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Fall

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Marmalade Daiquiri

December 5, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comThe Cocktail Pantry Twists Series is made in partnership with Stonewall Kitchen. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Hello and welcome to day two in our Cocktail Pantry Twists series. We’re back with Stonewall Kitchen to show you how a breakfast staple can make a tasty addition to your drink.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comMarmalades refer to jams made with citrus fruits, and while orange is most often associated with marmalade (I grew up with Paddington Bear and his marmalade toasts), all manner of citrus fruits can be used. For today’s cocktail, we’ll be using Stonewall Kitchen’s Pink Grapefruit Marmalade. This sweet tart jam is a delightful partner to rum. We’ll be using a white rum today so that the sugarcane and grassy notes found in the rum shine alongside the sweet-tart richness of the marmalade.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comThis twist on a Daiquiri cocktail utilizes the sharp tartness of the grapefruit to compensate for limes that might not be the best in flavor, or if you’re using an alternative to lime juice (see the list below), then this will give it the citrus boost your drink needs! I find the sweetness of the marmalade to be enough for me, but if you’d like your drink to be a tad sweeter, try adding in a 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comNO LIMES? TRY THESE ALTERNATIVES:

  • Meyer Lemons
  • Orange Juice
  • Organic, all natural bottled lime juice
  • Lemonade

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comPink Grapefruit Marmalade Daiquiri

2 ounces white rum
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice (or alternative, see list above)
1 heaping tablespoon Stonewall Kitchen Pink Grapefruit Marmalade
1/2 ounce simple syrup, optional
dried citrus wheel garnish

In a shaker, 2/3 filled with ice, add in the white rum, lime juice, Stonewall Kitchen Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, and simple syrup if using. Shake hard for 20 seconds, and then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with citrus wheel.

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Pink Grapefruit Daiquiri // stirandstrain.comJoin us back here tomorrow for the final installment of our Cocktail Pantry Twists series! And remember to follow us on Instagram as we’re giving away ALL the Stonewall Kitchen products we used this week in our drink series!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Cocktail Pantry Twists, Fall, lime, Pink Grapefruit Marmalade, rum, Stonewall Kitchen, white rum, winter

Cocktail Pantry Twists: Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita

December 4, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comThe Cocktail Pantry Twists Series is made in partnership with Stonewall Kitchen. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Hello and welcome to my pantry. Yes, my actual pantry.

In these cold weather months, sometimes it’s hard to come across some fresh ingredients to make drinks with. Or the ones we find at the store are flying here from thousands of miles away and, well, come with a hefty price tag too. So to beat those winter blues, we’ve teamed up with Stonewall Kitchen, who have been gracing my shelves for years (Like almost two decades now. I. AM. OLD.), to add some great flavors to our drinks with their assortment of jams and condiments.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comI’ll be taking over their Instagram Stories on Friday the 6th to share some how-to videos and be a talking head, but you all get the recipes here first! And there’s three this week! Also, I’ll be having a giveaway Friday as well on my IG page and you’ll have a chance to win ALL the products to make the recipes with. It’s like getting a holiday basket delivered to your door except better because you’ll be able to make cocktails with everything inside.

First up in the series of cocktail pantry twists is a Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita made with Stonewall Kitchen’s Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly. It’s holiday time and I love the sweet-tart cranberries that are a ubiquitous part of the season. And I love a Spicy Marg too. This cocktail mixes up blanco tequila with a sweet, spicy, and sour flavor profile. It’s bursting with delicious ingredients and I think it’s just the drink to kick up our taste buds when we are craving those juicy fruit flavors.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comNow, since your grocery store may or may not have citrus (even though winter is when citrus is in season!), and we’re all hanging out together in my pantry, I’ve got a few substitutions for fresh lime juice below. Now some might seem a bit out there, but this is also keeping in mind that you’re using cranberries in this Margarita and they have their own sourness, so you can mellow the citrus out a bit and use something like orange juice.

