A Nerd Cooks

... and bakes and mixes the occasional cocktail!

Cocktails

Orange Creamsicle Mimosas

by Leave a Comment

These cocktails are a fun twist on a classic

Orange Creamsicle Mimosas taste like an orange creamsicle in a glass and are perfect for brunch! They come together in a snap, too, requiring only three ingredients.

two mimosas in stemless champagne flutes

These mimosas are incredibly easy to make

Regular mimosas are a no brainer, right? A little OJ, a little bubbly… and that’s it!

Well, these Orange Creamsicle Mimosas require only one additional, very simple, step. To make these into creamsicle mimosas you’ll just add a shot of whipped cream vodka along with the OJ.

So, if you can pour some stuff into a glass, you can make these mimosas with 0 problems.

two stemless champagne flutes filled halfway with orange juice and vodka

What kind of bubbly should you use?

No need to get too terribly fancy here. I’m no snob when it comes to bubbles, so I usually pick up a budget-priced bottle. You may be able to tell that I used Barefoot Bubbly, which is very affordable.

I almost always buy a bottle of prosecco, rather than champagne, for this reason. But if you want to use legit champagne (or a sparkling wine, or whatever), do that! Choose your own adventure.

And as far as how sweet your bubbles should be? It’s a matter of personal preference. The OJ and whipped cream vodka are pretty sweet on their own, so you may consider balancing that out with a less sweet bottle of bubbles. But if sweet is your thing, do it up big. You do you.

two stemless champagne flutes filled halfway with orange juice and vodka

Wondering what to pair these mimosas with?

My first inclination is to pair these mimosas with a decadent breakfast or brunch spread. Think along the lines of sweet and fluffy cinnamon rolls or my Crab Cake Eggs Florentine.

This Hatch Chile Relleno Casserole or Bacon and Egg Breakfast Rice Bowl also look pretty delicious. 

Or, you know what, just have one just to have one. No need to wait until breakfast/brunch 😉

two stemless champagne flutes filled halfway with orange juice and vodka

Looking for other recipes?

If you like this mimosa, then this Orange Creamsicle Crush would be right up your alley! Cara Cara Orange Margaritas are pretty great, too. And let us not forget about my Blood Orange Bourbon Sour.

If you’re in search of more bubbles, I’ve got you covered there, too. These Apple Cider Mimosas are super easy to throw together, and taste great. They’re perfect for the upcoming Fall season. Mimosa Moscow Mules are also a fun riff on a couple of classic cocktails.

Keeping with the Mule theme, here’s a Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mule! They were a fun change of pace on New Year’s Eve several years ago. I also did a Chambord Kir Royale for NYE one year, and they were beautiful AND delicious. These Cranberry Rosemary French 75s are a great option, too. 

Oh, and! These Blackberry Champagne Floats are so tasty and SO easy to make. Switch things up with different sorbets and garnishes, too.

Orange Creamsicle Mimosas

Orange Creamsicle Mimosas

Yield: 1 mimosa
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

Orange Creamsicle Mimosas taste like an orange creamsicle in a glass and are perfect for brunch! They come together in a snap, too, requiring only three ingredients.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the vodka and orange juice to a champagne flute.
  2. Top with bubbly.
  3. Garnish with an orange slice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 580Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 25mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g
© Lauren Pacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktail

What do I want to have on hand in order to make these mimosas?

Pin this recipe for later!

 

 

Key Lime Pie Crush

by Leave a Comment

Ever wanted to have some key lime pie… but in boozy drink form?

This Key Lime Pie Crush Cocktail is sweet, tart, and totally refreshing. It tastes just like a boozy piece of key lime pie, but in a glass!

light green cocktail in a tall glass, garnished with whipped cream and a slice of lime

Are you familiar with Crush cocktails?

If you are, you know what the hype is all about.

