Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Makes 1 latte.

Save yourself loads of money and make this at home!
Slightly adapted from: Foods for the Soul

1 c skim milk

1 tbsp pumpkin butter

1 + ½ tbsp sugar-free vanilla syrup (OR 2 packets Splenda + 1 tsp vanilla extract)

tiny pinch ground cinnamon

tiny pinch ground nutmeg

tiny pinch ground ginger

2 shots hot espresso OR 6 oz hot strong coffee

In a small pot, combine the milk and pumpkin puree (and Splenda, if using).  Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the  milk begins to simmer.  Whisk vigorously until frothy.  Turn heat down to low, and add in the vanilla syrup (or vanilla extract), cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  Whisk until fully incorporated.

Pour the espresso of coffee into a mug, and pour the milk mixture on top.  Sip and enjoy!

Kir Royale

Kir Royale

Makes 1 drink.

Here's a fancy - yet very simple - champagne cocktail.  Chambord is a raspberry liqueur.
Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

1 oz. Chambord
4 oz. champagne
maraschino cherry

Pour Chambord into a champange flute.  Top with champage and a maraschino cherry. 

Sip.  Enjoy. Repeat if desired.  :)

Foodbuzz: Godiva Coffee

Foodbuzz: Godiva Coffee

As a member of Foodbuzz, I had the opportunity to test out Godiva's fall coffee flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Pecan Bark.  I was very excited about this one.  I love my morning coffee and I love all things fall (if you haven't gathered that already...), so this was RIGHT up my alley.

I drink my coffee black.  For whatever reason, I drink my iced coffee with flavored creamer.  I got into drinking my hot coffee with flavored creamer while pregnant, but then my tastebuds reverted back to pre-pregnancy once little Macey joined us outside the womb.  Anyway, I'm getting away from intended goal.  The coffee.  The Godiva coffee.

The fall flavors were fabulous, but I especially enjoyed the Pumpkin Spice flavor.  It had a smooth coffee flavor, but a strong pumpkin spice flavor, which I really enjoyed.  Paired with pumpkin bread (or pumpkin pound cake or pumpkin cookies or pumpkin delight!!!) and a good friend, it was the perfect way to start my day.

This is a coffee flavor that I will hate to say goodbye to come winter, and will welcome again next fall.  And in between?  I guess I will just have to test out some of Godiva's other flavors!

Tequila-Thyme Lemonade

Tequila-Thyme Lemonade

Makes 1 drink.

It's tequila thyme!  Here's a fancy cocktail that looks beautiful and will perfectly complement your Mexican fiesta.
Source: Martha Stewart Living magazine

3 thyme sprigs
1 t. superfine sugar
2 lemon wedges
3 oz. silver tequila
1 oz. cold water
ice

Muddle thyme sprigs with sugar and lemon wedges in a glass.  Add tequila, water, and ice.  Stir.

Mexican Fiesta

Mexican Fiesta

The days may be getting shorter and the temperatures cooler, but summer is not over yet!  Invite some friends over and take advantage of outdoor entertaining while you still can!
New recipes posted this week.  Old recipes linked in this post.   

First, set the scene:

Mix up some drinks.  Tequila-Thyme Cocktails, anyone?

Or perhaps some Pomegranate Margaritas, Beer Margaritas, Tequila Sunrises, or Fresh Strawberry Margaritas?

And serve your favorite good-to taco dip (thanks for bringing this, Sar!):

Or maybe some guacamole?

It's always nice to make sure there are some easy munchies scattered about:

Feast on the main meal of Beer-Braised Turkey Tacos (best served with some Mexican beer):

End with something sweet, like these XXL M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies:

And enjoy the evening with good friends:

A happy baby content in her stroller is a fun addition too:

Pomegranate Margarita

Pomegranate Margarita

Makes 1 drink.

A margarita with a pomegranate twist!

2-1/2 oz. pomegranate liqueur
1 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. triple sec
Splash lime juice
Splash triple se

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Strain into a margarita glass. Serve as-is or on the rocks.

Coq Rogue

Coq Rogue

Makes 1 drink.

This one's stiff! 
Source: Retro Cocktails

2 parts light rum
1 part gin
1 part freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
1 part triple sec

Stir or shake with cracked ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve straight up.

Christmas Cocktails

The Happy Elf

Green and festive, this drink will make you verry merry.

2 c. sour apple liqueur

4 c. citrus vodka

2 c. white cranberry juice or white grape juice

Chill liquids before mixing. Mix all ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher. Serve over ice.

Ward 8

Another festive, yet strong, cocktail. Sip slowly and enjoy.

4 c. bourbon

2 c. orange juice

1 c. grenadine

5 lemons, halved and juiced

Chill liquids before mixing. Mix all ingredients in a punch bowl or pitcher. Serve over ice.

Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned

Makes 1 drink.

Raise your glass! My baby brother is 23 today! And I'm pretty confident he would enjoy one of these. Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

2 oz. bourbon

1/2 oz. simple syrup

3 dashes bitters

2 maraschino cherries

Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.

Add bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters to the glass.

Stir.

Garnish with maraschino cherries.

Rugburn

Rugburn

Makes 1 drink.

A fancy raspberry cocktail with strong flavor and a definite kick.

6 raspberries

1-1/2 oz. whiskey

1/2 oz. Chambord

1/2 oz. lemon juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup

2 oz. cranberry juice

3 raspberries, for garnish

Muddle 6 raspberries in a highball glass. Fill glass with ice and remaining ingredients. Stir. Garnish with 3 raspberries.

A Note From The Little Lady: Not familiar with Chambord? Here's a visual aid:

Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea

Makes 1 drink.

A classic. Split with a friend and add extra cola if you'd like to avoid the potential effects of a Long Island Iced Tea. :)

Source: Maran Illustrated's Bartending

1 measures vodka

1 measure gin

1 measure light rum

1 measure tequila

1 measure triple sec

2 measures lemon juice

1 measure simple syrup

2 measures cola

1 lemon wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.

Add the vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker.

Shake the mixture vigorously for 5-10 seconds.

Pour the mixture into the glass.

Add the cola and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Woo Woo

Woo Woo

Makes 1 drink.

Refreshingly simple.

Source: Cocktail Bible

2 measures vodka

2 measures peach schnapps

4 measures cranberry juice

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour the vodka, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice over the ice. Stir well to mix.

John Colllins

John Collins

Makes 1 drink.

This is a brother drink of Comrade Collins. Their older, well-known brother is Tom Collins. If you like citrus flavors, you will love the Collins boys. To keep things straight: Tom=Gin; John=Rye Whiskey; Juan=Tequila; Comrade=Vodka.

Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

1-1/2 oz. rye whiskey

2 oz. lime juice

1/4 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. club soda

1 lime wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.

Add the rye whiskey, lime juice, and simple syrup to the glass.

Top the drink with club soda, garnish with a lime wedge, and stir the drink.

Bay Breeze

Bay Breeze

Makes 1 drink.

Summer is winding down. Sigh. But you can still hang on to these last warm nights by treating yourself to a Bay Breeze. It'll make it feel like mid-July all over again.

Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

1 oz. vodka

2 oz. pineapple juice

2 oz. red cranberry juice

1 lime wedge

Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.

Add the vodka, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice to the glass.

Garnish with a lime wedge and stir the drink.

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan

Makes 1 drink.

A classic. A very popular cocktail. If you haven't tried, you should.

Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

1-1/4 oz. vodka

3/4 oz. triple sec

3 oz. red cranberry juice

1/2 lime

Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes.

Add the vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice to the shaker.

Squeeze the lime juice into the shaker and shake the mixture vigorously for 5-10 seconds.

Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.

Comrade Collins

Comrade Collins

Makes 1 drink.

I felt like a real bartender when I made this drink for my sister-in-law. She loved it, raved about it, and claimed it may be her new favorite cocktail! Thanks for the confidence booster, Christina! You can come to my bar anytime! :)

Source: Maran Illustrated Bartending

1-1/2 oz. vodka

2 oz. lime juice

1/4 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. club soda

1 lime wedge

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.

Add the vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup to the glass.

Top the drink with club soda, garnish with a lime wedge, and stir the drink.

Painkiller

Painkiller

Makes 1 drink.

A drink that's been made famous throughout the West Indies, U.S., and parts of Europe, the Painkiller was first discovered by The Mr./Dr. on a vacation with his family. When we find establishments serving them on our travels, we always stop for a drink!

4 parts pineapple juice

1 part cream of coconut

1 part orange juice

Your choice of:

*2 parts of Pusser's rum (Painkiller #2)

*3 parts (Painkiller #3)

*4 parts (Painkiller #4)

Fresh nutmeg on top

Blend together pineapple juice, cream of coconut, orange juice, and rum. Serve over the rocks with a generous amount of nutmeg on top.

Citrus Punch - Spiked and Virgin

Citrus Punch - Spiked & Virgin

Makes about 20 (8-oz.) servings

Such a great summery drink. It's refreshing and sweet, and my version accommodates guests who are looking for a cocktail as well as guests who are looking for nonalcoholic punch.

Inspired By: Hometown Cooking magazine, June 2000

12-oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed and divided

12-oz. can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed and divided

12-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and divided

2-1/2 c. water (for virgin)

2 c. vodka + 1-1/2 c. water (for spiked)

2 cans lemon-lime carbonated beverage, such as 7Up or Sprite

Ice cubes

Divide juice concentrates evenly between two pitchers.

To virgin punch, add 2-1/2 c. water.

To spike punch, add 2 c. vodka and 1-1/2 c. water

Add 1 can of lemon-lime beverage to each punch.

Stir.

Taste and add more water, vodka, or pop as desired.

Refrigerate until party time.

Add ice cubes to pitchers before serving.

Bahama Mama

Bahama Mama

Makes 1 drink.

Let's celebrate the first birthday of Pineapple Grass! Raise your glass and make sure it's filled with this tropical, tasty drink!

Source: Maran Illustrated's Bartending book

1 oz. light rum

1/2 oz. Malibu rum

2 oz. orange juice

2 oz. pineapple juice

1 pineapple flag

Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Add the light rum, Malibu rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice to a shaker. Shake the mixture vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds.

Pour the drink into the glass and garnish with a pineapple flag.

A Note From The Little Lady: A pineapple flag, as you can see from the picture, is a maraschino cherry skewered on top of a pineapple wedge.

Strawberrini

Strawberrini

Serves 1.

A fun summer drink. It looks innocent but packs a decent punch!

Source: Cocktail Bible

1 oz. fresh strawberries

1 T. powdered sugar

1-2 drops fresh lime juice

3 measures vodka, well iced

Reserve 2-3 strawberries to add later.

Crush the rest in a bowl with the sugar and lime juice. Strain well.

Pour the vodka into an iced martini glass and add the puree and reserved strawberries.

A Note From The Little Lady: The original recipe calls for 1 oz. of fresh strawberries, but upon seeing that, I wasn't sure how to read it. If we were talking weight, I would need slightly over 2 large strawberries (one strawberry weighs 12 grams and there are 28 grams in an ounce). Or, we could look at it that there are 8 oz. in a cup, so we were need 1/8 cup of strawberries. Either way, that's not very many, especially when you are instructed to reserve 2-3 right off the bat.

To make things easier, I would recommend using 2-3 strawberries in the puree and 1-2 strawberries for garnish. But play around with it and do whatever best suits you.