Month: April 2020

Americano Cocktail
campari

Americano Cocktail | A Classic Campari Cocktail with 3 Ingredients

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If you’ve tried Campari cocktails in the past and they haven’t been for you, I challenge you to try the Americano cocktail. The Americano is a softer introduction to the bitter taste of Campari. In my most recent Campari cocktail recipe, I mentioned that I was not a fan of Negronis. Shocking, considering I love both gin & bitter stuff. When I first heard of an Americano, I assumed I wouldn’t like it either. After all, two-thirds of the ingredients are the same. The Americano just switches out gin for club soda. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference.

But it does. Since such a large percentage of this cocktail is club soda, i.e. water, it really tempers the strong bitter profile of Campari. The bubbles in the soda also make it more palatable for someone like me. This drink, along with the Gin Campari Sour, is going to help me train my tastebuds to like Campari.

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 love!

It’s like when I was in high school and I wanted to like coffee. Growing up, my parents didn’t drink coffee so I really had no exposure to it. I remember being excited to finally try some and was sorely disappointed by my first sip. But I was determined to develop a taste for the stuff. I strategically ordered all the java chip frappés at my local coffee shop (shout out to Jitters) until I could eventually tolerate, then appreciate, the taste of coffee.

While we’re talking about coffee and Campari, now’s the perfect time to point out the fact that there are two Americanos in the drink world: the coffee version and the cocktail version. They taste nothing alike, besides the fact that they’re both bitter and not sweet. An Americano coffee is espresso with additional hot water added to dilute the strong flavor. An Americano cocktail is Campari diluted with soda water to tone it down. Ah. I guess that’s a sign that us Americans like our bitter drinks less intense.

Now, if you already love Campari, then you’ll enjoy an Americano. It’s light and refreshing, the perfect pre-dinner cocktail, known as an apéritif (or aperitivo). Traditionally, apéritifs are cocktails enjoyed before dinner to open the palate in preparation for the meal. The word apéritif actually originates from the Latin verb “aperire” which means ‘to open’. They’re typically dry, bitter drinks with low alcohol content. Vermouth, dry white wines, Americanos and Aperol Spritzes are common apéritifs. This fun post goes into more detail about the culture of drinking aperitivos in Italy.

I feel like now is also an important time to quickly note a difference between all the carbonated waters. Here’s a quick show down of all the bubble h20:

  • Club soda is infused with carbon and minerals like salt (my HEB brand has sea salt–fancy)
  • Seltzer usually does not contain any minerals
  • Sparkling mineral water is typically naturally carbonated and has naturally-present minerals
  • Sparkling water is carbonated water and can be flavored and sometimes sweetened
  • Tonic water is carbonated water with minerals and also quinine, a bitter essence derived from the chichona tree & used to treat things like malaria and leg cramps

The first four taste pretty similar and can honestly be used interchangeably in cocktail recipes without much a problem. Tonic water has a very distinct taste and shouldn’t be used in place of another type of sparkling water– unless you know you like the taste of tonic. Just be warned it may not jive with the rest of the drink’s flavors.

If you’ve been looking for a Campari cocktail to win you over, look no further.

The Americano Cocktail is a classic cocktail that's been around for decades. It's bitter, dry, and yet very refreshing, making it the perfect aperitif. The best part about the Americano is that you'll only need 3 ingredients to make it.

The Ingredients for an Americano Cocktail

  • 1 – 1 1/2 oz Campari
  • 1 – 1 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • club soda

How to Make an Americano Cocktail

Fill a Collins glass or highball glass with ice. Pour in the Campari and vermouth. Fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Stir with a straw or bar spoon. Sip and feel so European.

Americano Cocktail Recipe | Classic Campari Cocktail Recipe with 3 simple ingredients
tequila

Spicy Basil Margarita | A Simple & Spicy Cocktail with Kashmiri Chili Powder

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Spicy Basil Margarita with Kashmiri Chili Powder is the best drink for summer. It's bright, refreshing, with a little kick to it. If you've never had a spicy cocktail before, give it a try.

This Spicy Basil Margarita is easy to make and perfect for summer. It’s finally warming up in central Texas (after an unseasonably cool spring) and that means Margarita season is beginning. Actually, I think it’s always Margarita season in the south. But whether you still have snow on the ground, like my friend Laura at We Galavant The Globe, or whether you’ve been sweating for weeks now, this Spicy Basil Margarita is sure to hit the spot.

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! 

This is going to sound very un-Texan of me, but I have to be in the right mood for a Margarita. I’m always down for one at a Mexican restaurant or when lounging at a pool. But casually sipping on one in the living room? Never really had that craving. Until I was thinking about a way to utilize my new Kashmiri chili powder that my friend brought me back from South Africa. How could I utilize this exotic spice? Then I realized I have yet to post a Margarita recipe on Girl & Tonic so I knew I had to make a spicy Margarita recipe for sure.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product/service or sign up via my affiliate link, I would receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love and believe in.

If you don’t have Kashmiri chili powder, you can use tajin (yo, Texans- I know you have access to this) or regular chili powder. Kashmiri powder is used more commonly for its color than its heat, but it does have some heat to it and a really beautiful flavor. Its spiciness falls between mild paprika and fiery cayenne. I used 2 pinches in my Spicy Basil Margarita and then dusted some on top. You can also rim your glass with it. I opted for a swatch because it looks artsy. I got the Kashmiri chili powder to stay exactly where I wanted it by using agave syrup and then sprinkling dumping the chili powder over it.

Now, maybe the thought of a spicy cocktail is a new concept to you or maybe you’re already a fan. If you’re the former, I challenge you to try this Spicy Basil Margarita. It’s fresh and bright with a little kick to it. It’s not going to light your mouth on fire, I promise. (Well, not unless you’re a total spice wimp… I once knew a girl whose eyes watered when she put black pepper on her food. How..?) You can always taste as you go and add more to your liking. You might be surprised by how much you can actually handle.

Spicy food releases endorphins and dopamine, your “pleasure” and “reward” sensations, which is why you often can’t stop eating- or drinking- something spicy. Your mouth is feeling the burn, but your brain is translating the consumption of the spicy substance as a rewarding experience, so you are compelled to consume more. Your Brain on Capsaicin is an in-depth science-y article that goes into more detail about the science behind spicy foods. In fact, I was today years old when I found out that we don’t actually have tastebuds associated with “spiciness”. Yeah. You should read that article.

While we’re talking about food science, let’s chat about adding sweeteners to spicy Margaritas. This may sound crazy, but adding agave or simple syrup into a spicy Margarita doesn’t make it sweeter– it actually makes it taste spicier. Yeah. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true and there’s science to prove it. Jess Dang wrote an informative article called A Study of Flavor Profiles. If you don’t have time to read the article, check out this helpful infographic from it:

Spicy and sweet flavors bring balance to one another and create a more dynamic flavor. Then take into account that this Spicy Basil Margarita also has the sour flavor going on with the lime juice. Wow. Talk about flavor dynamics.

Honestly, when I first made this cocktail, I only put a splash of agave in. I didn’t want it to be too sweet, after all. I tasted it. Good. I took some photos. I added more Kashmiri chili powder. Tasted again, and yet it didn’t taste much spicier. Then I remembered reading the aforementioned article a few days ago and doubled the amount of agave. Tasted again. BOOM. Instantly spicier and richer.

If for no other reason, make this cocktail as a science experiment and see if me and Jess Dang are right. Or leave out the chili powder & basil and enjoy a classic Margarita.

Ingredients for a Spicy Basil Margarita

  • 1 1/2 oz tequila (blanco is traditionally used for Margs but you can certainly use reposado)
  • 1 oz triple sec/orange liqueur
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (freshly-squeezed makes all the difference)
  • 1/3 oz agave nectar (or simple syrup)
  • small handful of fresh basil leaves
  • Kashmiri chili powder (or other chili powder)

How To Make a Spicy Basil Margarita

For rimming your glass: Rub a juicy lime wedge around the top rim of a glass.  Fill a place or shallow bowl with either chili powder, salt, or a combination of the two. Dip the rim in the spice. Fill with ice.

Add the tequila and basil leaves to an empty cocktail shaker. Using a muddle or the back of a spoon, muddle the basil leaves until they’re bruised. Then add ice, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave, and 1-2 pinches of chili powder to the cocktail shaker. Shake well. Taste and see if you want more spice. Strain into your Margarita glass (or a lowball glass or a Solo cup or a mug for all I care). I’m partial to my super cute cactus Margarita glasses that I THOUGHT were a vintage at a thrift store but joke’s on me ’cause they’re from Dollar Tree. There are some really similar ones on Amazon, too.

gin

Gin Campari Sour | A Bold Campari Cocktail That Actually Tastes Good

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Gin Campari Sour | A Bold Campari Cocktail That Actually Tastes Good. The Gin Campari Sour is the perfect drink for the adventurous and sophisticated cocktail lover. It's unique, simple, and far from sweet.

