I’m relatively new to drinking Whiskey Smash cocktails but after trying one at home for the first time a few months ago, I’m HOOKED! Like legit obsessed! It’s the first bourbon cocktail I’ve ever truly loved and I’m excited for you to try it.

I had originally set out to make a whiskey sour until I realized that it traditionally has egg white in it and I just didn’t want to mess with that. A smash (as opposed to the sour) also has the addition of mint in it, which I LOVE. Mint in cocktails just screams summer to me and for that reason, I have a giant pot of mint growing on our patio!

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

• Only 4 ingredients and ready in just 5 minutes!
• Refreshing flavors from the lemon and mint.
• Strong but well balanced with a simple mix of bourbon, fresh fruit, simple syrup and mint.
• No fancy equipment or ingredients needed!

If you love lemon cocktails as much as I do, try this vodka sour next! And for a holiday version of this whiskey smash recipe, you’ll love this apple cider cocktail!

Ingredients you’ll need

If you’re new to whiskey drinks, this whiskey smash recipe is a must try! It’s made with simple ingredients, and the bright flavor of the lemon with the refreshing taste of mint makes it dangerously easy to drink! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Lemons: To make each drink, you’ll need about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. I definitely recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Mint leaves: Muddled mint leaves gives the drink its signature cool, refreshing taste.
• Bourbon whiskey: I’ve tried this cocktail with a few different brands of bourbon and they all came out great, so use any favorite.
• Simple syrup: The sweetener that will balance out the bourbon and the tart lemon juice. Use my 2-ingredient simple syrup recipe!

Variations and substitutions

• Try this drink with vodka instead of bourbon for a vodka smash!
• In a pinch you can substitute an equal amount of honey or agave for the simple syrup.
• Change the flavor with the addition of extra fruit. You could muddle some blood orange wedges with the lemon and mint, which would be delicious! Or, try my pomegranate smash, which has the addition of pomegranate juice. It’s a good one for holiday entertaining!

How to make a whiskey smash

This classic bourbon cocktail recipe is SO easy. In less than 5 minutes, you can be sipping on a citrusy drink. Here are the simple steps:

1. Muddle: In the bottom of a shaker or glass, muddle the lemon and mint so that you release the juice and flavors.
2. Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the bourbon and simple syrup and then about a cup of ice.
3. Shake: Cover the top and shake about 30 times, and until the cocktail is fully combined and nice and cold.
4. Serve: Strain the liquid into a small glass filled with ice and garnish with additional mint and a lemon wedge. ENJOY!

Helpful tips

• To dilute the drink: If this cocktail turns out a bit strong, you can dilute it with a splash of club soda or even something like Sprite or Fresca.
• Cocktail shaker: If you don’t have a cocktail shaker to shake up this beverage and make it super cold, a mason jar with a lid does the trick really well. Then, use a fine mesh strainer to strain the liquid into your glass.
• A muddler: The muddler is used to “smash” the lemon and mint together to release their flavor. You can just use a wooden spoon to mash the fruit and herbs together if you don’t have one.

Frequently asked questions

What does a whiskey smash taste like?

A whiskey smash has a cool, refreshing flavor from the mint and the lemon with a hint of vanilla and caramel from the bourbon. It’s smooth and easy to drink – great for someone trying whiskey for the first time.

What makes a drink a smash?

A smash is a cocktail that has herbs and fruit muddled together and then combined with some type of alcohol. These are very popular in the summer because of the common use of fresh ingredients, especially mint.

What is the difference between a whiskey smash and a mint julep?

A mint julep is made with whiskey bourbon, simple syrup and mint but does not include the fresh lemon.

Other great cocktails to try:

• Classic Gin and Tonic
• Classic Mojito
• Grapefruit Margaritas
• Bellini- THREE different ways
• Watermelon White Wine Slushie
• Margarita Popsicles
• Mango Wine Slushie

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Whiskey Smash

Learn how to make a Whiskey Smash that's bright and refreshing with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. This cocktail recipe is easy to make with a mix of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and fresh mint. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of mint and you'll have the perfect drink for happy hour!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 drink

Calories 226kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• ½ medium lemon cut into wedges (plus more for garnish)*
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 5 mint leaves
• ice

Instructions

• In the bottom of a shaker or glass, muddle the lemon and mint so that you release the juice and flavors.
  1/2 medium lemon, 5 mint leaves
• Add in the bourbon and simple syrup and then about a cup of ice.
  1 oz simple syrup, 2 ounces bourbon, ice
• Cover the top and shake about 30 times.
• Strain into a small glass filled with ice and garnish with extra mint and lemon. ENJOY!

