Month: January 2020

Lavender Simple Syrup
simple syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup

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Add some extra sophistication to your coffee, tea, or cocktails with lavender simple syrup.

Lavender simple syrup is one of my simple joys in life. Lavender, in general, makes me happy… but lavender that I can pour into my coffee, tea, & cocktails? Heavenly. I think most people are aware of lavender’s anxiety-reducing benefits, but did you know that lavender also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties? It’s even useful for digestive problems, headaches, and is a natural antihistamine.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Now, I’m not saying that you’ll get all these benefits from lavender simple syrup (although the aromatherapy aspect will definitely be there). If you want the most benefits, you’ll need to invest in some quality lavender essential oil. Lavender is one of my most used oils and I use it for anything from burns to mosquito bites. And living in Texas means lots of mosquito bites.

Add some extra sophistication to your coffee, tea, or cocktails with lavender simple syrup.

Lavender simple syrup is more versatile than you may think. You can make lavender lattes (divine), lavender lemonade, and, of course, lavender cocktails. Simply use it in place of regular simple syrup in a cocktail recipe to add a fun floral element. You could even use it in baked goods! The buds themselves are edible, too, so you could sprinkle those babies like, well, sprinkles.

The Ingredients for Lavender Simple Syrup

The How-To

Bring all ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan. Boil until the sugar is dissolved. Allow the syrup to cool in the saucepan before pouring it into a mason jar or small covered container. Strain out the lavender buds if desired. I personally like to leave them in so they can further infuse the syrup as it sits in the fridge. The syrup should last 1-2 months in the fridge.

Inspired by all the flavoring possibilities of homemade syrups? Check out these other options:

Add some floral sophistication to your coffee, tea, or cocktails with lavender simple syrup.
Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup
Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup

Add a sweet, floral flavor to your favorite cocktail, tea, iced coffee, or baked goods.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 4 ounces

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • lidded container

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp food-grade lavender buds (see note for a reputable brand)
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Bring all ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan, or until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Allow the syrup to cool in the saucepan.
  • Strain out the lavender buds, if desired, before pouring the syrup into a lidded container.
  • Store in the fridge. The syrup should last 1-2 months.

Notes

Make sure you use food-grade, organic lavender buds. This brand is reputable.
I personally like to leave some of the lavender buds in the syrup so they can further infuse as it sits in the fridge. 
Keyword lavender, simple syrup, sugar
simple syrup

Honey Simple Syrup

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Honey simple syrup is just as easy to make as simple syrup but adds a lot more complexity to a drink. You can instantly change the whole flavor of a cocktail by subbing honey syrup for simple syrup. Not to mention you take the health factor up a notch (just ignore the fact that you’re most likely adding it to alcohol).

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

I make really small batches of this stuff and store it in a tiny bottle in the fridge. Feel free to double the recipe if you’re going to use a lot of it or use it frequently.

The Ingredients for Honey Simple Syrup

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water

How To Make Honey Simple Syrup

Pour the honey and water into a small saucepan. Heat them up until the honey is well dissolved. Pour into your container of choice and let cool completely. Store in the fridge.

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Made it and want to use it in a drink? Check out these recipes to put your honey simple syrup to work:

Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup

Honey Simple Syrup

An easier way to incorporate honey into your drink recipes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 4 ounces

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • lidded container

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Pour the honey and water into a small saucepan.
  • Heat it up until the honey is well dissolved.
  • Pour into your container of choice and let cool completely.
  • Store in the fridge.

Notes

Honey simple syrup should keep for over a month in the fridge.
Feel free to double the recipe.
Keyword honey
vodka

Effortless Jam Cocktail & Mocktail | An Easy 3 Minute Drink Using Ingredients You Already Have on Hand

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Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail is a game-changer. It’s easy to whip up in a moment’s notice and feels very fancy. The best part is, you’ll probably always have the ingredients on hand– who doesn’t have a jar or three of random jelly, jam, or preserves hiding in the back of the fridge? And if you actually do go out to grab a new jar, you’ll find soo many inspiring possibilities.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Blueberry preserves, raspberry jalapeno jam, ORANGE MARMALADE, mango habanero, and of course the classic strawberry and grape. Did you know that there’s such a thing as mint jelly? Yeah. That rocked my world, too. Add a spoonful of jam into any mixed drink and you’ve upped the flavor complexity.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Jam cocktails are so customizable. Want something refreshing and light? Add sparkling water. Feeling like a strong drink? Skip it & pour everything into a coupe or martini glass. Don’t feel like imbibing? Forgo the alcohol and enjoy sipping on something besides water. Mocktails require no thought when you know the secret about jam + tonic. And all the pregnant ladies said BLESS.

Flavor Combinations to Try

Need some flavor inspo? Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • gin + blackberry jam + lemon juice + basil + tonic water
  • vodka + apricot preserves + lemon juice + mint + lemon sparkling water
  • tequila + orange marmalade + grapefruit juice + rosemary + club soda
  • white rum + blueberry jam + lime juice + mint + club soda
Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

An Outline of Ingredients for a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

  • 1 1/2 – 2 oz vodka (or gin, whiskey, rum, or tequila… but vodka has the cleanest profile to work with, meaning it won’t compete with your other flavors)
  • 3/4 oz lemon juice or lime juice – fresh is always best
  • spoonful of jam
  • a sprig of a fresh herb – mint & basil pair well with all fruit flavs
  • tonic water, club soda, or unsweetened flavored sparkling water
  • [optional- if you like extra sweet drinks] 1/2 oz simple syrup or honey simple syrup

How to Make a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes. Shake. Strain into a lowball glass that’s filled with ice. Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water. Garnish with any leftover herbs.

