K-A-L-E Most of you will never drink this! It’s too healthy, bitter, and requires too much effort. Thanks for stopping by, though. Keep reading if you think you or your personal chef might make it. It’s cold-pressed kale with an Omega juicer. A tablespoon of honey syrup can be added if needed, like training wheels. A pinch of spicy ground cayenne is optional but adds a kick. Heart-smart, though! Oh, and for all the emails you received – apparently fifty-five in total – those were a mistake. Just like bar business, things can be sporadic and people and drinks can come all at once. Thank you for understanding. Cheers! To your health. K-A-L-E Ingredients 1 bag of kale (reserve one piece for the garnish) or bunch depending on your preference 1 tablespoons of honey syrup (1:1 ration honey to water) Pinch of cayenne pepper Method Open the bag. Wash the kale. Add the kale into the Omega juicer chute. Stir in honey and cayenne if you choose Glass: bucket glass Garnish: kale leaf Bar Chef Notes: Cold-pressed juice lasts about two to three days in the refrigerator. This method of juicing preserves more vitamins and minerals. Nutrients from the inside out. Where to buy an omega juicer and stuff? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you.
Smoothie 7/824 7/824 Smoothie 1 cup 2 frozen mandarins (buy a bag of mandarins peel and freeze) 1 cup of coconut water or filtered water if you don’t care for coconut water 1 cup of cranberries 1 small knob of peeled ginger 1 scoop Vega Vanilla Vegan protein and greens protein powder 1/2 scoop of SAKARA protein and greens 1/4 teaspoon ceremonial matcha powder Top with gojis add crunch Method Blend mandarin and coconut water or filtered, then pour the mixture into a highball Collins glass. Next, blend the remaining ingredients, excluding the goji berries, and pour this mixture on top. Finally, finish by topping with goji berries. The goji berries, when added to the cold smoothie, provide a delightful tart crunch. Glass: highball Collins Garnish: goji berries Bar Chef Note: use a spoon to peel a ginger Side Note: My camera app is still being persnickety, so this is a combo of shooting from the black viewfinder and the iPhone photo situation. Normal programming will return soon. Thank you for your patience. If you like the layered look try my Vanilla Terrarium Smoothie Its packed full of goodness! Where to buy the goods? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive commissions from eligible items. Thank you!
Stirred Not Shaken The elegance of a stirred martini or cocktail is its smooth and velvety texture. The methodical stirring process ensures a crystal-clear appearance (unless it’s dirty of course) and a harmonious integration of the spirits, generally speaking. Shaken drinks typically include citrus juices, jams, jellies, egg whites, and creams, making blending easier. Unlike stirring, which may cause ingredient separation with these types of ingredients, shaking awakens the drink, especially with citrus variations. Be careful not to over-shake, as citrus can turn bitter and creams may froth over. Negronis, old fashioneds, boulevardiers, and martinis are usually stirred; to name a few. Some prefer the shaken martini for the ice crystals on top and I imagine subconsciously the dilution and mouth feel. I have a regular guest at my bar who drinks a Negroni up instead of the classic on the rocks. Exceptions can always be made. However, excessive shaking can dilute a martini by about 5-10%. Stirring just enough opens up the spirits for a balanced cocktail. You can stir in a mixing glass or for a colder martini, use a mixing tin. There is less surface area by volume. Recently, some guests switched from shaken to stirred martinis, finding the stirred version perfect for them based on my suggestion. They have taken this up at home too. Yay! One for ‘team stirred’. The intention of this post post is that I wanted to highlight the difference between shaken and stirred cocktails and emphasizing the elegance of a stirred martini. Now, the only question is: dirty, olives or a twist? Bar Chef Notes: Although martinis traditionally combine gin and vermouth, the lots of vodka, no-vermouth versions are most popular these days. Global variations may serve vermouth on the rocks as a martini, deviating from the classic recipe most of us know today. Martinis used to be served in smaller glasses to keep cooler, as I like to call them “tiny tinis,” but we’ll save that for another post. Side Note: I had some fun with anchovies and capers garnish. If you haven’t seen that post yet, check it out here. Cheers! Where to buy the goods? You know martini glasses, shakers, stirring spoons anchovies capers garnish and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you!