Video

Notes

*this ends up being about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 224IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Whiskey Smash appeared first on Food with Feeling.

We went strawberry picking this week and I now have a deliciously LONG list of recipes that I plan to make with all of them! I love this time of year when SO MUCH is in season and you can get fresh veggies and fruit everywhere 🥰

Hopefully you’ve noticed that I’ve been on a HUGE strawberry kick lately. It’s just a flavor I love in everything! And you know I love my SWEET cocktails so I’m excited about this one!

We’ve made strawberry compote, strawberry donuts, and Jemma’s favorite: Strawberry MILK! I have about 13,854 more strawberry recipes ideas floating around in my head so hopefully I can get to quite a few more of them before the season is over :)

How to make a Mocktail version of this drink:

I wrote this recipe so that it can be inclusive to the non-alcohol drinkers out there. The vodka can simply be left out to make a simple strawberry lemonade. And as desired, 2 oz of vodka can be added to individual glasses as desired. This works well for parties and get togethers where there’s a mixture of tastes and ages.

Everyone deserves to enjoy a little pink lemonade!

BUT, we’re going to be focusing on the vodka version of this drink…

Simple Ingredients:

• Water (I’ve also tried this with sparkling water and it’s DELICIOUS!)
• Fresh Strawberries (you can also use frozen strawberries but I would let them thaw first)
• Vodka- use your favorite vodka (Tito’s and Svedka are favorites here!)
• Sugar- this could be replaced with maple syrup, honey, etc as desired. I have a whole post about making different kinds of simple syrup that you can check out HERE.
• Fresh Lemon juice (but in a pinch, store bought lemon juice also works!)

Wanna use other fruit??

I think this would be delicious with other fruit such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or a combination of all of them!

How to make this Cocktail:

To make this strawberry vodka drink, we’re going to start out by blending together the strawberries with a little water until you have a silky-smooth texture.

After that, we’re going to press out all of the juice. You could skip the pressing part but I’ve found that a lot of people don’t like all of the little berry seeds and pulp floating in their drink.

Once the strawberry juice is made, we’re then going to make a basic simple syrup similar to THIS. After that, we can make the homemade lemonade! It’s simply a matter of combining the juice + simple syrup + vodka + lemon juice. EASY! Garnish with a few lemon slices, fresh mint leaves and ENJOY!

Recipe tips:

• I love making this in a large pitcher to serve at parties, but you could also make it individually as preferred.
• Try using other alcohols such as gin or tequila
• Swap the water out for bubbly water! I’ve tried this with sparkling water and it’s delcious.
• Mix up the fruit and use other berries instead of strawberries OR mix other berries in with the strawberries
• Use frozen berries as needed BUT thaw them out first!

I’m seriously obsessed with this strawberry vodka cocktail and can’t wait to see y’all making it! It’s like quintessential summer and I certainly plan to make it a good few times throughout the season :)

As usual, please let me know if you end up making this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

This Strawberry Lemonade Vodka is simple to make and perfect for summer entertaining! Sweet and delicious!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6 large cocktails

Calories 244kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• ½ pound strawberries hulled
• 1 cup sugar can add more to make it sweeter as desired
• 4 cups water divided
• 1 ¼ cups lemon juice
• 1 cup vodka plus more to taste*

Instructions

• In a food processor (or blender), add in the strawberries and 1/2 cup of the water. Process until completely smooth and no chunks remain. This may take a couple of minutes. Place a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl and pour the mixture into the sieve. Press down lightly with a spatula so that all of the juices pour out into the bowl (see video for reference). Discard the pulp and seeds that are leftover. Set juice aside.
• Make the simple syrup by combining the remaining water and the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, combine the simple syrup with the strawberry juice and mix to combine. Stir in the lemon juice and vodka (see note about leaving out the vodka). 
• Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Video

Notes

* You can leave the vodka out to simply make strawberry lemonade and then add 2 ounces of vodka to each glass as desired to make it alcoholic.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 42mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The post Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail appeared first on Food with Feeling.

A Peach Bellini as a fun change from classic mimosas, and when the weather gets hot, these light and sparkly cocktails are the most refreshing way to have a boozy brunch!

In this post, I’m showing you how to make a Bellini, and then giving this classic cocktail a summertime twist by using frozen peach slices instead of juice to make a frozen Bellini. In addition, I’ll show you how you can even make Bellini popsicles. While I LOVE the traditional recipe, the frozen options are fun and seriously crave-worthy on a balmy day. All three versions are SO ridiculously perfect for summer! 

Key ingredients:

What’s in a Bellini you might ask? Like a mimosa, a Bellini has juice (peach juice to be exact) and champagne. While it’s not totally needed, you can also add in a little bit of simple syrup, if you’d like to sweeten up the cocktail a bit.

• Peach nectar. Many Bellini recipes will call for you to first make the peach nectar with fresh peaches. At brunch, I never want to fool with that, so I just use peach nectar from the can. You can find this at any grocery store down the Latin American aisle.
• Dry sparkling wine. Prosecco is the classic choice, but any dry sparkling wine or champagne will work.
• Simple syrup. Optional for extra sweetness. Try my homemade simple syrup! Taste the drink first and, if desired, start with adding about 1/2 teaspoon per drink to taste.

How to make this drink:

Making peach Bellini cocktails at home is super easy. Just a few simple steps and you’re well on your way to one delicious beverage! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full, printable recipe.

1. Make your own nectar. If you DO want to make your own peach nectar, simply blend up a few pitted peaches and then run that through a mesh sieve to collect the juice. Discard any fruity bits that you might not want in your drink.
2. Mix the drink. To make the Bellini, simply mix together one part peach nectar (about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup) to one part sparkling wine and add in a splash (start with about 1/2 teaspoon) of simple syrup. I usually taste mine first to decide if it needs any extra sweetness and then go from there.

THAT’S IT! Hence why this is such a popular brunch cocktail.

Serving suggestions

Bellinis are traditionally served in a fluted glass such as a champagne flute. Here’s some ways we love to enjoy them:

• With brunch. Paired with French toast, pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit, these dreamy drinks are easy to sip while relaxing on leisurely weekend mornings or special occasion breakfast or brunch celebrations.
• In addition to brunch, Peach Bellinis can be served at summertime celebrations, pool parties, showers, and garden parties, and your next girls’ get-together! 

Tips for the perfect cocktail

Here’s some helpful tips to ensure you have a delicious Bellini:

• Make ahead. If you’re making your own peach nectar, feel free to make that in advance, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Wait to add the wine until just before serving so your drinks are fresh and bubbly.
• Peaches. Want to use fresh peaches? The original Bellini is made with white peaches, however yellow peaches work great too and they ripen faster. When peaches are out of season, canned or even frozen peaches will work, just be sure to choose unsweetened canned peaches if you can’t find fresh. 

Variations

This drink is easy to change up, based on what flavors you’re craving and what you have available. Here’s some suggestions:

• Non-alcoholic. To make a Peach Bellini Mocktail, substitute seltzer for the sparkling wine.
• Wine. Prosecco is classic for making Bellinis, but champagne is another sparkling wine that will work great in this recipe. In fact, any favorite sparkling white wine will do.
• Fruit. Substitute strawberry purée for the peach nectar for an equally delicious summer cocktail.

Make it frozen

These chilly cocktails are perfect for balmy morning brunches, especially if you’re dining outside. We especially love to sip on these slushies, poolside, served in plastic flutes!

Popsicle option

These fun Bellini popsicles are the perfect way to toast summer! They’re also a great way to use up those sweet, juicy summer peaches in an adult celebration kind of way.

To make Bellinis into pops, we’re essentially just going to make the recipe as usual and then dump it into popsicle molds. So easy!

Alternatively, you could also make the frozen version and then pour that into the molds. This is an awesome way to store any leftovers that you might have. You’ll be so thankful later when you remember that they’re in the freezer!

If you’re looking for a cold cocktail that’s as refreshing as it is boozy, whip up a Peach Bellini to enjoy at brunches and get-togethers all summer long!

More summer cocktails to try:

• Mango Wine Slushie
• Whiskey Smash
• Classic Mojito Recipe
• Grapefruit Margarita
• Gin & Tonic
• Lavender Mojito
• Classic Aperol Spritz
• Lavender Lemonade Vodka
• Watermelon White Wine Slushie
• Peach Mojito
• Sangria Popsicles
• Cucumber Lime Tequila Cocktail

As usual, please let me know if you end up making any of these three versions of this recipe and how you like it. You can come back here to leave a comment or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

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Peach Bellini

Refreshing and bubbly, a Peach Bellini is a light and fruity Italian cocktail made in 5 minutes or less with just 2 ingredients: Prosecco sparkling wine and peach nectar. They’re the perfect cocktail for brunch, happy hour and holidays!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine French

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 bottle sparkling wine chilled
• 1 can peach nectar chilled
• simple syrup as desired for extra sweetness

Instructions

• Pour 2 ounces (¼ cup) chilled peach nectar into a champagne flute. Pour in some chilled sparkling wine (about 2 ounces), being careful not to overflow the glass. Add in a splash (start with about 1/2 teaspoon) of simple syrup. I usually taste mine first to decide if it needs any extra sweetness and then go from there. Gently stir with a spoon to combine.
• Add another splash of wine to top off the drink and garnish with a peach slice, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Notes

Make your own nectar. If you DO want to make your own peach nectar, simply blend up a few pitted peaches and then run that through a mesh sieve to collect the juice. Discard any fruity bits that you might not want in your drink.

