With Valentine’s Day looking different this year, many couples prefer finding ways to plan a quiet, romantic evening at home. The best way to start any romantic evening is to set the tone with music, crackling fire, and tasty Valentine’s Day cocktail recipes.
Cheers to 3 Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes
Thanks to Moersch Hospitality Group for creating the following romantic drink recipes for any occasion.
White Cranberry Mimosa Cocktail
White Cranberry Mimosa Photo credit: Moersch Hospitality Group
Champagne is a perfect romantic starter drink for any occasion. With this White Cranberry Mimosa Valentine’s Day cocktail recipe, you’ll both relax and start to enjoy your romantic evening. The cocktail is easy to make at home and made with sparkling wine, cranberry juice, and cranberries.
Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes: Chocolate Covered Cherry Cocktail Photo credit: Moersch Hospitality Group
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Moersch Hospitality Group created a recipe for a Chocolate Covered Cherry Cocktail. The cocktail is easy to make at home and made with cherry wine and cocoa chocolate milk stout.
Are you on the lookout for a delicious sangria recipe? You’ll be happy to know that sangria is really just a wine punch and it is super easy to make. You can get creative based on your tastes or what you have available. Sangria is a versatile recipe that you can make with your favorite red wine and any seasonal fruit.
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The Best Sangria Recipe Ever
Sangria is the kind of drink that is best served with friends and family. It’s the perfect drink for a party, BBQ, or any celebration. And it is extra delicious in summer – though don’t let that hold you back during the other three seasons!
A good sangria recipe includes seasonal fruit, a sweetener, brandy, and a deliciously bold red wine. We’re sharing our best Sangria recipe with you today that we’ve shared with many of our friends and it’s always a hit. Sangria is best served fresh; however, you can refrigerate your leftovers for about 48 hours.
What kind of red wine is best for a sangria recipe?
A glass of Spanish red wine is full-bodied and fruity and is typically the most common wine used in sangria. However, feel free to use a Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or even a Moscato. Since you are using the wine as a mixer, you don’t necessarily want to use a top of the line bottle.
Other Sangria Variations We Love:
Swap out the red wine and try white wine or even a rose!
No Brandy? No problem! Swap it out for Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
For fruit, take a look at what kinds of fruits are in the wine you are using. Use those fruits to compliment your wine.
Swap out the brown sugar and use honey or agave.
The Best Sangria Recipe
Start by chopping up your fruit. We love to include green apples, lemons, limes, and oranges. Use hearty fruits that won’t fall apart in your sangria
1 750ml bottle of red wine
½ cup brandy
2 peeled oranges – 1 diced and 1 juiced
1 green apple, diced
1 lemon, diced
3-4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 lime, diced
Add your diced fruit and sweetener to a large pitcher, and then pour the wine on top, followed by the brandy, and juice from one orange.
Stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve the sangria over ice, and include a few spoonfuls of fruit from the pitcher. (Make sure to include a wooden spoon so you can scoop out some of the diced fruit into each glass.)
Check out the best sangria recipe we have found. And it is so simple too.
The best charcuterie board recipes are a delicious way to give your guests options for yummy food. They tend to pair well with just about every kind of wine and offer a little something for everyone. I adore them and love to serve charcuterie boards to guests. With the precautions of Covid-19 out there right now, you may think about creating individual charcuterie boards instead. Get creative with these 16 best charcuterie board recipes!
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16 Best Charcuterie Board Recipes
If you are new to the concept of charcuterie boards, they’ve become increasingly popular over the last year or so. Consisting of a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and more, they’re perfect for entertaining. Charcuterie boards are also perfect for a quiet night at home, appetizers, lunch, and absolutely go just lovely with your favorite glass of wine!
We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the very best charcuterie boards you can put together at home. We just know you are going to love them. Take your dinner to the next level! Check out our selection of the best charcuterie board recipes for any time of year or occasion.
What are Charcuterie Boards?
A charcuterie board is a way to present a variety of meats and cheeses, fruit or nuts, and even desserts. It’s essentially a beautiful presentation of a meat and cheese board to pair with wine. Charcuterie Boards are super flexible too. Really, you can personalize your board to any way you’d like, from the type of board and knives used to food served. Want something super low key? Go for it. Want something pricey and upscale? That’s great too.
The best part? It takes absolutely zero skill to make them. Even if you aren’t a whiz in the kitchen, I guarantee you can enjoy making a Charcuterie Board too. And if you’d just rather not put the boards together, simply google “charcuterie boards near me” and have it delivered.
How to make mini charcuterie boards
The fabulous thing about serving charcuterie at your own party is that there are no rules! Keep it as simple as you like (just the cured meats maybe?) or dress it up with fresh or dried fruits, a variety of artisan bread and crackers, olives, spreads like honey, preserves, or jams. Or keep it budget-friendly by setting out a small plate or go all out with a huge platter! Buying individual boards are a chic way to set up your next get together and make your guests feel special.
1. Loaded S’mores Board
The best charcuterie boards don’t have to be all about meat. They can be dessert-focused too.
If you thought that the best charcuterie boards have to be laden with lots of red meat, think again. Move over cheese and fruit and say hello to this Loaded S’Mores Board for a dessert option.
2. Date Night Charcuterie Board
Want to make your next at-home date night super special? Take it to the next level with this Date Night Charcuterie Board that may just inspire a little romance.
3. Greek Charcuterie Tray
The flavors of the Mediterranean go perfectly with a glass of wine. You can pretend you are sunning on the beaches of Santorini with this Greek Appetizer Tray.
