If I had to pick my favorite day of the year, I might just have to say it’s St. Patrick’s Day. Aside from being a great day to celebrate my Irish roots, it’s a day full of music, silliness and cheer that everyone can be a part of anywhere in the world. So when I knew we were going to work on some themed cocktails I couldn’t contain my excitement. And what better place to start than with the Irish staple, Guinness! My St. Paddy’s day would not be complete without a Guinness or two (or three..?). Funnily enough, I swore I never liked it until I had it in Ireland and I’ve been hooked ever since!

Guinness is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, but these four Guinness cocktails will level up your celebration! Guinness is a dark Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness in Dublin, Ireland, in 1759. It’s now one of the world’s most iconic beers. But not everyone loves a stout. Try one (or all) of these when you want something a little different – or a little more boozy! – than a beer.

Black Velvet

This delicious drink is perfect for the person who doesn’t love Guinness, but likes it a little! Just mix equal parts chilled Prosecco and Guinness Extra Stout in a champagne glass. It’s elegant, light, and so tasty. We absolutely loved it!

Lady Guinness

Pour one ounce of black currant liqueur in a glass and top with Guinness Extra Stout. And don’t you love our adorable shamrock garnish? It’s a cucumber cut with a shamrock cookie cutter!

For this one, you want to use a glass that will hold 6-8 ounces. Don’t use a beer or pint glass because you won’t have the right ratio of beer to liqueur.

We loved the flavor of this Guinness cocktail. It had just the right amount of sweet. We then wondered what other flavored liqueur might be good in a Guinness? Obviously Bailey’s Irish Cream came to mind and coffee liqueur might be pretty amazing too!

Guinness Milkshake

This delicious Guinness milkshake is perfect for your friend with the sweet tooth! Add 2 large scoops of ice cream, 1.5 ounces of whiskey, and 1 cup of Guinness to a blender and mix until smooth. Pour into a pint glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. So yummy!

You can use any flavor ice cream you want – we used one scoop vanilla and one scoop mint chocolate chip. You could also try chocolate or coffee ice cream. You could also sub the whiskey with Irish cream! This recipe is so versatile, let us know what you try with it!

Jamaican Guinness Punch

This Guinness punch is a traditional favorite served at holidays and family gatherings in Jamaica! It has a sweet, milky, stout flavor and is easy to make in large batches for a party. Just be sure to keep it chilled well. The recipe below makes four drinks, but you can easily adjust it to make more. You’ll need:

• 12 oz Guinness Extra Stout
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in a blender (or use an immersion blender), then divide into four glasses. A rocks-size glass works best for this cocktail. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg or cinnamon and enjoy.

We hope you enjoy these Guinness cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day – or any day!

The post 4 Guinness Cocktails to Level Up St. Patrick’s Day appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

A stunning, unique whiskey decanter is the cherry on top of your home bar. But is there a specific reason why you put whiskey in a decanter? We’ll tell you the answer and show you six gorgeous decanters we love. You’ll have a hard time choosing just one!

I recently decided I NEEDED a whiskey decanter. And not just a random whiskey decanter, it needed to be classic, beautiful eye candy for the top of my bar. Something Don Draper of Mad Men fame would be proud to pour from.

My husband and I both love whiskey and bourbon, so I thought I’d try to surprise him with a nice decanter and some new glasses. I have an antique TV cabinet that I’ve been working on converting to a proper liquor cabinet, and I really wanted to finish it off with a gorgeous bit of bling on top. 

Is There a Reason You Put Whiskey in a Decanter?

And then I started wondering… Need is strong word. Clearly I really want a decanter to look pretty, but what about actual functionality? Does decanting whiskey change it the way it does with wine? Wine is generally decanted to allow for some oxidation to enhance the flavor, and to reduce any sediment that might be in the bottle. 

Whiskey decanters were originally filled right from the barrel and if nothing else, a necessary container. These days, we generally aren’t heading out back to fill our glass right from the barrel.

Since whiskey is so high in alcohol, it’s not subject to change from oxygen exposure. So the only reason to put your whiskey in a decanter is to make it look pretty.

And I am totally OK with that! Time to get shopping. 

