Pear & Blackberry Fizz

I mentioned last week how Berentzen sent me some of their new liqueurs to try out. I was lucky enough to get the apple and the pear. I have had a few pear inspired cocktails, but their pear liqueur tempted me right away. When I first  opened the bottle, the aroma was enticing and I was unable to wait to make a cocktail...I decided to have a taste right away. Oh my gosh, the flavor is perfect. Not too sweet and it pairs well with other flavors with out overwhelming them. 

I am a lover of blackberries and I had some fresh blackberries and blackberry brandy on hand. I wasn't exaclty sure what I wanted to create at first and then remembered that we had ginger ale left over from a friend's visit. And I mean the real stuff, out of a glass bottle and almost spicy. This is what made the cocktail. You are welcome to use whatever ginger ale you want, even canada dry, but the flavor combo won't be as intense.I first just used the pear, blackberry and ginger ale but knew it was missing something. That was when I tried it with a little triple sec and a splash of lime...perfect!

Pear & Blackberry Fizz

1 oz Berentzen Pear Liqueur

1/2 oz Blackberry brandy/liqueur

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1/2 tbsp lime juice

4 oz ginger ale

blackberries/pear****Optional for garnish

In an ice filled shaker, combine all ingredients except the ginger ale and shake vigorously. Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with the ginger ale. 

I made a garnish using a skewer with blackberries and pear bites. The second time I made this, I soaked the blackberries in a half a cup of the pear liqueur over night. I used the blackberry infused pear liqueur to make this drink and used the blackberries as the garnish. I think I prefer the second version, but I doubt you'd find me turning either one of them down.

I was supplied the Berentzen pear, but all opinions are my own.

Apple Guava 'Rita

I went round and round as to what I would create using the Berentzen apple liqueur. I have made plenty of apple flavored drinks, but I wanted to stumble off the usual path and opt for a slightly different taste. A few weeks ago I  made wassail and had a few cans of guava nectar left over in my fridge and the thought came to me to try and see what I could concoct with it. 

I played around with a bourbon recipe and while you may see that one soon enough, tequila actually won out this go round and I decided to create a margarita. This weather has been so bleh and you can't help but feel spring on the horizon, followed quickly by summer, when you drink a margarita!

This was very easy to put together and you can find the cans of guava nectar in your juice aisle or some stores keep them in the international section. On another note, it is amazing in smoothies!

Ingredients
6 oz guava nectar
2 oz tequila
3 oz berentzen apple liqueur
1 tbsp lime juice
salt/sugar for rim optional

Place all ingredients in a shaker and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds. Pour into two glasses over ice. 
You could also put all ingredients into a blender and make a frozen version, that was my neighbor's favorite. 

You can also check out my food blog where I used the berentzen apple liqueur to make a cake and frosting. It was so light and perfect for a gathering with friends. 

Next week I will have recipes using the berentzen pear!

I was supplied with the berentzen, but opinions are all my own.

Bourbon Wassail

Yes, I know that this is a drink that usually conjures up thoughts of Christmas. In all fairness, "Here We Come A-Wassailing" is a Christmas Carol. And funny enough...until I went on Wikipedia tonight to make sure I spelled it correctly...I wasn't aware the drink was actually named after the act of wassailing. 

But with as cold and brutal as this winter has been, I have been finding reasons to drink it often. Even now, in March. Dear Old Man Winter, you have seriously overstayed your welcome. Sincerely, errrrybody. But, while it is still chilly out, I cannot recommend this yummy drink enough. There are apparently quite a few versions around but I plan to share the one from my sweet friend Lyss. That is the one that got me hooked after all. I only made a few adaptations, but I will share both and you can choose your version. 

Here is Lyss's recipe. This is for a large crowd, so feel free to half it if you want it for a smaller group!

And here is my version. The first time I made it, I used more pineapple juice, as I am a pineapple groupie. And it saddens my heart to say this, but it was too much. It was just like you were drinking warmed up pineapple juice. It was still good, but tinkering with it did the trick and this was my favorite by far. 

