• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Arsenic Lace

  • Recipes
    • Boozy Treats
    • Cocktails
  • Lifestyle
    • Decor
    • Home Entertaining
    • Travel
  • About
  • Press
  • Book
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Recipes

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

June 20, 2018 by Natalie

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

Recently I teamed up with Red Bull to make some Summer mocktails to celebrate the release of their Red Bull Summer Edition Coconut Berry. The Coconut Berry might be my favorite flavor yet but I’ve also put together mocktails using Red Bull Green Editon and the Yellow Edition (my other two favorite flavors). The Green Edition tastes like kiwi and apples and the Yellow Edition tastes like a mix of tropical fruits with passionfruit shining through the most.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy Red Bull was to mix with. These flavors are fruity and absolutely perfect for topping off your drinks with for Summer. Because who doesn’t love a little energy boost in their drinks? I certainly need all the energy I can get! I loved how these mocktails turned out which is why I decided to share them with you here.

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

In Love with the Coco, makes 1 serving

4 oz. Red Bull Summer Edition Coconut Berry

1 oz. coconut milk

1 1/2 oz. pineapple juice

1/2 oz. orange juice

4 strawberry halves

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

First add pineapple, orange, and strawberries to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Next, add coconut milk and then shake with ice and pour into your serving vessel over ice. Finally, top with Red Bull Coconut Berry. Garnish with coconut flakes, freshly grated nutmeg, and a strawberry wedge.

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

Lime So Fine, makes 1 serving

4 oz. Red Bull Green Edition

1 oz. lime juice

1 oz. cucumber juice

Splash Red Bull Lime Edition

mint, green grapes, green apple slices, for muddling

Summer Mocktails with Red BullFirst add lime and cucumber juice to a cocktail shaker with a handful of mint, 5 green grapes, and 2 apple slices. Next, muddle and then add ice and shake. Strain into your serving vessel over ice and top with Red Bull Green Edition and a splash of Red Bull Lime Edition. Garnish with 2 cucumber slices and a mint sprig.

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

Hello Sunshine, makes 1 serving

4 oz. Red Bull Yellow Edition

1 oz. lime juice

3/4 oz. ginger syrup

club soda

5 mango chunks

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

First add lime, ginger, and mango to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Next, add ice, shake, and then strain into your serving vessel over ice. Top with Red Bull Yellow Edition and a splash of club soda. Garnish with a lime wheel and ginger candy.

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

Summer Mocktails with Red Bull

I’m totally in love with all of these Summer mocktails that it’s hard to pick a favorite! I hope you’ll be giving these Summer mocktails with Red Bull a try at home. I’ll be enjoying quite a few myself. xo

Filed Under: Fizzy, Recipes, Sponsored, Summer Cocktails, Sweet Tagged With: cachaca cocktails, cocktails, gin cocktails, mocktails, non-alcoholic, recipes, red bull, rum, rum cocktails, sponsored, summer, summer cocktails, vodka cocktails

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

June 15, 2018 by Natalie 4 Comments

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Did you think I would get sick of margaritas and tacos after my trip to Mexico? NEVER! Honestly, as a result of my trip, it’s all I want to eat and drink! I’m so happy to be teaming up with Exotico Tequila for this next post. I’m sharing recipes for my Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos. After all, what is a margarita without a taco? It’s certainly my favorite cocktail and food pairing in this whole wide world!

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Mango Kombucha Margarita, serves 1

2 oz. Exotico Blanco Tequila

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice

1/2 oz. agave

4-5 pieces fresh mango, muddled

top with mango kombucha (I used GT’s)

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

First, add mango, lime juice, and agave to your cocktail shaker and then muddle. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, shake, and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Finally, top with mango kombucha and garnish with a lime wheel and cilantro.

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Bistec Mango Tacos, makes 6 tacos

1 lb. chuck steak, sliced into 1-inch strips

2 tbsp. olive oil

salt

tequila cayenne sauce

mango salsa

cilantro

corn tortillas

For the tequila cayenne sauce:

1/3 cup Exotico Tequila

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. cayenne pepper

1 tbsp. pickled jalapeño juice

1 tbsp. brown sugar

salt

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

For the mango salsa:

1 whole mango

1/4 cup white onion

1 tomato

1 tbsp. pickles jalapeño

salt

pepper

lime juice

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Slice the steak into 1-inch strips and then cook in a pan with olive oil and salt. To make the tequila cayenne sauce combine all ingredients in a saucepan and heat until slightly boiling. Then prepare the mango salsa by chopping mango, onion, and tomato. Next, put your chopped ingredients in a bowl, then add remaining ingredients and toss. Finally to assemble tacos place your steak in a corn tortilla, drizzle with tequila cayenne sauce, top with mango salsa and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Exotico Tequila is handcrafted with tradition by the Gonzalez Distillery which is a family distillery spanning three generations and one of Mexico’s most respected makers of tequila. The tequila is made from 100% Blue Weber agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco. The red clay soil in Jalisco produces a larger, sweeter agave heart thus gives Exotico its floral, well-rounded taste. The Exotico Blanco has notes of roasted agave and pepper which make it delightful to sip on its own but also perfect for mixing in drinks like the margarita!

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

I was inspired by a Tommy’s Margarita (tequila, lime, agave) when developing this Mango Kombucha Margarita. A few months back I made Kombucha Sangria on A Beautiful Mess and instantly fell in love with this ingredient in cocktails. It adds flavor, tang, and effervescence to drinks that yields such flavorful and interesting results. Once I knew what margarita I wanted to make, I based my taco recipe around it using similar ingredients.

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

Mango Kombucha Margarita + Bistec Mango Tacos

I hope you will try my Mango Kombucha Margarita + Mango Bistec Tacos this Summer! They go absolutely perfect together and not to mention, are a winning combination. I love that both the margarita and tacos are savory but are also sweet and summery from using fresh mango. I think planning a taco night is in order!

Filed Under: Classic Cocktails, Cocktails, dinner, Food, Recipes, Spicy, Sponsored, Summer Cocktails, tacos, Tequila Tagged With: classic cocktails, cocktails, cooking, craft cocktails, dinner, food, kombucha, mango, margarita, recipes, sponsored, summer cocktails, tacos, tequila

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

May 1, 2018 by Natalie

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

I’m so excited to be teaming up with Bai for this next post! Memorial Day Weekend is just over a month away and is the official kick-off to Summer. I’ve put together 3 fun ways for you to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend this year. Whether you’re staying home, entertaining, or going to a friends party, it’s always a good idea to have a few tricks up your sleeves.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

DIY Balloon Arch

Supplies:

helium tank

balloon decorating strip

various balloons in different colors and sizes

glue dots

balloon string

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

I’ve never blown up balloons with helium before this project. Honestly, it was so easy and I got this Balloon Time tank that is available at Party City. They’re so easy to use and can easily be recycled when empty. To use all you have to do is twist the nozzle, press down to fill the balloons, and then tie the ends up. You can blow up all your balloons and then attach them or attach them as you go which is what I ended up doing. If you blow them all up at once, make sure you can reach them, or put them in garbage bags so they don’t float up.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Next, you can attach them to the balloon decorating strip. Slip the knot of a balloon through the hole of the decorating strip. Skip a few holes and place another balloon facing the opposite direction. Keep alternating balloon colors and sides until you have a balloon strip as long as you need your arch to be. If your balloon arch is looking scarce you can add a few more balloons where needed, but don’t go too crazy. We’re going to add little balloons to fill in the holes too.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Once all your main balloons are on the strip as long as you need it to be, you can cut the strip on either side where the balloons end. You can use balloon string to tie your arch to the table or piece of furniture your using. I tied mine to strings that went to the floor and then used balloon weights to hold it down. Use glue dots to stick mini balloons into the holes and crevices until you have an arch that’s completely full.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Jalapeño Watermelon Paloma

Ingredients:

2 oz Jalapeño infused Tequila

2 oz. Bai Kula Watermelon

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice

4 chunks watermelon

salt, for rimming

top with Bai Bubbles Gimbi Pink Grapefruit

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

First, infuse your tequila. Slice jalapeño and add it to a jar with the tequila. Depending on the intensity of your pepper this may infuse fairly quickly. With this in mind, I’d say infuse it for 10 minutes or 20 minutes MAX. I have a very high tolerance for spice, however, if you don’t straw test it every few minutes until it’s at your desired spiciness. Once your tequila has infused you can build your drink.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Now, rim your glass with salt. Add watermelon together with lime and Bai Kula Watermelon to a shaker and muddle. Next, add the jalapeño tequila and shake with ice. Strain into your desired serving vessel that’s been rimmed with salt and top with Bai Gimbi Pink Grapefruit. Finally, garnish with a lime wheel. This Jalapeno Watermelon Paloma is spicy, fruity, refreshing, and not to mention delightfully fizzy, which makes it perfect for a hot day. I found that using just the Bai Kula Watermelon made this drink sweet enough so no added sugar or syrups necessary.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Additionally, you can also make this Jalapeño Watermelon Paloma a large format style drink too. To serve 10 people add 20 oz. jalapeño infused tequila, 2 bottles Bai Kula Watermelon, 8 oz. lime juice, 2 cups watermelon, 2 sliced grapefruits, and 2 cans of Bai Bubbles Gimbi Pink Grapefruit to a punch bowl or drink dispenser with ice. It’s such a perfect beverage for your Memorial Day Weekend festivities!

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Hot Dogs 4 Ways

It wouldn’t be Memorial Day Weekend without some hot dogs! Pick out your favorite type of dog and cook it your favorite way. These are my 4 suggested ways to dress up your dog this holiday weekend.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Mexican Dog

Ingredients:

avocado, sliced

jalapeño, sliced

1/4 cup white onion, diced

1 tomato, diced

kiwi, diced

1 cup pineapple, diced

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

4-6 dashes hot sauce of your choice

juice of 1 lime

To make the pineapple kiwi salsa simply toss onion, tomato, kiwi, pineapple, salt, pepper, hot sauce, and lime juice in a bowl. To assemble your Mexican Dog top with the salsa, freshly sliced avocado, and freshly sliced jalapeño.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Chicago Dog

Ingredients:

white onion, diced

tomato, sliced

pickle spears

yellow mustard

sweet relish

pickled sport peppers (we used serranos)*

celery salt

Cut the tomato into half-moon slices and line your hot dog bun with the tomato slices. Add your dog and then top with a pickle spear, sweet relish, sport peppers, mustard, a sprinkle of onion and celery salt. *sport peppers are regional and if you can’t find them where you live use serrano peppers

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Caprese Dog

Ingredients:

tomato, sliced

whole basil leaves

fresh mozzarella

balsamic vinegar

Cut tomatoes into half-moon slices. In your hot dog bun line one side with tomatoes and one side with fresh basil leaves. Top with fresh mozzarella, I used mozzarella pearls, and then drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

Greek Dog

Ingredients:

cucumber, sliced

tomato, sliced

greek yogurt

cheese, crumbled

Cut cucumber as well as the tomatoes into slices and line your hot dog bun with them. Add your hot dog to the bun and then top with greek yogurt and a sprinkle of feta cheese.

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

3 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend

I had so much fun putting this all together with Bai for Memorial Day Weekend. You can use one of these ideas or all of them, it’s totally up to you! I love the idea of doing a hot dog bar with the DIY balloon arch, and serving your favorite kind of dog coupled with a large format drink, like the jalapeno watermelon Paloma, to go along with it. I’d love to hear what your planning for your Memorial Day Weekend especially if you decide to try any of these ideas. Make sure you chime in on the comments below and let me know what you think!

Thank you for reading this sponsored post that makes Arsenic Lace possible.

