cocktail

Tag

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
02 ^nd

Thirsty Thursday: Watermelon Cucumber Mojitos

Posted by Erin — 1 Comment

This post was compensated with products from NOW Foods, however what I whip up and opinions regarding the products are 100% my own.

There is nothing better than a cocktail you can make with things you already have on hand. There is also nothing better than a giveaway!

With summer here, there are three things I always have on hand: watermelon for the kids, cucumbers for the kids, and mint because it has so many uses this time of year. I was looking through Pinterest, and noticed there are so many recipes for salads combining these three ingredients, I thought why not a cocktail.

The two best things about this drink (besides the watermelon, cucumber, mint combo) is that is can be made both virgin and traditional, and instead of using sugar for the muddling, I used NOW Foods Organic Agave Nectar. This dissolves a lot better and actually tastes a lot better too.

Watermelon Cucumber Mojitos (makes one)
1/4 cup watermelon chunks
4 slices cucumber
3 or 4 mint leaves
2 tsp NOW Real Foods Organic Agave Nectar
1 tbsp lemon juice (or juice of a lemon wedge)
1 shot of white rum (optional)
ice

In a small glass, add ice and set aside to chill.

In a large glass or cocktail shaker, muddle together melon, cucumber, mint, and agave.

Strain the melon mixture well to remove seeds, flesh, skins, and mint leaves.

Pour this mixture into glass with the ice. Top with the optional rum, and lemon juice. Stir and garnish with melon, cucumber, and mint.

Serve immediately.

NOW (see what I did there?) it is the moment you have all been waiting for! I have published a few recipes this week with all of the wonderful things you can do with NOW Foods, and honestly know I will be adding their healthy ingredients as a regular part of my every day cooking. To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is comment below and tell me what is the FIRST thing you will make when YOU WIN $130 in NOW Foods Products?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

If you like this post and would like 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
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
04 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Easy Jingle Juice

Posted by Erin — 1 Comment

As you know, I have kind of been in a Zen like state this holiday season. I have really been trying to simplify around here, and focus on the joy and love. I think I have streamlined how to plan ahead to really enjoy some of the activities that come along with this time of year.

One of them being holiday cards.

This year, I thought it might be fun to make up a little cocktail and turn up the tunes while my honey and I addressed our envelopes. I decided to make Jingle Juice.

There are a million and one recipes for Jingle Juice, and some of them seem pretty intense with several kinds of fresh squeezed fruits and simple syrups and slices of things. I decided I would even make my Jingle Juice Zen like, and stream line that too.

Easy Jingle Juice (make 1 cocktail)

1 oz raspberry flavored vodka
2 oz cran-apple juice
2 oz orange juice
lemon lime soda
ice

In a small glass, add ice, and set aside.

In a cocktail shaker, add more ice, vodka, cran-apple juice, and orange juice. Shake for one minute. Pour into glass. Top with lemon lime soda. Serve immediately. (If you’re not into vodka you can leave it out.)

Don’t tell me this won’t make addressing those cards just the teeniest bit more enjoyable?

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

Thu
25 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Apple Whiskey Mule

Posted by Erin — No Comments

So, it is officially fall. The Autumnal Equinox happened at 9:29 CST on Monday, and I have been relishing in all the fall glory since. This has always been one of my favorite times of year, but for some reason this year I was counting down the minutes until fall. Perhaps it was because I couldn’t wait to start enjoying all the fall foods, or start wearing my favorite fall clothes, or maybe it is because snuggling on the couch reading books with my littles is one of my favorite things to do. Doing it in the summer is just not the same.

With Autumn comes great drinks, and last year I was all about the hot beverages, but since it is still quite warm out, I thought I would try some cooler refreshing beverages to start out Fall right. So, for this THIRSTY THURSDAY, I am switching up one of my new absolute favorite cocktails, the Moscow Mule, and have created an Apple Whiskey Mule.

Apple Whiskey Mule (makes one)
1/2 of lime juiced
1 tsp sugar
2 oz Irish whiskey
4 – 6 oz Hard Apple Cider (I used Angry Orchard Apple Ginger)
Ice
Apple Slices for Garnish

In a copper mug or glass, add ice to chill.

In a cocktail shaker add lime juice, sugar, whiskey, and ice and shake until well combined (about 30 seconds). Pour into mug or glass and top with cider.

Garnish with apple slices and serve.

Happy Autumn, Readers!

If you like Autumn drinks, check out this vanilla spiced cider. For all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Thu
14 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Cherry Amaretto Sours

Posted by Erin — No Comments

Every time I walk into the store or roam around the famers’ market this time of year, I cannot resist heading straight for the cherries. They are in season, on sale, and going fast. I was trying to think of a way that I could make a THIRSTY THURSDAY recipe with them. Sure, I could add them to a classic vanilla milkshake for the kids, but that wouldn’t have quite the kick I was looking for to get me through the school supply shopping I have yet to tackle (yes, I know, time’s a tickin’ and I am clearly in denial).

One of my favorite cocktails is an amaretto sour, and everyone knows cherries and almonds are a good mix, so I thought why not mix up some sweet and sour cherries with some amaretto and see what happens. It was hard finding a recipe with amaretto and fresh cherries, but I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one with the idea, and saw this recipe from The Pet Lamb Girls. I, of course, doctored it up a bit, and when I did this is what happened and it was awesome:

Cherry Amaretto Sours (makes two)

1/2 cup fresh pitted cherries
1 lemon cut into wedges
2 Tbs light brown sugar
4 oz amaretto liqueur
4 oz lemon lime soda

Add ice to two small glasses to chill, and set aside. In a large glass, muddle together cherries, sugar, and lemon wedges until lemon is fully juiced and sugar is dissolved and cherries are juicy Divide this mixture among glasses. Then top with divided amaretto and soda. Garnish with a cherry.

