What does 45% Grenache Noir, 25% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Merlot get you? A rockstar rosé created by a rockstar and his friends. That’s what. Maison 9. While a good rosé tastes crisp clean and refreshing straight out of the ice filled bucket I decided to have a little fun with this one.
Just look at it! Peach Thyme Frosé with Maison 9 rosé wine—the softer side of a rockstar wine. I can’t say for sure, but it sounds good anyway, right? It’s a special way to take advantage of frozen summer peaches and this rosé all year long. You’re going to love it!
Peach Thyme Frosé
Bar Chef Notes: Remove thyme stems and use only the leaves for the blending. Garnish with sprigs.
Opening cans and rummaging through spices, I just started pouring stuff into the Cuisinart cylinder. These are the best measurements of this one. I only had canned chunks of pineapples, and while the color was pale, they tasted good. I’m including this recipe because it’s really good. I mean so good. Obvi.
Today’s Smoothie
1 cup of canned pineapple juice
1 cup of pineapples from that same can
1 frozen bananas
1/2 teaspoon of ground Ceylon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 scoop Sakara super fiber powder
1/2 scoop Vega vanilla protein and greens
1 cup of frozen spinach
1 knob of peeled turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Matcha powder
Manuka honey for the rim
Hemp seeds for the rim of the glass
Salted sunflower seeds for the rim of glass and to much while prepping
Method
Add honey to one saucer and sunflower seeds and hemp seeds to the other. Set the glass aside and chill if you’d like. Add all other ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Pour into the honey-seeded, rimmed bucket glass.
Glass: bucket glass
Garnish: seeds honey rim
Bar Chef Notes: If you need extra protein, add ½ to 1 scoop of Sakara Protein and Greens; the flavors complement each other well. This recipe is more fluid than some of my others, as it contains less frozen fruit.
Where to buy the goods? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course. Do you think the store needs video? What is the obsession with video? Meanwhile, you can find most of what you need there for most of the recipes. If you can’t, let me know. I’ll give you the deets.
They brought it to me to taste. Sipped and spat. Sipped and spat. I was too busy to go to the table. The more brown the wine is a good indicator of age. This wine is DOCG, high classification for a wine under Italian law. The letters stand for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita and in other words, strict regulations for wine production.
This wine is aged. This wine has a clear with halos of brown maroon colors. This wine is notes of dried fruit, wood, and vanilla. This wine is subtle cocoa nibs, bitter chocolate. This wine is earth. This wine is Old World European, specifically from Italian Piedmont, Barbaresco. This wine is considered a younger Barolo. This wine is 100% Nebbiolo grapes, one of the oldest in this particular region. This wine has light tannins and a calm finish. This wine is single vineyard. This wine is Martinenga estates. This wine is 1994. This wine is.
This wines’s price retail USD varies from cellar. This wine pairs well with the usual suspects: Parmesan Reggiano, meats, truffles, mushroom dishes, bresaola, steaks, beef carpaccio, clean steak tartare, and amaretti cookies. Drink now.
Where to buy the goods? You know decanters, The Durand and stemware? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Please know I may receive compensation from eligible purchases. Thank you so much!
Reading about coffee tonic earlier this week, I got to thinking about the suave version and a spin-off of our friend, the ever-popular espresso martini. This is a goodie. Lillet Blanc offers the tonic vibes with a kick, and the citrus effervescence from the club soda-style bubbles, topped with an Americano, surely checks all the necessary boxes. Coffee sparkling pre-dinner rally in style. Elegantly.
Sparkling Lillet Blanc Coffee
2 oz Lillet Blanc
2 oz of citrus flavored bubbly water named Olipop (this water contains other ingredients like various roots citrus and fruits. A split tonic club soda 1:1 or cutis sparkling water an excellent substitute)
Top with unsweetened restrato (strong) Americano coffee, about 1 – 1/2 oz
for the ice Penny Pounder round (or square) large cube or many small ice cubes
Method
This couldn’t be easier. Add an ice cube to a chilled martini glass. Pour in the Lillet and then bubbly water, and then top it off with coffee. That’s it! Garnish with an orange wheel optional.
Glass: martini
Garnish: Orange wheel (optional)
Bar Chef Notes: substituting ice and ingredients will change the recipe slightly and dilution may occur more rapidly.
Where to buy the goods? You know martini glasses coffee bubbly water and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive commissions from eligible purchases. Thank you!
I often take for granted that everyone knows what I know about drinks—and that some people know even more than I do. Way more. Here we are: Arnold Palmer 2.0, the drink of the moment. It’s a layered lemonade and tea drink that was requested so often by the famous golfer Arnold Palmer that it was named after him. Traditionally, it consists of unsweetened iced tea and lemonade. What makes mine 2.0? Pandan lemonade and honey drizzle spiced chai masala spice blend with black salt and lime garnish.
Three lemons yield about 5 ounces of juice. Add rich pandan syrup and enough water to achieve a pH of 3; I prefer it a bit more tart. Check the pH using litmus paper. You can strain out the pulp or keep it—it’s a matter of preference. I tested this a couple of times. Varying pH. Stir in spices for the chai (I use Diaspora Marsala spice blend here); it’s heavier than regular tea, but the tea on top remains lighter. For garnish, rim the glass with black salt and garnish with a wedge of lime. Voilà! Arnold Palmer 2.0.
Ingredients list
Bag of lemons
Diaspora Chai Masala spice blend
Honey
Pandan leaf
Water
Ice
Lime
For the Pandan syrup
(I’ll do ounces since the other is in ounces)
1 cup of water (about 200 grams if you are using a scale)
2 1/2 cups of sugar (500 grams if you are using a scale)
1 Pandan leaf
Method
Steep the pandan leaf in boiling water (around 212 degrees F) for about 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the leaf and add it to the sugar mixture. Blend until dissolved. This syrup lasts about two weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If you freeze it, because of the sugar content, it won’t completely freeze in a regular home freezer, but it will last longer that way. It tastes so good and delicious that I found myself eating it with a spoon.
For the lemonade
1 ½ oz pandan syrup 1 oz fresh lemon juice 2 oz filtered water (to thin out the lemon juice, making it lemonade)
For the tea
Diaspora Co. Chai Masala spice blend recipe is 1-2 teaspoons to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 1-2 minutes. I add a tea of honey.
For the drink
Rim the glass with black salt using lime or boney. Chill the glass. Boil water and add Diaspora chai according to the directions. Stir in a teaspoon of honey and let it cool. Prepare the lemonade. Add ice to the chilled glass, then fill it a little more than half full with lemonade. Top it off with the cooled chai. Garnish with a neatly trimmed lime wedge.
Glass: highball glass
Garnish: lime wedge and lime wheel
Bar Chef Notes: Oh, and what is Pandan? It is commonly used in culinary applications for flavoring dishes, desserts, and beverages. It is also known for its vibrant green color in certain food preparations. The plant is widely cultivated in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is a long narrow tropical green leaf.
It’s apple juice! Yes, it’s cold-pressed juice made from Granny Smith apples. It’s sweet, tart, and clean. Vodka is always optional. Remember that Appletini 2.0? An apple cider vinegar float adds a zing. You can also add a jalapeño or two for spice, or maybe some fresh ginger. You could add lots of things. Today, I’m only voting for apples—good ol’ (classic) apple juice. Because sometimes you don’t want orange juice.
Before we get to it, you may be wondering: what is cold-pressed juice, and why cold-pressed? No heat, for starters. It’s just better for you. Nutrient retention. The shelf life is 2-3 days when refrigerated. Drinking it immediately isn’t necessary, although I recommend it. Your cocktails and mocktails will thank you too, and the guests will enjoy them, of course!
Big Green Apple Juice
Ingredients
6 Granny Smith apples
Method
Thoroughly wash the Granny Smith apples under warm running water to remove any wax, dirt or residue. Sometimes I use a spoon to scrape the apple shiny coat. If they have one.
Cut the apples into smallish pieces, removing the stems and seeds. Leave the skin on as it contains nutrients and adds flavor.
Set up your cold-press juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Feed the apple pieces into the juicer.
Place a container under the juicer’s spout to collect the freshly pressed apple juice. My juicer comes with two containers. One nestles up against the base of the juicing machine. The other in front of that.
If: Strain the apple juice through a coffee filter, fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any residual pulp or floaty solids. I love it. Probably won’t be much anyway. Optional. Once the apple juice is ready, refrigerate it for a few hours to chill or serve it immediately.
Note: Cold-pressed apple juice may separate slightly, with a layer of foam on top. Simply give it a gentle shake or stir before serving.
Where to buy the juicer and other tools?? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course. I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you.
The cloves are from the Diaspora. They aid in digestion after a meal when chewed, not swallowed. They also make a great mouth for the garnish of this frozen goodness. This smoothie tastes like pie! So good! I mean so good! The citrus flavored activated charcoal liquid seals the deal—it’s too good to believe it’s healthyish. It really brings all the flavors together. And who doesn’t love a chocolate orange combo? Hey pumpkin hey! I did extra tests to confirm the first try wasn’t just a stroke of great luck. Just a great each time after; and because it was, again, so good! For a thicker consistency, use less liquid; for a thinner consistency, use more. I left the little half peeled Dracula oranges in the refrigerator for a day so they could develop a bit of skin and become firmer. A little extra security for the cloves. They are still juicy inside.
I mean aren’t they the cutest little pumpkin garnishes ever? If there was ever a smoothie that caters to the inner child, this is it! Nothing has to be perfect in the decorating—that was my thought process. And because I piped the zigzags with hotter than recommended chocolate in the piping bag. Have fun! It’s so good!
