Holiday Cranberry Margaritas with Alacran Cristal Tequila

It is the holiday season, and that means one thing- holiday parties and gatherings! Do you find yourself running around from event to event this time of the year? I know I do! Whether you are hosting your own party or looking for a great cocktail to make for a gathering you are heading to, I have a great recipe to share with you.

Margaritas are always a crowd pleaser, but do they work at a holiday party? Yes! Nothing says winter and the holiday season quite like cranberry. Try serving this refreshing cranberry margarita at your next holiday party.

Cranberry Margarita
-2 cups Alacran Cristal Tequila
-1 1/3 cups cranberry juice (I recommend using 100% juice variety with no sugar added. Trader Joes makes a great one)
-3 tbsp Agave Syrup or sweetened to taste (Note: I use agave to make the drink fresher. If you are accustomed to an orange liqueur, use 1 Cup Cointreau of Grand Marnier) 
-2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice 


1. If you like a salted rim: place salt on small plate, wet rim, and apply salt to rims of glasses
2. Combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and ice in a large pitcher, and stir.

I like using Alacran Tequila because it is an ultra premium anejo tequila. It is packaged in a beautiful, clear glass bottle that is sleek looking. The tequila uses agaves from 7-10 years old harvested in the highlands of Jalisco. It is matured for 14 months in American Oak barrels from bourbon generating a rich, woody flavor with a hint of vanilla. As a result of their exclusive clarifying filtration process, a crystal product is produced with light gold reflections. 



*This recipe yields approximately 10 servings. 













This post was made possible by Alacran Tequila

Holiday Cocktail Ideas for any Occasion

The holiday season is a great time to try new cocktail recipes, whether you are hosting or taking to the host, below are some holiday cocktails that are good for any gathering this season. Each recipe is quite simple, and the punches are great for sharing.

I personally love the St-Germain recipe below. I mentioned St-Germain as being a great ingredient for spring cocktails, however, it is great year round. As a side note, if you do not love cocktails, try adding a splash of St-Germain to a simple glass of champagne... you will not regret it!

The Carlyle Punch is one of the acclaimed beverages served at the New York Carlyle Hotel's iconic bar,  Bemelmans Bar. The cocktail is available on location through the festive season, but enjoy the recipe for the punch below at your holiday gatherings this year.

Grab the bottles, mix up, and enjoy!

The Carlyle Punch (pictured above)
1 ounce Southern Comfort
1 1/2 ounces Raspberry Vodka
1 1/2 ounces Cranberry Juice
1 ounce Orange Juice 1 ounce ST-GERMAIN
1 ounce Simple Syrup 1 to 3 dashes of Bitters
Splash of Champagne

 Method | In a shaker, combine ice with the Southern Comfort, Stolichnaya Raspberry, St. Germain liqueur, simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice. Pour in a cognac glass over-ice and finish with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of Champagne. Garnish with blueberries and raspberries.

Winter Flowers Punch
 1 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 cup Superfine Sugar ½ cup ST-GERMAIN
¼ cup Honey
½ cup Cognac, Tequila. Bourbon or Gin
16oz Chilled Brewed Chamomile Tea
2 bottles of MARTINI Prosecco
Orange or Lemon Slices

 Method | Combine the lemon juice, sugar, St-Germain, honey, spirit, and tea in a non-reactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the prosecco and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Pour into a decorative bowl or pitcher. Garnish with orange or lemon slices and fresh strawberries, if desired. Serve in champagne flutes, wine glasses or punch cups.

St-Germain Cocktail

2 parts MARTINI Prosecco
1 ½ parts ST-GERMAIN
2 parts Sparkling Water

Method | Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add MARTINI Prosecco first, then ST-GERMAIN, then sparkling water. Stir completely and garnish with a lemon twist.

Photos: St-Germain, Martini

Bring the Café Home with Fall Coffee Recipes from Nespresso

If you follow my posts or social media accounts, you have probably picked up on my love for Nespresso. I was introduced to the world of Nespresso about two years ago when I received and started using my first machine. Since that point in time, I admit, that no other at-home brew system compares to the Nespresso machine.