Look Out for Lead

My original thought was to find a vintage set either locally or on Etsy, since the cabinet and most of my favorite things are Mid-Century Modern. I wanted to stick with the theme. I do LOVE all things vintage, as well as buying used rather than everything new, but after a little research and some thought I had to decide against it. 

Why? While leaded crystal may be okay for your glassware – as it’s only being used for a short period of time – a decanter that’s going to hold your liquor for longer stretches may leach lead into your whiskey and pose a serious health risk. And since I’d no way of knowing for sure with a vintage piece, I felt best to buy new. 

Unique Whiskey Decanters – Time to Shop!

I got to shopping and found a decanter gift set with glasses that I thought was really pretty for a decent price on Amazon. And then the crazy shipping delay mess that was December happened. And so a week after Christmas I got an email that my package was missing and I’d be getting a refund. And of course it’s no longer available. Womp, womp. 

Never fear, I was probably spending more than I should since we’ve already determined that I don’t NEED it, haha. So, back to finding the perfect decanter, and I thought I’d share my finds with you! For every budget and taste, there’s something here for everyone!

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This beauty from Decicio Glass on Etsy is absolutely dreamy. Definitely going on my wish list! 

This personalized monogram decanter and glass set would make such an amazing housewarming or wedding gift! 

Looking for something completely different to really make a statement? I love to travel and this would definitely be a great nod to that! Check out this fantastic globe decanter set.

This diamond design decanter from Amazon is absolutely stunning and comes in a beautiful gift box! 

I’m a bit obsessed with all things gold and just love the design on this modern decanter from Crate and Barrel. 

After spending waaaaay too much time looking at pretty glass, I ultimately decided on this decanter and glass set on Amazon and I love it! Classic, beautiful and so affordably priced.

Which one of these gorgeous decanters do you NEED? I think I’ll be revisiting this post myself at some point to get one of these beauties for my downstairs bar cart… Cheers!

The post 6 Unique Whiskey Decanters {and Why You NEED at Least One!} appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

When it comes to big-batch beverages for your party, Sangria is one of the most fun and flexible. With fresh cranberries and a ginger kick, our Ginger Pear Sangria recipe is unique, delicious and gorgeous! And the presentation just screams “Christmas.”

There are so many ways to make a sangria. Most involve wine, fruit, brandy, and some type of fizz. Often thought of as a summer drink, we think our Ginger Pear Sangria is best in the fall or winter. It blends the spicy kick of ginger with a rich pear syrup. Throw in some cranberries and it’s perfect for Christmas!

The fizz in our sangria recipe comes from Franklin & Sons ginger beer. Franklin & Sons products were first introduced in Britain in 1886 and the Franklin brothers quickly established themselves as experts in creating authentic, high quality recipes made from delicious hand-picked ingredients. The foundation of the Franklin & Sons tonic and mixer range is Staffordshire water and the finest British sugar with the highest carbonation possible to lift the most delicate botanicals of any spirit.

They have recently launched their tonic and mixer line in the USA and they can be found at your local Fresh Market! They have club soda, tonic water, ginger beer, ginger ale, and more.

We were gifted some samples of Franklin & Sons products and were delighted by the taste and the extra-fizziness of their mixers. Their ginger beer especially caught our attention. It’s not overly spicy like some ginger beers and it has a distinct lemon flavor that we thought would be perfect for sangria.

We happened to be planning a small holiday get-together, so we set to work creating this Christmas sangria and an awesome charcuterie board to pair with it.

How to Make Ginger Pear Sangria

To make our sangria, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 bottles of dry white wine (we used Dark Horse Pinot Grigio)
• 2 oz pear simple syrup (we made ours with 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar for a richer taste)
• 2 oz ginger liqueur (we used Domaine de Canton)
• 12 oz ginger beer (we used Franklin & Sons)
• 3 pears, sliced
• 1 bag of fresh cranberries

Pour the wine, pear simple syrup, and ginger liqueur into a large pitcher or punch bowl and stir. Wash and slice your pears into thin slices. Add the pears and cranberries to the sangria. Pour in the ginger beer and stir again. Keep cold in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

When it’s time to serve, pour the sangria into a glass and top off with a little fresh ginger beer. Enjoy!

