Author: corrie.pennington

whiskey

Pick 6 | The Perfect Super Bowl Cocktail

/
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
click to Pin for later
Simple Syrup
simple syrup

Simple Syrup

/
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:

click & Pin for later
Royal Rose - Organic Simple Syrup
Avendesora Cocktail
tequila

The Avendesora | A Reposado Tonic Cocktail with Sage

/
The Avendesora, a Wheel of Time cocktail

If you’re a Wheel of Time fan, the name of this drink caught your eye. But I’m sure few of you out there are… for now. Amazon Prime recently announced and began filming for a Wheel of Time series. As any book fan would be, I’m equally stoked and skeptical. Few on-screen adaptations live up to the glory found in the pages of their books. But one can hope!

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! 

Avendesora is the name of the last-remaining Chora tree in Wheel of Time lore. The name means “Tree of Life” and it plays a special role in the story. Perhaps once the series comes out, or if you’ve read the books, you’ll understand why I chose this name for this bitter/sweet/earthy cocktail.

The Avendesora is a Girl & Tonic original and is my absolute fav libation to date. It’s incredibly easy, refreshing, unique, and not sweet. It does require some more specific ingredients to make, but don’t worry– I list a modification if you can’t find the Fever Tree Lemon Tonic which, in my opinion, makes the drink.

The Avendesora, a Wheel of Time cocktail

Ingredients for an Avendesora Cocktail

  • 2 oz tequila reposado (my husband gifted me Corzo and it’s the smoothest tequila I’ve had but $$$)
  • 1/2 oz orange liqueur
  • 1/2 oz+ freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 oz+ lemon tonic water**
  • fresh sage

**Modification: If you can’t find lemon tonic water, use regular tonic and squeeze in some lemon juice.**

How to Make an Avendesora Cocktail

Add the tequila & 3-4 fresh sage leaves to a cocktail shaker. Muddle the sage with a muddler or the back of a spoon to bruise the leaves and release their flav. Add ice, pour in the orange liqueur and orange juice. Shake. Pour into a low-ball glass that’s filled with ice. Top with lemon tonic water & stir to mix. Garnish with a lil sage leaf.

Avendesora

A bright and earthy tequila cocktail recipe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ oz tequila reposado (Corzo is an incredible brand)
  • ½ oz orange liqueur/triple sec
  • ½+ oz freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 2+ oz lemon tonic water (see note for substitution)
  • fresh sage

Instructions
 

  • Add the tequila & 2-3 fresh sage leaves to a cocktail shaker.
  • Lightly muddle the sage with a muddler or the back of a spoon, just enough to bruise the leaves.
  • Add ice, the orange liqueur, and orange juice to the shaker.
  • Shake well, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour into a lowball glass that's filled with ice
  • Top off the glass with the lemon tonic water & stir to mix.
  • Garnish with a sage leaf and slice of orange.

Notes

If you can’t find lemon tonic water, you can use regular tonic water and 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice.
Keyword avendesora, ginger beer, orange blossom water, sage, tequila
click & Pin for later
Moscow Mule
vodka

Moscow Mule | The Easiest 3 Ingredient Cocktail to Make at Home

/
Moscow Mule | The Gateway Cocktail for Cocktail Newbies.

*MOST* people have had a Moscow Mule these days. I feel like it’s the gateway-drink for craft cocktails. It’s a simple drink that’s refreshing and super versatile but I feel like the real reason it’s gained popularity over the past couple years is due to the copper mugs they’re traditionally served in. And while you can definitely have a Moscow Mule in a clear glass, there’s something about having it served ice cold in one of these babies.

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! 

Why are Moscow Mules served in copper mugs anyway? There’s a really fun story behind the tradition that you can read here, but when it boils down to it, it’s because the copper makes the drink extra cold. Really, this is true of any metal cup (like silver mint julep cups). For this reason, I sometimes enjoy other drinks, like Dark & Stormys and Jam Cocktails, in my copper mugs.

If you’re looking to invest in some of these trendy glasses, check out this site. They have a ton of different designs and all of them are affordable. Some of them can even be customized.

Once you’ve mastered this simple recipe, start experimenting! Sub the vodka for tequila and you’ve got yourself a Mexican Mule. Whiskey lover? Try an Irish Mule. Or use bourbon instead and you’ve got yourself a Kentucky Mule. The variations could go on forever.

Being able to whip these babies up at home will save you some dough and maybe even earn you some cool points with your friends. Let me know what variations you try!

Ingredients for a Moscow Mule

The How-To

Add ice to your copper mug. Pour the vodka over the ice and fill the rest of the glass with ginger beer. Squeeze all that lime juice. Stir. Serve with an additional lime wedge.

Wedding Gifts Copper Mugs Moscow Mules

Think this recipe was easy? Check out the Dark & Stormy. It only has 2 ingredients. Yep. Two. Or check out these other 3 ingredient cocktails:

Moscow Mule

An easy, refreshing cocktail with only 3 ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz vodka
  • 3+ oz ginger beer (Bundaberg is my favorite brand)
  • ½ lime

Instructions
 

  • Add ice to a copper mug.
  • Pour in the vodka.
  • Squeeze the lime into the mug.
  • Pour in the ginger beer until it reaches the top.
  • Stir to mix.
  • Garnish with a slice of lime or plop the used lime half in.
Keyword ginger beer, lime, moscow mule, vodka
click to pin for later
Copper Mugs Moscow Mules
rum

Dark and Stormy | The Easiest Cocktail You’ll Make Over & Over Again

/
The Dark and Stormy is one of the easiest cocktails to make at home. With only 2 ingredients, you'll be making this cocktail over and over again.

The Dark and Stormy is the cocktail I’ve made more times than I can count. It’s definitely my go-to drink when I want a cocktail but I don’t want to think or measure or pour a handful of ingredients. I love cocktails (obvs) but sometimes even I don’t feel like fussing around with extra stuff. Besides a gin & tonic, this may be the easiest cocktail to make. I’d say it’s definitely the tastiest easiest cocktail.

This stupid-simple cocktail is only two ingredients: dark rum & ginger beer. The lime is optional but definitely a great addition. I enjoy my Dark and Stormy both with and without lime– it adds a great fresh element to the drink. But let’s be real– sometimes even cutting up a lime is too much work when I just need want a drink.

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 haven’t had ginger beer, it’s a non-alcoholic soda with a spicy kick. It’s got a much stronger ginger taste than ginger ale. Technically speaking, this drink can only be called a Dark and Stormy if it uses Gosling Black Seal rum so it’s sometimes referred to as a Safe Harbor. Whatever you want to call it, it’s delicious and so easy to make.

Not all ginger beers are created equal. Some are very light (closer to ginger ale) while others are suupperr strong and spicy. Try out a few brands to see what you like best. I personally tend to prefer a pretty strong ginger flavor, so Bundaberg is my favorite. It was the main ginger beer brand at my grocery store in Reno. However, I can’t find them locally here in Texas so my new love is actually the HEB brand. (Shout out to HEB– ilu!) It packs a surprising punch.

I’ve gotta be honest and say that EVERY time I make a Dark and Stormy, I use spiced rum. It’s not the classic recipe, but I definitely prefer it. Try it with dark rum, spiced rum, or even aged rum and see what you prefer.

I think making it with spiced rum really balances out the spiciness of the ginger beer. Spiced rum is actually referring to the fact that it has a lot of spices in it, like cinnamon and allspice, not that it’s spicy-hot. So really, spiced rum often tastes sweeter than traditional rum. The combo of sweet spiced rum, spicy ginger beer, & tart lime creates a beautiful symphony of flavors for your tastebuds. 👏 A multi-dimensional drink with minimal ingredients? SIGN.ME.UP.

The Dark and Stormy is one of the easiest cocktails to make at home. With only 2 ingredients, you'll be making this cocktail over and over again.

Also, can we talk for a second about this butterfly? It’s a Red Admiral butterfly and we’ve had so many on our property lately. This one would NOT leave me alone while I was drinking my Dark & Stormy outside. It would fly around for a few seconds, land on the railing, fly around again, and then land back on the railing an inch or so from where it was previously. It even landed on my hand! I thought I was gonna explode from pure joy.

The Dark and Stormy is one of the easiest cocktails to make at home. With only 2 ingredients, you'll be making this cocktail over and over again.

What about you– what’s your go-to cocktail when you don’t want to spend any unnecessary time fussing around with ingredients? Let me know in a comment below.

The Ingredients for a Dark and Stormy

The How-To

Fill a low-ball glass with ice. Add the rum. Top with ginger beer. Stir to mix. Enjoy the easiest cocktail you’ve ever made.

Dark and Stormy recipe

Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy cocktail, sometimes called a Safe Harbor, is a delicious 2-ingredient cocktail with dark rum and ginger beer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 min
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz dark rum (spiced rum is my favorite)
  • 3+ oz ginger beer

Instructions
 

  • Add ice to a lowball glass.
  • Pour the rum and ginger beer into the glass.
  • Stir to combine.

Notes

The original recipe calls for dark rum but my favorite way to enjoy a Dark & Stormy is with spiced rum.
Keyword dark and stormy, dark rum, ginger beer, lime, rum, spiced rum

If you love this cocktail, check out the Sea Monster— it’s got spiced rum, ginger beer, grapefruit juice, and grenadine. Or try making the Moscow Mule or the Irish Mule if you’re feeling the ginger beer.

Diamond