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by Emily

Cocktail O’ Clock: The Violet Crown

While this cocktail may seem a bit more at home at a springtime garden party than a cozy fall evening, I can’t wait until next spring to share this recipe! It’s too good. First of all, starting with a premium gin base like this Boodles British Gin ensures a satisfying libation. (I can handle my share of cheap alcohol, but I just can’t do cheap gin. It has to be the good stuff. Boodles sent me a bottle to try and I knew I had to do it justice with a sophisticated cocktail recipe.) Secondly, the addition of Creme Yvette adds a refreshing and unique twist. If you’re not familiar with Creme Yvette I won’t hold it against you; it’s a relatively obscure, older liqueur that was just rereleased on the market a few years ago. It’s made from (…deep breath…) parma violet petals, blackberries, red raspberries, wild strawberries and cassis, honey, orange peel and vanilla. What do you get when you combine these two boozy delights? HEAVEN!

I named this cocktail the Violet Crown because Creme Yvette is a purple-y (well, violet, obviously) color, and I live in Austin, a city that happens to have the nickname of “The Violet Crown.” So… why not?

Violet Crown Cocktail

by Emily

Tinto de Verano: The Ultimate Summer Sipper

Spain has gotten a lot of things right. Siestas, incorporating cheese and ham into most foods, eating fresh olives, spending long days at the beach, and of course…. wine.

Tinto means “red” in Spanish when referring to red wine in particular, and verano is summer, so… red wine of the summer. What makes it so summery? It’s mixed with lemon soda! Stay with me, here–I know that sounds weird to a lot of people here in America, but I assure you it’s a refreshing treat.

I first had tinto de verano when I was traveling in Spain a couple summers ago. It was everywhere in the Costa del Sol—every bar and café had it on special for just a euro or two. In the area I was staying, they would just take a big wine glass, fill it up with ice, then pour equal parts red table wine and sweet-tart Fanta limon into it. The idea was slightly odd to me at first, too, but with one taste I knew I had found my signature drink for the trip.

For days when it’s just too hot for red wine, check this out, seriously. Lemon-flavored Fanta isn’t readily available in the US (a travesty!) but you can use fresh lemonade and soda water, or find a similar alternative. You don’t want to use syrupy lemonade from concentrate or Sprite or 7up. You need something more sour, otherwise your drink will be too heavy and sweet. I recommend seeking out San Pellegrino Limonata, or if you just so happen to live in Central Texas like I do, I had great success with Central Market’s Organic Sicilian Lemon soda.

I’m really into portable libations in the summer (you just never know when you’re going to need a drink!) and this is the perfect on-the-go cocktail, since all you need is a bottle of soda and a bottle of wine. For ultimate portability, I like using CalNaturale, which I reviewed here on ES a good while back and I’m still loyal to; it’s boxed, so no worries about dropping a heavy glass bottle, but it doesn’t taste like your old-school cardboard-y, sweet boxed wine. Its cabernet is a great tinto to use in this cocktail—it’s light and pleasant. If you want to be extra authentic, though, feel free to pick up a bottle of affordable Spanish red.

Anyway, here’s the recipe, but you don’t even really need one:

Tinto de Verano

by Emily

Cocktail O’ Clock: Tropical Vietnamese Cocktail

Summer! It’s time to bust out the festive tropical flavors. Austin Vietnamese restaurant PhoNatic is taking this idea to a whole new level with their Vietnamese tropical fruit cocktail, using unique ingredients like lychee, longan, and jackfruit. While these might sound exotic and hard to find at first, they’re really not – just check out your local Asian market.

While this isn’t our traditional cocktail – it’s a fruit cocktail, not a booze cocktail – you could easily spike it with a couple shots of light rum to get the party started. ES recommends this, of course.

Vietnamese Tropical Fruit Cocktail

in Drinks / Recipe 1 comments

by Emily

Cocktail O’ Clock: Cinco De Derby-o

Not sure if you’re aware, but this weekend is one of the biggest events of the year. Why? Well, first of all, we have the holiday to end all holidays, Cinco de Mayo. If that weren’t reason enough to celebrate, another big day falls upon this weekend as well: the Kentucky Derby! At first I was almost angry that these two occasions were combined this year. Why mash two perfectly good drinking events into one measly weekend when you can spread the joy around?

I decided to embrace it, though, and luckily the folks at Maestro Dobel Tequila have a recipe that combines the signature boozy delights of both days into their Agave Julep, a tequila-based twist on the classic Mint Julep. Olé!

Agave Julep

2 parts DOBEL Tequila
8 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 part Agave Syrup
2 parts Ginger Ale
Glass Rocks
Garnish Lime wedge

Find more creative cocktail ideas in Endless Cocktails.

in Drinks / Holiday 0 comments

by hungry monster

Are You Feelin’ Lucky, Punk? Lucky Charms Milkshake Cocktail

Ok, so I’ve been a little bit M.I.A. the past couple of weeks.

I’ve been feeling uninspired, which is known to happen from time to time when you are trying to create original recipes to share with the world. The Internet is kind of intimidating sometimes. Buuuut, I’m baccckkk!!! Because nothing is more inspiring than a holiday that incorporates alcohol…such as St Patty’s Day.

I know I love cereal and I know I love alcoholic shakes, so come on. I had to marry the two to create my..

Are You Feelin’ Lucky, Punk? Milkshake Cocktail

in Desserts / Drinks / Featured / Holiday 1 comments

by Emily

Have a Very Hazelnut Holiday

Big news for those of us who love creamy booze that goes well with coffee! Baileys is back with a brand new flavor: Hint of Hazelnut.

If you like Baileys (as I do!) and you aren’t averse to hazelnut, this new treat is right up your alley. I honestly don’t have a very in-depth review or critique of this product. I do have some fun facts I learned about Baileys, though: over 2,300 glasses of Baileys are consumed every minute of every day (holla!) and 38,000 Irish dairy cows produce the daily cream requirement for Baileys. That’s a lot of liqueur! In my household, it’s not the holidays without a little splash o’ the sweet stuff in your morning coffee, and I’m excited to add this new edition to my booze arsenal.

The good people at Baileys were kind enough to share a new recipe, formulated by New York mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer, that highlights some favorite flavors of the holidays. I’m no celebrity bartender, but I busted out my best attempt and I have to say, the cocktail turned out pretty classy and tasty!

Haute Hazelnut Cocktail

in Drinks / Holiday / Recipe 1 comments

by hungry monster

Attack of the Oreo…Cocktails!

I’ve never been one of those people who can’t say no. I have no problem saying it.

{In school}

Can you copy my test? I think not.

Lunch money? Ain’t got none (clearly our school system is failing).

{As an adult}

Need help moving? I’m busy that day.

Oh, I also can’t help you paint your house. I got a thing.

Yeah, I can’t babysit your kid ’cause I don’t wanna.

Your birthday is coming up? I’m no good at cakes.

Also, I have given to a charity already this year, so not today, seedy people who approach me at the gas station.

Yeah, there’s a lot more stuff to say no to as an adult. But, when your co-worker of 5-plus years asks you to make some of your “very delicious Oreo truffles, pleeeaaasse” for her son’s wedding on a budget…sometimes you gotta suck it up and say yes.

Months go by and I’m dreading it and dreading it. Ugh. Today is the day. OK, so I’m gearing up to make a million truffles, but clearly I need to make a stop at the liquor store to get through this madness. I texted my brother updating him on my situation. Then he said the best thing ever.

in Drinks / Featured / Recipe 1 comments