4. Spanish Cheese and Meat Board
If you are looking for a more cheese heavy charcuterie board, this may be the one for you. How about pairing this Spanish-inspired Cheese and Meat Board with a crisp glass of Sangria?
5. Summer Fruit and Cheese Board
There is nothing more refreshing than something like this Summer Fruit and Cheese Board. Bring summer to your home any time of year!
6. Easy Grazing Board
New to the concept of charcuterie boards? Check out these tips to put the perfect grazing board together tonight!
How adorable are these Individual Charcuterie Boards? They’re perfect to take to the winery or maybe just a picnic in your backyard.
9. French Fry Football Board
A french fry football charcuterie board? Why not?
A French Fry board? Yes please! How perfect is this French Fry Football Board for the next big game? Kids (of all ages) will adore this unique and fun option.
10. DIY Deli Tray
This DIY Deli Tray is the perfect low-maintenance type of appetizer that everyone will love. Plus, it is really affordable and so super easy.
11. Holiday Charcuterie Boards
We love making charcuterie boards for holiday open houses. No matter what your holidays look like this year, or what holidays you celebrate, this Holiday Charcuterie Board is perfect.
12. Fall Charcuterie and Cheese Board
This beautiful Charcuterie and Cheese Board has all of the flavors of the fall. Feel free to have it any time of year though.
13. Patriotic Charcuterie Board
Show off your patriotism for the 4th of July, Memorial Day, or maybe just Election Day with a red, white, and blue Patriotic Charcuterie Board.
14. DIY Grazing Table
Grazing tables are all the rage right now at parties and we are here for it! This DIY Grazing Table is good for a fun family dinner too.
15. Mediterranean Mezze Platter
Enjoy your favorite glass of wine with this Mediterranean Mezze Platter. It’s the perfect appetizer for any of your Greek, Spanish, Italian or Turkish main dishes.
16. French Charcuterie Platter
This French Charcuterie Platter will have you feeling like you are sitting in a sidewalk cafe on the West Bank in Paris. C’est formidable!
Best charcuterie board Recipes are the ones you like
You can put all your creative energy into these charcuterie boards. Any of them will be delicious and they can be as big or small or unique as you like. Try to incorporate the flavors of the season for a fresh, flavor-packed charcuterie board.
Salud! The national celebration of tequila is upon us. Every year in July, sippers of the spirited drinkers raise a glass and toast the agave tequila of Mexico. You bring the bottle of tequila; WineLoversVillage and El Jimador Tequila will provide cocktail recipes for National Tequila Day and any day.
Bring the bottle of El Jimador Tequila, and WineLoversVIllage.com will provide cocktail recipes for National Tequila Day…or any day.
Prepare to salt your glasses this coming weekend as National Tequila Day is upon us! el Jimador Tequila, the #1 selling 100% blue agave tequila in Mexico, offers some unique and twisted tequila cocktails for you. And one of these tequila cocktail recipes actually adds a kicker of champagne!
Viva National Tequila Day
According to history, the Aztecs created fermented beverages from the agave plant prior to the arrival of Spaniards in 1521. The origins of National Tequila Day are not well understood, however, it appears that National Tequila Day began to emerge around the late 1990s. This Observance is celebrated every year on July 24. This national survey reports over 3 quarters of Americans (76%) enjoy drinking margaritas, and almost one-third love them, while 30% of Americans say margaritas are their favorite happy hour drink.
Frozen or on the Rocks?
When asked how they prefer their margarita:
33% said they prefer their margarita over ice
67% said they prefer a frozen margarita
65% like a salted rim
67% prefer a glass with no salt
Men vs. Women?
41% believe a man drinking a margarita is “fun-loving” and a “bit of a lightweight.”
50% believe a woman drinking a margarita is “energetic,” “outgoing,” and “a bit shallow.”
History of Tequila
Tequila was first produced in the 16th century near the location of the city of Tequila, which was not officially established until 1666. A fermented beverage from the agave plant known as pulque was consumed in pre-Columbian central Mexico before European contact. Photo: Pixabay
We couldn’t just jump in and start mixing, right? Here are some “did you know” history of tequila tidbits:
Like France’s Champagne, Mexico is granted the international rights to the word “tequila.”
Tequila is a distilled beverage made from the blue agave plant. Made primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, 40 miles Northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands (LosAltos) of the western Mexican state of Jalisco. Mexican law states that tequila can be produced only in the state of Jalisco and limited regions in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
More than 300 million blue agave plants are harvested in that surrounding region each year. Agave tequila grows differently depending on the region. Blue Agave – grown in the highlands region – larger in size and sweeter in aroma and taste. Agave – grown in the lowland region – have more herbaceous fragrance and flavor.
The Consejo Regulador del Tequila (Tequila Regulatory Council) reported 1377 registered brands from 150 producers for the year 2013.
Kick Your Tequila with Korbel Champagne
Tequila with a kick of champagne: Korbelrita
Korbelrita
1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec
3 oz Sour Mix
187ml Korbel California Champagne
In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Flip the Korbel California Champagne upside down into your glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Add a New Flavor to Your Tequila!
Black Raspberry Margarita
Tequila is best tasted when you add a new flavor. Garnishes add tasty pzazz. Don’t you agree?
Black Raspberry Margarita
1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec
3 oz Sour Mix
½ oz Chambord Liquor
In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime or blackberry.
Classic Margarita
Or… stick with your favorite classic using a 100% blue agave tequila. You know the old saying, if it ain’t broke, don’t change it. Or in this case, go ahead and drink this classic: Jimirita.
