Sip on Brunch’s other Best Friend!
This classic peach bellini recipe uses fresh peach purée and chilled Prosecco to make the perfect brunch cocktail.
Brunch Classic Peach Bellini
Bubbly Mint Gin Spritz Cocktail
Gin Spritzers are perfect Spring cocktails!
Simple, sophisticated, and seriously refreshing: This herbaceous and effervescent Mint Gin Spritz cocktail is sure to tickle your taste buds.
Imagine a cocktail that embodies the cucumber essence of Hendrick’s Gin, the fresh sweetness of mint, the citrus kick of lemon juice, and the effervescence of Prosecco. Now, let me tell you that cocktail exists! Cue in the Mint Gin Spritz.
It’s simple, sophisticated, and seriously refreshing. That’s the beauty of this Mint Gin Spritz cocktail. In just a few minutes you’ll be sipping on a bright, herbaceous spritz cocktail that is perfect for Spring.
Bubbly cocktails can be fun additions to any cocktail party, and this Mint Gin Spritz has the makings of a real party pleaser. It’s herby, a little bit sweet, and has everything you want in a gin cocktail.
Spritz cocktails are incredibly refreshing and their effervescent nature makes them fun to drink. In this Spritz, we opted to use Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, instead of sparkling water or club soda. Prosecco has a fruit palate that pairs well with the herbal notes of gin.
Mint has such a clean and fresh taste. That’s why it makes a great complementary flavor in cocktails. The hints of cucumber in Hendrick’s Gin mixed with muddled mint gives the Mint Gin Spritz cocktail a cool and clean mouthfeel.
The Mint Gin Spritz is a great addition to our list of Spring cocktails, and would make an excellent whiskey alternative for a Saint Patrick’s day cocktail. Happy Sipping!
This is how you make a Mint Gin Spritz!
Mint Gin Spritz
Yields: 1 Serving
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 Ounces Hendrick’s Gin
- 4 Ounces Prosecco
- 1 Ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ Ounce Simple Syrup
- 5 to 10 Fresh Sprigs of Mint
- Lemon Wheel and Mint Sprigs for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Boston Shaker
- Muddler or Bar Spoon
Preparation
Mint Gin Spritz: Muddle mint, simple syrup, and lime juice at the bottom of a Boston Shaker with a muddler or with the back of a spoon. This will release the flavor and color of the mint. Next, add gin to the shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain over ice into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig or two of fresh mint. Enjoy!
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 178 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 13 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 12 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 3
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
The French Ginger Cocktail
Blondes don’t always have more fun
If you appreciate the citrusy-sweet flavor of a French Blonde cocktail, you are going to love her little redheaded sister.
Gin cocktails, like this French Ginger, have a lot of herbal-floral flavor combinations. They can be sweet, tart, tangy, and even bubbly. While gin might not be everyone’s favorite spirit, the flavors of this French Ginger cocktail might have you rethinking your dislike of gin.
What makes the flavor palate of the French Ginger cocktail so appealing is its balance. Like it’s sister the French Blonde, the French Ginger blends the herbal qualities of elderflower liqueur and gin and the citrusy bite of Lillet Blanc [White Lillet] and lemon bitters with the sweetness of fresh grapefruit juice, but with the added kick of ginger liqueur.
If you’ve never tried elderflower liqueur, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its delightful floral notes. It is used in many different cocktails and pairs very well with dry champagnes and gins. It also helps to even out the flavors of the White Lillet, grapefruit juice, and ginger liqueur. It also goes really well with rosemary, but that’s a cocktail for another day.
St. Germain is a very popular brand of elderflower liqueur with a $30+ price tag, so it’s definitely on my splurge list. If your local liquor/ABC store carries mini bottles of it, that’s a great way to try it without breaking the bank. One mini bottle has enough elderflower liqueur for about two French Ginger cocktails.
Enjoy this cocktail all year round neat or over ice.
Mix up this recipe for the French Ginger cocktail!
The French Ginger
Yields: 1 Serving
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- ½ Ounce St. Germain
- ½ Ounce Ginger Liqueur
- 1 Ounce London Dry Gin
- 1½ Ounces White Lillet
- 2 Ounces Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- Few Dashes Lemon Bitters
- Grapefruit Section for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Rocks Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
Preparation
French Ginger Cocktail: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until perfectly chilled [about 30 seconds]. Strain over ice into a Rocks glass. Garnish with grapefruit section and enjoy.
