A Nerd Cooks

... and bakes and mixes the occasional cocktail!

Cocktails

Pear Dark and Stormy

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The Pear Dark and Stormy takes a classic cocktail recipe and tweaks it just a bit to make it a perfect drink for Fall.

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

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

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.

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

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.

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

Print
Pear Dark and Stormy Cocktail
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 1.5 oz dark rum
  • 4 oz pear juice (not pear nectar)
  • 4 oz ginger beer
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • thin slices of lime, for garnish
Instructions

  1. 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.

Recipe Notes

Notes:

  • The dark rum is available here
  • The pear juice is available here
  • The ginger beer is available here

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

Pear Dark and Stormy | A Nerd Cooks

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail

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This Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail is pretty much Fall in a glass. Always fabulous bourbon, a tart pumpkin shrub, and fizzy ginger beer were meant to be together.

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

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

We talked about Drizly in this post about Caramel Apple Moscow Mules.  Drizly is a company that makes buying booze super easy. Just head to their website, order online, and they’ll deliver it to you in about an hour!

In case you missed those mules, do yourself a favor and go check them out.  I’ll wait.

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Alright now that you’re back, let’s talk about this Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub.

A shrub is basically fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Way back when, shrubs were used to preserve fruit after the harvest was over.  In this case, our fruit of choice is pumpkin (puree), and rather than preservation of produce, we’re using this shrub as a vessel for bourbon.

The shrub itself is sweet and sour, and full of pumpkin spice flavor.  The ginger beer brings some effervescence and a little spice.  If you’re into sour flavors, like me, this cocktail is for you.  It’s not too sour, though, thanks to the maple syrup and bourbon.

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

The shrub recipe comes from Swooned Magazine.  The rest of the cocktail comes from my foodbrain.

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail
Prep Time
5 mins
Chill time for pumpkin shrub
1 d
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
For the shrub
  • 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
For the cocktail (makes 1 cocktail) -
  • 1.5 oz bourbon
  • 1.5 oz pumpkin shrub
  • 1 tsp real maple syrup
  • ginger beer
Instructions

  1. To make the shrub

  2. Add all ingredients to a glass container (I used a mason jar), seal, and shake to combine. 

  3. Put the jar into the fridge for 24 hours. 

  4. After 24 hours, shake to recombine and strain the solids through a sieve (it's okay if some of the puree makes its way through). The shrub will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks.

To make the cocktail

  1. Add bourbon, pumpkin shrub, and maple syrup to a rocks glass.  

  2. Stir to combine.

  3. Add ice and top with ginger beer.

Recipe Notes

Notes:

  • The bourbon is available here
  • The ginger beer is available here

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub | A Nerd Cooks

Bourbon Pumpkin Shrub Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule

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The Caramel Apple Moscow Mule is a *great* Fall cocktail. Caramel vodka, apple cider, and ginger beer play together very, very well.

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

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks

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.

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks

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.

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks

 

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Caramel Apple Moscow Mule
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 1.5 oz caramel vodka
  • 3 oz apple cider
  • 3 oz ginger beer
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 thin slice of apple, for garnish (optional)
Instructions

  1. Pour all ingredients over ice and stir to combine. Garnish with a slice of apple if you're feeling fancy.

Recipe Notes

Notes:

  • If you prefer a slightly less sweet cocktail, reduce the apple cider and increase the ginger beer.
  • The caramel vodka is available here
  • The ginger beer is available here

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks

 

Caramel Apple Moscow Mule | A Nerd Cooks

Caramel Apple Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Caramel Apple Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

The Moscow Mule

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The Moscow Mule is a delicious classic cocktail made up of vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice. Bonus points if you serve it in a copper mug!

Powell & Mahoney provided products to me free of charge. All opinions are my own.

Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

The good folks at Powell and Mahoney reached out to me recently, asking if I’d be interested in trying some of their cocktail mixer products. Unable to say no to a good cocktail, I said yes!

It’s no secret that I love a good Moscow Mule. Like, really love. So it seemed like a no brainer to make one with one of Powell and Mahoney’s products!

One of the products I received was Old Ballycastle Ginger. It’s a mixer that is basically ginger beer, minus the bubbles. The mixer is spicy, but not overwhelmingly so, and sweet.

Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Moscow Mule
Prep Time
2 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 4 oz. Old Ballycastle Ginger, see notes
  • sparkling water
  • lime wedge, for garnish
Instructions

  1. Fill a copper mug with crushed ice. Add the vodka, lime juice, and Old Ballycastle Ginger.

  2. Top with sparkling water. Add a lime wedge for garnish. 

Recipe Notes

Notes:

In search of more Mules? You definitely came to the right place. If you want more vodka-based mules, check out the Cranberry Vanilla, Caramel Apple, and Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mules (bonus: it also has champagne, obvi).

If bourbon is booze of choice, try the Old Kentucky Mule, Bourbon Moscow Mule, or Maple Bourbon Moscow Mule.

Last, but not least, there’s the Mexican Moscow Mule and Holiday Gin Moscow Mule!

Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

 

Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks Moscow Mules | A Nerd Cooks

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito

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This Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito is sweet, fizzy, and just a little bit exotic.

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks

I recently received a couple of bunches of Thai basil, but initially wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. You can thank the good folks of Reddit for this cocktail recipe. I posted in the cocktails subreddit asking for help, and this is what was suggested!

To start, you’ll want to make the lemongrass simple syrup. This is something you’ll want to do ahead of time, either earlier in the day or the day before you want to make cocktails. We’ve done simple syrup before. It’s, well, simple.

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks

This recipe is slightly modified from the one from The Kitchn.

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American, Cuban
Servings: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
For the lemongrass simple syrup (makes 1 cup)
  • 3 stalks lemongrass
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
For the cocktail (makes 1)
  • 1 thin slice of lime
  • 4 leaves fresh Thai basil
  • 2 oz white rum
  • 2 oz lemongrass simple syrup
  • ice
  • Coconut LaCroix or club soda
Instructions
To make the lemongrass simple syrup
  1. Start by cutting your stalks of lemongrass into 1-inch sections. Bruise them with a meat mallet/rolling pin/mortar and pestle. Set them aside for a moment.
  2. Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar is entirely dissolved. Allow it to come to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add the lemongrass and allow it to steep for 2 hours.
  3. Strain the syrup, pressing down on the lemongrass to extract all of the flavor. This simple syrup will keep in the fridge for about 4 weeks.
To make the cocktail

  1. Add the slice of lime and basil leaves to the bottom of a glass. Muddle them together. 

  2. Add the rum, simple syrup, and ice. Top off with some Coconut Lacroix or club soda.

Recipe Notes

Notes: The method for making simple syrup can be found here

Need more fizzy summer cocktails in your life? I strongly suggest you try a Coconut Mojito.  You’ll thank me later.  Still need more fizzy La Croix-based drinks?  The Grapefruit Crush and Orange Creamsicle Crush are delightful, as is a Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz.

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz

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This Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz combines sweet berries, tart lime juice, vodka, and fizzy water to make a summery and refreshing cocktail.

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

It’s Monday, it’s hot, and a drink wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world right now. Anyone else in a similar mental place?

It’s my first full summer in Durham, and dang. It is hot. I know it’s only going to get worse, too, with August right around the corner. Cold, fizzy drinks are very necessary.

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

Muddle up some super ripe berries, add some tart lime juice, booze, and top it all off with something bubbly. Couldn’t be easier. Or more refreshing.

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

Looking for some more very refreshing summer cocktail?  Check out these Coconut Mojitos (also made with LaCroix!), Salty Dogs, Orange Creamsicle Crushes, and Grapefruit Crushes!

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 5-6 very ripe blackberries
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • LaCroix Curaté Muré Pepino (blackberry cucumber)
  • fresh blackberries and thin wheels of lime, for garnish
Instructions

  1. Drop the blackberries into the bottom of a tall glass. Squeeze half of a lime on top. Gently muddle the blackberries.

  2. Fill the glass most of the way with ice. Add the vodka and top with LaCroix. 

  3. Garnish with fresh blackberries and slices of lime.

 

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

The Salty Dog Cocktail

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A Salty Dog Cocktail is simple to make, bright and fresh, and versatile. Make it with vodka or gin, whatever floats your boat. I used vodka.

Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Grapefruit juice + vodka or gin = a Greyhound

Grapefruit juice + vodka or gin + a salted rim = a Salty Dog

Get it? Cute, right?

Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

These cocktails are super refreshing, full of bright flavor, and so simple to put together.

I enjoyed one in the middle of the afternoon after taking pictures, but imagine it would be a lovely brunch cocktail, as well.

Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Salty Dog Cocktail
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • kosher salt
  • 1.5 oz vodka or gin
  • 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • grapefruit wedge, for garnish
Instructions

  1. Rim a rocks or highball glass with kosher salt. 

  2. Fill the glass with ice.

  3. Add the vodka or gin and top with grapefruit juice. 

  4. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Want more grapefruit goodness? Try this Grapefruit Crush or a healthy Broiled Grapefruit!

Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Blackberry Champagne Floats

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These Blackberry Champagne Floats are sweet, fizzy, and perfect for New Year’s Eve or summertime.  These bubbly floats are refreshing and endlessly customizable.

Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks

These champagne cocktails are so simple to throw together, yet look beautiful and taste great. They really only require 2 ingredients: sorbet and bubbly. Though the berries and mint are optional garnish, I think that they really boost the impressiveness of these drinks.

Sean and I had them last weekend. I had a leftover bottle of bubbly in the fridge that somehow didn’t make its way into mimosas over my birthday weekend.

They’d be perfect at brunch, a NYE party, or even as a dessert cocktail. Or you know, because it’s Friday.

Need other bubbly cocktails? Check out my Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mules and Chambord Kir Royale recipes!

Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Blackberry Champagne Floats
Prep Time
2 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 cocktails
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 4 scoops blackberry sorbet
  • champagne/sparkling wine/prosecco
  • fresh blackberries and mint leaves, for garnish
Instructions

  1. Drop 2 scoops of sorbet into each glass. 

  2. Top with as much bubbly as you'd like. 

  3. Add some fresh blackberries and mint leaves to garnish.

Feel free to mix it up, too. Does raspberry sorbet sound like your jam? Use that instead! Top with whatever kind of bubbly you prefer. Trust me, even the cheap, sweet stuff is great here.

Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks

Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks

The Grapefruit Crush

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Warmer weather + nostalgia for Baltimore = the perfect conditions for enjoying a Grapefruit Crush.

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Though I’m told that this is nothing compared to how things will be later this summer, the weather in Durham is starting to heat up. That, combined with some serious nostalgia for Baltimore had me craving a crush. Sean and I are re-watching The Wire now, which is only making me miss Baltimore more.

Also, yes. I do realize how potentially strange that sounds. A show that (very accurately) depicts the drug trade in Baltimore makes you miss that city? It’s hard to explain, but yes.

You will find Crushes on the menus of bars and restaurants all over the city of Baltimore. And for good reason, too. They’re super refreshing, and perfect for helping to deal with the hot, humid Baltimorean summers. The traditional flavor is orange, but grapefruit is also popular, and you’ll see a myriad of other variations (key lime or creamsicle, anyone?).

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Even though I’m fairly certain that I will melt during the summers here, having a Crush in hand definitely makes the heat more bearable.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t, once again, bring up how Aziz Ansari claims 50 Cent didn’t know what a grapefruit was. I talked about it when I shared with you these Broiled Grapefruits. Hilarious, now and forever.

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Grapefruit Crush Cocktails
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Lauren Pacek
Ingredients
  • 1.5 oz. vodka, grapefruit or plain
  • .5 oz. triple sec
  • 2 oz. grapefruit juice, fresh-squeezed or bottled
  • lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
Instructions

  1. Add the vodka, triple sec, and grapefruit juice to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.  Shake for 10-15 seconds, or until very cold. Strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice.

  2. Top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling water. 

  3. Garnish with a slice of fresh grapefruit.

Recipe Notes

Notes: Pamplemousse La Croix is my favorite sparkling water to use in these cocktails.

Check out these Orange Creamsicle Crushes, too!

 

Grapefruit Crush | A Nerd Cooks

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

Grapefruit Crush Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

The Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float

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This Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float is a thing of magic.

Butter pecan ice cream + bourbon + hard root beer = float love.

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks

So, yeah. Ice cream floats are a bit of a thing around here. And why not? They’re super easy, and very delicious.

Most recently, I made a Hard Cherry Cola Ice Cream Float. V tasty.

Given that I now live in the south, I thought something with some southern flair would be appropriate.  Also appropriate (though not alcoholic) given my southern locale? This Cheerwine Float.

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks

This boozy ice cream float is a variation on something I saw on a Buzzfeed listicle.  The original doesn’t include bourbon, but I couldn’t help myself.

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks
Print
Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float
Prep Time
2 mins
 
Course: Beverage, Cocktail, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 float
Ingredients
  • 2-3 scoops butter pecan ice cream
  • 1.5 oz bourbon
  • hard alcoholic root beer
Instructions

  1. Scoop the ice cream into a tall glass.  

  2. Add the bourbon and top with hard root beer.

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks

 

Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks