Cocktails

Red table wine + cane sugar cola + a squeeze of lime juice = a refreshing, super easy cocktail.

This post contains affiliate links.

I was flipping through a couple of cookbooks earlier this month and came across this recipe again. It’s the Kalimotxo cocktail. The Internet tells me that the Kalimotxo is popular in the Basque region of Spain. So, there you go. There’s that.

AND! A Kalimotxo is composed of… wait for it… red wine and soda! I know that this combination may sound strange, but trust me!

I’m telling you, this drink is like sangria, but perfect for lazy people. Two ingredients (three if you count the lime juice) poured in a glass over ice and you’re done.

Because the ingredient list is so short, you really want to make sure that you’re using the correct ingredients. For the wine, you don’t need to use anything fancy. A cheap to moderately priced red table wine (I used a Rioja) will suffice. But for the soda, make sure you grab something that is made with cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup. Have you ever had the Coke that’s made in Mexico (affectionately called MexiCoke)? It tastes SO much better than the stuff that’s made in the U.S. I’d go for that. It’s pretty widely available in regular grocery stores.

This recipe comes from the cookbook Over Easy: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Leisurely Days, by Joy Wilson (aka Joy the Baker).

You’ll need:

• Red table wine (I used an inexpensive Rioja)
• Cane sugar soda (I used MexiCoke)
• lime wedges, for juice and garnish

Over ice, fill a glass half full with wine. Top with soda and squeeze a lime wedge. Garnish with another lime wedge if desired. Sip and enjoy!

These cocktails are super refreshing and taste just like a creamsicle.

This post contains affiliate links.

The weather is warming up again, and that invariably puts me in the mood for a Crush. They’re refreshing, lightly sweet, and can be made in a variety of flavors. For example, I’ve shared Grapefruit Crushes with you before.

Thanks to the combination of fresh orange juice, triple sec, and whipped cream vodka, these Crushes taste just like an orange creamsicle.

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

• 1.5 oz whipped cream vodka
• .5 oz triple sec
• 2 oz. orange juice (freshly squeezed, please!)
• lemon-lime soda or citrus flavored sparkling water (Orange La Croix is my go-to)

Add the whipped cream vodka, triple sec, orange juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 10 seconds or so, or until very cold. Strain into a tall glass with ice. Top with lemon lime soda or sparkling water. Garnish with an orange slice if you’re feeling fancy.

Looking for more warm weather cocktails? Check these out, too:

• Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojitos
• Coconut Mojitos
• Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz
• Grapefruit Crush

Products were provided to me free of charge by Drizly. As always, all opinions are my own.

This drank is brought to you in partnership with the good folks over at Drizly.  We’ve talked about them before in a couple of posts: take a look at these Caramel Apple Moscow Mules and Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktails for more information and alcoholic deliciousness.

We’re taking a classic Dark and Stormy (dark rum + ginger beer + lime) and adding a fall twist with some subtly sweet pear juice.

We’ve really been tapping into some classic Fall flavors with our cocktails lately.  In addition to pear, we’ve used caramel and apple and pumpkin and cinnamon.  Do yourself a favor by taking advantage of the season and trying them out.

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

• 1.5 oz dark rum (available here)
• 4 oz pear juice (not pear nectar; available here)
• 4 oz ginger beer (available here)
• juice of 1/2 lime
• thin slices of lime, for garnish

Fill a tall glass with ice.  Add the dark rum and top with pear juice, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice.  Give it a gentle stir and add the thin slices of lime.

Products were provided to me free of charge by Drizly. All opinions are my own.

A new company recently reached out to me because they’re planning to expand into the Triangle area. They’re called Drizly, and make shopping for booze as easy as ordering a pizza.  All you have to do is pick out what you want online and they deliver it to your door, oftentimes within an hour!  Seriously guys, no need to leave the house for your hooch anymore.

In partnership with Drizly, I’ll be sharing three really delicious cocktails with you over the next couple of weeks.  Since I’m kind of basic and love Fall, I tried to keep things pretty seasonal.  The first cocktail is the Caramel Apple Moscow Mule.

The ginger beer imparts the classic spicy flavors of a Moscow Mule, while apple cider and caramel vodka sweeten things up a bit.  Last, a squeeze of lime juice cuts the sweetness just a bit, resulting in a delicious Fall sipper that tastes just like a caramel apple!

In the mood for more Mules?  I’ve got you covered.  The Cranberry Vanilla Moscow Mule is particularly good during the winter holiday season, while the Old Kentucky Mule (hello, bourbon) is a winner during the fall , and original Moscow Mule is appropriate anytime.

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

• 1.5 oz caramel vodka (available here)
• 3 oz apple cider
• 3 oz ginger beer (available here)
• juice of 1/2 lime
• thin slice of apple, for garnish (optional)

Pour all ingredients over ice and stir to combine. Garnish with a slice of apple if you’re feeling fancy (you know that you are), and imbibe!

If you prefer a slightly less sweet cocktail, reduce the apple cider and increase the ginger beer.