Tag Archives: cocktail

Watermelon Granita Cocktail

Leave a reply

We’ve been having some 90+ degree days here in Seattle and for us.. well, that’s pretty hot. We start melting. Especially since no one has air conditioning. Anyway, we put on fans, eat icy treats and pretend we can deal with the heat.

I plant myself in the shade while the kids splash and run around.. I like to think we look like we’re in the serene setting a Pottery Barn summer catalog.. you know the double fold showing a gorgeous patio with a large glassy pool and beautiful outdoor furniture with lush greenery in the background? But really it’s just the blue plastic kiddie pool and my chaise lounger on the yellow straw that is Seattle grass in summer.

Anyway, if you have some leftover Watermelon Granita, add some vodka or tequila, shake it up and call it a summer frozen refresher. The natural watermelon flavor says summer!

watermelon granita cocktail blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen Watermelon Granita
  • 1 shot Triple Sec
  • 1 or 2 shots vodka or tequila
  • Mint for garnish

Directions

  • Shake everything up well and pour in two glasses
  • Garnish with mint
  • Serve immediately
  • Happy summer! 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

White Sangria with Summer Fruit

Leave a reply

This is a perfect summer drink! Pick fruits that are in season.. I used peaches, cherries, raspberries and blackberries.. but you could add some citrus fruit, other stone fruit or other berries! Serve chilled.. lovely on a hot summer day!

white sangria with summer fruit and berries blog (3)white sangria with summer fruit and berries blog (2)white sangria with summer fruit and berries blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle white wine
  • 1/2 cup triple sec (or brandy, or rum)
  • 1-2 cups chopped summer fruit or berries
  • 1/2 cup peach juice

Directions

  • Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve
  • Serve with ice

dit-elle-Esther

Pomegranate Champagne for New Years Festivities!

Leave a reply

Join in a toast, make a wish, and happy 2016!!!!!

This festive cocktail is simply made using champagne or prosecco, pomegranate juice, pomegranate seeds as garnish and ice! Cheers! 🙂

pomagranate champagne new years blog

Drink shown with Christmas tree in background creating the effect of lit ‘baubles’.

Ingredients

  • Champagne or Prosecco or something else that is bubbly
  • Pomegranate juice
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Ice

Directions

  • Fill glasses with ice, a splash of pomegranate juice and seeds, and top with champagne or sparkling water
  • Cheers!

 

dit-elle-Esther

The Berry Ricky

Leave a reply

With end of summer lingering (I’m optimistic) and the transition to fall upon us, this is a great time to enjoy late summer seasonal berries. This drink uses raspberries, blackberries, lime and mint, add some Cointreau, soda water and voila! No fancy cocktail tools, no shaking, just a little stirring of ingredients and served with ice!

berry ricky drink blog (2) berry ricky drink blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 Blackberries
  • 2 Raspberries
  • 5 Mint Leaves
  • 3-4 oz Club Soda (I used a sparkling water like Perrier)

Directions

  • Muddle the berries and mint in the bottom of a glass.
  • Add Cointreau and fresh lime juice with ice, and top with sparkling water.
    Stir briefly. Garnish with a berry and mint sprig.

Source: I found this at Cointreau.us

Return of the Moscow Mule

Leave a reply

What’s all the fuss about anyway? Apparently old fashioned drinks are back in style.. including the Old Fashioned, the Mint Julep, and Moscow Mule.. the latter served in a copper mug filled with ice and topped with fresh mint. Totally refreshing on a hot summer day!

Blog moscow mule

Ingredients

  • Fill mug with ice and add
  • 2 oz. vodka
  • 1/2 oz. lime juice
  • 5 oz. ginger beer (ginger ale was fine!)
  • sprig of mint

Cheers!

dit-elle-Esther

Mother of Dragons Summer Cocktail

Leave a reply

So.. yes, I read the first two books and am working my way through Game of Thrones season two. Am I part of the craze? Maybe. Let’s put it this way, when Vanity Fair motherofdragons_cocktail_blog (3)published a drink “fit for a Khaleesi” this weekend to celebrate the Thrones Finale, and Seattle was bathed in 80+ degree weather, I felt inspired.

So there I was in the liquor store asking the associate for help finding some very specific ingredients (including Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub, a certain type of Sherry and Tequila Dragones) and he finally asked WHAT I was making. “Um… Mother of Dragons Cocktail” I said. Several store associates had gathered now, giving me some blank stares. “I’ll take anything close to these ingredients. Doesn’t need to be the Tequila Dragones!” Sound spicy? Yes, but not really. I added some slices of jalapeno pepper. But then I do like fire!

Blog mother of dragons cocktail-2 Blog mother of dragons cocktail-1

Ingredients

  • raspberries, blackberries, lime wedges
  • .5 oz agave syrup
  • 1.5 oz tequila or white or spiced rum
  • .75 oz sherry
  • 10 drops Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub
  • 2-3 slices of jalapeno pepper (optional for added heat)

Directions

  • Muddle one raspberry, one blackberry and one lime wedge with agave (+jalapeno if you are using that)
  • Add tequila, sherry and Bitterman’s shrub
  • Shake with ice and strain into glass of ice cubes
  • Garnish with tiny “dragon eggs”: one raspberry, one blackberry, and peel of lime to make 3rd dragon egg 😉
  • Enjoy!

Thanks Vanity Fair for this crazy fun concoction!

dit-elle-Esther

Rhubarb Ginger Fizz Spritzer

1 Reply

OK, we’ve had the best winter ever this year in Seattle and spring is in full bloom. This means that my rhubarb is also well under way. The young stalks are crisp and tender and perfect for rhubarb recipes. You could make this as a refreshing drink or add a shot of gin or vodka and make it a spritzer. Either way, this would be amazing on a hot summer day.. or any day really!

Blog rhubarb spritzer

Ingredients

  • 4 stalks of rhubarb, roughly chopped
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 3 Tbsp honey or agave (or the original recipe called for 3/4 sugar)
  • Limes
  • Sparkling or still water, to serve

Directions

  • Combine the rhubarb, ginger, water and sweetener in a medium pot. Bring to the boil, reduce heat, partially cover with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, until the rhubarb is soft. Remove from heat and cool.
  • Strain the mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl, using a spoon to press down and extract as much liquid as possible.
  • You should end up with just under 2 cups of syrup. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  • Slice limes into thin rounds and set aside. Pour a little syrup into each glass, add a splash of lime juice and top up with sparkling or still water, adding ice if desired. Garnish with a slice of lime and serve.

Thanks for the inspiration MyDarlingLemonThyme!

dit-elle-Esther