Beverages – The Fancy Pants Kitchen

Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour

Francine — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 23:16:22 +0000

For a twist on a classic, try a Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour. Flavored with a delicious blackberry ginger syrup and substituting vodka for the traditional whiskey, this easy cocktail becomes a stunning offering for any occasion.

Frothed with a shaken egg white, this layered drink will become a new favorite.

Making the syrup is a snap. Add all of the syrup ingredients and heat until the blackberries start to bleed some of their color. Use a potato masher to mash the blackberries into a chunky pulp. Let the mixture bubble for 5 minutes while stirring often.

Remove it from the heat and strain the syrup through a mesh strainer. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Good news: you can make the syrup up to a week in advance!

For the cocktail, combine all of the ingredients in a shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds.

Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with fresh blackberries and a thyme twig.

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Lastly, if you make Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour

Makes: 2 cocktails

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes plus chill time 1 hour

Ingredients

Blackberry Ginger Syrup:

1 cup fresh blackberries (or thawed frozen berries)
1-inch nub of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water

Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour:

4 ounces vodka (also tastes great with mezcal!)
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
3 ounces blackberry ginger syrup
4 dashes aromatic bitters
1 large egg white (or 1 ounce aquafaba)
Garnish with extra whole blackberries and thyme twigs

Instructions

Blackberry Ginger Syrup:

Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and heat until the blackberries start to bleed their color and become tender. At this point, use a potato masher and mash up the blackberries into a chunky pulp. Once mashed, allow the mixture to bubble for 5 minutes, stirring often.

Remove from heat and run the syrup through a mesh strainer over a glass container, pressing out the seeds and pulp to leave you with a clear blackberry syrup. Refrigerate the syrup for at least an hour before making a cocktail.

Blackberry Ginger Vodka Sour:

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker and shake for 30 seconds without ice. Then add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with fresh blackberries and a thyme twig.

Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail

Francine — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:09:28 +0000

A Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail is a delicious libation to serve at your holiday party, Christmas dinner or any time you want an amazing refresher! Vodka-based, with splashes of Campari, Cointreau, pomegranate juice & lime juice, it’s got the makings of a wintery wonderland!

The sugared rosemary sprig will take some time to dry, so plan accordingly. Lightly moisten a sprig of rosemary and dip it into granulated sugar. Roll it around, making sure that every leaf is coated. Transfer to a baking sheet to dry.

Make the ginger syrup by combining water, honey, ginger, cinnamon and rosemary in a small saucepan and bringing to a boil for a couple of minutes. Let it cool and then strain into a jar.

This makes enough syrup for 6 cocktails so invite a crowd!

Fill a cocktail glass with ice and add some ginger syrup and the remaining ingredients except the sparkling water. Stir it up and top with sparkling water.

Garnish the top of each drink with pomegranate seeds, a cinnamon stick and a sugared rosemary sprig.

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Lastly, if you make Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail

Makes: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes plus drying time 1 hour

Ingredients

Sugared Rosemary:

1 sprig rosemary
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Ginger Syrup:

1/2 cup honey
2 inches fresh ginger, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
1 sprig rosemary

Cocktail:

2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka
1 ounce (2 tbsp) pomegranate juice
1 ounce (2 tbsp) Campari
1/2 ounce (1 tbsp) orange liqueur (Cointreau)
1/2 ounce (1 tbsp) lime juice
1 -2 tbsp ginger syrup
sparkling water, for topping

Instructions

For the sugared rosemary, moisten a rosemary sprig with water and then srinkle sugar all over it. Let it sit until dry, approximately one hour.

To make the ginger syrup. In a pot, bring 1/2 cup water, honey, ginger, cinnamon, and rosemary to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool, then strain the syrup into a glass jar. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.

In a glass filled with ice, combine 1-2 tablespoons of ginger syrup, vodka, pomegranate juice, Campari, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Stir to mix. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with pomegranate arils, sugared rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Holiday Sangria

Francine — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:04:25 +0000

One of the most delicious cocktails to serve this season is Holiday Sangria! Thinly sliced apples, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks and star anise flavor this red wine-based libation. A little Cointreau and apple cider round out the flavor profile to give you a wintery, crowd-pleasing beverage!

Cut the apple in rings through the equator (not from stem to bottom). Cut each slice in half or quarters, depending on the size of the apple. You may have to pick out a few seeds.

Place the sliced apples, cranberries, cinnamon sticks and star anise pods into a large pitcher. Pour the red wine, apple cider and Cointreau into the pitcher and stir it up. Tuck the sliced oranges into the pitcher and pop the sangria into the refrigerator.

