Tag Archives: libation

Cool Down With A Blackberry-Mint Libation

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Blackberry-Mint Cocktail | Aprons & Stilettos

It’s hot. Real hot.

This morning I left the South Bay at 4am to head back to Sonoma wine country and when I walked outside I noticed it was surprisingly warm – 67 degrees to be exact. 67 degrees at 4am! I couldn’t believe it. From that moment on I knew it was going to be another hot one in Northern California.

Aprons Herb Garden

When I returned home after work, I spent some time taking care of my herb garden as I was out-of-town all weekend. While I was watering, the aromatic notes of mint, basil, rosemary and lemon balm captivated my thirst for a refreshing patio cocktail. I decided to rummage through my cocktail bar to see what concoction I could whip up in order to satisfy my craving. Using the ingredients I had on hand, I composed this easy to make and delightfully refreshing gin-blackberry-mint cocktail. The sweet, tart, and slightly bitter flavors in the berries perfectly complemented the mellow and refreshing notes in the mint.

Blackberry-Mint Cocktail | Aprons & Stilettos

Blackberry-Mint Libation

1 1/2 ounces gin
1 teaspoon agave nectar
Handful of blackberries (4-5)
Handful of fresh mint (4-5 leaves…depending in how “minty” you like it)
1/2 lime, freshly juiced
Soda water, float
Ice
Cocktail shaker

Muddle the blackberries, mint and gin in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, nectar and lime juice. Shake and strain in a glass filled with ice. Float with soda water and garnish with a mint sprig.

 

Looking for more herb-inspired cocktails? Check out:

 

Which cocktails are you enjoying as the weather heats up? Share with us on twitter @ApronsStilettos. ~Cheers, Crystal

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2 Gingers | Irish Whiskey Cocktails

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Irish Whiskey Jack Rose

Last Friday I swung by my local wine & spirits shop, Bottle Barn, to find inspiration for my next cocktail. Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, I knew I wanted to mix something together using Irish Whiskey. Now I’ve had Jameson and Bushmills whiskey before but when I noticed 2 Gingers (obviously marketed to woman) I couldn’t help but give it a try for today’s post. As I was getting ready to leave a friendly woman, with a hot pink wig on, greeted me and asked me if I had my Irish Whiskey for St. Patrick’s Day…I said yes then noticed she was a rep for 2 Gingers and I showed her the whiskey in my basket. We laughed, she gave me some free swag then I was on my home to mix up some tasty libations.

Cocktail Ingredients 2 Gingers

Friday brought 80 degree weather to Northern California so it was the perfect day to mix up some cocktails. Since it was such a nice day, I wanted to create a drink that showcased the great structure whiskey brings to cocktails but with a light and refreshing twist. The Whiskey Ginger is a great cocktail for even the non-whiskey drinker!

2 Gingers Cocktail

Whiskey Ginger

  • 2 ounces 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey
  • 1/2 orange, juiced
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 2 – 3 dashes orange bitters
  • Fill with Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer
  • Garnish with lime wheel

Combine whiskey, orange juice and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Add bitters and fill with ginger ale or ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Jack Rose Cocktail

The next cocktail is more complex with a slightly sweet finish and incorporates both Irish whiskey and brandy.

Irish Jack Rose

  • 1 ounce 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey
  • 1/2 ounce Korbel Brandy
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 ounce pomegranate syrup
  • Garnish with lime wedge

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Share with us your favorite St. Patty’s cocktails in the comments below or on twitter at @ApronsStilettos

~Cheers, Crystal

Mulberry Me, Please…

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Lavender Mulberry Muddle

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!)

Mulberry Tree 2013

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

Mulberry Muddle Cocktail

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)

Lavender Syrup

Lavender Mulberry Muddle

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!