Mocktail Monday: Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler I had a great time this morning outsmarting my Nikon app. I didn’t use a tripod, and some of these photos were taken with my iPhone. I made a kiwi cooler with a little lemon, a little honey syrup, sparkling water, and kiwi filtered water ice cubes. Taking photos from the Nikon app without being able to see through the viewfinder was certainly a fun challenge. How did I do? Oh, in case you missed the news, my Nikon app won’t let me download photos from my camera to my app. I had to try a different way as I don’t tether. Back to the drink! You’re going to love it! Sipping poolside, lakeside, oceanside, or inside – wherever you are – in no time. Did you know kiwi is a high vitamin C fruit too? Yes, more than oranges and grapefruits. And the color is beautiful, don’t ya think. This recipe is super easy and who can resist such sweet tart effervescent goodness? Cheers! Kiwi Cooler Ingredients – 2 kiwis: 2 for the filtered ice cubes and 1 for muddling and garnish – 1 oz honey – 1/2 oz fresh-squeezed lemon – Sparkling water: A small bottle of Pellegrino for drink refills on the side – Tall glass – Metal reusable straw (optional) Method 1. Muddle a clean, peeled kiwi for the best health benefits, I considered keeping the skin but the drink would not look as good. 2. Cut one kiwi into triangles shapes and place in a silicone mold with filtered water for freezing. Skin off is best here too. 3. Cut the ends off the other kiwi off and then cut a wheel from each end, leaving the skin on. These will be the garnish. Peel the rest for muddling. 4. Carefully muddle the remaining kiwi in a Collins glass. Cut into rough squares to make easier if necessary. Add the kiwi ice cubes, honey syrup, and fresh lemon juice. 5. Top with sparkling water and garnish with the kiwi wheels. Glass: tall Collins glass – this one from Crate & Barrel Garnish: two skin on sliced circle kiwi wheels Bar Chef Note: Honey syrup is made in a 1:1 ratio. To create the syrup, combine equal parts honey and warm water in the one ounce end of the jigger. Mix until the honey dissolves and forms a syrup. Add the ounce of honey syrup to the drink and then rinse the jigger with lemon juice for an added touch. Where to buy the goods? You know muddler, glasses, and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you so much. Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler Kiwi Cooler
Simple Orange Peel Garnish 1 For the orange peel garnish 1 Orange(s) Pairing knif Fruit Vegetable peeler Cutting board / nonslip surface or pad Paper towel Use a fruit vegetable peeler (I use OXO) to remove the outer layer of the orange which will be your garnish. This method helps avoiding the pif. Best if the orange is at room temperature and slightly firm. Condensation and softer skin may cause the peeler to slip and perhaps catch a finger. Peeler should be in great condition. Once you have several orange peels, place your cutting board on a non-slip surface. Use your pairing knife to trim the edges. What to do should you prepare more than you need? No biggie. Wrap your orange pieces in a damp paper towel and store in the refrigerator. Paper towel shouldn’t be too wet as the peels will become slimy. Peels will keep for a day or two. Same day use is recommended. Wash your tools after each use with soap and water. Citrus will cause the knife and peeler to become dull faster. Uniformity is best. These are the creative version. Keep the orange and use for juice. Where to buy the goods? You know peelers and glassware and stuff? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Please know I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you!
a semi classic Whiskey Sour Creating sours for a contest produces drinks like this. I stray from my usual sweet tart version. This is a slight alteration of the classic whiskey sour. Gentleman Jack the base. I add gold to a clunky lemon and a red cherry. I don’t use either in my sours, clunky or not, 90% of the time. They sure are pretty though. You will want to try this one at home. Ingredients 2 ounces of Gentleman Jack 1/2 ounce simple syrup 1/2 ounce agave 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters 1 egg white from a chicken egg 1 lemon wheel 1 cherry gold leaf for the garnishes Method Place gold in a bowl of water. Look at this foam Secure your fruit garnish to the end of a bamboo skewer and place it on the gold in the water and swirl. The gold will stick. Separate the yolk from the whites. Add the whites to the mixing tin. Save the yolk for something else or toss. Up to you. Remove the coils from the Hawthorne strainer. Dry shake the whites first. Add all other wet ingredients. Dry shake some more. Add ice. Shake some more. You can double fine strain the cocktail. I don’t. Strain over ice in a bucket glass. Squeeze a bit of lemon over the settled cocktail from the rest of that lemon. A couple of dashes of angostura bitters for the stirring. Add your gold lemon and cherry. That’s it. Creamy, smooth sour. Glass: bucket glass Garnish: gold lemon wheel and cherry Cheers! Please drink responsibly Where to buy the goods and stuff? You know glassware, jars of cherries, strainers and pre made egg white foams because you can’t be bothered? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course! Please know I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you!
