This Pine Gin and Tonic recipe may seem a bit untraditional. Simple syrup and ice cubes made from pine needles? Who wants to drink a tree? Trust us – it’s surprisingly tasty (not to mention GORGEOUS!), with an earthy flavor that brings winter and Christmas to your taste buds.

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This cocktail involves a couple extra steps that you might want to prep the day before you actually want to make your drinks. You’ll need at least 2-3 hours to make your ice cubes and simple syrup.

How to Make Pine Ice Spheres and Pine Simple Syrup

The first step in creating this beautiful drink is to make the pine ice spheres. Start with a set of sphere ice molds. Place a small twig from a pine tree into each, cover with water, and let them freeze up.

Next, make your pine simple syrup. Simple syrup is a key ingredient used as a sweetener in many cocktail recipes. In its most basic form, it is made by combining equal parts sugar and hot water. Since sugar does not dissolve well in alcohol or in cold beverages, simple syrup is used to ensure that sweetness is uniformly mixed into a cocktail. 

To make this pine simple syrup, you first need to gather a couple boughs from a pine tree. We used about this much:

Remove the needles from the branches and rinse them well.

• Combine one cup sugar and one cup of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. 
• Heat the mixture to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes to fully dissolve the sugar, stirring a few times. You want to see steam coming from the surface and a few bubbles. Do not let the water come to a vigorous boil or you’ll start boiling off water, which will affect your water to sugar ratio. 
• Lower your heat to medium-low. Add the pine needles to the pan and simmer gently for 15 minutes. Stir several times during the heating process. 
• Remove from the heat and cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Strain out the pine needles and pour the syrup into a clean, air-tight jar.

A mason jar is ideal for your homemade simple syrup, and it’s a good idea to sterilize your jar in boiling water before storing your syrup to guard against any bacterial growth. Store it in your refrigerator and it will stay good for about 2 weeks. If you want it to last longer, mix in a half-ounce of vodka to act as a preservative. This will extend your syrup’s life to about 4-6 weeks.

You can find a lot more detail and more than 40 recipes in our Ultimate Guide to Simple Syrup.

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Making a Pine Gin and Tonic

When your ice cubes and syrup are ready, it’s time to make the drink. Find a gorgeous glass that holds 8-10 ounces. Place a pine ice sphere in the glass. (Don’t forget to take a photo because it’s just so pretty!)

Pour 2 ounces of your favorite gin, a half-ounce of pine simple syrup, and an ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice into a cocktail shaker with just one ice cube and give it a quick shake. You don’t want to water this drink down (since you’ll also be adding tonic water), but you want it to get mixed and cold before you pour it into the glass so the pine ice sphere doesn’t melt too quickly!

Strain into your glass, top with tonic water and enjoy!

Pine Gin & Tonic

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

A beautiful, wintry, unique cocktail that will impress your guests.

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Ingredients

• 2-3 pine tree boughs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Tonic water

Instructions

1. To make the pine ice spheres: Place small pine twigs into sphere ice molds and let them freeze.
2. To make the pine simple syrup: Simmer 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water with the needles from 2 pine tree boughs. Gently simmer - do not boil! - for 15-20 minutes. Strain and cool.
3. To make the drink: Mix 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz pine simple syrup, and 1 oz lime juice with just ONE ice cube in a cocktail shaker. Give it a quick shake, then strain into a glass with your pine ice sphere.
4. Top with tonic water.
5. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total 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 Pine Gin and Tonic: A Drink to Impress Your Friends appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

This Fireball Eggnog recipe will spice up your favorite Christmas drink! Creamy eggnog blends deliciously with the cinnamon heat of Fireball Whiskey. Then we added a bit of orange flavor for a twist!

It’s the season of eggnog and sure, you can buy a boozy, pre-made version in your local liquor store, but what fun is that? Just buy some eggnog at the grocery store and try one of these two recipes to spike it up for the holidays.

Does Fireball Go With Eggnog? Yes!

Ever since Walmart started selling a non-alcoholic Fireball eggnog, people have been going crazy for this flavor combination. But if you want an alcoholic drink, you’ll need to add Fireball whiskey. And while I usually can’t get enough of Fireball, adding it to already-flavored eggnog just seems WAY too sweet.

The Fireball web site has a recipe they call Firenog. It’s 2 parts Fireball Whiskey and 1 part eggnog. Sounds fine, but I can never just follow a recipe. I need to make it my own.

I’ve been experimenting a lot with bitters lately and I wanted to use these orange bitters from Scrappy’s to balance the sweetness of this drink. I also decided to add a touch of Triple Sec to enhance the orange flavor.

This Fireball Eggnog recipe is simple. Pour 4 ounces of eggnog, 1.5 ounces of Fireball whiskey, 1/2 ounce Triple Sec, and 3-4 dashes of orange bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well until frosty cold, then strain and enjoy.

But if Fireball is not your thing, any whiskey or bourbon is generally excellent in eggnog.

How Much Whiskey Do You Put in Eggnog?

You’ll want a ratio of 4:1 eggnog to whiskey. For each glass, mix 4 ounces of eggnog with one ounce of whiskey, bourbon, or your spirit of choice. Mix well and served chilled or over ice.

There are many types of whiskey, so be sure to experiment with your alcohol of choice. I tried Misunderstood’s Ginger Spiced Whiskey, it was especially delicious! Chill this drink well and garnish with some crystallized ginger for a beautiful Christmas cocktail.

I hope you enjoy these eggnog variations and have a Happy Holiday season!

Fireball Eggnog

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

This Fireball Eggnog recipe will spice up your favorite Christmas drink!

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Ingredients

• 4 oz chilled eggnog
• 1.5 oz Fireball whiskey
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 3-4 dashes orange bitters

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until frosty, strain into a glass, and enjoy!
3. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 332Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 0gSugar: 27gProtein: 6g

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

The post Fireball Eggnog Recipe {With a Twist!} 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.

The Mistletoe Mojito is a festive riff on the classic mojito. If you love a refreshing, minty mojito, you’ll love this holiday-themed version made with cranberry juice and cranberry simple syrup.

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We love mojitos. We’ve made them with blueberry, jalapeno, coconut, apple and basil, and even as a mocktail. So naturally we needed to make a Christmas version. And it needed cranberry juice and snowball ice cubes.

How to Make a Christmas Mistletoe Mojito

The first thing you need for this Christmas mojito is cranberry simple syrup. We love this Organic Cranberry Spice Syrup from Royal Rose Syrups, but making your own cranberry simple syrup is easy and delicious.

Combine one cup of fresh cranberries, one cup of sugar, and one cup of water in a saucepan and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You want the cranberries to be softened but not popped. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Strain the fruit out with a fine mesh strainer, but don’t press the berries through because that will cloud the syrup. The cooked, strained cranberries are the equivalent of fresh cranberry sauce, so eat them with your holiday meal or enjoy them on yogurt or ice cream. And save a spoonful because you’ll use it in this drink.

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While your syrup is cooling, gather the rest of the ingredients for the Mistletoe Mojito: 6-7 mint leaves (or more to your taste), 2 ounces rum, 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice, 1 ounce cranberry juice, 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup, and 1 spoonful (about a tablespoon) of cooked cranberries.

Add the mint leaves, spoonful of cooked cranberries, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and muddle gently. You don’t want to mash the mint leaves, you just want to massage them to release the oils.

Next, add ice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, and rum to the shaker and shake well until frosty. Strain into a highball glass — and to really make the mistletoe magic, you’ll need three ice spheres (get these ice molds to make spheres) so it looks like a snowman!

Finally, top with club soda or seltzer and garnish with a couple fresh cranberries and a sprig of mint. Cheers!

Mistletoe Mojito

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

The Mistletoe Mojito is a festive, holiday cocktail made with cranberry juice and cranberry simple syrup.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh cranberries, plus a few for garnish
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 oz light rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 6-7 mint leaves (or more to your taste)
• Seltzer or club soda

Instructions

1. To make the syrup: Simmer the cranberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, then strain and allow to cool.
2. Strain gently, don't press the cranberries through the strainer because it will cloud your syrup.
3. Reserve a spoonful of strained cranberries. Save the rest of the cranberry sauce for a meal or dessert!
4. To make the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the mint leaves, lime juice and about a tablespoon of cranberry sauce.
5. Add a few ice cubes, rum, cranberry juice, and 1 ounce of your cranberry syrup. Shake well until frosty.
6. Strain into a highball glass over ice spheres, top with club soda, and garnish with a couple fresh cranberries and a sprig of mint.
7. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 250Total 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 Mistletoe Mojito appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

Vodka is the perfect spirit for Christmas cocktails because it doesn’t add a strong flavor to your drinks. You can let the flavors of the season shine! We created three vodka cocktails for Christmas that are sure to impress your friends and family.