Ginger Pear Sangria

Yield: 10

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

A unique and beautiful sangria that is perfect for your party!

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Ingredients

• 2 bottles of dry white wine (we used Dark Horse Pinot Grigio)
• 2 oz pear simple syrup (we made ours with 1/2 brown sugar and 1/2 white sugar for a richer taste)
• 2 oz ginger liqueur (we used Domaine de Canton)
• 12 oz ginger beer (we used Franklin & Sons)
• 3 pears, sliced
• 1 bag of fresh cranberries

Instructions

1. Mix the wine, pear syrup, ginger liqueur, and ginger beer in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Mix well.
2. Add sliced pears and cranberries, and chill for at least an hour.
3. When serving, top each glass off with a little fresh ginger beer.
4. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 256Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 29gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post Ginger Pear Sangria Recipe appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Cranberries are the flavor of the holiday season. So instead of the traditional orange juice mimosa on Christmas morning, mix up this simple and delightful Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler. It’s also perfect for Valentine’s Day or brunch any time of year!

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Essential Ingredient: Cranberry Simple Syrup

We here at Spilling Tequila are big fans of Royal Rose Organic Simple Syrups. Their products are organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, with ingredients locally sourced near their Newcastle, Maine facility. Each syrup is made with raw sugars, farm-fresh ingredients, and without artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

We do love to make our own simple syrups, but Royal Rose has some unique flavor profiles that are tougher to duplicate (like the Hot Ginger Lime we used in this Hot Ginger Mule!).

Their Cranberry Spice is perfect for all your fall and winter holiday drinks. It’s tart and warm and mixes well with whiskey and vodka. It also makes a stellar sparkling cocktail.

Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler Recipe 

To make this drink, you’ll need 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds, 1 ounce of Royal Rose Cranberry Spice Organic Simple Syrup, and chilled Prosecco.

The hardest part of making this drink is getting those fresh seeds out of the pomegranate. Yep, it’s messy, but fresh ingredients are SO worth it.

Once you’ve liberated the pomegranate seeds from their captivity, put about 1/4 cup of seeds in measuring cup (or any other wide-mouthed container) and add 1 ounce of the Cranberry Spice syrup. Muddle well to release the pomegranate juice.

Give the mixture a stir and then strain into a glass. For this drink, you’ll want to use a champagne flute, a large coup glass or any sparkling wine glass. We chose this gorgeous glass not thinking about how big it was and ended up pouring half a bottle of Prosecco into one drink!!! Oops! I’d recommend one the smaller ones above.

Once you’ve strained into the perfect glass, top off the Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler with Prosecco and garnish with some pomegranate seeds and a cinnamon stick. If you opt for giant glassware – you may want to double up on the pomegranate/syrup mixture to maximize the fruity flavor.

Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Instead of the traditional orange juice mimosa on Christmas morning, mix up this refreshing Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler.

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Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds
• 1 oz Royal Rose Cranberry Spice Simple Syrup
• Chilled Prosecco

Instructions

1. Combine pomegranate seeds and cranberry spice syrup in a measuring cup (or other container) and muddle well.
2. Strain into a glass and top with chilled Prosecco.
3. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and a cinnamon stick.
4. Please drink responsibly!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post Cranberry Pomegranate Sparkler appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

If you like drinks with a lot of flavor and some serious heat, drop everything and make this spicy tequila recipe. Tequila infused with garden-grown cayenne peppers, mixed with fall-favorite apple cider and some fresh ginger? YES, please! 

I’m not a gardener. I’d love to be, and EVERY year I say I’m going to set up some amazing raised bed situation… But, alas, the best I’ve done so far is some pots on the deck. It is what it is, right?

This year I tried some herbs, tomatoes and peppers. Tomatoes were a bust for whatever reason but my herbs and hot peppers did great!

I was so proud of myself for growing these gorgeous cayenne peppers I just had to do something fantastic with them. And of course my first thought was drinks instead of food, haha. I made a fun summer spicy strawberry drink but I really wanted to do more. So I came up with the idea to infuse some tequila because spicy margaritas are the best margaritas! 

How to Infuse Tequila

To infuse my tequila, I filled a mason jar with Milagro Silver Tequila, chopped the tops off of three of my cayenne peppers and sliced them lengthwise. Dropped them into the tequila, seeds and all. Sealed it up and sat it on the counter to steep. And then I washed my hands a few times and tried to remind myself not to go near my eyes for a while…

I’d planned to leave it for just 2 days, but ya know, life happens. So 5 days later I finally got around to straining and tasting. It had turned a light yellowish color. I poured just a taste into a shot glass and went for it.

OH MY GOSH. Fantastic flavor at first taste, and then holy wonderful heat. And I mean feel it all the way down to your toes heat. So good. 

I had Chrissy and Shannon come over to mix some drinks and do some tasting and we all agreed that it was soooo good. If you want a killer shot, this is it.

But, we wanted to make a fun fall drink with it so I got to thinking about fall ingredients and what might pair well, and I came up with what we like to call “Death by Cider”.  (It’s not that scary, I promise!)

How to Make This Spicy Margarita

Since we’re working with tequila, we created a fall-themed, spicy margarita for you! This cocktail is made with apple cider, lime juice, agave syrup, and fresh, grated ginger. Apple cider is a sweet fall staple that helps balance the heat, ginger is always my go to, and the lime juice and agave balance it all out. And between the pepper-infused tequila and the ginger, you’ll taste the heat in this cocktail long after you sip.

Make this drink in a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour two ounces of your infused tequila and four ounces of apple cider, then add 1/2 ounce each of fresh-squeezed lime juice and agave syrup. Grate about 1/2 teaspoon of ginger into your shaker, then give it a shake until it’s frosty. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.

The sweet of the cider, flavor of the grated ginger, and heat of the tequila are an incredible mix that has made this my new favorite fall drink! I’m going to have to infuse some more tequila so I can make a few for Halloween!

Death by Cider

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Spicy apple cider margarita made with hot pepper infused tequila and fresh ginger.

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Ingredients

• 2 oz Spicy Tequila
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Agave Syrup
• 1/2 tsp Fresh Grated Ginger
• Sliced apple, ginger and pepper for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and strain over ice into a margarita glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of apple, ginger and pepper.
4. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 234Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 0gSugar: 22gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post Spicy Tequila Recipe: Death By Cider appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

A quality camping cocktail set might not be your first thought when packing for a camping trip, but an excellent travel cocktail kit will help you kick things up a notch above the traditional beer. Check out these essential tools for your next camping adventure.

Who loves camping?! I have to admit, it took a bit of convincing for me to give camping a try a few years ago, but as soon as I got that tent set up and a beer in my hand I was all in. There is definitely something special about time spent outdoors without all of our “stuff”, sleeping with the sounds of nature all around us, and taking time to just CHILL. 

The temperatures are cooling and it’s the perfect time for some weekend camping trips. As I mentioned earlier, that beer definitely helped me ease into my camping experience, and so while planning for our next trip I thought I’d find some fun beer and cocktail camping gear and tools.

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Check out these great coolers, tools and containers to help make your camping experience one you’ll never forget.

Camping Coolers for Ice-Cold Cocktails

I found coolers in two different sizes depending on your needs, and both will keep your ice for at least three days! 

1. The REYLEO Ice Chest is a 21 quart, bear resistant cooler that comes with a built in bottle opener, cup holders and a fish ruler. (It does come in a larger size as well!)  

2. The GiNT Rolling Cooler has oversized wheels to save your back when your headed to your campsite, built in cup holders, a handle that doubles as a small table, and an interior tray to keep food items dry. 

3. As a bonus, I found a great little light for the inside of your cooler! You’ll never struggle to find your beer in the dark with Coghlan’s Inside Cooler Lid Light. This handy little thing mounts inside your cooler lid and will automatically turn on and off when the lid is raised and shut. This definitely needs to be part of any camping cocktail set!

Essential Travel Cocktail Kit

You can’t really make a proper cocktail without some essential tools, so here are some that are perfect for taking on the road. 

4. The Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 2X System is a 30-ounce cocktail shaker, two stainless steel cups, a citrus reamer, and jigger cap rolled into one. And even better, the cups are double walled stainless so your drinks won’t sweat everywhere!  