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.com

No limes? Try these alternatives:

  • Meyer Lemons
  • Orange Juice
  • Organic, all natural bottled lime juice
  • Lemonade

Hot Pepper Cranberry Margarita // stirandstrain.comHot Pepper Cranberry Jelly Margarita

  • 1-1/2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 tablespoon Stonewall Kitchen Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly
  • 3/4 ounce orange liqueur
  • 1/2 freshly squeezed lime juice (or a substitution from the list above)
  • kosher salt for rim

First, take a lime wedge and wet the edge of a rocks glass, and then roll the outer edge of the glass in the salt. Set aside. In a shaker 2/3 filled with ice, pour in the tequila, the Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly, orange liqueur, and the lime juice. Shake hard 20 seconds and then strain into the rocks glass. Garnish with a small spoon topped with additional Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly. Enjoy!

See you tomorrow for the next recipe in our series!

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: blanco tequila, Cocktail Pantry Twists, cranberry, Fall, jalapeno peppers, lime, margarita, Stonewall Kitchen, tequila, winter

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktails

November 29, 2019 by elana 8 Comments

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comInstead of hitting the Black Friday sales today (and let’s face it, it’s slim picking at this point since they all started on Monday anyways), let’s hit the home bar and think ahead towards the next several weeks. It’s going to be busy… you should have some cocktails ready.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comNow, I named this spin on a Black Manhattan “Black Christmas” because it’s mostly a Black Manhattan with a touch of Allspice Liqueur, which is pretty much Christmas in a bottle. I did not name it to coincide with the remake of Black Christmas that is being released in a few weeks. If anything, I may have had the original Black Christmas movie in my head when naming it, not a remake, let’s be clear on this.

And this drink really is the brooding, moody sister to your classic Manhattan, except in a holiday sweater. The baking spices from the allspice liqueur provide a warm finish to the drink, which is a bit spicy from the rye at the start. The bittersweet Averna lends a nice balance to that spiciness (If you can’t find Averna near you, choose an amaro that leans a little on the sweeter side and not too vegetal. Ramazzotti would also work here.) Those baking spices give this inky drink an unexpected extra layer as well, which I appreciate. If you remember to add a brandied cherry then you’re really in for a treat.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comAnd the best part of all this? It’s bottled with a water dilution so it just needs to chill and it’s ready to serve. No ice needed! No stirring! No fuss! Just what you need around the holidays to give you a few extra minutes of peace.

One thing to note: if you can wait a few weeks, age it all in the fridge. Letting it sit for about 4 weeks really allows the flavors to intermingle and I found the mouthfeel to be extra velvety. However, if you can’t wait, it’s great the same day as well. Just make sure it’s chilled well first.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.comBlack Christmas Bottled Cocktail

8 ounces Rye
4 ounces Averna
2 ounces Allspice Liqueur (can’t find it where you are? MAKE IT!)
4 dashes Angostura bitters, or another aromatic bitters
4 dashes orange bitters
2 ounces water

brandied cherry garnish, optional

Combine all the ingredients in a large, spouted mixing glass, like Pyrex, that can accommodate at least 16 ounces, stir to combine, and then funnel into a swing top bottle. Store refrigerated until ready to serve. For one cocktail, portion out ~3.25 ounces into a cocktail coupe. Optionally top with a brandied cherry.

Black Christmas Bottled Cocktail // stirandstrain.com

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Filed Under: Make It, Recipes Tagged With: allspice, allspice dram, averna, bottled cocktails, Fall, holiday, make it, rye, whiskey, winter

Gilded Thanksgiving Bar Cart Styling

November 21, 2019 by elana Leave a Comment

Roll on up Turkey Day with this gilded bar cart. It’s more impressive than your Granny’s stuffing.

Thanksgiving Gilded Bar Cart // stirandstrain.com

This year I’ve decided to do away with the rustic red and brown tones of November and step it up a notch with a gilded, glittering bar cart. From golden bar tools, to shiny embroidered napkins, to 22 karat dipped tumblers, it’ll definitely add a little sparkle to your holiday table. And of course the bubbly will be golden too. Just try not to knock over the champagne tower.

1. 22 Karat Gold Dipped Tumbler 2. Liquid Gold Bitters 3. Gold Jigger 4. Gold Wine Opener 5. Gold Embroidered Napkins 6. Gold Dipped Carafe 7. Gold Rimmed Glass and Ice Set 8. Bubbly Cocktail Book 9. Gold Champagne 10. Champagne Tower Glasses 11. Gold Bar Cart

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Filed Under: Gift Guide Tagged With: bar accessories, bar cart, bar tools, champagne, entertaining, Fall, gift, gift guide, holiday, home bar, thanksgiving

Low ABV Options This Friendsgiving With Smirnoff Hard Seltzers

November 5, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Smirnoff. Recipe and ideas are my own.

