Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Elderflower Basil Martini

     

    After much deliberation for this month's cocktail, I finally settled on an Elderflower Martini.  Here at the Oaks Bed and Breakfast we happen to be big fans of all things Elderflower.  This French liqueur is smooth, and perfect to add a little elegance with a hit of floral to your cocktail.

A relatively new liqueur on the market, Elderflower has gained in popularity since hitting the bar top in 2001.  The flowers are handpicked in the early Spring and smashed within 24 hours of picking to contain their fragrance.  The Elderflower has a long history of folklore in protection and healing. 

The Elderflower Martini is simple and easy to make.  With the added herb of basil this drink is perfect for late Spring where the nights are still cool and the days warm.  Here is what you need to make your drink.

Cucumber Basil Elderflower Martini

1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

2 ounces Vodka

½ cup chopped cucumber

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

6 basil leaves

Muddle your basil and cucumber in the bottom of your shaker cup, until the flavors are well blended.  Add in the Elderflower, vodka and lime juice.  Add in Ice, then shake vigorously until the outside of the container is chilled.  Strain into a Martini glass.  Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and basil leaf.

        The glimpse of summer really comes out in this drink, with the cucumber and basil, muddled in the bottom of the shaker cup.  The more you press those flavors together the stronger the taste.  What a great way to welcome the changing seasons and enjoy a refreshing beverage while soaking in the cooler temps on the back deck at the Oaks.  

As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Pomegranate Bliss Martini

    

     Love is in the air, or at least the card and chocolate companies want you to think so. Personally, I feel that love can and should be celebrated all year long.  Afterall, it should not be something you take for granted or celebrate only when the calendar tells you to do so.  Even though that is how I feel I still wanted to create a cocktail this month that brought out the feelings of love.  The only way I knew how to make that happen was with color.  

While pink is not my favorite color, it does demonstrate qualities of love and has people feeling like they are feeling the love, when drinking this delicious mixture.  A simple yet elegant drink with a bit of mint, makes for a wonderful and flavorful drink to enjoy while dining.  The pomegranate really sings in this one, and gives a lovely tart but also sweet finish.  

While this drink is served in a martini glass it holds none of the traditional martini flavors or alcohols in the mix.  It is strictly of its own making.  While made in a shaker cup, you could possibly pour and stir, if that is your preferred way to drink and serve a martini.  Today we are shaking, and then pouring our drink into our preferred glass.  

The glass ware used to serve a martini has become an iconic piece of drink couture, and was originally designed to help keep the contents cold, and away from warm hands.  This elegant v-shaped glass really became all the rage in the mid 1920’s and could be found all over the world, and made more popular with the desire for people to imbibe in gin.  Either way, the v-shaped glass has become known as a martini glass to patrons the world over.

Pomegranate Bliss Martini

¾ ounce Pomegranate Juice

  1 ½ ounces  Vodka

½ ounce Cointreau

½  ounce Fresh lime juice

Mint for garnish

Place mint in the bottom of the shaker cup and muddle.  Add ice and the remaining ingredients.  Shake until the outside of the cup is cold.  Pour into martini glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.  If you would like  your drink to be a bit sweeter add in ¼ to ½ ounce simple syrup. 

This drink is so simple to make and great to share with others.  You may be wondering if you can substitute out Cointreau with Grand Marnier, and I would say no, unless you are ready for the color of your drink to change.  Grand Marnier is a darker, more amber colored liquor while the Cointreau is clear.  Let the pomegranate shine in this drink and keep the Grand Marnier for another time.  

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Cupid's Cosmo

 

            Hello February!  Did you feel like January would never end?  I know we did but at long last a new month is here, and we are ready to celebrate and make things happen.  Since this has been dubbed the month of love, we are taking a little twist on a classic drink to add to our herb infused cocktails.  Each month our cocktail creation is pulled from our love of gardening and growing flavors to tease your palate. 

               This month, our featured herb is Mint.  Even though it is winter, and mint usually takes a little break, ours is still hanging on.  If you do not have mint growing, your local grocery store usually will have it on hand.  This month it is both part of our garnish and muddled in the bottom of the shaker cup.  In the past it has been used to make a simple syrup as well.  With so many uses, how could you turn away from such a great herb? 

               Of course, we had to give this drink a cute name in recognition of Valentine’s Day.  Cupid’s Cosmo, is simple and refreshing while welcoming in the traditional flavors of a cosmopolitan. 

 

Cupid’s Cosmo

3-4 min leaves, extra for garnish

2 ounces Vodka

1 ounce triple sec

1 ounce cranberry juice

½ ounce fresh lime juice

Muddle some mint at the bottom of a shaker cup.  Pour over the liquid ingredients, then shake everything together, with ice.  Pour into a fresh glass and enjoy.  Garnish with a sprig of mint and lime wedge.