5. Filled with recipes, bartender tips and tricks, and even a whole chapter on foraging and mixing with found ingredients, the Camp Cocktails book will give you great ideas for drinks to pair with your amazing outdoor experience. 

6. For something completely different, I can’t wait to try this Campfire Beer Caramelizer! You heat it in the fire, dip it in your drink and it reacts with the sugars in the beverage, creating a richer and smoother taste.

7. And one of my favorite finds, the Travel Bartender Kit has everything you need to make the perfect cocktail, just bring your booze! This stylish, canvas roll-up bag will keep all the included tools organized, and comes in silver or copper. 

Camping Cocktail Sets to Keep Your Drinks Cold and Contained

Would be a shame to make all those great cocktails and not have something durable and portable to drink them out of. So here are a couple great options for mixed drinks, wine and beer. 

8. The Blingco 12 Oz Stainless Steel Stemless Wine Tumblers are double-walled, vacuum-insulated, and come with lids and straws. They’ll keep your drinks warm or cold and keep you from spilling them to boot! 

9. The Stanley Classic Growler Gift Set comes with a 64-ounce, vacuum-insulated growler body and four 12-ounce stainless tumblers. The growler will keep your beer (or pitcher of margaritas!) cold for 24 hours, and the tumblers come with different colored neoprene sleeves to keep drinks cold and help you know which one is yours! 

I hope this guide gives you some great ideas to create your own camping cocktail set and make your next camping trip a delicious one. Cheers!

The post The Camping Cocktailer’s Survival Essentials appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

These beet juice cocktail recipes might sound unusual, but adding beet juice and some ginger to your cocktail concoctions not only adds great taste and color, it’s super healthy too! Here are three twists on classic cocktails using these two amazing root vegetables. 

I had some beets and ginger root that were threatening to go bad so I decided to use them both in some cocktails. I juiced the beets and made honey simple syrup with the ginger. Since I’m working with such healthy ingredients I wanted to make sure I wasn’t adding any unnecessary processed sugars to sweeten my drinks. Ginger honey syrup for the win!

Getting to the Root of It

Both of these colorful root vegetables have lists a mile long of their incredible health benefits, ranging from possible cancer prevention to improved digestion. 

Beets are full of vitamins and antioxidants and are known to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, increase energy and stamina and improve liver function, and boost your immune system. Ginger is a known digestive aid, infection fighter, pain reliever and nausea reliever. 

Both have been shown in studies to contain cancer fighting properties, improve heart disease risk, and even help brain function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Spicy Dirt?

Ok, so we all know these things are good for us, but we’re making cocktails here – not diet smoothies right? LOL. Ginger is a pretty common ingredient in cocktails so it’s not too much of a stretch. And I would probably put ginger in almost every drink – I LOVE IT.  I opted to use mine by making a homemade ginger honey simple syrup, which gives me a great natural sweetener and spice at the same time! 

Beets seem to be a bit more of a love it or hate it sorta thing. My husband insists that they just taste like dirt, and while I do admit that they have a kind of earthy vibe, there’s something about it that I just cannot get enough of.

I’ve only been turned onto beet juice recently at a local (pre-covid) smoothie bar and have been hooked ever since. I could drink it every day (and have been recently)! Give it a nice kick with the ginger and oh my goodness, so good. 

Classics with a Dirt-y Twist

Since I wanted to make sure these wonderful, vitamin-filled veggies didn’t go to waste, I thought I’d try to turn some classic cocktails into beet juice cocktails. I went with three staples: the Gin and Tonic; Margarita; and Moscow Mule. The mule was definitely my favorite of the three. 

Here’s how to make these three rooty classics! 

Start with a ginger honey syrup:

• 2/3 c chopped, fresh ginger
• 1 1/2 c water
• 4 TB honey

Combine in a pan, bring to a boil and then let it simmer for 40 minutes or to desired consistency. Once cool, strain and store in the refrigerator to use in tea or cocktails, like this Grapefruit Ginger Bourbon Sour recipe!

