The Cold Toddy: Chamomile Cooler Chamomile flowers are typically grown in warm and sunny locations, which may explain their happy appearance. They are known for their soothing and relaxing properties. Why not add vodka to the mix? Relaxation with an edge. This Chamomile Cooler soothes with just enough vodka to take the edge off. Sometimes more isn’t better? These happy dried flowers are suspended throughout the drink thanks to the ice. Use chamomile tea or water for the ice cubes (tea is best not to overwater the drink) and vodka of your choice for the base spirit. I like Grey Goose for this one. Add a squeeze of orange, a squeeze of lemon (both optional, but I certainly recommend), and a tablespoon (or two) of honey syrup.This is a cold toddy. This is one of the most fragrant cocktails I have ever made. Don’t tell the others. Certainly is pretty! Just look at it! I dare you to only have one. Chamomile Cooler Ingredients 1/2 ounce vodka 1 Tablespoon or two, to taste of honey syrup (3:1 honey to water) Squeeze of fresh lemon (optional) Squeeze of fresh orange (optional) Chilled chamomile tea For the honey syrup, add a 3:1 ratio of honey to hot water. Stir until the honey is no longer thick. Set aside to cool. For the ice cubes Ingredients: – 2 cups water – 2 tablespoons dried chamomile flowers 1. Boil the water in a saucepan. 2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the dried chamomile flowers. 3. Let the chamomile steep in the hot water for about 10-15 minutes. 4. Strain the chamomile-infused water to remove the flowers. 5. Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature. 6. Add more dried flowers to ice cube trays. Pour the chamomile-infused water into ice cube trays. WIBIMEN round ice cube trays my choice. Not so easy to wash by hand but the capability to create full or half-circle cubes is nice. Link below. The remainder of the chamomile tea can be used for the cocktail. 7. Place the trays in the freezer and let them freeze completely. 8. Once frozen, remove the chamomile ice cubes from the trays and store them in a freezer-safe container. The Chamomile Cooler In a glass, add chamomile ice cubes and then add 1/2 ounce of vodka Pour in the honey syrup made from a 3:1 ratio of honey to water Squeeze fresh lemon and orange juice into the glass (about a tablespoonful each) Top off the glass by filling it with chilled chamomile tea Stir gently to combine all the ingredients Glass: bucket glass (duh!) Garnish: none as dried flowers ice cubes are enough *bar chef notes: This drink can easily become a mocktail by omitting the vodka. Where to buy the goods Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive commissions for eligible purchases. Thank you. Cheers! Please be of the legal drinking age limit and enjoy responsibly.
Sparkling Campari Water Blonde Behind the Bucket Sparkling Campari I know this isn’t my usual recipe with many ingredients, but the Campari does it for me. It arrives full-flavored and ready to pour (Yes, it is an acquired taste, I realize). I always like a little sparkle and texture mouth feel, so I opt for a couple of additional ingredients. Still less than most. Three isn’t bad, right? Besides, there is an elegance in simplicity. Simply add sparkling water and a couple of slices of grapefruit, close your eyes, and you will be transported to the Italian Riviera. What is Campari? Campari is an Italian liqueur known as a bitter. It is made of herbs, spices and citrus. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif; however, I say whenever. Some rules are meant to be broken. A couple of classic cocktails you may have heard or or even tried that showcases Campari is the Negroni and Negroni Sbagliato. It can also be infused with cocoa nibs (see my post here) for a delicious twist (no pun intended?) on your favorite Campari drink. For those of you looking for a complex drink with only a few ingredients, this is for you. Cheers! Blonde Behind the Bucket Sparkling Campari with Grapefruit Ingrédients: 2 ounces of Campari 2-3 ounces of San Pellegrino sparkling water 2 wedges of pink grapefruits One large ice cube Method: Gather all the ingredients. Add ice to a bucket glass. Using a jigger or estimating by pouring from the heart, pour Campari. Top it off with sparkling water. Add your grapefruit wedges. I prefer to cut off all the white pith from the fruit and expose the clean edge. This step is essential for creating a photo-worthy cocktail. In my opinion. Squeeze into the drink after taking the photo. Enjoy! Where to buy the goods? Bucket glasses, jiggers, cocktail tables (the one featured here is from West Elm), and more? Visit My Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Don’t worry if you click the link, as I won’t have access to any of your information or be able to see if you’ve actually made a purchase. Please be aware that if you do make a purchase, I may receive compensation for eligible purchases.