4 cups apple cider
4 cups oj
2 cups pineapple juice
1 can apricot nectar
1 can guava nectar
large orange w/cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup bourbon

Simmer everything but the bourbon for about an hour and a half and then add it in and simmer for another half an hour. You could also just add to glasses per taste and keep the large pot non alcoholic. I used sparkling cider for this, but you can use any. I think next time I may try it with a spicy wine. and perhaps omit the bourbon. I have also heard that this is yummy with spiced rum and I bet it is. 

Spring is almost here, but if this weather keeps up...I may end up enjoying a bit more of this. 

Thanks again for the recipe, Lyss! It has become one of my favorites!

A Few Adult Beverages

to tempt you in these frigid temps. Beware, as most of them include bourbon, but what better to soothe you in this coldness. Unless you live somewhee warm...in which case I am insanely jealous of you right now.  Although, some of these are frozen drinks. I still find myself drinking those in the winter, as I sit in front of a warm fire and all cuddled up in a blanket.

Anyways, a few of my favorite cocktails since this bloggy was born.You will notice that I noted the drinks made with bourbon. So many. Shocking, isn't it? Bottoms up.

Blue Moon Milkshake

Pomatini Spritzer

The Naughty Southerner ***bourbon...my favorite of them all!

Blackberry Pineapple Sangria

Cheerwine Daiquiri ***bourbon

The Melon Beam ***bourbon

Caramel Apple Daiquiri ***bourbon

Strawberry Bourbonade Popsicle ***bourbon

Peppermint Oreo Mudslide

I absolutely love hosting get togethers. I am not always the biggest fan of all the prepwork that proceeds said gatherings, but the actual event: sign me up. I never tire of coming up with different recipes to serve and more often than not, I usually like to create different cocktails or put a spin on an old favorite.

I love peppermint all year round so this is not just a holiday drink in my book, but the ingredients are more readily found this time of year. and if we're being honest with each other here...how can you possibly go wrong with oreos? Exactly my answer...you can't!

I first tried my hand at this a few years ago and I tweaked a few things this time to make it as close to perfect as I could. Or ok, next week I will be humble...not today. It is perfect. Would I lie to you? Don't answer that.

Ingredients

1 cup peppermint ice cream

1/2 cup crushed oreos

2 oz kahlua

2 oz baileys

1 1/2 oz vodka(I used whipped cream flavored)

1/2 cup ice

crushed peppermint pieces (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till desired consistency reached. if you want to rim your glass, I usually pour a little milk on a plate and dip lip of glass in it. on a separate plate, pour crushed peppermint pieces. Dip glass pieces.

I may have already enjoyed a few too many of these this year. I do not feel even a little bit bad about it either! 

Blue Moon Milkshake

 Before I get to my cocktail today, I am also guest posting over at Bumps Along The Way, discussing my struggles with infertility and how I came about with the whole idea behind the infertility prayer project. I woke up to the sweetest email from her a few weeks ago, sharing her heart with me and I am so glad she found me, She is the sweetest and next week I will be featuring her story over here. So if you have a moment, go meet Sydney.

The idea for this came about a few months ago when the hubs and I were eating at Red Robin{ a rare occurrence because he has an aversion to chains} and as I was looking over their menu, I noticed a "blue moon milkshake" and I was pretty intrigued. I didn't order it but kept the idea in the back of my mind for a perfect time to make one.

When I had Wiki's birthday party, I knew that was the time. Since men were in abundance and I wanted something summery, but not just beer...this seemed the perfect compromise. For me anyways bc I abhor beer. and isn't it about me, even on his birthday? I will go with yes.. I also made the cheerwine daiquiri, but I wanted another option.

Here is what I came up with. 

{for 2 large or 3 medium servings}

Ingredients

3 cups vanilla ice cream

3/4 cup blue moon

2 oz cointreau

2 oz oj

1 cup ice

Pour all ingredients into blender and blend to your desired consistency. Top with whip cream and an orange slice. Enjoy.