Filed Under: DIY, Entertaining, Fizzy, Food, Healthy Cocktails, Home Entertaining, Party Ideas, Recipes, Spicy, Sponsored, Summer Cocktails, Tequila Tagged With: bai, balloon arch, celebrate, DIY, easy entertaining, entertaining, food, grapefruit, home entertaining, hot dogs, jalapeno, memorial day weekend, paloma, recipes, summer, summer cocktails, watermelon

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

April 30, 2018 by Natalie 17 Comments

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

I’m so excited to be teaming up with Santa Margherita Wines this year to show you how I enjoy drinking their wines at home. Spring is such a busy time for entertaining. The weather is getting nicer and Mother’s Day, plus many holiday weekends are fast approaching. Having some ideas of what food to serve and what kind of drinks to pair it with is so important.

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

For as much as I love cocktails, I also love to enjoy a glass of wine. Wine is also so much easier to have on hand and serve especially when you’re entertaining. I’ve put together two easy dishes and paired them with Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé.

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Spring Pea Salad with Strawberries, serves 4

Ingredients

8 cups mixed salad greens

1 cup snow peas or snap peas, trimmed

3/4 cup strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup fresh peas

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

For the dressing

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. champagne vinegar

1 tsp. honey

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Arrange greens, mint, snow/snap peas, strawberries, peas, and feta on a serving platter. Whisk oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and drizzle over the salad.

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Cantaloupe & Proscuitto Skewers

Ingredients

3 oz. package of prosciutto

1 cantaloupe

basil leaves

fresh black pepper

Cut the cantaloupe into bite-sized pieces. cut each piece of prosciutto in half and roll individually. Place a toothpick into each piece of prosciutto and then into the cantaloupe. Sprinkle with sliced basil and fresh black pepper.

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

These recipes were so easy and they took minutes to whip up. Talk about some super easy peasy entertaining ideas! I love using fresh fruit in salads and appetizers in the Spring/Summer and it really brings out the fruity notes in the wine. Santa Margherita Sparkling Rosé has a full bouquet of pleasing floral aromas with hints of red berry and crafted with a blend of white wine made from Chardonnay and Glera grapes and a red varietal of Malbec. It is delicate in flavor but also vibrant and well rounded which makes it a deliciously easy drinking wine. This pale bubbly pink wine is tasty, aromatic, and a great companion to savory appetizers, salads, and seafood dishes. I absolutely adore how it complemented the spring pea salad and prosciutto skewers.

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

Food + Wine Pairing for Spring Entertaining

What’s your favorite food and wine pairing? I hope you will consider these options next time you’re entertaining!

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Appetizers, Entertaining, Fizzy, Food, Home Entertaining, Party Ideas, Recipes, Sponsored, Wine Tagged With: easy entertaining, entertaining ideas, food, home entertaining, recipes, spring, summer, wine, wine pairing

8 Cocktails for National Rum Day

August 16, 2017 by Natalie 1 Comment

Rum is delicious and by far my favorite spirit. Not just because I have a sweet tooth, but because it is such a versatile category. It is made in so many different countries, which means depending on where it’s from will dictate what it tastes like. For National Rum Day I wanted to go over a brief history of the spirit, characteristics, and of course how it can be used in cocktails.


Brief History

Rum is a spirit distilled from the fermented juice of sugarcane, sugarcane syrup, sugarcane molasses, or other sugarcane by-products. Sugarcane was introduced to the New World by European explorers starting with Christopher Columbus, and the invention of rum — or at least the fermented “wash” it’s distilled from — is thought to have occurred by accident. Basically, the molasses, which had been considered a useless waste product of the sugar refining process, was observed expelling bubbles when left to mingle with the warm, humid tropical air. Sugar manufacturers rightly identified this phenomenon as fermentation: wild, airborne yeasts were getting at the sugar content left in the molasses and releasing carbon dioxide. They knew that with those bubbles came alcohol, too, and it wasn’t long before fermented molasses became the basis for a distilled spirit, which we now know as rum.

