Cocktails

Going Unplugged & 20 Cocktail Recipes

July 19, 2014 No Comments Cocktails

Unplugged photo via Samuel Livingston Flickr

I’m going unplugged this weekend…a much needed camping trip! Camping is my way of recharging and I seriously can’t wait to get away. But, I couldn’t leave without sharing my weekly Saturday Spirits post. You know I’ve got a beverage or two planned for my camping trip as well!

I promise to be thinking of you while I’m away. 😉

So, for today’s Saturday Spirits please check out the following AWESOME drink recipes. There is something for everyone in the list below. They are some of my favorite drinks that I’ve featured on the blog in the past.

Need something refreshing then check out the mojitos on the list. Want to try something different and a tad savory? Try the sweet pea cocktail that features, you guessed it, peas! Granitas take a long time, but are SO worth the effort. The Melon and Mint Granita Cocktail is divine.

20 of my favorite Well Crafted Cocktail Recipes:

His and Her Longbeach Lemonades — A his and her version of a classic.
Cherry Sangria — Cherries are so good during the summer, but the season doesn’t last long. Take advantage of the season with this sweet and sour sangria.
Gin & Basil Cocktail — Gin is the perfect summer sipper and it goes great with herbs.
Old Irish — This one is smokey and fantastic… great for an evening by the fire.
Brix Layer Cocktail — A local bartender taught me this one and the layering effect is both beautiful to the eye and the palate.
A Fruity Whiskey Collins — Whiskey Collins are a lovely classic drink to learn to make… this version is extra delish.
When Life Gives You Pears — Fall is coming around the corner and ripe pears don’t just have to make it into your salads. Get them in your next adult beverage!
Melon and Mint Granita Cocktail — Simply divine.
Sweet Pea Cocktail — Savory and slightly sweet, this is a fun way to get your greens!
Cucumber, herbs and gin cocktail — I’m not kidding when I say that Gin is good with herbs. The cucumber elevates this drink to a whole new level.
Rosemary Bliss— A friend created this concoction that involves a rosemary simple syrup. YUM.
Classic Mojito— Mint and rum… where can you go wrong?
Honeydew Melon Mojito— I love to change up the classics. This honeydew melon mojito mellows out the mint and makes for a yummy drink out in the sun.
Blackberry Mojito— Blackberries and mint belong together. That is all.
Elderflower Sparkler— Elderflower liqueur is often overlooked, but it is such a beautiful accompaniment to so many drinks. This sparkler is easy to make and fun to drink.
Ginger Jenni & Vanilla Bean Bubble Machine — I like making drinks up in honor of my birthday. These two drinks are all about the simple syrups.
Spiked Ice cream— Spiking your ice cream is easier than you think… and just as tasty as you can imagine!
Honey Orange Ginger Old Fashioned— Another twist on a classic!
And, because I’m going camping I can’t forget this delicious recipe for a S’more Cocktail!

So, now that you have a ton of new drink recipes… get working on putting together your summer bar cart and get drinking!

Have a wonderful weekend. I know I am!

A Well Crafted Pantry

Saturday Spirits: Cherry Sangria

July 12, 2014 7 Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

It’s Saturday Spirits again! Woohoo. This is quickly becoming my favorite series on the blog yet. Though, I do have some fun week long series coming up for the blog including a week long look at Favorite Family Recipes and another Picnic Week series!

This week I’m sharing a Sweet & Tart sangria recipe that makes for a beautiful bright pink beverage. Now, this is VERY cherry and VERY sweet & tart. But, it was perfect for a hot afternoon with a grilled dinner.

Cherry Sangria Recipe

Makes approximately six 8oz glasses of sangria. Can be served chilled or over ice.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of Bloom Riesling (the Bloom Moscato or any sweet riesling or moscato would also work really well!)
1 cup of Cherry Juice (I got mine from Trader Joes)
2-3 cups of pitted FRESH cherries. We used this trick to pit our cherries and it worked great!
1 cup sweet vermouth
1 cup orange juice

Directions:

Pit your cherries and put into a pitcher with 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup sweet vermouth, and 1 cup cherry juice
Let sit in fridge for 1-2 hours
Pour chilled riesling or moscato into chilled, and soaked cherry concoction that you have had in your fridge.
Serve over ice or just chilled! Be prepared to pucker and smile!

A Well Crafted Pantry

Saturday Spirits: Spiked Ice Cream Recipes (No Ice Cream Maker Needed!)

July 5, 2014 4 Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

Happy Saturday Spirits! It is getting HOT HOT HOT outside which makes this a very fun recipe for a hot summer evening. These Spiked Ice Cream recipes are easy to make at home without the use of any fancy ice cream makers or tools. I used a food processor for mine… but, they can just as easily be made with a hand blender or by mixing with big spoon.

These are fairly light on the alcohol over all. But, they should definitely be served to those legal to drink only.

These recipes aren’t super precise since they are not from scratch recipes, but rather are using some premade items. When I say a carton it may be slightly different than your size of carton. I do write how big of a carton I used. But, please get creative with these items and taste test along the way! (That is most the fun anyways!)

Mango & Bitters Cocktail Sorbet

Supplies: (Some of the below links are affiliate links. Purchases from affiliate links help suppport this blog)

Approximately 1 carton of your favorite Mango Sorbet (I used Trader Joes Mango Sorbet which is 33.81 oz)
10 Shakes of Bitters
3 oz Vodka
Mint (for Garnish)
Food Processor (or hand mixer or big wooden spoon with large mixing bowl)
Ice cream containers (you can use the original container if you’d like, or pretty containers for parties! Portland locals can pick up ones like those photographed at Fancy That Shop in Orenco Station! )

Directions:

Let your mango sorbet soften on the counter for a bit. You should be able to easily scoop out the sorbet.
Scoop the sorbet into your food processor or into a large mixing bowl
Add in the 10 shakes of bitters and 3 oz vodka
Mix like crazy. Make sure everything is incorporated.
Fill your ice cream container with the sorbet and then place back into freezer. It should firm up after an hour or two and be ready to fill ice cream bowls!

Raspberries & Cream Spiked Ice Cream

Supplies: (Some of the below links are affiliate links. Purchases from affiliate links help suppport this blog)

1 carton of your favorite Raspberry Sorbet or Gelato (I used the Raspberry Sorbet from Trader Joes which is 1 pint)
1/2 carton of your favorite Vanilla Ice Cream (I used Trader Joes French Vanilla which is 1/2 a gallon)
3 oz Raspberry Vodka
Food Processor (or hand mixer or big wooden spoon with large mixing bowl)
Ice cream containers (you can use the original container if you’d like, or pretty containers for parties! Portland locals can pick up ones like those photographed at Fancy That Shop in Orenco Station! )

Directions:

Let your Raspberry Sorbet (or gelato) and Vanilla Ice Cream soften up on the counter for a bit.
Scoop the sorbet into your food processor or into a large mixing bowl
Add in the 3 oz of Rasberry Vodka
Mix like crazy. Make sure everything is incorporated.
Fill your ice cream container half way with the sorbet mixture. Then spoon in vanilla ice cream and swirl around with your spoon. You can mix everything together if you’d prefer, or you can leave it a little unincorporated for a swirl-like dessert.

Raspberries & Limoncella Sorbet

Supplies: (Some of the below links are affiliate links. Purchases from affiliate links help suppport this blog)

1 carton of your favorite Raspberry Sorbet or Gelato (I used the Raspberry Sorbet from Trader Joes which is 1 pint)
1 carton of your favorite Lemon Sorbet or Gelato (I used Cioa Bella Lemon Zest Sorbet 14 oz)
3 oz Limoncello
Food Processor (or hand mixer or big wooden spoon with large mixing bowl)
Ice cream containers (you can use the original container if you’d like, or pretty containers for parties! Portland locals can pick up ones like those photographed at Fancy That Shop in Orenco Station! )

Directions:

Let your Raspberry Sorbet (or gelato) and Lemon Sorbet soften up on the counter for a bit.
Scoop the Lemon Sorbet into your food processor or into a large mixing bowl
Add in the 3 oz Limoncello
Mix like crazy. Make sure everything is incorporated.
Fill your ice cream container half way with the Limoncello & Lemon sorbet mixture. Then spoon in Raspberry Sorbet and swirl around with your spoon. You can mix everything together if you’d prefer, or you can leave it a little unincorporated for a swirl-like dessert.

Cocktails

20 of my favorite Well Crafted Cocktail Recipes:

Cherry Sangria Recipe

Mango & Bitters Cocktail Sorbet

Raspberries & Cream Spiked Ice Cream

Raspberries & Limoncella Sorbet

What do you think? Will you be spiking some of your ice cream desserts?