I like to leave it overnight so that the fruit can soak up the liquid and the liquid can become fruit-infused!

Dip the rims in cinnamon mixed with coarse sugar (run a lemon or lime wedge around the top of the glass first), fill with ice and pour the sangria over the top.

Garnish with an orange slice and a rosemary sprig.

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Holiday Sangria, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Holiday Sangria

Makes: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes plus chill time 4 hours minimum

Ingredients

Sangria:

1 small honeycrisp apple
3/4 cup fresh cranberries
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise pods, optional
1 bottle of red wine (I use a red blend but use whatever you prefer)
1 cup apple cider or juice
1/2 cup Cointreau
1 small orange, thinly sliced

For Serving:

Cinnamon
Turbinado sugar
Ice
Rosemary Sprigs

Instructions

Cut the apple in rings through the equator (not from stem to bottom). Cut each slice in half or quarters, depending on the size of the apple. You may have to pick out a few seeds.

Place the sliced apples, fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and star anise pods into the bottom of a large pitcher. Next, pour the wine, apple cider, and Cointreau into the pitcher. Gently stir. Tuck the sliced oranges into the pitcher. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours.

Serve in cinnamon-sugar rimmed wine glasses filled with ice. Garnish with rosemary sprig.

Recipe from The Defined Dish

Apple Cider Autumn Sangria

Francine — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 21:48:55 +0000

It doesn’t take a lot to make this delicious Apple Cider Autumn Sangria and the results are a special cocktail to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Combine fall fruit like apples, pears, oranges and pomegranate seeds with white wine, brandy, apple cider, orange and lemon juices and let it sit. In three hours, you will have the perfect sangria for the season!

Start with placing the cinnamon stick and fruit slices into a large pitcher. Add the remaining ingredients (except the club soda and additional cinnamon sticks) and refrigerate the sangria for 3 to 24 hours. If you’ve got time, let it sit for the full 24 hours. It will be so much better!

Pour the sangria along with some fruit into individual glasses. Top it with club soda and garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired. Cheers!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Apple Cider Autumn Sangria, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Apple Cider Autumn Sangria

Makes: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes plus chill time 3 hours minimum

Ingredients

2 cinnamon sticks, plus more for serving
2 medium apples, thinly sliced (I prefer Honeycrisp)
1 medium pear, thinly sliced
1 medium orange, thinly sliced
2/3 cup pomegranate seeds
1 (750 ml) bottle white wine (I suggest a Pinot Grigio)
2 cups apple cider
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
club soda and additional cinnamon sticks, for serving

Instructions

Place the cinnamon sticks and fruit into a large pitcher. Add wine, apple cider, brandy, orange juice, and lemon juice. Allow to sit in the refrigerator for 3 to 24 hours (6-8 hours is best).

Pour the sangria and fruit into glasses. Add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.

Recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Boozy Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Francine — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 00:41:56 +0000

My new favorite drink for these hot, hot summer days (117°F in Phoenix!) is this Boozy Frozen Strawberry Lemonade! It takes your mind completely off of how dang hot it is outside!

Lemon-flavored vodka, limoncello, lemon sorbet, strawberries and fresh basil leaves are mixed with a splash of Prosecco and frozen. Blend it all in a blender to make it slushy and you have what will now be your favorite drink as well for the summer of 2023!!

Muddle Prosecco, lemon-flavored vodka, basil leaves and limoncello in a cocktail shaker or large jar until the basil starts to bruise and tear into pieces. If you don’t have a muddler, it’s okay to use a wooden spoon.

A few months ago, I posted a recipe for Limoncello. It’s so easy and inexpensive, but it takes a week or so to get it to full strength. So, if you’re going to make it, which I highly recommend, plan accordingly!

In a blender or food processor, add the lemon sorbet and strawberries and blend until smooth. Pour the basil infusion through a strainer into the blender. Pulse it all together until it comes together and then transfer to a freezer-safe bowl or container. Cover it and freeze for at least 4 hours.

When you are ready for this refreshing cocktail, scoop the mixture back into the blender and process it until it’s smooth. Divide it evenly between glasses, garnish it with additional strawberries and fresh basil leaves and enjoy! This will definitely cool you off on a hot summer’s day!