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 152 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 3 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 11 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 9
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosas
Citrus + Sweet + Bubbly = Perfection
Whether you’re taking part in Dry January or want to upgrade your mimosas, you’re going to love this Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosa Cocktail/Mocktail combo!
Classic mimosas can get a little drab. I blame cheap champagne and $5 Sunday brunch drink specials. But this ultimate grapefruit mimosa recipe blends a delicious combo of citrus juices and bubbly Prosecco to create one awesome cocktail.
Prosecco is a step above champagne in my opinion. For me, the Prosecco creates the “ultimate” part of this ultimate grapefruit mimosa recipe, but by all means, if you don’t like Prosecco, use a dry champagne instead.
I like to keep things on the lighter side at the beginning of the year, so using freshly squeezed juices is a must in my cocktails! Store bought juice can be loaded with added sugar and calories that I don’t need in my life. And instead of simple syrup, I used honey as a sweetener for this cocktail recipe.
Dry January is dumb! There I said it. By February folks are back to drinking regularly, so it kind of kills any weight loss gains they would have made by cutting out alcohol entirely. Low-calorie cocktails, like this grapefruit mimosa, are a great option for folks watching their waistline.
But for those practicing alcohol abstinence this month, don’t despair! This Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosa recipe can be crafted as a cocktail-mocktail blend. Much like our Grapefruit Margarita recipe, this grapefruit mockmosa uses San Pellegrino, an Italian sparkling mineral water, as the bubbly essence of this mocktail.
Mix up this recipe for Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosas!
Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosas
Yields: 3 Serving
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 Ounces Fresh Squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juice
- 4 Ounces Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
- 2 Ounces Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
- 12 Ounces Chilled Prosecco [or San Pellegrino for Mocktail Version]
- ¼ Ounce Honey
- Grapefruit Section for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Stemless Glass or Champagne Flute
- Bar Spoon
- Small Pitcher
Preparation
Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosa Cocktail: Pour grapefruit, orange, lime juice, and honey into a small pitcher. Stir to combine, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minute to 2 hours. Pour mixture a third of the way into a stemless glass or champagne flute. Top with chilled Prosecco. Garnish with section of grapefruit, enjoy!
Ultimate Grapefruit Mimosa Mocktail: Pour grapefruit, orange, lime juice, and honey into a small pitcher. Stir to combine, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minute to 2 hours. Pour mixture a third of the way into a stemless glass or champagne flute. Top with chilled Sparkling Water [we use San Pellegrino]. Garnish with section of grapefruit, enjoy!
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 102 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 3 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 3 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 11.5
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
Ultimate Mulled Wine Recipe for the Holidays
Mulled wine and the Holidays were made for each other
This mulled wine recipe is packed with traditional Christmas spices that will make any Grinch or Scrooge say, “More, please!”
Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, and orange. Can it get any more Christmas than that? These spices fill the winter holiday season with delight and warmth, and this ultimate mulled wine recipe embodies the very flavors of the holidays.
Glühwein, or mulled wine, is a holiday tradition around the world. It wouldn’t quite be Christmas without it! There are dozens of variation of mulled wine. You can find it made with brandy, ciders, and rum. You can even find it made with red or white wine. For this recipe, we decided to try out the traditional red wine recipe.
It’s really important to remember to wait until the end to add the wine. If you add it too early the alcohol will burn off and lose its punch. You don’t want that. You’ll also want to use a dry red wine for this recipe like a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or even a Zinfandel. We used Cabernet Sauvignon, and like I said with our Autumn Sangria recipe, wine will absorb the flavors of what you add to it, so go cheap and save yourself some money.
This is how you make this simple Mulled Wine!
Mulled Wine
Yields: 4-5 Serving
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 Bottle Dry Red Wine
- 8 Ounces Unsweetened Apple Cider
- 2 Ounces Honey
- 1 Apple [Sliced]
- 2 Oranges [Sliced]
- 4 Cardamom Pods
- 4 Star Anise
- 1 Teaspoon Allspice Berries
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 Vanilla Bean [Cut Lengthwise]
- 6 Cloves
- 4 Sticks Cinnamon
- Cinnamon Sticks for Garnish
- Orange slices for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Irish Coffee Glasses
- Pitcher
- Small Sauce Pan
- Bar Spoon
Preparation
Ultimate Mulled Wine: Press into your cardamom pods with the back of a knife, this helps to release their flavor. Next, cut up the apple and oranges into thin slices. Add the fruit, spices, and cider to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Be sure to squeeze some of the oranges to release their juices. Stir occasionally. Just before the mixture begins to boil, add in the honey and remove pan from the heat.