C’est Bon Mocktail Reviewing photos for this post makes me want to dive into this mocktail and ride and ice cube similar to a Beth Haeckel original the more I look at them. And speak French. Doesn’t everything sound better in French anyway? Comment dit-on beautiful thought provoking tasty mocktail in French? à votre santé! 2 ounces of house made grenadine 1 tablespoonful of rose water 2 ounces of Pellegrino sparkling water 2, maybe 3 ounces if you have room in the glass of butterfly pea tea Method Add ice to your bucket glass of choice. Start with grenadine. Add Rose water. Then add sparkling water. Here comes the good part, all ingredients are good but this is my first time using this one. Add the beautiful vibrant blue tea. Top with dried butterfly pea flower buds. Admire before stirring to enjoy. Glass: bucket glass Garnish: 3 or 4 butterfly pea flower dried flowers Where To Buy: Blonde Behind the Bucket Amazon Storefront I may receive commissions for eligible purchases
Tatum’s Whiskey Sweet Tart Sour I took a few sips of the first drink while photographing the second one I photographed a couple of these while testing presentations of the same drink. Let me know what you think and which presentation you went with! It’s a goodie! I make a ton of these behind the bar! Tatum’s Whiskey Sweet Tart Sour 1 egg white from a chicken egg 2 ounces of whiskey 1/2 ounce agave 1/2 ounce of simple syrup 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice 2 dashes of cream of tartar Dash of pink salt 6-8 dashes of angostura bitters for the swirl gold leaf for the garnish Method Mix white granulated sugar with water in a 1:1 ratio. It should last for about a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. For the citrus:Use fresh lemon and lime juice.Squeeze the juice of lemons and limes into separate containers. Place your glass in the freezer to chill. Add two dashes of cream of tartar to the mixing tin. Crack the egg and separate the whites from the yolk. Save the yolk for pudding or cake. Add the whites to the tin with the cream of tartar. Remove the coils from the Hawthorne strainer and add them to the mixing tin as well. This will be a dry shake. Shake the egg whites and cream of tartar with the coil for about twenty seconds. The mixing tins stick together better when chilled, so keep this in mind while shaking. Some of the whites may escape and end up on your clothes, floor, or in your hair if you have hair. Then add the remaining ingredients. Dry shake for another twenty seconds. Add ice. Kold draft ice is my favorite as it doesn’t dilute the cocktail as much as some ice will. Keep this in mind while shaking. The tins should be cold when you finish shaking. You can remove the coil and refasten it to your strainer or leave it inside (it can get messy) and use another strainer to strain your cocktail into the glass. Once the drink is in the glass, let it sit for a moment. The foam will stiffen. Add angostura bitters dashes using a dasher or dropper, and use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to swirl. I add gold. Toothpicks are a great tool to use when working with gold. Why gold? Uhm, who doesn’t like a little glamour? Bar Chef Note: Lemon juice curdles the egg, and many use a fine mesh strainer to double strain. I do not. Also, I use SLO gold sheets here. There are also gold flake shakers available at Pastry Chefs Boutiques. Glass: coupe glass Crate & Barrel Garnish: angostura bitters and gold flakes Where to buy some stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you. Please drink responsibly and be of the legal drinking age.
