The entertaining season is quickly approaching, and while we might be all over gifts, food and decor, we can't forget about one of the most important elements of a successful party: the cocktails. Whether it's a themed drink, a seasonal beverage, or you like to mix it up, we're wondering, what's your favorite cocktail? When you host a party, do you serve your favorite concoction, or cater to your guests?
My standard cocktail go-to, whether I'm at a bar, restaurant or party, is typically a vodka soda. However, I know I'd be really excited if I went to a party that was serving St Germain. Over the past several years, the elderflower liqueur has maintained a regular appearance in my cocktail rotation, and is now a permanent fixture in my bar cabinet. I love the flavor on its own, and it can be mixed with a variety of other beverages. It can be kept really simple by adding it to a good gin, or can be dressed up with champagne, fruit, syrups and sodas. You can also make non-alcoholic alternatives by making elderflower cordials. If your guests haven't tried it before, they'll be more than likely pleasantly surprised. And the bottle looks great on a bar cart to boot.
Saint Germain Recipes from The Kitchn:
• Elderflower Champagne Cocktail
• Traditional Elder-fashioned Cocktail
• Kew Garden
• The FreeBerry Cocktail
• Lady Sybil
• Elderflower Cordial Cocktail
• Blackberry Elderflower Spritzer with Mint
• Orange and Elderflower Spritzer
So, What's Your Favorite Cocktail?
(Image via The Kitchn)
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Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
If I'm making drinks for a party, especially Thanksgiving or Christmas, I usually do a Fish House punch. It packs a kick like nitroglycerin and is always very popular. If I'm at someone else's party, I usually stick a simple classic like wine, champagne, or vodka and some kind of juice.
French 75 (gin version) and Pimm's Cup. Although those are both kind of summery....
I like creme de cassis with white wine (kir) or soda in the fall/winter and Chambord (or other raspberry liqueur) and wine or soda in the spring/summer.
On Christmas Day I have family and friends over for dinner. Along with the usual wine, mixed cocktails and such, I also make my mother-in-law's home made Puerto Rican egg nog. It has 2 kinds of rum and 2 flavors of brandy and though I make a lot of it, never have any left over.
A Moscow Mule, for any time of year.
im with labelleprovince, moscow mule is my go to. it works really well in a pitcher, looks beautiful and fresh, and seems to please almost anyone. also doesnt break the bank with a lot of expensive or specialty ingredients i wont use after i make it once
OMG YES, I love St Germain. For the holidays, I really like a bourbon cider punch. Last year I found a great recipe - it sits on the stove so no mixing/mess. Our guests loved it.
G&T or LILLET + lemon twist
Vodka ROCKS.
I do two different holiday cocktails. they both have St. Germain, and Champagne
Starry Night
1 ½ oz CHAMBORD Flavored Vodka
¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur
½ oz Lime Juice
Top with Champagne
And from the Laguna Champagne Bar in the Palazzo in Vegas, Flower Eclipse
1 oz Elderflower Liqueur
½ oz Lemon Juice
Top with Moët & Chandon Nectar Demi-Sec Champagne
Sparkling grape juice and sparkling apple juice -- no alcohol! ;^)
A vintage port or vintage Sauternes.
I usually stick with a gin and tonic or gimlet (equal measures gin and Rose's lime cordial, or preferably fresh lime juice and simple syrup, over ice). But for the Halloween party my household threw a few weeks ago, we made an apple-pie punch using apple vodka, hard cider, apple juice, vanilla essence and a sprinkle of cinnamon with sliced apples. It was super-simple but tasted great. Next time I'd like to try infusing the vodka with cinnamon beforehand to get the spice flavours really integrated.
Bourbon- either with a splash of club soda or a splash of ginger ale.
Moscow Mules, St. Germains, and my killer spicy bloody marys. But the main beverage is usually wine and/or champagne.
Caipirinha is my go-to cocktail. 2oz Cachaça 51, 2 teaspoons sugar (or 2oz simple syrup) and 1/2 of a lime cut into wedges. Muddle the three together, shake, and serve over crushed ice. If I'm feeling less inclined to make a drink I stick to a Dark n Stormy, always with Gosling ginger beer and Kraken rum ;)
Vodka gimlet--cool name too.
Domaine de Canton (ginger liqueur) + bourbon + lemon juice + soda water
I like mulled white wine for a casual party. It's warm, doesn't stain like red if spilled, and can be as sweet or dry as you prefer. I also love classic champagne cocktails. I shy away from iced drinks because our holiday parties at held when the temps are about 15F -25F at night!!
grapefruit rosemary daiquiris from southern living - very festive & refreshing! we actually treat them like a sorbet course, and drink them as palate cleansers. use good quality grapefruit juice and the leftover fresh rosemary from holiday cooking.
Cheers for the Moscow Mule!!!
Tequila, mango juice, lime juice, Tabasco sauce!
A Sloe Gin Fizz if I need something very sweet. A Gin Martini with Sweet Vermouth if I need something a little sweet. But I'm always in the mood for a good spicy Bloody Mary!
I'm making fixings for G&Ts (because I make my own tonic) and hot buttered rums for my party this weekend. I also bought plenty of wine, and am picking up a few growlers of fresh beer on Friday. I was tempted to make the Fish House punch, but just didn't get to it in time. And I don't have a bowl big enough.
Apple Pie cocktails are my holiday staple, but I am taking note of every single one of these St Germain recipes. I LOVE this stuff...
I'd like to know how to pour a curveball like the one in that photo. Wouldn't matter what you're pouring with a trick like that.
Vodka tonics are a staple. I've yet to meet a person who could turn one down. In the summer, sangria. I just discovered white wine sangria this past summer, and oh man -- amazeballs. For holiday parties, I like serving cranberry martinis. Kinda hokey, I know, but again, no one ever turns 'em down.
Rusty Nail. (What can I say? I'm a scotch girl.)
Chatham Artillery Punch - a great party drink!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/dining/01partiesrex9.html?_r=0
Gin & tonic with a lime twist.
You guys are finally coming around to what's been my Sooper Sikret Cocktail ingredient for years! The elderflower syrup from Ikea! It really basically goes great in EVERY clear liquor available, and really enhances champagne on its own.
Mamie Taylor (scotch, ginger beer, lime)- It's more of a summery drink but I like it year round.
My partner and I show no signs of Negroni fatigue -- it's always satisfying.
I first acquired St. Germain when I wanted to replicate the Stormy Morning cocktail from Bayona restaurant in New Orleans. It's just like the Starry Night shown above, except substitute Creme de Violette for the Chambord.
French 75 are for anytime of year. I also just found Ikea sells Elderberry syrup, which is very good.
28 day rosemary infused vodka, lime, simple syrup and soda - or mix it with sprite if you are lazy!
White Russians and Hot Buttered Rum! (not at the same time, though!)
I'm a straightforward girl: either bourbon & coke or limeade & vodka (summer).
I'm a whiskey & soda or craft beer kind of guy. But for the holidays I like to do something special: Old Fashion or Dark & Stormy. They both complement the flavors of thanksgiving well.
Dirty martini or a G&T, realizing the latter is not necessarily a cocktail. During the summer I really enjoyed a Lillet Rose (lillet, grapefruit juice and gin)-very refreshing.
Gin Buck. Like a Moscow Mule but with gin. The spicier the ginger ale/beer you add the better.
I've been enjoying sazeracs lately - the original cocktail. Good rye whiskey, absinthe coated glass, simple syrup, Peychaud's bitters, twist of lemon peel. Unassuming, yet somehow sophisticated.
Where can you find a ball glass like that? I remember going to a cocktail bar once where they had similar, perfectly weighted ball glasses, was fantastic. Made holding the glass feel "premium".
They had no idea where they got them from, and were replacing breakages with not so great glasses :(
The Caipirinha has been my thing lately. I have raw sugar, I have some good & smooth cachaça, and limes aren't too hard to come by at most places. Mix 'em up and BAM! Instant amazo-drink! Mmm, I kinda want one right now...