Springtime In A Glass Springtime In A Glass I don’t know about you, but I am ready for a little Spring, linen wardrobe, later sunsets, tulips, daffodils, green peas, kite flying, and more of my Springtime In A Glass. Before we get to the recipe, here is a little bit about some of the ingredients included. What is St. Germain elderflower liqueur? St. Germain elderflower liqueur is a popular French liqueur made from elderflower blossoms. It has a delicate floral and slightly sweet flavor, making it a versatile ingredient in cocktails and mixed drinks. Yes, even mock-tails. What is rose water? It is a flavored water made by steeping rose petals in water. It is commonly used in cooking, baking, and skincare products for its delicate floral aroma and flavor. Rose water adds a subtle floral note to dishes and can also be used as a natural fragrance or toner for the skin. And, of course, cocktails. Lastly, what’s the difference between liquor and liqueur you ask? Mainly the production process and the strength of the liquid as a result. Liquor, also known as spirits, refers to distilled alcoholic beverages that are typically made from grains or fruits. Examples of liquor include vodka, whiskey, rum, and gin. Liquor is distilled to increase its alcohol content and is often enjoyed neat or in cocktails. On the other hand, liqueur is a sweetened and flavored distilled spirit that is often lower in alcohol content compared to liquor. Liqueurs are made by infusing fruits, herbs, spices, or other flavorings into a base spirit such as brandy or rum. In St. Germain’s case, elderflowers. Liqueurs are known for their variety of flavors and are commonly used in cocktails and desserts for their unique taste profiles. Other examples of liqueurs include Grand Marnier, Kahlua, and Amaretto. Springtime In A Glass Ingredients 1 oz St Germain Elderflower liqueur Bar spoon to 1/4 oz of freshly squeezed lime juice (double strain to remove the pulp optional) Bar spoon to 1/4 oz of honey syrup 3-5 dashes of rose water Champagne *optional a couple of tiny drops of orange bitters **Equal parts lime juice to honey syrup; the quantity depends on the desired level of sweetness Method For the honey syrup To make honey syrup using a 3:1 ratio of honey to water, follow these steps: Ingredients: 3/4 cup honey 1/4 cup water Instructions: In a small saucepan, combine the honey and water Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until the honey is fully dissolved into the water Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the honey syrup cool to room temperature Transfer the honey syrup to a clean jar or bottle for storage Store the honey syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks For the drink Add all ingredients, except the champagne, to a shaker with some ice. Shake gently to blend without watering down the mixture. Pour into flute stemware. Top with your choice of champagne. For a more delicate flavor, consider using Ruinart Blanc de Blanc. For a bolder taste and texture, opt for a Pinot Noir-forward Veuve Clicquot. Express a lemon and orange peel over the drink and garnish with a channel-cut lemon peel and a lavender (or any color) edible viola flower on top. iPhone photo on marble bar Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly under the legal drinking age. This photo taken by me in Paris, France #TatumsTinyKitchen Where to buy stemware and stuff for squeezing those fresh limes and jiggers for accuracy? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront *please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you Thank you.
Kir Royal Why mess with a great thing called champagne? There are exceptions, and the Kir Royal is one of them. It combines champagne and blackcurrant liqueur, with a lemon twist as an optional addition. Kir Royal is a classic French cocktail that is a variation of the Kir cocktail. The Kir is made with a dry white wine, usually white Burgundy, and was named after Félix Kir. The Kir Royal came about later, replacing the white wine with champagne. It is a superb and luxurious choice for any drinking occasion. Whether you need a reason to celebrate or simply want to enjoy a refreshing drink before with or after dinner, the Kir Royal is a perfect. To make the Kir Royal cocktail, you will need the following ingredients: Champagne (brand of choice) Crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur or Chambord but traditionally it’s cassis but you can’t go wrong with either) Cassis is a blackcurrant liqueur and is made by macerating blackcurrants in alcohol, typically brandy or neutral spirits, and then sweetening the mixture with sugar. The result a sweet rich viscous and slightly tart spirit. Chambord is a premium raspberry liqueur that is made in Loire Valley of France. It is known for its deep red color and rich, sweet flavor. Chambord is made from a blend of raspberries, blackberries, and other fruits, which are infused in a base spirit along with vanilla, honey, and other botanicals. Chambord is thinner consistency than Crème se cassis. Lemon twist (optional, for garnish) Method Chill your champagne flutes in the refrigerator beforehand to keep the cocktail cold. A polished glass is best as spots become visible as glass warms. Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 ounce (15-22 ml) of crème de cassis into each chilled flute. Adjust the amount to your taste preferences – more for a sweeter cocktail, less for a drier one. Slowly pour the champagne into a flute, filling it up two horizontal fingers from the top. The ratio of champagne to crème de cassis is typically 5 parts champagne to 1 part crème de cassis, but you can adjust it to your liking of course. Gently stir the cocktail with a bar spoon (or not) to mix the crème de cassis and champagne together. If desired, garnish the cocktail with a lemon twist. Simply twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass to release the oils, then drop it into the flute. Channel lemon peel looks prettiest of the twists. Serve the Kir Royal immediately and enjoy! Duh! Note: It’s important to pour the champagne slowly and carefully to avoid excessive fizzing and overflowing. Sometimes it helps to pour the champagne into the glass first, then the cassis. Also, make sure to use a good quality champagne for the best flavor. I have been known to use a rosé champagne on occasion, fyi. Whatever you got is sometimes the answer. The little round bottle is Chambord Where to buy the goods? Glasses ice buckets and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront **please know I may receive commissions on all eligible purchases** thank you thank you thank you
Arti Berry Cynar Granita Slushy Before we get to the recipe, let’s talk about what Cynar is and how to pronounce it. Cynar is an Italian artichoke bitters digestivo that belongs to the amaro family. It is pronounced Cee-NAHR or CEE-nahr, depending on who you ask. The suggested serving recommendation is to enjoy it on its own or with cola and lime. You can find more information on the back of the bottle. I decided to have a little fun with it on a couple of occasions, adding fruits, molasses, and agave. Last October, I featured it in a post (see last October’s post here), and just recently, I created a delicious concoction with it. After all, who doesn’t love a frozen boozy treat to complete dinner? Arti Berry Cynar Granita Slushy Ingredients 1 cup of mixed berries (blueberries raspberries strawberries) 8 oz Cynar 1 oz agave 1 oz molasses syrup Scrape using a fork to break up the mixture Aren’t these ice crystals beautiful In the glass.. Method Muddle mixed berries. Add Cynar and berries together in a plastic container with a lid. Store at room temperature for about three to five days. Remove the berries by straining them from the mixture, if you like. To slow the infusion process refrigerate for the same amount of time to about a week. Check and taste to determine whether more time is needed for the berry infusion. Add agave and molasses. Stir. Place in freezer. Check it every few hours and break up the forming solid with a fork. I forgot one batch longer and left it I there longer than a week and after removing I did the scraping process with a fork and it worked fantastically. The mixture only partly freezes because of the alcohol content. I figured that out once by leaving my Lillet in the freezer. Once you have scraped a few times, add to a coupe glass and enjoy. Glass: coupe Garnish: extra frozen berries Where to buy the goods? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Please be of the legal drinking age and drink responsibly