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Lastly, if you make Boozy Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Boozy Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Makes: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes plus freeze time 4 hours

Ingredients

1 cup (8 ounces) Prosecco
3/4 cup (6 ounces) lemon-flavored vodka
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup (2 ounces) limoncello
2 cups (1 pint) lemon sorbet, softened
6 large (about 6 ounces total) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise

Instructions

Using a cocktail muddler or handle of a wooden spoon, muddle together Prosecco, vodka, basil, and limoncello in a cocktail shaker until basil is starting to bruise and tear into pieces. Set aside.

Process sorbet and strawberries in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour basil infusion from cocktail shaker through a fine mesh strainer into blender; discard solids. Pulse just until combined, 3 to 4 pulses. Transfer blended mixture to a medium-size freezer-safe bowl or resealable container. Cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours or up to overnight (12 hours).

Remove frozen mixture from freezer; let stand at room temperature until softened slightly, about 10 minutes. Scoop mixture into blender; process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Divide evenly among 4 Champagne flutes or wine glasses. Garnish with additional basil, and serve immediately.

Recipe adapted from Food & Wine

Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita

Francine — Tue, 23 May 2023 01:06:22 +0000

A new twist on a classic cocktail, this Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita is perfect for celebrating Memorial Day.

The Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita is perfect for any festive occasion, from Cinco de Mayo to a summer barbecue or a cozy night in. It’s a unique riff on the traditional margarita, combining sweetness, heat, and tangy citrus notes that create a dynamic and delicious drink. So, next time you’re in the mood for something different, give this margarita recipe a try and discover the surprising flavor combination that will become your new favorite.

This spicy cocktail begins with charring the serrano pepper. It can be charred over an open flame or in a dry hot skillet (which is what I did). Once it’s charred, let it cool and then halve it and de-seed it. Removing the seeds will lower the heat a bit.

A big part of this cocktail is the tajin salt that rims the glass. Tajin, kosher or sea salt and granulated sugar are mixed together. Take a lime wedge and squeeze it around the glass and then dip the glass in the tajin salt.

To make the margarita, muddle together pineapple chunks, mint, tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, honey and the charred serrano chile. Add ice to the shaker and shake for a minute or so.

Strain the margarita into your rimmed glass. If you like, you can top it with ginger beer or sparkling water. Garnish it with mint and a pineapple wedge and serve!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Spicy Serrano Pineapple Margarita

Makes: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 serrano chile
1/3 cup very ripe pineapple chunks (or 1/4 cup pineapple juice)
4 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces silver tequila
1/2 ounce orange liquor
juice from 1/2 lime
2 tsp honey or sugar, to your taste
ginger beer, or seltzer, for topping (optional)

Tajin Salt:

1/4 cup sea salt
1 tsp tajin
1 small pinch granulated sugar
lime wedge for rimming the glass

Instructions

Place the serrano chiles over a gas flame, or in a dry skillet over high heat. Char the chile all over, turning a few times, until blackened. Remove and let cool, then halve the chile and de-seed, if desired.

To make the tajin salt, combine all 3 ingredients on a shallow plate. Take a lime wedge and squeeze it around the rim the glass and then dip the glass into the salt.

In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add the pineapple, mint, tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and honey (or sugar). Add 1-2 quarters of the chile. Muddle together, squashing everything to release the juices. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute, the longer you shake, the spicier it will be.

Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer, if desired. Garnish with mint and pineapple wedges. Enjoy!

Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler

Francine — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:30:20 +0000

To celebrate the upcoming Cinco de Mayo holiday, toast the day with a Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler. Or two…

This delicious combination of muddled blackberries and thyme, silver tequila and lemonade is a refreshing way to celebrate holidays, graduation, birthdays or the beginning of the summer season!

This is one of those cocktails that literally takes minutes to make. There is no simple syrup to make or shrub to concoct. In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with thyme leaves. Add tequila to this and strain it over ice.

Finally add lemonade, top it with sparkling water, if you like, and garnish it with extra thyme stems and blackberries.

That’s it, folks! Now, it’s time to enjoy this delicious cocktail!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Blackberry Tequila Lemon Cooler

Makes: 2 drinks

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh blackberries, plus more for serving
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
1/2 cup (4 ounces) silver tequila
2 cups lemonade
sparkling water, for topping

Instructions

Fill a cocktail glass with ice.

In a cocktail shaker or glass jar, add blackberries and thyme and muddle together, squashing the berries to release the juices from the fruit. Add the tequila and strain into the prepared glass. Add the lemonade. Top off with sparkling water. Serve with fresh berries and thyme. Drink!

Recipe by Half Baked Harvest

Homemade Limoncello

Francine — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 22:45:49 +0000

If you are wondering what to do with all those lemons that grow in your back yard, try Homemade Limoncello. Oh, you don’t have a lemon tree in your back yard? Darn! Well, you can still made these delicious, refreshing aprés-dinner beverage.

I first tried limoncello when I traveled through the Amalfi coast of Italy. It is well known in the Sorrento area and is a delicious and refreshing way to end a meal.

It also happens to be very simple to make! All you need is lemon peels, sugar and 95% food-grade alcohol like Everclear. I often wondered what anyone does with Everclear and now I know. I don’t recommend drinking it plain but you do you. No judgement.

It is a beautiful item to gift…package it in some pretty bottles with a nice label and ribbon. Poof! Watch for smiles!

With a vegetable peeler, remove the peels from lemons. Try to scrape off any white pith that remains on the peels. This is bitter and you don’t want it to give the limoncello a bad taste.

Place the peels in a large jar and cover with the alcohol. Fasten the lid and let the jar stand in a cool, dark location for 4-7 days, swirling every 24 hours.

Strain the lemon mixture through cheesecloth into a large pitcher.

In a large saucepan, combine the water and sugar and simmer until the sugar dissolved. Add this to the infused lemon alcohol and stir to combine. Pour into sealable bottles and clover tightly. Store at room temperature.

Limoncello is best served chilled so pop a bottle into the refrigerator before serving. Or do like I do and leave a bottle in the fridge for an evening refresher!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Homemade Limoncello, be sure to leave a review down below at the bottom of this page (stars are also appreciated)! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every review. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Homemade Limoncello

Makes: 8 (8-ounce) bottles

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes plus stand time 4-7 days

Ingredients

20 lemons
4 cups (32 ounces) pure 95% food-grade alcohol (such as Everclear)
5 & 1/2 cups filtered water
3 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

Using a vegetable peeler, remove peels from lemons, being sure to avoid any white pith, to yield 10 & 1/2 ounces lemon peels. Place peels in a 3-quart jar with a hinged lid. Reserve remaining lemons for another use. Pour alcohol over peels, making sure peels are submerged. Fasten lid on jar and let stand in a cool, dark place for 4-7 days, swirling every 24 hours.

Line a wire-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour lemon mixture through strainer into a large pitcher. Discard solids. Repeat straining one time.

Stir together water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat; simmer until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Add to infused alcohol and stir to combine. Pour into sealable sterilized bottles and cover tightly. Store at room temperature. Chill before serving.

Make Ahead:

Limoncello can be made up to one year in advance.

Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

Francine — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 17:18:35 +0000

All of the lovely winter spices come together in this delicious Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Smash. Maple syrup, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spices all blend with bourbon or whiskey to create this perfect holiday cocktail!

Even if you’re not a bourbon lover, you will love this one!

Boil together all of the Spiced Pumpkin Syrup ingredient for a few minutes and then let it cool.

Combine the syrup with bourbon (or whiskey if you prefer), orange juice and orange bitters. Give it a good shake and strain it into an ice-filled glass. Top the cocktail with ginger beer and enjoy this awesome holiday cocktail!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Smash, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Smash

Makes: 1 serving

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Spiced Pumpkin Syrup:

1/2 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp sea salt

Pumpkin Smash:

1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) spiced pumpkin syrup (recipe below)
2 ounces (1/4 cup) bourbon or whiskey
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) orange or clementine juice
1-2 dashes orange bitters
ginger beer, for topping (optional)

Instructions

Spiced Pumpkin Syrup:

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pot. Boil 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.

Cocktail:

In a cocktail shaker, combine 2-3 tablespoons pumpkin syrup, the bourbon/whiskey, orange juice, and orange bitters. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass. Top off with ginger beer, if desired.

Chef’s Notes:

To Make a Mocktail: omit the bourbon and use 1 additional tablespoon orange juice, plus 1 tablespoon apple cider, and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Cider Moscow Mule

Francine — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 15:36:19 +0000

Let’s put a spin on a traditional cocktail and make this Cider Moscow Mule. All it takes is some apple cider and you’ve got a flavorful, autumnal cocktail.

It’s so simple…just combine apple cider, vodka and lime juice. Pour it over a traditional Moscow Mule mug or a tall glass that’s filled with crushed or cubed ice. Top it with ginger beer and garnish it with an apple wedge.

You’re welcome!

Share Your Thoughts...

Lastly, if you make Cider Moscow Mule, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Cider Moscow Mule

Makes: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup apple cider
1 & 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce lime juice
Ginger beer

Instructions

Fill a Moscow mule mug or tall glass with crushed ice. Add cider, vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently, Serve with apple or lime wedge.