Frozen version. Combine frozen peaches and champagne in a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Serve and enjoy! Add in a bit of simple syrup if you want the cocktail to be sweet.

Popsicle version. Make the recipe as instructed and then pour it into popsicle molds. Alternatively, you could make the frozen version and then pour that into the molds.

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Bellini- 3 Different Ways

Easy to make and delicious Bellini Recipe!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 6 classic bellini

Calories 187kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

For the classic Bellini:

• ¼ cup peach nectar
• ¼ cup champagne
• optional: splash of simple syrup and peach slice to garnish

For the frozen Bellini:

• 1 750 ml bottle of champagne/ sparkling wine
• 4 cups frozen peaches
• optional: 2 tablespoons of simple syrup

For the Bellini popsicles:

• 1 ½ cups peach nectar
• 1 ½ cups champagne/ sparkling wine
• 1 ½ tablespoons simple syrup
• optional: peach slices in each popsicles

Instructions

For the classic Bellini:

• In a champagne glass, combine the peach nectar, sparkling wine, and simple syrup. Stir to combine and garnish with a peach slice or 2 (I like to use frozen peach slices!). ENJOY!

For the frozen Bellini:

• Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve and enjoy! If you have leftovers, you can pour it into popsicles molds to freeze for later. Enjoy!

For the Bellini popsicles:

You can make these 2 ways:

• Follow the directions for the frozen bellini, cutting the recipe in half. Once blended and smooth, pour the mixture into the popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
• In a bowl, mix together the peach nectar, champagne, and simple syrup. Pour the mixture evenly into the popsicle molds and place a peach slice into each mold. Place the popsicle sticks in and freeze overnight. ENJOY!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.05g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 522IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Peach Bellini appeared first on Food with Feeling.

What is simple syrup?

Simple syrups are an easier way to blend a sweetener into cold drinks instead of using just plain sugar. This liquified form of sugar can be made plain or simmered with fruits and other ingredients, like lavender, to give the sweet syrup a specific flavor.

It can be tempting to just pick up a bottle of pre-made simple syrup at the store, but making it at home guarantees that you get the exact flavor you want without all of the unnecessary add-ins that typically come from the store-bought version.

Trust me, this homemade raspberry simple syrup will take your lemonade, cocktail or milk to a delicious level that store-bought just can’t compete with!

Recipe instructions

This recipe could not be easier! Here’s the simple process:

Full, printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Combine & simmer ingredients. In a medium pot over medium-high heat, stir together raspberries, sugar and water. 
2. Cook. Bring mixture to a very gentle simmer. Stir frequently and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Strain. With a fine mesh sieve, strain the raspberry mixture into a clean bowl. Use a spatula to gently press the berries down to remove all of the juice, leaving behind just the seeds and pulp. Once all of the juice has been strained out, discard what is left in the sieve.
4. Cool and enjoy. Let cool before using and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 2 weeks. 

Storage recommendations

Once completely cool, store syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator to stay fresh. It will keep well for about 2 weeks.

You can also store it in the freezer for 6 months. To thaw, place the syrup in the fridge overnight. You can also place the frozen sealed container of syrup in a bowl of lukewarm water for about 30 minutes.

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Raspberry Syrup

Raspberry Syrup is a sweet and tasty mix-in for all your favorite drinks! Made with fresh raspberries, sugar and water; this easy recipe is bursting with summer deliciousness. It’s the best way to flavor cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, and more!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 6 oz container of raspberries about 2 cups loosely packed
• ⅔ cup of sugar*
• ⅔ cup of water

Instructions

• In a medium pot over medium high heat, stir together the raspberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Strain the raspberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Use a spatula to gently press the berries down to remove all of the juice, leaving behind just the seeds and pulp. Once all of the juice has been strained out, discard what is left in the sieve.
• Let cool before using and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Notes

*Use more or less sugar, depending on how sweet you would like the syrup.

The post Raspberry Syrup appeared first on Food with Feeling.

I’ve been making this lavender syrup recipe a lot over the last few years and I figured that it was time for it to have it’s own dedicated blog post. I have a whole tutorial on how to make simple syrup with lots of different kinds of sweeteners and flavors including lavender. But this is my all time favorite and I make it often!

I love to use this lavender simple syrup for coffee, cocktails, and even to sweeten oatmeal. Basically, I just want everything to taste like lavender. It never gets old :)

Ingredients needed

Why spend a small fortune on a craft cocktail or fancy coffeehouse beverage when you can make it at home? All you need is the right ingredients, like this lavender syrup! Just like regular simple syrup, but made with fresh or dried lavender flowers. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Water. I like to use filtered water for the best taste.
• Sweetener of choice. Sugar, coconut sugar, honey and maple syrup will all work. However, to get a bit of purple color in your syrup, use regular granulated white sugar. Other sweeteners may darken the color of the simple syrup.
• Dried lavender. Be sure to purchase dried lavender flowers or buds that are food-grade. Here’s an option from Amazon.

How to make this recipe

Making lavender syrup could not be easier! Here’s the simple process:

Full, printable instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Combine + heat ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer. Cook on low for 5 minutes and stir to make sure sugar dissolves completely. Once the syrup has thickened, simply remove from the heat and let cool.
2. Strain. It will be necessary to strain out the lavender by passing the liquid through a fine mesh strainer.
3. Store. Pour syrup into an airtight container for storage.

Flavor variations

• Rose simple syrup. Feel free to sub out the lavender flowers with edible dried rose petals. You’ll follow the same recipe method, but instead make rose syrup. It’s a rose flavored simple syrup (liquid sugar) that you can use to make lattes, teas and sodas.
• Lavender honey syrup. Simply swap out the sugar for an equal amount of honey. Super simple and a great natural alternative with a lovely honey flavor. You can do the same thing with pure maple syrup, if you’d like a maple flavor in your drink.

Serving suggestions

There are so many different ways to use this recipe! And they all happen to be super delicious! Here’s some options we love:

• Mix with sparkling water to make lavender flavored soda.
• Pour in steamed or warm milk to make an instant lavender latte.
• Add to iced tea or hot lavender tea for an extra boost of lavender flavor. 
• Make refreshing lavender cocktails.
• Stir it into yogurt, frozen yogurt and/or oatmeal. So good!

Frequently asked questions

How much simple syrup does this recipe make?

This recipe will make 1 and 1/4 cup of syrup.

What can I use to strain the lavender?

Use a mesh strainer to filter out the lavender flowers/buds.

How long does it last?

Store the syrup in the fridge in a sealed container and it will keep fresh for about 2 weeks.

How much syrup should I use per drink?

You’ll want to use around 1-2 tablespoons of syrup for each cup.

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How to Make Lavender Syrup

This lavender syrup is simple to make and great for flavoring cocktails, coffee and more!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 10

Calories 78kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 cup of sugar can sub for an equal amount of: coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave
• 1 cup of water
• 1 ½ tablespoons of dried or fresh lavender flowers

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lavender and place over medium heat.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and lower the heat a bit. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes at which time the sugar should have completely dissolved and the syrup started to thicken.
• Let cool slightly and then strain the mixture through a sieve to remove the lavender. Pour into an airtight container for storage.

Video

https://dashboard.mediavine.com/videos/oagafxmemehpgtooq6b7

Notes

• Store syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 2 weeks.
• Use around 1 to 2 tablespoons of syrup per cup when making drinks.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 0.02g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 0.4mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg

The post How to Make Lavender Syrup appeared first on Food with Feeling.

There’s just something about margaritas that scream summer, especially with this bright blue color that would be so perfect for fourth of July festivities.

Margaritas are my go-to cocktail for happy hour, sipping by the pool and summer entertaining! But this blue version might just be my new favorite drink! It’s a twist on the classic margarita that uses Blue Curacao, an orange flavored liqueur to give it an ocean-tinted color.

These blue cocktails are perfectly sweet, subtly tart and really quite gorgeous too! Let’s get to the details, so you can shake up these margs and get out on a patio. 

Recipe instructions

Making margaritas at home is super easy! Here’s a quick rundown of the process, but reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full, printable recipe.

