make some stops along the way. On our way home from our Twin Cities adventures, we stopped in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and took the Leinenkugel Brewery Tour. This was something we had always wanted to do, and we were very glad we did.

This particular brewery was especially interesting to me as I have taken quite a liking to some of Leinenkugel’s brands of beers like the Canoe Paddler (a Kolsch style beer), the Snow Drift Vanilla Porter, and their entire line of Shandy beers, most especially their Grapefruit variety.

If beer isn’t your thing, however, taking any kind of a brewery tour is interesting if you haven’t done so. You will certainly learn about the beer making process which is awesome to see the machinery, and processes that go into crafting and bottling. Also, you are sure to get a lesson in local and national history too. And let us not forget the sampling, but as we had a long drive home and the kids were with us we had took only a sip and then took part in the free root beer and lemonade after our tour.

My favorite part of the tour was watching the bottling and learning about the women of the Leinenkugel family who have helped keep the business going strong for 5 generations.

After getting home, I wanted to up the ante on the Leinenkugel Grapefruit Shandy, and thought I would create a Grapefruit Mule. Let me tell you, this is the perfect summer treat to watch the sunset and it kind of looks like one too.

Grapefruit Shandy (makes 1 cocktail)

2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice

1 oz lime juice

2 oz grapefruit vodka (I used Deep Eddy Ruby Red)

1 bottle Leinenkugel Grapefruit Shandy chilled

ice

Fill a copper mug or glass (I used a glass to show color) with ice and set aside.

Then, in a large glass or cocktail shaker, mix together grapefruit juice, lime juice, and vodka.

Pour vodka mixture into glass with ice, and top with Grapefruit Shandy.

Drink responsibly preferably while watching the last of these summer sunsets.

For more drinkable recipes visit the Thirsty Thursday page.

Thu
21 ^st

Thirsty Thursday: Grown Up Root Beer Floats

Posted by Erin — No Comments

I did something crazy and amazing at the same time. I mixed beer and ice cream. I know. Most of you think this is disgusting. However, for some of you, I have made all your dreams come true.

Hear me out first. There is this amazing beer. It is beer, but it tastes like root beer. Like exactly like root beer. Not Your Father’s Root Beer is manufactured by Small Town Brewery and it is a must have for summer! Beer drinkers like it because it has a lot of interest. Non beer drinkers will love it because it tastes like pop!

And if you do what I did, and make an decadent grown up version of an old time favorite with it, you’ll have to keep some on hand at all times because your grown up friends will want you to serve up this treat all summer long!

Grown Up Root Beer Float (makes one)
1 bottle of Not Your Father’s Root Beer (chilled)
chocolate syrup
vanilla ice cream

Drizzle the inside of a large glass with about one or two tablespoons of chocolate syrup.

Then, in the same glass, add two scoops of the ice cream.

Finally, carefully pour the chilled beer over the ice cream. The beer will foam like a regular root beer float, so this is where an extra large glass comes in handy.

Serve with a straw for sipping and a spoon for scooping the extra ice cream.

Sit outside and enjoy being a grown up, while having a taste of childhood.

For all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Want to read more about all things domestic with a touch of humor? Become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write such as ChicagoNow or Chicago Parent follow Home Everyday on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thu
12 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Father’s Day Chelada

Posted by Erin — No Comments

In preparation for today’s Father’s Day installment of Thirsty Thursday, I asked Brian what his favorite cocktail is because. His response, “I don’t have one.” To which I responded, “Me either. There’s just so many!” and he said, “No, I like beer.” Silly Brian, beer is a mixer too! I’ve made lemonade shandy and black velvets, and I knew I would be able to try something else to treat him for Father’s Day.

Brian loves Mexican cuisine, so when I found a Mexican cocktail called a Chedlada made with beer, I knew he would love it. It is simply adding some salt and lime to a Mexican beer, and it is refreshing and perfect for a summertime BBQ. Of course, it wouldn’t be Thirsty Thursday, if I didn’t customize things a bit. Brian’s favorite brew in the summertime is Goose Island 312, which is a light wheat beer.

