Darla

Blackberry Balsamic Mule

April 14, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Give your mule a little kick by making it a Blackberry Balsamic Mule! The Balsamic adds the perfect flavor to blend with the ginger and the lime.

A new interpretation of a Moscow Mule is always a fun idea! It is my favorite cocktail and is always up for a twist on flavor! This Blackeberry Balsamic Mule is a beautifully balanced blend of flavors. The key is an exquisite balsamic, a great vodka and a craft ginger ale. I love to use vodkas from our local distilleries and I have a couple of favorite ginger ales. Just make sure you really like the ginger ale! I was inspired by the incredible blackberry balsamic from We Olive and Wine Bar.

Why Use Balsamic in a Cocktail?

This post is sponsored by We Olive and Wine Bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. I received the delicious products to review, However, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Balsamic is thick, sweet and gorgeously glossy. It gives a tangy pleasure to the palate and is a hot commodity in the mixology world. Craft cocktail makers are always trying to find a new way to shake things up for their guests. The broad array of divine balsamics at We Olive and Wine Bar are an inspiration to anyone who likes to create excellent cocktails.

Can There Be Too Much Balsamic in a Cocktail?

Balancing the balsamic in the Blackberry Balsamic Mule took a few tastings. The tastings are the best part of creating a cocktail! I love balsamic and I started with too much then, I leaned toward too little. If you know you like the extra tang in your own cocktail, feel free to add more than this recipe calls for. The recipe below is what I found to be a great balance for the average palate.

It is very important that you use a lovely, sweet bunch of blackberries. Muddle a few in the the bottom of of the mule mug to create a great balance for the blackberry balsamic and the fresh berries.

Why Use Blackberry Balsamic from We Olive and Wine Bar?

When choosing a balsamic, quality matters. This blackberry balsamic is made from organic blackberries from the coast of California and aged to perfection. I like it in cocktails and drizzled over a yummy vanilla bean ice cream!

Blackberry Balsamic Mule

Give your mule a little kick by making it a Blackberry Balsamic Mule! The Balsamic blends perfectly with the sweet ginger ale to make a delicious cocktail

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Ingredients

3-5 Fresh Blackberries
2 tsp Blackberry Balsamic
1/2 Juice from 1/2 a lime
2 ounces Vodka
ice
6 ounces Ginger ale

Instructions

Muddle blackberries in a copper Moscow Mule mug. Add blackberry balsamic, lime juice and vodka
Fill mug with ice and top it off with ginger ale. Fill to the top and stir with a cocktail straw. Garnish with lime wheels and blackberries or crystallized ginger

Peach White Wine Spritzer

April 2, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

As spring approaches, my mind finds itself wandering to warm weekends. I am ready for flowers, sunshine and a Peach White Wine Spritzer!

Use a Medium Dry Wine

This refreshing Peach White Wine Spritzer was born of having frozen peaches and one bottle of white wine sitting in my wine fridge. I wanted to make something light and not too sweet for a small ladies brunch. If I had used a sweet wine and then added peach schnapps and peaches, the drink would have been quite sweet. In other words, if you choose a sweet white wine, you may find it a bit sugary. Choose a white wine on the medium dry side like a chardonnay, a pinot grigio or a dry Riesling for this cocktail.

What is a Spritzer?

To make this drink a spritzer and to add a bit of levity, pour in some club soda. Any kind of sparkling water added to wine is considered a spritzer. The word spritzer is of German origin and means spray or spatter. This is so fitting as the bubbles pop and sends tiny, refreshing spurts of water into your mouth. While I was creating the Peach White Wine Spritzer, I was picturing warm weekends after the yard work is done. Sitting on the back deck and watching the clouds pass overhead means that the drink I want is very refreshing.

Frozen Peaches Make the Best Ice Cubes!

I love fresh peaches! And they would work beautifully in this drink! However, as the days get warmer, so do the drinks we hold. Freeze the peaches for that crisp coldness that makes this drink perfect for warm weather!

I’m excited that this the Peach White Wine Spritzer was a hit!