For Orange H Day
Ingredients
1 single serve packet of Ancient Nutrition multi-collagen protein powder 10 grams collagen per serving
1 CYMBIOTIKA single serve lemon cream citrus activated charcoal (inside of the the glass and top swirl)
Melted 74% Ghirardelli chocolate pieces add a little coconut oil for fluidity and shine
1/2 cup of goat milk
1 cup of filtered or distilled water
1 single serve pouch of vanilla Truviani protein powder
Some cloves for decorating and chewing
A pastry bag or zip locked bag to pipe a chocolate zizag pumpkin mouth
2 1/2 frozen baby Dracula oranges
1 baby Dracula orange for decorating
1 1/2 to 2 cups of Whole Foods 365 frozen mango chunks (use your best judgment regarding size). If you have fresh mangoes, freeze them ahead of time and use them when ready.
Method
This a second test. Are you real zig-zag mouth or zig-zag side eye?
For the chocolate zigzags
Melting, piping and chilling. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler (Ban-Marie) or microwave. Let it cool slightly. Place ziplock bag or pastry bag into the glass and fill with chocolate. Make zig zag shapes onto a plate. Place in the freezer to set.
For the chocolate cover orange(s)
Peel the oranges, keeping one half intact. Dip the top half into chocolate and place it in the freezer to set. Once set, decorate with the cloves. Use a cocktail pick to fasten it to the glass.
Blending decorating consuming
Snip with scissors or tear open the top of the charcoal single-serve packet. Roll the glass while adding some of the liquid to coat the inside. Reserve the remainder for the top of the smoothie swirl. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour the mixture into the glass coated with charcoal. Add more liquid charcoal and swirl it using a toothpick, fork, or your fingers. Add pumpkin garnish.
Figs and Riesling, oh my! In the mood for Sangria? I almost always am. With some figs and Riesling on hand, I’m getting creative. Let’s get to it.
Single Serve White Wine Spritz 2.0
Ingredients
2oz hibiscus tea (use tea bags if you wish, I prefer dried hibiscus flowers with hot water and steep, strain and chill)
2oz of honey syrup (2:1 ratio honey to water)
1/2 oz Grey Goose vodka
3 muddles figs (the plumpest you can find)
1 oz saville citrus (it looks like an orange but bitter like a lemon, sort of. It’s a hybrid? Hey Siri)
1/2 oz sparkling water (your choose, bubble texture doesn’t really matter here)
Top with as much Kabinett Mosel Riesling crisp wine as you wish (I love a German Kabinett) I use Zilliken.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Method
Muddle the figs and black pepper. Add citrus, honey syrup and hibiscus tea and then vodka. Best to put honey syrup in jigger first and then use the citrus to wash it; the remaining stickies from the syrup. Add ice and shake. Pour into bucket glass over ice. Add sparkling water then the wine and give a quick stir. Top with sliced figs.
Glass: bucket glass or high ball glass
Garnish: sliced figs
Bar Chef Notes: more on the wine here. Remember when I attempted (wink, wink) to open my Riesling using a tuning fork?! Kabinett is specific to Germany, FYI.
Please drink responsibly and be of the legal drinking age. Thank you.
Where to buy the goods? Bucket glasses, black pepper and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront. Please know, I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you!
A new smoothie test I didn’t expect to be this good. Enjoy the iPhone photos too! Cheers to good health!
Vanilla and Berries
Ingredients
1 single serve packet of vanilla Truvani protein powder (contains monk fruit pumpkin seeds chia seeds and pea protein)
1/2 cup of While Foods frozen pineapple chunks
1 1/2 cup of Whole Foods frozen mixed berries antioxidants and a couple extra pieces for the garnish
1/2 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon
1/2 scoop of Ancient Nutrition collagen powder
1-2 cup of spring or filtered water
2 fresh ripe skin off bananas one for the blending and a few slices for the garnish and the remains for snacking
1/4 teaspoon of hemp seeds for garnish
1/4 teaspoon bee pollen for the garnish
Method
Blend all ingredients until smooth, except those reserved for the garnish. Pour into a bucket glass.
Glass: bucket glass
Garnish: hemp seeds, sliced banana, frozen fruit and bee pollen pearls.
Where to buy the goods? You know blending machines and bucket glasses. Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront, of course. Please know, I may receive compensation from eligible purchases.
You are probably noticing a trend in the smoothie category for this site, right? One bag of protein powder can go a long way! This one is a fun one! It’s tart and sweet and packed full of goodness. Especially if you had too much wine or too many cocktails last night, uhmkay. Cheers to what does a body good when you need a meal on the go. Cuisinart To Go to the rescue!
Another Goodie! A Smoothie.
1 fresh orange (save an end slice for the garnish)
1 1/2 cups of frozen mangoes
1/2 cup of goat milk (more for fluidity)
1 scoop SAKRA Metabolism Chocolate Protein Powder
1 scoop Agent Nateur collagen powder
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon (who are we kidding, you know I did a few shakes and called it a day) 1/2 teaspoon for you.
Blend until smooth. Pour into a bucket glass. Garnish with citrus slice.
Glass: bucket glass
Garnish: citrus 🍊 slice
Before the light..
Where to buy the goods? You know, bucket glasses, spoons, blending machine and stuffs? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course. Please know I may receive compensation for eligible purchases. Thank you so much!
