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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Avendesora Cocktail
tequila

The Avendesora | A Reposado Tonic Cocktail with Sage

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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.
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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
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Moscow Mule
vodka

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

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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.
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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
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Copper Mugs Moscow Mules