June 16th, 2013 § § permalink
Sweet and Smoky is the jest of this one. An intoxicating and powerful drink, its silky and sultry texture with its sweet and smoky vibe, allows one to forget the intoxication factor while experiencing summer’s luscious blackberry offerings.
Makes one drink
Ingredients
1 ounce tequila  blanca (*Espolon)
1 ounce mescal (*Del Maguey Minero)
1 ounce elderflower liquor
1 Â ounce Blackberry-Sage Hibiscus Syrup (recipe follows)
½ ounce lemon juiceSweet Smoke Sage Salt (recipe follows)
Blackberry & sage leaf garnish
2 drops of Bittermans Burlesque bitters
Directions
Shake in a shaker filled with ice and strain into a martini glass or coup. Garnish with a floating, fresh blackberry rolled in the Sweet Smoke Sage Salt and a fresh sage leaf laid over the top of the glass.
Blackberry-Sage Hibiscus Syrup
Makes 2 cups of syrup
Ingredients
1 Â Â cup water
¾  cup honey
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers
3 tablespoons fresh sage leaves
¼ cup fresh blackberries
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, gently whisk to incorporate honey. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and let infuse and cook for about 7-8 more minutes. Take off heat and let cool completely. Blend the mixture in a blender until smooth and strain so that a smooth and silky syrup is created. Refrigerate.
Sweet Smoke Sage Salt
Makes about  ½ cup of salt
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
1 tablespoon smoked black salt ( coarse)
A few drops of Bittermans Burlesque Bitters
Directions
Using a mortar and pestle, grind the sage leaves, the lemon zest and the sugar until a granular powder is formed. Â Add the salt and grind gently, only to incorporate the flavor and only to slightly grind up the salt. Â Add the drops of bitters and mix well. Â The final product should be a granular and wet sand like mixture.
*Espolon Tequila is a boutique brand of Tequila made in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. It was started by an ex Herradura employee and has quickly become one of the best cocktail tequilas on the market, lesser known in the USA. This soft and silky tequila is a bit citrusy with some black pepper notes.
*Del Maguey is a brand that produces ORGANIC “single village†mescals in the Oaxaca region of Mexico. Each village produces their own sub brand that is unique to their lands and their techniques, using ancient practices that the indigenous people have been using since before the Spanish conquest. A distinct character results from each village. The Minero sub-brand has a nose of flower essence, vanilla and figs with a burnt honey flavor and a bit of lemon. Its deep and warm and sweet all the way to the finish.
March 24th, 2013 § § permalink
Grapefruit Fennel Frond Soda
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and chopped fine
½ cup sugar
¾ cup water
1 cup fresh grapefruit juice
½ cup fresh fennel juice (juiced with fennel fronds)Â
Ice
Seltzer water
Directions
In a medium sauce pan combine the mint, ginger, sugar and water. Bring to a boil while stirring to dissolve all the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Take of the heat and set aside to cool completely. Strain. In a large pitcher filled with ice, place the ginger syrup, carrot and lime juice and stir well, fill with seltzer to taste.
February 2nd, 2013 § § permalink

Ingredients
Grapefruit Zest  Pink Rim Salt*
Ice3 Â ounces vodka
4 ounces fresh grapefruit fennel juice ( 1 grapefruit, ¼ cup fennel, handful of fennel fronds)
Directions
Place the zested salt on a small flat plate, moisten the entire circular rim of a highball glass and then gently dip the rim in the salt until the salt is lining the rim, shake off any excess. Fill the glass with ice.  Pour in the vodka, then the grapefruit juice and stir!
*Grapefruit Zest Pink Rim Salt- Combine 2 teaspoons fresh grapefruit zest with 1/4 cup pink flak salt and stir well.

February 2nd, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 ½  ounces  fresh star fruit and celery juice ( 1 star fruit, 2 stalks celery, leaves and all)
2 ounces Titos vodka
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce lovage and lemon thyme syrup*
Star Fruit Garnish
Brooklyn Hemispherical Lemon Bitters
The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters
Directions
In a large glass filled with ice, place the juice, vodka, lime juice and syrup and stir well. Strain into a martini style glass. Add two drops of lemon bitters and two drops of celery bitters, garnish with a thin slice of the star fruit.
*Lovage and Lemon Thyme Syrup- combine a handful of Lovage ( or celery leaves) and lemon thyme in a sauce pan with 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat, let cool completely. Strain and refrigerate.
February 2nd, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, cracked
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
¾ cup aged white balsamic vinegar
¼ cup water¾ cup turbinado sugar
½ teaspoon pink salt
1 ½ cups red or black grapes
1 ounce fresh red or black grape juice (juicer)
2 ounces Brueckelen Distilling Glorious Gin
1 tablespoon sweet vermouth
Rosemary Stick with Leaves ( garnish)
Directions
In a small and thin toasting pan, toast the spices; peppercorns, mustard seeds and cinnamon until they begin to char and smoke a little. Remove from heat. In a small sauce pan combine the spices, the rosemary leaves, vinegar, sugar, water and salt and bring to just before a boil. Whisk until all the sugar and salt is totally dissolved. Allow mixture to cool completely. In the meantime take the grapes and with a toothpick poke a tiny hole in where the grape was attached to the stem, allowing the toothpick to enter into the grape about ½ way. Place the grapes in a large mason jar and put the brine over the top of the grapes. Refrigerate overnight.
In a shaker filled with ice, combine 2 ounces of gin, 2 ounce of fresh grape juice, vermouth and about 2 tablespoons of the brine from the pickled grapes. Double strain into a martini style glass and garnish with a rosemary stick with a few grapes skewered through it.
January 16th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 parsnips, chopped
¼ cup turbinado or raw sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup water
Soda Water
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 390°F. In a mixing bowl combine the parsnips, sugar, maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves, toss together until coated and mixed. Arrange the parsnips on a baking sheet and roast for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Scrape the baking sheet and all its remnants into a sauce pan and add water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Take off heat, cool, strain and refrigerate until syrup is ice cold. Place ½ an ounce of the syrup in the bottom of a glass and fill with soda water and stir. Place a tiny pinch of *Rosemary Dust over the top of the glass.
*Rosemary Dust-In a spice grinder, coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle, grind up 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves and 2 tablespoons sugar until a fine powder is created.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 ounce Seneca Drums Gin (Finger Lakes Distilling Co.)
1 ounce Cynar
½ ounce *Salsify Orange Syrup
½ ounce Amberthorn Dry Vermouth (New York Astby Co)
Oven Dried Salsify Stick Garnish
For the Salsify Orange Syrup:
2 salsify roots, chopped
1 cup water
Juice of 1 orange
Zest of 1 orange
½ cup sugar
Directions
In an old fashioned glass filled with ice place the gin and the cynar, add the syrup and vermouth and stir, garnish with a dried salsify stick.
*Salsify Orange Syrup- Combine two chopped salsify roots in a medium saucepan with 1 cup of water, the juice of 1 orange, the zest of 1 orange and ½ cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Take off heat and cool. Chill.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 lemon, halved and sliced thin
1 lime, halved and sliced thin
1 orange, halved and sliced thin
1 mandarin, halved and sliced thin
8 kumquats, halved
1 medium celery root, peeled and cubed small
2-3 kaffir lime leaves
1 bottle Dorothy Parker Gin (New York Distilling Co.)
*Rosemary Sugar Salt
*Rosemary Syrup
Fresh pink grapefruit juice
Aperol
For the Rosemary Sugar Salt:
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
2 tablespoons pink Himalayan salt
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
For the Rosemary Syrup:
1 large handful fresh rosemary leaves
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
Directions
In a large mixing bowl mix together the citrus slices, kumquats, celery root, and kaffir lime leaves. Distribute the mixture equally into two large mason jars and fill with gin. Let stand in an ambient temperature dark place for about a week to infuse the flavors.
Rub the rim of a tall glass with a citrus segment and dip into the *Rosemary Sugar-Salt. Place 2 ounces of the infused gin in the glass and add ½ ounce *Rosemary Syrup. Fill with fresh pink grapefruit juice and add a splash of aperol.
*Rosemary Sugar Salt– Mix together 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar with 2 tablespoons pink Himalayan salt. Place the salt and sugar mixture on a cutting board and add 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves. Chop the rosemary together with the salt until a fine, granular mixture comes together.