I actually liked this. It was pretty similar to a creamsicle, but not overly sweet. And you can play around with how much you want of each ingredient. It plays all to your taste. 

All I know is I finally found a way to enjoy a beer with the mister. Score!

and since this blog has turned more into a lifestyle blog and away from my original blog premise, I have started another blog that will be solely based on food/drinks. If you follow me on here, I'd love for you to follow me on there also:)

                                                         The thankFull Tummy

Linking up with Thirsty Thursday & The Party Don't Start

Cheerwine Daiquiri

Or as they like to reference it here, ‘the nectar of North Carolina” I wonder if Pepsi drinkers would disagree as to which is the more popular homegrown drink. I will chime in with my favorite. Coke. Oops, not a Carolina original? Too bad, still my favorite;) but Wiki loves cheerwine. He much prefers it to cherry coke or Pepsi. My feelings towards it are somewhere along the lines of ‘meh’ My brother in law loves it so much that we sent him a huge gift basket of it for his birthday.

Anyways, I was taking a quick stop in Food Lion(aka.. the worst grocery store in the world) and as I was running in to grab something quickly I spied

Cheerwine sherbet. Say what?! I stored this info in my trusty little good wife memory bankand around his birthday, pulled from the recesses of my thoughts.

I bought the sherbet with the original intention to make a cheerwine float. When I remembered I had cherry bourbon, I decided to make a daiquiri.

Truthfully…the cherry bourbon was too much, well…too much cherry. The next time I made it, I felt it needed the good stuff to really perfect this recipe. Plain old bourbon, rum, a little cheerwine and cheerwine sherbet is all it took. Oh, and obviously whip cream and a bourbon soaked cherry. I should mention that the second time, I loved it. Surprise surprise. As usual… plain ole bourbon makes everything better!

1 cup cheerwine sherbet

1 oz bourbon

1 oz dark rum

½ cup cheerwine(flat)

½ cup ice

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till desired consistency.

Pour in glass and top with whip cream and a cherry.

I used some of my bourbon soaked cherries. They’re really easy to make. Buy a bottle of cherries and pour out half the juice and fill with bourbon. Let sit and use as needed. Just, ummm, remember to mention they’re bourbon cherries when you use them in cocktails. Otherwise your friends will get to the bottom of their drink and eat their cherry. And chaos will ensue when they think your cherries have gone bad and are poisoning people;) Some girls just can’t handle their bourbon. hahahaha

****if you cannot find cheerwine sherbet, you could just use vanilla ice cream, a couple table spoons cherry juice(grenadine) with the bourbon, rum and cheerwine.

 Linking up with Thirsty Thursday & The PArty Don't start.

Caramel Apple Daiquiri

When I was at Myrtle nannying, I had one morning off and decided to grab a fun summery drink, because...well, I mean I am alive so I cannot think of a better reason than that.

As I was trying to make my selection, the bartender tried to talk me into this drink and I was not initially sold on the idea...Until he went and spoke the magic words. "No one has ever ordered it before and I am trying to have a formed opinion, I will give it to you on the house"

Say what?! Well now, suddenly that sounds oh, so tasty.

The first few sips were a little too sour for me and I was not sold on how I felt about it, I didn't hate it, didn't love it, was more so ambivalent towards it. I remember mentioning something about how it would be better with bourbon(because...isn't everything?!) and he walks over with a bottle of Makers and he...Makers my day.

Yes...I just said that. You're welcome.

Upon getting home I decided to try my hand at it using real ice cream instead of that lovely island oasis mix and here is my version.

Ingredients
2 to 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 oz caramel baileys(or any caramel liquor)
1 oz apple rum
a couple splashed bourbon
caramel sauce *optional

Combine all ingredients in blender with a handful of ice and blend to desired consistency. Drizzle Caramel sauce in glass and pour in blended drink. 

Not my favorite, but I am not an overt fan of mixing sweet and sour in a frozen drink from the start, my neighbor loved it though.I enjoyed it more than I anticipated, though. Really simple and refreshing.