My Bend and Snap Cocktail Last year I was asked to create a cocktail for the 20th anniversary of the Legally Blonde movie. There were a couple of must haves. It had to be pink and called The Bend and Snap. Why the Bend and Snap? It’s named after the movie’s famous how to secure a date scene featuring the “bend and snap » technique. The scene was written at the hotel bar called the Writer’s Bar and paying homage to the creators and technique, this is my 2021 Bend and Snap. didn’t have any more purple flowers or this signifies a mocktail This cocktail scheduled to be on the menu for one week. That was July 2021. It is still on the menu today. I am so proud of my little cocktail. I can’t promise it will secure you a date but sure is a tasty way to try. Bend and Snap 2 oz Belvedere vodka 5-6 slides of watermelon 8 sprigs of fresh mint 1 slice of a jalapeño 3/4 oz fresh lime juice 3/4 oz agave syrup (add little water if too thick as this reduces the agave sweetness and adds more fluidity. This is a trick when using speed pour spouts at a bar) Purple edible viola flowers Method 1. Add 5-6 small slices of watermelon to a small mixing tin. Think watermelon cut for a breakfast fruit plate. Using a muddler, mash the watermelon to create a pulpy juice. 2. Add 8 sprigs of mint to the same tin. Gently press and twist the mint using a muddler. 3. Add one thin slice of jalapeño with the seeds. Turn once with the same muddler to extract the juices. Don’t over muddle. This drink isn’t a spicy drink. The heat and “snap” should be in the back of the throat a the finish of the sip. 4. Add agave, fresh lime juice, vodka and ice. Shake and double strain into a bucket glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with a purple or lavender viola flower. Glass: Bucket glass Garnish: purple or lavender edible viola flower *** pro-tip if the jalapeño is too spicy or too green consider making or purchasing jalapeño bitters for consistancy Side notes: I tested this cocktail with tequila and honey together and both with vodka. For this assignment, these ingredients work best. Test drink walking
Tatooom’s Espresso Martini « The Thing ».That’s it’s nickname for my Tatooom’s espresso martini. Or « The Thing ». Tatooom’s Espresso Martini Ingredients 2 oz of Kettle One Vodka 1 oz of Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur (cold brew coffee liqueur from Australia) 1-2oz of Umbria espresso depending on size of glass (Umbria is from Pacific Northwest of United States and espresso pods papers are made from recycled pineapple pulp) 1-2 bar spoons of simple syrup if your espresso is bitter or you prefer a sweeter drink as the simple softens the sometimes harsh espresso flavor 3 drops Chocolate bitters (add cocoa nibs to rye whiskey and let it sit in a closed jar at room temperature until chocolate desire chcokatebflavornisnacjieved. Longer is better if you ask me. Coffee beans for the garnish Method Add all ingredients to a mixing tin. If your espresso is hot, add this to ice first and let it chill. Then add all ingredients and shake. Strain into a coupe glass. Glass: Coupe Glass Garnish: Coffee Beans Where to buy stuffs related? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront *** I may earn commissions from eligible purchases
Sapid Canary My riff on the carajillo. What is a carajillo you ask? It is a coffee hard liquor drink. This one traditionally made using espresso and Licorice 43. I added some zing. Spicy ginger orange goodness creating an extra kick in a glass. It’s called the Sapid Canary. Sapid Canary Ingredients 3 Slices of Fresh Ginger 2 oz Umbria Espresso 2 oz of Luxor 43 1-3 Pinches of Cayenne Pepper (quantity depending on desired spiciness) Method Wash ginger. Scrape the skin using the edge of a spoon. Slice the ginger. Add ginger to the mixing tin. Muddle the ginger. Add all other ingredients. Then, add ice. Shake and pour over fresh ice. Glass: bucket glass Garnish: cayenne pepper and orange twist Please drink responsibly Where to buy? Blonde Behind the Bucket **I may receive some 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
tomorrow’s amaro Tomorrow’s Amaro For the Cynar infusion I made a few different batches. One with mixed berries, one with blueberries and one with strawberries. Clear case of indecision as they all sounded good. This recipe is with the strawberries. The other infusions taste were tasty. Strawberries, artichoke molasses and key lime the winner. Yes, please and thank you. Some drink Cynar with cola and lime wedge. This is my version of that. 10 partially thawed Whole Foods 365 organic frozen strawberries with any residual juices 4 oz of Cynar Method Remove 10 strawberries from the freezer. I purchased Whole Foods 365 Brand. Let them thaw slightly in a bowl. Add Cunard and berries with the juices into a container. Seal with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for a 2-7 days. Remove the fruit and keep the Cynar. For the molasses Add 1 part water to 1 part molasses. Consistency should not be thick but fluid. For the cocktail Tomorrow’s Amaro 2 oz of strawberry infused Cynar (Cynar is a bitter artichoke Italian apéritif) 1/2 oz of molasses syrup 4 oz of LaCroix key lime soda Method Add all ingredients to a bucket glass. Add ice. Crushed chunks cubes, whatever you like. Garnish: none unless plopping a boozy infused strawberry sounds good Where to buy the goods? You know soda, molasses, bucket glasses and stuff? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront