Spiced Christmas Cocktail

 It’s almost Christmas, and we all know ’tis the season for lots of eating and drinking.  And while I love so many holiday drinks, sometimes there is only so much eggnog you can consume before going into a cream coma.  That’s why I love this lightened up Spiced Christmas Cocktail.  It has such a good zip from the fresh ginger and orange juice, and the cinnamon and bourbon make it feel really festive without going over the top.  You can make the infused simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for weeks.  Then it’s just a matter of mixing up a drink for yourself or making a large batch to serve as punch.

 

Spiced Simple Syrup

-1/2 c. sugar

-1/2 c. water

-2 inches of ginger, sliced thin

-1 cinnamon stick

Combine all of the ingredients in a small sauce pot and bring to a gentle boil.  Let it boil for a minute or two, remove it from the heat, and let the mixture completely cool before straining and storing it in the fridge.

 

Spiced Christmas Cocktail

-1/2 part spiced simple syrup

-2 parts bourbon

-2 parts orange juice

-1 part water

Combine all of the ingredients and top with lots of ice.  When making this for a single cocktail, I used a jigger to measure the different parts, but if you want to make a punch (as I’m sure all of those family members staying at your house for Christmas will want you to), just increase the volumes while sticking with this same ratio.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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Watermelon, Ginger & Lime – Two Ways – Agua Fresca & Popsicles!

Yesterday I was determined to make homemade popsicles out of ingredients I already had at home. I searched online and was inspired by a recent article by Real Simple.

Part of me decided as much as I love Las Paletas this was so fun, so easy and fast to put together it may be a long while before I buy one again (just saying that out loud I’m sure I will be standing outside of Las Palates with an avocado paleta in the next two weeks). 

 

Watermelon, Ginger and Lime Popsicles

1/2 of a seedless watermelon

Juice and zest of 1-2 limes

1-2 inches of ginger grated

1 Tbs. sugar (taste your watermelon, if it tastes sweet then this is not necessary)

1/3 c. Water (just enough to get it moving in your blender)

Blend together.

Pour into popsicle molds

Pour remaining into a glass over ice with a squeeze of lime. Drink. (Booze optional)

Put in freezer, add Popsicle sticks after 1 hour(ish). Freeze for several more hours.

I am already daydreaming about other popsicle recipes! What are your favorites?

Enjoy!!