Peach White Wine Spritzer

Perfect for a Sunday Brunch. Keep your wine, peach schnapps and club soda very cold. Pour it over frozen peaches for a crisp, light, and fun drink.

Ingredients

3-4 Frozen Peach Slices
1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps
3 ounces White Wine
1 1/2 ounces Club Soda

Instructions

Place frozen peaches, schnapps, white wine and club soda in the glass and stir.

Butterbeer

March 13, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Most people who visit Hogsmeade at Universal and has butterbeer wants to know how to make it at home. You can make one for the kids and one for the adults!

“Does anyone fancy a butterbeer?” Harry Potter

I love all things Harry Potter. I am always excited to go to one of the Universal parks and step into the Wizarding World. I feel like a little kid who can’t wait to see the magic wands and drools over the colorful candy.

The Butterbeer sensation!

Butterbeer was a quick success that had HP fans buzzing with excitement. I was told by the kind young man who served us last week in Universal California, that this magical drink was meant for everyone to enjoy and so there is no dairy. I could not solidly verify this but for the record, there is dairy in my version.

My favorite part of visiting Hogsmeade is wandering around the shops with a butterbeer in hand. After visiting with my two teens and my husband, we decided that I needed to make a kid version and an adult version of butterbeer.

What’s in that yummy “cream” on top of the butterbeer?

There is a buttery/carmelly kind of fluffiness that gets put on top of the butterbeer. It really does make an already wonderful drink, divine. Honestly? I don’t have clue how Universal makes it. I used cream in mine and I did three different versions of this before settling on the one below. My husband and my kids had to taste-test it for me each time (I heard no complaints!) The recipe below won by a small margin. They were all quite tasty!.

Whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not, chances are that you’ll like this drink! Give Harry my best, next time you are in Hogsmeade!

Brown Sugar Whipped Cream

According to the taste buds of my family memebers, this is the best whipped cream to pile on top of butterbeer!

Ingredients

1 pint whipping cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Mix all ingredients with hand mixer, stand mixer or by hand, vigorously until stiff peaks form.

Butterbeer

To make a this without alcohol for the kiddos, omit the vodka and the butterscotch liquer and add butterscotch syrup. Stir together, ice, cream soda and 1 1/2 tablespoons of butterscotch syrup. Use a cocktail strainer to ditch the ice and pour your butterbeer into a tall glass. Top with a generous amount of brown sugar whipped cream.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Vodka
1/2 ounce Butterscotch Liqueur
6 ounces Cream Soda
1 Tbs Brown Sugar Whipped Cream

Instructions

Stir all ingredients until blended and chilled. Using a cocktail srainer, pour into a tall glass (8 ounces or bigger) and top with brown sugar whipped cream.

The Blueberry Cosmo

February 24, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Almost everyone loves a good Cosmopolitan, but it’s so much fun to make variations of the classic Cosmo. The Blueberry Cosmo is incredible! I can’t wait to make these for my next party!

Why a Blueberry Cosmo?

I love to make classic cocktails. When I decided to make a Classic Cosmo, it occurred to me that there are many ways to put a spin on that recipe! Instead of cranberry juice, I used blueberry juice. I substituted the lime for lemon and the Triple Sec for Blue Curacao. Combined, it is not too sweet, a bit tangy and so pretty!

As I was creating this cocktail, my friend Danny stopped by to chat. He declared that he does not like blueberry at all, but he was willing to try the drink. He loved it! I thought that perhaps he was just being nice, but he knows I need honesty. Also, I heard him telling some friends at a party how much he like the Blueberry Cosmo!

How to Change Cosmo Flavors

It isn’t hard to do. Just by swapping out one ingredient, you have put a spin on the Cosmo! It is typically easiest to try a different juice. How about pomegranate? Should we get crazy and use rasberry juice? That sounds fantastic!

This is one of those cocktails that can be served all year round and served to an eclectic group of people. It appeals to a broad range of palates. The key is to get an excellent blueberry juice! Anything but the best juice will kill the drink. Also, use a vodka that you love! I used a Utah vodka called Fives Wives Vodka from Ogden’s Own Distillery. I like to support Utah businesses, and it really is a great vodka!