Enjoy and think about school supply shopping another day.

If you like cherry drinks, check out these cherry rum and cokes. For all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Thu
24 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: National Tequila Day & Not Your Mom’s Tequila Cocktail

Posted by Erin — 2 Comments

Today is National Tequila Day! When most people think tequila they think of their salt and lime shooter days in college (just me? ok then.) or blended up in a margarita. However, whether you decide to sip over ice or mix it up in a cocktail, tequila can be enjoyed in a number of ways.

There are several different kinds of tequila, and when shopping for tequila it can be hard to know what you want for your mixology bar. Tequila is made from agave and like most liquors has a very unique and distinctive taste. For me, I typically use silver tequilas which is tequila that is clear and is extremely pure in taste and has no additives. It is great for mixing in cocktails. If you are a tequila sipper you can try tequilas that have been aged anywhere from 2 months to more than three years. These tequilas are like whiskey and have been aged in barrels where the flavor has been enriched and become much more complex and even more smooth.

While I have always been a fan of margaritas both on the rocks and blended, made with every fruit under the sun including mangos. I wanted something a little different for today. When looking for a cocktail recipe for today, I wanted something where I could really taste the tequila, use some herbs in my garden, and have a nonalcoholic option for my non drinking friends. Thanks to Martha Stewart, I found this recipe and doctored it up a bit.

Thyme & Tequila Lemonade (makes one cocktail)
3 lemon wedges
3 sprigs of thyme
2 tsp granulated sugar
2 oz tequila (optional)
3 or 4 oz sparkling water or club soda
extra thyme for garnish
1/2 cup ice

In a small cocktail glass add ice, and let the glass chill. In a large cocktail shaker or glass, muddle together lemon wedges, thyme and sugar until thyme leaves have fallen off and sugar is almost dissolved in lemon juice.

Strain mixture over ice into cocktail glass. Top with tequila and sparkling water. Add thyme sprigs and give a little stir. Enjoy immediately.

Be ready for good times, because let’s face it, where there’s tequila or lemonade, there’s fun!

If you like summertime drinks that can be virgin or alcoholic check out this peach iced tea or these watermelon slushies or these two version of mint juleps. For all things beverage related, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Thu
17 ^th

Thirsty Thursday: Peach Iced Tea

Posted by Erin — No Comments

Tea is my drink of choice, and when I get the chance to drink it I do. Whether it be hot or cold, it is the perfect drink for any time of day. However, there are times when the same old iced tea isn’t cutting it for me, and I like to jazz it up. Especially, when soaking in a beautiful evening.

For the middle of July, the weather has been a little cooler than usual. In fact, it has been perfect for sitting outside and watching the world go by. So while the kids eat popsicles or ice cream outside, I have been joining them with a glass PEACH ICED TEA. Peaches are still in season, and you can add some Absolut Apeach for a little adult zing, or leave it out.

PEACH ICED TEA (makes 2 servings)
2 tea bags (I used TAZO Peachy Green Tea)
2 cups boiling water
2 tsp granulated sugar
1/2 peach sliced
2 cups ice
2 shots Absolut Apeach (optional)
mint sprigs for garnish

In a heat safe pitcher, pour boiling water over tea bags. Allow to steep for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in two glasses add ice, peaches, mint, and vodka. Once tea is steeped, add sugar to tea and sir until dissolved. Pour mixture over ice, and serve immediately.

Be careful, relaxing and good conversation may take place.

If you like summertime drinks like iced tea, lemonade or slushies, try this recipe for fresh pink lemonade. 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
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
01 ^st

Thirsty Thursday: Two Kinds of Juleps

Posted by Erin — 2 Comments

Saturday is the 140th Running of the Kentucky Derby. All three of my kids are smitten with horses but especially my son, George. Everything is horses! Of all my kids’s obsessions Legos, Wii, Princesses, the horses are my favorite. I love that he has such an interest in such a beautiful animal. We love reading books, and pretending to be jockeys and watching Secretariat over and over again. It must be in our blood. My great grandfather before leaving Ireland for Chicago was a blacksmith.

Since I know we will be glued to the TV on Saturday for coverage of the race, this THIRSTY THURSDAY I thought I should learn how to make some Mint Juleps.

Also, because I cannot do anything traditionally, I made a change as a nod to my Irish roots and used made them with Irish Whiskey instead. In addition, I decided to make a NON ALCOHOLIC version so the kids and and anyone who is refraining from alcohol can join in on the fun!

Irish Mint Julep (makes one cocktail)
2 TBS simple syrup (in a sauce pan over low heat mix equal parts sugar and water and stir until sugar is completely dissolved and cool. Keep on hand for you cocktails for the day.)
1 shot (2 oz) Jameson Irish Whiskey
5 fresh Mint sprigs
1/2 cup crushed iced

In large glass muddle together mint and simple syrup. Pour this mixture over a small glass filled with ice and top off with Jameson. Garnish with another sprig of mint.

Virgin Julep Tea
6 oz Sweet Tea (CLICK HERE for my recipe, you may also steep mint leaves with tea for extra boost of mint flavor)
5 fresh mint sprigs
Sparkling Water or Club Soda
1/2 cup crushed ice

In a large glass muddle together mint and crushed ice. Pour in tea and and stir. Top off with a few ounces of sparkling water or club soda for some fizz and garnish with mint.

Now, time to decide which hat to wear!

This #ThirstyThursday was organized with Red Envelope as part of their #redBar project.

If Juleps are not your thing, but beverages are, check out the THIRSTY THURSDAY page for recipes for all kinds of drinks, cocktails, and all things drinkable!

Older Posts →