*Rosemary Syrup-Combine 1 large handful of fresh rosemary leaves together with ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 6-9 minutes. Take off heat, cool and strain. Chill.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 tart apples, peeled and chopped
½ cup raw or turbinado sugar
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
Directions
Mash together the apples, sugars, and caraway seeds until a rough applesauce has been formed. Place the mixture in a mason jar and let sit over night in the refrigerator. Add the apple cider vinegar, shake and keep refrigerated for another 5-7 days.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 bottle of aquavit
1 rutabaga, cubed (about 2 cups worth max)
Lemon juice
*Caraway Syrup
Fresh Apple Shrub
Soda Water
Apple Slice Garnish
For the Caraway Syrup:
2 tablespoons caraway seeds, toasted
1 piece lemon peel
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
Directions
In a large mason jar, combine the aquavit and the rutabaga. Let stand in an ambient temperature dark place for about a week to infuse the flavors.
In a shaker filled with ice, combine 2 ounces of the infused aquavit, ½ ounce of lemon juice, 1 ounce caraway syrup, 1 ounce of apple caraway shrub and 1 ½ ounce of soda water and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of apple.
*Caraway Syrup- In a small sauce pan, combine 2 tablespoons toasted caraway seeds, a lemon peel, ½ cup water, and ½ cup sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 6-9 minutes. Take off heat, cool and strain. Chill.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed small
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon stick
1 bottle Basil Hayden’s Bourbon Whiskey
*Balsamic Syrup
*Black Pepper Sugared Pecans
For the Balsamic Syrup:
½ cup balsamic vinegar (high quality)
For the Black Pepper Sugared Pecans:
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup pecans
1 tablespoon raw or turbinado sugar
2 teaspoons black pepper, cracked
Directions
In a large mason jar, place the sweet potato, vanilla bean and the cinnamon stick, fill with the bourbon. Let stand in an ambient temperature dark place for about a week to infuse the flavors into the bourbon.
In a rocks glass pour 2 ounces of the infused bourbon and a tiny drizzle of the balsamic syrup. Garnish by adding a black pepper sugared pecan.
*Balsamic Syrup-Place the balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan on medium high heat. Reduce by about half until a thick syrup is created, about 6-8 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
*Black Pepper Sugared Pecans-In a small sauté pan on medium heat, melt the butter, add the pecans and sauté about a minute. Sprinkle the sugar and black pepper over the buttered pecans and continue to stir and sauté for another minute. Place on a plate and allow the sugar to harden and the pecans to cool completely.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Makes 3 cups
Ingredients
2 cups water
¾ cup white vinegar
3 tablespoon kosher salt
2 fresh bay leaves
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, cracked
3-4 turnips, peeled and chopped
1 turnip, peeled and sliced in wheels
1 red beet slice
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thin
Directions
In a small sauce pan combine the water, vinegar, and salt and heat until the salt dissolves. To the salt brine add the bay leaves, coriander seeds, turnips, beet slice, and garlic. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 3- 5 minutes or until the turnips are just beginning to be tender. (The beet slice will give the pickled turnips a pink hue, in order to keep the hue white omit the beet slice.) Allow the mixture to cool, place in a large jar and refrigerate overnight. Shake the jar periodically.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
3 ounces gin
½ ounce dry vermouth
½ ounce pickled turnip brine
Pickled Turnip Wheels
Cilantro leaves for garnish
Directions
In a glass filled with ice, add the gin and vermouth and stir. Add the turnip brine liquid and strain into a martini glass. Place one pickled turnip wheel to float on the top with a cilantro leaf on top of the wheel.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 orange beets, peeled and chopped
1 sprig of fresh tarragon, a few leaves reserved
Juice of 1 orange
1 tablespoon of orange zest
¼ cup sugar
½ cup water
Champagne or sparkling wine
1 navel orange for garnish
Directions
Combine the beets, tarragon, orange juice, zest, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Take off the heat and allow to cool. Strain and refrigerate the syrup until ice cold. Place ½ an ounce of the syrup in the bottom of a champagne flute and fill with champagne. Garnish with one tarragon leaf and an orange-peel twist, releasing the oils over the flute while twisting.
January 5th, 2013 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 parsnips, chopped
¼ cup turbinado or raw sugar
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup water
Champagne or sparkling wine
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 390°F. In a mixing bowl combine the parsnips, sugar, maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves, then toss together until coated and mixed. Arrange the parsnips on a baking sheet and roast for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Scrape the baking sheet and all its remnants into a sauce pan and add water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Take off heat, cool, strain and refrigerate until syrup is ice cold. Place ½ an ounce of the syrup in the bottom of a champagne flute and fill with champagne. Place a tiny pinch of *Rosemary Dust over the top of the glass.
*Rosemary Dust-In a spice grinder, coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle, grind up 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves and 2 tablespoons sugar until a fine powder is created.
October 10th, 2012 § § permalink
Makes 1 big pumpkin’s worth of punch
Ingredients
2 cups turbinado or raw sugar
2 cups water
2 cups fresh concord grapes, smashed
3 cardamom pods, crushed
2 cinnamon sticks, cracked
2 teaspoons nutmeg, freshly grated
1 inch piece of ginger, sliced thin
Large Jack O Lantern, seeds removed and cleaned but not carved ( just top)
1 -2 liter seltzer water
Concord Grapes for Garnish
*Concord Grape Balsamic Syrup and Vodka for the adult version
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, grapes, and spiced and stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 10 -15 minutes. Take off of heat and allow to cool. Push the liquid through a fine sieve strainer until all liquid moves through. Pour the liquid in the cleaned out pumpkin filled with ice and fill with seltzer water. Garnish with fresh concord grapes.
*Concord Balsamic Vinegar- In a medium sauce pan, combine  ½ cup water, ½ cup sugar, 1 -2 handfuls of sage leaves, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, ½ cup concord grapes, 1 tablespoon black peppercorns (crushed coarsely) and 1 cup balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow to boil gently for about 10 minutes. The mixture should reduce by about one fourth. Turn off the heat and allow to cool completely. Strain and chill.
July 6th, 2012 § § permalink
2 ounces mango infused gin*
1 ounce campari
1/2 Â ounce sweet vermouth
Mango slice garnish
In a rocks glass stir together the gin, campari and sweet vermouth. Fill with ice and garnish with a slice of mango.
*Mango infused Gin-Place one ripe mango (chopped)Â in a mason jar and fill with gin and allow to infuse for 3-4 days.
July 6th, 2012 § § permalink
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce fresh Raspberry Mint Syrup*
Shake all ingredients together in a shaker. Strain into a chilled rocks glass. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf and fresh raspberry.
* Fresh Raspberry Mint Syrup – Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Add 2 handfuls of fresh raspberries and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Blend the mixture in a blender until ultra smooth.
July 6th, 2012 § § permalink
1.5  ounces Jalapeño Infused Tequila*
.75 Â ounce Sweet Cilantro Syrup*
1 ounce  ounces watermelon agua fresca*
.5 ounces fresh lime juice
Watermelon Slices (thin and round)
Sugared Jalapenos*
Place all the ingredients except the watermelon slices and sugared jalapenos in a shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into a coupe or martini style glass. Garnish with a watermelon slice float with a few sugared jalapenos on top of the watermelon float.
*Jalapeño Infused Tequila-place 3 sliced (round) jalapenos in a large mason jar filled with tequila repasado and let infuse for 4 days.
*Sweet Cilantro Syrup-Place 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Let simmer for five minutes and take off heat and cool. While cooling add the zest and juice of one lime.
*Watermelon Agua Fresca– Blend 2 cups watermelon with 2 cups of water until the mixture is totally smooth
*Sugared Jalapenos– Take the jalapenos that were soaking in the tequila an place in a jar with 1 cup of turbinado sugar. Shake gently until totally covered. Let macerate in the sugar for about 2 hours, genetly shaking the jar every 30 minutes or so.

April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
1 large bunch of fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup fresh grated ginger
1 cup Honey Syrup*
Water
Directions
Combine all ingredients except water in a pitcher and stir well. Add ice and then fill with water.
*Honey Syrup – Whisk together 1 cup honey with ¼ cup hot water until emulsified. Cool.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup lemon juice
1 large bunch fresh sorrel leaves
4-6 cups seltzer water
Lemon wheel garnish
Directions
Combine water, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Add fresh sorrel leaves (about 15-20 leaves only, no stems). Blend the mixture in a blender until ultra smooth and strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Allow to cool. Place in a pitcher with ice and add about 4-6 cups seltzer and stir well. Place a few lemon wheel garnishes in the pitcher.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Nissa Pierson, Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center, Gowanus Brooklyn
Ingredients
1 cup simple syrup
½ cup fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
3 fresh strawberries, de-stemmed and chopped
2 teaspoons lemon zest
Juice of one lemon
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until a smooth pesto-like sauce is created. Add about a half of a tablespoon of the sweet pesto to the top of 1 ounce of New York Distilling Company Gin. Gently Swirl the elixir down.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Nissa Pierson, Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center, Gowanus Brooklyn
Ingredients
1 cup turbinado sugar simple syrup*
½ cup fresh lemon thyme leaves
1 tablespoon mint leaves
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons lemon zest
Juice of one lemon
1 ounce New York Distilling Company Rye
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until a smooth pesto-like sauce is created. Add about a half of a tablespoon of the sweet pesto to the top of 1 ounce of New York Distilling Company Rye. Gently swirl the elixir down.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Nissa Pierson, Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center, Gowanus Brooklyn
Ingredients
1 bunch fresh mint
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 ounces gin (New York Distilling Company – Dorothy Parker)
½ ounce Gran Classico
1 ounce Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn Honey Nectar*
½ ounce lemon juice
Lemon wheel garnish
Pink Peppercorn Parsley Sugar*
Brooklyn Hemispherical Rhubarb Bitters
Directions
Gently muddle about 10 mint and 10 parsley leaves along with lemon zest in a mixing glass until all the oils from the herbs are released, about 5-8 seconds. Add the gin, Gran Classico, Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn Honey Nectar and lemon juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini style class. Float the lemon wheel on top of the drink and sprinkle a tiny bit of the Pink Peppercorn Parsley Sugar on the wheel. Drop three to four drops of Brooklyn Hemispherical Rhubarb Bitters onto the lemon wheel.
*Rhubarb Pink Peppercorn Honey Nectar – In a sauce pan combine 2 pounds fresh rhubarb (chopped) with ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns (crushed), small hand full fresh mint leaves and large handful of fresh parsley leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce and let simmer for 10-12 minutes. Take off heat and strain. Add the honey to the warm mixture and mix well. Cool completely.
*Pink Peppercorn Parsley Sugar – Mix together 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped superfine, 1 teaspoon pink peppercorns (crushed) and 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar. Squeeze two drops of rhubarb bitters to sugar mixture to moisten.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Zachary Sharaga, Louis 649, Alphabet City Manhattan
Ingredients
2 ounces white rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce fresh sorrel simple syrup*
Directions
Shake all ingredients together in a shaker. Strain into a chilled flure glass. Garnish by inserting a blade of sorrel vertically into flute. (Break stem off of sorrel blade so that an approximately 1-inch tip sticks out above the washline.)
*Fresh Sorrel Simple Syrup – Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the temperature to low and simmer for about 5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool completely. Add 2 handfuls of fresh sorrel (about 20 Â leaves – leaves only, no stems). Blend the mixture in a blender until ultra smooth and strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Use immediately in order to keep the bright green color.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Brendan Casey, Quarter Bar, South Slope Brooklyn
Ingredients
1½ ounce gin (New York Distilling Company-Dorothy Parker)
½ ounce Carpano Antica Vermouth
2 drops of lavender infused green chartreuse*
½ ounce lemon thyme
½ ounce lemon thyme brown sugar syrup*
Lemon peel
Directions
Add all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and double strain into a chilled coupe or martini style glass. Garnish with a large lemon peel, releasing the oils over the cocktail before submerging it into the glass.
*Lavender Infused Green Chartreuse – Combine in a small mason jar 2 ounces of green chartreuse with 1 teaspoon of dried lavender flowers. Seal the jar and let infuse for 3 days, shaking once per day. Strain out the lavender flowers prior to use.
*Lemon Thyme Brown Sugar Syrup – Combine 1 part organic brown sugar, 1 part water and a large handful or bunch of lemon thyme in medium sauce pan and bring to a boil while stirring. Let boil for about 5 minutes in total taking it on and off the heat the entire time. Cool, strain and bottle.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Justin Briggs, Barbes, Park Slope Brooklyn
Ingredients
5-8 fresh Thai basil leaves
.25 ounces demerara-ginger syrup*
2 ounces Martinique Rum Agricole or Smith & Cross
.5 ounces Madeira Meio Doce (medium sweet)
1 ounce lime juice
Ginger beer
Candied Ginger
Directions
Muddle together in a mixing tin Thai basil leaves and demerara-ginger syrup. Add the rum, Madeira and lime juice and shake with vigor. Strain over ice into a collins or highball glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a piece of candied ginger and Thai basil leaf.
*Demerara-Ginger Syrup – Combine 8 ounces fresh ginger juice, 16 ounces demerara sugar, 8 ounces water, 1 star of anise and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain, cool and chill.
*Regular basil leaves can be substituted for Thai basil in a pinch!
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Rafael Hasid, Wolf & Deer, Park Slope Brooklyn
Ingredients
6-8 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce wiki-dandelion puree*
1 ounce lemon thyme & mint syrup*
1 ounce lime juice
Lemon peel
Meyer Lemon Brooklyn Hemispherical Bitters
Directions
Muddle the mint leaves in a shaker until all the oils are released from the mint. Fill the shaker with ice, kiwi-dandelion puree, vodka, lemon thyme & mint syrup, and lime juice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini style glass and serve garnished with a lemon peel, after releasing the oils over the glass. Place a few drops of Meyer Lemon Brooklyn Hemispherical Bitters over the top.
*Kiwi-Dandelion Puree – In a blender mix 1 cup dandelion greens (no stems), one kiwi (peeled), one handful of mint leaves and ½ cup water. Blend until totally smooth. Strain with a fine mesh strainer and chill.
*Lemon Thyme & Mint Syrup – Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucce pan and bring to a boil. Add a small handful of fresh lemon thyme and a handful of fresh mint and allow the syrup to simmer for about 8 minutes. Take off heat and strain. Allow the syrup to cool completely before use.
April 9th, 2012 § § permalink
©Regina Christiansen, Blueprint, Park Slope Brooklyn
Ingredients
25 ounces honey syrup*
Brooklyn Hemispherical Icelandic Bitters
2 small fresh tarragon sprigs
2 ounces gin (New York Distilling Company-Dorothy Parker)
Directions
In a mixing glass combine honey syrup, 1 full dropper of Brooklyn Hemispherical Icelandic Bitters and 1 sprig of fresh tarragon. Muddle gently in order to release the oils from the herb, making sure not to pulverize the herb. Add the gin and ice and stir slowly to chill. Fine strain into a chilled rocks glass (without ice) and garnish with another small sprig of fresh tarragon, making sure to slap it between your hands before placing it into the glass in order to release the oils from the herb.
*Honey Syrup – Whisk together 1 cup honey with ¼ cup hot water until emulsified. Cool.
April 6th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
½ cup cranberries
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 few fresh thyme sprigs
1 cinnamon stick
Sparkling water or sparkling wine
Cranberries and thyme leaves for garnish
Directions
Combine the cranberries, sugar, water, fresh thyme and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan and heat to high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolved and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture is at a boil reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 5-8 minutes or until the liquid turns thick and syrupy; stirring occasionally throughout the process. Let the mixture cool and discard the thyme sprigs and cinnamon stick. Blend te mixture in a blender until smooth and strain.
Place about 1 ounce of the syrup in a champagne flute and fill with sparkling water or wine. Garnish with a cranberry and a few fresh thyme leaves.
March 13th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 ounces prune infused gin (recipe follows)
2 ounces hum liquor
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce cardamom ginger black pepper syrup (recipe follows)
Sparkling Wine
“Moroccan” Spiced Brown Sugar (recipe follows)
Gin Infused Prunes
Directions
In a shaker filled with ice, place the gin, hum liquor, lemon juice, and syrup and shake vigorously. Strain into an old fashioned martini style glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a gin infused prune rubbed with Moroccan Spiced Brown Sugar on a toothpick.
Prune Infused Gin
Ingredients
1 liter of gin
12 prunes, halved
Directions
Place the prunes and the gin in a large mason or glass jar. Allow to infuse for about 3-4 days in a cool dark place. Remove the prunes and reserve for cocktail.
Cardamom Black Pepper Syrup
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
5 cardamom pods, crushed (whole pod)
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and let stand for 15 minutes, strain.
“Moroccan” Spiced Brown Sugar
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Ras El Hanout (traditional recipe follows)
½ cup turbinado sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
February 14th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh lemon grass bulb, sliced thin
1 inch ginger, peeled and sliced super thin
2 tablespoons lemon grass (grass)
1 green tea bag
3 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Directions
In a large French press, place all ingredients and cover with hot (just before boiling) water. Allow to steep for about 8 minutes. Drink warm or cool and serve over ice.
January 13th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
2 pears, peeled, seeded and chopped
½ cup fresh cranberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Prosecco
Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add pears and cranberries and cook until soft; 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool, then add to blender. Blend until smooth and strain through a fine mesh strainer. Pour a small amount of strained pear/cranberry mixture into champagne glasses and top with Prosecco.
January 13th, 2012 § § permalink
Makes 1 liter
The toffe, praline, vanilla and dried fruit tones in the initial rush of tasting bourbon elixir and charred oak barrels give the Bourbon and spicy firmness that blends in well with this Middle Eastern inspired elixir!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon, coriander seeds, cracked fine
1 teaspoon black pepper, cracked fine
1½ cups bourbon, Makers Mark 46 preferred
½ cup dark chocolate, semi sweet, chopped fine
½ cup honey
2 cups sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup whole milk
½ cup tahini
½ vanilla bean, seeds scraping
½ teaspoon almond extract
Directions
Place the coriander and the black pepper in a small mason jar of bourbon (about ½ cup) and let infuse for about 4 days in a dark cool place. In a double broiler place the chocolate, honey, coriander & black pepper bourbon infusion and slowly melt the chocolate, storing until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a blender place the remainder of the bourbon, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, tahini, vanilla bean and the almond extract and blend until smooth. (The blending part may need to be done in two batches) Bottle and refrigerate!
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
In a glass filled with ice mix 1 ounce of fennel seed syrup with 2 ounces fresh orange juice and fill with seltzer and stir!
Fennel Seed Syrup
Makes 2 cups of syrup
Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
1½ cups water
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Cool and strain.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
In a glass filled with ice mix 1 ounce of pomegranate black pepper molasses with 2 ounces fresh pomegranate juice and gill with seltzer and stir!
Pomegranate Black Pepper Molasses
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
5 cups pomegranate juice
1 cup sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Cool and strain.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
3 ounces Kraken rum
½ ounce lemon juice
½ ounce orange juice
2-3 mint leaves
1 ounce orange peel black pepper syrup (recipe follows)
2 ounces homemade ginger ale
Sparkling wine
“Moroccan” Spiced Candied Kumquats (recipe follows)
Directions
Mix together the kraken, lemon juice, orange juice, mint leaves, ginger ale and syrup and pour into an old fashioned or short class. Fill the glass with extra ice if needed and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with the candied kumquats and a mint leaf.
Orange Peel Black Pepper Syrup
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
Peels of 1 orange
3-4 kumquats halved
1 cinnamon stick
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and let stand for 15 minutes, strain.
Moroccan Spiced Candied Kumquats
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1½ cups kumquats, halved
½ cup orange liquor
½ cup turbinado sugar
½ cup honey
¼ cup water
2 star anise
2 cloves
3 all spice berries
10 black peppercorns
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds removed
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to make sure sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes. Making sure to stir often while the liquid thickens and the kumquats shrivel up. Cook until most the liquid is cooked down. Take off heat and allow to cool, making sure to discard the anise, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean shell. Store in a glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Take out of the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 ounces prune infused gin (recipe follows)
2 ounces hum liquor
1 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce cardamom ginger black pepper syrup (recipe follows)
Sparkling Wine
“Moroccan” Spiced Brown Sugar (recipe follows)
Gin Infused Prunes
Directions
In a shaker filled with ice, place the gin, hum liquor, lemon juice, and syrup and shake vigorously. Strain into an old fashioned martini style glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a gin infused prune rubbed with Moroccan Spiced Brown Sugar on a toothpick.
Prune Infused Gin
Ingredients
1 liter of gin
12 prunes, halved
Directions
Place the prunes and the gin in a large mason or glass jar. Allow to infuse for about 3-4 days in a cool dark place. Remove the prunes and reserve for cocktail.
Cardamom Black Pepper Syrup
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
5 cardamom pods, crushed (whole pod)
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and let stand for 15 minutes, strain.
“Moroccan” Spiced Brown Sugar
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Rad El Hanout (traditional recipe follows)
½ cup turbinado sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Ras El Hanout (Traditional)
Makes approx 10 ounces
Ingredients
1 nutmeg ball, crushed
1 cinnamon stick, crushed
½ tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablepsoon white peppercorns
1 tablepsoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon rose bud petals, dried
1 tablespoon lavender buds, dried
½ teaspoon anise seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon allspice berries
6 green cardamom pods
3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon turmeric, ground
1 tablespoon mace, ground
1 teaspoon red chili peppers, crushed
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablepsoon ginger, ground
1 tablespoon dried galangal root pieces (optional)
1 tablespoon dried orris root pieces (optional)
Directions
In a ziplock bag or plastic, crush the nutmeg and cinnamon sticks with a mallet, hammering and pounding until small chunks are formed. Take all of the seeds and non powder items and grind in a spice grinder or coffee grinder, until pulverized. You may have to do this in batches if your grinder is small. Place the ground items in a medium mixing bowl. Take the remainig powdered items as well as the root pieces and mix into the ground items until totally mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool dark and dry place, will keep for about 4-5 months.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
3 ounces bourbon
½ ounce lemon juice
1 ounce cinnamon stick black pepper syrup (recipe follows)
1 ounce sweet cinnamon vinegar (recipe follows)
1 tablespoon fig compote (recipe follows)
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an old fashioned martini glass and garnish with a lemon peel.
Cinnamon Black Pepper Syrup
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, cracked
2 cinnamon sticks, smashed
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and let stand for 15 minutes, strain.
Sweet Cinnamon Vinegar
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cinnamon stick, smashed
½ cup dark brown sugar
Directions
Place the apple cider vinegar and cinnamon in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a rolling low boil and let reduce by half. Add the brown sugar and stir well. Bring to a boil again and then again reduce heat but this time to a slow simmer. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture is thick. Take off heat and let stand to cool for 5-10 minutes and then strain. Store in the refrigerator for up to five weeks.
Fig Compote
Makes 2 cups compote
Ingredients
1 pound fresh black figs, ripe & sweet, de-stemmed & chopped
1 cup simple syrup
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped fine (optional)
Directions
Place all ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring often for about 1 hour. Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick. Store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
3 ounces gin
½ ounce mint infused dry vermouth (recipe follows)
½ ounce preserved lemon liquid (recipe follows)
2-3 drops harissa (recipe follows)
Preserved lemon garnish
Mint leaf garnish
Directions
In a glass filled with ice place the gin and the vermouth and stir. Add the lemon preserved liquid and strain into a martini glass. Place one preserved lemon segment and a mint leaf in for garnish and drop 2-3 drops harissa in the center.
Quick Preserved Lemons
Makes 3 cups
Ingredients
10 lemons, scrubbed of any wax or residue
3 tablespoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup lemon juice
Directions
Slice lemons, including peel, removing as many seeds as possible. Put the lemons and their juice in a bowl, and sprinkle with the salt and sugar. Toss well, and transfer to a jar. Let the mixture sit for at least 3 hours at room temperature, shaking the jar periodically. It can be served at that point or refrigerated for up to a week.