Classic margarita best served in pitchers, so you don’t run out.
Jimirita
1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila
½ oz Triple Sec
3 oz Sour Mix
In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with lime wedge.
Salud!
Tequila Cocktail recipes for National Tequila Day – WineLoversVillage.com
Get ready for the holidays with two festive wine cocktail recipes featuring Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG. With fall in full swing and winter just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in festive flavors like orange, cinnamon, and cloves!
Festive Wine Cocktail Recipes for Fall – Lemon Elderflower with Santa Margherita Prosecco Photo Credit: Santa Margherita
For your upcoming Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas feasts, Hanukkah traditions, Halloween parties, or fall brunches with family and friends, let’s get into the holiday spirit. Get inspired by the smells and flavors of the holidays. Take your mind off the hustle and bustle of this busy season. Treat your guests — and yourself — to these festive wine cocktails recipes that are both timely and delicious.
Festive Bubblies Featuring Santa Margherita Prosecco
In the fifties, Santa Margherita was one of the first Italian Wineries to produce Spumante wines from Glera grapes. This tradition is renewed nowadays by means of the trustworthy interpretations of Prosecco Docg and Doc. Also, discover this tradition through more modern, innovative alternatives combined with just as noble grape varieties such as Müller Thurgau or Malbech for the Rosé version of the “52” label. This savoir-faire made of elegance, fine
This savoir-faire made of elegance, fine effervescence, and top quality can also be found in Pinot Grigio (my personal fav!) Metodo Classico: a wine that has no match in the world.
And with a little creativity, take this already classic bubbly and turn it into two festive wine cocktail recipes to serve to your guests.
1 bottle of Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore DOCG
1/2 lemon
1/2 orange
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup sugar
3 whole cloves
3 whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
Directions: Rinse lemon and orange and thinly slice them, discarding seeds; quarter the orange slices. Put fruit in a 4- to 5-quart pan.
Add honey, sugar (use the smaller amount if you prefer drinks on the tart side, the larger if you want a sweeter flavor), cloves and allspice.
With a knife, cut the cinnamon sticks lengthwise into thinner strips. Add cinnamon and 2 cups water to pan; bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.
Pour Prosecco into hot citrus base and heat until steaming, about 8 minutes.
Keep warm over low heat. Ladle into heatproof cups or wineglasses.
While there are many spirited adult beverages that get the party started, tequila always brings the celebration to a fun level. Perhaps that’s because tequila is associated with beaches, and fun — and then the party really gets going. No better way to say cheers (¡Salud!) and celebrate National Tequila Day — or any day — with these 7 delicious tequila recipes featuring tequila cocktail recipes, an appetizer, and tequila-chocolate pairing tips .
¡Salud! to these 7 delicious tequila cocktail recipes. Photo: Pixabay
For me, tequila is a love-hate relationship. Yes, I do love tequila, especially in tequila cocktail recipes. And when traveling to Mexico and staying at my favorite all-inclusive resorts, I might enjoy it a bit too much as the next morning I am estoy crudita — literally translated to “I’m raw,” aka I drank too much tequila! Raise your hand if you’ve been there…
But for those tequila lovers looking for fun ways to serve up their favorite tequila cocktail recipes, appetizer or chocolate pairing, here are 7 delicious tequila recipes (both tequila recipe drinks and tasty tequila edibles), courtesy of our friends at Barceló Hotel Group properties in Mexico and at Hilton Miami Downtown.
Tequila Cocktail Recipes
1. Cucumber-Jalapeño Infused Margarita
Tequila Recipes include this Cucumber-Jalapeño Infused Margarita. Photo: Allegro Cozumel
Margarita Ingredients:
6 slices of cucumber
3 slices of jalapeño
4 oz white tequila
2 oz cup Grand Marnier
4 oz of simple syrup
4 oz lime juice
Salt
Ice
Instructions:
Grab a cocktail shaker and fill it with 4 oz of white tequila (of your choice), 2 oz of Grand Marnier, 4 oz of simple syrup and 4 oz of lime juice. Throw 6 cucumber slices and 3 jalapeño slices into the mix, allowing it to infuse for at least 3 minutes. Pour the mixture into a salt-rimmed glass and serve with lots of ice.
Enjoy it at Allegro Cozumel, Cozumel, Mexico where guests can also enjoy this margarita while they learn to make guacamole from scratch with the hotel’s chef!
2. Guava Margarita
This yummy Guava Margarita is sure to be one of your favorite tequila cocktail recipes – Occidental at Xcaret
Margarita Ingredients:
1 ½ oz. of Tequila Reposado
1 oz of Triple Sec
1 oz. of lemon juice.
1 oz guava concentrate
1 oz rosemary syrup (homemade)
1 oz of pineapple juice
6 oz ice cubes
1 slice of star fruit (for garnish)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a margarita glass or serving glass of your choice. Garnish with a slice of star fruit and rosemary sprig.
Serrano Chili Pepper Margarita is one of our tequila recipes with a kick – Occidental at Xcaret
Margarita Ingredients:
1 ½ oz of tequila
1 oz. of triple dry
1 ½ oz serrano chili syrup (Homemade)
1 oz. of lemon juice
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour mixture into serving glass of your choice and serve with ice. Spice up your mixture with a decorative serrano chili pepper — and then you’ll enjoy this tequila recipes with a kick.
Red Pepper Margarita Photo: Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Margarita Ingredients:
Red pepper pulp
Orange liquor
5 oz lime juice
5 oz of tequila
Ice
Instructions:
Pour 0.5 oz of lime juice, 1.5 oz of tequila (of choice) and red pepper pulp into a cocktail shaker. Shake well for about six seconds. Pour the cocktail into your glass of choice, serve with ice and enjoy!
Julio Watermelon Margarita Photo: Hilton Miami Downtown
Ingredients:
2 oz Don Julio Silver Tequila
.25 oz Watermelon liquor
1 cup of crushed fresh watermelon
.5 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
Watermelon Slice
Instructions: Muddle the crushed watermelon and liquor into a cocktail shaker. Add the remaining ingredients, ice and shake. Double-strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a watermelon slice.
Cielito Lindo with Tequila Blanco Photo: Barceló Gran Faro Los Cabos
Ingredients:
2 oz Tequila Blanco
A dash of lemon juice
1 oz Pineapple juice
1 oz Lime soda
3 slices of cucumber (garnish is optional)
1 slice of orange (cut in half)
2 lemon wedges
Chili pepper and salt (for rimming glass)
Instructions: Grab a shaker and mix all of the liquid ingredients together. Shake well! Using a hurricane cocktail glass or serving glass of your choice, rim your glass with chili pepper and salt for an extra kick of flavor. Fill the glass with ice and add in the cucumber, orange, and lemon slices. Pour liquid mixture and enjoy!
Chocolate Flan and Tequila Photo: Barceló Maya Grand Resort
Chocolate flan is an extremely popular Mexican dessert. At Barceló Maya, chocolate flan is typically paired with a serving of mature tequila. Pairing an aged tequila with chocolate or creamy-based desert combines the wooden allure of the tequila with the sweet soft tones of the desert. This combination is typically enjoyed as an after-dinner delight.
Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail? How about a delicious mojito to add a little chill to the heat of the season? Say cheers to these 9 delicious and easy Mojito drink recipes courtesy of the uber-cool and creative mixologists at several Caribbean and Florida hotels.
9 Delicious & Easy Mojito Drink Recipes
Summer has arrived and it’s almost time to celebrateNational Mojito Day(July 11) — or any day with these 9 delicious easy mojito drink recipes. Although the exact origin of this refreshing cocktail is up for debate, it is (mostly) agreed that Havana, Cuba, is the birthplace of the mojito. No matter who claims the rights, we love mojitos, the tangy, the salt, the flavorful crispiness of this rum drink. (Sometimes we even go wild and swap out rum for vodka!)
While these mojito drink recipes are easy to make, you could also combine sipping your favorite mojitos with a vacation at any one of these Caribbean and Florida hotels, creators of these 9 mojito cocktails. Special unique tasty touches include Jalapeno, watermelon, blackberry and more. Each of these properties is perfect in their own way for celebrating with a cocktail in hand, incorporating local culture and flavors into customized and delicious and easy mojito drink recipes.
Frost your glass with chili powder. Use a blender to blend the lime juice (from half of a lime) with 1.5 oz of rum and 3 – 4 leaves mint or spearmint leaves. Pour the mixture into a serving glass of your choice and add 1.5 oz of club soda to the mixture. Mix well and garnish with jalapeño.
2. Sandia Mojito
Easy mojito drink recipes include this one: Sandia Mojito. Photo & recipe: Barceló Bávaro Palace
Enjoy another easy Mojito Drink Recipe with watermelon atBarceló Bávaro Palace, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Sandia Mojito Ingredients:
50 mL of white rum
6 mint leaves
25 mL of soda
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 lemon
1/2 seedless watermelon (cut into pieces)
Ice
Sandia Mojito Instructions:
Using a blender, blend the watermelon pieces until the mixture turns into a puree. Grab a strainer (preferably a fine mesh strainer) and strain the puree. Be sure to take out as much liquid as you can. Mix the mint leaves, brown sugar, and lemon juice together in a serving glass of your choice. Add the watermelon juice, soda, and white rum to your mixture. Top off the glass with some ice, stir well and enjoy!
Place sugar, mint, and strawberries into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the ingredients together. In a serving glass filled with ice add rum, club soda, and strawberry/mint/sugar mixture. Stir and enjoy!
6. Watermelon Mojito
Yet another reason to buy a watermelon with another 1 of 9 easy mojito drink recipes: Watermelon Mojito Photo & Recipe: Allegro Cozumel
Enjoy this watermelon mojito at:Allegro Cozumel (Cozumel, Mexico)
Watermelon Mojito Ingredients:
5 large fresh mint leaves, coarsely torn by hand
1 thick slice of fresh watermelon
2 oz light rum, such as Bacardi
Dash of simple syrup
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (half a lime)
Piece of watermelon, for serving
Watermelon Mojito Instructions:
Use a muddler to mash the mint leaves in a sturdy cup. Remove all seeds from the watermelon puree. Mix the mashed mint leaves with the puréed watermelon, rum, simple syrup, and lime juice. Stir well and serve over ice. Garnish your glass with watermelon for an added twist.
In a shaker, mash the basil leaves with the cucumber slices. Add the lemon juice into the cucumber basil mixture and shake well. Add a white rum of your choice and natural syrup to the mixture. Shake well! Complete the cocktail with mineral water. Pour the cocktail into a serving glass of your choice and decorate with a slice of cucumber, lemon and basil leaves.
Use a muddler to mash the peppermint leaves, sugar and lime juice in a sturdy cup. Add a white rum of your choice, then fill the glass 2/3 of the way full with ice. Top the cocktail off with club soda and. Garnish the mojito with more blackberries, add a straw and enjoy!
9. Blue Mojito
Oh so pretty, let’s taste the Blue Mojito Photo & Recipe Barceló Puerto Vallarta
Use a muddler to crush the peppermint leaves, sugar and lime juice into a sturdy glass. Add Matusalem Rum and Blue Curaçao to the mixture. Fill the glass 2/3 of the way full with ice. Top the cocktail off with club soda, add a sprig of fresh mint, add a straw and enjoy!
Get into the spirit with these handcrafted recipes from East Coast mixologists. Liven up Halloween bashes and fall get-togethers with handcrafted recipes for Halloween cocktails featuring pumpkins, apples + seasonal spices and more.
What’s your potion? Get into the “spirit” with these recipes for boo-zy Halloween Cocktails
How do you mix your potion? “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon’s blood, Then the charm is firm and good. Thanks to these New York and New Jersey mixologists, your potion will be better than a witches’ brew. The following 5 BOO-zy recipes for autumn and Halloween cocktails will wow your ghost and goblin guests.
5 Recipes for Halloween Cocktails — and for Fall!
Fall is one of my favorite holidays when I enjoy baking. Pairing the smell of baking pumpkin bread with a Smashing Pumpkin Martini – priceless! Read on for 5 recipes for Halloween Cocktails — which are also perfect to serve in the fall.
1. Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves, 1 of 5 recipes for Halloween cocktails.
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz Jack Daniels Single Barrel whiskey
1/2 oz St. Elizabeth allspice dram
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz honey syrup
1/4 oz cinnamon syrup
grated cinnamon and nutmeg, for garnish
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and shake with ice. Strain to a rocks glass over ice (or a single large ice ball or cube). Garnish with grated cinnamon and nutmeg.
Autumn Leaves recipe, courtesy of Francis Schott, Stage Left Steak, New Brunswick, NJ
2. Smashing Pumpkin Martini
The perfect pairing with fall baking is sipping on the Smashing Pumpkin Martini Cocktail.
INGREDIENTS:
2 tsp pumpkin puree (recipe below)
3/4 oz Nocello liqueur
2 oz vanilla vodka
cinnamon sugar rim
cinnamon stick for garnish
DIRECTIONS: Add pumpkin puree, Nocello liqueur and vanilla vodka to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. In a small bowl, mix cinnamon with granulated sugar and place on a plate, wet the rim of the glass with any citrus slice available (or simply water). Pour shaker contents into martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Homemade Sugar Pumpkin Puree
DIRECTIONS: Slice off stem and top of sugar pumpkin. Place on cutting board sliced side down and cut in half. Scoop out insides and discard. Brush with olive oil and place on a lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes until soft. When done, take off skin and reserve flesh in a bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice over pumpkin flesh. Puree with a stick blender or food processor. Will keep for 2 days or place in ice cube trays and freeze for up to 6 months.
Apple cider and bourbon are the ingredients for Stone Fence, 1 of 5 fall and Halloween Cocktail recipes.
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz Maker’s Mark bourbon
5 oz fresh apple cider
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
3 dashes simple syrup
DIRECTIONS: Build in rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with apple slice and bourbon cherries.
This fall-themed cocktail recipe is courtesy of Restaurant Serenade, Chatham, NJ.
4. Vampire’s Kiss
Liven up your Halloween with this Boo-zy Vampire Kiss cocktail from Table 7 American Bistro.
INGREDIENTS
6oz Stoli Blueberry
2oz Pineapple Juice
Splash of Sour Mix
Raspberry Drizzle
DIRECTIONS: Add Stoli Blueberry, Pineapple and Sour to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini. Top off with pineapple and Raspberry Drizzle!
A dash of pumpkin juice brings fall into this Halloween themed Velvet Vampire cocktail.
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz Old Overholt Rye
2 tsp St. Germain
1 1/2 oz pumpkin juice
1 tsp house-made hibiscus juice (infused with lemon and orange)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz ginger juice
DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake. Serve in chilled glass with ice.
Happy New Year! While some choose to embark on dry January, others may simply seek healthier options this month. Cheers to your health with these selections of (dare we say) healthy cocktail recipes, courtesy of our friends at Shirley Dante and Oijii. These health-infused cocktails are packed with restorative, antioxidant-rich and detoxifying ingredients such as turmeric, mugwort, matcha, and carrots. And yes, these cocktails are tasty too!
Cheers to a healthy New Year with Casablanca, one of several healthy cocktail recipes. Photo credit Nick Voderman
Healthy Cocktail Recipes
Cocktail enthusiasts eschewing a month long commitment to self-inflicted prohibition may enjoy a slew of these guilt-reduced health-infused cocktails. Say cheers to a selection of expertly crafted libations from our friends at Slowly Shirley Dante and Oiji. These cocktails offer healthier options, made using an array of health-infused herbs, spices and produce including anti-inflammatory turmeric, energy boosting mugwort, strong antioxidant matcha, and fiber-rich carrots.
Casablanca – Health-Infused Cocktail
1 oz Majon gin
1 oz Scarlet Ibis
3/4 oz lemon
1/2 tsp turmeric juice
1/4 oz honey
1 oz date-demerara syrup
(2-3/8 oz Moroccan syrup)
Glass: Collins Ice: Pebble Garnish: Date wrapped in lemon twist and cinnamon/ mint palm tree One of several healthy cocktail recipes created by Ray Sakover for Slowly Shirley
The Curse of Lo Pan, one of several healthy cocktail recipes. Photo credit Nick Voderman
Curse of Lo Pan – Cheers to your Health!
