Cheers to the New Year with these Unique Drinks!
A shrub (no not that beautiful bush in your yard) is a cocktail (or soft drink) made popular in the American Colonial Era that combines a fruit, vinegar and sugar, to which carbonated water is added, and to which you can also add alcohol if you choose.
Shrubs, using our flavored vinegars are an excellent way to add new zing to cocktails. For example, our Cranberry vinegar pairs wonderfully with bourbon and Grand Marnier, or a Limoncello vinegar combined with vodka and dry vermouth makes a fantastic Martini. Alternatively, simply add seltzer water, Sprite, or Prosecco to any of the flavored vinegars to make a delicious and refreshing mocktail or cocktail.
Many of our vinegars have the “mother” of the vinegar in them so they add a little probiotic benefit too! I love to just add these flavored vinegars to seltzer water and throw in some complementary garnishes, but truly you can make fun mimosas, martinis, mojitos and more with these flavored vinegars.
So, BE BRAVE and ring in the new year, with something fun, unique and slightly healthy;)!! Here’s wishing you a productive, promising and healthy 2021
Happy Cocktailing!
Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
1 – 1 ½ tablespoons O&V Cranberry vinegar
3 tablespoons Bourbon
1-2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
1 ½ tablespoons Grand Marnier
1-2 orange slices
5 cranberries or sugared cranberries (See Chef Tip)
Splash of Club Soda
Preparation
Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Add the cranberry vinegar, maple syrup, Bourbon and Grand Marnier
Shake vigorously, strain into a glass filled with ice. Add a splash of club soda
Garnish with an orange slice and cranberries floated in the drink or sugared cranberries skewered on a toothpick
Serves 1
Total time: 5 minutes
Vodka Limoncello Martini
Ingredients
4 tablespoons (2 oz) good quality vodka of your choice
2 tablespoons (1 oz) dry vermouth
2 tablespoons (1 oz) O&V Limoncello vinegar
1 tablespoon (1/2 oz) simple syrup (optional and to taste)
Lemon peel for garnish (See Chef Tip)
Preparation
Add crushed ice to a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, dry vermouth, Limoncello vinegar, and simple sugar (if using) to the cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously and pour into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a twisted piece of lemon peel and serve immediately.
If you like, rub a piece of lemon over the rim of the glass and then twist the glass rim on a plate of sugar to create an attractive presentation.
Serves 1
Total time: 5 minutes
Cherry Almond Aperitif
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Cherry Almond vinegar
½ – 1 tablespoon simple syrup (optional and to taste)
6-8 oz seltzer water, Sprite, Brut or Sec Champagne or Prosecco
Maraschino cherries for garnish
Preparation
Pour the vinegar into a champagne flute, wine glass or coupe. Add the simple syrup.
Top with seltzer water, Sprite, Champagne or Prosecco, stir, and garnish by floating some maraschino cherries in the drink
If you like, rub a piece of lemon/lime or orange over the rim of the glass and then twist the glass rim on a plate of sugar to create a drink that looks as good as it tastes!
Serves 1
Total time: 3 minutes
Chef Tip
* Making sugared cranberries is optional, but easy and very pretty, as is making lemon twists for your cocktails.
Sugared Cranberries
2 cups sugar (divided)
½ cup water
12 oz cranberries
Combine ½ cup of sugar and the water over medium heat until dissolved. Remove from heat Add cranberries and stir till well coated. Leave in syrup for 30 minutes.
Remove cranberries and let air dry or parchment paper for one hour
Roll in the remaining 1 ½ cups sugar and let dry for another hour.
Store in refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Making a Lemon Twist
1 lemon
A Sharp Knife
Cut the lemon into slices. Take one slice and create a slit between the center of the ring and one end of the peel.
Then using the tip of the knife, cut away the pulp from the peel so that you have only a thin strip of peel left. Twist the peel — it should hold the curl, and use to garnish any drinks
Notes
* Yes, as always, I love to use the flavorful and healthy vinegars from our Oil & Vinegar store. Feel free to substitute other high-quality vinegars if you wish.
Categories: Drinks, Brunch, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Cocktails, Mocktails, Vinegar Shrubs, Holiday Entertaining,Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Cranberry Vinegar, Cranberries, Orange, Maple Syrup, Vodka, Limoncello Vinegar, Martini, Lemon, Lemon Peel, Lemon Twist, Dry Vermouth, Simple Syrup, Champagne, Prosecco, Sprite, Aperitif, Cherry Almond Vinegar, Maraschino Cherries,