          

     Nothing too complicated in this one drink.  It’s great to enjoy yourself, with friends or at dinner with someone special.  Join us on Valentine’s Day and order this drink with your dinner.  It will not disappoint.  

               While the history of the Cosmopolitan is up for debate, its popularity was derived from the HBO television show “Sex in the City.”  From Miami to New York to Minneapolis the Cosmo has been made and drank all over the US and abroad, even if no one can claim it for themselves as the creator.  You can enjoy it locally with us or follow our recipe and enjoy it at home. 

               We hope you will give it a try at home or at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, when you happen to be staying with us.  Until then please be sure to enjoy responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Fireside

 

               Fall is slowly creeping into the air in Texas, with the morning’s cooler than the day, and the falling temperatures at night once the sun falls below the horizon.  What is a better way to welcome the change of seasons than a great fall cocktail.  Aptly named Fireside, this tangy concoction is sure to warm you up from the inside while sipping at night in front of a roaring fire in the firepit or outdoor fireplace. 

 

               The rosemary in this month’s herb infused cocktail brings out the flavor of fall, and the simple sweetness of the maple syrup mixed together with the tangy goodness of grapefruit.  Each item in this cocktail embodies the season with the flavors of fall.  I like the fact that this drink is full of wonderful ingredients that are typically harvested in the later half of the year.  Grapefruit and maple syrup each are found to be ready around this time of the year. While the rosemary can be cut all year round, it truly feels truly part of the year in the fall.  Early spring will bring out the blossoms while the flavor is full in the fall.

 

               I also enjoy the ease of making this cocktail.  Simple and quick to mix together and enjoy while watching the sun makes it descent and the embers burn away into the night.  Grab a few friends to enjoy this drink with at your next get together.

 

Fireside

 

1.5 ounces Vodka

¼ ounce Maple Syrup

1 sprig Rosemary

2 ounces grapefruit juice

 

In the bottom of the glass crush the rosemary and maple syrup together.  Add in the ice, then pour over the vodka and grapefruit juice.  Mix together well.  Garnish with an extra sprig of rosemary.

 

               While simple the tastes of each element can be enjoyed with every sip.  Be sure to use your favorite Vodka when making this drink, and a good all natural maple syrup.  No imitation syrup here.  Leave the log cabin syrup at the store.  Of course if you want to make this drink a mocktail, just leave out the vodka and add in a little more syrup and grapefruit juice.  If you want it a little sweeter add in a bit more syrup.  You can make this drink to your specifications. 

               As always enjoy your drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Fig Thyme Shrub

 

The end of summer is rapidly approaching, and we do not want to let go just yet.  To help ring out the summer and celebrate the start of fall, our cocktail this month is a Fig Thyme Shrub.  I know what you are thinking, what the heck is a shrub.  Well shrub is basically a mixture of sugar, vinegar and fruit that sets overnight to create a “drinking vinegar.”  Now, do not walk away just yet! These flavors together will make a sweet and tangy drink that will satisfy your taste buds and make you come back for more. 

 

The combination of sweet and tangy will have your taste buds seeking out more of this delicious drink.  With fresh figs from our tree and the hint of thyme, you are sure to enjoy this cocktail.  Keeping summer alive a little longer with just a hint of fall flavors is a great way to end the day when that cool summer breeze hits off the back deck.

 

The set up does take a little longer since the flavors have to meld together at least overnight in the fridge.  This drink is worth the wait.  Find some delicious figs and add them together with your vinegar, sugar and thyme and let it sit overnight in the fridge. That way when you arrive home from work, your cocktail is almost ready to go.  Below are the exact details of how to put your drink together.

 

Fig Thyme Shrub

To make the shrub:

2 cups of diced fresh figs

¾ cup sugar

1 cup apple cider vinegar

10 sprigs of fresh thyme

 

Cocktail:

1 ½ ounces vodka

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime

1 ½ ounces fig thyme shrub

2 ounce club soda/sparkling water

Fig and thyme for garnish

 

Make the shrub in a plastic or glass bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.  Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard the thyme and figs when finished.  To make the cocktail add crushed ice to a glass.  Add the vodka, lime and shrub; stir to combine.  Add the club soda or sparking water, stir again.  Garnish with fig and thyme!

 

You can keep any of the extra shrub in your fridge for up to two weeks.  If you want to make this a mocktail, include more club soda or sparkling water to replace the vodka.  As always drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Cranberry Mint Vodka Punch

 

    The New Year is right around the corner and there is no better way to start the year off than with a great cocktail made to be shared with friends.  That's right, this cocktail is made in a batch and can be served to all your holiday guests.  Make this one mocktail for those underage or the designated driver. 

