The SAGE - A Thanksgiving Adult Beverage with Sage

Adult Beverage.

Hopefully in a few more days you will be together with your family crowded at a table and stuffing your faces with food that you don’t normally eat throughout the year.  I just love this time of the year.

Turkey is the protein of choice for Thanksgiving and usually everyone is scrounging around to purchase sage because we all know, it is always bought as you get closer to turkey day.  Now, I am going to admit that I don’t use this herb nearly as much as it should be.  It has a great earthy flavor and pungent, almost astringent smell to it. 

Well, I actually bought some sage the other day to make sage brown butter to go with my pumpkin ravioli from Trader Joes.  That meal turned out great, but I had some left over.  So, what else do you do with leftover herbs?  Make an adult beverage of course.

This was a brain child of mine based on what was in the fridge.  Honestly, you could probably use a different fruit juice or even bourbon instead of vodka. Or, even no alcohol at all. Whatever floats your taste buds?  The apple cider totally fits the season and the ginger just adds a wonderful fresh kick.

The SAGE (Sage Apple GingEr.)

¾ cup water

¾ cup  sugar

fresh sage leaves

large chunks

of ginger; peeled and chopped

vodka, any brand you prefer

apple cider

In a small saucepan, add the water and sugar.  Bring it to a boil until the sugar dissolves.  Add the ginger and about 6-7 sage leaves.  Let it boil for a few minutes and take off the heat to let it steep and cool for about 20 minutes. 

In a shaker with ice, add an ounce of the ginger, sage simple syrup.  Add three ounces of your vodka of choice and two ounces of the apple cider.  Shake.  Taste. Adjust to your liking.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with sage and/or ginger. 

Enjoy.

<3 mk

Jalapeno Infused Vodka Germain

Food.

Last week we went out to our new favorite restaurant in town - the place is exactly what we like in a restaurant.  The menu changes by season based on the organic meats, fruits and veggies they source from local farms.  The drinks are prohibition style and the ambiance isn’t stuffy.  It's located in a renovated brick warehouse and the decor is just right.

I was the lucky one that night because I wasn’t the DD, so I was able to taste some of their adult beverages.   We both had a glass of wine with our meals, but as soon as I saw the specialty mixed drinks, I was excited.  My favorite was a jalapeno infused vodka with St. Germain.  It sounds a bit strange, but I have to say it was a spicy, sweet combination that worked very well.

My frugality kicked in and I recreated this at home as soon as I could buy some jalapenos.  The trick is  simply infusing the jalapenos with vodka.  It was only a few hours before the vodka was had a kick of heat.  The longer you keep them in there, the more intense the flavor.

Jalapeño Germain

1.5 oz. jalapeno infused vodka

1.5 oz. St. Germain

1 oz fresh lemon juice or juice of a whole lemon

soda water

Wearing gloves, slice one jalapeño.  Place the jalapeño into a resealable container and add vodka.  Store in a dry, cool place until your have reached the intensity of desired flavor.  This usually takes 1-3 days. You can strain the jalapeños out of the vodka using a coffee filter and store in a clean jar or resealable container or you can simply keep them inside, but keep it refrigerated. You can also infuse the liquors, like tequila.

Jalapeño infused vodka topped off with fresh green cuts

The ideal heat, sweet and cold drink

<3 mk

A Good-For-You Cocktail

Food.

Before I moved, my next door neighbor would always give me her Redbook Magazines when she was done with them.  I loved finding that welcoming surprise on my doorstep once a month.  I got my most recent drink idea from the last bunch of magazines she dropped off right before we left *tear*. 

Redbook featured three cocktails that are almost health foods because of the ingredients that you add.  There was a ginger based cocktail with vodka and lemon, a green tea mixed with white wine, and finally, a very unique strawberry based drink. I didn't have all the ingredients for the first two, but I did for the strawberry drink. 

Garden Party

Adapted from Redbook May 2013

Yield -1 cocktail

3 fresh hulled strawberries

2 basil leaves

½ tsp balsamic vinegar

2 oz silver rum

½ oz  agave nectar

½ oz lime juice

club soda

Muddle the strawberries, basil, and balsamic together in the bottom of a tin.  After muddling, add ice, rum, agave, and lime juice.  Shake vigorously and pour into a glass.  Top with some club soda and enjoy!

This drink was delicious with a little kick because of the balsamic vinegar.  The strawberries and basil added a freshness to this adult beverage.  Perfect for sipping outside on a hot summer day.

<3 mk

Peach Berry Burst Recipe with St. Germain

Food.

As you know, I have a special place in my heart for any adult beverage that contains St. Germain.  To my happiness, I found this recipe in the In-Style July issue as I was sunning myself at my husband’s family reunion in PA.  I wanted to make it immediately but had to wait until we got back home.  After we arrived back in NC, much to my disappointment I didn't see St. Germain at the nearby ABC store. A few tries later, I found and dusted off their last bottle, and got right to making this delicious drink.

St. Germain is one of those liquors that just can’t be replaced with anything less expensive.  It has this one of a kind flavor that explains the reason it costs so much.  I love it, but my wallet doesn’t.  I do promise you that once you have tasted it, you will always want to have it on stock in your liquor cabinet.

Peach Berry Burst

Adapted from In-Style Magazine

3 strawberries, hulled plus one for garnish
3 slices of fresh peaches

½ teaspoon agave nectar

2 oz. gin

juice of 1/2 lime

juice of 1/2 lemon
1oz of St. germain

soda water

1. Muddle strawberries and peach slices plus lemon juice, lime juice,  and agave nectar at the bottom of a tin.

2. Add in gin, St. Germain liqueur, and ice to the tin.

3. Shake vigorously.

4. Strain into an iced highball glass.

5. Top with soda water.

6. Garnish with a strawberry and a slice of peach.

This recipe originally had you make a puree of strawberry with sugar and water.  It did not call for peaches, but I had some in my fridge I needed to use before a trip.  I choose to muddle it and then strain it at the end.  If you are up for chewing your drink, then don’t strain it and put the chunks into the glass without all the extra ice. I ended up doing that after taking pictures and it was delicious. 

Enjoy.

<3 mk

Cucumber-Mint Gimlet

Food.

The trees are blooming, my toe nails are painted, and I actually shaved my legs!  TMI? The weather is getting warmer, in fact, it’s too warm for being April.  Hot weather means it is time for some refreshing adult beverages to enjoy outside.  This drink will cool you down on a warm (or hot) day with cool cucumber and mint in a instantly refreshing drink, with a gin kick.

I know, its only Wednesday, but you will need to do some preparation in order to get all your ingredients for this one. You will see when you look at the ingredients. 

My inspiration was from World Market. World Market is a store that offers a smorgasbord of different items from all over the world, hence the name.  They have furniture, food, jewelry, kitchen items, wine/beer, etc.  It is a catchall of international items.  They have food items that I can’t seem to find anywhere else, including the cucumber soda required for this drink.   World Market sells a variety of different cocktail glasses for all types of adult beverages.  I bought my martini glasses there recently.  Through some web surfing, I found out that for all the glasses they sell, they have a cocktail recipe.  How awesome is that?  I am sure the fact they have items in their recipes that you can only buy in store is beneficial to them, but whatever, still a great idea.

Cucumber-Mint Gimlet
Adapted from World Market

Cool down on a hot summer day with a fresh and flavorful Cucumber-Mint Gimlet. Made with seasonal summertime flavors of cucumber and lemon, this easy-to-make treat instantly refreshes.

Recipe for One

1/4 Mr. Q Cucumber Soda

juice of the half of a fresh lemon

4 sprigs mint

2 ounces gin

½ tablespoons agave nectar

Slices of cucumbers and lemons for garnish

Directions: Combine the lemon juice and mint in the bottom of a shaker tin with some ice.  Muddle until the mint is broken up slightly.  Add in the gin and shake.  Pour contents into a gimlet glass filled with ice.  Pour cucumber soda to top the glass and stir.  Garnish with cucumber and lemon.

Pitcher Recipe

1 Mr. Q Cucumber Soda

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

8 sprigs mint

2 cups gin

3 tablespoons agave nectar

Sliced cucumbers and lemons for garnish

Directions: Combine 1/3 cup lemon juice, 8 sprigs mint and agave in a pitcher; muddle. Stir in 2 cups gin, Mr. Q Cucumber Soda and some cucumber and lemon slices. Divide among 6 to 8 ice-filled glasses.