1. Rim your glass. Adding salt to the rim of the glass is optional, but I really love the addition. Add about 3 tablespoons of coarse salt onto a plate. Rub the rim of the glass with a lime wedge. Then, dip the rim into the salt. Fill the glass with ice. 
2. Mix ingredients. Add all of the ingredients into a shaker or cocktail mixing glass filled with ice. Shake or stir for 30 seconds to chill the drink.
3. Serve. Strain the cocktail into a margarita glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime and ENJOY!

Frequently asked questions

What does Blue Curacao taste like?

It has a lovely sweet orange flavor with a subtle bitter finish. Compared to Triple Sec, Blue Curacao is bit sweeter but also a somewhat more bitter.

What if I don’t have Blue Curacao?

The Blue Curacao liquor can be substituted with Triple Sec or Cointreau, and you can add a few drops of blue food coloring to get that signature color. The drink may taste slightly different, but will still be delicious.

What is the best tequila for margaritas made with Blue Curacao?

Use blanco, silver, plata, or white tequila. They are basically the same thing: made in Mexico from agave and not aged in oak. They are perfect for mixed drinks but not the best choice to drink straight.

What is the difference between a blue margarita and a blue daiquiri?

The difference is in the alcohol: a margarita is made with tequila and a daiquiri is made with rum. Both can be served on the rocks or as a blended cocktail.

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Blue Margarita

Sweet, slightly bitter and SO bright, this Blue Margarita will be a hit at your summer gatherings! It’s an easy cocktail recipe made with Blue Curacao liqueur that anyone can whip up!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 251kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ½ ounces blue curacao liqueur
• 1 ½ ounces lime juice
• Optional for sweetness: 1 tablespoon of simple syrup or agave

Instructions

• Rim your margarita glass with salt as desired and fill with ice.
• Add all of the ingredients into a shaker or cocktail mixing glass filled with ice. Shake/stir for 30 seconds to chill the drink.
• Strain the cocktail into a margarita glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime and ENJOY!

Notes

*To make a blue daiquiri, use rum instead of tequila.

**This recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.04mg

The post Blue Margarita appeared first on Food with Feeling.

Hopefully you know by now HOW much I love a good holiday themed cocktail. i just really hope that you know me well enough by now :)

Shockingly, this is my very first halloween cocktail and I’m very excited about it because

1. I’ve been LOVING a good bourbon cocktail lately.
2. We pretty much always have pomegranate juice in the house because I’m obsessed.
3. I got MULTIPLE different halloween themed cocktail glasses this year and I’m excited for an excuse to use them.

I’m going to keep today’s post brief because you don’t need an entire novel with this cocktail recipe, right?

Real quick, here’s what’s in the pomegranate cocktail:

• Bourbon
• Pomegranate juice
• lemon juice
• Maple syrup (or can be subbed for simple syrup)

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Pomegranate Smash

This simple pomegranate cocktail is perfect for holiday sipping and so easy to throw together!

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 222kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ¾ oz maple syrup or sub for rosemary simple syrup
• 2 oz pomegranate juice
• Rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

• In a shaker or cocktail mixer filled with ice, combine the pomegranate juice, bourbon, maple syrup and lemon juice. Shake/ stir to combine.
• Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice, garnish and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.1mg

The post Pomegranate Smash appeared first on Food with Feeling.

I have been LOVING Lillet cocktails recently and this Vesper drink has been my go to! This cocktail was made famous by James Bond who ordered this in the Casino Royale novels. I won’t pretend to know much about James Bond but I do really love this cocktail :)

It requires just THREE ingredients and I’m going to quickly walk you through this.

If you follow me on Instagram (I’m @foodwithfeeling!) then you know that I have been absolutely loving this Malfy con limone gin lately! I’ve tried a lot of different gins over the past few years and this one is BY FAR my favorite. I always keep it on hand and the slight lemon flavor is perfect in this cocktail. This is in no way sponsored- I just really love this gin :)

Here are the 3 ingredients needed for a Vesper:

• Gin
• Lillet
• Vodka

How to make this Vesper Martini recipe:

As with many of my cocktails, this one is so simple to make! In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass (I’ve been loving this one lately that I featured in the video!), combine all of the ingredients over ice and shake/ stir to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cute little lemon twist.

AND that’s it! It’s so incredibly simple and the lillet really makes this special!

Shaken or stirred!?

I learned a lesson when it comes to this specific cocktail and that’s that it’d classically shaken and NOT stirred. Well, if you watch my video then you’ll see that I went the stirred route anyways. In the James Bond novel, he specifically calls for it to be shaken. So, I’ll leave that one up to you :)

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Vesper Martini

Course Cocktail

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 3 ounces of gin
• 1 ½ ounces of vodka
• 1 ounce of lillet
• lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker or mixer filled with ice, combine the gin, vodka, and lillet. Shake/ stir to quickly chill the liquid.
• Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist. ENJOY!

