The Cranberry infused Dolin Rouge is Back!

Hey y’all! Happy December and remember to be as chill as possible during the Holidaze. Chill could mean doing more yoga, going running in chilly breezes, or curling up on the couch and watching your fave movie with Princess Pretty Kitty, aka your cat.

I’ve been doing all of the above + relaxing with a nice glass of fortified wine. Yep, I’ve been on a huge vermouth/aperitif/digestif kick lately. Literally can’t get enough: Byrrh, Bonal, Alessio Vermouth di Torino, Cocchi Dopo Teatro Vermouth Amaro, Dolin Blanc, Dolin Rouge…

But then I ran out of Dolin Blanc et Rouge and thought to myself, “GRRRRL, now it’s holiday times and you need to make that Cranberry infused Dolin Rouge!” YES! And I’m gonna put it in alllllll the Negroni variations I can think of.

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Cranberry Infused Dolin Rouge Vermouth

  • 250 ml Dolin Rouge or other French Sweet Vermouth. (But try to get Dolin Rouge, it’s so perfect with Cranberries.)
  • 250 ml dried Cranberries (by Volume). I don’t have a scale. Do you have a scale? Lucky you.
  1. In Jar combine dried Cranberries and Dolin Rouge
  2. Let sit for 48 hours gently rolling or stirring
  3. Double strain into glass container and keep in the fridge for up to two weeks
  4. Eat the now-vermouth-soaked Cranberries or give them to a friend. YUMMMM

Cheers and happy Holiday Infusions to y’all!

 

 

 

 

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Twirlin’ A Lady + Cilantro & Serrano infused Tequila

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Ok everyone, it’s officially Summer in New York City. It is hot as hell outside, I’m constantly covered in sweat (ewww) and the Tequila is flowing! #TequilaSeason has us in the grip!

As I’ve stated in a certain podcast (Episode 10), I don’t like to do tons of infusions because I really want y’all to be able to make these drinks at home. However, when I do, there is usually a really good reason. The good reason here is freshness.

I swear to the stars this infusion smells and tastes super extra fresh! On the nose, chile spice and cilantro notes happen before the Tequila comes through, thereby creating the illusion that everything was muddled in the glass right before you. The taste is just as exciting and very complex. It’s really quite an experience!

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I like to use Espolón for infusing anything (as well as mixing in cocktails) because it just plays very nicely with other ingredients. I already have a Jalapeño infused Espolón Blanco Tequila, so I decided to go with Reposado for this infusion. Besides, I sort of missed this particular Reposado. (Reunited and it feels so good.)

Cilantro & Serrano Chile Infused Reposado Tequila

  • 250 ml Espolón Reposado Tequila
  • 1/4 bunch of Cilantro with the stems cut off
  • 1/2 of 1 Serrano Chile, seeds and all

Combine ingredients in jar or measuring cup, stir, and cover for *40 mins. Fine strain into sealed jar or bottle.

*If you want more heat, I highly recommend removing the Cilantro at the 40 minute mark or you’ll lose that super fresh taste. You can keep the Chili going for another 30 minutes or so but you will have some SPICY ASS Tequila!

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Hello pretty, fragrant leaves. I could smell you forever.

So, what should we make with this tasty infusion? Grapefruit Juice was the first thing that came to mind. Then Cointreau. Then I just decided to make a Margarita served up and named it Twirlin’ A Lady.

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¡Muy, muy refrescando!

Twirlin’ A Lady

  • 1 1/2 oz Cilantro + Serrano Chile infused Espolón Reposado Tequila
  • 1 1/2 oz Red Grapefruit Juice
  • 3/4 oz Cointreau
  • 2 dashes Dutch’s Spirits ProhiBitters (sub Orange Bitters)
  • Garnish: Pink Salt rim and 1 Cilantro leaf

Combine ingredients over ice and vigorously shake. Seriously, shake it like you’ve never shaken anything before for around 10 seconds. This way you get that lovely foam on top. Garnish with Pink Salt and Cilantro leaf. ¡Salud!

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If only #TequilaSeason were forever!

Holiday Infusions

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I recently received the Death & Co Book as a present from my fabulous girlfriend. THAT BOOK IS EVERYTHING. The Cocktail recipes are outrageous but what has really stuck with me are the infusions, syrups and batched ingredients. It reminded me that back in the spring/summer, I was infusing anything I could think to put together. Well, I’m back in the kitchen gettin’ busy with Holiday Infusions and Syrups.

Here we go!

Cacao-Infused-Campari

This one is from the Death & Co book but I adjusted the ratios a bit. I found their version to be underwhelming and I wanted MORE CACAO!

Cacao Nib Infused Campari

  • 500 ml Campari
  • 4 heaping tablespoons Cacao Nibs (like how I went from Metric to Imperial units?)
  1. In jar combine Campari and Cacao Nibs
  2.  Let sit for 4 hours, gently rolling or stirring if you have a wide-mouthed jar (you don’t really want air bubbles to happen, just to agitate the liquid)
  3. Double strain into container

Cranberry-Infused-Dolin-Rouge

I’m gonna use this one in ALL the Xmas Cocktails! Oh and eat the cranberries after you’re done infusing! They’re sooooooo delicious!

Cranberry Infused Dolin Rouge

  • 250 ml Dolin Rouge or other Sweet Vermouth. (But try to get Dolin Rouge, it’s so perfect with Cranberries.)
  • 250 ml dried Cranberries (by Volume). I don’t have a scale. Do you have a scale? Lucky you.
  1. In Jar combine dried Cranberries and Dolin Rouge
  2. Let sit for 48 hours gently rolling or stirring if you’ve got a wide-mouthed jar
  3. Double strain into container
  4. Eat the Cranberries or give them to a friend

Pineapple-Infused-Plymouth-Gin

Yep, it’s back. This is my favourite thing ever and I use it in a lot of summer cocktails. For winter, I’m gonna use it in Punch!

Pineapple infused Plymouth Gin

  • 500 ml Plymouth Gin
  • Two handfuls of Pineapple Chunks
  1. In jar, combine Gin and Pineapple Chunks
  2. Let sit for 24 hours occasionally shaking. Yep, get up at 4 am, shake it and go back to bed.
  3. Taste. If you would like it to be more Pineapple-y, discard used Pineapple and add more fresh Pineapple. Let sit for another 24 hours. Rinse, repeat.
  4. When it is to your liking, double strain into container.

Cinnamon-Bark-Syrup

This one I got straight from the Death & Co Book. It’s sensational. Hot damn! Back to Imperial measurements.

Cinnamon Bark Syrup

  • 1 oz or approx 0.06 lb Cinnamon Bark
  • 2 Cups of Water
  • 2 Cups of Sugar (Demerara used here)
  1. In sauce pan, muddle Cinnamon Bark until it is in shards
  2. Add Sugar and Water and slowly bring to a boil
  3. Reduce and simmer for 4 minutes
  4. Let sit overnight
  5. Double strain into container. Smell it. It’s so damn amazing.

Good luck to you and happy infusing/syruping! Holiday Cheers!