Linking up with the Party don't start and Thirsty Thursday

Strawberry Bourbonade Popsicles

yes, you read that right. Some of my favorite things in one idea. If you have been following this little piece of my world for any sum of time...then you should know about my obsession with my pride and joy...my clearance popsicle maker. Hey, I don't have kids or puppies. Don't you judge me for having lower standards.

This is really simple. And yes, for any of you who are saying "alcohol won't freeze" You would be all kindsa incorrect And since this is bourbon, it is strong in taste, and you know, just strong period. So you do not need much anyways.

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries, chopped small

2 tbsp bourbon

1 1/2 cups lemonade

Makes 2 large or 3 medium popsicles.

place chopped strawberries in a container with lid and add the bourbon, I like to let it soak up overnight, but at least for a few hours. Then the next morning, add to the lemonade. Pour into popsicle mold and freeze for at least 24 hrs, but two days are better.

Enjoy.

and it is just as good to drink if you decide to not freeze it. We made it for a shower and it was delish.

and last week my girl Steph nominated me for an Ivrester award. Which basically is the alcoholics version of a liebster. 

. I am not the drinker I thought I was after these questions. Or maybe you know, It's cause in a few short months I will be closer in age to 40 than 30, but whatever, I drink my bourbon neat. Ergo, I earn a pass. Right, Glitter girl?;)

The Rules...

• Acknowledge who nominated you
• Answer the 10 questions listed below 
• Nominate 10 bloggers you think are excellent drinkers
• You can't nominate the blog that nominated you (But why would you? They clearly just answered the questions already)
• Don't make any more questions, everyone just answer these questions below... why are we making so many questions for this Leibster guy?
• If you are nominated, just answer the questions and nominate 10 more people. That is it.
• Why are there rules for this? Q&A. That is all

The questions.

1. What is your favorite drinking game and why? Right, drinking games, the last one I played was when I was watching the ncaa championship, I drank every missed FT. Right now this is my favorite cause...ummm, I cannot think of another one I played last.
2. It is your birthday, what is your idea of the perfect evening. My husband takes me to a sports bar(dive) there is all you can eat wings and I have bourbon. or crispin. Wait, it's my bday? I have both.
3. Money is no object, what is your go to drink of choice at a bar? I like what I like so a flight of bourbon: The five most expensive bourbons. and they all better be neat, don't serve me no bourbon that has been tainted by ice. 
4. How many times have you played the game "Edward 40 Hands" in my lifetime? Ummmm. How bout I go with probably never.(even heard of it)
5. Take this alcohol screening quiz here, what score did you receive? 10%
6. What is your favorite memory with Alcohol? haha ummm, a sunset at the light house in Aruba. Champagne toast. twas beautiful.
7. What is your favorite song about drinking? Or song to drink to? Whiskey Lullaby,  I chose a depressing country song. Cause why not?
8. What is your favorite activity to do while drinking (i.e. boating, bowling, golf, trivia, etc.) eating. that's right...eating. 
9. In your opinion, which is the number one party school in the country and why? I will go with ECU, I have been to almost every campus in this country when I worked for ESPN and I will just say ECU. From a sober standpoint.  Although Miami of ohio on Halloween.
10. When do you know you have had too much to drink? What are your signals? So I reallllllly hate being drunk, hate it. Happy tipsy, yes please and you can normally tell b/c I start trying to hold my chin with my hand and I usually miss and start smacking myself. ha. ayiyi.

I think that reading my answers has led me to the belief that I am some mature adult or something. yikes;)

Now nominate ten people. So every blog I would have nominated...pretty much has been. So I am still stewing. I promise to come back and make an addendum to this post by Monday to nominate my ten people.

Sorry, I enjoyed a bourbonade 'sicle earlier and my mind is tired. Sorry that I am actually not that sorry;)

Linking up with 

The Party Don't Start

Thirsty Thursday

Pomatini Spritzer

I found the idea for these in a magazine somewhere while I was waiting to get my oil changed and snapped a picture of the recipe with the promise to make it and completely forgot about it till scrolling through my pictures the other day. And I made good on my promise. And you can thank me now. You're welcome.

I did change it up on a few things, I abstained from adding anise flavored vodka. The mere thought brings about terrible memories of inadvertently eating the licorice jelly bean and not realizing it till it was too late. And I used sparkling wine instead of sparkling water because well, I mean seriously, do I need to give an explanation?

Ingredients(for 2)

3 oz pomegranate liquor

3 oz vodka

4 oz pineapple juice

1 tsp lime juice

sparkling wine

In a shaker with ice, pour all ingredients(except sparkling wine) and shake vigorously. Pour into a chilled martini glass and top with sparkling wine.

If you can't find the pomegranate liquor, you could just use pom juice. and if you wanted a non alcoholic version

5 oz pomegranate juice

5 oz pineapple juice

1 tsp lime juice

shake and serve in a glass and top with sprite. or you could use sparkling water, I just have an aversion to it;)

Come back next week where I will offer up a bourbon infused popsicle and I will have an added bonus of answering my award questions from the lovely Stephanie.

Enjoy this sometime this weekend...with a large gathering or you know, a party of two.

Linking up with

Thirsty Thursday

The Party Don't Start
Just because
Wonderful Food Wednesday

The Naughty Southerner

No, this is not a post about me and my behavior.

at least not today;)

If you have been around these parts awhile then you should know that I love me some bourbon. I love it in my food, in my cocktails and just by itself. 

Maybe even just the bottle with a straw. 

Unless that makes me seem the opposite of classy. 

In that case I only drink it in a low ball glass, neat. 

There are only two ways I will not drink my bourbon...

Mixed with just soda or poured over ice.*shudder*

Anyways, this past year Wiki and I were on one of our many trips to Williamsburg and there was a cocktail that involved bourbon and blackberries and from there I began feigning for it and set about to make my own unique version and this is what I came up with.

I fumbled around with names when this came to me. Bourbon is mainly known as a southern drink and c'mon...the naughty part should be self explanatory.

Ingredients(for 2 cocktails)

6 oz pineapple juice

3 oz bourbon (I used Makers 46)

2 oz blackberry liqueur/brandy

sprite(or club soda)

blackberries

In a shaker filled with ice, mix all ingredients except the sprite and blackberries) shake vigorously  Fill 2 glasses with ice and a few blackberries. Pour the contents of the shaker and top with sprite. Or if you're feeling exceptionally naughty...sparkling wine.

Perfect for a day at the beach or pool...Hope you enjoy!

Linking up with

Thirsty Thursday

Blackberry Pineapple Sangria

This may end of being the perfect summer drink. I am not sure because I have so many more I probably need to taste just to be certain. I do know that this one got off to a good start. It is light and refreshing and so easy to make.

The idea for this drink was born one night at dinner while we were on vacation in Miami. The restaurant had pineapple blackberry salsa on their menu and bells just went off in my head. I grabbed Wiki's phone and texted the idea to myself and he just shook his head.

Till he drank it and then thanked my genius. So there

Ingredients

2 cups rum (I used light rum)

1 bottle champagne or sparkling wine

3 cups pineapple juice

1 to 1 1/2 cups diced pineapple

1 cup blackberries

Place the pineapples and rum in an airtight container and leave in fridge overnight(or at least 4 hours) Once it has soaked, put pineapples and blackberries in a pitcher. Pour the pineapple infused rum and pineapple juice into the pitcher and add the chilled sparkling wine.

You can serve immediately  but I think it tastes better if it sits in the fridge a little and the flavors marry together. If you really like the bubbles, you could add a little more sparkling wine to each glass as you pour.

Enjoy.

notes**** I have made this a few different times. I added less rum once and less pineapple juice and I still liked the flavor. I also added sprite once and it made it a little sweeter and I liked that way too, but this was my favorite version. This is a drink you can play around with to your taste preference.

I have been on a major pineapple and blackberry kick lately and you will know what I mean by the end of this week. If you come back;)

These would pair well with my pineapple and malibu whoopie pies

via here

Linking Up With

Taste of Tuesday

Louisville Limeade and a Weekend Recap

This weekend flew by. 

as they all do.

but this one was stock full of fun.

First up, I got my toes done to mimic a pin I had seen on pinterest

On Friday, I was at  The Devil's Den Walmart when I spied these babies.

 I had to run past them not to pop one open and try it right in the aisle. I think they frown upon that type of behavior. and it was midafternoon, so I refrained;)

Then, as I was pumping gas, I looked up to see ESPN playing on the tv on top of the gas pump. Craziness.

Wiki and I went to dinner at one of the many local bbq joints. I got a pineappletini to go with my hushpuppies. Some people like vinegar, some people like butter. I like drinks. and butter. I can't lie. I gorge those puppies in butter.

Then we went to see Admission. I actually really liked it. Was the perfect blend of humor and real life. I do love me some Tina Fey. 

Saturday, I ran some errands and cleaned the house before having Ashley over to try some new cocktails I was working on. We enjoyed some tasty treats served up with good girl talk. That is my favorite side dish.and macaroni, lest I pretend otherwise.

I came up with a few different drinks, some need a little more twerking. Which will be hard. As it always is when you have to spend an afternoon perfecting adult beverages. arduous work.

Then Wiki came home from a long day of work and surprised me with cupcakes from the cupcake bar. It is this shop in Durham that makes cupcakes based on tasty beverages

. 

and it was finished off watching basketball. Both were absolutely great games!

Yesterday was much needed couple time. Our schedules have been hectic and we haven't really had a lot of time together to just talk and have low key conversation. 

We started the day off with brunch at this amazing New Orleans style restaurant, Battistella's. Oh my gosh, my belly was over the moon happy with me. It's located in the City Market area of downtown. The decor is very understated and I love the exposed brick.

I ordered a Hemmingway daiquiri  this is one of the drinks I learned to make in my classes at ICE in NYC. It was just as good as I remember!

I also love that the chef brought the food to our table and then checked back to see if we liked it. My kinda place.

Wiki got the shrimp and grits.

The fried green tomatoes were topped w/ a bacon and tomato jam.

 Unreal. I am in love.

Then we needed dessert. Obviously. and decided that we should travel from New Orleans to Brussels. 

We stopped by Benelux.Good decisions. Best waffle of my life.

.

Then we went to look for microwaves because ours decided she was retiring. and she didn't even give a notice. The nerve.

and our day ended with new lamps for our bedroom! Will show you those soon.

and that night, Wiki whipped me up one of his famous steaks while I watched the ACM's

and here is the recipe for the drink.

I was coming up with names for this and Louisville Limeade just fit. Louisville is one of my favorite towns(if you have never visited, it's a must!) and they're obviously known for their bourbon...which is a main ingredient of this cocktail.

It was only after I purchased all my ingredients and was putting it together that I realized it was Saturday and Louisville was getting ready to play in the Semi Finals.

Let me preface this by stating that this drink is not in their honor! Sorry bout it. Go Big Blue!

But their girls are playing in the Women's National Championship tomorrow and I am rooting for them to beat UCONN, so we will go with it is for them. Or Kevin Ware. I am definitely pulling for his recovery.

Louisville Limeade

2 parts Limeade(I used simply limeade)

1 1/2 parts cherry bourbon

1 part citrus vodka

1 lime for garnish

cherry for garnish.

Ice

Directions

Place all ingredients in shaker with ice and shake for at about 25-30 seconds, Place more ice in glass and strain into glass. Or for frozen, place all ingredients in blender and blend till desired consistency 

I placed my cherry on top and then added a little cherry juice I had that had been soaked in bourbon for a few weeks. add a lime wedge.

Enjoy.

I googled it and apparently there is already a Louisville Limeade recipe out there...but it has no cherries, so I guess mine is the Louisville{cherry}Limeade.

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