Recently, I purchased the newer Vertuoline machine which brews rich, foamy, coffees in addition to espressos. I have been enjoying the machine since bringing it home, and I am excited to bring to you some great fall coffee recipes by Nespresso. Whether you use a Nespresso or not, these recipes are great inspiration for your coffee beverages this season. If you do use a Nespresso, share your favorite recipes and thoughts below!

Grab a sweater, cozy up with a good book, and enjoy!

Nutty Reverso Coffee:

This recipes uses the new intenso coffee pods- if you are a Nespresso owner, I highly recommend this new blend!

1 capsule Intenso blend
1/8 tsp. Almond extract
1 tbs. Chesnut syrup
1 tbs. Hazelnut syrup
3 oz. Half-and-half

Pour syrups, extract, and half-and-half into a glass, brew Intenso coffee onto mixture, and enjoy!

Caramel and Chocolate Latte:

1 capsule Caramelizio blend
2oz milk
1 tsp. sweet ground chocolate and cocoa
1 tbs. chocolate syrup

Combine milk and chocolate with heat in a small saucepan, or combine ingredients in a milk frother. Add syrup and sugar into cup, pouring heating milk into cup. Brew Caramelizio blend into cup, stir and enjoy!

Images: My Own, Nespresso. This blog is supported by its readers and this post contains affiliate links - if you make a purchase we may receive a commission at no cost to you.

Springtime St Germain Cocktails

One of my favorite things about the warmer weather, longer days, and spring season is enjoying refreshing cocktails on the patio in the sun or next to the fire bowl during warm evenings. St. Germain, the artisanal French liqueur, is a great way to elevate cocktails for the spring season. I love the refreshing flavor it brings to any recipe to which it is added.

One of my favorite, and easy, springtime cocktails to make is the classic "Signature St Germain." This drink is super easy and is great for serving to a crowd as it is simple enough to serve in a carafe or pitcher. Not to mention I simply love the flavor of St Germain and their slogan says it all "La Vie Parisienne en Bouteille"....who could want more?

St-Germain Cocktail

1 1⁄2 parts St-Germain
2 parts Champagne or dry white wine
2 parts club soda or sparkling water

Stir ingredients in a tall, ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Garnish with a lemon twist. If necessary, substitute sparkling wine, Prosecco or Cava for Champagne. For the dry white wine, Sauvingon Blanc works best.

*I like to add my own personal touch and add a few fresh seasonal berries. This particular time, strawberries fit the bill!

Looking for  more great ways to incorporate St Germain into your springtime sips? Try these additional recipes below!

Springtime Punch
14oz Bombay Sapphire gin
7 oz St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
1 spring of sage
6 oz Fresh guava juice
6 oz Lemon juice
Black peppercorn

Sangria Flora 
3 Cups Sauvignon Blanc or Dry white wine
¾ Cups St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
5 Fresh Strawberries (halved)
5 Fresh Raspberries
5 Fresh Blackberries
10 Fresh Grapes

Stir ingredients in a carafe. Let the mixture soak for 15 minutes (or longer if desired), then pour into ice-filled glasses. *The fruits listed are merely suggestions. Many combinations of local, seasonal fruit will work nicely with St-Germain. Be creative! Serves 4-6 people.

Go-To Winter Cocktails

I am always on the hunt for new cocktail recipes to add to my already seemingly large collection. As we head in to the weekend, what better way to start than a great cocktail? The craft cocktail trend has become very popular, with craft cocktail bars popping up in major cities all around the world. While I love going out for a good drink (or a few) some times my wallet begs to differ!

I was recently exposed to Rokz, a brand that brings ingredients and recipes to your home to make the perfect craft cocktail. The brand specializes in innovative and beautifully designed products that include infusions, cocktail sugars and margarita salts for the craft cocktail. Below are two new recipes from Rokz to try and  add to your collection.

Spiced Up Cider Cocktail:
- 2 ounces rokz cinnamon spice infused whiskey
-3 ounces apple cider Infuse your favorite whiskey with rokz cinnamon spice infusion.

Fill a glass (highball glass or white wine glass) 1/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in the infused whiskey and top with apple cider. Stir gently until mixed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

One Incredible Mary Cocktail:

-1.5 ounces rokz fiery pepper infused vodka 

-4 ounces tomato juice 

-A squeeze of lime juice 

-1/2 tsp worcestershire Salt and pepper to taste 

-Garnish: rokz bloody mary salt rim, wedge of lime 

 Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz fiery pepper infusion. Rim a glass with rokz bloody mary salt. Combine ingredients and ice in a glass, stir and enjoy.

I don't know about you, but these concoctions definitely sound like they would warm up the body on a cold winter afternoon or evening! Rokz products are available at department stores like Nordstrom and retailers such as Whole Foods as well as online.

Images: Rokz

Classic Cocktail: The Cosmo

The old classic, the Cosmo, has become one of my go-to cocktails. With prices of drinks ranging from $12-$18 here in New York, the Cosmo is an easy way to enjoy cocktails at home with friends without a $100 bar tab. Not to mention its super easy to make. 

This is to make a traditional cosmo, with Cranberry juice. There are a lot of great variations that I have had such as white peach, orange cranberry, etc. Here, I am sticking to the classic. As with any cocktail, the amounts are open to interpretation ;)

The Cosmo:

-3 oz (2 shots) vodka

-1.5 oz triple sec

-3 squirts lime juice (to taste) I swear by the "Nellie & Joe's" brand.

-Fill remainder of shaker with 100% Cranberry Juice

Simply combine everything in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes, shake, and pour.

Tip: place your glasses in the freezer before so they have a nice frost on them when serving!

Enjoy!

With its red/pink hue this would also be a perfect, easy cocktail to serve for a Valentine's Day night in!

New Years Champagne Cocktail

2013 is coming to a rapid close. Looking back it was a year filled with a lot- new jobs, internships, relationships, and travel. I soaked up the sun in the French Riviera and indulged in fashion in Milan. In between was filled with lots of cashmere cable knits and chinos, of course. Here's to making 2014 even better!

As we raise our glasses for the last time in 2013, I recommend the below cocktail I found from the "Kitchn". It is a spiced citrus champagne. A twist on my personal favorite, champagne. It is a simple recipe blending a spiced simple syrup, orange juice, and champagne. I know I will be filling my glass with Moet and adding in a spice this evening!

Cheers to 2014!

Spiced Citrus Champagne
1 cup water
1/2 cup honey
Zest of 2 lemons, cut into long strips
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 whole star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
Champagne, or dry sparkling white wine

 Bring water, honey, lemon zest and juice, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Cool syrup. Serve each glass of champagne with 1 tablespoon spiced syrup and a splash of orange juice, to taste. Garnish with a slice of star fruit or a lemon twist.

P.S. Check out the Kitchn for even more great champagne cocktails perfect for the occasion!

Fancy Grilled Cheese

Some of us love to cook while others of us do not. I tend to cluster in the latter group mainly because I never have the time to properly invest in cooking. What a better way to "cook" than taking a twist on a childhood favorite: grilled cheese.

While browsing pinterest the other day, I came across a recipe for a modern grilled cheese so to speak: spinach, avocado, and goat cheese grilled cheese. Sounds amazing right? 

Source: diana212m.blogspot.com.au via Life Through Preppy Glasses on Pinterest

The sandwich includes a mix of avocado, goat cheese, and a "green goddess" pesto. You can find the full recipe at the Taste Spotting Blog here. 

In the Kitchen with Me

I would never claim to be good in the kitchen, or any sort of cook for that fact. The other night, a friend and myself decided we wanted to cook dinner. We finally decided on making some sort of tofu stir fry after trying to decide for what seemed like hours. Off to Food Emporium we went, sans recipe, sans list. The rest, in my opinion, is quite surprising. 

I have to say, I surprised myself. Maybe cooking is my hidden inner talent? The stir fry came out pretty excellent if I must admit. So What was the recipe?

Our own Tofu Stir Fry

• Tofu
• Assortment of vegetables: we had tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, onions, etc.
• Brown Rice
• Garlic
• Soy sauce

I started cooking the brown rice because the package told me it was going to take forever, and I had never in my life made rice before so who knew who that was going to turn out. I cooked the tofu in vegetable oil, garlic, and soy sauce until it was warmed through, and did the same for the vegetables. At the end, I combined the vegetables and tofu. Enjoy!

A Healthy Chip: Kale

Over the past year or so I've developed into a minor health food freak, conscious of every little thing i choose to put in my mouth.

Im currently on a little diet and that always brings out the creativity in the kitchen when you are desperately craving a chip for example.

Here's the solution: Kale Chips

Kale is sort of a magical green with benefits ranging from lower cholesterol to clinical results showing a risk-lowering benefit for five types of cancer.

Ingredients:

• Kale
• Sea Salt
• Olive Oil

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees
• Wash and cut Kale, towel dry
• Toss kale with olive oil and sea salt
• Place kale flat on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until crisp

Enjoy this healthy potato chip replacement!

Recipe Swap: Chocolate Mousse

Im sharing a chocolate mousse recipe that made seriously the best at home mousse ever. The recipe is actually from Alton Brown of Food Network. 

A friend and I made this, and while the recipe said "easy", i think were a little kitchen challenged so it was a tad bit harder for us.

Theres a section that refers to "blooming" gelatin....we could not figure this out for the life of us! Needless to say, it doesnt seem to be an essential part of the recipe, but if you know how to do this please share!

Anyway here it is:

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups whipping cream
• 12 ounces quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 ounces espresso or strong coffee
• 1 tablespoon dark rum
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon flavorless, granulated gelatin

Directions

Chill 1 1/2 cups whipping cream in refrigerator. Chill metal mixing bowl and mixer beaters in freezer.

In top of a double boiler, combine chocolate chips, coffee, rum and butter. Melt over barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat while a couple of chunks are still visible. Cool, stirring occasionally to just above body temperature.

Pour remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream into a metal measuring cup and sprinkle in the gelatin. Allow gelatin to "bloom" for 10 minutes. Then carefully heat by swirling the measuring cup over a low gas flame or candle. Do not boil or gelatin will be damaged. Stir mixture into the cooled chocolate and set aside.

In the chilled mixing bowl, beat cream to medium peaks. Stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining whipped cream in two doses. There may be streaks of whipped cream in the chocolate and that is fine. Do not over work the mousse.

 chill for at least 1 hour.

we made a quick raspberry sauce (raspberries, sugar, water in a sauce pan) to eat with ours.....it was soooo good!

Tasteful Tuesday: Tiramisu

A good Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts...love. We've been cleaning out closets, drawers, ect. around here lately and I came across a folder filled with recipes and the one that caught my eye a is for a twist on the traditional Tiramisu....i thought I'd share:

Blueberry-Lemon Tiramisu:

It only takes about 25 minutes to put this together and then it needs to be chilled overnight.

makes 9 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 to 2 lemons
• 3.75 c. blueberries
• .75 c sugar
• 4 tbsp. water
• 1 container nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 1 pkg ladyfingers

1. From lemons, grate 1.5 tsp. peel and squeeze .25 cup juice.

2. in a saucepan combine 1.5 c blueberries, .25 c sugar, and 1 tbsp. water. Heat on medium 5 minutes, or until blueberries soften and juice thickens, stirring occasionally. Transfer to bowl an stir in 1.5 c blueberries. Set aside

3. Prepare lemon syrup: in microwave safe bowl, combine .25 c sugar and remaining 3 tbsp. water. Cook in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir in 3 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon peel.

4. In medium bowl, stir together nonfat yogurt and remaining .25 c sugar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, and .5 tsp lemon peel.

5. In a baking dish, arrange half of ladyfingers and brush with half of lemon syrup. Spoon blueberry mixture evenly over ladyfingers. Arrange remaining ladyfinger over blueberries. Brush with remaining lemon syrup. Spoon yogurt mixture on top, spreading evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To serve, top tiramisu with remaining blueberries.

I know everyone New Year's Plan is to lose weight, but i think you should give this a try. Dont forget to vote in my poll found on the top right of my page!