Jam Cocktail & Mocktail

The easiest way to make a cocktail using ingredients you already have on hand.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz liquor like vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila (omit for a mocktail)
  • ¾ oz fresh citrus juice like lemon or lime
  • 1 spoonful jam (any jam will do!)
  • fresh herb like mint, basil, or thyme
  • 2+ oz sparkling water, club soda, or tonic
  • ½ oz simple syrup OPTIONAL

Instructions
 

  • In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor.
  • Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes.
  • Shake well, about 30 seconds.
  • Strain into a lowball glass that's filled with ice.
  • Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water.
  • Garnish with a sprig of herb.½

Notes

If you want to forgo the liquor, this makes a nice and refreshing mocktail.
If you enjoy sweeter drinks, add the 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
Keyword club soda, jam, lemon, lime, sparkling water, tonic
Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

whiskey

Pick 6 | The Perfect Super Bowl Cocktail

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The Pick 6, the perfect Super bowl cocktail

I love me some football, but I’m never too stoked about the Super Bowl. Probably because my team never comes close to making it there. Maybe that makes me a sore loser or maybe it makes me a loyal fan. No matter what your views are on football, I think the nation agrees that the Super Bowl is one of the best food events of the year.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

If you’re looking for a drink that’ll please a crowd, consider the Pick 6. It’s a little bit sweet & a little bit sour. Kinda like a Pick 6 in football. Well, really sweet for one team, really sour for the other.

In case you’re not football literate, a “pick 6” is when the defensive team intercepts the ball and immediately scores a touchdown, earning 6 points. Throw that term out there at your Super Bowl party and you might impress. “Man, we could really use a pick 6 right about now!” And if someone gives you a funny look and you think you might’ve used it incorrectly, just say “The drink. I mean the drink.” I got your back.

The Ingredients for a Pick 6 (aka Perfect Super Bowl Cocktail)

  • 1 – 1 1/2 oz whiskey (I use corn whiskey to keep things 100% gluten-free, but use your favorite)
  • 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice (or lemonade if you have it at your party already!)
  • 1/2 oz honey simple syrup (it’s super easy, don’t be intimidated)
  • 2-4 oz ginger beer

How to Make a Pick 6 (aka Perfect Super Bowl Cocktail)

Whip up a batch of honey simple syrup– it’ll only take about 2 minutes, promise. Let it cool a bit while you get the rest of the drink ready.

Pour the whiskey into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Add the lemon juice, then the honey simple syrup. Shake well to mix and flash-chill the syrup. Pour into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top with ginger beer.

The glass I used is smaller than most lowball glasses so I didn’t have much room for the ginger beer. Sip a little and make room for it if you need to.

Pick 6

The Pick 6 is the perfect cocktail to please a crowd, making it a great choice for Super Bowl parties and other social functions.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz whiskey (use corn whiskey if you need to be celiac-friendly)
  • ½ oz fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz honey simple syrup (see note for how to make it)
  • 2-3 oz ginger beer

Instructions
 

  • Pour the whiskey, lemon juice, and honey simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake well to mix.
  • Pour into a lowball glass filled with ice.
  • Top the rest of the glass off with the ginger beer.

Notes

Honey simple syrup is incredibly easy to make. You can check out the recipe here. f
Keyword ginger beer, honey, lemon, whiskey
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Simple Syrup
simple syrup

Simple Syrup

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Simple Syrup recipe

The recipe for simple syrup is one of those recipes that almost feels silly to write out. I can guarantee you’ll memorize it after making it once (unlike the pancake recipe that I use EVERY SUNDAY and still have to look up).

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Simple syrup is an ingredient to always have on hand. Besides being a key addition in many cocktails, it’s perfect to add to iced tea and iced coffee. Adding simple syrup to cold drinks means you don’t have to stir your drink like crazy in a futile attempt to get the sugar grains to dissolve. Although sometimes I do love chewing me some gritty sweet tea. Anyone else? No??

Some people make simple syrup with a 1:1 sugar to water ratio. This makes the syrup less likely to crystallize over time. However, I prefer a 1.5:1 or 2:1 ratio (called “rich syrup” by some) More sugar, less water. Making it in smaller batches means less time spent in my fridge, so I rarely have to worry about it re-crystalizing.

If you’re looking for ways to add sweetness and extra flavor to your drinks, check out these 6 flavored simple syrup recipes.

The Ingredients for Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1/2 cup of water

The How-To

Pour the sugar and the water into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let it roll until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool. Pour into a mason jar or a small glass bottle. Keep refrigerated.

Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is the easiest way to incorporate sugar into cold drinks.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 2 mins
Cooling Time 15 mins
Total Time 17 mins
Course Drinks

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • lidded container

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup sugar (use ¾ cup to make a rich syrup)
  • ½ cup water

Instructions
 

  • Add the water and sugar to a small saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil, or heat well until all sugar granules are dissolved.
  • Pour into a container and allow to cool before putting the lid on.
  • Store in the fridge.

Notes

You can use ¾ cup sugar to make a richer syrup.
Simple syrup should last 1 month or more in the fridge. If it looks cloudy, toss it. Richer syrups typically last longer.
Keyword simple syrup, sugar

Looking for ways to use your simple syrup? Check out these easy cocktail recipes:

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Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup