Monthly Archives: December 2024

beverages

Suggested Beverage #4

Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita (+Mocktail)

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: drink
Calories Per Serving: 380 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

For the Rim

  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • orange wedge

Margarita

  • 2 ounces mezcal or silver tequila
  • 1 ounce Aperol
  • 1/2 ounce orange liquor
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/3 cup apple cider
  • apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Instructions

  • 1. In a bowl, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Rub an orange wedge around the rim of a glass. Dip the glass into the sugar mix.

    2. Fill the glass with ice.

    3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila/mezcal, Aperol, orange liquor, lime juice, and apple cider. Add ice and shake to combine – strain into the sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with apple slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick. If desired, light the cinnamon stick on fire for a smoky effect. This smells really good!

    To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila, Aperol, and orange liquor. Use 2 additional tablespoons of apple cider or sparkling apple cider. Mix with 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Trivia

St. Nick was more generous than jolly

St. Nick was more generous than jolly

    You probably already knew that the idea of Santa Claus came from St. Nicholas. The saint wasn’t really a bearded man who wore a red suit; that look came much later. In the fourth century, the Christian bishop gave away his large inheritance to the poor and rescued women from servitude. In Dutch, his name is Sinter Klaas, which later morphed into Santa Claus.

beverages

Suggested Beverage #3

Frosted Mistletoe Margarita

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings:
Calories Per Serving: 462 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 ounces silver tequila
  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup) no sugar added cranberry juice
  • 3/4 ounce Cointreau (orange liquor)
  • juice from 1/2 a lime
  • 1-2 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 2-3 teaspoons honey, use more or less to your taste
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1 cup ice
  • rosemary and sugared cranberries, for serving (optional)

Instructions

  • 1. Combine the sugar and salt on a shallow plate. Rim each glass in salted sugar.

    2. In a blender, combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liquor, lime juice, cranberries, and honey. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Add the orange zest and blend to combine. Pour into your prepared glasses. Garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries, if desired. Drink!

SUGARED CRANBERRIES

  • 1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment lined baking sheet.

    2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.