I consider myself lucky to have a few close friends in my life. Friends who will willingly let me photograph them while we come together to celebrate our Friendsgiving dinner this year. Now, I honor my friendships with these ladies all the time, and we try to get together once a month now that our lives have gotten much busier with families, jobs, commitments, etc… So, in some sense, once a month we already are celebrating a version of Friendsgiving. But now that we’re in November, we can officially call it that I guess!

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comWhile we may have come together over a shared bond of going out and having fun, now everyone in the group is at various forms of no-abv, low-abv, and mod-abv (a new term I am coining here). Getting together with a bottle of whiskey is just not going to cut it anymore, and as countless statistics now tell us, more people are embracing entertaining with all these facets of alcohol consumption in mind. So, together with Smirnoff this holiday season, I’ve included their Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé and Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade hard seltzers for low-abv and mod-abv options. These are some of the best tasting hard seltzers I’ve tried so of course I’m including them here for my friends (only the best!). The fruit flavors taste, well, real! With just enough bubbles that they also stand in for a great mixer to pair with something harder too.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comAt our Friendsgiving you won’t find a turkey, you won’t find a formal sit down dinner, but what you will find is laughter, dancing, pigs in a blanket, and since I’m bartending, delicious drinks. Oh and snacks. LOTS of snacks. I like to set out small stations around the house as no one ever stays in one place. One area I’ve got a DIY Your Seltzer bar with berries, herbs, ice, and citrus. And fun straws!! There’s the main table of food that’s pretty much center to everything, and it’s round, which I love, because it has a good flow of traffic around it. I never keep anything super high on there so guests can reach over from any angle and not have to worry about knocking something over. I have hard mixers set up in another nook with jiggers, mixing spoons, and glasses. And for fun, and because I love the element of take aways from parties, I have some polaroid cameras set up in a basket for my friends to take photos with while they’re enjoying themselves.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comAnother aspect of entertaining during the holiday season is sometimes people are looking for ways not to overindulge. When one of my friends arrived for the party she announced she was off sugar and carbs this month, usually I would have been scrambling to find something to serve, but lucky for her, the Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé and Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade hard seltzers have zero sugar and just 1 carb per serving. And unlike some drinks you might get claiming no sugar, they aren’t adulterated with a bunch of artificial sweeteners. This announcement was totally unexpected from this friend but I felt super lucky to be able to offer her some tasty drink options (and eat all her dinner rolls! Ha. Sorry F!).

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comSmirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.comIf you’re looking to incorporate some low-abv (and mod-abv) options this year with these Smirnoff hard seltzers, here’s a few ideas…

  • To make it super casual, and easy on yourself and everyone, these pretty slim cans fit nicely in a punch bowl filled with ice for a self-serve option.
  • If you want to do a little DIY bar like I did, and invite your guests to gussy up their drinks, here’s some flavor options:
    • Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé with fresh raspberries, mint sprigs, and rose petals.
    • Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade with fresh berries, thyme, and citrus slices.
  • Include a few harder options who are looking for a classic party drink:
    • Pair the Smirnoff Seltzer Raspberry Rosé, with the DIY options, with a London Dry style gin.
    • Pair the Smirnoff Seltzer Berry Lemonade, also with its DIY options, with Pisco.

Smirnoff Seltzer Friendsgiving // StirandStrain.com

And PRO TIP folks! Save yourself the trouble of having to deal with weekend holiday traffic. JUST. DON’T. Order in your Smirnoff hard seltzers and other party goods on Drizly. I did! And as usual, it got to the house under an hour.

People change, tastes change, and with that, the offerings at your parties will ultimately change. Stay ahead and honor your friends this holiday season with options that fit into their lifestyle. And make sure they’re delicious! Happy Entertaining!

**Smirnoff Seltzer. Per 12 fl. Oz.: 90 Cals, 1g Carbs, 0g protein, 0g fat

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Everyday Parties, Recipes, Seasons, Tips Tagged With: entertain me, entertaining, Everyday Parties, Fall, Friendsgiving, hard seltzer, low ABV, Mod ABV, Smirnoff

Dí­a de los Muertos Celebrations with Tequila Cazadores

November 1, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.com

This post was made in partnership with Tequila Cazadores. Recipes and ideas are my own.

Not all skulls are spooky. At this time of year, death in many forms takes center stage as many of us celebrate Halloween, and for those practicing Catholicism, there is also All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In Mexico at this time of year Día de los Muertos is a national celebration where one can’t help but see skulls everywhere. But these skulls are not our spooky Halloween skulls, these are in celebration, as a time of remembering those who have died. And why are we talking about this here today?

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comWell, for one, we’re right in the middle of Day of the Dead celebrations, which go from October 31st to November 2nd. And secondly, Tequila Cazadores has released a special bottle to commemorate the holiday designed by the Mexican artist Victoria Villasana. She “was inspired by the Cazadores Stag and its meaning in indigenous cultures in Mexico. The stag is a messenger, a powerful animal that represents sensitivity and intuition. Just like Dí­a de los Muertos, it represents a connection with our ancestors and the bridge between life and death.”

Day of the Dead celebrations are vibrant, colorful affairs and Villasana has translated that onto the bottle through her use of painting with yarn. She is an amazing artist whose aesthetic blends perfectly with the celebrations.

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comThis year marks the first year that I am making an altar with ofrendas, or offerings, at home. I was introduced to the holiday through my Mesoamerican Art History studies in college years ago, but this year my oldest has started asking some big questions about life and death lately. I feel like this is the perfect way to not only honor our deceased relatives, but to give an honest answer about the cycle of life in a way that is not scary, but rather joyous and celebratory.

Cazadores Day of the Dead // stirandstrain.comIf you are thinking about celebrating Día de los Muertos in your home this year for the first time. Here’s a primer on a few of the symbols that would be found on the altar and in the home.

  • Alcohol: Any alcohol favored by the dead is used to toast the arrival of their spirit.
  • Pan de Muerto: This is a semisweet bread that is eaten on the second day of the holiday. It is baked in the shape of bones and dusted with sugar; it also represents the soil.
  • Marigold flowers: Marigolds held guide loved ones’ souls back to the world of the living.
  • Sugar skulls: Sugar skulls, or calaveras, are made from pure sugar and given to friends as gifts. They are elaborately decorated, and their colorful designs represent the vitality of life and individual personality.
  • Candles: Candles represent fire and serve as a light guiding the spirits back to visit the land of the living.
  • Monarch butterflies: These butterflies⸺which migrate to Mexico each fall⸺are believed to be the spirits of the dead coming to visit.
  • Candy: Altars built for deceased children include a candy offering.
  • Salt: In Latin culture, salt is considered the spice of life.

 

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Filed Under: Entertain Me, Everyday Parties Tagged With: Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos, entertain me, entertaining, Everyday Parties, Fall, halloween, Tequila Cazadores

Halloween Time Cocktails!

October 25, 2019 by elana 1 Comment

Candy in cocktails? Sure, we’re all adults here…

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.com

Candy Inspired Cocktails

The Purple Halo Cocktail with Exotico Tequila Blanco and Mountain Valley Sparkling Essence Blackberry and Pomegranate. It's a color changing cocktail! // stirandstrain.com

A color changing cocktail: The Purple Halo

Make It: Black Licorice and Amaro Bat Jellies for Halloween // stirandstrain.com
Black Licorice and Amaro Bat Jellies

The Royal Affliction // stirandstrain.com

The Royal Affliction

Black Honey Cocktail: the anti-Valentine // stirandstrain.com

Black Honey Cocktail

Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon // stirandstrain.com

Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon

Low Rent Cocktail of the Month: Fanta of the Opera & Fanta of the Paradise // stirandstrain.com

Spooky FANTA of the Paradise/Opera Cocktails

 

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: amaro, Fall, gin, halloween, holiday, rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey

Spiced Honey Pear Sour

October 18, 2019 by elana 5 Comments

Hangar 1 Spiced Pear Sours // stirandstrain.comThis post is made in partnership with Hangar 1. Recipes and ideas are my own.

This past week I reached out to Instagram to ask about egg whites in cocktails. I feel like years ago, when the cocktail movement really started to pick up steam, people sure were hesitant to drink a cocktail made with raw egg whites!! But now it seems everyone has chilled out about it and the general consensus, if you consume animal products, is that we’re all cool with egg whites now. Which is great, because today’s cocktail has one (but it’s optional in case you’re still a hard pass on them. It’s cool. You do you.).

Hangar 1 Spiced Pear Sours // stirandstrain.comOne of my favorite styles of cocktails to add an egg white to are sours. Sours can be quite tart depending on how they’re made, and even when adding in a sweetener, the egg white somehow magically transforms the whole drink into a silky, well-balanced drink.

Now, we’re in the best part of the fall season, says me. And it’s in full swing here in California, where everything is in flux during this crazy transitional season. We still have tomatoes growing in gardens, but there are apple orchards just a little over an hour away bursting with fruit. And pears are at their juiciest when I visit my local farmers markets. It all makes me want to wrap myself up in countless flannels… except.. it’s still in the 80’s in SoCal. But, that also means we can still throw an early evening cocktail get together outside where the mild evenings are still pretty inviting, and, if it’s not a red flag day, you can turn on a fire pit.

Hangar 1 Spiced Pear Sours // stirandstrain.comThis cocktail, made in partnership with Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka, which has now just become available for the first time ever outside of the Hangar 1 Distillery, located in Alameda, CA, is California fall in a glass. Juicy, ripe pears contrast with the woodsy sweetness of maple syrup and mingle with all those wonderful fall-time baking spices found in allspice liqueur, while a tart kiss of lemon juice accentuates the base of the whole drink with the complex honeycomb vodka. And that egg white gives the whole drink some body and a slightly frothy head that you can garnish with either a lemon wheel, or these really interesting honey discs I’ve been experimenting with. The honey discs are similar in structure to a hard candy, and not only do they really impress sitting in a cloud of froth on top of your drink, they also slowly melt into the drink to add even more honey flavor to the cocktail as you sip. These however are totally optional to the drink and the touch of sweetness they impart is minimal because they are so solid and melt very slowly. I just always have to go and make my drinks extra. But you don’t have to for this to work!

Hangar 1 Spiced Pear Sours // stirandstrain.comPears can be so sweet when ripe, that the richness of honey is a fantastic contrast. They balance really well here and that’s because Hangar 1 isn’t just infusing the vodka with honey, they actually use honeycomb for a more intense flavor. What I love about Hangar 1, a California company, is that their honey isn’t sourced from some faraway place or imported, their honey is from their local farming community, Golden Harvest Bees, located in Redwood City, CA. When companies step up to being more mindful about sourcing ingredients and sustainability I pay attention.

You might be thinking, honeycomb vodka, that means it’s… sweet? For sweet drinks? But no! This vodka is really versatile and lends itself to both sweet and savory flavors. So, I hope the thought of ripe pears and rich honeycomb has you rushing to your home bar to mix up a couple and share with friends. To help with that, our recipe today is for two cocktails. Cheers!

Hangar 1 Spiced Pear Sours // stirandstrain.com

Spiced Honey Pear Sours

makes 2 cocktails

3 ounces Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka
1/2 juicy ripe pear, cubed
1-1/4 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 ounce allspice liqueur
3/4 ounce grade b maple syrup
1 egg white, optional
Optional Garnish: Lemon wheel or Honey Disc (recipe follows)

In a cocktail shaker, pour in Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka and pears. Muddle pears just enough to break up the chunks. Then add in the lemon juice, allspice liqueur, maple syrup, and egg white if using. Dry shake (with no ice) for 15 – 20 seconds. Add in ice and shake additional 20 seconds. Depending on the size of the holes in your shaker you may have to either strain through the shaker top, or open that up and strain through a small mesh strainer due to the pears, onto a fresh ice cube in a double rocks glass.

Honey Disc

6 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey

In a small saucepan over medium high heat, combine the sugar, water, and lemon juice. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar and bring mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, lower heat to medium-low and add in honey (I find a quick 15 second in the microwave makes it easier to pour). Cook without disturbing the mixture until it reaches the hard crack stage (295-310°F, and a candy thermometer comes in handy here). Then pour into disc molds, or free pour onto a silicone mat. Allow to harden at least 30 minutes, then remove from molds and store in an airtight container.

 

Learn more about Hangar 1 and their selection of craft vodka expressions here: https://hangarone.com/vodkas/

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: allspice dram, egg white, Fall, Hangar 1, Hangar 1 Honeycomb Vodka, honey, maple syrup, pear, shaken, vodka

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up

November 30, 2018 by elana 1 Comment

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liqueur. Recipe and ideas are my own.

Do you have a holiday cookie tradition? I think I may have perfected my gingerbread cookie recipe this year. I mean, I’m using Thomas Keller’s Bouchon recipe as the base, so you really can’t go wrong with that. But, it is the first year that I made a cookie like this that didn’t just separate and spread all over the cookie sheet pan. I’ve yet to find my perfect sugar cookie recipe though. That I can never get right and that always spreads and won’t hold its shape. So, we all have to go without any holiday cookies that are gingerbread; thankfully no one complains. Sorry Santa.

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.comWhile making these cookies I thought about how great the baking spices would be in a cocktail. Sure, we see lots of dashes of cinnamon or nutmeg this time of year, but those in combination with an intense ginger flavor…well we’ve got a perfect pair for some whiskey and a hot cocktail. I refer to these heated cocktails during holiday time as winter warm ups. They’re a great companion to a fireplace and a pair of hands in need of warmth.

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.com

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.comThis month I’ve teamed up with Kerrygold Irish Cream to make my perfect fireside winter warm up with all the wonderful baking spices found in these gingerbread cookies. It packs a punch of ginger but also has lots of nice spice from the Irish whiskey, and that touch of chocolate and cream in the Kerrygold adds a superb richness to the drink that doesn’t get watered down. And that’s probably because they use real chocolate, and the cream used to make the liqueur comes from grass-fed cows and is a third creamier than what you usually find on the market. You can alter the hot water amount in here to your liking; I keep it around 3 ounces. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you might think about making your own whipped cream and adding some gingerbread syrup to the mix for a super dose of yummy gingerbread-ness (I did. It’s so worth it! Just a tablespoon is all you need to add to your canister.).

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.comAfter making this cocktail I need to rethink my gingerbread recipe and add a little chocolate and whiskey and there too now. Then it will be perfect.

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.comLet’s get warmed up!

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up (makes two drinks)

3 ounces Irish whiskey
1-1/2 ounces Kerrygold Irish Cream
1-1/2 ounces gingerbread syrup, see recipe below
3 dashes Angostura bitters
6-8 ounces hot water (just under boiling)
whipped cream, optional

In a mixing glass, add the Irish whiskey, Kerrygold Irish Cream, gingerbread syrup and bitters. Stir to combine everything and divide between two glasses. Pour in 3-4 ounces of hot water into each glass and stir gently to combine. Optionally top with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon.

Gingerbread Winter Warm Up with Kerrygold Irish Cream // stirandstrain.com

Gingerbread Syrup

Adapted from Le Pain Quotidien
2 cups water
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tbsp ground ginger (or 3 slices, 1/4″ thick fresh ginger with skin on)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice

Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Lower temperature and keep at a simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain fresh ginger out if using, and let cool to room temperature. Once cool, place in an air-tight container. Refrigerate up to one month.

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Filed Under: Make It, Recipes Tagged With: angostura, cinnamon, Fall, ginger, hot drinks, irish whiskey, Kerrygold Irish Cream, make it, winter

Candy Inspired Cocktails

October 25, 2018 by elana Leave a Comment

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.comThis post was made in partnership with Master of Mixes. Recipes and ideas are my own.

The closer I get to Halloween, the more my brain starts chanting…candy candy candy candy candy. I mean, it’s actually Garfield chanting it, because I still think of that Halloween special from the ’80’s that I grew up on, and I still, to this day, identify with his love of sarcasm and, well, candy.

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.comYes, I love the spooks and the change of season, but free candy always topped the list of reasons why October 31st was THE BEST. Now, as an adult, I can hop in my car, or rather, have Instacart deliver, all the candy my heart desires. At any time of year. But I’ve learned restraint and I don’t usually buy any until the week before Halloween when stores start having candy sales. And then again the day before Halloween because I’ve eaten it all the past week.

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.com

This year I made the exception and bought some candy a little early so I could make some treats for all of you! My readers! Working with Master of Mixes, I’ve crafted THREE tasty candy inspired cocktails you can make for yourself, or batch for your Halloween party this weekend. If you’re not familiar with them, Master of Mixes has been crafting high quality, delicious mixers for 40 years! They have more than 45 flavors in their catalog, but I narrowed down today to just three of my favorites: their Mint Syrup, Blood Orange Margarita Mixer, and Piña Colada Mixer. And my inspiration? Junior Mints, Sour Patch Kids, and Almond Joy.

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.com

First up is the Junior Mint inspired cocktail. And it’s ALL about that super mint flavor. Here I’ve used Master of Mixes Mint Syrup to give me a strong punch of mint flavor. Their syrup is made with Pacific Northwest Spearmint and has a clean, fresh taste. I’ve paired this with vodka, cream, and coffee liqueur to mimic the creaminess of the candy, and instead of the richness you’d get with the chocolate, I’ve opted to use a strong coffee liqueur to make this more sophisticated.

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.com

My love of sour drinks probably started with my love of Sour Patch Kids growing up. For this next cocktail, I’m taking the sweet and sour citrus flavors of the candy and crafting a Blood Orange Margarita with Master of Mixes Blood Orange Margarita Mixer. To get more citrus in, and to add a bitter element to this, I’ve mixed the blanco tequila with a touch of Dry Orange Curaçao. I’ve also created a “sour” sugar rim with citric acid and sugar to fool the taste buds. The blood orange mix is housed in an ice sphere that will make the cocktail sweeter as you drink it!

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.comLastly, Almond Joy bars in my opinion are far superior to a Mounds bar. Because… almonds!! When I think coconut cocktails, I think Piña Coladas, and Master of Mixes has a perfectly balanced Piña Colada Mixer that will be the base of our final drink. A few drops of almond extract, vanilla vodka, and a chocolate float turns this drink into an over-the-top cocktail for Halloween. I’ve been calling it a Choco-joy-lada, but you can just call it delicious.

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.comSo grab some extra candy this year, a couple of Master of Mixes bottles, and let’s plan a sweet Halloween party!

Candy Inspired Cocktails with Master of Mixes // stirandstrain.com

Junior Mint Cocktail

1-1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce Master of Mixes Mint Syrup
3/4 ounce coffee liqueur
3/4 ounce cream

In a shaker filled 2/3 with ice, pour in vodka, Master of Mixes Mint Syrup, coffee liqueur, and cream. Shake 20 seconds to combine. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Pop a couple Junior Mints.

Sour Patch Kids Cocktail

4 ounces Master of Mixes Blood Orange Margarita Mixer
2 ounces blanco tequila
1/2 ounce Dry Orange Curaçao
1/4 teaspoon citric acid
1 tablespoon granulated sugar

First, to make the Master of Mixes Blood Orange Margarita ice sphere, you will need a spherical ice mold like this. Alternatively, you could also use a large ice cube mold as well. Pour the mix in the mold and freeze at least 6 hours or overnight (depending on your freezer). Next, combine citric acid and sugar in a shallow bowl large enough to fit the rim of your glass. Moisten the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and roll in the prepared mixture. Then, in a shaker 2/3 filled with ice, pour in the tequila and Dry Orange Curaçao. Shake and strain into the prepared rocks glass. Add the Master of Mixes Blood Orange Margarita ice sphere to the drink and stir about 20 seconds to start melting the mix into the drink. Take a few sips and try not to pucker your lips too much.

Almond Joy Cocktail

2 ounces vanilla vodka
bar spoon of almond extract
4 ounces Master of Mixes Piña Colada Mixer
1 – 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (or if you’re feeling extra fancy, then try it with the chocolate liqueur of your choice!)

In a shaker 2/3 filled with ice, pour in vanilla vodka, almond extract, and Master of Mixes Piña Colada Mixer. Shake 20 seconds and pour everything into a highball glass. Using the back of a spoon, float chocolate syrup on top of the drink. Grab a reusable straw and gently mix it together, or not. Cause sometimes you feel like mixing, sometimes you don’t.

For more information on Master of Mixes, loads of cocktail recipes, and more how-to’s, please visit them at MixologyPro.com

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: blanco tequila, candy, chocolate, coconut, Fall, halloween, master of mixes, mint, tequila, vanilla vodka, vodka

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