Blueberry Thyme Gin Smash

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Blueberry Thyme Gin Smash

Can you guys believe it’s Memorial Day weekend already? Seems like this year is just flying by. Which, is fine by me – I’m tired of the harsh cold we’ve had all winter long. My poor rosemary bush kicked the bucket, she’s gotta be 10 years old – I transplanted her here from our townhouse on Chincoteague when we moved 7 years ago. One too many hard ground freezes I suppose…

At any rate, I’m looking forward to sunny days at the beach and sandbar sooner rather than later. And this cocktail is perfect for warmer weather. A simple syrup is made with fresh blueberries, fresh thyme, sugar and water. Then the blueberry concoction is mixed with gin, St. Germain, and club soda for a little bubbly flair.

It’s a wonderful combination of sweetness from the blueberries, herb notes from the elderflower liquor and the fresh thyme, and a crispness from the gin and twist of lemon. Very light  and refreshing.Garnished with a few fresh berries and a sprig of thyme – it doesn’t get any prettier!

I used Prairie Gin, it’s lighter in flavors than many other gins I’ve tried – but still great notes of juniper berries which is perfect in this cocktail. They were kind enough to send me a bottle of their gin, as well as one of their vodkas – and I’m looking forward to doing more experimentation at the bar with them!

Be sure to stop by on Monday for another awesome blueberry recipe and a great giveaway to go along with it! I hope that everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend!

Blueberry Thyme Gin Smash

Blueberry-Thyme Gin Smash

For the syrup:
2 cups fresh blueberries, washed and dried
6 stems fresh thyme (small handful)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

For the cocktail:
2 Tbsp bluberry-thyme syrup
2 ounce gin
1 ounce elderflower liquer (like St. Germain)
3-4 ounces club soda
fresh blueberries, for garnish
thyme sprigs, for garnish
slice of lemon, for garnish
ice

Combine all of the syrup ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until berries burst open and have become very soft. Place a mesh strainer over a small bowl and push the berry mixture through to get out large chunks of skins and stems. Place berry puree in a small bowl or jar. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

To make the cocktails, fill glass with ice. Add blueberry-thyme syrup, gin, elderflower liquor, and top with club soda. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with slice of lemon, fresh berries, and a sprig of thyme or mint.

Disclaimer: I received a bottle from Prairie Organic Spirits for review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes

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Red Wine Cupcakes

A couple of months ago, my friends at Avalon Winery asked me to come up with a recipe to promote their new cooking contest for this year. If you’ll remember, they sent me to the Charleston Food & Wine Festival last year to compete in their America’s Greatest Foods Recipe Challenge. I didn’t win, I came in last actually (hey, some people can’t handle the idea of fish served with red, even when chorizo is involved – what are you going to do?) but after that trip – visiting the city of Charleston for the first time, meeting such influential chefs like The Lee Brothers and the great Art Smith (he asked me where to get a cup of coffee, y’all – and then he went to that coffee shop the whole time he was in town!), getting drunk with Kelly Liken, and making some new friends… I came out a winner in the end anyway!

So when they offered to send me a few bottles of their delicious Cabernet Sauvignon to develop a recipe with, of course I jumped at the offer. Guys, it’s seriously one of the best reds you’ll find for the price point. For under $10 a bottle, it really can’t be beat. Rich and fruity, with all kinds of delicious berry notes going on. Rolls right off the tongue, with very few harsh tannins that tend to come along with red wines. It’s available nationally, I always have luck finding it at Whole Foods (if your Whole Foods carries wine that is!). But, if you can’t find it – definitely ask your local wine distributor to carry it. I promise that you won’t be disappointed!

I ended up making two dishes with the bottle I opened…since I can’t do much drinking of the stuff at the moment due to baby #3. The first of which was more traditional, and I plan to share with you guys soon – then there were these cupcakes. Red wine and chocolate pair so well together anyways, I thought a cupcake wasn’t too far of a fetch. Boy, do I love being right!

The batter was absolutely beautiful…light and fluffy, and baked up gorgeous! For the frosting I went  the traditional route, used my simple vanilla buttercream with a bit of the wine added to it for flavor and a tint of color. It was definitely unlike any cupcake I’d had before, but still absolutely delicious. I loved how the acidity of the wine cut the sweetness of the frosting. And, of course the color was lovely!