2 oz Beefeater 24 Gin
1 egg white
3/4 oz lemon
1/2 oz jasmine pearl/ matcha syrup
1/2 oz coco mix
Glass: Coupe Garnish: Matcha powder
The second of yummy healthy cocktail recipes created by Ray Sakover for Slowly Shirley
Keep it clean in the New Year with Cart Before the Horse, one of several Healthy Cocktail Recipes. Photo credit Nick Voderman
Cart Before the Horse
1/2 oz Oloroso sherry
3/4 oz 123 Añejo Tequila
3/4 oz Neisson El’ Esprit
1 dash Angostura
1 dash absinthe
1/2 tsp Luxardo Fernet
1 tsp brown sugar
2 ml acid phosphate
1 oz orange juice
1-1/4 oz carrot juice
1/2 oz root beer syrup
Glass: Large pilsner Ice: Shake with 3 cubes. Top with Crushed ice Garnish: Carrot stem and licorice stick
This healthy cocktail recipe created by Jim Kearns for Slowly Shirley
Try this simple but healthy cocktail recipe, Garibaldi, by Naren Young for Dante. Photo Credit: Dante
Garibaldi – Easy Healthy Cocktail Recipe
1.5 oz. Campari
Fresh orange juice
Method: Add 2 ice cubes to glass. Add Campari and a little of the OJ. Stir well to combine. Add 1 more ice cube and fill remainder of glass with OJ.
Glass: Garibaldi Garnish: Orange wedge resting on rim + plastic stirrer
This healthy cocktail recipe created by Naren Young for Dante.
Say yes to this All Day Bloody Mary, one of several healthy cocktail recipes. Photo credit: Dante
All Day Bloody Mary
This healthy cocktail recipe includes a “Mary Mix” to mix in advance and infuse overnight, and tasty to drink on its own too.
1.5 oz. Aylesbury Duck vodka
¼ oz. Ricard
5 oz. Bloody Mary mix**
2 dashes each of green & red Tabasco sauce
Method: Build over ice
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Fennel salt rim; skewer of pepperoncini, cherry tomato and cornichon + cucumber stick + grated horseradish
Bloody Mary Mix
The fresh vegetable juice ‘Mary Mix’ is made in big batches and left to infuse overnight.
4 quarts fresh tomato juice
1/2 quart carrot juice
1/2 quart celery juice
1/2 quart fennel juice
1/2 quart cucumber juice
1/2 quart red bell pepper juice
8 oz. lemon juice
2 tbsp. tomato paste (dissolved in the lemon juice first)
Salted Rosemary Paloma is a booze-free healthy cocktail recipe by Naren Young Photo credit: Dante
Salted Rosemary Paloma, Booze Free or Not..
Paloma is a traditional grapefruit and tequila refreshing cocktail. This version is herbal and booze free, courtesy of Naren Young of Dante in New York City, using healthy and fresh grapefruit juice rather than soda and a salted rosemary syrup. It takes no time to throw together, and like the original, the grown-up version benefits from tequila. But of course, feel free to add the spirits, if you prefer an adult beverage!
2 oz. grapefruit juice
½ oz. salted rosemary syrup**
Method: Build on ice. Top with Perrier Glass: Highball Garnish: Grapefruit slice; citrus salt rim
**Salted Rosemary Syrup
70 oz water
30 oz sugar
3 rosemary sprigs
3.5 oz maldon salt
Method: Bring to a low boil. Turn off immediately and allow to cool. Strain and store in the fridge. Refrigerator life: 2 months.
Another of several healthy cocktail recipes created by Naren Young for Dante.
Doctors Order is another one of several tasty and healthy cocktail recipes. Photo Credit: Oiji
Doctors Orders
1.5 oz Amaro Nonino
1 oz Mugwort Infused Hwayo
.25 oz Lemon Juice
Method: Stir
Glass: Sherry Glass
Garnish: Lemon Zest
This healthy cocktail recipe created by Ryan Te for Oiji.
Share with us your favorite healthy cocktail recipes below.
Trending this Autumn and into Winter, Bourbon is Back. And let’s be honest…any season tis the season for Bourbon, America’s Native Spirit. Right? Get into the Bourbon spirit with a little history and Bourbon cocktails, recipes courtesy of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and The Gemstone Collection.
Tis the Season, America’s Native Spirit, Bourbon, Is Back!
An American Tradition: Bourbon Cocktails
Vodka keeps Russians warm on Siberian nights, and images of iconic Britons from Beefeaters to Queen Victoria adorn bottles of English gin. The Scottish Highlands are home to the world’s most marvelous malts, and fine cognac will be forever French. But Bourbon is an American original, born in the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee and proclaimed by Congress as “a distinctive product of the United States.” This autumn season (and every season!), bourbon is the ideal beverage to warm the inner soul! Let’s talk about Bourbon, its history, and then it’s time for you to mix up our bourbon cocktail recipes.
Today, this legendary “sippin’ whisky” is trending in watering holes across America and beyond. Sales of distilled spirits, especially top-tier Bourbon brands, are a robust $72 billion annually and outpace sales of all other liquors, according to Fortune magazine. Exports to countries such as Canada, Germany, and the UK grew from $743 million in 2005 to $1.56 billion in 2015.
Bourbon is an American original, born in the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee and proclaimed by Congress as “a distinctive product of the United States.”
History of Bourbon
“America’s Native Spirit,” Bourbon, was born in the early 18th century in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and quickly became part of the American experience. Distillers, working legally and otherwise, developed their own unique brands of this corn-based whisky, usually named for the owner of the distillery. Many of these survive today, including such legendary labels as Jack Daniels and Jim Beam.
Born in the early 18th century in Bourbon County, Kentucky, many of these early distilleries survive today, including such legendary labels as Jack Daniels and Jim Beam.
Bourbon cocktails appear in the hands of America’s favorite film stars and fictional characters. Southern Belle Daisy Buchanan sipped Mint Juleps in The Great Gatsby. Despite Prohibition, Marilyn Monroe, as Sugar Kane, always found a favorite bottle of Bourbon in Some like It Hot. Old Fashioneds were among the preferred poisons of adman Don Draper. James Bond’s hangover cure in Live and Let Die was Eggs Benedict and a pint of Jack Daniels. Frank Sinatra was a devoted fan of Jack Daniels and reportedly was buried with a bottle of Old # 7.
America’s literary lions sang Bourbon’s praises. Said Mark Twain, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” Mystery writer Raymond Chandler proclaimed, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” William Faulkner needed pen, paper and a pint of Four Roses to inspire him.
Bourbon is Back and Bigger Than Ever
Encouraged by more liberal liquor laws, craft distilleries are springing up around the country and partnering with bars and restaurants to produce new, signature cocktails. Bars and restaurants at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels® and The Gemstone Collection® properties teamed up with local distilleries this autumn to offer some new twists on America’s favorite whiskey, while looking to local traditions and ingredients.
With fall weather arriving, several bars used local maple syrup for a perfect autumnal cocktail. In honor of America’s Spirit and Spirits, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels and The Gemstone Collection properties across the country offer these Bourbon cocktail recipes.
At The Chattanoogan Hotel in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Coopers Craft Kentucky Bourbon is a favorite.
Other rare brands and blends served at Benchmark & Gemstone-brand properties include Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Breckenridge Bourbon, while icons like Maker’s Mark and Jack Daniels remain perennial favorites.
Recipes: Bourbon Cocktails
Read on for 8 unique recipes for bourbon cocktails!
Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, has teamed with Smooth Ambler Spirits, an award-winning craft distillery producing “Patiently Crafted Appalachian Spirits.” Marking the passing of golf great Arnold Palmer, Stonewall Resort’s bar staff created the “Ambling Arnold.”
1. Ambling Arnold (Smooth Ambler Spirits)
2 oz Iced Tea
1 ¾ oz Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon
¾ oz Simple Syrup
¾ oz Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice SHAKE, STIR
Garnish with fresh sprig of mint and twist of citrus
2. Eaglewood Maple Manhattan
Classic Makers Mark Bourbon teams with locally produced Sugarbush Maple Syrup for this sophisticated cocktail at the Eaglewood Resort & Spa in Chicago.
1.5 oz Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey
.5 oz Danielson’s Sugarbush Maple
A Splash of Dry Vermouth
Garnish with Cherries
Serve Over Ice
Bourbon cocktail: Eaglewood Maple Manhattan Photo credit: Eaglewood Resort, Chicago.
Makers Mark is also the choice of bartenders at The Heldrich Hotel (New Brunswick, NJ), enhanced with autumn flavors of apples and maple syrup.
3. Bourbon Apple Cider
3 parts Makers Mark Bourbon
1 part Sour Apple Schnapps
3 parts Spiced Apple Cider
1 tsp Maple Syrup
Dash of Lemon juice
Dash of cinnamon
Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick
Mixologists at Chaminade Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant, Linwood’s Bar & Grill, utilize Bulleit Bourbon Whisky in the “Black Pearl.” Santa Cruz, California is home to this bourbon cocktail. Blending Bulleit’s bold spicy characters with the savory sweetness of blackberry puree. Cheers to these combined flavors and this perfect savory spiced fall cocktail.
4. The Black Pearl
1.5 oz Bulleit Bourbon
.5oz Blackberry Puree
½ lime juice
Top with ginger beer
The Black Pearl, one of several bourbon cocktail recipes, courtesy of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels.
Cheyenne Mountain Resort (Colorado Springs, Colorado) brings a Rocky Mountain High to this special bourbon cocktail, made with Local Breckenridge Bourbon made in the world’s highest distillery with pure water from Rocky Mountain snow melt.
5. Zesty Breck & Blue
8 blueberries, muddled
2 ounces Breckenridge Bourbon
Splash of simple syrup
Splash of club soda
Squeeze juice from one orange wedge. Toss ingredients together twice in shaker. Serve over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice
Tennessee also claims a proud Bourbon heritage, honored in The Chattanoogan Hotel’s Maple Bourbon Smash, made with Cooper’s Craft Kentucky Bourbon.
6. Maple Bourbon Smash
1/2 oz maple syrup
1/4 oz lemon
Dash of orange bitters
Orange wheel
Muddle the above.
Then add 1 1/2 oz Cooper’s Craft Kentucky Bourbon
Top with seltzer
Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington, features “small batch whiskeys” from the neighboring Woodinville Whiskey Co. The Lodge also offers the exclusive and expensive Pappy Van Winkle brand.
Twist on an Old Fashioned at the Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. Photo courtesy of Willows Lodge
7. Woodinville Whiskey
2 ounce Woodinville Whiskey
¼ ounce Cherry Heering
¼ Combier Orange liquor
1 ounce Sweet & Sour
2 muddled orange slices
Shake well, strain over ice.
Oh yes, we do love our Sangria. Tropical flavors of coconut and fruit make Bourbon Sangria a year-round favorite at Florida’s Costa D’Este, Gloria & Emilio Estefan’s luxury oceanside resort.
8. Bourbon Sangria
3 Orange Slices
¼ Freshly Sliced Peach
¼ cup Blueberries
0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup
1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
2-3 oz. Pinot Grigio
Splash of Sprite
Coconut Simple Syrup
1. In a small saucepan over medium/low heat, combine 1/2 cup of coconut water with 1 Tbsp. of coconut sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens, stirring frequently.
2. Remove from heat and let cool. This will create more simple syrup than required for recipe.
Bourbon Sangria
1. Add 2 orange slices cut into quarters and the sliced peach to the bottom of an empty glass (save 3-4 slices of peach for garnish).
2. Add 0.5 oz. Coconut Simple Syrup to the same glass and muddle together.
3. Add Bulleit Bourbon.
4. Add Pinot Grigio.
5. Top with ice.
6. Shake and Strain.
7. Skewer 3 of the blueberries and the remaining orange slice together and place to the side.
8. Drop 3-4 slices of peach and remaining blueberries into the sangria.
9. Stir lightly.
10. Add a splash of sprite.
11. Add skewer to garnish with a straw. 12. Enjoy
Attention chocolate lovers and connoisseurs of vodka. Say cheers to a sweet recipe with the yummy combination of vodka, strawberries, and chocolate: SugarPova Chocolate Dipped Vodka Strawberries. We think this is the perfect dinner (and conversation) party dish. Read on for WineLoversVillage tested and tasted recipe for Drunken Chocolate dipped Strawberries.
Did you know tennis player Maria Sharapova is a chocolate lover like we are? We didn’t either until recently introduced to her chocolate sampler package. We always knew about her amazing tennis accomplishments, but her candy and chocolate accomplishments are out of this world.
Traveling around the world playing tennis she had the opportunity to also search for the chocolate she felt was right for her brand. She chose the European Chocolatiers at Baron of Poland.
The SugarPova chocolates alone are smooth and delicious, but with our love of cocktails, we had to play.
We opened the SugarPova chocolate sampler package — and were inspired. One of the bars is a strawberry chocolate which (surprise) made us envision “drunken vodka strawberries” using this exquisite chocolate.
Here is our recipe creation using vodka-soaked strawberries dipped in SugarPova Milk chocolate with Strawberry.
Fresh strawberries to soak in vodka for SugarPova Milk Chocolate Dipped Vodka-soaked strawberries.
SugarPova Chocolate Dipped Vodka Strawberries
For this recipe, we recommend starting 8-24 hours in advance to let the berries soak
Ingredients
12 nice ripe strawberries
1 cup your favorite vodka
1 SugarPova Strawberry Chocolate Bar
You will also need:
A glass bowl
Plastic wrap
Double boiler or a medium and a small pot
A wooden spoon or plastic spatula
Parchment paper
Place Strawberries in a glass bowl, pour vodka over and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours.
Soak fresh strawberries in your favorite vodka.
When ready, remove strawberries from vodka and place on a towel to rest.
While strawberries are resting, over a very low boil melt chocolate bar in double-boiler (or medium and small pot). WARNING: The smell of the SugarPova chocolate may make you want to stick your finger in and try it. Caution it is hot yet delicious.
Melt SugarPova Milk Chocolate in double boiler.
While strawberries are resting, over a very low boil, melt chocolate bar. WARNING: the smell may make you want to stick your finger in and try it. Remember it is hot, yet delicious.
Once chocolate is melted, remove boiling pot immediately from the heat source.
One strawberry at a time, roll the berry in the chocolate to cover. Place on parchment paper.
Once all strawberries are chocolate- covered, place in freezer for 10 minutes to set.
Remove when ready to serve — ENJOY!
What’s your favorite drunken chocolate dipped strawberries recipe?
With the Fourth of July just days away, we are so excited to share an easy and fun Sangria with you. We love to use Moscato, a sweet, crisp white wine that’s just a little bubbly. Plus, it comes in flavors! For this recipe, we suggest mango, peach, or plain.
Cool off on the Fourth with Sangria
Baby, it’s hot outside, and the perfect time to cool off with summer cocktails. As wine lovers, of course, we lean toward a wine, and we are sure you’ll love our Refreshing Sangria Recipe. Cheers.
We mix our Sangria in a pitcher, let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, and when ready to serve, pour over ice in a glass. This way it will keep longer, won’t be watered down, and the fruit will become more flavorful. You can really serve Sangria in any sort of glass you choose, including wine, mason jars, and beer. It’s up to you or what you have in your house!
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle of Moscato (we used peach)
16 ounces of a sparkling cranberry drink
Juice from two oranges
1/2 pint blueberries
1/2 pound strawberries, diced
2 apples with skin on, diced
Optional: citrus slices of your choice – limes, lemons, or oranges and a sprig of mint
DIRECTIONS
In your pitcher, pour the moscato, sparkling cranberry, and juice of the oranges.
Add fruit and give a slight stir.
Cover and place in refrigerator until ready to serve (you can even make up to a day ahead of time).
TO SERVE
When you are ready to serve, garnish a glass with a strawberry by removing the stem and making a slit to place on the glass.
Fill the glass 1/2 -3/4 with ice and pour in Sangria, including fruit.
You can put all your creative energy into these charcuterie boards. Any of them will be delicious and they can be as big or small or unique as you like. Try to incorporate the flavors of the season for a fresh, flavor-packed charcuterie board.
America’s literary lions sang Bourbon’s praises. Said Mark Twain, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” Mystery writer Raymond Chandler proclaimed, “There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” William Faulkner needed pen, paper and a pint of Four Roses to inspire him.
