Bourbon Sparkling Apple Cider Fall Cocktail Recipe

November 17, 2018 No Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

It’s Fall, y’all! And, in the Fall I crave bourbon. For a recent low-key Fall party, I crafted a super simple, but delicious cocktail featuring Broken Top Bourbon, sparkling wine, and apple cider. I put it together on the bar so guests could make their own. However, you could also pre-prep and create a delicious punch! This cocktail would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving table and would also be a tasty addition to the winter holiday season!

This post is in partnership with Cascade Street Distillery. I was provided a complimentary product. All opinions are my own. Thank you for reading and learning more about the companies that support this blog.

When I say that this cocktail is simple… I mean it. I love a well-crafted cocktail with gorgeous ingredients and garnishes, but I also really value simple (but quality) solutions to hosting events. There are a lot of things happening when you host, might as well make it easy on yourself if you have a great and easy solution! One way to really make this cocktail hit a home run with your guests is by picking really good ingredients. I picked a local hand-pressed apple cider and Oregon-produced, small-batch bourbon that has been aged in charred oak barrels and has notes of caramel and vanilla. Taking extra steps of garnishing your drinks with things like a cinnamon sugar rim, apple slices, or cinnamon sticks will also make this drink extra special.

Bourbon Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail

Single Glass:

Combine 1.5 oz of Broken Top Bourbon (or your favorite bourbon), 2 oz of chilled apple cider, and 3 oz of chilled sparkling wine in a glass. Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, or a cinnamon sugar rim.

Punch: Makes 8 glasses

Note: When making this pitcher cocktail I recommend adding ice cubes made of apple cider rather than water so that the drink doesn’t dilute in flavor as the ice melts. Due to the addition of ice, there is a bit more bourbon than what you’d have in a single glass portioning.

Combine 2 cups of bourbon, 3 cups of ice, 2.5 cups of apple cider, and 1 bottle of sparkling wine in a punch bowl or pitcher. If you are creating a punch bowl then add in apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish.

What type of spirit do you prefer in the Fall? Do you have a favorite Fall cocktail? Share in the comment section below!

Cocktails

Blackberry Lavender Lemonade + Cocktail Recipe

July 28, 2018 No Comments Cocktails

It has been a long time since I’ve shared a Saturday Spirits post. But, this past hot weather and a challenge from Oregon Berries to create a recipe featuring blackberries and edible flowers got me thinking about a deliciously sweet, cold blackberry lemonade that would be fun to sip on a long afternoon playing outdoors.

Oregon blackberries are perfectly in season at this time of year, but thankfully, you can capture the fresh berry flavor all year long with the use of frozen Oregon blackberries. This recipe makes a tasty non-alcoholic lavender blackberry lemonade and tips for an easy cocktail created with this base recipe.

This post is in partnership with Oregon Berries. All opinions are my own. About Oregon Berries: The Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission focuses on promoting caneberries to multiple audiences, and supports Oregon berry farmers by fostering plant research and farming education initiatives. Find Oregon Berry brands on the Oregon Berries website!

In the past, I was not much of a fan of lavender in my foods or beverages. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to appreciate the subtle floral note as an addition to different drinks, meals, and desserts. The combination of tart lemons, sweet blackberries, and lavender is an especially good use of this edible flower.

Blackberry Lavender Lemonade

I started this recipe by making two different simple syrups. I made a lavender simple syrup and a blackberry simple syrup. Then combined the syrups with freshly squeezed lemon juice and water.

The simple syrups help sweeten the lemonade, but I do suggest sweetening to taste a bit as I tend to like things a bit more tart.

Lavender simple syrup:

I was able to find a beautiful lavender plant at our local farmer’s market. I’ll be planting it in my yard so that I can continue to make this simple syrup year after year.

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 heads of fresh lavender

Directions:

In a small heavy bottom saucepan place all ingredients. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

Cook for about 5 minutes and take off the heat. I let mine sit for 10 minutes to cool a bit and allow the flavor to meld a bit more.

Strain, reserving the liquid.

Blackberry Simple Syrup

If you’ve never had an Oregon blackberry then you may think of blackberries a bit differently than I do. I always associated blackberries with lots of seeds and a berry flavor, but just not worth the effort to cook with/eat due to the seeds. However, after eating Oregon blackberries it has become my favorite berry by far! Juicy, bold flavor and not the same seedy feeling that I’ve had experienced in the past. I’ve learned that Oregon is an ideal growing environment for berries due to the great combination of how the Oregon soil, air, and water work together. The berries that are chosen for Oregon Berries products are picked at the peak of ripeness and are frozen within 24 hours of being picked to maximize taste, juiciness, and nutrition.

Ingredients:

16 oz frozen blackberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently so that sugar doesn’t burn.

Cook until the blackberries are cooked down and the sugar is dissolved. About 5-10 minutes.

Strain mixture, smashing all the blackberries and reserving the liquid.

Blackberry Lavender Lemonade

Makes approximately 1 64 oz pitcher

1 cup of lavender simple syrup
1 cup of blackberry simple syrup
Freshley squeezed juice of 12 lemons
4 cups water
Blackberries and lemon slices for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and chill.