If not… well, let me enlighten you. A Crush is a cocktail that’s named for “the swift yanking of an industrial press juicer that flattens fresh orange halves sending frothy OJ plummeting into a pint glass filled with ice, vodka and triple sec.” Orange is the OG Crush cocktail flavor, hence the previous description.

Basically, Crushes tend to be made up of a few key ingredients: fresh fruit juice, vodka (sometimes plain, sometimes flavored), triple sec (sometimes), and lemon lime soda. Oh, and lots of crushed ice, naturally. With that basic formula, you can achieve a variety of delicious flavors.

You’ll find Crushes on the menu at bars and restaurants all over the Baltimore and DMV region (the area where Delaware-Maryland-Virginia meet). And for good reason. They’re great all year round, but especially during the summer when the weather heats up and the humidity gets a bit out of control.

What goes into this Crush?

This one comes together with key lime juice (more on that in just a second), whipped cream vodka, lemon lime soda, and whipped cream and a lime wheel for garnish. You can juice a bunch of key limes if you can find them in stores (they’re pretty small, so it takes quite a few), or feel free to use a good quality bottled variety of juice.

Given that key limes are often not available in stores (and how good the bottled juice can be), this is the one of the few instances where I’ll give the okay to sub a bottled juice in place of fresh.

I like to use this one. I’ve found it to be readily available in Harris Teeter, Publix, and Safeway grocery stores. Hopefully your store will have it on hand, too. You can also use regular lime juice in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be exactly the same as if you used key lime juice.

light green cocktail in a tall glass

Want other key lime-flavored recipes?

I have a couple for you! These Key Lime Pie Cookies are delicious. They’re a fun twist on a flavor that’s usually only found in pies.

And, of course, here’s a recipe for Key Lime Pie. I’ve made this time and time again. It’s consistently a hit. And really, now that I think about it, I think it might be time to make it again.

Are you interested in trying other Crush recipes, too?

You owe it to yourself to try out as many as you can. They’re so refreshing and delicious! Though I did say that regular orange is the OG flavor (a great option!), I haven’t yet blogged about it. (Note to self: do that soon!)

HOWEVER, you can check out my Orange Creamsicle Crush, as well as my Grapefruit Crush recipe. Not to toot my own horn, but they’re both so good that it’s hard to pick a favorite between the two.

Better make both, along with this Key Lime Crush, and taste for yourself. You know, in the interest of science ;). 

light green cocktail in a tall glass, garnished with whipped cream and a slice of lime

Key Lime Pie Crush

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

This Key Lime Pie Crush Cocktail is sweet, tart, and totally refreshing. It tastes just like a boozy piece of key lime pie, but in a glass!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the whipped cream vodka and key lime juice to a tall glass with ice.
  2. Top with lemon lime soda and stir gently.
  3. Garnish with whipped cream and a lime wheel, if desired.

Notes

  • Freshly squeezed OR store bought key lime juice can be used here. You can also use regular lime juice in a pinch.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 409Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 44mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 44gProtein: 3g
© laurenpacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails

What should I have on hand in order to make this cocktail?

Pin this recipe for later!

 

Strawberry Cucumber Vodka Gimlet

by Leave a Comment

Summer weather requires summer cocktails

The Strawberry Cucumber Vodka Gimlet is *chef’s kiss* a near-perfect Summer cocktail, if I do say so myself. The cucumber vodka is crisp and cool while the strawberry simple syrup lends sweetness and beautiful color.

  Strawberry and Cucumber Vodka Gimlet | A Nerd Cooks

It’s been quite a while since I’ve shared any recipes

And for good reason! I talked about it on Instagram recently but… I had a baby! We welcomed a little boy into our family last month.

Between getting hit pretty hard with morning sickness last fall/winter, being just wiped out due to general pregnancy-related things, and then actually having the baby, it’s been difficult to find the time and energy to blog. Now that I’m home on maternity leave, it’s strangely a little easier to think about cooking and blogging. Not needing to focus on work at all probably helps.

Between COVID and the general state of the world, I found myself really missing being able to consume alcohol, particularly toward the end of my pregnancy. So it should come as no surprise that the first recipe I’m sharing with you post-pregnancy is for a cocktail.

This cocktail is full of summery flavors

I have a bottle of this Cucumber Vodka from Durham Distillery (buy it online here!) in my pantry (though you can feel free to use whatever brand of cucumber vodka you prefer) and have been looking forward to using it in a really delicious cocktail this summer. I ended up pairing it with a sweet strawberry simple syrup, lime juice, and club soda.

Not only do the cucumber and strawberry flavors play very well together, but the strawberry simple syrup makes the cocktail a very pretty pink color. I’ve made this drink a couple of times this week and can tell you that it’s very refreshing and perfect for warm evenings. Or days. Or whenever. Just enjoy.

Strawberry and Cucumber Vodka Gimlet | A Nerd Cooks

Looking for other Summery cocktails?

First, I’d recommend checking out my Basil Vodka Gimlet. It’s a great Summertime cocktail, too. If you’re looking for more strawberry flavor, try a Strawberry Basil Vodka Collins.

If you want something citrusy, try a Limoncello Gin Collins. I also have a Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito that’s pretty dang good, too.

Want to get your booze, but don’t want to have to leave the house??

Story of my life. If you feel this way, too, you can get alcohol sent straight to your door via the company Drizly.

Strawberry and Cucumber Vodka Gimlet | A Nerd Cooks

Strawberry Cucumber Vodka Gimlet

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

The Strawberry Cucumber Vodka Gimlet is *chef's kiss* a near-perfect Summer cocktail. The cucumber vodka is crisp and cool while the strawberry simple syrup lends sweetness and beautiful color.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 8 oz. fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

For the cocktail

Instructions

To make the Strawberry Simple Syrup

  1. Add the sugar, water, and strawberries to a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  3. Turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Strain out the strawberries without pressing down on the berries (it will make the simple syrup cloudy) and allow it to cool.
  5. Store in the refrigerator.

To make the cocktail

  1. Add the vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until very cold and strain into a rocks glass with ice (or into a cocktail coupe).
  3. Top with club soda and garnish with fresh mint.
© laurenpacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails

What should I have on hand in order to make this cocktail?

Pin this recipe for later!

Strawberry and Cucumber Vodka Gimlet | A Nerd Cooks   

 

>”Strawberry and Cucumber Vodka Gimlet | A Nerd Cooks

Candy Cane Moscow Mules

by Leave a Comment

These Mules are *just* what you want to help you celebrate the holiday season

These Candy Cane Moscow Mules are sweet, spicy, and pleasantly minty! They’re the perfect cocktail pairing for any of your winter holidays.

Also! The copper mugs you see in the photos were provided to me, free of charge, by Advanced Mixology. As always, all opinions are my own.

FYI – this post contains affiliate links

Candy Cane Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Though the flavors in this drink may seem like a strange combination, they’re great together!

I wanted to squeeze in one more quick, festive recipe post before Christmas arrived. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a delicious cocktail?

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical that peppermint vodka and ginger beer would play well together. I’m glad that I decided to try it out anyway, because they’re great together!

How do these cocktails come together?

Couldn’t be easier.

Start by filling a copper mug with crushed ice. Add the peppermint vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Stir everything together gently with a bar spoon.

Top the mug off with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge and a mini candy cane!

Candy Cane Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Looking for other festive Moscow Mule recipes?

You know I have your back.

Try one of these Holiday Gin Moscow Mules! Or maybe you’re more in the mood for a Cranberry Vanilla Mule? 

TBH, you can’t go wrong. They’re all so good.

Candy Cane Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Candy Cane Moscow Mules

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

These Candy Cane Moscow Mules are sweet, spicy, and pleasantly minty! They're the perfect cocktail pairing for any of your winter holidays.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz peppermint vodka
  • 3 oz cranberry juice
  • 3 oz ginger beer
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • mini candy canes, lime wedge, and fresh cranberries, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pour the peppermint vodka, cranberry juice, and ginger beer over crushed ice.
  2. Add the lime juice and stir gently.
  3. Garnish with mini candy canes, a lime wedge, and fresh cranberries.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 343Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 35mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 9gSugar: 36gProtein: 3g
Cuisine: American

What kind of gear will I need to make these cocktails?

