Gin & Jam Cocktail

Date night with the husband this week was trying a new cocktail recipe: the Gin and Jam Cocktail! I thought I’d heard of everything, but nope! It’s a little strong, a little tart, a little sweet, and a lot DELICIOUS 😜. If you don’t like gin, you can swap out vodka, and you can add more or less of whichever ingredients you like or don’t like. For example, most Gin and Jam Cocktail recipes call for simple syrup, but I skipped it, and ended up with a more tart/strong drink. If you like your drinks sweeter, you can add more simple syrup, or just stick to the original recipe.

Ingredients (makes 1 drink)
2 oz gin (1 big shot) I used @bombaysapphireus
1 tsp jam (any flavor, I had raspberry)
2 T lemon juice
1 T simple syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
1 egg white
Put all ingredients in a shaker and shake, shake, shake! Pour over ice in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon spiral and/or small spoon of jam. I ended up with a beautiful light pink drink!
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*If you don’t like strong drinks, leave out the egg white, pour into a larger glass, and add club soda!

Holiday Champagne Punch

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope you all are enjoying time with friends and family today! Here’s a quick, easy Holiday Punch recipe that would be great today or any time during this holiday season. 

Mix together: 
1 bottle of champagne
1 cup vodka, @ketelone_us 
1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup club soda 
Cranberries for garnish, optional

Serve over ice!

Coconut La Croix Cocktail

I put this cocktail together way too late in the week and now I’m out of kombucha and coconut La Croix...they’re already on my grocery list for when I return though...and I can be transported back to our tropical paradise with this simple cocktail. I had my fill of sugary piña coladas this week and this was a great alternative that still felt tropical and beachy. So if you like coconut, this is a great refreshing drink without any of the added sugar.

For each drink, I added 1 shot of vodka with equal parts Hibiscus Ginger kombucha and coconut La Croix (about 1-1/2 shots each) and a squeeze of lime, feel free to adjust to your taste preferences. Try this mix for a tropical and beachy vibe!!
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*This hibiscus ginger kombucha is my new favorite flavor even when I’m not making a cocktail! Try it if you see it!

Easy Aperol Spritz

I was recently reflecting on my trip to Venice last year, and remembered one of my favorite moments of the trip: stopping at the cutest little bar along the water that served the most delicious crostini and drinking a refreshing Aperol Spritz, one of Venice's most popular drinks. I decided I had to try to replicate this snack. If I can’t be in Venice, I might as well pretend, right? Below is the recipe for the easy Aperol Spritz I threw together, and if you're interested in the crostini recipe, it can be found here.

This was my first time making an Aperol Spritz, and it was so easy and refreshing. I combined two shots prosecco, one shot Aperol, a splash of (I used orange flavor, but regular works too) club soda, and an orange slice for garnish. Done and done!

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Peach & Basil White Sangria

Today we’re kicking off the holiday weekend (week?) with this refreshing Peach & Basil White Sangria. Not too sweet, not too strong, but just the right amount of peach with a hint of herby basil.
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Start by infusing vodka with peaches and basil (separately) for a minimum of 24 hours.
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Ingredients:
2 bottles white wine (I used a vinho verde bc of the lower abv and effervescence)
8 oz peach vodka
3 oz basil vodka (adjust ratios to your preference)
1 oz orange flavored liqueur
Garnish with fresh sliced peaches and fresh basil
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Directions: Mix all ingredients in pitcher. Pour over ice and top with club soda! Cheers!

Rosemary Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

“Summer, summer, summertime...Time to sit back and unwind”
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It’s officially summertime now that my kids are finally out of school and this cocktail is calling my name. Herby, a little tart and refreshing with just a little kick...can’t beat a combo like that!
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Ingredients:
2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1½ oz gin
2 sprigs of rosemary (leaves stripped from stalk)
¼ tsp honey (I used @ashevillebeecharmerfirecracker hot honey, which is infused with chilis)
Pinch of chili flakes
2 dashes bitters (I used @crudebitters“Rizzo”)
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In a cocktail shaker add rosemary, honey, chili flakes and some grapefruit pulp...muddle until fragrant. Add juice, gin and bitters. Top with ice and shake. If using a metal shaker, shake until your hands hurt and then shake for 10 seconds more. Pour through a strainer into a chilled glass and garnish with a sprig of rosemary, twist of grapefruit peel and a few chili flakes. Very easy to drink, so take it slow and enjoy! 😉

Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita

This is Sarah's marvelous creation. While GT's Watermelon Wonder kombucha is refreshing on its own, we prefer it as a cocktail mixer.

Ingredients (makes 1 margarita):

• 1 thin jalapeño slice (plus 1 more for garnish, optional)

• 1-2 shots of tequila silver

• Splash of GT's Watermelon Wonder kombucha to taste

• ice

• Watermelon slice for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Muddle jalapeño slice in a glass. (Remove seeds beforehand if you don't want your drink to be SUPER spicy.)

2. Add tequila and ice.

3. Top with kombucha.

4. Add watermelon and extra jalapeño slice for garnish.

5. Sip and enjoy

Could this recipe be any simpler?