To create a tasty (and easy) cocktail with this mixture add in your favorite gin or vodka. This makes an easy summer cocktail for those who wish to imbibe.

See my other Oregon Berries recipes:

I love working with Oregon Berries because I already buy them and eat them on the regular. Getting to share my love with you is icing on the cake.

Can’t get enough blackberries? Check out the hashtags #oregonberries or #putaberryonit to see what others are doing with Oregon Berries!

Cocktails

Things to Do in Portland: TOAST 2018

March 20, 2018 6 Comments Cocktails

Every March I’m excited that I live in Portland for the beautiful Spring trees in bloom, restaurants opening putting out menus with fresh seasonal items, Portland Dining Month, and the view of Mt. Hood. However, this March, I have one extra reason to be excited March is here: TOAST! The Oregon Distillers Guild is bringing back TOAST for the eighth year.

This post is written in partnership with the Oregon Distillers Guild on behalf of TOAST. All thoughts and opinions are my own. TOAST is a 21-and-over event and this post is meant for my readers interested in learning more about the TOAST event.

TOAST 2018

The 8th Annual TOAST event is presented by Bruni Glass The Tiffany Center from 5 PM to 9 PM on March 24, 2018.

Toast is where some of the best small-batch, handcrafted spirits are on display as 40+ distillers from the Northwest and five of Portland’s top chefs delight your palate during this exciting tasting event. Participants can taste from more than 150 spirits. Spirits include whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, liqueur, grappa, brandy, absinthe, aquavit, starka, baiju, and more.

Where (and when) is TOAST this year?

TOAST has changed venues a couple times over the years, each time I’ve been pleased with the location. This year, TOAST takes place at the Tiffany Center (1410 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR 97205). While TOAST took place in February last year, this year it takes place on Saturday, March 24, from 5pm-9pm.

What to expect from TOAST?

Expect to eat and drink a lot. Obviously, with over forty distillers from the Northwest, you’re gonna get to try some tasty liquors. Be prepared to imbibe safely by coming on a full stomach, drinking plenty of water, and watching how many tasters you accept. I tend to take a lap around the entire thing and make a list of the items that I truly want to try. Thankfully, the event is over several hours so when going, my husband and I take our time and check in on how we are doing often. We usually also share tasters so that we can try a sip or two of several without overdoing it.

This year’s line up of distilleries, vendors, and restaurants are getting me excited! I always try a few new-to-me distilleries as well as see what my favorites are bringing to the event. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the vendors that are bringing tonics, syrups, bitters, and the like. I always find something my home bar is in need of! 😉

Distilleries include: 4 Spirits Distillery, 503 Distilling, Aria Gin, Backdrop Distilling Crater Lake Spirits, Big Bottom Distilling, Bull Run Distillery, Clear Creek Distillers, Crescendo, Drink Think, Drop Shop Eastside Distilling, Elixir, Freeland Spirits, Heritage Distilling Co., Hood River Distillers, House Spirits, Mcmenamins, New Basin Distilling Co., New Deal Distillery, Oregon Spirit Distillers, Pilot House Spirits, Ransom Spirits, Rogue Spirits, Rolling River Spirits, Sinister Distilling Co. Stone Barn Brandyworks, Swallowtail Spirits, Townsends, Trail Distilling, The Walter Collective, and Wanderback Distillery.

The Walter Collective (pictured above) is one of my favorites to try each year. I’m obsessed with their beautiful packaging and love their products.

Restaurants include: LeChon, Pope House Lounge, The Waiting Room, Stella Taco and Rally Pizza

The Waiting Room is back again this year and I’m thrilled because I loved their donut and chicken bites from last year!

Other vendors include: Anton Tonics, The Bitter Housewife, Raft Syrups, Portland Syrups, Interrobang Vermouth, and Sage and Sea Farms

How do I get to TOAST?

First off, let me highly recommend NOT driving to TOAST. Either bring a designated driver (tickets for DDs are only $15 and include tasty plates from chefs and non-alcoholic drinks!), take public transportation, or get a Lyft. You don’t want to even think about driving after enjoying the tastings and you don’t want to have to worry about the car in the meantime. However, if you are the DD there are several parking garages near the Tiffany Center. The MAX and buses all have stops near there as well!

How do I get tickets to TOAST?

General admission tickets are $45 and all-inclusive. Your ticket gets you entry to the event, spirit tastings, a commemorative glass, and small plates from the chefs. Go even bigger and get VIP tickets for $65, which includes 2 cocktail tickets, early entry (4pm) and the distillers after-party from 10 – 11 p.m. Designated driver tickets are available for $15 and include entry to TOAST, non-alcoholic drinks, and small plates from the chefs. Buy your tickets!

Can I buy my favorites?

Yes! In my experience, nearly all of the distilleries and vendors offer purchases there at the event. They give you a ticket and you pick your purchases up as you leave the venue– which means you don’t have to carry your items all over the venue! I tend to leave with at least a few bottles!

Are you going to TOAST this year? What are you looking forward to?

If you are not going to TOAST but are interested in seeing what is good then follow along on my Instagram stories on Saturday evening. I’ll be sharing all my favorites.