<3 mk

Honey Bourbon Lemonade

Food.

I think Wild Turkey is in my blood.  The amber goodness has been a staple adult beverage in my family for as long as I can remember.  So when I saw that Wild Turkey was making a honey version I flipped. 

Wild Turkey Honey is a ladies sipping version of bourbon.  No, I am not saying that we can’t take it straight, but.. my husband and father hate it.  It is really sweet and you have to be in the mood for it.  I have not been in the mood for it lately and was looking for something citrusy to drink.  I had seen an article in a magazine recently that used bourbon, lemonade, and honey to make a drink.  Well, I already had the honey bourbon and just added the fresh lemon juice. 

It’s a two ingredient drink that tastes like you needed to put in a lot of effort.  Fresh lemon juice is a must.  The bottled stuff is not acceptable.

I used Wild Turkey, but I know some of their competitors are also making honey versions.  Some are more syrupy, others have a stronger bourbon content. Have fun taste testing and choose what you like. 

Honey Bourbon Lemonade

2 shots of honey bourbon

juice of 1.5 lemons

Pour ingredients into a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir, dress with a lemon and serve.

<3 mk

Bourbon Cocktail with a Kick

Food.

I was at the lady doctor while waiting for the awkward but routine appointment to start.  TMI?  To fill the time I picked up a magazine to take my mind off of the unpleasantness that would occur.  While fingering through the magazine I stumbled upon this spicy recipe for a delicious Bourbon cocktail.  Besides my love for gin, I also love Bourbon.  It is in my blood to love this caramel colored adult beverage.

I quickly tore out the recipe right before the doctor came in. It was quite a sight, I didn't even fold it up, just shoved it into my purse in a ball.  So classy!

It was made according to the original directions, but I never really like to follow the directions and I wanted it a bit more gingery. The recipe for the simple syrup will make enough for a few drinks, but the rest of the ingredients are for one drink.  Use as much ginger and cracked pepper as your pallet will take.  I had about ½ inch piece muddled at the bottom of my tin and it was just the right amount.  Don’t forget to peel off the outside of the ginger.   The cracked pepper on top was also my addition and it isn’t overwhelming.  That little kick of peppery spice was just what it needed. 

Bourbon Cocktail with a Kick

Adapted from a recipe from Real Simple

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 T peppercorns whole

Fresh ginger; peeled

2 T fresh lemon juice

2 oz Bourbon (sour mashed)

fresh cracked peppercorns

• In a pan, simmer sugar with 1 cup water, stirring until sugar dissolves. 
• Take off the heat, steep peppercorns and ginger until cooled.
• Take a new piece of ginger (sized according to your liking) and muddle with a toothed muddler until it is flat.
• Add ice to the muddler.
• Add 1 tsp of syrup and the remaining ingredients; lemon juice and bourbon.
• Shake in the tin.
• Strain into an iced filled glass and garnish with lemon, ginger, and freshly cracked peppercorns.

<3 mk

Turning Sour to Sweet

Food.

M Berry Miracle Fruit Tablets

This is what I call a fun on a Friday night.  Foodie drugs.

I can’t say that Jeff and I are much of the going out type anymore.  Two Fridays ago we enjoyed cooking some really marbled ribeye and enjoying a new wine we got from our recent trip to Sonoma.  We are homebodies because : 1. We like being home  2. We like to save money for our travels. 3. We enjoy spending time together.

Usually after we have some wine we enjoy a good cocktail.  Jeff isn’t much of a sweet drinker and I tend to require some modifications to the cocktails he makes me.   That Friday he made me a cocktail and realized that my favorite ingredient, St. Germain was no longer in stock at our bar.   Being the trickster he is, he requested I take a sip of the adult beverage he concocted.  I instantly realized his other hand was behind his back and knew he was up to something.  I know him too well.  Instantly when sipping my drink I realize how insanely bitter with lemon it was.  Almost instantly after one sip he pulled out the surprise, Miracle Fruit tablets. 

We had some fun with the Miracle Fruit tablet a while back (check the expiration date on our first photo!) when we first discovered these.  When you are eating something very bitter and acidic, these tablets make them instantly sweet.  This is because the primary ingredients in these tablets binds to the sweet taste buds on your tongue to produce the effect.  The tablets are a concentrated extract of berries that contain what is called Miraculin.  We experimented with every bitter food item in the grocery store the first time we tried these.

When you let one of these tables melt in your mouth, anything bitter and acidic is ultimately sweet.  My bitter drink was instantly up to par with my tastes! 

So, we might have been homebodies that weekend, but I think that Friday was pretty sweet.

We originally purchased the Miracle fruit tablets from Amazon over three years ago and they were still great.

<3 mk

Orange Spiced Tea

Food.

Spot my DIY terrarium from last year?

With the weather getting increasingly colder, one needs a good cup of tea.  There is nothing better than a cup of tea to warm you from the inside out, especially when there is an addition of liquor.

I came upon this recipe while going through a Southern Living magazine.  I am a proud New Yorker, but the southerners sure do know how to add liquor to their food.  I bought Tazo Wild Sweet Orange tea bags last week at the food store and have been ingesting it three times daily (without the liquor!) during work.  It was nice to see this recipe the following week with some added twists.

Orange Spiced Tea

Recipe adapted from Southern Living

2 cinnamon sticks 

½ tsp clove

6 cups boiling water

6 bags wild sweet orange tea (TAZO)

1 orange rind (about 10 inches)

½ cup sugar or three packets Truvia or equivalent sugar substitute

1/3 cup orange liquor, such as Cointreau

Steep the cinnamon and clove in water until fragrant.  Add tea bags and orange rinds for about 5 minutes.  Discard the bags and rinds.  Stir in the sugar until dissolved.  Take off heat and add in the liquor.  Pour into mugs and garnish with cinnamon and slice of orange.

Enjoy!

<3 mk

The Bitter Sweet Cucumber

Food.

Mixing prohibition style beverages has been hobby of mine for some time now.  A little while back I had posted one of my favorite drink concoctions, the Gin Germain.  I put a little spin on my favorite and added an ingredient that usually goes in salads and not drinks.  The cucumber.  This drink is extremely refreshing; I just wish it were in the high 80s and sitting outside by the water.  It's winter, so no luck with that.  Instead I will sit by a warm fire and watch some travel shows. 

This drink requires some muddling. Muddling is a technique used to infuse fruit or herbs into a drink.  As part of your bar tools, one can own a wooden muddle or a plastic toothed muddler.  Personally, I have both.  The wood muddler is used for mostly herbs while the plastic version is used for thick ingredients such as fruits or veggies in my case. I'm sure you can use other tools in your kitchen drawer to muddle, but if you want to make the process of drinking your adult beverage a lot quicker, purchase an actual muddler. 

The Bitter Sweet Cucumber

3 slices of English Cucumber 

2 parts Gin

2 parts St. Germain (Elderflower liquor)

1 part fresh lemon juice

1 splash of lemon bitters

In a tin, muddle the cucumber until the vegetable is mashed and liquid has collected on the bottom.  Measure all ingredients into the same tin and add ice. Rim outside of glass (preferably a martini glass) with lemon remnants. Shake tin and strain into the lemon rimmed glass.  I even don’t mind this drink in a rocks glass without being strained.  Noshing on the pulverized cucumber also counts as a snack.  Enjoy!

<3 mk

Sgroppino- New Year's Cocktail

Food.

Sgroppino an Italian cocktail from Giada De Laurentis

1 cup chilled Prosecco (Italian Sparkling White Wine)

2 tablespoons chilled vodka

1/3 cup frozen lemon sorbet

¼ teaspoon chopped fresh mint leaves

Directions

Pour the Prosecco and vodka into 2 Champagne flutes, diving equally. Spoon a scoop of sorbet into each flute. Sprinkle with mint and serve immediately

I can’t say I am a fan of all the food network celebrities, but Giada is my fav.  I only have her cooking show on DVR because I really do try to recreate many of her dishes.  On her show the other day Giada made a drink that I thought would be absolutely delicious for New Years.   I love prosecco and adding in a tart sweet cool sorbet along with fresh mint would be delicious.  I tried it out over the holidays and it was delicious.


<3 mk