Father’s Day Chelada (makes one cocktail)
1 small lime juiced
Course salt
1 bottle of 312 Urban Wheat Ale

In a bowl add half the lime juice and dip the rim of the glass into the juice. Then, immediately dip the rim of the glass into salt. This will rim the glass with just the right amount of salt.

Next, add the rest of the lime juice to the glass.

Next, pop open a beer a pour over lime juice. (NOTE: Homer Simpson bottle opener is optional.)

You can garnish with a slice of lime. Enjoy outside while waiting for a burger to cook up on the grill.

Happy Father’s Day!

If you like summertime cocktails, try this recipe for a minty mojito or a cherry rum and coke. Or for all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Thu
20 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Black Velvet

Posted by Erin — No Comments

This month’s Thirsty Thursday recipes are an homage to beer. Not just as a beverage in general, but also used as a mixer. Last time we talked about the Lemonade Shandy. This week, I thought we would get a little fancier with a Black Velvet.

Today kicks of the NCAA March Madness Tournament (which by the way my bracket has a tendency toward the Big 10 and Catholic Schools, oh well). While most people who I know will be glued to the television with pizza and a cold brew, I have a few friends that would much rather serve fancy hors d’oeuvre and cocktails for events such as this. Ok, ok, when I say some people I mean… me. I love sporting events, but sometimes it is also fun to class it up a bit.

So, to celebrate the first day of March Madness, I thought it might be fun to fancy things up a bit.

Nothing says fancy to me like a chilled bottle of bubbly. I am mixing it with a cold bottle of stout or Guiness. The mix of flavors seems strange, but the light and bubbly mix of sparkling wine with the heavy stout it an awesome combination. It is called a Black Velvet, and I guarantee you will love it!

Black Velvet (makes 2 cocktails)
1 bottle of Guinesss Stout chilled
1 Split of sparkling wine chilled

Divide the Guiness evenly between two glasses. Top the beer with the chilled sparkling wine. Enjoy immediately.

If you liked this cocktail you might also like some others with sparkling wine like this recipe for Champagne Punch.

Check out other ThirstyThursday recipes HERE! And if you would like to read more about DIY, gardening, cooking, baking or all other things domestic, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write follow Home Everyday on Facebook here.

Thu
06 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Lemonade Shandy

Posted by Erin — No Comments

March is here! This means St. Patrick’s Day, soda bread, parades, shepherd’s pie, bag pipes, and beer.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Thirsty Thursday’s in March we will be discussing beer, and making cocktails with beer. We will be starting with a Lemonade Shandy.
(For those that are less likely to drink beer and more likely to drink tea, another popular Irish drink, check out these alcohol free tea drinks here and here.)

I like all kinds of beer, so for this month of Thirsty Thursdays we will be discussing all kinds of beer. From ales to stouts, I have tried all kinds, and I have my favorites, and while I do enjoy an icey cold beer out of the bottle while I am making burger on the grill or while I am enjoying a bon fire or enjoying good conversation, I also enjoy beer as a mixer for a cocktail.

The beer I will be using today is a wheat beer, which is light and is often times citrusy on its own. My favorite for mixing up my own Lemonade Shandy is Goose Island 312.

Lemonade Shandy (makes one drink)
1 – 12 oz bottle of wheat beer chilled
4 oz lemonade

In a tall glass very carefully pour beer, add lemonade and gently stir.

This is the perfect cocktail for those that are learning to like beer. It is also a nice accompaniment to a weekend lunch or casual dinner.

If you like this recipe, check out other ThirstyThursday recipes HERE! And if you would like to read more about DIY, gardening, cooking, baking or all other things domestic, become a Home Everyday follower! For blog updates or to see other places I write follow Home Everyday on Facebook here.