Drinks

New Year’s Toast with a Cutie-Pom Cocktail

December 31, 2010February 10, 2011 The Culinary Chronicles15 Comments

2010 is quickly coming to a close…….and 2011 is quickly approaching.

Endings and New Beginnings.

And whether you’re giving immense thanks for 2010 or cannot wait for 2011 to start, I have a great cocktail for you to toast in the New Year with.

In California, you can’t really pass a market these days that aren’t stocked with “Cuties”. Cuties are a hybrid citrus–mixed between two types of mandarins. And with tons of little munchkins around in our family, Cuties are the perfect way to get their vitamins in during the chillier months. So when I began rummaging around the kitchen to concoct a New Year’s Cocktail, I found an abundance of Cuties and some leftover Pomegranate seeds.

Add some sugar, lime juice, and a few other kitchen staples—and BADA BING, BADA BOOM! Cocktail Time! Want to make a version for the kiddies or those who want to pass on the alcohol? Simply omit the vodka. These Cutie-Pom Cocktails are just as delish and refreshing without the “added kick”.

And with that Dear Friends…..Here’s to You and the Wonderful Foodventures that await in 2011!

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Cutie-Pom Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 Ounces Fresh Cuties Juice (or other Mandarins/Clementines)
1 Ounce Premium Vodka
1 Tablespoon Fresh Pomegranate Seeds
1/2 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 Tablespoon Sugar (or Simple Syrup)
2-3 Ounces Lemon Lime Soda
Crushed Ice

In a glass, muddle the pomegranate seeds with sugar. Add Cuties Juice, Lime Juice, Vodka and stir until all the liquids are incorporated. Fill the glass with crushed ice and top off with lemon lime soda. Garnish and enjoy!

Drinks

Pomegranate Margaritas

December 23, 2010February 10, 2011 The Culinary Chronicles8 Comments

Antioxidants? Goodness for your body. Antioxidants in a Cocktail? Goodness All Around!

There’s so much I could write about regarding our Pomegranate Margaritas but I just don’t think it could do justice as if you just made them yourself. Tart, sweet, boozy….what could go wrong?

And let’s not forget how pretty the color is—particularly for the holidays!

Cheers Friends! 🙂

ps. Since the Big Guy will be pretty stressed over the next few days, one of these plus one of our Green Appletinis will make a FABULOUS Happy Hour for Santa!

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Pomegranate Margaritas
Serves 2

Ingredients:

4 Ounces White Tequila
4 Ounces Pomegranate Juice
2 Ounces Cointreau
2 Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
Margarita Salt
Ice

Fill two margarita glasses with ice and rim with salt. Fill a large cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add all liquids and vigorously shake for 15 – 20 seconds. Pour into the glasses and garnish with sliced limes. Cheers!

Drinks

Pucker Up with a Green Appletini!

December 15, 2010February 10, 2011 The Culinary Chronicles11 Comments

MWAH!

That’s what these delish Green Appletinis will make your mouth do! True Story.

I’ve been making these martinis for years and they are always a hit. All you need is three key ingredients, a shaker full of ice, and you’re ready to roll. But it’s because of its simplicity that you really need to have quality ingredients. My vodka of choice? Always Grey Goose. My apple juice of choice? If not freshly pressed, than Tree Top’s Three Apple Blend Juice.

Not only are these martinis a wonderful balance of sweet to tart, its lovely shade of green will be a hit for the holidays!

Easy-Peasy, You’ll-love-this-Martini!

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Green Appletinis
Serves 2

Ingredients:

3 Ounces Premium Vodka
2 Ounces Apple Schnapps
2 Ounces Apple Juice
Ice

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodka, schnapps, and apple juice. Vigorously shake for 15 seconds and strain into martini glasses. Garnish with fresh apple slices.

Drinks

Cheers…with a Lemongrass Mojito!

December 10, 2010February 10, 2011 The Culinary Chronicles10 Comments

I love me some Cocktails. True Story. So when the holidays come around, it gives me the perfect excuse to go into frantic baking and cocktail-shakin’ mode!

This little number is a spin off of one my favorite cocktails to make–Mojitos. I just heart mojitos as they epitomize some of my favorite flavors—bright citrus, vibrant herbaceous notes, and just the right amount of light rum. 🙂 The lemongrass simple syrup offers a wonderful pairing to the traditional mojito as it mirrors the citrus of the limes but adds a little kick of spice.

And with that dear friends, here’s a toast to you and the Holidays! Salute! Kampai! Prost! ʻŌkole maluna! L’chaim! Gan Bei! Sante! Can ly!

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Lemongrass Mojito

Ingredients:

¼ Cup Packed Mint Leaves
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
2 Tablespoons Lemongrass Simple Syrup*
2 Ounces Light Rum
6 Ounces Club Soda
2-3 Cups Crushed Ice

*Lemongrass Simple Syrup
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Cup Water
2 Lemongrass Stalks, coarsely chopped

Prepare Lemongrass Simple Syrup by combining water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and let the sugar dissolve. Remove from the heat and add lemongrass. Allow syrup to steep and cool to room temperature. After 60 minutes, strain the syrup to remove the lemongrass.

In a cocktail shaker, thoroughly muddle the mint leaves and lemongrass simple syrup. Add lime juice, rum and fill the shaker with ice. Vigorously shake and strain the liquids into a tall glass filled with ice. Top off glass with club soda. Garnish with lemongrass stalks and mint leaves.

Cheers!