Tag

cocktail

Thirsty Thursday: Peach Bellini (With and Without Alcohol)

Posted by — 1 Comment

‘Tis the season of brunch! If you want my honest opinion, it is always time for brunch, but with Easter almost here and the weather making it easier for us to dine al fresco, brunch is where its at. This week for THIRSTY THURSDAY, I thought I would tackle my favorite brunch cocktail (next to mimosas and bloody mary’s): PEACH BELLINIS. I also thought it would be nice to have two options for guests, so I made both an alcoholic version or a non alcoholic version.

For the non-alcholoic version I used peach nectar, which I must say was not easy to find. If you are having trouble finding it, there several juices at the supermarket such as peach mango or peach berry that would work just as well.

 

Virgin Peach Bellinis (makes 2 large bell inis)
1 1/2 cups frozen peaches
1/2 cup peach nectar or juice
1 can lemon lime soda
(you can add more ice to blender to make it more of a slush consistency)

 

 

In a blender, add peaches, nectar, soda, and ice. Blend until smooth and poor into glasses with a straw. I used Mason jars. Serve with straws immediately.

For the Traditional Peach Bellinis I thought it would be nice to add an additional kick, so I added some Peach Vodka, which can be easily found. Go figure.

Traditional Peach Bellinis (makes 1 cocktail)
2 oz chilled Absolut Peach vodka
2 oz chilled peach nectar
4 oz chilled sparkling wine
Sliced or frozen peaches for garnish

 

In a champagne or wine glass, add vodka and peach nectar. Using a small straw or stirring stick mix the vodka and nectar. Top with chilled sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

 

If peaches 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!

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.

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Black Velvet

Posted by — 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.

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Red Mimosas

Posted by — No Comments

Earlier this week, I made a Red Berry Sauce that is so versatile, you can even use it for cocktails. This week’s Thirsty Thursday is doing just that. Using just two ingredients, these Red Mimosas are a perfect Valentine’s surprise for your honey.

 

You can also make these Red Mimosas with Sprite, Sierra Mist, or 7Up for a non-alchoholic version. Both versions are delicious, and oh so easy. These drinks would also be fun for the holidays or refreshing in the summertime when berries are plentiful.

Red Mimosas (makes 2)

4 tsp Red Berry Sauce (for recipe CLICK HERE)
8 oz chilled Sparkling Wine or chilled Lemon Lime Soda

 

In a champagne glass, spoon 2 tsp of berry sauce. Pour 4 oz sparkling wine or lemon lime soda over sauce and stir gently. Serve immediately.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pssst To read about what Valentine’s Day was like for me as a kid CLICK HERE or check out my Valentine’s Day post for Chicago Parent HERE!

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.

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Gold Medal

Posted by — 1 Comment

The Winter Olympics are here! I cannot wait to tune into hours of hockey, skiing, figure skating, snowboarding and curling. Yes curling! We will be cheering the USA on to Gold!

 

Speaking of Gold, for this week’s Olympic Themed Thirsty Thursday I concocted a cocktail that is a beautiful shade of gold. I call it the Gold Medal.

 

 

This cocktail is the perfect combination of sweet and sour. It also has just the right amount of kick. Because it only takes a few minutes to make, you will be toasting to the athletes in no time at all.

Gold Medal (makes 1 cocktail)
1 1/2 oz very hot water
2 1/2 oz clover honey
2 oz whiskey (I used Jameson)
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Lemon peel for garnish

 

In a small heat safe mug, mix together hot water and honey until honey dissolves.

In a cocktail shaker with lots of ice, add honey mixture, whiskey, and lemon juice. Shake for 1 or 2 minutes. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon peel.

 

Enjoy responsibly. Now, off to see if there are any curling clubs in my neck of the woods.

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.

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Windy Whiskey Mac

Posted by — No Comments

Today’s Thirsty Thursday is is a guest post by the creative mastermind behind No Bags to Check, Alisa Jordan. Alisa’s blog is full of about her adventures both near and far, and her travel tips put The Travel Channel to shame. Alisa has lived all over the country and abroad, but now makes Chicago her home. It is apparent that when Alisa is not traveling and sharing her tips with readers, she can make a mean cocktail. If you would like to read more about Alisa Jordan, check out her blog No Bags to Check or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.