 

    Personally, I'm not a big fan of champagnes, so the bubbles in this drink are provided by the ginger beer.  The melding of flavors of the ginger, cranberry and lemonade make this drink one you can sip at any time of the year, but we chose to help you ring in the New Year with this drink.  

    It's easy to mix and prepare for your guests ahead of time that way you can sit back and enjoy your time with friends and family.  Just be sure to mark your pitchers if you choose to make one without the alcohol, that way little hands who wants to enjoy do not end up with the wrong mixer.  

    Let's get down to business, this will be a new holiday favorite that you will want to pull out each year.  Here is what you will need to get started.

   Cranberry Mint Vodka Punch

2 cups Cranberry Juice

1 cup Lemonade

1 cup Vodka

1 cup Ginger Beer

Garnish with mint and cranberries

Tear off some mint leaves and drop into your pitcher.  Pour each ingredient into a large pitcher.  Mix it up and set in the fridge to chill.  When you are ready to serve fill glasses with ice, cranberry and mint, pour in the drink and enjoy.  If you are going to set your drink out, fill the pitcher with ice as well to help keep your drink chilled.  

    This is such a fun and festive drink you won't want to miss mixing it up at your next party.  If you do not want to mix this drink yourself, stop by the Tipsy Oak Lounge, by the Oaks Bed and Breakfast and ask for the cocktail of the month.  We will be serving this drink all month long in January.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Lemon Basil Martini

 

    Summer is still in full swing, and the herb garden is still producing wonderfully, fragrant and tasty herbs for all our guests to enjoy.  Our ultimate favorite summer herb is basil, so we had to feature it one more time in a cocktail before we pulled them out to wait for the next year's growth.  Let me tell you, the basil in this month's drink packs a punch and really shines.

    We typically plant three or four varieties of basil each year.  Two of our favorites that we use regularly are purple basil and the traditional sweet basil.  These two are the varietals we are featuring is this month's cocktail.  You will notice in our images, that the liquid has a pink tint, this is due to the use of purple basil.  The muddling process broke down the leaves which emitted a color when mixed with the liquid ingredients.  The entire process really made the drink stand out.

    The beautiful part of this drink is how easy it is to make and consume.  If you are a fan of vodka this basil martini is for you.

Lemon Basil Martini

6-10 basil leaves

3/4 ounce simple syrup

3/4 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 ounces vodka 

Ice

Rim your martini glass with lemon sugar, before starting your drink.  Muddle the basil leaves at the bottom of a shaker cup.  Add all the liquid and ice.  Shake vigorously until the shaker cup is very cold.  Pour contents into the prepared glass.  Garnish with lemon wedge and fresh basil.  

    The lemon basil martini is so easy to make and even easier to consume.  Take time while you are at the Tipsy Oak Lounge to enjoy this cocktail of the month, with friends. You are sure to enjoy the flavor and mix of this cocktail.

    As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  We hope that you will share with us your versions of this drink or join us to have one.  Cheers from the Oaks bed and breakfast. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Guava Ginger Screwdriver

 

    This month's cocktail was a little unexpected for me.  I figured that it would have a more fruity flavor and be too sweet but it turns out the spice of the ginger beer mellows the sweetness quite well and brings about a satisfyingly, refreshing drink.  The Guava Ginger Screwdriver might have a few layers to it but is very easy to make. The tropical flavor of the guava melds well with the fruit flavor of the Hpnotiq.  Not being a big fan of fruity or tropical drinks, I know I'm probably one of very few people who do not like pina coladas.  I purchased the smallest bottle of Hpnotiq I could find since I was not sure about the flavor or the likelihood I would use it in the future.  

    While not a romantic drink,  it still fits well with the holiday season, as what I would refer to as a girly drink.  Fruity notes, and flavors, with a splash of pink family color.  This drink will satisfy all your flavor needs, from first taste to last taste.  As with all the cocktails we make, use your favorite liquors to create a drink that you will enjoy the most.  

Guava Ginger Screwdriver

1.5 ounces Vodka

1 ounces Hpnotiq

4 ounces Ginger beer

2 ounces Guava Nectar

Spring of fresh Thyme

Pour all your ingredients into a shaker cup that is filled with ice.  Cap it off and give it a vigorous shake.  Once the cup is extra cold to the touch, pour into a Martini glass, or glass of your choice and garnish with a fresh sprig of thyme.  

    It's that simple to be transported away from your everyday life to some place tropical.  You will not be disappointed with this cocktail.  Be sure to not over fill your shaker, otherwise it might get a little leaky when shaken.  Personal experience here, I think I was a little heavy on the ginger beer.  But that might have helped me to enjoy it more. You can enjoy our short video of how to make this cocktail on our YouTube Channel. 

 

    As always please drink responsibly and always use a designated driver when drinking.  Until next month please enjoy and let us know if you try this cocktail out. Cheers from the Oaks Bed and Breakfast. 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Strawberry Basil Lemonade

    

     This month we wanted to feature a drink that brought out a bit of the American spirit.  What shows that more than a Lemonade.  This light and easy summer drink can be made for one or twenty.  So grab your friends and blend it up, everyone is sure to like this cocktail.

    You can customize your drink to fit your taste.  How you make your lemonade will determine how your drink is flavored for you.  We like our homemade lemonade to be a little bit more tart than sweet, so we add a little less sugar than maybe you would like.  Customize your drink to your tastes, we give you the starting points and you can work from there.

    If you enjoy the taste of strawberries, add a few more to your drink to really bring out the flavor.  It is pretty easy to make it what you want for you and your guests.  The simplicity is the best part of this drink, but the flavor and easy of creation, it a crowd favorite.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

3 Lemons

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water

4 strawberries

1/8 cup fresh basil

2 ounces Vodka

    Squeeze your lemons directly into a pitcher or blender.  Add in the sugar and warm water.  Stir till the sugar is dissolved.  Add in the strawberries, basil and vodka.  Mix until everything is well blended.  Pour over a sugar rimmed glass of ice for a added touch.  Garnish with a small strawberry, and basil.  Or a small slice of lemon and basil.  Enjoy with friends responsibly.  

    I felt liked we over blended ours, I should have stopped a little sooner.  The use of an immersion blender could also help reduce the "foam," but I really wanted to have that basil broken up.  Although I was disappointed with the froth at the top of the cup.  I should have strained it better to get a prettier cup, but did not think of that until later.  Either way the drink was smooth and refreshing.  You could not really taste the vodka in this drink, so you know it was a good mix.  

    As always, you can make it a mocktail, by eliminating the vodka and just using the above ingredients for your strawberry lemonade.  I would say, this recipe could easily make for two people so make your adjustments for the number of people and enjoy!  Always have a designated driver.  Cheers! 

Cranberry Rose ~ herb infused cocktail

  

   We are back with our herb infused drinks for the New Year.  I have a plan of action to make one happen once per month, so check back here to see what new drink we are mixing up.  And be sure to follow us on social media, there might be a cocktail hour during the month featuring our latest drink.

    This month we are featuring the drink we made for our New Year's Eve party.  A Rosemary Cranberry Vodka, we called the Cranberry Rose, that is sure to be a crowd pleaser at any time of the year.  We wanted to feature an herb that is currently growing and a little bit of fizz to help ring in the New Year.  Have no fear's this drink can be enjoyed at any time of the year, as rosemary is typically growing all year round.  

    We found this drink to be full of flavor and the more rosemary you want to taste the longer you let it sit in the vodka.  For our purposes we let ours sit for about four days, in a window, to allow the flavor to meld with the alcohol. That brings us to how we made this drink.  We do have to prep a few days in advance to truly get the rosemary to seep into the vodka.  We cut a few stems off, and placed them in a jar and coved with some vodka.  I let mine sit in the window to speed up the process, since I started a little late.  

    The rest is pretty easy, if you are making for a larger group you could just pour directly into a pitcher but since I had a smaller group I made each drink directly into the champagne flute we would be drinking out of.

    The rosemary flavor really came through in the vodka and gave this drink and extra kick of tastiness.  The cranberry combined with your sparkling drink of choice made for a simple and pleasurable experience.  

    If you wanted to make this drink a mocktail, I would make a simple syrup infused with the rosemary in stead of letting it seep with the vodka.  I would then use club soda or a sparkling water of your choice to add the bubbles.  You could then have a great version of this drink for those designated drivers or friends who choose not to drink. 

Cranberry Rose

1 oz Rosemary infused vodka

2 oz Cranberry juice

squeeze of some lemon

Top off with Moscato/Champagne/Prosecco

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and lemon.

    We always have a Moscato on hand for events, or special occasions for guests celebrating a Wedding or Anniversary, that I like which isn't too sweet or dry.  This Moscato is the perfect blend for those who like one that is a middle of the road.  Depending on your tastes you can make your drink sweeter or drier based on the alcohol you choose to use.  Don't forget you can always make a mocktail.  Be safe and use a designated driver!

Cheers! From the Oaks bed and breakfast.