 

Pin this recipe for later!

Candy Cane Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

 

Candy Cane Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Mimosa Moscow Mules

by Leave a Comment

Two delicious cocktails come together to make something GREAT

Mimosa Moscow Mules are the delicious love child of the classic Mimosa and a Moscow Mule! They’re as delicious for brunch as they are during happy hour.

FYI – This post contains affiliate links

So… it’s been a while, huh?

I don’t think that I’ve spent this much time away from A Nerd Cooks since… probably grad school? It’s been a long time. 

I can’t promise that things are going to be updated super regularly in the near future, but I’m doing my best.

Regardless, I promise I’ve been silent for a good reason. I’m really looking forward to being able to tell you all about it!

Mimosa Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

This cocktail is versatile!

Like I said at the top of this post, these Mimosa Moscow Mules are great at pretty much any (socially appropriate, of course) time of the day. 

I, like many of you, have been known to enjoy a Mule or two at Happy Hour. And why not? They’re really good. And because this cocktail is also part mimosa, you can feel just fine about sipping one at brunch.

Mimosa Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Looking for other Moscow Mules?

Is my love for the humble Moscow Mule getting to be too much? Someone please tell me if it is. Then again… will it stop me?

These Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mules are really good, and use both champagne and vodka, too.

Rather than list ’em all out (because there are a lot of them), you can search “mule” in the search box over on the right, or just click this link to see all of the other great Moscow Mules in the A Nerd Cooks archives. 

Mimosa Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Mimosa Moscow Mules

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

Mimosa Moscow Mules are the delicious love child of the classic Mimosa and a Moscow Mule! They're as delicious for brunch as they are during happy hour.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz orange vodka
  • 2 oz orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 oz champagne/sparkling wine
  • 3 oz ginger beer
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • orange slice, for garnish

Instructions

    1. Pour vodka, orange juice, bubbly, ginger beer, and lime juice over ice and stir gently to combine.
    2. Garnish with an orange slice.

Notes

  • If you don't have orange vodka on hand, plain will work in a pinch, too.

© laurenpacek
Category: Cocktails

What kind of gear will I need to make these drinks?

 

Pin this recipe for later!

 

Mimosa Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Limoncello Gin Collins

by Leave a Comment

This drink is exactly what you want on a hot day

This Limoncello Gin Collins is fizzy and refreshing, with a prominent lemon flavor. Minty simple syrup helps to balance out the tartness of the lemon juice and limoncello.

This cocktail is a delicious twist on a Tom Collins

A Tom Collins is a cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. This Limoncello Gin Collins adds … you guessed it … limoncello to the mix.

You can use store bought limoncello in this recipe, but I’m a big fan of using homemade. I shared a recipe for Sous Vide Limoncello with you all not that long ago. Super easy, super delicious. And if you’re in the market for a sous vide/immersion circulator, let me recommend this one.

Of course, if you don’t have a sous vide (get one, you won’t regret it), you can make limoncello the old fashioned way. Or buy it. Whatever.

How does this drink come together?

Start out by filling a Collins glass with ice. Yes, I know that the glasses in the pictures are stemless wine glasses. Our tall cocktail glasses recently broke in the dishwasher.

So I’m working with what I’ve got.

Add the limoncello, gin, lemon juice, and mint simple syrup to the glass. Top all of this with a bit of club soda. 

Next, stir gently with a bar spoon. Garnishes are optional, but I think that this drink looks awfully pretty with a bit of fresh mint and a lemon wheel or two. Feel free to tuck those lemon wheels right down into the drink.

I haven’t tried it just yet, but I do believe that this drink could be made in a large batch. Very convenient for parties and whatnot.

Looking for other tasty cocktails?

In keeping with a gin theme, how about a Festive Cranberry Gin and Tonic? I’ve also got a Holiday Gin Moscow Mule.

I also shared a Strawberry Basil Vodka Collins not long ago!

This cocktail makes good use of a couple of other recipes I’ve shared with you before

First, you’re gonna want to make some mint simple syrup. I showed you a plain simple syrup before. It’s endlessly versatile. I’ve also talked about how to make a mint simple syrup here in this Derby Cup Cocktail.

And, of course, limoncello is the star of the show here. Check out my Sous Vide Limoncello recipe. It’s so delicious and easy to make that you’d be a fool to use store bought.

Looking to get your hands on some booze but don’t want to have to put on pants or leave your house?

Me too. A million times this.

Fortunately, you can order alcohol (and mixers and whatnot) through Drizly and have it delivered right to your house. Or a friends’ house. Or wherever.

Limoncello Gin Collins

Limoncello Gin Collins

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This Limoncello Gin Collins is fizzy and refreshing, with a prominent lemon flavor. Minty simple syrup helps to balance out the tartness of the lemon juice and limoncello.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the limoncello, gin, lemon juice, and mint simple syrup to a tall glass with ice.
  2. Top with club soda. Stir gently with a bar spoon.
  3. Garnish with lemon wheels and fresh mint.

Notes

  • To make the mint simple syrup, follow the instructions for making plain Simple Syrup. The only change you'll make is to add a big bunch of mint leaves once you remove the simple syrup from the heat. Allow it to cool and strain the mint leaves out.
  • I really like to use Conniption American Dry Gin from Durham Distillery. They're local to me, and the gin is fabulous.

© Lauren Pacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails

What equipment should you have on hand to make this drink?

 

Pin this recipe for later!

 

Cheerwine Sangria

by Leave a Comment

Cheerwine Sangria is everything you never knew you wanted in a sangria!

This Cheerwine Sangria is just what you want on a hot Summer day. Sweet, cherry-flavored Cheerwine is the perfect addition to a pitcher of fruity sangria.

Best yet? This recipe makes a big batch of the good stuff!

What inspired this sangria?

I first had Cheerwine Sangria while eating dinner at Mateo, a tapas restaurant in Durham, NC. It’s one of my and Sean’s favorite restaurants. If you’re ever in the area, please do yourself a favor and grab dinner there. Make a reservation.

Alton Brown took a crack at recreating Mateo’s sangria after his tour passed through the area in 2016. While his rendition is certainly delicious, I wanted to put my own spin on it. I think that this recipe comes pretty dang close to what’s served in the restaurant.

What is Cheerwine, anyway?

Cheerwine is a cherry-flavored soft drink made in North Carolina. It’s available throughout the Southeast United States, but is best known in the Carolinas and Virginia. If you can’t find it in your local grocery store, please consider ordering some online.

In short: it’s delicious and is just begging to be used in sangria.

What ingredients does this sangria require?

You’ll want to start with a bottle of red wine. For this recipe, I recommend a Spanish wine, like Rioja. It doesn’t have to be super fancy or expensive. Just make sure that it’s something that you would enjoy drinking on its own.

If you’re like me and love wine and don’t want to leave the house to get it, look into Firstleaf. Basically, you take a short quiz to identify your wine preferences. Then Firstleaf puts together a custom order for you and ships it to your house (or wherever you’d like). 

You’ll want to add some triple sec and dark rum, too. Pretty standard stuff. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur really amps up the cherry flavor and aroma of this sangria. If you’ve seen my Homemade Luxardo Cherries, you’re familiar with this liqueur.

You’ll also use some fresh fruit, like cherries, orange slices, and chopped Granny Smith apples, along with several large sprigs of fresh basil.

And then there’s the Cheerwine (duh).

How do you make this sangria?

It’s very easy!

Put the fresh fruit and basil in the bottom of a pitcher. Top them with the wine, liquor, and liqueurs. Allow it to chill in the fridge overnight. This will allow the flavors to really meld together.

When you’re ready to drink, remove the old basil, and top everything with Cheerwine (duh)! Garnish your glass with some more fresh basil (the aroma when you go to take a sip is really great) and go to town!

Cheerwine Sangria

Cheerwine Sangria

Yield: 8 drinks
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes

This Cheerwine Sangria is just what you want on a hot Summer day. Sweet, cherry-flavored Cheerwine  is the perfect addition to a pitcher of fruity sangria.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Combine the wine, triple sec, Maraschino liqueur, dark rum, fresh fruit, and sprigs of basil in a pitcher. Refrigerate overnight.
  2. Remove the basil and discard.
  3. Add the Cheerwine and stir gently.
  4. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with more fresh basil.

Notes

You can order your alcohol online via Drizly and have it delivered to your door!

© laurenpacek
Cuisine: Spanish / Category: Cocktails

Need any special equipment?

Looking for other recipes?

Cheerwine Ice Cream Floats are sweet and delicious, too! The Spiced Cherry Spritz uses Cheerwine, too. 

These Kalimotxo Cocktails also use Rioja wine.

If you want more cherry-forward recipes, give these a try:

Pin this recipe for later!

 

Sous Vide Limoncello

by Leave a Comment

Making homemade limoncello using your sous vide is so easy!

Seriously, making Sous Vide Limoncello couldn’t be easier. You also only need 4 ingredients. AND it’s delicious! 

Making limoncello using the sous vide means that it will come together SO much more quickly than when using traditional methods. Using conventional methods, you would allow the lemon zest to infuse the vodka for weeks or months. 

And sure, it’s delicious when made that way, too. But sometimes we want our limoncello and we want it now. Or, like 2 hours from now.

So how do you do it?

You’ll want to start by washing and scrubbing your lemons really well. This is because most lemons that you’ll get at the grocery store are coated in wax.

Once your lemons are squeaky clean, you’ll want to remove the zest from all of the lemons. You can either use a microplane to zest the lemons or a vegetable peeler. Whichever method you use, try to make sure that you’re only removing the yellow zest, and not the bitter white pith that’s underneath.

Place all of the zest in the bottom of a quart Mason jar. I use a wide-mouth variety, and really like them.

Next: add the vodka

Once the lemons have been zested, you’ll fill the Mason jar with plain vodka.

I’m of the opinion that you don’t necessarily need to use top shelf vodka here. No need to break out the Grey Goose or Belvedere (though I’m sure both would yield a lovely end product). I tend to stick with a more middle-of-the-road, but still good quality vodka, like Smirnoff. Use something that you would feel good about using in a mixed drink.

It’s time for the Mason jar to take a dip!

You’ll start by screwing a lid onto the Mason jar, finger tight. Preheat your water bath to 135 degrees F and submerge the jar in the water. “Cook” for 2 hours.

If you’re looking for a sous vide/immersion circulator, check out this one from Anova. I have the model that was available just before this one.

After that, the process is as simple as allowing the contents of the jar to cool, straining out and discarding the peels, and mixing the vodka with simple syrup.

What should I do with all of those lemons that I zested?

This Sweet and Tart Homemade Lemonade is a good place to start! Homemade Lemon Curd is also a good bet, though you will need to zest a few more lemons.

The Hollandaise sauce on these Crab Cakes Eggs Florentine also use a little lemon juice. AND the Hollandaise is made with the sous vide.

