Tag Archives: cocktail

Look no further for fun and festive martinis that are packed with seasonal flavors and are delicious to drink!  I have 4 recipes to share with you today.  All are great for holiday parties or family gatherings because they are simple to make and don’t require many ingredients, and you probably have most of the ingredients at home already.  Here are the recipes: Espresso Martini Snickerdoodle Martini Mint Chocolate Martini Salted Caramel Martini   ESPRESSO MARTINI This martini tastes just like boozy espresso and it’s phenomenal…if you like coffee! Start by making the instant espresso, and let it cool completely.  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.  Add the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and simple syrup.  Shake vigorously then strain into a martini glass.  Enjoy! This recipe is for ONE cocktail and can be found HERE. SNICKERDOODLE MARTINI This martini tastes just like a snickerdoodle cookie.  It’s perfectly sweet with a hint of spice. Start by combining 2 Tbsp of … Continue reading

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I recently posted a blog for Halloween food called Ghouls, Ghosts, & Goblins Alike but now it’s time to talk cocktails!  I think cocktails can be the highlight of any party or holiday gathering and are often overlooked.  Most people tend to opt for beer or wine, something that’s simple to serve and comes in a variety of flavors.  I like to explore cocktails that are on theme to the event, easy to make, and don’t require a lot of ingredients to prepare.  That’s what I have for you today. WITCHES BREW COCKTAIL This cocktail is sweet, citrusy, and festive.  You probably have most of the ingredients on hand already but if not, they are pretty standard cocktails ingredients, so they are worth the purchase. I admittedly thought the cocktail would be more purple in color due to the combination of grenadine and blue curacao, but it actually turned out to be blacker in color.  To be honest, that’s OK … Continue reading

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Do you consider yourself outdoorsy?  If you interpret that to mean “outdoorsy” in, you like to sit on a patio with a cocktail in hand then you’ve come to the right place 😊 It’s that time of year – patio season!  And most definitely cocktail season.  Well, cocktails are really a year-round thing but there’s something about the start of summer, all the sunshine, and the opportunity to be outside with a drink in hand that calls to most Minnesotans.  I’ve been on a martini kick lately and thought it would be fun to try my hand at some fruity flavors, which is what I want to share with you today.  I tend to stay away from martinis because I think the alcohol flavor is too strong and overpowering but if you play around with different ingredients and flavor profiles, you can create some really yummy concoctions.  Here are the recipes: Blood Orange Martini Lemon Drop Martini Grapefruit Martini Strawberry Basil Martini … Continue reading

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Three words that come to mind when I think of key lime are citrus, sweet, and tart.  Key limes have a distinct lime flavor that can be hard to explain.  It’s tart without being overly acidic, very aromatic, has an elevated sense of flavor (more so than a standard lime), citrusy, and has a very subtle sweetness.  If you know, you know 😊 The flavor pairs well with many desserts, which is what I plan on sharing with you today.  Even better, it’s such a refreshing flavor that it’s perfect for this time of year! These are the recipes I have for you: Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Key Lime Cheesecake Parfait Key Lime Pie Martini   Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars are a great combination of traditional Rice Krispie Bars loaded with key lime flavor.  They are sweet and slightly tart and everything you want in a Rice Krispie … Continue reading

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With Easter right around the corner, I want to share a few fun ideas for your celebration.  I’m strictly sticking with dessert, cocktail, and snack options here.  You don’t need me telling you what to bake for brunch or cook for dinner (or where to go out to eat if you prefer) 😊 My family has the same conversation every year about what we’re going to eat…and we always go with the exact same thing as the previous year.  It’s tradition, we know what to expect, and everyone looks forward to the meal.  I think the same applies to a lot of families out there.  So, that’s why I like to focus on the “sides” if you will.  It’s themed food that’s delicious, easy to make, and adds to the celebration in a way that doesn’t break tradition yet lets us enjoy something new.  So please enjoy the “treats” I’m sharing with you … Continue reading

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Thank goodness for cocktails!  Having a cocktail can be like a little vacation or perhaps a way to relax after a hard day of work.  This time of year, it’s a way to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring as we look forward to all the snow melting, flowers starting to bloom, and warmer days.  I’ve been working on some fun cocktails and hope you will continue reading to join me on this experience 😊 I chose to garnish each cocktail with an edible flower.  I won’t talk about the process for me to obtain the edible flowers but know it was not easy during the winter when I was working on the recipes, and I am forever grateful for the Festival Foods employees that came to my rescue.  If you do happen to luck out and find edible flowers at your local grocery store, I highly recommend purchasing some.  They don’t taste like much but make … Continue reading

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St Patrick’s Day is next week, and in an effort to get everyone excited about the holiday, I want to share some of my favorite St Patty’s Day recipes.  All are easy to make, themed for the holiday, and taste amazing.  The 4 recipes I’m going to cover in this blog can be standalone meals/appetizers or could be combined into one big SPD feast!  Here are the recipes: Irish Nachos Guinness Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Lucky Charms Marshmallow Bars Drunk Leprechaun   Irish Nachos are a fun twist on traditional nachos because they are essentially the same thing, but you use potatoes in place of tortilla chips.  The potatoes are sliced thin and baked until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.  They are topped with melted cheese, crumbled bacon, green onion, sour cream, etc.  It’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish that is perfect for your St Patrick’s Day party. The recipe can be … Continue reading

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Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21 this year.  It’s traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday” which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  It’s a wonderful celebration filled with plenty of food and drink…New Orleans style!  We like to celebrate Mardi Gras every year with a fun and festive meal at home.  Sometimes we are with friends and family and sometimes it’s just us.  Either way, the drinks are flowing, and the food is plenty.  Any reason to make a themed meal, right? I like to have a big entrée that allows us to have plenty of leftovers.  This year we are making Spicy Gumbo.  To keep us lubricated, we’ll be enjoying a cocktail while we cook.  And for an appetizer and dessert, we’ll be snacking on a simple themed treat.  It’s an easy menu that I’ll walk you through how to make! Mardi Gras White Chocolate Covered Pretzels – These are a wonderful finger food … Continue reading

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Valentine’s Day is a few short days away.  Do you have plans or know how you’re going to celebrate?  A lot of people have set traditions each year and like to go out to dinner or prepare a fun meal at home with their friends and/or loved ones.  We prefer staying in and making a meal at home.  We feel less rushed, it’s fun to cook together, and we can make something special to celebrate the holiday.  Two things I like to focus on when creating new Valentine’s Day recipes is desserts and cocktails.  Both will enhance your dinner and make the event more memorable and are required to complete the meal (in my opinion).  So, let’s walk through my new recipes and hopefully something will catch your eye to prepare for Valentine’s (or Galantine’s) Day! I’m going to start with the cocktails because 1) they are easy to make, 2) they are delicious, and 3) you need … Continue reading

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Are you ready for the Kentucky Derby?  It’s usually held on the first Saturday in May, making it this upcoming Saturday, May 7, 2022.  A lot of people like to gather with friends and family to watch the races and enjoy some good food and drink.  I believe it’s known as “the greatest two minutes of sports” so why not spend all day in the kitchen for 2 minutes of cheering pleasure? 😊  Kidding…it’s a very fun horse race to watch! I will be preparing the following items to enjoy during our viewing pleasure, and you might notice a theme… Kentucky (where the derby is held) and whiskey/bourbon (sponsors of the event and heavily influenced in the south). Kentucky Hot Brown Dip Whiskey Spiced Chicken Wings Kentucky Oaks Cocktail Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans   Kentucky Hot Brown Dip is a rich a creamy dip that encompasses the wonderful ingredients and flavors of a … Continue reading

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