Category Archives: Recipe Roundup

Drink Along With The Great Gatsby

Posted on by
Reply

the-great-gatsby-cocktailsMy love of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and my love of cocktails are nothing new. The Great Gatsby movie, however, is a great excuse for me to combine these two loves. Besides, if Baz Luhrmann has gone and ruined one of my favorite books, I just might need a drink! I’ve rounded up some fun 1920s cocktails and Prohibition drinks before, but here is a new batch especially inspired by the goings on in West Egg. Why not have a Gatsby party? (Only, like, without the being dead inside part, OK?)

Gin Rickey ~ Gin, lime, sugar, soda. This was supposedly Fitzgerald’s favorite drink, and it’s one of the few specifically mentioned in the book. Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom drank theirs “in long, greedy swallows.”

Mint Julep ~ At one point, Daisy just wants to find “a place to have a mint julep.” The gang gets their mint juleps, along with a high dose of tension. I suggest opting for the drink and skipping the tense argument.

Seelbach Cocktail ~ Tom and Daisy’s wedding was at the Seelbach Hotel in Kentucky. And while the book doesn’t mention it, they most certainly had a Seelbach Cocktail or three, since that was the hotel’s pride-and-joy cocktail during that era.

Champagne Cocktail ~ “In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” It wouldn’t be a Gatsby party without Champagne. The classic Champagne Cocktail is just a bitters-soaked sugar cube in a glass of bubbly. But, in honor of the green light, why not sub Green Chartreuse or absinthe for the bitters.

Tuxedo No. 2 ~ This fancy Prohibition-era cocktail adds maraschino liqueur and orange bitters to a Martini. Tuxedo the drink and tuxedo the apparel are just the thing for a proper Gatsby bash.

Brunch With Mom: Mother’s Day Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply
Raspberry Rose Fizz from Honestly Yum

Raspberry Rose Fizz from Honestly Yum

Brunch and cocktails are delightful … and so’s your mom! So I’ve decided that this year, you’re celebrating Mother’s Day by bringing these three elements together. The brunch food is up to you, but here are some suggestions for Mother’s Day brunch cocktails. (Just in case you want me to boss you more, why don’t you serve Eggs Benedict with asparagus? That sounds good.)

Ramos Gin Fizz ~ This cocktail is a light, airy, rich, and creamy all at once. Use a floral gin, such as Hendrick’s or Nolet’s, and you’ll have a drink that is just right for day drinking.

Raspberry Rose Fizz ~ Speaking of gin fizzes, you can add a lovely fruit and floral touch by adding some rosewater and raspberry. Bonus if you’re mom loves pink, although you don’t have to like the color to love the taste.

Improved Mendota ~ Maybe your mama is more of a no-fuss type. (Let’s face it, as delicious as fizzes are, they truly are a fuss.) This simple twist on a Mimosa combines beer and grapefruit juice for a unique kicky flavor that doesn’t have as much alcohol.

Stormy Morning ~ It wouldn’t be a brunch cocktail list without a champagne cocktail! Creme de violette, elderflower liqueur, lime, and sparkling wine make for a beautiful and delicate cocktail that would go great with crepes and fruit or another sweet menu.

Milk Punch ~ Like the Ramos Gin Fizz, Milk Punch is a New Orleans brunch cocktail that won’t disappoint. This recipe uses bourbon—along with milk, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg—which is my favorite spirit for this cocktail. However, you could also make it with brandy or Cognac.

Cinco de Mayo Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply
Michelada from T Magazine

Michelada from T Magazine

Margaritas are the usual go-to cocktail for Cinco de Mayo. But if you’re looking for a different kind of Cinco de Mayo drink, here are a few fun ways to celebrate.

Michelada ~ Perfect for sipping all afternoon, this is a spiced beer cocktail that goes well with Mexican food.

Beer and a Smoke ~ Here’s another beer cocktail, only this one’s made with smoky mezcal for more oomph.

Rhubarb Rita ~ Rhubarb is in season, and it’s a great buddy for tequila. Slightly tart with a hint of sweetness, this is a refreshing Spring twist on a Margarita.

El Guapo ~ You can use tequila or mezcal in this spicy cousin to the classic Margarita. Bring on the heat!

Cilantro Tequila Lime Spritzer ~ If you want something light, this herbed spritzer will do the trick. Add jalapeño slices for a little kick.

Cocktails Made With Herbs

Posted on by
Reply

strawberrybasilmojitoHerbs are an essential part of cocktails. For some reason, mint seems to dominate drink recipes even though there are plenty of other delicious herbs in the garden. Now, I don’t have anything against mint. But other herbs that we use to give flavor to our meals are just as good at livening up a cocktail. Here are a few herbal cocktails you might not have tried.

Raspberry-Thyme Smash ~ Get a head start on summer with a refreshing mix of gin, raspberries, and thyme—along with a little simple syrup and lime. I’ve been seeing good berries around, but if you can’t find any, go with frozen.

Pink Rosemary Greyhound ~ Try this slight tweaking of the classic grapefruit-and-vodka Greyhound cocktail, made with Ruby Red grapefruit and rosemary simple syrup. A good one for brunch!

Strawberry Basil Mojito ~ It’s been a hot spring so far in my neck of the woods, which gets me thinking about Mojitos. Adding some strawberries to the mix  and using basil instead of mint is my favorite variation on this cooling cocktail.

Gin Lime Rickeys With Cilantro ~ OK, so I know that some people’s tastebuds can’t stand cilantro. But for the rest of us, it has a savory and fresh flavor that brightens up other ingredients. Paired with lime, it really tastes fantastic.

Tequila and Sage Smash ~ As you can see, I am all for smashing things! Honey, sage, and añejo tequila make for a flavorful drink with a lot of complexity.

Photo by Jackson Stakeman

Brunch Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply
Aperol Spritz from Mission Delectable

Aperol Spritz from Mission Delectable

Ah, brunch. You can be sweet and bready or savory and eggy. Or you can be all those things at once, possibly with a little bit of cakey, fruity, or spicy thrown in for good measure. Best of all, you are a great opportunity for a little light day drinking. You don’t have to wait until Mother’s Day for a brunch cocktail or two. Here are a few drinks that would make any type of brunch a lot more fun.

The Corsican ~ This lower-alcohol combination of Lillet Blanc, limoncello, elderflower syrup, lemon, and soda is just right for a light and fizzy brunch drink. I’d pair it with fruit-topped pancakes, but it could just as easily pair with a heavier egg dish.

Aperol Spritz ~ Aperol is a slightly bitter apertivo, which means it’s great for stimulating appetites. Its orangey flavor goes well with Prosecco, so why not make it a part of an Italian-inspired brunch.

Beretta’s Pamlemousse ~ Grapefruit juice is an excellent building block for a brunch drink. Throw in a wee bit of gin along with elderflower liqueur and lemon, and you have a well-balanced and refreshing drink with just the right hint of fruit.

Maple Bacon Bloody Mary ~ The Bloody Mary is a good old brunch standby. It’s also one of the most tweak-able drinks around. This one adds a little maple syrup and a bacon garnish for that true morning meal flavor.

Jealous Mary ~ Tomato can be a bold flavor for the morning, so how about a little cucumber and celery instead, for a lighter touch? They’re not just garnishes!

Cocktails Made With Vegetables

Posted on by
Reply
The Roquette from Matt Biancaniello

The Roquette from Matt Biancaniello

Make your mama proud and add more vegetables to your diet! Veggies aren’t just for dinner. They can add a fresh and flavorful touch to cocktails, too. It may sound weird, but it tastes good … and that’s all that matters.

The Sweet Pea ~ Peas are sweet, so why not use them in a cocktail? Just muddle the peas with sugar and lemon then add vodka and shake over ice.

Sweet Corn Cocktail ~ Just like the Sweet Pea cocktail, this one muddles in some sweet veggies—except with dark rum and mole bitters for a spicy depth.

Barefoot in the Garden ~ Celery-infused tequila pairs well with elderflower liqueur and Lillet Blanc for a light and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect the thing to sip as you enjoy the budding blooms.

What’s Up, Doc? ~ This carrot and gin cocktail with a hint of ginger is a good brunch drink. Add a little cinnamon on top, and it’s almost like drinking an alcoholic carrot cake.

The Roquette ~ The unique bite of arugula is tasty in this veggie-inspired take on the classic Gimlet, created by Matthew Biancaniello (whose site is filled with colorful photos, like the one above, of his creations).

St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply
Guinness Cream Soda from Chow

Guinness Cream Soda from Chow

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! If you’re looking for something more than a beer and a shot—that isn’t dyed green—here are some St. Paddy’s day drinks that I’d gladly drink any day of the year. Sláinte!

Irish Coffee ~ Whiskey, coffee, sugar, and cream. There is simply no way to improve upon this simple treat.

The Copywriter ~ Irish whiskey also anchors a drink that’s on the lighter side with support from sweet vermouth, honey, lemon, and seltzer.

Tipperary Cocktail (No. 3) ~ Sort of an Irish take on the Manhattan, this sophisticated cocktail mixes Irish whiskey and sweet vermouth with just a hint of green Chartreuse.

Irish Whiskey Skin ~ For a hot drink that’s more mellow than Irish Coffee, try this one. It’ll remind you of a Hot Toddy.

Guinness Cream Soda ~ Not in the mood for Irish whiskey but want to stick with Irish products? Want something a little sweeter (but not Bailey’s!)? Here’s the drink for you. Just like the soda shop … only with beer

Kumquat Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply
Kumquat Whiskey Sour from Serious Eats

Kumquat Whiskey Sour from Serious Eats

Sunny weather keeps tricking me into thinking it’s spring. But yesterday’s rain reminded me that winter ain’t over yet. Even though there isn’t as much fruit to choose from in these months, we have all manner of exciting citrus to fuel our cocktail creativity. Kumquats, the tiny yet delectable little sweet-and-sour guys, are amazing for shaking up your cocktail-shaking routine. Here are a few seasonal recipes to try.

Kumquat Mojito ~ You can get a lot of (delicious) mileage out of the traditional Mojito recipe by subbing in other fruits. Swapping in this unusual citrus really adds flair to an already great drink.

Strawberry and Kumquat Caipirinha ~ Caipirnha is a Brazilian cocktail that’s often compared to a Mojito. The Brazilian drink is made with cachaça—a spirit that is a lot funkier and more unusual than rum. This twist with strawberries and kumquats sounds like a winner.

Taste of Life Cocktail ~ This is a complex drink made with Aperol and Pimm’s (yum!) that combines sweet, sour, salt and a little bitterness for a truly original cocktail inspired by Asian flavors.

Kumquat Champagne Cocktail ~ Truly simple and truly tasty! Just slice up those kumquats and you’ve done all the work necessary for a sophisticated sparkling tipple.

Kumquat Whiskey Sour ~ A fresh new take on the Whiskey Sour that has all the solid appeal of the original while taking advantage of the uniqueness of kumquats.

Ginger Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply

Ginger-Kumquat Smash from the Kitchn

Ginger is an exciting and flexible cocktail ingredient. You can use fresh ginger, ginger syrup, ginger liqueur, or ginger beer. And this spicy ingredient complements the heat of spirits (especially rum and whiskey) while blending well with fruits and other spices. Ginger is an easy way to get exotic flavor in your cocktail. Here are a few ways to drink your ginger:

Moscow Mule or Dark and Stormy ~ The easiest way to make a ginger cocktail is to mix a spirit with some ginger beer and top it off with some lime. In the case of these two classsic highballs, it’s vodka in a Moscow Mule and dark rum in a Dark and Stormy. It’ll take you all of 2 minutes to make one of these, and you’ll end up with a balanced and refreshing drink with some ginger kick.

Park City ~ If you’re a Manhattan lover like me, this rye-based drink with ginger liqueur and Cynar is a great way to get your ginger fix. It’s bold with a bitter edge.

Ginger-Kumquat Smash ~ Ginger goes really well with citrus, and so if you want to do something unusual but not too risky, try it with kumquats in this fun rum cocktail.

Prince of Wales ~ A bit more elaborate, but worth the effort, this sophisticated drink has sparkling wine and pineapples along with rye.

Bufala Negra ~  Basil, balsamic syrup, and ginger beer combined with bourbon makes for a “tart and tangy” cocktail that layers flavors in a culinary way.

Mardi Gras Cocktails

Posted on by
Reply

The Lafayette from The Backyard Bartender

Last year, I rounded up some classic (and new) New Orleans cocktails for Mardi Gras. Now that it’s time to celebrate another “Fat Tuesday,” here are some more cocktails from the Big Easy … easily America’s cocktail capital. Laissez le bon temp rouler!

Bywater Cocktail ~ This cocktail was created by a bartender at Arnaud’s French 75, an iconic bar in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Named after the city’s Bywater neighborhood, the drink features aged rum, an Italian amaro called Averna, with touches of Chartreuse and falernum for a truly unique cocktail.

French 75 ~ Speaking of Arnaud’s French 75 bar, why not have a French 75—New Orleans really knows how to do a champagne cocktail right.

The Lafayette ~ A pared down version of a Hurricane, this sweet (but not too sweet) drink is a simple way to let the good times roll!

Ramos Gin Fizz ~ Though it takes a little work, this drink is a lovely mix of light and airy with rich and creamy. I order one every time I’m in New Orleans.

Pimm’s Cup ~ This British tipple became a New Orleans cocktail, thanks to the Napoleon House Bar. You could easily sip these all day, so the party doesn’t have to end.