Beet Ginger Gin and Tonic

• 1 oz  Beet Juice
• 1.5 oz Gin
• 1 oz Lemon Juice 
• 1/2 oz Ginger Honey Simple Syrup
• Tonic Water

Shake first 4 ingredients, strain over ice and top with tonic. 

Tequila Beet Juice Cocktail

• 2 oz Beet Juice
• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Ginger Honey Simple Syrup

This Beet Ginger Margarita is super simple. Just shake all the ingredients and strain over ice. Don’t forget to rim your glass with salt first!

Vodka Beet Juice Cocktail

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And now for my favorite, the Beet Ginger Mule! 

This one has muddled fresh mint, both the beet juice and ginger syrup, lime juice, vodka and ginger beer. Recipe below!

Beet Ginger Mule

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Give your Moscow Mule a healty kick with beets and ginger.

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Ingredients

• Mint leaves
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 2 oz beet juice
• 2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz ginger honey syrup
• Ginger beer

Instructions

1. Muddle mint leaves with lime juice in shaker.
2. Add beet juice, vodka and ginger syrup and shake.
3. Pour over ice into a copper mug.
4. Top with ginger beer.
5. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

The post Beet and Ginger – Twists on Classic Cocktails appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Looking for something different to add to your cocktail menu this summer? This Pisco Sour recipe makes a refreshing, tart drink. Its smooth, creamy texture is a perfect match for your spicy summer dishes, or even better, the day you’re finally going to try making your own Ceviche! 

What is Pisco?

I first learned of Pisco years ago when my cousin was living and working in Chile for a summer. He fell in love with Pisco sours and tried to mail us a bottle of Pisco. Sadly, it did not survive the trip. He was eventually able to bring some home with him and we were able to taste it. But I think that’s the last time I had it! 

Pisco is a clear to lightly yellow/amber brandy that is made exclusively in Peru and Chile from fermented grape juice of specific varieties. It was developed by Spanish settlers during the 16th century.

Pisco is distilled in copper pot stills, and in Peru is not aged. Chilean Pisco, however, can be aged in barrels and tends to be a bit sweeter. 

Both Peru and Chile claim the Pisco Sour as their national drink, and there is a debate on its origins. It’s generally accepted that the drink was created by an American bartender named Victor Vaughen Morris who moved to Peru in 1904 opened Morris’ Bar in Lima in 1916.

The Peruvian version of the Pisco Sour is made with Key lime juice, sugar, egg white and Angostura bitters, while the Chilean version is made with pica lime juice and powdered sugar, and does not include the egg white or bitters. 

Date Night!

I was doing an evening engagement session in Lambertville recently and my husband and I decided to finally take advantage of some outdoor dining afterwards. I can’t remember the last time we were on a date!

There is this adorable little place that I’ve wanted to try forever, and he’s been once before with friends. It’s a family owned business and the chefs are Peruvian and Mexican. I’m obsessed with both Ceviche and Enchiladas so what’s not to LOVE?! 

It’s a BYOB and last time the hubs was there a friend brought Pisco and asked the restaurant to make a carafe of Pisco Sour, so we thought we’d give it a try! The bottle shop in town had both Peruvian and Chilean Pisco, so he went with Peruvian to match the restaurant’s cuisine. 

I was so excited to try it and I was not the least bit disappointed! It was an incredibly hot and humid evening so the refreshing sour taste was perfect, and the creamy texture from the egg white made it so smooth! 

*But what about the raw egg???

Studies show that fresh eggs from locally raised, free range chickens are rarely subject to salmonella bacteria. Commercially produced eggs have a higher risk. If you purchase organic, free range eggs, you lessen the risk and generally if you wash your egg shells thoroughly prior to cracking you should be just fine. 

***Of course, I am not a health expert so please do your own research if you are concerned about consuming raw egg whites in your drink! 

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Enough Facts and History, I’m Thirsty!

Ok, so since we still had a bunch of Pisco in the bottle I decided to try to make it at home! I made it in the Peruvian style, but used regular limes rather than Key limes. 

To make this Pisco Sour recipe, you’ll need Peruvian Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, an egg white, ice and a shaker. I followed the recipe from Ocucaje’s site, but switched out the sugar for simple syrup. 

Start by adding all of your ingredients to a shaker. Top with lots of ice and shake VIGOROUSLY. Strain into a glass (This one matched the one on Ocucaje’s site so I figured it was the best choice!) Garnish with bitters. It will be quite foamy at first and foam will gradually settle at the top. Enjoy!

Pisco Sour

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 4 minutes

This smooth and refreshing drink pairs perfectly with some homemade Ceviche!

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Ingredients

• 3 oz Peruvian Pisco
• 1.5 oz lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Ice
• Angostura bitters for garnish

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously, strain into a glass and garnish with Angostura bitters.

Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g

Nutritional information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

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This tangy beer margarita is the perfect summer sipper, and I’ve got three different versions to share with you! Even better? It’s made with low calorie beer so you don’t have to stress about the beer adding to your waistline.

This drink is made with a Gose style beer and traditional margarita ingredients. Most of you are probably familiar with the Rita part of this equation – tequila, orange liqueur and lime! But what, you ask, is a Gose? 

Age Old Craft

The Gose, pronounced “Go-zuh”, originated in Goslar, Germany and though somewhat debated, the style is said to be over 1,000 years old. The beer became extremely popular in Leipzig and at one point the city had 80 Gose bars. After World War II it became almost extinct, but has made quite the resurgence in recent years. 

It is one of the only beers brewed today using salt, can be very sour, and is one of my husband’s favorite styles. Me… not so much. He has been known to give me a sour to taste just to laugh at my resulting pucker, LOL. There’s just something about sour and beer that I can’t wrap my head around. 

Since I’ve started cocktail blogging he has asked if we were going to do any beer cocktails. I said, sure, give me some ideas! We were having tacos for dinner and he knows I love a good margarita to go along with them. And that my friends is where our JammeRita was born. 

Local Pucker

We have been big fans of Six Point Brewery out of Brooklyn, NY for quite some time. I love all their experimental IPAs (give me all the hops!), and my husband keeps their Jammer around all summer.

Jammer is a tangy (but not toooo sour) Gose Style beer made with coriander and sea salt. Six Point has been brewing Jammer since 2011, before Gose beers became so readily available in the states, and they have experimented – Mad Scientists that they are – over the years to flavor the original. 

They now sell a mixed pack with the original Jammer along with Citrus Jammer – a lemon lime, Berry Jammer with strawberry, raspberry, & cranberry, Tropical Jammer with Mango & Pineapple, and Ruby Jammer with grapefruit & tangerine. These tangy, session beers are only 4% ABV, 125 calories and made with all-natural, real juice and ingredients. 

So let’s get mixing! Steve didn’t want me to try just one GoseRita; since we had the mixed pack he thought it would be fun to try a couple different flavors. And he was right! We decided to go with the Original Jammer, the Berry Jammer, and the Tropical Jammer.  

Get Mixing

To make our JammeRitas you’ll need Tequila, orange liqueur (I used triple sec) fresh lime juice, and of course your Jammer of choice. Start by juicing your lime, you’ll need 1/2 oz per drink. Shake tequila, triple sec and lime juice together and pour over ice. Top with your beer and garnish with a wedge or two of lime. Enjoy!

Our next step was some taste testing! We started with the original Jammer. Steve loved this one. The margarita complemented and even added to the tang/sour of the beer for him, so it was a great match to his palette. As I mentioned, I’m really not a giant sour fan so was anxious to try the other two.

Next up was the Berry Jammer. We both really like this one, it was a good mix of sweet with sour, and the color was gorgeous.

And last but not least, the Tropical. This was definitely my favorite. I loved the beachy feel the pineapple added, and the sweetness was just perfect to balance the sour while not overpowering it. It is a margarita after all! 

So our little experiment was a total success, and now the Tropical JammeRita is on my list of summer go-to drinks! I’m excited to try it out on some friends! Each can is enough to make 3 of these babies so it’s perfect for your next summer shindig. (Click for my guide to everything you need to host your perfect summer party!)

JammeRita

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

This tangy beer margarita is the perfect summer sipper, and it’s made with low calorie/ABV beer so you don’t have to stress about the beer adding to your waistline.

Print

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice
• 4 oz Six Point Brewery Jammer Beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions

1. Juice lime
2. Add lime juice, tequila and triple sec to shaker
3. Shake and pour over ice
4. Top with beer
5. Garnish with lime wedge
6. Enjoy and please drink responsibly!

Notes

This is made with a 3/1/1 ratio of tequila, triple sec and lime. Add another 1/2 oz of triple sec if you like it a little sweeter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 307Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 16mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 2g

Nutritional information is estimated and should only be used as a general guideline.

Make one of these at home and let me know which is your favorite! And for more Jammer cocktail inspiration, check out Six Point’s website!

The post JammeRita appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

The weather is heating up and it’s getting to be time for some summer parties! I LOVE hosting during the summer. Drinks, grilling, games and good company, what’s not to love?! 

But I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I had a better cooler, somewhere to put my drink, or an alternative to disposable cups! So I’ve done the research, checked all the ratings and put together a guide to the 20 best outdoor drink accessories you didn’t know you needed.  

This post contains affiliate links to products and services we recommend. We may make a commission, and there is no cost to you.

Whether it’s a backyard bash, a pool party or a meetup at the lake/beach we’ve got you covered! 

Take the stress out of serving drinks in pretty glassware with these BPA-free plastic options! No waste from ugly disposable cups and no worry about broken glass. And your drinks will still look fabulous!

1. Vivocci Unbreakable Elegant Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses
2. Vivocci Unbreakable Plastic Stemless Champagne Flutes
3. Classic 8-piece Premium Quality Plastic Tumblers | 12-ounce and 16-ounce
4. Libbey Indoors Out Break-Resistant Margarita Glasses and Pitcher Set

When you’re mixing up cocktails for your guests, you don’t want to have a mess of tools everywhere. You want your garnishes cold and you want your large batch drinks to look beautiful! There’s also an option for a double drink dispenser – take a look!

1. Stock Harbor 9 Piece Stainless Steel Bartender Set with Bamboo Base
2. Outdoor Glass Beverage Dispenser with Base, Spigot & Chalkboard
3. OXO Good Grips Double Wall Ice Bucket with Tongs and Garnish Tray

I don’t know about you but I could find a use for all three of these icoolers. I love the cocktail table one – dual purpose! The grey one would look gorgeous on my deck, and has space underneath for supplies. And goodness knows we could all use the wagon one with 10” wheels to make getting those cold drinks to the park or beach a breeze. 

1. Clevr 80 Quart Rolling Cooler
2. Keter Pacific Outdoor Side Table with 7.5 Gallon Beer and Wine Cooler
3. Clevr 80 Quart Wagon Cooler

So when you’re playing a game in the yard where do you put your drink? I can’t wait to use these stakes next time we’re playing corn hole. I do much better without a beverage throwing off my balance! The Cuisinart sticks hold a beer or cup and Mind Reader has a set specially made for wine glasses and the bottle! And those little plastic beverage holders will keep your drinks from getting all sandy at the beach!

1. Cuisinart Drink Stakes
2. Mind Reader Picnic Wine Sticks, 5 pc Set
3. AOMAIS Beach Sand Coasters/Cup Holders

If you really want to up your drink holding game when you play corn hole, you’ve got to check out this ScoreCaddy! Keep track of your score and your drinks in one spot. And both Yard Pong and Bottle Bash sound like fun for the whole family!

1. GoSports ScoreCaddy Outdoor Scoreboard Keeper with Drink Holders
2. Yard Games Giant Yard Pong
3. Bottle Bash Outdoor Game Set 

For those of you spending your summers at the pool or lake, now you can keep your drink with you! An inflatable cooler with cup holders, a floating beer pong table that doubles as a lounger, super fun, floating drink holders that come in all different versions, and even floating wine glasses! Check them out!

1. Intex Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Cooler
2. Floating Wine Glasses
3. GoPong Pool Lounge Floating Beer Pong Table
4. GoFloats Inflatable Pool Drink Holders

I hope this shopping guide helps you throw the best summer shin-dig ever. We’d love to see how you’re using them to liven up your party. Post your pics and tag @spillingtequila on Instagram or Facebook! Cheers!

The post 20 Outdoor Drinking Accessories to Perfect Your Summer Party appeared first on Spilling Tequila.