The post Vesper Martini appeared first on Food with Feeling.

I’ve really been loving amaretto cocktails! The sweet nutty flavor is just too good. One of the easiest and quickest amaretto drinks to mix up is the French Connection. It’s a slow-sipping, classic cocktail that will warm you from the inside out and it makes the perfect after-dinner drink. The aromatic notes of almond in the amaretto paired with the rich flavor of dried fruit and warm spices that cognac has, makes it a great cocktail for the fall and winter season! 

What is a French Connection Cocktail?

The French Connection was supposedly created in 1971 after a movie of the same name, featuring Gene Hackman. The actual inventor of the drink is unknown. The cocktail could not be more simple, yet it’s full of complex, bold flavor. The French Connection drink is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning it can be used in the annual World Cocktail Competition of bartending. It’s made with just two ingredients: cognac and amaretto. 

French Connection Ingredients:

With simple drinks like this, it is always best to use higher quality ingredients. Cognac, aged over 10 years, can definitely get pricey, but you can find great-tasting amaretto and cognac that don’t break the bank. My go-to brands are Amaretto DiSaronno and Courvoisier VS. Both are affordable but still great quality!

• Cognac – Rich and sweet, with a smooth, elegant finish that seems to last forever. Courvoisier VS is a younger cognac with fresher and more fruit-forward flavors. This particular cognac has a delicate and smooth flavor, with many notes of fruit and the aroma of fresh wood.
• Amaretto – A sweet, slightly bitter, almond-tasting Italian liqueur. Disaronno is a popular amaretto brand that’s easy to find and works well in this drink.

How to Make a French Connection Cocktail:

The French Connection Cocktail has an elegant presentation and is commonly served in a lowball glass with ice. However, it can also be served in a brandy snifter without ice. The  method for making this recipe is the easiest and it comes together in just minutes. Here’s the details:

• Fill a lowball glass with ice. Pour in the cognac and amaretto and stir gently to combine.
• Serve and ENJOY!

When to Serve This Drink?

If you’ve got a couple of minutes, then you’ve got time to stir together a French Connection! Because it’s so easy, it’s a great drink to quickly serve at a moment’s notice. Maybe unexpected guests drop by or you decide to have a last minute get together with friends or family! We love to serve this drink:

• For an impromptu happy hour 
• After dinner 
• As a nightcap drink
• For unexpected (or expected!) celebrations

That’s all I have for today! As usual, if you end up making this cocktail, please snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

More simple cocktails to try:

• Mojito
• Manhattan Cocktail
• Classic Aperol Spritz
• White Russian
• Bellini- 3 different ways

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French Connection Cocktail

The French Connection Cocktail is a simple amaretto cocktail recipe, and it happens to be one of my favorites! Sippable and boozy, it’s made with just two key ingredients – amaretto and cognac, plus ice.

Course Cocktail

Cuisine cocktail, French

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 1 drink

Calories 186kcal

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces cognac
• 1 ounce amaretto
• Ice

Instructions

• Fill a lowball glass with ice. Pour in the cognac and amaretto and stir gently to combine.
• Serve and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.03g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 0.3mg | Iron: 0.04mg

The post French Connection Cocktail appeared first on Food with Feeling.

If you’ve been following along for any length of time, you know that I LOVE a good lemon cocktail. And this vodka sour might just be my favorite of all time! This is a great before dinner drink or after dinner dessert drink and a fabulous choice when you want a cocktail with a bit of pucker and a hint of sweetness. You can also adapt it to suit your personal taste and have fun adding other flavors to the mix.

Easy to whip up and oh so delicious to sip on. Guaranteed to get rave reviews any time it’s served. It’s one of those simple, comforting cocktails that works so well at the end of a busy day because it’s effortless, but provides big flavor! You’re sure to adore this cocktail just as much as I do!

What is a sour cocktail?

Sour cocktails are one of the oldest cocktail families and truly my favorite! A sour cocktail is made with fresh citrus juice, though you will see pre-made mixes out there. For the vodka sour, we’re using fresh lemon juice. Sours typically have a base liquor, fresh citrus and a sweetener. Occasionally, egg white is added to a sour drink to smooth it out and add a lovely foaminess on top.

