Category Archives: Drink

Butterbeer

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Butterbeer in glass mugs surrounded by candles and Harry Potter books. Photo by Sara Klein from inlieuofcordonbleu.com

You do not have to visit Hogsmead, the magical village of J.K. Rowling’s imagination, to cozy up with a glass of butterbeer this season. Warm butterscotch forms the base for this “potion” and the spicy ginger notes are sure to have you bewitched. Beer lovers can give this drink an extra kick and a hint of classic beer flavor with a splash of Prosecco, but to me this is a rare instance where the booze-free version somehow tastes a bit more festive. The books of Harry Potter may evoke Halloween, but this spirit tastes like Christmas in a glass and you will want to sip it by the fire all autumn and winter long.

Ingredients

Butterscotch

1/4 cup heavy cream 

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Frosé Champagne Float

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ILCB Frosé Champagne Floats - 1 of 4

Summer is here, which means it is time for strawberries, rosé, and my birthday! For my birthday party this year I wanted to create foods that were grown-up takes on childhood favorites.  And what’s more reminiscent of childhood than ice cream floats?

For my grown-up take I started with a fruity rosé filled with notes of sweet honeysuckle, fresh strawberry and hints of lemon zest. Then I amped up all these flavors with added strawberry and lemon juice and created some wine-like complexity with star anise and vanilla bean. Top it all with champagne and it’s all the grown-up and the kid in me craves on a hot summer day!!!

Frosé

4 1/2 cups strawberries, coarsely chopped Continue reading →

Whiskey Apple Cider

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Apple Cider Whiskey HorizontalNothing warms you up on a cold winter’s night like hot apple cider with a kick of whiskey.  I first created this recipe after trying McMenamin’s Aval Pota Whiskey, a malt whiskey distilled with freshly-pressed apples from Hood River and a touch of cinnamon, at the Edgefield Distillery in Troutdale, Oregon.  If you happen to live in Oregon or Washington you can purchase this whiskey at most McMenamin’s locations. Call in advance to make sure they have it in stock. Otherwise, your favorite rye whiskey will also be delicious. This recipe easily doubles for a large crowd and can be kept warm in a slow cooker for hours, making it an ideal winter party cocktail. Continue reading →