These cupcakes would most definitely be perfect for your Valentine, and they’re something different that friends and family probably haven’t seen before – but will most certainly be intrigued by. I hope you guys enjoy, and a big thanks to Avalon for giving me an excuse to make them!

Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes

8 Tbsp butter, room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
3/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

For the frosting:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup Cabernet Sauvignon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners and set aside.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Then add in the egg and egg yolk, as well as the vanilla, beat well until combined.

Add in 1/2 of the dry ingredients, followed by the wine, then the remainder of the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined, scraping the bottom of the bowl if necessary.

Divide batter evenly into lined muffin pan. Bake for 18 minutes then remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

In the meantime, to make the frosting, whip the butter until light and fluffy. Slowly incorporate the powdered sugar, as well as the wine and vanilla. Beat until no lumps remain. Frost cupcakes as desired.

Makes about 12 cupcakes. 

Source: cake adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Lavender Lemonade

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Lavender Lemonade

The neighborhood sharing program continues here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My girlfriend and neighbor Colleen bought me 3 gorgeous bundles of fresh lavender from her garden last week. I gave one bundle to my other girlfriend, evidently lavender is good for the hen house. Then, the other bundles I got a little crafty with, and put into vases. However, now that I’ve discovered the simple equation of lavender + sugar + water = lavender simple syrup, I’m not sure how long I’ll have them around for decoration. Which is a shame, because it’s so damn pretty!

But this lemonade. Oh my. It’s so different and delicious, I know that I’ll be drinking it all summer long. The lavender is not overpowering, and the tart lemon still definitely shines through. It’s such a perfect balance. And how lovely is it in a tall glass filled with ice, and a little sprig of lavender for garnish? The only thing that would make it lovelier is a splash of vodka or gin. Now, please excuse me while I go plant a lavender bush. Then I’ll harvest it next year, and channel my inner Joan Crawford.

Lavender Lemonade

 

5 cups water
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup lemon juice (5 lemons)
juice of 1 lime
5 sprigs fresh lavender, plus additional for garnish
lemon slices, for garnish

Bring 2 cups water, sugar, and lavender to a boil over medium heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Turn off heat, cover, and let steep 1 hour.

Combine remaining 3 cups water, lemon juice, and lime juice in a pitcher. Place a fine-mesh strainer over the top. Carefully strain the lavender simple syrup into the pitcher, discarding lavender. Stir to combine.

Serve in glasses over ice with lemon slices and a sprig of lavender for garnish.

Source: adapted from Thug Kitchen

Blackberry Cream Soda

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Blackberry Cream Soda

The Cream Soda has long been one of my favorite cocktails. Such basic ingredients, and it tastes so darn good. I remember being shocked by how much the simple combination of Capt. Morgan’s, ginger ale, and fresh lime tasted exactly like a cream soda. You remember, those sodas from your childhood that no one else would drink? They were always the last thing floating in the cooler of ice, long after all the Cokes had been picked out. But, this one definitely isn’t for the kids…

I recently tried a bottle of Captain Morgan’s newest release, their Black Spiced Rum. It’s darker and bolder than the “OG” – but everything you love about the traditional spiced rum is still there. Notes of molasses, vanilla, and cinnamon. And smooth! An absolutely wonderful rum.

I think it’s safe to say we’ve all had a few nights “sailing away with the Captain”, and this is definitely a drink that makes it easy to do. Since I was using the Black rum, I thought it would be fun to add another “black” twist – in the form of blackberries. They added a gorgeous hue and a little pucker that I loved! But still completely tasted like a cream soda.

It’s only Monday, but I’m already looking forward to the weekend. Memorial Day is the official start of summer here at the beach, and we are all ready for it to begin!

Blackberry Cream Soda

1.5 ounces Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
3 ounces ginger ale
1 tsp blackberry puree*
1 lime, juiced
lime wedges
ice

Fill a glass with ice. Add rum, ginger ale, 1 tsp lime juice, and blackberry puree. Stir with spoon to combine. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

* To make blackberry puree, combine 1/2 cup fresh blackberries with 1 tsp. granulated sugar in a food processor. Blend until smooth, then push through a fine-mesh strainer to remove large pieces of pulp and seeds.