Rum is distilled at less than 95% alcohol by volume (190 proof) and bottled at no less than 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof), maybe except for some flavored ones which are less. The legal definition of rum tends to vary from country to country, so establishing a strict definition that applies to all rum from everywhere is impossible. What’s consistent, though, is that rum is always made from molasses, sugarcane juice, or other cane by-products. Factors that influence rum style is source of sugar, yeast type, length of fermantation, type of still, type of barrel, time in barrel, and strength of rum at distillation or bottling.


Rum Styles

  • White/Light/Silver: Light bodied, crisp, and subtle in flavor, these rums are highly mixable. They marry very well with fruit flavors, so they’re excellent for daiquiris and piña coladas. A common misconception about white rum is that it’s unaged. White rum is aged in oak barrels for a short period of time to smooth out the flavors; it’s then charcoal filtered to remove color.
  • Gold: Medium bodied and a little stronger in flavor than light rums, gold rums are aged in oak barrels. Like light rums, they mix well into fruity cocktails.
  • Dark/Black: Full-bodied, with rich caramel flavors, these rums are usually pot-stilled and aged for long periods. Used in tiki preparations such as the Mai Tai, the best of these rums are also sippable on their own, neat or on ice.
  • Rhum agricole: Full-bodied rums, made from sugarcane juice instead of molasses. As with molasses-based rum, agricoles range the color spectrum, from white to gold to dark. Agricoles are often funky and have floral and vegetal aromas and flavors.
  • Cachaça: This is called the rum of Brazil. The major difference between cachaça and common rum is in the juice. Most rum is distilled from sugarcane juice that has been processed into molasses, which has a higher sugar content. This makes cachaça have a more grassy, herbaceous flavor than its relative.

Other types are Navy Rum which is the kind formerly given to members of the British Navy. It’s usually proofed at 50% ABV or higher. Overproof rums refer to those with an ABV over standard value, usually 60% ABV (120 proof) or higher.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite cocktails that I have created to get you inspired to drink rum on this most special holiday! 😉

Pineapple Old Fashioned– Plantation pineapple rum, campari, allspice, and macadamia nut orgeat.

Frozen Passionfruit Daiquiri– White rum, Jamaican rum, lime juice, honey, passionfruit syrup, and tiki bitters.

Frozen Caribbean Coffee– Jamaican Rum, coffee liqueur, coconut, cold brew, and coffee gelato.

Piña Colada Popsicles– Coconut milk, coconut cream, dark rum, pineapple juice, and lime zest.

Coconut Guava Daiquiri– Dark rum, lime juice, coconut milk, simple syrup, and fresh guava.

Boozy Matcha Latte– White Rum, almond milk, matcha, orgeat, and coconut whipped cream.

Dark ‘N Stormy Popsicles– Gosling’s rum, ginger beer, fresh ginger syrup, lime juice, and lime wheels.

Mango Mai Tai– Jamaican Rum, curaçao, orgeat, lime juice, and fresh mango.

I hope you all get to enjoy your National Rum Day. What will you be doing today to celebrate? Is there a rum cocktail that’s your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. Happy sipping! xo

Filed Under: Cocktails, History, Recipes, Rum Tagged With: National Rum Day, rum, rum cocktails

6 Cocktails to Celebrate National Tequila Day

July 24, 2017 by Natalie 2 Comments

Happy National Tequila Day! I decided to celebrate with rounding up my favorite tequila cocktails on the blog and sharing some facts about the spirit itself. I’m sure you know that tequila is a spirit made from agave. Just like french wine or spirits, it can only be made in a specific region; the Mexican state of Jalisco and surrounding areas. That area is perfect for growing the agave plant because the soil is mostly volcanic. The agave plant has sharp thorns, long thick leaves, and takes between 8-12 years to reach maturity before it can be harvested. After the plant is harvested, it is peeled, roasted, crushed, and the juice is fermented and distilled. Tequila is usually made from 100% agave and distilled twice.

There are four main tequila categories:

  • Blanco – also called silver, plata or platinum, is aged for less than two months and is clear.
  • Reposado – aged between two and 12 months and is golden-colored.
  • Añejo – aged between one and three years and is a whisky-like brown.
  • Extra-añejo – a new category introduced by the Tequila Regulatory Council in 2006, is aged more than three years. Tequila is typically aged in used bourbon casks.

And

  • Mezcal – this is the cousin of tequila, which is also made from agave in a different region of Mexico. Tequila is made in the Jalisco region and only from blue Weber agave, while mezcal is made in Oaxaca. Legally it can be made anywhere though and can be made from different types of agave. The other difference is that the agave is slow roasted in pits with hot rocks which gives mezcal its signature smokiness.

Fun Fact: Contrary to popular belief agave is not a cactus. It is in the asparagales botanical family which makes it a relative to the Yucca Plant or the Joshua Tree. Okay, now I’m done being a crazy plant lady.

You can drink tequila many ways. As a shot, served neat or on the rocks, or in cocktails (MY favorite). Here are some of my favorite recipes that I have created to help you celebrate National Tequila Day.

Prickly Pear Margarita – Blanco Tequila, fresh juice of lime and grapefruit, cinnamon, fresh prickly pear, and pink himalayan salt.

The Country Village – Reposado Tequila, fig infused sweet vermouth, Licor 43, and chocolate bitters.

Frozen Watermelon Margarita– Blanco Tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, fresh watermelon, and smoked sea salt.

Sunny Side Up Fizz– Reposado Tequila, coffee liqueur, cinnamon, whole egg, soda, and cayenne pepper.

Avocado Margarita – Blanco Tequila, fresh lime juice, agave, fresh avocado, hot sauce, and salt & chili pepper.

Mezcal Paloma – Mezcal, fresh juices of lime and grapefruit, agave, soda, and sea salt.

I hope you find some time today to enjoy your favorite tequila cocktail. What’s your go-to tequila drink to make at home? If you decide to make one of the cocktails above, don’t forget to chime in on the comments and let me know how it turns out.

Cheers and Happy National Tequila Day! xo

Filed Under: Cocktails, History, Recipes, Tequila Tagged With: agave, mezcal, national tequila day, tequila

Cucumber Lemongrass Gin and Tonics

July 21, 2017 by Natalie Leave a Comment

I’ve been really wanting to do a gin and tonic recipe ever since I came back from Spain and for some reason, I just haven’t gotten around to it. A Spanish-style gin and tonic are usually made with a premium gin and the best quality tonic water, combined with your choice of bitters and various herbs, vegetables and fruits. I had some lemongrass syrup leftover from my national piña colada day post and I thought this would be the perfect time to make one. Gin and tonics are supposed to be crisp, dry, herbal and refreshing which makes them thirst quenchingly perfect for the very hot weather in Spain and the current summer temperature we’re experiencing here in NYC (or wherever you might be). The lemongrass syrup is super easy to make (you can find the recipe here) and when combined with gin, cucumber, Meyer lemon juice, and bitter lemon fever tree tonic water creates an effortless drink that is fragrant and full of flavor.


Cucumber Lemongrass Gin and Tonic

2 oz. Botanist Gin

3/4 oz. Meyer Lemon Juice

3/4 oz. Lemongrass Syrup

4 Cucumber Slices

Bitter Lemon Fever Tree Tonic Water

Cucumber ribbon and lemon wheel for garnish

Add cucumber, lemon juice, and syrup to a tin and lightly muddle. Add gin and then fill with ice and give a quick shake.

Strain into desired glassware, top with tonic water and garnish with cucumber ribbon and lemon wheel.

The Botanist is a highly distinctive, complex, floral gin which mixes perfectly with the fragrance of the lemon grass syrup, and citrusy herbal freshness of the tonic water. The sweet Meyer lemon juice evens out the slight bitterness from the quinine in the tonic as well. This drink was clean, bright, wonderfully balanced and very easy to put together. They’re also very easy to drink, so be careful! After witnessing how serious they take their ‘gintonics’ in Spain, I have a new found love and appreciation for this cocktail. Do you ever experiment with different types of gin and tonics at home? Is there a favorite tonic you like to make them with? Special herbs, fruit, or bitters you like to include? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

I’m finally editing the hundreds of photos I took on my trip to Madrid, Jerez, Cadiz, and Seville, Spain. So stay tuned for that blog post very soon. I have so much to say about brandy, sherry, and the wonderful trip I took to the Cardenal Mendoza distillery and winery.

Cheers everyone and happy weekend!

 

Filed Under: Classic Cocktails, Cocktails, Gin, Recipes, Summer Cocktails Tagged With: cucumber, gin and tonic, gin cocktails, lemongrass, Spain

High Plains Margarita of the Year

April 3, 2017 by Natalie Leave a Comment

Hello Everyone, it has been quite awhile because of the move, but now that I’m settling in, I am super excited to share that I have teamed up with Patrón to bring you a variation on one of the most popular cocktails — the margarita! To celebrate this classic cocktail Patrón has crafted 7 artisanal recipes that showcase how versatile this drink can really be and is asking everyone to vote for their favorite. These special margaritas are being made at several bars and restaurants all over the country, but we can also make them at home! I’ve whipped up the High Plains Margarita which is a herbaceous spin on the margarita, incorporating muddled sage, smoky charred pineapple, yuzu and a spicy chipotle salt rim. YUM!


High Plains Margarita

1.5 oz Patrón Silver

.5 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange

2 Slices charred pineapple

.5 oz Fresh lime juice

.25 oz Yuzu juice

.25 oz Simple syrup

6 Sage leaves, 2 for garnish

2 dashes Lime bitters

Chipotle salt rim

Char 2 pineapple slices and reserve 1 slice. To make the drink combine 2 pieces pineapple, 4 sage leaves and simple syrup in shaker and muddle. Add remaining liquid ingredients and shake vigorously with ice to chill. Double strain onto fresh ice in a chipotle salt-rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of charred pineapple and 2 sage leaves. To make the chipotle salt, simply mix a 1/2 cup of salt with 3/4 tsp of dried chipotle powder.

The margarita is by far one of my favorite cocktails and this variation is no exception. It is well balanced, fruity — but not sweet, herbaceous, savory, smoky and with a kick of spice. This drink sure did the trick after the crazy month I just had, and I will most certainly be making these again in the future. These are perfect for those warm summer days when we will be grilling in the backyard. I can’t wait!

If you try the High Plains Margarita or another, don’t forget to vote for your favorite here or by using the hashtag – #highplainsmargarita – on Instagram/Twitter. And remember the perfect way to enjoy Patrón is responsibly!

Filed Under: Cocktails, Recipes, Sponsored, Summer Cocktails, Tequila Tagged With: cocktails, lime, margarita, patrón, recipes, sponsored, summer, tequila, yuzu

Primary Sidebar

Hello.

My name is Natalie Jacob and I'm a bartender, author and beverage + creative consultant drinking, honky tonkin and making a home in Nashville, TN. Learn more ->

Subscribe

Featured Posts

Home Tour on Apartment Therapy

Mod Cocktails Now on Pre-Order!

Mod Cocktails Now on Pre-order

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate

Holiday Gifting and Punch with Chambord

Celebrate the Holidays with Chambord

Recent Posts

  • Celebrate the Holidays with Chambord
  • My Staycation at The Dive Motel
  • Kiwi Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
  • Easy 3 Ingredient Quarantine Cocktails
  • Creating My Outdoor Living Space

Blogroll

  • A Beautiful Mess
  • Apartment Bartender
  • Basil & Bubbly
  • Chat Chow
  • Craft + Cocktails
  • Drinking with Chickens
  • Holly & Flora
  • Palm Springs Style
  • Salt n Pepper Here
  • The Good Drink
  • Thirsty

Footer

Check out what’s happening on Instagram!

…
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework