Here we go round the mulberry bush, The mulberry bush, The mulberry bush. Here we go round the mulberry bush So early in the morning.
Each summer I look forward to harvesting red mulberries from our two Persian mulberry trees (yes, trees — they actually don’t grow on bushes.) Native to Asia, these large reddish-black berries are only available for a short period during the summer months and are similar in appearance to blackberries. The flavor? A succulent mix between sweet & tart. Great right off the tree, these berries are also fabulous in salads or… try reducing them down and drizzled on pound cake or ice cream or even used as a sauce for your favorite protein. Being that it’s summer, I’ve decided to make a deliciously refreshing cocktail using the fresh-picked mulberries. (Oh and by the way, if you have a tree or are working with mulberries — be careful as they stain!)
Lavender-Mulberry Muddle
20 medium sized Mulberries (or 10 large ones)*
1 tablespoon Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe below)
2 ounces vodka
5 mint leaves
Drizzle of honey
Fresh lemon juice, 1/2 lemon
Soda water, fill
Combine mulberries, mint, small drizzle of honey and simple syrup in cocktail shaker. Muddle until mulberries are juiced. Add ice, vodka and lemon juice. Shake and strain pulp using a sieve. Pour over ice in glass and garnish with extra mulberries and lavender sprig. Cheers to summer! ~Crystal
Lavender Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons lavender buds (fresh or dried)
Bring sugar, water and lavender to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 – 30 mins. Strain lavender buds and transfer syrup to a container with lid. Refrigerate for up to a month. BTW – This recipe makes more then needed for one cocktail. Since you can store it for a while in the ‘fridge, experiment this syrup in other cocktails, over Greek yogurt, ice cream or as a sweetener substitute. Share with us how you used your lavender syrup on twitter @ApronsStilettos or in the comments below.
*I used mulberries since we have two beautiful trees in the backyard. Your specialty markets may carry them so ask around. Raspberries can certainly be substituted. Just remember that they will be slightly more tart than mulberries. Experiment and share with us your spin on this cocktail!
November 14 be ready for what will be a fabulous collaboration between one of my favorite designers and a store that makes fashion accessible to everyone!
After what seemed to be a nice period of time after teaming up with the amazing Martin Margiela H&M brings on the French designer Isabel Marant. The Isabel Marant label and designer is the epitome of modern French style. A mix of rocker, boho chic with a little bit of a modern edge. The Isabel Marant has a look that is not only adored but always remembered. And men can be excited too, for the first time the designer is creating a line for them!
November 14 we will be waiting for you….xo-Rochelle
“I am flattered by this collaboration: H&M works with the best designers and this invitation is an exciting honor. I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian: you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be mixed following one’s own instincts: my take on fashion is all about personality,” –Isabel Marant
As you know by now, I love food. Furthermore, I love quality food. What if I told you that certain food products you see at your local market were not only GREAT tasting but also help to make a possible difference for people around the world. Before Rochelle and I left for Cabo I received a package (Klout Perk) from Klout that contained several goodies that were Fair Trade Certified. Being among the 80% of Americans who do not know what Fair Trade certified products were I was pleasantly surprised to learn more about Fair Trade and sample a selection of their certified products.
What Is Fair Trade?
It’s exactly that – fair. Buying Fair Trade Certified products can help farming families in developing countries build sustainable businesses that positively influence their communities. There are over 11,000 products throughout the grocery store that bear the Fair Trade Certified label and purchasing these products is an easy way to support the hard-working people who grow and sew the products we love.
Quality Products: Farmers receive training and feedback to help grow products that meet the quality requirements of the global marketplace helping them increase their incomes and improves their communities.
Improving Lives: Workers receive fair wages, safe working conditions, access to education and healthcare.
Protecting the Environment: Farmers receive higher prices for organic crops and learn about sustainable farming.
Fair Trade Certified Products
Allegro Coffee: This medium-bodied coffee is balanced, sweet & chocolaty. Cafe La Duena is a blend from a small-holder women farmers in Oaxaca, Mexico and San Ignacio, Peru. This organic coffee gives focus and celebrates women coffee farmers and is… oh so delicious! Caffeinate Your Conscience™ and learn more!
Alter Eco: This dark chocolate coconut toffee bar is made from cocoa sourced from small farms in Peru. Crunchy, toasty texture, chewy and smooth with a fantastic buttery finish. Find this awesome chocolate bar online or at your local natural food store or Whole Foods.
Bhakti Chai:Get your spice on with this Fair Trade black sea. Made with freshly-pressed organic ginger, fiery spices and non-GMO soy milk. Mmmmm….
Badger Balm: This organic Cocoa Butter lip balm truly is magic for your lips! Creamy and rich with a delicious fragrance of dark chocolate. $4.99 and worth EVERY penny 🙂
Guittard Chocolate Chips: The cocoa beans for these Semisweet Chocolate Chips were grown in West Africa and delivers a deeply rich flavor perfect for your favorite cookie recipe. Check out Guittard’s original chocolate chip recipe here!
Numi Organic Tea: Lately I’ve been getting more into tea. Numi hand picks premium organic teas and herbs and blends them with only real fruits, flowers and spices. This Jasmine Green Tea was sourced from the first Fair Trade gardens in China where workers wages have increased 30-40%. To learn more about Numi’s commitment to people, planet and pure tea visit numitea.com
Sweetriot: sweetriot supports Fair Trade and sourcing exclusively in Latin America which directly supports a better life for farming families through fair prices and direct trade. Celebrating culture & diversity on every package they are building a movement to fix the world. This 70% dark chocolate bar is all-natural, organic and sweetriot’s very first Fair Trade Certified and Organic line. Sweet for the world and sweet for you, check them out!
Simply Organic Cocoa Cayenne Cupcake Mix: Simply Organic offers healthy, wholesome, organic and gluten-free products you can trust. Made with Fair Trade Certified cane sugar, cane sugar syrup and cocoa powder, these mixes help to improve the communities where the products are grown. This unique cake mix offers the delicious rich flavors of Fair Trade Certified cocoa with a kick of cayenne. Dress them up with homemade vanilla or cherry cream cheese frosting!
I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company. Fair Trade Certified products rock and I just want to share it with the world! ~Crystal
Aprons & Stilettos 