Iced Chocolate Garnish Almost ready. This is a fun one. Ok, I tested using semi-sweet chips with dark chocolate chunks (1:1) and I tested using a Belgium dark chocolate bar from the 99Cents stores. Both melting techniques using a Bain-Marie. Microwave a great second if you have one and don’t want to go through the extra steps. For the ice, I tested two ways. The first piping the chocolate into a bowl of water with ice cubes. The second filling a large ziplock plastic bag with water then freeze to have the now ice in a bag. Both work. Some of these chocolates came out a bit clunky. All are usable, even if only for the snacking while you watch the others set. Ingredients Chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, chocolate bars Water Ice Method For the ice both method 1. Over medium beat, place a heat safe bowl on top a pot of water on the stove. This technique is Bain-Marie. The bowl should be large enough as not to touch the water or fall into the pot. Water should not touch the chocolate. Example of Bain-Marie 2. Add chocolate to the bowl and let it sit. As it starts to melt stir slightly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula intermittently until smooth. 3. Once chocolate is melted, remove from the bowl from heat. Set aside. Let the chocolate cool slightly. Once cooled add to a zip locked bag for the piping. 5. Add ice and water to a bowl. If the zip locked bag method is the choice, roll the sides of the bag down over the ice or remove and float in water. 6. Snip the tip of your piping bag and swirl the chocolate. Make any shape you like. I practiced writing my name. 7. Once chocolate starts to lift from the ice, remove using an offset spatula or dinner knife. Place your chocolate shapes onto a chilled plate and refrigerate until ready to use. Remove using any knife. I call this one a butter knife. It’s not a butter knife but it does the trick. Place the bag into a glass making it easier to fill with melted chocolate. All the chocolate should settle into nicer of the bag. Once filled snip the tip Where to buy? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront *** I may receive commissions from eligible purchases
a softer side of a gentleman (Jack) I entered this one into a whiskey sour contest. It was one of two drinks required. This, the second assignment was be as creative as I wanted staying true to sour and using what I have learned from whiskey’s past to present. I clarified and chose a gender neutral color yellow. I added clarified lemon juice and brûléed the foam to remove any egg smell. Who wants a nose of egg white straight away? The flavors add simple complexity to the drink. With each sip the liquid dissolves the foam. All pleasantly pleasing and excite the palate. Think charred wood with ginger black pepper flavors of whiskey. The syrups add just the right amount of sweet and the citric acid brings back the pucker. The white chocolate was going to be slats of chocolate bark up and around the sides of the glass but I thought it too much and added the white chocolate shavings instead. The sugar pearls could indicate a wedding, a new year or perhaps just the intention, added texture. This one goes down easy. Another question of is there or isn’t there alcohol in this sour. There is. It’s clear. It’s pretty and pale yellow. May I introduce A Softer Side of a Gentleman (Jack) sour. softer side of a gentleman 3 ounces of Gentleman Jack (goat milk lemons limes orange clarified) 1/2 ounce and a bar spoon of homemade fresh ginger simple syrup (bar spoon for the foam recipe below) 1/2 ounce of homemade toasted black peppercorn agave syrup (you can purchase a pre-made if you don’t want to make it) generous pinch to 1/4 teaspoon of Cultures for Your Health citric acid powder (depends on how much pucker you want) For the foam 1 chicken egg egg white for the foam dash of cream of tartar (if using kitchen aid whisk attached mixer instead of canister) 1/2 ounce of clarified lemon juice (1 1/2 teaspoons of agar agar to 8 ounces of lemon juice freeze 24 hours and throw using coffee filter fastened to a freezer safe lid container) bar spoon of ginger syrup pinch of pink salt Add egg whites to a mixing bowl or canister cylinder. If using a mixing bowl and whisk add cream of tartar. Add salt and lemon juice and ginger syrup once soft peaks have formed in the mixing bowl. For the cocktail. Add all ingredients to a bucket glass. Add large clear ice cube (if you can). Crushed ice is great too. Add egg white foam.! Garnish the cocktail with chocolate shaving, SLO food gold leaf for garnishing, Bamboo skewers and toothpicks to work with the gold, Vanilla candy pearls optional (sometimes I get carried away) Butane torch to brûlée to give that charred campfire smell and taste Glass: clear bucket glass 1 large clear cube ice cube Enjoy! Please drink responsibly where to buy the goods to make this? Many available at Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront I made this drink with two different foam toppings. One gold white chocolate brûlée and the other gold white chocolate brûlée add white sugar pearls