The Blueberry Cosmo

A nice twist on the classic Cosmopolitan

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Lemon Citrus Vodka
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao
1 ounce Blueberry Juice
1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice

Instructions

Fill a shaker cup 3/4 full of ice and add in the ingredients. Shake vigorously for a 10-15 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix

February 24, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

I received the bottle of Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix as a gift from the company, However all of my fabulous thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

The world is falling in love with Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix! It has layers of rich, smokey, perfectly spiced, flavors that come alive in your mouth!

The Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco is a massive event with foods and beverages from all over the world! As I wandered the enormous rooms filled with tasty items, I grabbed a sample from Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix and stopped in my tracks!

Bloody Mary Mixer

As a general rule of thumb, I don’t use premade mixers. I tend to find them flat and dull. They lack depth as well as character. I am also quite picky about how my Bloody Mary tastes. I don’t want it to be plain, but I don’t want it to overwhelm me with heat. Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix is a beautiful balance that fits my palate perfectly!

I turned back to the booth to see what I was tasting and saw that people all around me were doing the same thing! They took a sip, declared how much they liked it and, went back to the booth to chat with the owners and find out how to buy more!

I stepped up to grab a business card, and Marc Nadeau, one of the creators of Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix shared with me how his wife, Laurie and he created the mix from fresh, California tomatoes and his smoker. I tend to get enthusiastic when something is amazing, and by the end of our talk, he’d given me a bottle to take home. Of course, I had to do a review! I was able to meet Laurie as well. I went back to see if she was available and chatted with her for a moment. They are such cool people! They are the type of folks that you could see yourself befriending.

Incredibly easy and awesome Bloody Mary!

I encourage you to check out the website! There are recipes for chili, spareribs and many other delicious dishes that have the Smokin’ Mary Smoked Bloody Mary Mix!
I followed the recipe on the website and added a tasty garnish! I used celery, thick cut pepper bacon and yummy, blue cheese stuffed, olives.

Fresh Basil Olive Oil and Grapefruit Flip

February 23, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Fresh Basil Olive Oil is added to this cocktail to give it a distinct, herbaceous, lively, and rich flavor. Paired with grapefruit juice, an egg white, and gin makes this Flip light, airy, and unforgettable!

What is a Flip?

A Flip is one of the oldest known cocktails. It originated sometime in the 1600’s in England and was a favorite of sailors. It originally consisted of ale, rum, molasses and an egg and served hot. When it came to the New World, it was considered a health tonic until the late 1800’s when a beerless version appeared in The American Bar-Tender; or the Art and Mystery of Mixing Drinks. It wasn’t long after when Jerry Thomas released the 1887 edition of How to Mix Drinks, which included recipes for brandy, rum, gin and whiskey flips.

How do you to make a modern flip?

This post is sponsored by We Olive and Wine Bar in Salt Lake City, Utah. I received the delicious products to review, However, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

When making my flip, I wanted it to be special. I’d read about adding olive oil to cocktails and have been intrigued by the idea. Thanks to We Olive and Wine Bar, I was able to find the olive oil that would be the perfect marriage to gin, fresh grapefruit juice, and egg white.

Olive oil in cocktails has become increasingly popular over the last few years. It was an inventive way to add texture and flavors to an industry that is always finding new ways to keep things interesting. I love combining an old drink and a new concept to create something tasty and fascinating.

Why use Fresh Basil Olive Oil From We Olive and Wine Bar?

Basil is a common flavor in cocktails. It adds a savory component while still being a bit sweet with a hint of a peppery flavor. Muddling basil is a lovely addition to any cocktail but adding the fresh basil olive oil from We Olive and Wine Bar, gives an undeniable depth of flavor and a delightful mouthfeel. The grapefruit combined with the fresh basil olive oil and the egg white are the components that make the cocktail light and fluffy. This group of flavors, including the earthiness of the gin, is why this cocktail is one of my new favorites.

