Cocktails

Tarragon Gin Lemonade

June 10, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Tarragon Gin Lemonade exists on a higher plane than other gin and lemon cocktails. Its slight anise flavor enhances the lemon and highlights the herbaceous tones of the gin.

Could Tarragon in Drinks Become a New Favorite?

It’s time to enjoy warm, summer days and nights on the patio with friends. My tribe and I love lemonade, and it’s nice to put a bit of a twist on traditional lemonade. My ladies and I love a great cocktail, so Tarragon Lemonade becomes Tarragon Gin Lemonade with a splash of elderflower liqueur.

This Tarragon Gin Lemonade is the Flavor of Memories

If I could put my Aunt Marie’s garden into a cocktail, this would be the one! It’s fresh, light, herbaceous yet floral. This cocktail makes me want to take my tribe of girlfriends all the way to California to sit with my fantastic aunt and my wonderful, sweet Uncle Richard. I want to sit in their yard under the wisteria, amongst the flowers, veggies, fruits, and chickens and visit with my warm, loving, fascinating family! My tribe would love them all! This cocktail, to me, is that gorgeous garden, in a glass. The second name for this drink would be Aunty’s and Uncle’s Secret Garden.

I have recently become quite good friends with gin. There is a local distillery that has a high-quality gin for an affordable price. Summer flavors must be light yet flavorful and gin is the perfect choice. I could drink this cocktail all season long.

What Elements Make the Tarragon Gin Lemonade So Tasty?

There are a couple of essential elements that make this cocktail taste like a summer garden. First and foremost is the tarragon. It makes the flavors pop. Be sure that you don’t obliterate the tarragon. It only needs bruising. If you muddle too much, it can become bitter. The second essential element is the elderflower liqueur. You only need a little in this cocktail to feel like you are sitting under the pergola breathing in the variety of blooms.

Leo the corgi loves lemons! I had to banish him from the studio so that he didn’t drink from the pitcher and get tipsy from the cocktails!

I am excited about this cocktail. Let me know if you love it as much as I do!

Tarragon Gin Lemonade

To make this drink family friendly, simply omit the gin and the elderflower liqueur!

Course Drinks

Ingredients

2 Lemons Sliced
10 Sprigs Tarragon
1/2 Cup Sugar
3 Cups Water
2 Cups Fresh lemon juice
2 1/4 Cups Gin
3/4 Cup Elderflower Liqueur

Instructions

Put sliced lemons, tarragon sprigs and 1/2 cup of sugar in a bowl or pitcher. Muddle together firmly but don't emaciate the tarragon. Bruise it.
Add the water, fresh lemon juice and 2 cups of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Add gin and elderflower liqueur stir well.
Strain into a highball glass with ice or fill a shaker halfway with ice. Shake 4-6 ounces in a shaker cup and strain into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish with tarragon and a lemon wedge

Blood Orange Sour Mix

June 7, 2018 By Darla Leave a Comment

Blood Orange Sour Mix gives a flavorful twist to any cocktail that may require a sour mix. The intense orange flavor of a blood orange is accented by undertones of berries and pomegranate.

Blood Orange Sour Mix gives a flavorful twist to any cocktail that may require a sour mix. The intense orange flavor of a blood orange is accented by undertones of berries and pomegranate. ~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

Why Use Blood Orange in a Sour Mix?

It’s time to shake things up when it comes to sour mix! Imagine a Blood Orange Whiskey Sour or a Blood Orange Daiquiri. The shift to a citrus flavor that is bolder and has layers of taste is different and fun and, leaves you wanting more.

When making the Blood Orange Sour Mix, I used turbinado sugar. Many people think that it is raw sugar, but it is not. It is spun in a turbine until it is stripped of cane juices. The result is a sugar with a slight molasses flavor. It’s barely detectable but it adds something special to the cocktail. I use white sugar in my Classic Sour Mix.

In Which Cocktails Can I Use Blood Orange Sour Mix?

That is what is so amazing about Blood Orange Sour Mix! You can use it in anything and you’ll feel like you’ve just invented a new drink! The uses are truly endless. You can add it to a French 75, a SideCar, a Whiskey Sour and anything that requires a citrus sour mix!

Is it Sour Mix or Sweet and Sour Mix?

We have all heard it said both ways so it really is up to you. It’s nothing more than simple syrup that has been infused with citrus. So, between the sugar which is the sweet and the citrus which is the sour, it is easily called sweet and sour mix. I call it sour mix because that is how I learned to say it. Sweet and sour mix makes my tastebuds think Chinese take out!

How would you use Blood Orange Sour Mix?

Blood Orange Sour Mix

Course Drinks

Ingredients

3 Cups Sugar
3 Cups Water
3 Cups Freshly squeezed blood orange juice
1 Cup Freshly squeezes lemon juice

Instructions

Combine water and sugar in large saucepan. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Cool.
Combine cooled simple syrup, blood orange juice, and lemon juice. Keep refrigerated. Will last for 7-10 days.

Malbec Sangria

June 7, 2018 By Darla 3 Comments

This Malbec Sangria is lively and rich! It has a depth of flavor as well as a whimsy of sweetness that lay surprisingly light on the palate.

This Malbec Sangria is lively and rich! It has a depth of flavor as well as a whimsy of sweetness that lays surprisingly light on the palate. ~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

What To Do With Leftover Malbec?

I love wine club! It’s a simple fact that in Utah when you find other wine lovers, you not only become friends but you hold onto to them tightly! We have fairly large wine club group and we have met almost every month for nearly two years, therefore, we ask our members to bring two bottles of the same wine so that it is enough for every person to get a taste. After our malbec night, we had the remains of 5 different bottles. My dear friend Michelle mentioned that I should make a sangria for this blog and when a woman with three different successful businesses within the food blogging industry makes a suggestion, it is only wise to follow.

This Malbec Sangria is lively and rich! It has a depth of flavor as well as a whimsy of sweetness that lays surprisingly light on the palate. ~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

Berries and Dark Rum in Malbec Sangria

First of all, when trying to decide what to add to the leftover Malbec, I decided to stay in keeping with the flavor profile of the wine. There are notes of ripe fruit as well as the deep, rich tones of leather, chocolate, and tobacco. Due to this rich, fruity flavor profile, it seemed that a spiced or dark rum would blend nicely with the Malbec. I added orange to lighten things up and bit. The simple syrup is made from brown sugar and the addition of the rosemary sprig added a peppery, piney, hint that sits nicely on the back of the tongue.

This Malbec Sangria is lively and rich! It has a depth of flavor as well as a whimsy of sweetness that lays surprisingly light on the palate. ~By Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

This recipe has very few changes from my original idea. I did have a bit more simple syrup and found that we didn’t need it to be that sweet. The idea was to have rich, layers of flavors and yet a light mouthfeel. This Malbec Sangria has been quite a success at parties and it has been requested several times.

Malbec Sangria

Course Drinks

Ingredients

1 Cup Frozen Strawberries thawed
1 Cup Frozen Blackberries thawed
1 Cup Frozen Black Cherries thawed
1 Cup Frozen Blueberries thawed
2 Cups Freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1/2 Cup Brown sugar simple syrup
1 1/2 Cup Spiced or dark rum
1 Cup Triple Sec
2 Bottles Malbec
1 Large Sprig Rosemary

Instructions

In a large jug or bowl, mix all of the berries. Muddle with a wooden spoon.
Add orange juice, simple syrup, rum and triple sec. Stir together and muddle a bit more.
Add the wine and the sprig of rosemary. Mix well.
Refrigerate overnight. Serve in the vessel of your choice and garnish with Orange wheels, fresh berries and/or rosemary sprigs.

This Malbec Sangria is lively and rich! It has a depth of flavor as well as a whimsy of sweetness that lay surprisingly light on the palate~Wet Whistle Drinks by Darla Bentley

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 1 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 2 Comments

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.

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