Category Archives: Beverages

Espresso Martini

14 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by in Beverages, Boozy, Cocktails, Holiday, Quick and Easy, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Espresso Martini

Last year Valentine’s Day landed on the Saturday of President’s Day Weekend.  Since my husband was traveling for his annual hunting trip with his dad and brother, I decided to celebrate the holiday with one of my best girlfriends, Danielle.  We cooked dinner together, watched cheesy romantic movies, and created this delicious Espresso Martini recipe.  All in all, a great Valentine’s Day spent with a great friend!

This Valentine’s Day, I wish all of you experience lots of love and happiness, and many espresso martinis!  Cheers!

Espresso Martini
Yield:  one drink
Time:  5 minutes

1½ oz. Kahlua
3 oz. vanilla vodka
1 oz. freshly brewed espresso
½ to 1 oz. simple syrup (depending on your taste)
Ice
Optional:  three espresso beans

  1.  Combine the Kahlua, vanilla vodka, espresso and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.  Pack with ice.  Shake vigorously for 2 minutes.  Strain into a martini glass.  If desired, garnish with three espresso beans.

To make the simple syrup: combine equal parts water and sugar (ex: 1 cup of each) in a saucepan.  Simmer on medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Note:  An average shot glass holds 1½ ounces.

PDF to Print Recipe for Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

Danielle and I enjoying our Espresso Martinis last Valentine’s Day!

 

Apple Pie Moonshine

07 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by in Beverages, Boozy, Cocktails, Quick and Easy

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Apple Pie Moonshine

I am absolutely completely 100% in love with this recipe!  One of my great friends from high school, Tanya, recently made this for her Oktoberfest party and I quickly became obsessed!  It honestly tastes like liquid apple pie.  You can drink it chilled, on ice, room temperature, or warm.  It’s super easy to make and a total crowd pleaser.  I’ve already converted a handful of people into fans.  I think you’ll love it too.  I recommend making a big batch for Thanksgiving.  A BIG thanks to Tanya Santoro to sharing this recipe with me, and allowing me to post it!

Apple Pie Moonshine
Yield:  A little over 2 gallons.  Enough for a large cocktail party!
Time:  5 minutes active; 60 minutes total (plus time to chill if serving cold)

1 gallon apple juice
1 gallon good quality apple cider*
1½ cups sugar
1½ cups brown sugar
8 large cinnamon sticks
3 cups Everclear (190 proof…as Tanya says, “go hard or go home”!)
2 cups vanilla vodka
Garnish:  2 crisp apples (Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith would all work!)

1)  In a large pot, stir together the apple juice, apple cider, sugar, and brown sugar.  Add the cinnamon sticks and simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2)  Cool to room temperature.  Stir in Everclear and vanilla vodka.

Garnish with dices apples, if desired.  I served mine from a large mason jar and left two of the cinnamon sticks floating to infuse even more cinnamon flavor.

Enjoy (responsibly).

 
*One of the things I missed the most about Jersey while I lived in Boston was Zeigler’s apple cider.  I especially love their cider made from Honeycrisp apples.  YUM!

PDF to Print Recipe for Apple Pie Moonshine

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

22 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by in Beverages, Boozy, Cocktails, Fruit, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

This is the perfect summer cocktail!!  So refreshing and light.  It sometimes gets me in trouble because it goes down so easily that I don’t realize how many I’ve had until the pitcher is gone!  Yes…I make them in bulk.  Don’t judge.  Just promise me you’ll enjoy these margaritas on a perfect summer night.

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas
Yield:  one drink
Time:  15 minutes total

¼ of a watermelon
1½ shots of tequila
½ shot of Grand Marnier or Cointreau
1 shot simple syrup (* see note at bottom on how to make it)

1.  Cut a quarter of a watermelon into cubes.  Purée in a blender until liquefied.  Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl or measuring cup.  Pour through the strainer to filter out the pulp.  Measure out 5 shots of the watermelon juice into a cocktail shaker.  (Save the remaining watermelon juice for future cocktails!)

2.  Pour the tequila, Grand Marnier, and simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.  Pack shaker with ice cubes.  Shake, then strain into a glass.  Enjoy!!

* How to make simple syrup:  Pour two cups of water and two cups of sugar into a medium saucepan.  Bring to a low boil, stirring occasionally.  Allow to boil lightly for 2-3 minutes.  Once all of the sugar has melted, remove pan from heat and allow to cool.  Store covered in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

<–  Photo proof that I make these Fresh Watermelon Margaritas in bulk!  Although I love this photo because without perspective, this actually looks like a normal sized mason jar, and not the gigantic beast that it really is!

PDF to Print Recipe for Fresh Watermelon Margaritas