The key to making the Fresh Basil Olive Oil and Grapefruit Flip is to shake vigorously for at least 40 seconds. Consider it your pre-cocktail arm workout. I am excited to use different flavors from We Olive and Wine Bar in my cocktails in the future.

Fresh Basil Olive Oil and Grapefruit Flip

Once you taste this cocktail, you will want to use olive oil in more of your cocktails!

Course Drinks

Ingredients

1//4 Cup Fresh Basil Olive Oil
1 Egg White
2 ounces Gin
2 ounces Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill halfway with ice. Shake vigorously for at least 40 seconds. Strain into a martini or cocktail glass.
Using an eye dropper, drop at least 5 drops Fresh Basil Olive Oil onto the frothy top.

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How to Make a Great Cosmo

February 16, 2018 By Darla 1 Comment

The first time Carrie Bradshaw ordered a Cosmo in Sex and the City, she made people wonder what it was and where they could get one. Now, they are a favorite cocktail for women and men everywhere! Here’s How to Make a Great Cosmo at home.

Is it a Cosmoplitan or a Cosmo?

The Cosmopolitan or as it’s better known, the Cosmo, is an iconic drink made extremely popular by Carrie Bradshaw, a character in the popular TV series, Sex and the City. There are tales of a cocktail called The Daisy, published in Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars 1903-1933, which was published in 1934. This drink is called the mother of the Cosmopolitan because it looks and tastes strikingly similar to it. The Daisy has gin instead of vodka and raspberry simple syrup in place of the cranberry juice.

The key to a great cosmo is the quality of the vodka. I love to use citrus or lemon vodka made from a great company and created with flavor as the priority.

How Pink is Your Cosmo?

The color of the drink varies, depending on the amount of cranberry juice. I like a bit more cranberry, so my Cosmo is darker while some are quite pink.

“I’d like a cheeseburger, large fries, and a cosmopolitan.” – Carrie

My drinking companion while I am creating cocktails is my German Shepherd, Sieg (ZEEG) who stares at me while I talk to myself. I taste each cocktail just enough to make sure it’s right. Sometimes, I turn up the music and make the dog dance with me! Trust me, he loves it!

Cosmopolitan or The Cosmo

Easy on the palate and visually appealing, the Cosmo is a fun drink for any occassion!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Citrus Vodka
1/2 ounce Triple Sec
1 ounce Cranberry Juice
1/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Instructions

Put ice in a shaker cup about 2/3 of the way full. Put all ingredients in the shaker cup and shake for a few seconds. strain the cocktail into a cold martini glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka

February 14, 2018 By Darla 1 Comment

Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka is simple to make and brings with it the scents and feelings of a cozy autumn evening in front of the fire.

I love pumpkin pie. I only eat it in the fall and throughout the holidays leaving the rest of the year pumpkin pie-less. The idea of Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I can smell autumn in the air by just thinking about it.

What to do with Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka?

There are some fun ways to use this lovely concoction in cocktails. For example, a pumpkin pie martini, a pumpkin pie shot or a spiced pumpkin cocktail are all perfect on a chilly evening. The spices arouse your senses while the vodka warms your tummy. It’s perfect for any season that leaves a chill in the air.

I used canned pumpkin and the same spice blend that I use when I bake a pumpkin pie. I love to use local products so when I reach for a vodka, I grab one from a Utah distillery.

I do enjoy Five Wives vodka, not just for the name but also for the clean, crisp flavor that doesn’t burn off your uvula on the way down.

Why do I have to shake my Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka so much?

It is important that you shake this jar of goodness as many times as you can. At least twice per day but I do it every time I open the refrigerator. This is the key to infusing the flavors.

What will you make with your Pumpkin Pie Infused Vodka?

Pumkin Pie Infused Vodka

The flavor of a pumpkin pie in a ready to use vodka

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 Cup Pureed Pumpkin
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Ground Allspice
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 tsp Ground Cardamom
750 ml vodka

Instructions

Place pureed pumkin, spices and vodka in a quart jar. Shake well and place in the refrigerator for 3 days. Be sure to shake it at least twice daily. Taste it to be sure it is to your liking. You can leave it to infuse for up to 5 days. To strain the pumpkin, use a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Strain it into another jar and refrigerate. It can keep for 4-5 months.
You can substitute 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice and 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom for the spice blend.