Ger-Nis Harissa
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
8 dried guajillo chilies, stems removed, broken
5 dried red chilies, stems removed, broken
1 dired chili de arbol
1 cup boiling water
2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon caraway seeds, toasted
4 garlic cloves
1 bell pepper, roasted & peeled
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (optional)
Directions
Place the dried chilies in a medium bowl and cover with the boiling water, let stand for about 15 minutes, allowing the chilies to soften. Grind the toasted seeds until a powder is formed. Transfer the softened chilies, the spices, the garlic, the red pepper, the lemon zest and juice, the salt and the olive oil into a food processor and process until smooth. At this stage add the fresh mint leaves and process until all the mint is chopped and incorporated. Season with salt to taste. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Mint Infused Vermouth
Ingredients
1 bottle dry vermouth
20 fresh mint leaves, torn in half
Directions
In a mason jar or large jar combine the vermouth and the mint and allow to infuse, turning upside down periodically, for 2 days. Strain.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 ounce Spicy Bourbon Fig Honey (recipe follows)
Sparkling wine
Black Peppercorn Garnish
Directions
In a champagne glass place 1 ounce of the syrup and fill with sparkling wine. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg dust and a dried fig.
Spicy Bourbon Figs Honey
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
½ cup bourbon
½ cup dried figs, chopped
1 cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons black peppercorns, cracked
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ cup simple syrup
1 cup honey
Directions
In a mason jar or other container, combine bourbon, dried figs, cinnamon stick and black peppercorns and allow to infuse for about 1 week. After the concoction has infused combine all remaining ingredients as well as the infusion in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Cool and strain.
January 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce fennel seed syrup (recipe follows)
Cava
Cinnamon dusting
Directions
Place one ounce of the orange juice and one ounce of the fennel seed syrup in a champagne glass and fill with cava. Garnish with a dusting of freshly grated cinnamon.
Fennel Seed Syrup
Makes 2 cups of syrup
Ingredients
¾ cup sugar
1½ cups water
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Cool and strain.
December 16th, 2011 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup dried cherries, chopped
¼ cup dried blueberries, chopped
Sparkling wine
Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add cranberries, apples, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Let simmer gently for about 5 times. Cool, blend and strain. Place 1-2 ounces in a champagne class and add some bubbly!
December 16th, 2011 § § permalink
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup frozen cranberries, chopped
1 apple, cored and chopped fine
Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add cranberries, apples, water and sugar. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Let simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Cool, blend and strain. Place 1-2 ounces in a champagne glass and add some bubbly!
December 9th, 2011 § § permalink
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
1 ripe plum, deseeded and chopped
1 bottle sparkling rose
Directions
Combine the rosemary leaves, sugar, water, cinnamon stick and plums in a medium saucepan, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and allow to cool. Blend until smooth and pour through a fine mesh strainer. Chill. Place about 1-2 ounces of the chilled syrup in the bottom of a champagne glass and fill with sparkling rose and stir.
Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cinnamon.
November 15th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes a few drinks
This sweet and spicy cocktail is not for the meak and meager, bold flavors with a hint of sweetness showcases the hip comeback of ryes. Unlike bourbon sweet disposition and scotch’s smoky temperament, rye is all about being bold and spicy, this drink is perfect for a crisp fall evening amongst friends, a bit extra special with a few steps, but well worth it!
Ingredients
½ cup fresh pumpkin or butternut squash, chopped fine
½ cup turbinado sugar
1 cup Newcastle brown ale or similar style beer
¼ cup sage leaves
Rittenhouse 100 Rye
Lemon juice
Angostura bitters
Ice
Maple Syrup
Sage leaves with about 2-3 inches of stem
Directions
In a sauce pan combine the pumpkin, sugar, beer and sage and bring to a boil, stirring well. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let simmer for about 8 minutes. Take off the heat and allow to cool completely. Strain and set syrup aside. In an old fashioned style glass filled with ice place about 1 ½ ounces of rye, 1 ounce of the pumpkin syrup and ¼ ounce of lemon juice and a dash of bitters, stir well. Dip the stems of the sage leaves in maple syrup and place stem side down, in the glass for garnish. The potent scent of the sage is the first magic to the drink!
November 14th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes a bunch of drinks
Ingredients
1 cup concord grapes
1 cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons ginger, chopped fine
Pear infused vodka
ice
Fresh lime juice
Concord grapes and thyme leaves for garnish
Directions
In a sauce pan combine and mix together the concord grapes, sugar, water, thyme leaves and ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 8 minutes. Take of the heat and cool. Process in a blender until smooth and place in a squeeze bottle or jar with pouring spout. In a shaker filled with ice place 3 ounces of pear vodka, 2 ounces of Concord grape syrup, and one ounce of lime juice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini style or low ball glass. Garnish with a whole concord grape and a few floating thyme leaves.
November 4th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 ounces apple pie syrup (recipe follows)
Prosecco
Directions
Place about 2 ounces of the apple pie syrup in a champagne flute (less for less sweet) and fill with Prosecco, garnish with a bit of grated fresh cinnamon, stir and enjoy!
Apple Pie Syrup
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
1 cup apple cider
1 cup sugar
Juice of ½ lemon
2 cinnamon sticks
Directions
Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan and stir. Heat to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 4-5 minutes or until mixture is thick. Set the cinnamon sticks aside. Allow to cool.
October 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 tablespoon lavender flowers
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup sugar
2 ounces pastis (ricard)
4 ounces cold water
Directions
Make the simple syrup by adding the water, lavender, lemon zest and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to a slow boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and strain, let cool. In a low ball glass place 2 ounces of pastis, 1 ounce of the simple syrup and 3-4 ounces cold water, stir and drink.
October 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes One Pitcher
Ingredients
2 chunks of fresh ginger the size of a small sized hand each
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 cup sugar
3-4 lime juiced
2 liters seltzer water
2 cups water
Directions
Wash and scrub ginger well, remove skin by scraping ginger with a spoon, not worrying too much about getting peel off. Chop ginger up into small chunks, lime chopping an onion roughly. In a medium sauce pan place ginger, basil leaves and 2 cups water and bring to a boil, let simmer for about 15 minutes. Take off burner and let rest until room temperature. Strain and discard ginger basil pulp. Add 1 cup of sugar and place back on burner, bring to a boil and then reduce temperature to simmer about 5 minutes. Cool mixture completely.
In a pitcher combine ginger basil syrup and lime juice and 1-2 liters seltzer water, until desired sweetness and taste. Chill & serve over ice.
September 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 sparkler
Ingredients
½ ounce concord grape puree
Sparkling Rose
Directions
Place ½ ounce of concord grape puree in a champagne class and fill with sparkling rose. Stir.
September 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one cocktail
Ingredients
½ ounce apply honey syrup
Cava
Directions
Place the honey syrup in the bottom of a champagne glass and fill with cava. Stir and garnish with a teaspoon of apple pre soaked in honey syrup, chopped fine.
**apple honey syrup: place ½ cup honey, 1 apple, chopped fine and ½ cup of water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain.
September 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 cocktail
Using a sweeter fuller bodied gin similar to the Old Tom style is perfect for this cocktail highlighting spicy, black pepper and vanilla note. This cocktail is delicate and complex at the same time, like a true Gingy is.
Ingredients
2 ounces pear infused old tom gin
1 ounce Canton ginger liquor
½ ounce lemon juice
1 ounce of ginger spiced simple syrup
Dry sparkling wine
Asian Pear Slices for garnish
Cinnamon
Directions
In a shaker filled with ice, combine the gin canton liquor, lemon juice and simple syrup and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini style class and fill with sparkling wine. Garnish with a sliced pear float and a pinch of cinnamon.
**Pear infused gin: place 1 Asian pear sliced thin in a quart of gin and let stand in a cool dark place for 3 days.
**Ginger spiced syrup: place 1⁄3 cup honey, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup water, 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, 2 teaspoons freshly grated cinnamon, 1 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns, and a sliced open vanilla bean. Stir, bring to a boil and let simmer on low for 8-10 minutes. Cool and strain.
September 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 cooler
Ingredients
2 ounces cardamom infused bourbon
1 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces honey plum syrup
Seltzer
Rosemary Sugar
Ice
Cardamom garnish
Directions
Place the gin, lemon juice and plum syrup in a shaker filled with ice and shake. Pour entire contents into a tall glass rimmed with rosemary sugar and fill with seltzer. Garnish with a cardamom pod.
**Cardamom infused gin: place the crushed seeds 15 cardamom pods into a quart of bourbon and let infused for at least 5 days and up to 8.
**Honey plum syrup: place 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup plum puree, peeled and chopped, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary and ½ cup honey in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain.