Christmas Vodka Cocktails with NEFT

We were gifted a sample of NEFT Vodka and we loved everything about it – from the unique packaging to the smooth, clean taste with its slightly sweet finish. Crafted in the Alps of Austria for its oxygen-rich spring water, NEFT is an ultra-premium vodka with a taste as memorable as its container – this sophisticated metal drum that protects the vodka from light and heat. It’s available in black, white, or a seasonal pride theme.

Not only is the barrel stylish, it’s highly functional. After pouring, you screw the cap back on and push it down into the barrel top – making it portable, leak-proof and unbreakable. The barrel also keeps NEFT Vodka cold for up to 6 hours. But don’t freeze your vodka! Did you know that freezing vodka dulls its taste? Just chill it in the frig a couple hours before using.

Rosemary Vodka Cranberry

Our first Christmas cocktail is a riff on the classic vodka cranberry. Cranberry is a popular holiday flavor, but adding in a bit of orange and rosemary brings this drink to the next level.

• 2 oz NEFT Vodka
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz cranberry simple syrup
• 2 inches of fresh rosemary
• Frozen cranberries, sugar, rosemary and an orange slice for garnish

Muddle the rosemary in orange juice, then add the rest of the ingredients to the cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain over fresh ice. Add an orange slice, rosemary, and frozen cranberries for garnish and sprinkle with sugar.

Ginger Vodka Cranberry

Another vodka cranberry riff, this cocktail uses ginger liqueur for a bit of a kick!

• 1.5 oz NEFT Vodka
• 1 oz Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• 1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

For this beauty, simply shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, then strain over fresh ice and garnish with cranberries and lime.

Coconut Chocolate Martini

Did you know that the classic martini is made with gin and vermouth – not vodka? But over time vodka became an acceptable substitute and bartenders everywhere started calling anything with vodka in it a “martini.”

This recipe is really about as far from a true martini as you can get, but it is served in a martini glass! And it makes a fantastic dessert cocktail.

• 2 oz NEFT Vodka
• 3/4 oz Cream of Coconut
• 1/2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
• 1/4 oz chocolate syrup (leave this out if you like it less sweet)
• Chocolate chips and coconut flakes to rim the glass

First, you’ll want to garnish your glass. Pour some coconut flakes on a plate. Melt 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (or more if you’re making several drinks) in wide bowl or plate in the microwave. Stir well so the chocolate is smooth, then roll the rim of your glass in the chocolate. Immediately dip the glass in the coconut flakes.

Pro tip: After making this drink, we recommend you only rim half the glass with chocolate and coconut. Rimming the full glass looks pretty, but the coconut hardens in the chocolate and it’s a bit “spiky” on your lips when you try to drink it!

Once your glass is prepared, pour the vodka, cream of coconut, chocolate liqueur, and chocolate syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well – 30-60 seconds – to fully incorporate all the ingredients. Strain into your prepared glass and enjoy!

The post Three Christmas Vodka Cocktails That Will Impress Your Guests 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.

We’re all making a lot more cocktails at home these days. And while it’s fun to experiment with new and unique ingredients, I’ve found that having a few flavored mixers and syrups on hand allows me to be creative without having to constantly buy a ton of ingredients. Here are three different cocktails you can make with “The Lemongrass” ROOT cocktail mixer.

When you’re making cocktails at home, it’s not always easy to get the fresh, high-quality ingredients you might find in a good, artisanal bar drink. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a “high fructose corn syrup cocktail.” There are some great products on the market that are made with natural, organic ingredients and ROOT Cocktail Mixers are one such product.

ROOT Mixers make it easy to mix cocktails, and they come in several unique flavors such as hibiscus/elderflower, pear/lemon, grapefruit/cherry and more. Making a cocktail with these mixers can be as simple as stirring together your spirit of choice with the mixer over ice. Or you can get a little fancy, like with our Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler.

Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler Recipe

This sparkling cocktail is light, easy, and refreshing. The Lemongrass mixer adds a perfectly unique taste, elevating this drink a bit higher than a typical mimosa or bellini. It’s perfect for brunch, or for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning. It would also make an excellent alternative to champagne for your New Year’s Eve celebration.

To make our Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler, you’ll need The Lemongrass ROOT cocktail Mixer, Pisco, and sparkling white wine or Prosecco. Stir together one and a half ounces of Pisco and two ounces of ROOT Mixer. Top with sparkling white wine, garnish with lemon, and you’re all set!

In addition to the Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler, I’ve also tried ROOT’s Lemongrass mixer a couple other ways. It’s fantastic when mixed with tequila – one part Espanita ReposadoTequila to two parts Root mixer.