Maybe you’re already a fan of Campari cocktails, but I’m new to the Campari train. And honestly, it was not love-at-first-sip like it is for many others. The Gin Campari Sour is the first cocktail I’ve made with Campari that I actually enjoyed. I tolerate a Boulevardier and I detest Negronis. But this Gin Campari Sour… this cocktail could change everything.

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 bought my first bottle of Campari a few weeks ago. I was STOKED to try it. I’d had an Aperol Fizz a few years back at Liberty Food & Wine Exchange when I lived in Reno and loved the bitterness, so I assumed I would love a Negroni. I love me some wonky, unusual flavor profiles. Olives, tonic, extra dry red wine, sauerkraut. Yes, please. I knew Campari was supposed to be bitter and funky and is considered to be an acquired taste, and I felt CON-FI-DENT I’d acquired it at birth.

Oof, I was wrong. I love bitter. I love weird. Why don’t I love Campari? I was disappointed in myself. I kept sipping my Negroni, willing myself to like it and each time found myself hating it more and more. “I don’t like Campari!” I frantically texted some friends. “Why don’t I like it?!” To which they all replied in unison “Yeah, that stuff is gross.”

Gin Campari Sour | A Bold Campari Cocktail That Actually Tastes Good. The Gin Campari Sour is the perfect drink for the adventurous and sophisticated cocktail lover. It's unique, simple, and far from sweet.

Okay, maybe that’s not what they said verbatim but that was the general feel. I did feel validated by my friends but I could not confess such a fault to the Instagram world of cocktail bloggers. Campari is the cool trendy liqueur that all the cool trendy kids use in their cool trendy cocktails. I wanna be a cool trendy kid, at least in the cocktail world. So I tried some different drinks utilizing Campari and they were all meh or flat-out yuck.

But the Gin Campari Sour has opened me up to a whole new world–one for filled with the bitter-red liqueur I previously scorned. This… this is my gateway cocktail into Campari.

While Negronis and Gin Campari Sours share 50% of the same ingredients, its the egg white that makes all the difference. I recently used a raw egg white in a cocktail for the first time and experienced the silky-smooth texture it gives. I knew right after seeing the recipe for the Gin Campari Sour on a fellow Instagrammer’s profile that an egg white could be the element I needed. It really mellows out the bitterness of Campari, the dryness of the gin, and the tartness of the lemon juice.

Thanks to COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders, I’ve only got a bottle of spiced gin– incredible, but probably not the most ideal choice for Campari cocktails. The most recommended gin for Negronis and other Campari cocktails is Tanqueray, but you can check out this article for several gin options that pair well with it. I also only have Angostura bitters so I used those in place of the orange bitters. We do what we gotta do, right?

This cocktail is definitely still bitter, but it’s accessible. If you’ve disliked other Campari cocktails, give this Gin Campari Sour recipe a try.

If you're a fan of Campari cocktails, you're sure to love the Gin Campari Sour. If you detest Campari, this may be the cocktail that wins you over.

Ingredients For a Gin Campari Sour

  • 1 1/2 oz gin
  • 3/4 oz Campari
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 1 egg white
  • 1-3 dashes of orange bitters

How To Make A Gin Campari Sour

Chill your coupe glass for 30 minutes or more beforehand, if you remember. Or just always keep one in the freezer for such an occassion.

In a cocktail shaker without ice, combine all ingredients. Shake until combined.* Shaking without ice is called a dry shake. Then, add egg white and a lot of ice. Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds. This is the hardest part about this cocktail but the foam will be worth.it. Strain into your coupe glass. As the drink rests, the foam will rise to the top.

*If you’re using a 3-piece metal cocktail shaker, you might notice that it leaks during a dry shake. This is because without ice to make the metal cold, it won’t contract & form a tight seal. So just be a little careful and shake over your sink OR shake some ice in your cocktail shaker and then dump it out before starting your dry shake.

Need a cocktail shaker? This one is gorgeous and high-quality:

Out of all the Campari cocktails out there, the Gin Campari Sour is my favorite by far.
simple syrup

6 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

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Think flavored syrups are for professional bartenders and baristas? These simple syrup recipes will up your drink game with seriously minimal effort. Simple syrups are my favorite way to add excitement to otherwise every-day drinks.

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!

Pour these in your coffee for a gourmet treat. Add a splash to your iced tea. Make an easy mocktail by adding some to sparkling water with some citrus juice. Use it in any cocktail recipe that calls for simple syrup–or make your own cocktail and use one as the sweetener. Incorporate them into baked goods. The possibilities might be limitless.

While ALL of these simple syrup recipes are easy (hence the name ‘simple’), I’m listing these by the ingredients that are easiest to find. None of them are obscure, thanks to Amazon, and you might even have them in your pantry already. (Remember those cardamom pods you bought awhile back when you were on a chai tea kick?)

All of these simple syrup recipes should last 1-2 months in the fridge. I always make small batches because I typically don’t use a ton within one month. Feel free to double the recipes. I always have a ton of flavored simple syrups in my fridge. These little glass containers are perfect for storing all your syrups and make everything look organized.

Honey Simple Syrup

Honey Simple Syrup | 7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Okay. You can probably make this one TODAY. Honey simple syrup is the best way to use honey in iced drinks like iced tea and iced coffee. If you’ve tried using regular honey in the past, you’re familiar with its tendency to clump up and take forever to dissolve into your drink. You can also use honey simple syrup in margaritas, a Pick 6, any variety of jam cocktail, or in place of traditional simple syrup in a Daiquiri.

The Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup water

The How-To

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.

Read my original post here.

Lavender Simple Syrup

Lavender Simple Syrup

Of all the simple syrup recipes on here, this one is probably the most versatile. My favorite ways to enjoy this syrup are in lattes and in lieu of regular simple syrup in a Tom Collins cocktail (a Lavender Collins). Your extra lavender buds can be used in baked goods, too.

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 a few of them in so they can further infuse the syrup as it sits in the fridge.

Read my original post here.

Matcha Simple Syrup

Matcha simple syrup is a great way to invigorate your iced tea, sparkling water, or a cocktail.

Oh man. This one is delicate and delightful. Not to mention it’s green, my fav color. The obvious thing to do with this simple syrup rendition is to use it in hot or iced tea for an extra boost. But I dare you to use it in a traditional cocktail like a Gimlet for an exotic layer of flavor. Or if you’re wanting a totally green cocktail, check out Rub of the Green.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder (it’s pricey but a little goes a long way, even if you’re using it for tea)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (you could use stevia, coconut sugar, or agave to make this much healthier, but the ratios will be different)
  • 1/4 cup water

How to Make Matcha Simple Syrup

Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and add the matcha powder. It will clump so whisk well. I whisked it as well as I could before pouring it into my container. Then I put the lid on and shook it again. That’s what finally got the last remaining clumpies out.

Read my original post here.

Rose Simple Syrup

Rose simple syrup | 7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Perhaps not for everyone, and maybe best used in small doses, this rose simple syrup delivers a floral punch. Okay, maybe not a punch and more like a “love tap”. Anyone else tell your parents that, no, you weren’t hitting your brother–it was a love tap? Rose simple syrup is divine in chamomile tea and exquisite in a Rose Darling.

The Ingredients for Rose Simple Syrup

  • 2 Tablespoons dried rose petals (pleeease make sure you are using food grade petals)
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon rosewater (this stuff is POTENT- don’t say I didn’t warn you)

How to Make Rose Simple Syrup

Boil the rose petals in the water on the stove for 1-2 minutes. You’re essentially making rose tea. There won’t be much water in the pot so be careful to make sure the petals don’t scorch. Strain the liquid and discard the petals. Pour the rose tea back into your saucepan and add the extra tablespoon of water. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat and add the rosewater & stir again. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in the fridge.

Read my original post here.

Beet Simple Syrup

Beet Simple Syrup | 7 Simple Syrup Recipes to Spice Up Your Cocktails, Coffee, Tea, & Sparkling Water

Now, you could definitely chop up some beets and boil them in sugar. It would produce an especially-fresh beet syrup. However, I like going the easy route sometimes and already have beet powder on hand for naturally dyeing baked goods and for using in smoothies. Plus you’ll get an even more gorgeous pink color when using beet powder. It looks dark in the jar but when you pour into your beverage, it’s lighter.

Beet simple syrup is perfect for using when you want to sweeten a drink without making it too sweet. The earthy flavor of beets can bring balance to an otherwise too-sweet cocktail. Check out my Passionfruit Paloma with beet syrup. Mmmm.

The Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sugar (or honey!)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon beet powder

The How-To

Add all three ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Pour into a small container like a mason jar. Let it cool completely before you put the lid on and stick it in the fridge.

Read my original post here.

Cardamom Simple Syrup

Cardamom simple syrup is an effortless way to add warmth and complexity to a cocktail, coffee, or tea.

I love adding cardamom simple syrup to my coffee. It also pairs well with Earl Grey tea. It’s also a key ingredient in my Golden Pothos cocktail. Cardamom is such a unique spice that’s hard to describe. You just have to try it.

The Ingredients for Cardamom Simple Syrup

The How-To

Crush the cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle if you have one. If you don’t, you can use a bowl and the bottom of a glass. No need to obliterate the pods– just apply enough pressure to crack the pods and release the seeds. Add the crushed cardamom, water, and sugar to a small saucepan. Bring it to a light boil and leave it boiling for 3-5 minutes. Allow it to cool completely. You can either strain the pods & seeds out before pouring it into a glass container or you can store the syrup with some of the pods.

Read my original post here.

There really are countless ideas for simple syrup recipes. You could make jalapeño syrup, rosemary syrup, turmeric, chamomile syrup, etc. You could even get crazy and combine two.

What’s your favorite? I’d love to hear your simple syrup recipes down below.

Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup
gin

Down the Bunny Trail | A Spiced Honey French 75

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Down the Bunny Trail is the perfect Easter cocktail if you’re not in the mood for something too sweet. It’s essentially a spiced honey French 75. For some reason, when I think “Easter cocktail”, champagne comes to mind. Maybe because of the association of Easter brunch and mimosas, maybe because champagne feels bright and springy. Or maybe because of the association with celebration. And as a Christian, Easter is definitely a celebration of something more than candy-filled eggs.

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! 

Don’t get me wrong, though. I love me some candy and the nonreligious traditions of Easter. It was always one of my favorite holidays as a child. I remember anxiously waiting while my parents went and hid our Easter eggs and being stoked to FINALLY get to eat the Cadbury creme eggs I’d seen on the kitchen counter. I remember the distinct smell of egg-dyeing kits, and watching the egg teeter on the thin wire ladle as I dipped it down into the colored cups. Nowadays, egg dyeing is outta control. I’m glad my daughter is young and won’t be expecting anything extravagant this year. Because sheesh, with Pinterest these days, some holiday crafts are beyond me.

The color of Down the Bunny Trail comes from the combination of lemon juice and a pinch of deep magenta beet powder. Honestly, I was going for a pretty pink color for my Easter cocktail but I think the orangey coral result is gorgeous. It looks like Easter egg dye. I promise it doesn’t taste like that though. It tastes like spicy sparkling bliss.

Beet powder would also be a great way to naturally dye your Easter eggs. I use it to dye cakes and frostings. If you aren’t using too much of it, it really doesn’t affect the flavor of baked goods. You can also use it in smoothies for a boost of vitamins and minerals. Or make yourself a Passionfruit Paloma with beet syrup as the sweetener.

If you’re not a huge champagne fan or if you’re the only one in your house who’ll be drinking it, consider buying the mini bottles of sparkling wine. That way, you won’t be wasting an entire bottle of the good stuff.

Ingredients for a Spiced Honey French 75

  • 1 1/2 oz spiced gin (or regular gin)
  • 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey-ginger simple syrup**
  • pinch of beet powder-– mostly for color but it does add a slight earthy flavor that I dig
  • 1-3 oz champagne, depending on the size of your glass

How to Make A Spiced Honey French 75

Make your honey-ginger syrup first. To make this, I added a small amount of ginger paste (the size of my pinky nail) to my honey simple syrup recipe. If I had fresh ginger on hand, I would’ve used that instead. If you have fresh ginger root, simmer a 1/2-inch knob in the honey syrup for about 5 minutes.

Add your gin, lemon juice, honey-ginger syrup, and beet powder to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well to mix up the beet powder. Pour the now-coral elixir into either a champagne glass (the traditional way to serve a French 75) or into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top your Easter cocktail with champagne.

To make this feel more like an Easter cocktail, I garnished it with a bun-bun on a stick. I feel like that screams Easter, no? I got a pack of 4 at the Dollar Tree for–you guessed it–a dollar. I’m pretty obsessed with the little pom tail.

Looking for other springtime drinks? Check out the light & lemony Tom Collins, a tart Gimlet or Lemon Drop, or my current favorite, the Golden Pothos. All of these are super refreshing and perfect for porch-sippin’.