Berry Ginger Champagne Cocktail

I am never one to turn down an champagne cocktail, but I must admit, I do find the classics to be a bit lackluster.  I enjoy champagne cocktails with a bit of oomph - a bit more flavor and a bit boozier than the traditional bitters and sugar number.

When I was creating this cocktail I knew I wanted to make a vibrant champagne cocktail, one that would be perfect for brunch or for cocktail hour alike.  As I was brainstorming, I remembered a trick that my mother has done year after year - infusing cognac with berries that are in season in the summer.  Around the holidays her boozy creations have reached maximum flavor - sweet and syrupy from the fruit - usually served as a digestif.  This year I was inspired by her to make my own homemade raspberry and blackberry infused cognac for this champagne cocktail, a perfect way to add flavor, sweetness, and fortitude to a cocktail. 

I also included a bit of Crabbie's Raspberry Alcoholic Ginger Beer to add a bit of spice to the cocktail.  The ginger beer is made from fermented ginger and Scottish raspberries, a perfect compliment to my homemade raspberry infused cognac.  I finished the cocktail off with a few drops of Black and Blue bitters made by Black Cloud Bitters, and a cocktail pick loaded with fresh fruit.

Enjoy!

Berry Ginger Champagne Cocktail
Created by Gastronomista

1-1/2 oz Raspberry and Blackberry Infused Cognac
1 oz Crabbie's Rasbberry Alcoholic Ginger Beer
1 oz Champagne
3 drops Black and Blue Bitters

Build in a cocktail flute and serve fresh berries.


Raspberry and Blackberry Infused Cognac

2 Cups Cognac
1 pint mixed Raspberries & Blackberries

Place fruit in a non-reactive container and top with cognac.  Let sit for 1-2 weeks.

Styling Notes:
Champagne Flutes: Waterford
Bar Spoon: Parched Penguin
Mirrored Plate: Hay

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Crabbie's & Grapefruit

Brunch fans take note - there's a new breakfast cocktail in town and there's nary a drop of prosecco in sight!  Let me introduce you to Crabbie's & Grapefruit - my new favorite day-time tipple. 

This cocktail was inspired by a recipe for Grapefruit Ginger Crème Brulee, a dessert I would never have the patience to make myself.  Instead, I modified the flavors for imbibing purposes (as I generally do here at Gastronomista.com), and voilà, a drink was born.  The ginger and grapefruit get along beautifully in this cocktail – it’s a simple yet gorgeous drink that can be served as an aperitif, with brunch, or to toast a special occasion. 

It's incredibly easy to make - one part Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer and two parts Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice.  It is great to serve in a gorgeous wine glass, or batch in a pitcher for a group of friends.  I recommend chilling your ginger beer prior to serving, this cocktail is best served very cold to make it that much more refreshing.

I hope you enjoy this cocktail as much as I do!

Crabbie’s and Grapefruit
Created by Gastronomista

1-1/2 oz Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice (or Fresh Squeezed if Grapefruits are in season)
3 oz Crabbie’s Original Ginger Beer

Build in a white wine glass and garnish with a wedge of fresh grapefruit

Cheers!

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Ginger Apple Rum Punch

I don't know about you, but it sure doesn't feel like December around here.  Maybe it's the unseasonably warm weather or maybe it's that I've been working like a maniac for all of fall and barely noticed what day of the week it was, but either way, how is it December already?!?!

Weather you like it or not, holiday punches are upon us and if your family is anything like mine, they are demanding a new punch every year!  This Ginger Apple Punch is great served cold or hot, and is a nice and refreshing libation that is a welcome reprieve from your Aunt Mauve's Eggnog.  Apples and Ginger go together perfectly, and I love using Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer for this recipe.  It is made with naturally fermented ginger that is steeped for 6 weeks, which gives it its powerful ginger flavor.  This cocktail is a crowd pleaser and is perfect to serve to large groups – it’s sweet, spicy, and has just enough spicy kick to keep everyone wanting more. 

If you are serving this punch chilled, remember to prepare the sour mix and the tea ahead of time so that it has time to cool prior to mixing.  I recommend pre-mixing a few batches on hand – this punch will go quickly!

Ginger Apple Rum Punch
Adapted by Gastronomista

1-1/2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
2 parts Homemade Sour Mix
1 part Apple Juice
1 part strong Apple Tea
2 parts Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Build in a pitcher and garnish with bay leaves, whole cinnamon sticks, and apple slices.

Homemade Sour Mix
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
½ Cup Fresh Lime Juice
Simmer on med-high heat until all the sugar has dissolved.  Wait until cool and add lemon and lime juice.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in a non-reactive container. 

Enjoy!


Styling Notes:
Lismore Pitcher - Waterford
Cocktail Picks - West Elm
Bottle Opener - Vintage
Tumblers - Vintage
Silver Plate - Vintage

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Deconstructed Dark & Stormy

Indian Summer is upon us - which means they days are still hot and the nights are still warm and magical.  September can still be brutally hot - surprisingly hot - the only reprieve being cold beverages!

One of my favorite summer cocktails is a Dark and Stormy - a complex but refreshingly simple cocktail that is always a crowd pleaser.  The classic recipe calls for Ginger Beer, Gosling's Rum, and Lime, but a little kick of ginger liqueur takes this drink to the next level. 

This summer I started making Deconstructed Dark and Stormy's with Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer, Rum, and home-made Limeade popsicles (which were incredibly delicious on their own too).  The deconstructed version is also incredibly easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser!  There is something so delightful about having a popsicle dunked into your cocktail!! 

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Deconstructed Dark and Stormy

1 Limeade Popsicle
3 oz Gosling's Black Strap Rum
6 oz Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Pour rum into a highball glass, add limeade Popsicle, top with chilled Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer and enjoy!

Limeade Popsicles

1 cup Fresh Lime Juice
1 cup Demerara Sugar
5 cups Water

Put sugar and one cup of water in a small pot and bring to a simmer.  When all the sugar has dissolved remove from heat and let cool.  Add remaining water and lime juice and mix.  Pour into Popsicle molds and freeze overnight.

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

Boozy Boston Cooler

 
A few months back I saw a story on Saveur.com about the Midwestern ice cream classic - the Boston Cooler.  It is an incredibly simple recipe: a few scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with ginger ale, and voilà, you have a gingery ice cream float. This float is just as sweet and creamy as you remember from your childhood, but with the spicy ginger-ale that cuts right through all that sweetness.

Make this classic float a boozy float for your next ice cream social by using an alcoholic ginger beer such as Crabbie's, a trick that will make this sweet treat more spicy and higher octane.  For this recipe I used vanilla ice cream with Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer, but you could easily play with different combinations of flavors such as vanilla ice cream with Crabbie's Scottish Raspberry, lemon sorbet with the Original, or chocolate ice cream with Crabbie's Spiced Orange.   

The possibilities are endless...

Boozy Boston Cooler

3 Scoops Ice Cream
1 Bottle Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Scoop Ice Cream into a glass, top with ginger beer and enjoy!

 
Styling Notes
Glasses - Vintage
Straws - W&P
Brass & Wood Spoons - Collyer's Mansion
Triangle Towels - Shapes and Colors

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.

The Ultimate Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is one of those cocktails that can either be pretty meh or it can be spectacular.  The trick?  More Ginger.  

Which means, you need better ginger beer.  Fortunately for you, I'm kicking off a partnership with Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer who makes excellent ginger beer, and ultimately better ginger beer means better Moscow Mules.
 

Crabbie's is an alcoholic ginger beer made in Edinburgh, Scotland, and when it is made ginger is steeped into the beer for up to 6 weeks before blending, making it super gingery.  It's a great alternative to a traditional lager, but it's really delicious in cocktails!

For my Moscow Mules, I like to add a bit of ginger syrup or ginger liqueur, whatever you have on hand, to kick up the ginger just a bit more.  Top with a bit of soda water to keep this cocktail from being too high octane (we are using alcoholic Ginger Beer after all), and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.


The Ultimate Moscow Mule

2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 oz Ginger Syrup or Ginger Liqueur
4 oz Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer
2 oz Soda Water

Fresh Mint and Candied Ginger to Garnish

Build in a Copper Mug over ice, and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a piece of candied ginger.

 
Styling Notes
Copper Mugs - Sur la Table
Turquoise Kaleido Tray - Hay Design
Brass Bottle Opener - Food 52

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer. All opinions are 100% mine.

Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.