**Rosemary sugar: Mix together 1 cup turbinado sugar with 3 tablespoons rosemary chopped super fine.
August 24th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup thai tea leaves
3 cups water, hot but not boiling
¼ cup turbinado sugar
2 cups sweetened condensed milk
Directions
Place the tea leaves and sugar in a bowl and place the 3 cups of hot water over the leaves. Let stand for about 5 minutes or until steeped. Strain the mixture and allow to cool completely. Place the tea equally in 6 large glasses (about ¾ full) filled with ice. Fill up the remaining parts of the glass with the condensed milk. Stir before serving.
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 soda
Ingredients
Herbal melon ice cubes
Juice of 1 lime
2 ounces basil lime syrup
Soda water
Melon ball ice cubes
Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into a large glass filled with herbal melon ice cubes. Place 2 ounces of the basil lime syrup inside and fill with soda water and stir. Add more syrup for added sweetness. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Basil Lime Syrup
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon lime zest
Juice of 3 limes
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
½ cup fresh basil leaves
Directions
Combine the lime zest, lime juice, sugar, water and basil leaves in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about five minutes. Take off heat, cool and strain.
Herbal Melon Ice Cubes
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
2 cups melon of choice
½ cup basil lime syrup
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped fine
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour in cube trays and freeze.
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4-6 drinks
Ingredients
2 Thai tea bags
2 tablespoons orange zest
½ cup orange juice
½ cup thai basil leaves
½ cup turbinado sugar
4 cups water
1 cup coconut milk
Ice
Directions
In a large sauce pan place the tea bags, orange zest, juice, thai basil leaves, sugar and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Strain out the tea bags, leaves and zest and add the remaining water and stir. Allow to cool. In a glass filled with ice, fill the cup about 75% with the tea mixture and fill with coconut milk.
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
1 ounce lemon juice
2 ounces berry syrup of choice (simple syrup with berries)
Seltzer water
Ice
Berries for garnish
Directions
In a 10-12 ounce glass filled with ice pour 1 ounce of lemon juice and 2 ounces of berry syrup fill with seltzer and stir well. Garnish with a berry of choice.
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one pitcher of lemonade
Ingredients
½ cup fresh tarragon leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
½ cup fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
½ cup fresh thai basil leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
1â„3 cup water
1â„3 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup simple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1½ cups ouzo
Ice
Directions
In a medium sauce pan place the fresh herbs (leave the reserved herbs aside), water and sugar, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and blend in a blender. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and reserve syrup for later. In the mean time, in a blender, place 1 cup syrup, 1½ cups ouzo, 1 cup lemon juice, one tablespoon lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons of the reserved herbs and fill with ice. Blend until smooth and slushy. Place in a glass and drizzle the herbal syrup over the top, garnish with a fresh herb leaf of choice!
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 gallon
Ingredients
1 cup herbal syrup (herbs of choice)
2 cups lemon juice
10 cups water
2 cups ice
Herbs for garnish
Directions
Mix together the herbal syrup and the lemon juice and fill pitcher with ice and water, garnish with herb leaves!
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Tarragon and mint have a history of being a truly refreshing duo in the dead of summer’s heat. The addition of summer sweet peaches only makes for a sweeter ad perhaps more sultry experience!
Ingredients
¼ cup fresh tarragon leaves
½ cup fresh mint leaves
½ cup sliced peaches
1 cup turbinado sugar or raw unprocessed sugar
1 cup water
2 mint tea bags
Ice
Water
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine the herb, peaches, sugar and water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, place the two tea bags in the syrup and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and continue to let steep for about 10 more minutes or until the mixture is slightly darker and clearly infused. Leave the mixture on strained however you can strain the mixture if desired. Pour the syrup in a large pitcher filled with ice and add water! The peaches and herbs float to become the garnish.
August 8th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 large pitcher
Ingredients
¼ cup fresh lavender flowers
1 tablespoon orange zest
½ cup orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup turbinado sugar or raw unprocessed sugar
1 cup water
2 earl grey tea bags
Ice
Water
Orange Twists for garnish
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine the flowers, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice and water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, place the two tea bags in the syrup and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and continue to let steep for about 5 more minutes or until the mixture is dark. Strain the mixture and allow to cool. Pour the syrup in a large pitcher filled with ice and add water! Garnish with orange twists.
August 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
¼ cup fresh lavender flowers
2 ripe peaches, chopped
1 cup turbinado sugar or raw unprocessed sugar
1 cup water
Ice
Water
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine the flowers, peaches, sugar and water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and continue to let steep for about 5 more minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and blend until smooth. Pour the syrup in a large pitcher filled with ice and add water!
August 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 4-5
Ingredients
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
½ cup wildflower honey
Peach syrup
Lavender wands
Cold sparkling wine
Directions
In a small sauce pan combine the lavender flowers with the honey and heat on low. Let infuse warmly for about 10 minutes. Let stand for another 10 minutes and then scoop out the flowers and discard. Let the lavender infused honey stand at room temperature, do not place it in the refrigerator. In a champagne class pour one ounce of the peach syrup and fill with cold bubbly. Drizzle a little of the lavender honey with a honey want into the class of COLD champagne. Garnish with a lavender wand with the flower part sticking up out of the glass!
August 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes ½ Gallon
Ingredients
1 cup lavender lemon sugar syrup, recipe below (see note*)
1 cup lemon juice (10 to 12 big juicy lemons)
1 tablespoon fresh lavender flowers
5 cups water
2 cups sparkling water
Directions
In a one gallon pitcher combine lavender lemon sugar syrup, lemon juice, lavender flowers, water, and sparkling water, stir well. Serve over ice with lavender wand.
Lavender Sugar Syrup
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon zest
½ cup fresh lavender flowers or 2 tablespoons dried
Directions
In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, add sugar, water, lemon zest and lavender flowers warm through until sugar is dissolved. Take syrup off heat and let cool until ready to use.
*Note: If not using sugar syrup, you can simply pour hot water over sugar and stir until dissolved.
August 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 4-5
Ingredients
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
½ cup wildflower honey
Lavender wands
Champagne, Prosecco or Cava, cold
Directions
In a small sauce pan combine the lavender flowers with the honey and heat on low. Let infuse warmly for about 10 minutes. Let stand for another 10 minutes and then scoop out the flowers and discard. Let the lavender infused honey stand at room temperature, do not place it in the refrigerator. In a champagne class filled with cold bubbly drizzle a little of the lavender honey with a honey wand into the glass of COLD champagne. Garnish with a lavender wand with the flower part sticking up out of the glass!
August 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one gallon of non alcoholic mixer
Ingredients
Zest of 5 limes
Zest of 4 lemons
Juice of 10 limes
Juice of 10 lemons
2 cups mint simple syrup
1 cup cucumber puree (cucumbers pureed)
1 cup strawberry puree (strawberries pureed)
4 cups water
4 cups seltzer water
Ice
Cucumber slices, strawberry sliced, lemon slices and mint leaves
Cucumber infused gin for the alcoholic drinks (cucumber slices infused in gin for 2 days)
Directions
In a big jug mix all ingredients and stir well. Pour in ice. For alcoholic drink place 2 ounces of cucumber gin in a glass and fill with mutton holler swamp cooler juice!
August 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
Ingredients
½ cup lovage leaves and more for garnish
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Sparkling wine
Lemon peel
Directions
Place water, sugar and lovage leaves in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for a few more minutes. Take off heat and allow to cool. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Bottle and refrigerate.
*To assemble the sodas place 1-2 ounces of the lovage syrup in a champagne glass and fill with sparkling wine, garnish with a lovage leaf and a small lemon peel.
August 3rd, 2011 § § permalink
Ingredients
5 ripe black figs, ripe, sweet and quartered
½ cup turbinado sugar
1 cup water
Soda water
Ice
Directions
Place water, sugar and figs in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for a few more minutes. Take off heat and allow to cool. Blend the mixture in a blender and strain through a fine mesh strainer. Bottle and refrigerate.
*To assemble the sodas place 1-2 ounces of the fig puree in a 10 ounce glass filled with ice, fill with soda and stir.
July 22nd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 gallon
Ingredients
1 cup ripe peaches, chopped
1 cup turbinado sugar or raw unprocessed sugar
1 cup water
2 jasmine tea bags
Ice
Water
Peaches for garnish
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine the peaches, sugar, and water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, place the tea bags in the syrup and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and continue to let steep for about 5 more minutes or until the mixture is dark. Puree the mixture in a blender. Pour the syrup/puree in a container filled with ice and add water (about 1 gallon)! Garnish with peach slices.
July 11th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 french press (about 6 cups)
Ingredients
¼ cup dried strawberries (substitute 2 fresh strawberries, sliced)
¼ cup fresh thyme leaves
1 slice dried ginger or 1 slice fresh ginger
½ lemon sliced
2 tablespoons honey
Hot, just boiling water
Directions
In the Fresh press or another tea pot, place dried or fresh strawberries, thyme leaves, ginger and sliced lemons. Pour just boiling water over all the ingredients and let steep for about 5-10 minutes. Drizzle in honey and stir and let sit for a few more minutes before serving. Can be served over ice!
July 11th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
½ cup fresh strawberries, de-stemmed and chopped (optional flavor choice)
2 tablespoons chocolate powder (optional flavor choice)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups low fat milk
1 cup ice
¼ cup honey
1 pinch of salt
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
July 11th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes many colas
Ingredients
3-4 cloves
1 cup molasses
2 cinnamon sticks
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
Seltzer water
Directions
In a sauce pan combine cloves and molasses and simmer for about eight minutes, take off heat and cool, discard cloves. At the same time combine the cinnamon sticks, water and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off heat and discard cinnamon sticks; cool. In a 10 ounce glass filled with ice place 4 ounces of molasses syrup and 2 ounces of cinnamon syrup, fill with seltzer and mix well!
July 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
3 ripe mangoes, peeled, deseeded and chopped
Zest of 2 limes
1⁄3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Juice of 15 limes
1½ cups Cointreau Triple Sec
2 cups tequila blanco
Coarse salt
Limes for garnish and taste
Directions
Puree the mangoes, lime zest, cilantro leaves and lime juice in a blender or with a hand held food processor until very smooth. Refrigerate mango puree until just before serving. When ready to serve, combine the puree with the triple sec and tequila blanco and mix very well. It can also be blended with ice at this stage for a frozen drink. Garnish salt-rimmed glasses with limes. Of course, some folks may prefer a little more tequila!
Recipe Property of Roberto Santibañez, from Contemporary Flavors of Mexico
July 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4
Ingredients
4 cups leftover coffee
2 cups of ice
1 teaspoon agave syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
½ cup almond milk
Directions
In a small ramekin mix agave, vanilla & spices until they are all combined. In a martini shaker place a few cubes of ice, coffee, milk & agave mixture. Shake well and serve over ice.
July 7th, 2011 § § permalink

Serves 4-5
Ingredients
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
½ cup wildflower honey
Lavender wands
Cold sparkling wine
Directions
In a small sauce pan combine the lavender flowers with the honey and heat on low. Let infuse warmly for about 10 minutes. Let stand for another 10 minutes and then scoop out the flowers and discard. Let the lavender infused honey stand at room temperature, do not place it in the refrigerator. In a champagne class filled with cold bubbly drizzle a little of the lavender honey with a honey wand into the class of COLD champagne. Garnish with a lavender wand with the flower part sticking up out of the glass!
July 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients
½ cup raw pre-soaked almonds
2 tablespoons whey or soy protein powder
½ cup mixed blackberries, blueberries, raspberries
1 tablespoon flax seeds or oats (optional)
1 banana, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup 1% milk, soymilk or almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup low fat plain or vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1 cup ice
Directions
Combine all items in a blender except ice, blend well for 1 to 2 minutes. Add ice and blend on high until ice is crushed, then turn blender to “liquefy” speed and allow to mix for about 45 seconds more or until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately.
July 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
1 cup basil leaves
1 cup parsley leaves
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
½ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 lemon sliced in rings
1 bottle prosecco
Directions
In a medium sauce pan add basil, parsley, sugar and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 8 minutes. Turn off heat, cool and blend, strain. Add the lemon zest and juice and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Mix with a bottle or two of prosecco.
July 4th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 quart
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) leaves don’t dry well, so we only get to enjoy this delicately flavored iced tea during the growing season.
Ingredients
6-7 fresh spicebush (Lindera benzoin) leaves
1 quart boiling water
Honey to taste
Directions
Lightly crush the leaves and place them in a heat-proof jar or container. Pour the boiling water over the spicebush leaves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes.
Strain out the leaves. While the tea is still slightly warm, add honey to taste and stir until it is dissolved.
Refrigerate until completely chilled, about 1 hour.
June 27th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes several bubbly drinks
Ingredients
½ cup fresh blueberries (smashed) or fresh apricots (chopped)
3 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves
½ cup raw or unprocessed sugar
½ cup water
Cava, champagne or prosecco
Blueberries for garnish
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine the apricots or blueberries, tarragon, sugar and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Take off heat and let stand for about 3-4 minutes. Strain and set in the refrigerator to cool. In a champagne class, pour 1-2 ounces of the herbal fruit syrup and fill with bubbly.
June 27th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
1 cup honeydew melon, balled
1 cup cantaloupe, balled
½ cup galia melon, balled
½ cup basil, chopped
½ cup mint, chopped
¼ cup honey
Juice and zest of one lemon, lime and orange
2 bottles cava or an effervescent white wine
Directions
Muddle basil, mint, honey, zest and juice and combine with wine and melons. Let stand in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until cold before serving.
June 27th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
½ cup raspberries
½ cup blackberries
½ cup blueberries
½ cup chopped strawberries
2 bottles of rose wine
1 bottle sparkling water
1 cup citrus herbal simple syrup
Directions
To make the herbal citrus simple syrup place a handful of herbs of choice, 1 lemon sliced, 1 orange sliced, ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar in a saucepan and boil until all the sugar dissolves. Take off heat and set aside for 10 minutes. Strain and cool. Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and let stand for 2 hours. Serve room temperature over ice.
June 27th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6-9
Ingredients
1 cup red basil peach syrup (recipe follows)
2 bottles white wine, sauvignon blanc or chenin blanc or white table wine
1 cup Cointreau
1 peach, sliced
1 apricot, sliced
1 plum, sliced
1 nectarine, sliced
¼ cup raspberries
2 cups soda water
Directions
Combine the red basil peach syrup, wine, and cointreau in a large pitcher and stir well. Add the fruit and let stand unrefrigerated for about 1-2 hours. Add soda water just before serving and serve either tepid or over ice, but do not refrigerate.
Red Basil Peach Syrup
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
½ cup red basil leaves
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
1 ripe peach, chopped
Directions
Combine the basil, sugar, water and peaches in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about five minutes. Take off heat, cool and blend until smooth.
June 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one drink
Ingredients
2½ ounces Pisco
½ ounce herbal simple syrup
Juice of 2-3 limes
1 egg white
Bitters
Directions
In a shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Strain into a 6 ounce glass and drop a few drops of bitters on the top of the frothed egg whites.
June 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
1 cup brandy
1 cup dark rum
1⁄3 cup white créme de cacao
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups whole milk
Directions
Place all ingredients in a large pitcher and put into tall glasses over ice!
Recipe by Paul Clarke, seriouseats.com (adapted)
June 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 3-4 milkshakes
Basically a milkshake, although a much looser version, often served over more ice cubes to keep very cold and fresh. Batidos showcase the fruits often associated with Central America and their rich and sweet flavors that are the very essence of their desserts.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh strawberries, de-stemmed and chopped
1 banana, ripe and cut into chunks
2 cups milk
1 cup ice
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
1 pinch of salt
Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. The Central American versions of milkshakes are often much looser than other milkshakes and often served over more ice.
May 24th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one pitcher of lemonade
Ingredients
½ cup fresh tarragon leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
½ cup fresh mint leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
½ cup fresh thai basil leaves, 1 tablespoon reserved
1⁄3 cup water
1⁄3 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup simple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1½ cups ouzo
Ice
Directions
In a medium sauce pan place the fresh herbs (leave the reserved herbs aside), water and sugar, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and blend in a blender. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and reserve syrup for later. In the mean time, in a blender, place 1 cup syrup, 1½ cups ouzo, 1 cup lemon juice, one tablespoon lemon zest, and 3 tablespoons of the reserved herbs and fill with ice. Blend until smooth and slushy. Place in a glass and drizzle the herbal syrup over the top, garnish with a fresh herb leaf of choice!
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4 iced cocoas
Ingredients
4 cups skim milk
½ cup fresh mint leaves
¼ cup sugar
4 ounces dark chocolate
Directions
In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, mint leaves and sugar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Remove mint leaves and add dark chocolate, whisking continuously until all the chocolate is melted. Take off heat and cool. Serve over ice, garnished with a mint leaf.
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4 sodas
Ingredients
¼ cup mint leaves, chopped fine
2 cups orange juice
¼ cup honey (optional)
4-6 carrots (medium sized)
Ice
Seltzer water
Directions
Mix together chopped basil leaves, orange juice and honey and set aside. Juice the carrots and mix juice together with the orange and basil mixture. Dived the mixed juice between four classes and fill glasses with ice, place a bit of the seltzer water on to fill and serve, garnish with a basil leaf.
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher
Ingredients
½ cup fresh strawberries, chopped fine
½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped fine
½ cup sugar, chopped fine
½ cup water
Zest of 1 lime or lemon
Juice of 1 lime or lemon
2 cups ice
Seltzer water
Directions
In a small saucepan combine strawberries, basil sugar and water and bring to a boil, reduce and simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Let cool. Place in a blender and blend until smooth. Place puree into a pitcher and add zest and juice of lime or lemon, 2 cups of ice and fill with seltzer water. Mix well and serve garnished with a strawberry or lime or lemon wedge.
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink

Makes 4 coolers
Ingredients
1 cup Lemon Thyme Simple Syrup
1 tablespoon lemon zest
Juice of 2 lemons
Ice
Seltzer
Lemon thyme leaves
Directions
Place ¼ cup lemon thyme simple syrup in a tall glass, add ½ teaspoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice fill the glass with ice and then seltzer, stir well and garnish with lemon thyme leaves.
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 4 colas
Ingredients
2 tablespoons sucanat (raw unrefined sugar)
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons dried cherries, chopped
½ cup water
Ice
Seltzer
Directions
In a small sauce pan combine sucanat, cinnamon stick, cherries and water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low heat and let simmer for about 3 -4 minutes. Take off heat and discard cinnamon stick. Divide mixture up between the 4 glasses. Fill glasses with ice and then fill with seltzer. Stir well and enjoy!
May 13th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes one drink

Ingredients
Ice
1 ounce gin
1 ounce elder flower liquor
1 ounce tarragon ginger syrup (recipe follows)
Grapefruit juice (fresh)
Fresh ginger slice
Directions
Fill a medium glass or a wide mouth low glass with ice, pour in the gin and the elderflower liquor. Next add the ginger syrup and fill the glass with the grapefruit juice. Stir and garnish with the ginger slice.
Tarragon Ginger Syrup
Makes ½ cup
Ingredients
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
Directions
In a sauce pan combine all ingredients and stir. Bring to a boil and then allow the mixture to simmer until thick, making sure to stir. The entire process should take approximately 5-7 minutes. Strain out the ginger and tarragon and let syrup cool before using.
May 13th, 2011 § § permalink

Makes 5 cocktails
Ingredients
1 cup kumquats, sliced medium
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup fresh mint leaves
Ice
1 ¾ cups ginger infused dark rum (recipe follows)
Seltzer water
Directions
In a small bowl mix together kumquats and brown sugar until the sugar is all over the kumquats. Set the kumquats aside for at least 2 hours. In 5 large beer glasses or tall Collins glasses, divide up the kumquats and place at the bottom of the glasses. Next tear up all the mint leaves and divide them up amongst the glasses as well. Muddle the mint and the sugared kumquats in each glass until the kumquats begin to break apart. We want most of the kumquats to remain intact and just slightly muddled. Fill the glasses with ice and place about 3 ounces of ginger infused dark rum in them. Fill the glasses with seltzer water and mix well, keeping the kumquats towards the bottom and allow the mint to float to the top.
Fresh Ginger Infused Dark Rum
Makes 1 quart
Ingredients
1 cup fresh ginger, sliced thin (does not need to be peeled)
1 quart dark rum
Directions
In jar place the fresh ginger slices. Add the dark rum and let infuse for about 4 days. Remove the ginger and store in a dark place for up to 3 months.
May 12th, 2011 § § permalink

Makes one drink
This zippy little drink is sure to refresh and enliven the pallet. The freshness of the mint, parsley and fresh lime, combined with the tangy fresh raspberries, makes your mouth tingle with completeness!
Ingredients
Crushed ice
2 ounces cucumber infused gin
1 ounce lime juice
1 ounce herbal simple syrup (mint & parsley combo)
1 ounce sweet minty raspberry puree (recipe follows)
Directions
In a shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini style cocktail or dainty low ball glass. No garnish!
Sweet Minty Raspberry Puree
Makes one cup
Ingredients
1 cup fresh raspberries
¼ cup fresh mint leaves
Juice of one lime
¼ cup herbal simple syrup (mint & parsley combo)
Directions
Place all the puree ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
May 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 12 drinks
Ingredients
2 cups rice
6 cups water
1 cup mango puree
¾ cup sugar
2 teaspoons freshly grated cinnamon
1 fresh vanilla bean
Directions
Soak the rice overnight in the six cups of water. In batches in a blender blend the rice and water mixture until smooth about 2-3 minutes. With a fine mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a large pitcher. Repeat process until all rice mixture is blended and strained. To the pitcher of strained rice milk add the mango puree, sugar, freshly grated cinnamon and the seeds of the inside of the vanilla bean. Mix well and serve over ice.
May 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher of bloody mary mix
Ingredients
5 red beets, washed and scrubbed
3 carrots, washed and scrubbed
1 large bunch parsley
2 cups water
1½ tablespoons fresh horseradish, grated
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon citrus champagne vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 limes
1 tablespoon salt
Smoky Salt
Vodka
Directions
Using a juicer, juice the beets, carrots and parsley. In a large pitcher, combine all ingredients and stir well. In a tall, smoky salt-rimmed glass filled with ice, pour 2-4 ounces of vodka and fill with bloody mary mix. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge and pickled green bean, asparagus, or celery stick.
May 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher of bloody mary mix
Ingredients
4 cups tomato juice
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped fine
1 teaspoon fresh horseradish, grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon celery salt
Juice of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon white pepper
Dash of citrus champagne vinegar
Smoky Salt
Vodka
Directions
In a large pitcher combine all ingredients and stir well. In a tall glass filled with ice, pour 2-4 ounces of vodka and fill with bloody mary mix. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge and pickled green bean, asparagus, or celery stick.
May 5th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 pitcher of bloody mary mix
Ingredients
4 cups tomato juice
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1½ tablespoons fresh horseradish grated
2 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press (juiced)
2 tablespoons Ger-Nis Tabasco
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 tablespoon lime zest
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon citrus champagne vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
Juice of 2 limes
1 tablespoon salt
Smoky Salt
Vodka
Directions
In a large pitcher combine all ingredients and stir well. In a tall smoky salt-rimmed glass filled with ice, pour 2-4 ounces of vodka and fill with bloody mary mix. Garnish with a lime or lemon wedge and pickled green bean, asparagus, or celery stick.
May 4th, 2011 § § permalink
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Lemon mint brown sugar (recipe follows)
4-5 fresh mint leaves
Crushed or shaved ice
½ ounce lemon mint herbal syrup (recipe follows)
2 ½ ounces bourbon (Makers Mark is our preferred choice)
Crushed or shaved ice
Directions
Wet the rim of a old fashioned or low wide mouth glass with a lemon wedge, dip in the lemon mint sugar to create a sugared rim. Place the mint and a pinch of the sugar in the glass and muddle with a muddler, releasing all the oils of the fresh mint. Filled the glass with shaved ice and pour in the bourbon and the lemon mint herbal syrup and stir! Enjoy while watching the races or on any spring day!
Lemon-Mint Brown Sugar
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
1 tablespoon mint, chopped superfine
¾ cup light brown sugar, fine
Directions
Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!
Lemon-Mint Herbal Syrup
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
½ lemon sliced
½ cup fresh mint, chopped
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup water
Directions
In a medium saucepan combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, turn down the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 5 minutes. Strain, and store syrup in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.