Sous Vide Limoncello

Yield: 6 cups (32 - 1.5 oz servings)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • zest of 10 lemons (see notes)
  • 4 cups vodka (see notes)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Place the lemon zest in a quart Mason jar. Fill with vodka. Place the lid on the jar and tighten to finger tight.
  2. Set your sous vide to 135 degrees F.
  3. Once preheated, place the Mason jar in the water and cook for 2 hours.
  4. After 2 hours, allow the limoncello to cool to room temperature.
  5. While it cools, combine the water and sugar in a saucepan (you're making a simple syrup). Bring to a boil, whisking so that the sugar dissolves completely. Remove the mixture from the heat.
  6. Strain the lemon zest from the limoncello and combine the vodka mixture and simple syrup.
  7. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Make sure to really scrub the lemons in order to remove the wax that's on the skin.
  • Personally, I don't think that you need to go all out and use top shelf liquor. However, I wouldn't use well vodka, either. Something middle of the road (that you'd feel good about using in a mixed drink) will work. I used Smirnoff.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 shot-sized (1.5 oz) servings Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g
© Lauren Pacek
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Cocktails

What should I buy in order to make this recipe?

 

Pin this recipe for later!

Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade

by Leave a Comment

This boozy lemonade is the perfect way to stay cool (and tipsy) on a hot Summer day

Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade takes old fashioned homemade lemonade and adds sweet boozy bourbon and fizzy ginger ale to make one refreshing warm weather drink.

It’s Friday again, and that means it’s time for a cocktail.

And considering just how dang hot it is outside (seriously, it’s gross), we need a refreshing cocktail.

This drink is sweet, tart, and a little fizzy. A sprig of fresh gives a sweet fresh aroma when you take a sip, too. Plus it looks pretty.

It’s very safe to say that I’ll be drinking these allll Summer long.

Looking for other bourbon-based recipes? Of course you are.

And you know I’ve got you here. Check these other bourbon-y recipes out. You won’t be disappointed.

Need any special equipment to make this cocktail?

Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade

Kentucky Bourbon Lemonade

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz bourbon
  • 3 oz lemonade
  • ginger ale
  • lemon wheel and fresh mint, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Add the bourbon and lemonade to a tall glass with ice.
  2. Top with ginger ale.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and fresh mint.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 287Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 35mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 3gSugar: 44gProtein: 1g
© Lauren Pacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails

Pin this recipe for later!

The Belmont Jewel

by Leave a Comment

Celebrate the Belmont Stakes in a delicious way!

The Belmont Jewel Cocktail is the official drink of the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the famous Triple Crown. 

FYI – this post contains affiliate links

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

What is a Belmont Jewel like?

This drink only requires 3 ingredients: bourbon, lemonade, and pomegranate juice. Make it 4 ingredients if you want to count the lemon wedge garnish. Couldn’t be easier!

This drink is both sweet and a bit tart. You can thank lemonade and pomegranate juice for that flavor combination. The bourbon is sweet, too, and the whole thing is very refreshing.

Though it’s very easy to shake up a few individual drinks, you could also easily scale the recipe up to make a batch cocktail. This would be perfect for entertaining.

Oh, and did I mention that it gets its name from its beautiful jewel-like appearance? I mean, take a look at the photo below and how the the light shines through this cocktail.

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

So, if the Belmont Stakes has the Belmont Jewel… what drinks do the other races have?

Glad you asked. You’re probably familiar with the Mint Julep: It’s the bourbon-forward cocktail associated with the Kentucky Derby. You can switch things up a bit and have a Derby Cup (bourbon + Pimm’s), too!

And then, of course, there’s the Preakness Stakes, which has the Black Eyed Susan. It’s sweet, fruity, and deceptively boozy.

Is this drink *just* for the Belmont Stakes?

In short: heck no! This would be great for sipping all year ’round. But I think that the ingredients (oh hay, lemonade) make this drink feel particularly summery.

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Interested in other pomegranate juice-based cocktails?

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

The Belmont Jewel

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz bourbon
  • 2 oz lemonade
  • 1 oz pomegranate juice
  • lemon wedge, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine the bourbon, lemonade, and pomegranate juice in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until very cold and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
  3. Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 162Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 1g
© Lauren Pacek
Cuisine: American / Category: Cocktails

Will I need any special gear to make this cocktail?

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

 

Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks Belmont Jewel Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks