Stir & Strain

Gift Guide: A Sweet, Boozy Valentine’s Day 2018

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Give me all your whiskey filled chocolates and don’t ask me to share. That’s love.

Gift Guide: A sweet, boozy Valentine's Day // stirandstrain.com

What time is it? It’s time for champagne! Champagne cocktails, with a splash of hot red, bitter love. Mix it up for two in a few racy glasses and top off the evening stuffing your face with whiskey filled chocolates. Not into chocolate? How about a glass that doesn’t leave condensation rings all over your coffee table? Now that is SEXY.

1. Rosé Gummy Bear Cocktail Kit 2. Duo Glass 3. Champagne Watch 4. Stripper Glass Lady 5. Stripper Glass Man 6. Irish Whiskey Chocolate 7. Sweet Drink Stir Sticks 8. Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Rosé 9. Red Vintage Pitcher 10. Campari

Monday Booze News Martian beer, Girl Scout Cookie Booze Pairings, and where to get a side of ghost pirate with your cocktail

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Monday Booze News: tequila is for saturday lovers // stirandstrain.com

Monday Booze News coffee mugs for wine, weird flavored whiskey, and the coolest distillery tour

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Monday Booze News: spell what now? // stirandstrain.comHelloooooo February! Here’s some boozy news bites.

Game Day Snacks with The House of Angostura Angostura Dusted Popcorn and Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs

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Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs // stirandstrain.comIt’s February and that means we’re waking up from our January slumber around here and getting ready for all the fun this month brings! Like Groundhog Day! Our SEVEN YEAR blogiversary! Valentine’s Day! All those other anti-Valentine’s Day holidays I get press releases about! SUPER BOWL!

Angostura Dusted Popcorn // stirandstrain.comOK, so it’s the last holiday there that we’re focusing on today (although, dang, I’ve been writing here for seven years now!). We’re not super big sports people around my house but since we like throwing parties for our friends, we’ve definitely been known to throw a few Super Bowl parties over the years. This year we’ve teamed up with The House of Angostura to bring you a few ways you can use Angostura in your FOOD, as well as in your drinks!

Today we’re including TWO recipes you can whip up for the big game day. Both are super easy with one being really quick and the other pretty much hands off while you wait.

If you’re looking for a quick snack, Angostura Dusted Popcorn is where it’s at. Angostura Dusted Popcorn // stirandstrain.comClick on the photo for recipe!

Second, here’s a hands off Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs. RIBS! With AMARO AND RUM!!

Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs // stirandstrain.comClick on the photo for recipe!

And there you go folks! I hope your football party is made just that much tastier with a little touch of Angostura.

If you’d like to learn more about Angostura and their products, please visit them at www.angostura.com

Make It: Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs

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Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with The House of Angostura. Recipe and ideas are my own.

The secret to a really tasty sauce is layering flavors. With a little help from Angostura Amaro and Angostura 7 Year Rum, this rich sauce is both sweet and spicy, and the perfect companion to a plate of ribs (or dip for chicken tenders, or slathered on a hamburger, or sauce for french fries…).

Sweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs // stirandstrain.comSweet and Spicy Angostura Sauce for Ribs

1 tbsp grapeseed oil
½ red onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp minced ginger
1 cup ketchup
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
â…“ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup Angostura 7 Year Rum
2 tbsp Angostura Amaro
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste

In a medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat, saute onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add in garlic and ginger, stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add in ketchup, apple cider vinegar, ancho chili powder, sugar, molasses, rum, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes. When sauce has thickened and reduced, whisk in amaro. Season to taste. Sauce can be used as a glaze before cooking ribs, or as a sauce for after cooking ribs. Also great in place of BBQ sauce!

Make It: Angostura Dusted Popcorn

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Angostura Dusted Popcorn // stirandstrain.com

This post was made in partnership with The House of Angostura. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Whether you want something different for snacking during the big game (*ahem*, like this Sunday!), or if you’d like a little pink-tinted treat when you’re watching a movie just for two, Angostura Dusted Popcorn checks all the boxes. Super easy to put together but a snack like none they’ve seen before!

Angostura Dusted Popcorn // stirandstrain.comAngostura Dusted Popcorn

25 g tapioca maltodextrin (available online and on Amazon)
30 g olive oil
10 g Angostura Bitters
3 g kosher salt
popcorn

Combine olive oil, angostura bitters and salt in a small bowl, whisking to combine. In a food processor, add into the largest bowl the tapioca maltodextrin. Place the cover on, begin pulsing and slowly pour the oil and bitter mixture through the feed tube. Continue pulsing until all the liquid is absorbed and powder is fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and pulse a few additional time to combine. Mixture will keep in an airtight container, in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks.

Pop popcorn using your desired method. When finished popping and still hot, sprinkle Angostura dust over the popcorn. Enjoy!

Monday Booze News Our curated January cocktail box, and ways we'll help you with your 2018 drinking resolutions!

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Monday Booze News: Grab a Cup, Fill it Up // stirandstrain.com

What You Should Be Drinking for NYE 2017

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Let’s ring in the New Year with giant flowing bowls and sparkling cocktails. And shove 2017 out the door!

Desert Rosé Punch // stirandstrain.com

Desert Rosé Punch

The Stinger Royale // stirandstrain.com

The Stinger Royale

Róse Champagne Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

Rosé “Champagne” Cocktail

Brûléed Grapefruit and Mixed Citrus Punch with Vanilla and Piloncillo Reduction // stirandstrain.com

Brûléed Grapefruit and Mixed Citrus Punch with Vanilla and Piloncillo Reduction

Chamomile and Tangerine Sparkling Cocktail for Two // stirandstrain.com

Chamomile and Tangerine Sparkling Cocktail for Two

Spiced Pear Fizz Cocktails with Everclear // stirandstrain.com

Spiced Pear Fizz Cocktails with Everclear

Smoky Sage Punch // stirandstrain.com

Smoky Sage Punch

And if you’re looking for a few last minute ideas to decorate your bar cart for your New Year’s Eve party, check out our latest Bar Cart Styling post HERE!

New Year’s Eve Bar Cart Styling: The Champagne Cocktail

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We’re all so exhausted from this year. Let’s ring in the new year with a simple cocktail. And a sword.

Bar Cart Style Post: New Year's Eve Champagne Cocktails // stirandstrain.com

Keep this year’s style simple with a few glittery tassels and a light box that tells guests to “Make Drinks Here”. If you want a few theatrics, pop that bubbly with a sabre and point guests to the use of your Chambong. Our drink of choice? A Champagne Cocktail: just drop one sugar cube into your glass. Add some Angostura bitters. Pour in the champagne. And don’t forget the Bloody Mary glasses for the morning after.

1. Metallic Tassels 2. Light Box 3. Stemless Champagne Flutes 4. Champagne Sabre 5. Pink & Gold Napkins 6. Glitter Champagne 7. Sugar Cubes 8. Angostura Bitters 9. Bloody Mary Glasses 10. Arabella Bar Cart 11. Chambong

Check our Instagram this week for a chance to WIN an Arabella Bar Cart and a bunch more prizes from Louis Jadot Wine!

Catch up on all the gift guides here!

Gift Guide: Smells Like Booze Spirit

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It smells like a cocktail, but you don’t want to drink this.

Holiday Gift Guide: Smells Like Booze Spirit // stirandstrain.com

You do want to smell it and lather your body with it! Put it on your lips and chew on it for a little bit after dinner. For your booziest enthusiast friends, those who really, really like spirits, here’s a few stocking stuffer and hostess gifts for all you last minute shoppers out there. And of course, these pair well with an actual bottle of booze too.

1. Pisco Sour Candle 2. Cocktail Lip Balms 3. Bourbon Vanilla Soap 4. Craft IPA Shampoo and Conditioner 5. Scotch-Infused Toothpicks 6. Dark Rum Candle

Catch up on all the gift guides here!