How to Use a French Press

February 12, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Using a French Press is much easier than it looks. It only takes some knowledge and a bit of practice to have a spectacular cup of coffee!

Using a French Press is much easier than it looks. It only takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of practice to have a spectacular cup of coffee!~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

Can you really get great French Press coffee at home?

If you have ever wanted to use a french press but worried that it would be difficult or complicated, worry no more. Your next great cup of coffee starts with the grounds. The coffee grounds are critical. A coarsely ground bean is important because smaller grounds will escape the plunger and end up in your cup. Expect a few grounds in your cup anyway, but a courser ground bean will minimize them.

Using a French Press is much easier than it looks. It only takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of practice to have a spectacular cup of coffee!~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

No matter the type of French press, glass or stainless steel, always fill it with hot tap water. Let it sit for two minutes. Doing this will keep the glass from cracking and will keep the French press from losing heat. After the two minutes is up, dump out the water and put in the grounds.

In my 34-ounce French press, I use eight tablespoons of coffee and 32 ounces of water. This could be a bit strong from some and not strong enough for others. It is the happy place that I have found for my palate. You will find your coffee-happy place after a few times of using your French press. An excellent place to start is to use 1 tablespoon of grounds per 4 ounces of water.

Using a French Press is much easier than it looks. It only takes a bit of knowledge and a bit of practice to have a spectacular cup of coffee!~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

Water boils at different temperatures depending on the altitude, so the best way to find the right temperature is to bring it to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds.

Pour the water into the French press and let it brew for 3 1/2 minutes. At that time you will place the plunger into the press and slowly push it down to capture the grounds. It should take a full 30 seconds to push the press to the bottom. Serve immediately.

You don’t want to let the coffee keep brewing so after you fill the cups, put the remaining coffee into a carafe.

Can you use ground coffee from the store in a French Press?

I love to buy chicory coffee from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans and use it is my French press. You can order it online and sometimes find it at specialty stores. The key to using a smaller ground coffee is to brew it for a shorter period of time. Brew it for 2 minutes instead of 3 1/2 minutes before you using the press.

Using a French Press is much easier than it looks. It only takes some knowledge and a bit of practice to have a spectacular cup of coffee!

Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail

January 12, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds.

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

At a recent trip to our local wholesale store, my youngest daughter decided that we must have kiwi! I love kiwi so in spite of the fact that there were twelve of them in the container, I allowed them into the giant cart.

After peeling and eating several kiwis, the family was tired of them. I was left wondering what to do with the remaining kiwis, and a fruit salad wasn’t going to cut it. My mind works in unique ways, and after taking stock of the items that I had on hand, I decided to make a cocktail.

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

I started with kiwi and lemon which tasted nice due to the sweetness of the ripe kiwi, but it wasn’t what I was going for, so I stood in my kitchen, deep in thought.

As is customary for those deep in thought, I was also looking around the room for inspiration when my eyes landed on one of my favorite herbs, rosemary. I have it growing in my kitchen all year round and use it as often as I can.

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

My sense of smell told me that rosemary could work with the kiwi, so I popped some in the herb grinder and added it to the mix. Along with a tablespoon of honey to sweeten it up, it was the exact flavor profile that I wanted!

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

This Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail may have some extra steps, but it is well worth it!

Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 Kiwi
1/4 Cup Club Soda
2 Ounces White Rum
1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1/8 teaspoon Finely Ground Dried Rosemary
1 Tbsp Honey

Instructions

In a blender or using an immersion blender in a pint glass or a shaker, combine kiwi, club soda, lemon juice, dried rosemary and rum. Blend well. Pour contents over ice into a hurricane glass or a high ball glass. If the kiwi aren's sweet enough, add more honey to taste.

A Rosemary Kiwi Cocktail is refreshing and fragrant. It combines the distinct flavors of rosemary and kiwi to delight your taste buds.

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