Creative Cocktails

 

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Autumn is here, officially. In Wisconsin the weather has been warm and mild in the day and cool and crisp in the evening…pretty much perfect September weather. Today I am sharing three creative cocktail recipes that will keep you cozy in the coming weeks. Perfect for get-togethers, parties, dinner parties, holidays, date night in or even simply 5 o’clock on a Tuesday. If you would rather have mocktails you can omit the alcohol or replace it with seltzer water. Cheers!

Crisp Cranberry Cocktail

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Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen (thawed) Cranberries

3/4 cup Honey

1 cup Water

Ice

Vodka

Sparkling Wine or Club Soda

Dried Cranberries (for garnish)

Add Cranberries, honey and water to a small saucepan and bring to a bowl.  Lower heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes (before they start to pop or burst).  Using a large spoon or potato masher smash the fruit a bit and stir during simmering.  Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.  Pour contents of saucepan through a mesh sieve or strainer pushing on the fruit to get all of the liquid out and set aside.  The remaining fruit makes a great (chunky) jam and will keep in a airtight container in the fridge or freezer.  Allow fruit syrup to cool.  Mix the cocktails by adding the cooled fruit syrup, vodka, and sparkling wine over ice, garnish with dried cranberries.

 

Rosemary Martini

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup Dry White Wine

1/2 cup Gin

Fresh Rosemary

Green Olives, pitted

Ice, optional

Shake gin, wine and ice in a cocktail shaker.  Strain into a glass and garnish with olives and rosemary.  The flavor of the rosemary really comes through in this cocktail.  Perfect drink to compliment appetizers or dinner, makes about 2 cocktails.

 

 

Pumpkin Rum Punch

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Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup Pumpkin Purée (unsweetened)

2 cups Apple Cider

1 1/2 cup dark Rum

1 tsp pure Vanilla

1/4 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

Ice

Apple Slices, for garnish

Add all of the ingredients to a punch bowl (except ice) and whisk well.  Add Ice and gently stir.  Garnish punch bowl or glasses with apple slices. Serves about 10.  The perfect addition to any autumn party.

Tara
Tara is mom to two energetic daughters Bianca and Iyla. Passionate about inspiring others to cook healthy, delicious and allergy-friendly food, she owns Yummy Sprout, which provides healthy culinary adventures through classes and more. Check out yummysprout.com. Tara has been featured in the Wisconsin State Journal and on Channel 3 WISC-TV on topics including “making your own baby food”, “cooking with kids” and “packing healthy school lunches”. She adores living in Madison and all it has to offer family life. Her favorite ways to spend time include messing up her kitchen while recipe testing, running, yoga, writing, painting, traveling and reading books with her girls.

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