alcoholic

Zuzu’s Peach Sparkler

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Cut Above: Zuzu’s Peach Sparkler! Attention peach-lovers. For a refreshing cocktail, sit up and take notice. This simple, but elegant mixture can be the star attraction at your next brunch or afternoon happy hour. The recipe is for one drink, but can easily be made while chatting with your friends and family as they gather around the bar. Zuzu’s Peach Sparkler can also be topped off with a bubbly ginger beer, seltzer water, or splash of prosecco. The vibrant color practically screams, “Let’s kick back and have a great time. You’re worth it!”

ZUZU’S PEACH SPARKLER 

Ingredients: 

1 half peach, crushed

1 lemon wedge

1 orange wedge

2-3 mint leaves

1 1/2 ounce cognac

1/2 ounce peach schnapps 

1 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup

Peach slices, for garnish

Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

Instructions: 

In a cocktail shaker, combine the crushed peach, lemon wedge, orange wedge, and mint leaves. Muddle together. Add ice cubes, cognac, peach schnapps, and simple syrup. Shake until completely chilled. Strain sparkler into a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice. Add peach slices for presentation. Garnish with fresh mint sprig. Serve immediately. 

Xalapa Party Punch

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Palatable Possibilities: Xalapa Party Punch! Before you read further, I want you to know this is an adult beverage and not intended for those under the age of 21. It does contain alcohol, so drink responsibly. Big-batch cocktails, or party punch, are nice to have on hand for last minute gatherings or friends who drop by unannounced. I keep a pitcher in the refrigerator for just that reason. If you do the same, choose a container that has an airtight lid. There’s nothing worse than sipping on an icy cold cocktail that smells like garlic or grilled leftovers. With the subtle fruity notes of apple, orange, cherry, and apricot, Xalapa Party Punch will get everyone talking. Carry On.

XALAPA PARTY PUNCH

Ingredients:

1 cup hot black tea

1/2 cup Tupelo honey

1 orange rind, grated

2 cups dark rum

2 cups apple brandy

2 cups dry red wine

Orange rind, grated

Crushed Ice

Instructions:

In a saucepan over low heat, combine hot black tea, Tupelo honey, and grated orange rind. Heat for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat; set aside to cool. Add dark rum, apple brandy, and dry red wine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour into glasses filled with crushed ice. Garnish with fresh basil or mint.

Rum-Topped Ginger Beer Float

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Waste Not, Want Not: Rum-Topped Ginger Beer Float! I gotta tell you, there are some fantastic-tasting nonalcoholic ginger beers on the market right now. One of my absolute favorites is made with organic agave and extracts of chili pepper, coriander, cardamom, lime, and orange. Don’t get me wrong, ginger is still the star attraction. These flavors go extremely well in a Mexican Mule with chile pepper-infused tequila. But that’s another story. I went with a much lighter version of ginger beer for a refreshingly light twist on an old favorite. Granted, with a dark rum floater, it definitely has a boozy punch. Obviously, this is an adult beverage and should not be served to anyone under the age of 21.

RUM-TOPPED GINGER BEER FLOAT

Ingredients:

3 scoops vanilla bean ice cream

6.8-ounce bottle ginger beer, chilled

1.5 ounce spiced dark rum

Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

Place ice cream in a glass or mason jar. Slowly pour ginger beer over ice cream. Squeeze a touch of lime juice into the glass. Top with a spiced dark rum floater. Garnish with lime wedge. Serve with a spoon. Cheers!

Rum-Topped Ginger Beer Float

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Waste Not, Want Not: Rum-Topped Ginger Beer Float! I gotta tell you, there are some fantastic-tasting nonalcoholic ginger beers on the market right now. One of my absolute favorites is made with organic agave and extracts of chili pepper, coriander, cardamom, lime, and orange. Don’t get me wrong, ginger is still the star attraction. These flavors go extremely well in a Mexican Mule with chile pepper-infused tequila. But that’s another story. I went with a much lighter version of ginger beer for a refreshingly light twist on an old favorite. Granted, with a dark rum floater, it definitely has a boozy punch. Obviously, this is an adult beverage and should not be served to anyone under the age of 21.

RUM-TOPPED GINGER BEER FLOAT

Ingredients:

3 scoops vanilla bean ice cream

6.8-ounce bottle ginger beer, chilled

1.5 ounce spiced dark rum

Lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

Place ice cream in a glass or mason jar. Slowly pour ginger beer over ice cream. Squeeze a touch of lime juice into the glass. Top with a spiced dark rum floater. Garnish with lime wedge. Serve with a spoon. Cheers!