Pomegranate Mojito Cocktail
If I enticed you to infuse your own Pomegranate Rum for the Pomegranate Dark & Stormy Cocktail I recently shared, here's one more delicious way to use this splendid rum - a Pomegranate Mojito. To balance all that pomegranate and lime tartness, I use a Minty Syrup. Simple syrup is infused with fresh mint - a swell inspiration I received from Maggie Savarino's tiptop book - The Seasonal Cocktail Companion. With the Pomegranate Rum and Minty Syrup all ready and waiting, you'll be whipping out a Pomegranate Mojito in record time.
Pomegranate Mojito
2 ounces Pomegranate Rum
½ ounce Minty Syrup
¼ ounce freshly ...
Pomegranate Dark & Stormy Cocktail
Alcoholic Ginger Beer. When I was asked to review Crabbie's Ginger Beer, I quickly said - yes please! I really enjoy ginger beer in cocktails, and had never tried one that was alcoholic. Crabbie's is 4.8 % - similar to a regular beer. I had some pomegranate-infused rum on hand, and decided to make a quick and easy Pomegranate Dark & Stormy Cocktail variation.
But first, I tried the Crabbie's Ginger Beer on its' own, and found it a very pleasant sip. The fermented beer taste balanced with the moderate ginger spice and sweet honey-like flavor. With a big squeeze of ...
Winter Amaro – Day 19
My DIY 2014 Winter Amaro has been infusing for 19 days, and already has a darker hue and delectable flavor. After two weeks, I decided to add three more dried herbs and spices from our garden's fall harvest. In went some dried lemon verbena leaves, and a half teaspoon each of nigella and coriander seeds. A nice complexity boost. I get a kick out of gently shaking my hand-made infusion every morning. Tasting it every few days isn't a hardship either. The tangerine peel has a strong presence. The western red cedar not so much. I like the gin base. The ...
Vin D’Orange Mama Beth Style
I recently put my spin on the classic Vin D'Orange recipe. It's a knock-out aperitif, using what is in season now. While indulging in my daily Pinterest fix, I found different Vin D'Orange versions. All had the traditional vanilla bean. As much as I enjoy a nice vanilla bean floating around in some liquor, I decided to skip that flavor. In its' place went fresh rosemary, spicy black peppercorns, and my nod to winter spice - a small section of cinnamon stick.
I found my botanical boozy bliss with this Vin D'Orange Mama Beth Style, and think you well too.
Vin D’Orange Mama ...
Amaro Boulevardier & Ice Ball
Isn't that a handsome ice cube in a handsome cocktail? It's an ice ball from an easy to use mold from Arctic Chill.
Recently, I was asked to review their ice ball maker molds. I have been in nice bars, and watched ice balls being hand carved. What an art that is. I have tried to make ice balls with a hard plastic mold, and never got the hang of it. So I was interested in giving Arctic Chill's silicone molds a try. Overall, they are simple to use, and produce some good looking ice cubes. I had a few look ...
My 2014 Winter Amaro
My 2014 Winter Amaro is underway. Last year, I created an Amaro for each season, using ingredients found in our own garden. I began with Winter in 2013, which produced a very enjoyable herbal and bitter liqueur. By the Fall Amaro, I had a much better sense of the flavor profile I wanted to achieve, and hit it. (Spring and Summer were lovely infusions as well.) Knowing I would have fewer ingredients to choose from in the middle of winter again, I decided on a limited combination of flavors.
The 2014 Winter Amaro has gin for its' base, so I'm already ...
Manhattan Cocktail
A Manhattan Cocktail is my go to drink in winter. I'll confess - not every drink I have is a garden cocktail with fresh herbs or infusions from the garden. I have been preparing for my Botanical Bar seminar at the upcoming Northwest Flower and Garden Show. I've got herbal tinctures, fruity elixirs, and new infusions to share. But I'm not drinking any of those at the moment. In the middle of winter, I want brown liquor! These days it is either rye or bourbon.
Here's some bitter liquors I like to sub in for some of the sweet vermouth in ...