 

This is my third winter in Chicago, and by far the coldest
and snowiest since I moved here. It’s been pretty brutal even by my previous
home of Boston’s standards. For these cold winter nights, sometimes it’s nice
to have a hot cocktail after braving the elements or spending an arduous day
staying indoors and catching up on your Netflix queue.
One of my favorite hot cocktails is the Whiskey Mac, which I
first had when I lived in London and my family came to visit for Christmas.
While London winters are nothing compared to the sub-zero and snow here, they
do tend to be pretty grey and gloomy. If I remember correctly, it was my mother
who discovered the drink after talking to the bartender about the Hot Toddy,
the Whiskey Mac’s more well known relative.
The story (at least the Wikipedia version) is the Whiskey
Mac was invented by a Colonel Macdonald in the British forces back in the day
(late 1800s or so). The traditional version consists of combining equal parts
Scotch and ginger wine and adding hot water. If you want to go this route, you
will probably need to order ginger wine on-line; I’ve found it difficult to
locate on this side of the Atlantic.
Here’s my Chicago adaptation.
The Windy Whiskey Mac:
1.5 oz. (1 shot) of Irish Whiskey (I used Jameson)
1.5 oz. (1 shot) of Ginger Liqueur (I used locally distilled
Koval)
Hot water
Lemon slices (optional)

 

Combine the whiskey and ginger liqueur in a mug and fill
with as much hot water as you’d like depending on how strong you like your
drink. Garnish with a lemon slice if you like and enjoy!

 

For more #ThirstyThursday recipes CLICK HERE! For more about DIY, gardening, cooking, baking, #ThirstyThursdays 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, Twitter, or Pinterest.






Thirsty Thursday: Lemon Strawberry Daiquiris

Posted by — 1 Comment

I am kind of missing the days where I can go out and water my garden in the morning, go for a walk outside without freezing, or sit on the patio and watch the sunset with a cocktail. When I start longing for the warm weather, it helps to make warm weather food like light salads to help me feel in the moment. It also helps to make warm weather cocktails in my new Ninja!

This week’s #THIRSTYTHURSDAY are lemon strawberry daiquiris. These babies aren’t made from a mix, these are fresh with lots of lemon, fresh (or frozen) strawberries to brighten them up, and make you feel like it is 85 and sunny and the grill is fired up and the kids are playing in the sprinkler. Anything that can transform you to warm weather, even for a moment is perfect this time of year.

 

Lemon Strawberry Daiquiris (makes 2)
2 cups of ice
2 Tbs superfine sugar
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1 tsp lemon zest
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1-1 1/2 shots of lemon run (I used Bacardi Limon)
1/4 cup lemon lime soda
Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Pulse the blender to gently crush ice, then turn on medium speed for about one minute or until desired consistency.
Pour in pretty glasses and garnish with strawberries or lemon zest.
You can turn on an old HOT movie like Rear Window, and drink these daiquiris and pretend the weather is just a little bit warmer outside!

For more #ThirstyThursday recipes CLICK HERE! For more about DIY, gardening, cooking, baking, #ThirstyThursdays 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, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Thirsty Thursday: Easy Holiday Sangria

Posted by — 1 Comment

This time of year it seems like nothing is easy. Between the Christmas cards, baking cookies, wrapping presents, and the kids so hyper between presents and sugar, it would just be nice to have something that is EASY!

This week’s THIRSTY THURSDAY is just that. Easy! We don’t needed anything else added to our plates, but it is nice to have a special cocktail for this time of year.

 

There are a lot of recipes for this going around the blogosphere. However, I made mine with ginger ale for a little extra holiday flare and it also helps to not have to make any simple syrup.

Easy Holiday Sangria
1 large Granny Smith apple cored and chopped
1 large Gala or Braeburn or Fuji apple cored and chopped
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 or 3 large sprigs of rosemary
1 bottle of favorite white wine chilled
1 cup chilled ginger ale

Put all the ingredients in a pitcher and put in the fridge to chill. (I told you it was easy).

 

Once chilled enjoy a glass while you are doing all those things left on your Christmas list!

 

For more about DIY, gardening, cooking, baking, #ThirstyThursdays 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, Twitter, or Pinterest.
 

Thirsty Thursday: Raspberry Amaretto Kiss

Posted by — No Comments

I was counting the minutes to Thirsty Thursday this week! I dubbed myself the mixologist this week, and concocted a little twist on a cocktail I have had in the past.

One of the signs you’re an old lady an adult is you have “a drink.” I was always told that it is a sign of maturity to be able to walk into a cocktail party, wedding, or any gathering and order your signature drink. I have always thought it was so vintagely cool to order an Old Fashioned or a Sidecar or a Manhattan.

Turns out, I’m not a fan of any of those cocktails.

My two favorite cocktails are an Amaretto Sour and a Vodka Tonic with raspberry flavored vodka. They are a bit girly but still contain some pretty standard liquors that you can order them anywhere.

A few weeks ago I was browsing the internet and saw a recipe for an Amaretto Kiss. It had amaretto, vodka, and cranberry, and looked delicious. I decided to experiment a bit, and I came up with my own version containing raspberry vodka, and I have to say it is better than the original.

Erin’s Raspberry Amaretto Kiss (makes one cocktail
1.5 oz  (one shot) raspberry vodka
1.5 oz  (on shot) amaretto
3 oz (two shots) cranberry juice
2 tbs fresh orange juice
Orange peel for garnish

In a shaker filled with ice, add vodka, amaretto, cranberry juice, and orange juice.

Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with orange peel.

I have decided this would be the perfect cocktail to have before Thanksgiving dinner or to celebrate this holiday season.

(NOTE: I know you’re probably disgusted I have my tree up before Thanksgiving. However, let me explain, we had a pre lit tree that had all the lights out, so to get ready for AFTER Thanksgiving decorating, I had to remove all the old lights from our pre-lit tree because I am cheap frugal and didn’t want to buy a whole new tree. Then I was experimenting with other different lights. There are no ornaments on the tree, but rather than take it all down and put it up again next weekend, I just left it up for a little extra glow. No judgement please.)



For 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, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Plum and Rum Cocktail

Posted by — 1 Comment
HAPPY THIRSTY THURSDAY!

I was thinking with the three day weekend coming up there are few things that are better than a three day weekend, but I’ve decided this cocktail is almost as good.

 

To me, the unofficial end to summer means a few things: festivals, relaxing, last visit to the splash pad, one last bon fire with the kids, and stone fruit. This time of year we are buying up plums, nectarines, peaches and cherries and eating them up any way we can before they are officially out of season.

 

I thought something with plums would be delicious. So, I came up with a little something.

Plum and Rum Cocktail
1 medium sized ripe plum sliced
1 Tbs extra fine sugar
2 oz of light lemon rum (I used Bacardi Limon)
5 oz tonic water or club soda
Ice

Fill a cocktail glass with ice and set aside.Then, in a shaker muddle together sugar and plum until plum is completely mashed. Then add the rum and ice and shake for about 1 minute until well incorporated.

 

Strain into cocktail glass.

 

Finish with tonic water.

 

Enjoy the end of summer with this wonderful cocktail!

 

If you like Thirsty Thursday and 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.

LINKING UP AT SERENITY NOW FOR WEEKEND BLOG READING!

Follow on Bloglovin

Thirsty Thursday: Cherry Rum and Coke

Posted by — 10 Comments
HAPPY THIRSTY THURSDAY, READERS!!!

Today is the best day of the week! Let me tell you, this week has been a teensy bit stressful trying to get ready for next week, and as I have shared with you earlier this week, I am in the middle of an organizational freak out, that I am sure will continue through the weekend (I just said week a lot).

However, I’m having gal pals over tonight, and I have planned to make my favorite cocktails for them. Cherry Rum and Cokes.

 

I love cherry pop. It is my pop of choice. I prefer it over regular pop, and I try to have it in the house. I like cherry Coke, cherry Pepsi, anything. In fact, last year at this time I shared a recipe for cherry pop brownies.

A few months ago, my sister showed me this:

 

She knows my affinity for cherry pop, and thought I would like some rum and cokes made with this awesome rum.

She was right!

Cherry Rum and Cokes
2 oz. Cruzan Black Cherry Rum
12 oz. Cola
Lots of Ice
Maraschino Cherries for garnish

Fill a large glass to the brim with ice. Add rum and then slowly add pop. Stir gently. Add cherries for garnish.

 

This cocktail is easy, delicious, and a great way to relax with my girlfriends.

If you like this week’s Thirsty Thursday recipe and 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.

Follow on Bloglovin