You can also make a deeeelicious Lemon Rum & Coke with this mixer. I mixed one ounce of dark rum, 1/2 ounce Dr. McGillicuddy’s Raw Vanilla Liqueur and 1.5 ounces of ROOT Lemongrass mixer with ice. Then topped it off with coke. Easy, sweet, and just a little more exciting than your regular rum and coke.

Grab yourself a bottle of ROOT’s “The Lemongrass” mixer, or try one of their other flavors such as “The Hound” (grapefruit/tart cherry), “The Cuke” (cucumber/lime/elderflower), “The Granada” (pomegranate/lemongrass), and more. ROOT Mixers retail for $16 for a 16-ounce bottle or $24 for a 32-ounce bottle.

Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

This Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler made with ROOT cocktail mixer has a unique taste that elevates it above a typical mimosa or bellini. It's perfect for brunch, or for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning.

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Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Pisco
• 2 oz "The Lemongrass" ROOT cocktail mixer
• Sparkling white wine, chilled
• Lemon for garnish

Instructions

1. Add Pisco and ROOT mixer in a glass and stir with a bar spoon.
2. Top with chilled sparkling white wine.
3. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 220Total 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 Lemongrass Pisco Sparkler with ROOT Cocktail Mixer appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

I came up with this Pomegranate Whiskey Sour recipe when I was trying to make a vampire-themed cocktail. This drink turned out to be a little too pink for the vampire theme, but it’s still delicious!

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My go-to drink is the whiskey sour. Before I started this blog and started taking my home bartending skills seriously, I always made a whiskey sour with bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup. I never used a sour mix and the idea of a raw egg white kinda grossed me out.

But I have evolved.

The first time I tried an egg white in a drink is when Naomi made me her Pisco Sour. I loved the smooth, creaminess the egg white brought to the drink. Ever since then, I’ve been obsessed with foamy sour drinks!

I even did a little research and found that when egg whites are shaken thoroughly without ice, they emulsify. Agitating the whites causes their proteins to unfold and mixes in air bubbles, creating a nice foam that’s perfectly safe to drink. (Check out these other cocktail questions you’ve always wanted answered!)

Perfect Valentine’s Day Cocktail

When I was working on a vampire-themed cocktail (inspired by Stephanie Meyer’s new Twilight book – Midnight Sun), I turned first to my trusty whiskey sour. How could I make it red? And so the Pomegranate Whiskey Sour was born.

It’s definitely too pretty for a vampire cocktail, but its pink foaminess is just perfect for Valentine’s Day or even Christmas! To make this drink, you’ll need:

• 2 oz whiskey of your choice (rye and bourbon are both types of whiskey, so they work great, too)
• 1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (or this skinny, sugar-free version!)
• 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz egg white

Pour all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake without ice. This is called a “dry shake” and it’s an important step to emulsify the egg white.

After a vigorous dry shake for 15-20 seconds, add ice and shake again for another 20-30 seconds. The outside of the shaker should be nice and frosty and your arm should be tired. 🙂 Then strain into a coup glass and let it sit for a few seconds to allow the foam to rise to the top.

Let’s talk a little more about that egg white. It can be difficult to measure a half-ounce of an egg white. It’s thick and not always easy to get the perfect amount. Don’t stress about it. A half ounce is typically half of an average egg white, so if you are making two whiskey sours, just put the whole egg white in. I rarely measure my egg whites anymore and it’s never made much of a difference in my drink.

If you really want to impress your guests – or your Valentine – garnish your sour with a pretty flower, a dried rosebud, a Luxardo cherry, or even some cocktail glitter!

Pomegranate Whiskey Sour

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

The Pomegranate Whiskey Sour is a classic whiskey sour with the simple addition of pomegranate juice - making it pretty and foamy and pink!

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Ingredients

• 2 oz whiskey
• 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 1/2 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz egg white

Instructions

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and vigorously dry shake (without ice) for 15-20 seconds. This is an important step to emulsify the egg white.
2. Add a few ice cubes and shake for another 20-30 seconds.
3. Strain into a coup glass and let sit for a few seconds to allow the foam to rise to the top.
4. Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 173Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g

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

The post Pomegranate Whiskey Sour appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

I’m always looking for Fireball mixed drinks. But the sweet, hot-cinnamon taste of Fireball can be challenging to elevate and pair with other ingredients. I think I’ve come up with a winner though! If you like Fireball, you’ll love my Cinnamon Frosty.

Fireball is the bullied younger brother of whiskies. It’s super sweet and most often associated with college students and Jell-o shots. Fireball is the whisky you drink when you know nothing about whisky. It’s known as a cheap, syrupy, embarrassment to alcohol.