There are many variations to the sour cocktail. You can use a splash of club soda or a bit of champagne to lighten the cocktail. The mix of spirit, sour and sweet is so popular and pleasing there are endless variations, and can include muddled herbs or fruit or infusions. Common sour drinks are:

• Sidecar
• French 75
• Gimlet
• Daiquiri
• Lemon Drop
• Margarita
• Paloma
• Pisco Sour
• Whiskey Smash
• Mojito
• Tom Collins

Ingredients needed to make a vodka sour:

Like many of the best cocktails, the vodka sour requires just a few ingredients. Here’s the simple lineup:

• Vodka. For best results use a good quality, pure flavored vodka, but to keep it simple, just use what you have on hand!
• Fresh lemon juice. I recommend freshly squeezing your lemon juice, instead of store-bought. It’s so much more flavorful! You’ll need one small lemon for 1 ounce in this recipe. And don’t forget the lemon peel for a fun garnish!
• Simple syrup. to balance out the vodka and the tart lemon juice. Agave nectar or honey is a decent substitute in a pinch!
• Pasteurized egg white. for that fancy white foam on top!
• Angostura bitters. adds a bit of spice and depth to the cocktail. If you don’t have any on hand, feel free to omit. You could also substitute orange or grapefruit bitters, if you prefer.

How to make a vodka sour:

The vodka sour cocktail has a fancy presentation with that frothy topping, but the method for making this recipe is so easy and comes together super quick. Here’s the details:

1. Shake ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is chilled and beginning to condensate. 
2. Pour. Strain into your preferred glass. In the photos, here, I’m using a coupe glass, but a lowball glass would also work. 
3. Enjoy! Garnish with a lemon wedge or a twist of lemon and enjoy!

Tips for success:

• Pasteurized egg white. I highly recommend using a pasteurized egg white in this recipe, as it lowers the risk of contracting food-borne illness from the raw egg white. They’re available in most grocery stores, in the same area as the regular eggs.
• Simple syrup. This will sweeten the drink slightly, but if you prefer a more tart vodka sour, feel free to leave it out. You can make a full batch of simple syrup, but to make a small batch, just enough for this cocktail recipe, combine 2 teaspoons of water and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Chill briefly before using.  
• Balance of sweet and tart. If you find the drink to be a little too tart, add more syrup next time. Likewise, if it’s a bit too sweet for your taste, pour more lemon juice or use less simple syrup.
• Add a twist of lemon for garnish. You can keep things simple and just add a lemon wedge for garnish, but I love the addition of a lemon twist for a really pretty presentation. To make a lemon twist, use a vegetable peeler to remove a long piece of lemon peel from a whole lemon. Twist it up and it should hold a curl shape. For a thinner lemon twist, you can use this method.

Variations:

There’s so many ways to alter this recipe to make it your own creation. Here’s a few ideas:

• For a fun twist on the flavor: add up to 1 ounce of your preferred flavoring! Lime juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice, blood orange liqueur, or chambord. The possibilities are endless!
• To make a cherry vodka sour: add about 1/4 ounce of grenadine to this current recipe and garnish with a cherry. Or you can use a cherry infused vodka. The egg white is typically omitted in a cherry vodka sour.
• Add extra flavor with a fruit infused vodka. 
• Enjoy a bit of bubbly with the addition of club soda or Sprite.

Vegan vodka sour:

You can make this vodka sour completely vegan and still add the foamy topping! Rather than using an egg white, substitute two tablespoons of aquafaba and shake as directed.

That’s all I have for today! As usual, if you end up making this cocktail, please snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

More simple cocktails to try:

• Mojito
• Manhattan Cocktail
• Classic Aperol Spritz
• White Russian
• Bellini- 3 different ways

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Vodka Sour

A Vodka Sour is a classic vodka cocktail that’s light and refreshing with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. This cocktail recipe is easy to make with a mix of vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and a frothy egg white. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel and you have the perfect drink for happy hour!

Course Drink

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 serving

Calories

Author Brita Britnell

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 large pasteurized egg white
• 1 dash Angostura bitters optional

Instructions

• Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is chilled and beginning to condensate. 
• Strain into your preferred glass (I’m using a coupe glass, but a lowball glass would also work.) 
• Garnish with a lemon wedge and enjoy!

Notes

Flavor Variations: For a fun twist on a vodka sour, add up to 1 ounce of your preferred flavoring! Lime juice, pomegranate juice, grenadine, orange juice, blood orange liqueur, chambord –  the possibilities are endless! 

Vegan Variation: Rather than using an egg white, substitute two tablespoons of aquafaba and shake as directed. 

The post Vodka Sour appeared first on Food with Feeling.