Lower the temperature down to a low heat, and place the pan back on the heat. Pour in the wine and let it simmer for at least 15 minutes. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to mingle. Strain, and serve warm. Garnish with cinnamon stick and orange slice. Enjoy!
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 292 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Potassium (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 30 Dietary Fiber (g) 2 Total Sugars (g) 23.6 Protein (g) 1 Sodium (mg) 11
About the Author
Bill – The Wine Guy
Marketing Guy | Wine Connoisseur | Booze Food Guru | Hawaiian Shirt Lover
The Ice Queen Cocktail
Brr…this cocktail is giving us the cold shoulder
We tried making Natasha David’s Ice Queen cocktail, and it will change the way you think about Crème de Menthe cocktails.
When you think Crème de Menthe the first thing that often comes to mind is a Grasshopper. Well not anymore, thanks to The Ice Queen cocktail from the master mixologists at Nitecap, a Lower East Side bar in New York City. Brainchild of Natasha David, this cocktail graced the Nightcap’s spritz menu and was featured in the article Bitter and Bubbly, the Spritz Evolves. Which is where we discovered this tasty beauty.
Natasha’s recipe uses Plantation 3 Stars white rum, Giffard Menthe Pastille white crème de menthe, and a sparkling wine, like Prosecco or Cava. Since I prefer Prosecco to Cava, I chose to go Italian.
Unfortunately, our local ABC store doesn’t carry Giffard Menthe Pastille [I don’t think you can get it in NC], so I had to use Mr. Boston’s white crème de menthe instead. If you can find the original liquor used it might give you a more authentic feeling, but if not a good substitute won’t hurt.
The Ice Queen is an interesting addition to our list of spritzes and wine cocktails. It’ll leave your mouth feeling like you’ve just stepped out of the Arctic. The mint also makes water feel icy cold in your mouth afterward, and there’s something about that feeling that appeases my pagophagia [that means I like to chew on ice because I’m iron deficient].
If you are looking for a crème de menthe cocktail that isn’t your typical Grasshopper or Stinger, you can’t go wrong with choosing this Ice Queen. Be sure to check out some of our other crème de menthe cocktails while you’re at it.
This is how you make Nightcap’s Ice Queen Cocktail!
The Ice Queen
Yields: 1 Serving
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1½ Ounces White Rum
- ¾ Ounce Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ Ounce Simple Syrup
- 1 Ounce Prosecco
- 1 Teaspoon Crème De Menthe
- 1 Cucumber Slice
- Lime for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Coupe Glasses
- Muddler or Bar Spoon
- Cocktail Shaker
Preparation
The Ice Queen: Gently muddle cucumber at bottom of a cocktail shaker. Next, add rum, lime juice, simple syrup and crème de menthe to the shaker and fill it about 3/4 of the way with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. Top with sparkling wine. Finally, garnish it with lime. Enjoy!
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 187 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Potassium (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 15 Dietary Fiber (g) 0.1 Total Sugars (g) 13 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 10
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
Watermelon Sangria
Oh baby, it’s scorching outside
This light and refreshing Watermelon Sangria will help you kick back and beat the summer heat.
This summer’s scorching temperatures have made going outside nearly unbearable. Weeks of 90-degree temps are wearing us out, but this little refreshing cocktail can help you beat those heat wave woes.
We’ve whipped up a few summertime cocktails here in the Brio Smart Life Kitchen, and this one is for all you wine lovers out there. Sangria is a great cocktail choice for needed refreshment on these hot summer days and nights. Watermelon is also the iconic staple fruit of a good old American summer. So why not do both?
White wine is the only wine I can drink [in very small amounts] because I’m allergic to sulfites. They give me beyond nasty headaches, especially red wine. So for this cocktail, I deferred to the knowledge of our resident Master of the Winery, Bill for his take on which white wine would work for our sangria.
via Giphy // Bill has wine in his veins, so he gets to pick all of our wines
Moscato is an Italian white wine that is sweet, that has a slight fizz, but is low in alcohol. It works perfectly in this watermelon sangria recipe for it’s added sweetness. Which is why we say the simple syrup or raw honey in this recipe is optional. Based on your sweetness requirements, it might not be needed at all.
Now the choice is up to you if you want to use a Californian or Italian Moscato. Either will do nicely. As for the flavored vodka, I’m partial to Three Olives Watermelon flavored vodka but use your favorite. This sangria recipe is Party Sized, meaning you are going to need a pitcher. It makes multiple servings based on how tall your glasses are.
For the garnish, press a small star-shaped cookie cutter into a piece of watermelon [feel free to use any cutter shape you like, though]. Try to stay away from the rind as much as possible. It can be tart. Pop out the cutout and place it on a bamboo skewer. Place skewers on a paper plate or in a small container in the fridge for later.
Now let’s show you how to make these Watermelon Moscato Sangria cocktails.
Watermelon Sangria
Yields: Multiple Servings
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 Cups Cubed Watermelon
- 2 Bottles Moscato [or other white wine]
- 16 Ounces Watermelon Vodka
- 24 Ounces Lemon-Lime Soda
- 2 Ounces Simple Syrup or Raw Honey [Optional]
- Mint & Lemon Slices for Garnish
Glassware and Items You’ll Need:
- Fluted Glass
- Blender
- Mesh Strainer
- Cheese Cloth
- Pitcher
- Long Spoon
Preparation
Watermelon Sangria: Blend cubed watermelon on high until well pureed. Strain through a fine mesh strainer lined with a cheese cloth into a pitcher. Be sure to squeeze the cheese cloth to get out as much watermelon juice as possible. Discard the pulp.
Add Moscato, watermelon vodka, and soda to the pitcher and stir together. Adjust sweetness as needed by adding in Simple Syrup or Raw Honey 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring in between to combine. Add ice, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Remove pitcher from the fridge. Stir watermelon sangria a few times to recombine [separation is normal the longer you leave it in the fridge]. Pour over ice into fluted glasses. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a skewer of watermelon.
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 122 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Potassium (mg) 188 Carbohydrates (g) 17.64 Dietary Fiber (g) 0.47 Total Sugars (g) 13.7 Protein (g) 1.66 Sodium (mg) 1.76
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
Forget Sangria, try these Wine Cocktails this Summer
Sangria is so yesterday!
Last month, PureWow declared that Sangria is out – Wine Cocktails are in – and we so agree with them. Explore a whole new world of summertime cocktails with these 10 wine cocktails.
Give these wine cocktails a try this summer!
Sangria gets boring. If you are a serious wine drinker, it’s time to spice it up a little. Explore a whole new world of summertime cocktails with these 10 wine cocktails that will leave sangria a thing of the past.
Grab a bottle and enjoy some sunshine. It’s time to try these wine cocktails this summer.
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger
Italian Classic Sgroppino al Limone Recipe
Just like Nona used to make!
Move over Margaritas, this delicious Venetian classic is here ‘to untie’ your chokehold on the frozen cocktail competition!
Drink of the Week: Kir Royale
Time to ring in the New Year with this Drink of the Week!
Looking for a way to fancy up your champagne game for this New Year’s Eve? Try our Drink of the Week: The Kir Royale.
The Kir Royale is a simple, yet tasty remedy to boring stand alone champagne. Kir Royales differ from Kirs, a French apéritif’ – meaning to be drunk before a meal, in that they are made using Champagne, rather than the Aligoté white wine.
In France, this cocktail tends to be expensive, so it is reserved for special occasions. This combination of champagne and Crème de Cassis has become an iconic favorite in France and around the world. For this Kir Royale cocktail, we used Briottet Crème de Cassis which makes a great pair with classic dry champagne. This French cocktail is sure to be a party pleaser with its sweet profile and notes of dark currant. Here’s to a very Happy New Year, Cheers!
Kir Royale Cocktail
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 Ounces Dry Champagne
- 1/2 Ounce Crème De Cassis
- Lemon Twist for garnish (optional)
Glassware You’ll Need:
- Champagne Flute
Preparation
Kir Royale: Pour 1/2 oz of Crème De Cassis into the bottom of the Champagne flute. Top with chilled champagne, and garnish with the lemon twist. Enjoy!
Nutritional Content
1 serving approximately contains: Calories (kcal) 110 Fat (g) 0 Saturated Fat (g) 0 Cholesterol (mg) 0 Carbohydrates (g) 3 Dietary Fiber (g) 0 Total Sugars (g) 2 Protein (g) 0 Sodium (mg) 0
About the Author
Kellie – Head of Content Creation
Creative Director | Web Designer | Blogger | Sake Enthusiast | Resident Ginger