And yet, many people – including me! – love it.

But how do you drink it? Sure, it’s great as a shot. And if you really like sweet drinks, Fireball is also terrific with ginger ale as a mixed drink. But I wanted to bring a little sophistication to Fireball with this holiday-themed cocktail.

RumChata with Fireball

The first time I had Fireball whisky and RumChata was at a bar in Florida. It was called a “Cinnamon Toast Crunch” and it was served as a shot. That shot is the basis for this cocktail. I wanted to build upon the creaminess of the shot and turn it into a frosty, legit Fireball mixed drink.

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This drink is quick and easy to make. Just pour 2 ounces of RumChata, 2 ounces of Fireball Whisky, and 3 ounces of coconut milk in a cocktail shaker over some ice.

Strain it into a coupe glass – another way to elevate a drink is to serve it in a pretty glass! You could also serve it over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a star anise or cinnamon stick. You could even grate a little fresh cinnamon on top.

Another way to serve this drink? As a milkshake! Mix Fireball, RumChata, coconut milk, and vanilla or coconut ice cream in a blender and enjoy!

Looking for more holiday-themed drinks? Check out this White Christmas Mojito!

Cinnamon Frosty Fireball Mixed Drink

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes

If you like Fireball whisky, I think you'll love this creamy, refreshing Cinnamon Frosty.

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Ingredients

• 2 oz Fireball Whisky
• 2 oz RumChata
• 3 oz Coconut milk
• Ice
• Star Anise and/or cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

1. Pour the Fireball, RumChata, and Coconut milk into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
3. Strain into a coupe glass (or over fresh ice in a rocks glass) and garnish.
4. Please drink responsibly!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 494Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 17mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

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

The post Fireball Mixed Drink: The Cinnamon Frosty appeared first on Spilling Tequila.

It might be July, but it’s never a bad time to start thinking about the holidays! Why not make this White Christmas Mojito? During the sweltering, dog days of summer, this frosty mojito will bring some jingle to your day.

Christmas in July? Who ever thought this should be a thing? Isn’t Christmas in December stressful enough!? Bah humbug!

I admit I can be a scrooge when it comes to Christmas. I don’t love decorating or buying gifts or making big meals. I do, however, love the cold weather, spending time with my family and friends, and enjoying a fun cocktail and some appetizers. That’s my idea of a perfect Christmas.

So when Chrissy suggested we do some “Christmas in July” cocktails for our Instagram, I set out to find something frosty and sweet to make.

The Origin of Christmas in July

The origin of Christmas in July is not entirely clear. Some say the movement started in Italy as a way to bring more Christmas spirit to the year and ironically celebrate a winter holiday in warmer temperatures. It’s also said that the idea can be attributed to a girls’ camp called Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. They apparently held the “first” Christmas in July celebration in 1933 as a fun camp theme.

Christmas in July is used as a theme for summer sales, and as a reminder that we are just five months away from the holiday season!

So whether you go all-in and celebrate this non-holiday, or you just want to sit back and dream about cooler weather and vacation time, I hope this White Christmas Mojito brings you some joy.

White Christmas Mojito Recipe

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To make this wintry mojito, you’ll need mint leaves, fresh limes, simple syrup, coconut milk, and rum. I love sweetened vanilla coconut milk, but canned coconut milk also works great if you like it a little less sweet.

Start out by putting 8-10 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add one ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice and one ounce of simple syrup. Gently muddle these ingredients. Don’t crush the mint, just press firmly to release the oils of the leaves.

Add two ounces of rum and four ounces of coconut milk to the shaker. Add a few ice cubes, then shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. This will give your drink a lot of mint flavor and a nice, frothy texture.

Strain the mojito into a rocks glass with some fresh ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and some pomegranate kernels for a festive touch!

This cocktail is frosty and minty and makes me think of waking up to a snowy, white Christmas! I can’t wait to make it for my family during the holidays. But until then, I’ll happily enjoy it by the pool all summer long!

White Christmas Mojito

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

This White Christmas Mojito is a perfect, frosty cocktail for the holidays - or during the dog days of summer!

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Ingredients

• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 oz light rum
• 4 oz coconut milk
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup and lime juice.
2. Add ice, rum and coconut milk.
3. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a mint sprig and pomegranate kernels.
6. Please drink responsibly!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275

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

Related: No mint? Here’s how to make a mojito without mint!

The post White Christmas Mojito appeared first on Spilling Tequila.