Cocktails

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito

August 11, 2016 by laurenpacek 3 Comments

These Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojitos are sweet, fizzy, and just a little bit exotic.

Lemongrass and Thai Basil Mojito | A Nerd Cooks

I was recently gifted a couple of bunches of Thai basil, and 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

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

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.
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.
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

Add the slice of lime and basil leaves to the bottom of a glass. Muddle them together.
Add the rum, simple syrup, and ice. Top off with some Coconut Lacroix or club soda.

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

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz

July 25, 2016 by laurenpacek 3 Comments

Sweet berries, tart lime juice, vodka, and fizzy water combine 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, some booze, and top it all off with something bubbly. Couldn’t be easier. Or more refreshing.

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

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

5 very ripe blackberries
juice of 1/2 a lime
ice
1.5 oz vodka
LaCroix Curaté Muré Pepino (blackberry cucumber)
fresh blackberries and thin slices of lime, for garnish

Drop the blackberries into the bottom of a tall glass. Squeeze half of a lime on top. Muddle the blackberries.

Fill the glass most of the way with ice. Add the vodka and top with LaCroix. Garnish with slices of lime and blackberries. Drink up!

Blackberry Lime Vodka Fizz | A Nerd Cooks

The Salty Dog Cocktail

July 7, 2016 by laurenpacek 1 Comment

Bright and fresh – this three ingredient cocktail is perfect for summer! The 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?

The 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.

The Salty Dog Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

You’ll need (makes 1 cocktail):

kosher salt
1.5 oz. vodka or gin
fresh grapefruit juice
grapefruit wedges, for garnish

Rim a rocks or highball glass with kosher salt. Fill with ice. Add the vodka or gin and top with grapefruit juice. Toss a wedge of fresh grapefruit in there if you’re fancy.

That’s it! Imbibe!

Blackberry Champagne Float

June 24, 2016 by laurenpacek 5 Comments

Sweet, fizzy, and perfect for summer. 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.

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, or even as a dessert cocktail. Or you know, because it’s Friday.

Blackberry Champagne Floats | A Nerd Cooks

You’ll need (makes 2 cocktails):

4 scoops blackberry sorbet (I used this variety)
champagne/sparkling wine/prosecco
fresh blackberries and mint leaves, optional (for garnish)

Drop 2 scoops into each glass. Top with as much bubbly as you’d like. Add some fresh blackberries and mint leaves if you’re fancy.

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

The Grapefruit Crush

June 6, 2016 by laurenpacek 10 Comments

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 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

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

The Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float

April 5, 2016 by laurenpacek 5 Comments

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

You’ll need (makes 1 float):

2-3 scoops butter pecan ice cream
1.5 oz. bourbon
hard (alcoholic) root beer

Scoop the ice cream into a tall glass. Add the bourbon and top with hard root beer. Watch out for the fizz and foam!

The Southern Hospitality Ice Cream Float | A Nerd Cooks

Hard Cherry Cola Ice Cream Floats

March 28, 2016 by laurenpacek 3 Comments

What’s better than an ice cream float? A boozy ice cream float. They allow you to feel like a kid while enjoying one of the finer points of being an adult. Hard Cherry Cola Ice Cream Floats | A Nerd Cooks It’s Monday. I’m feeling rather unmotivated. So here we are, talking about ice cream floats. And alcohol.

I’m sure you’ve seen the recent onslaught of hard sodas that are making their way into stores. So far, I’ve seen root beer, orange soda, ginger ale, and now cherry cola. I picked up some of the hard cherry cola on Friday and made these floats yesterday. They’re sweet and fun, and have a bit of a kick from the hard cola.

Want more float action? Check out this Cheerwine Float (non alcoholic), Dr. Pepper Bourbon Float, and Dirty Coke Float. Hard Cherry Cola Ice Cream Floats | A Nerd Cooks

You’ll need (makes 1 float):

2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
2 tsp grenadine
hard cherry cola (or regular cherry cola)
maraschino cherry, for garnish

Drop the scoops of ice cream into a tall glass. Splash a little grenadine in there, then fill to the top with hard cherry cola. It will fizz and foam up quite a bit, so watch out! Garnish with a cherry and have at it.

Cranberry Vanilla Moscow Mule

January 4, 2016 by laurenpacek 19 Comments

This Cranberry Vanilla Moscow Mule is sweet, spicy, and totally refreshing. They are perfect for the Winter months, and the Winter holidays in particular.

Cranberry juice lends beautiful color and tartness while ginger beer adds fizz and spice. The vanilla vodka keeps things sweet and interesting.

Happy New Year, everyone! For many of you, this may be your first day back at work after the holidays. I feel that pain.

I’m back in the office after being out for nearly two weeks (!!). Was it fun while it lasted? Absolutely. Am I wishing that I was slightly more productive over break? Yes.

Alas. I think we could all use a drink after the work day is through.

Looking for more Moscow Mule recipes? Boy do I have you covered.

If you’re in the mood for more vodka-based Mules, consider the Caramel Apple Moscow Mule or Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mule if you’re feeling extra fancy!

If you want a bourbon-based drink, there’s the Old Kentucky Mule, Maple Bourbon Moscow Mule, and Bourbon Moscow Mule.

Last, but certainly not least, the Mexican Moscow Mule has all the tequila lovers covered.

Cranberry Vanilla Moscow Mules

Prep Time

2 mins

Course: Beverage, Cocktail

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 cocktail

Author: Lauren Pacek

Ingredients

1.5 oz vanilla vodka
3 oz cranberry juice
3 oz ginger beer
1/2 lime, juiced
fresh cranberries, lime wedge, and sprig of rosemary, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

In a copper mug over ice, add the vodka, cranberry juice, ginger beer, and lime juice.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, a lime wedge, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Chambord Kir Royale

December 31, 2015 by laurenpacek 4 Comments

These Chambord Kir Royale cocktails are pretty, delicious, and couldn’t be easier to throw together. Best yet: they use only 3 ingredients!

Because I couldn’t leave well enough alone, here is a super easy, last minute champagne cocktail for your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur, but this would be delicious with any fruity liqueur of your choosing.

Chambord Kir Royale

Prep Time

2 mins

Course: Beverage, Cocktail

Cuisine: American, French

Servings: 1 cocktail

Author: Lauren Pacek

Ingredients

1/2 oz. Chambord
champagne, sparkling wine, or prosecco
orange twist, for garnish

Instructions

Pour the Chambord into the bottom of a champagne flute.
Top with champagne/sparkling wine/whatever bubbly you're drinking.
Garnish with an orange twist.

These Pomegranate Champagne Moscow Mules would be great for toasting, too!

Cheers!

Loaded Christmas Ale

December 2, 2015 by laurenpacek 9 Comments

This Loaded Christmas Ale cocktail tastes like pure Christmastime in a glass.

Long before the holiday season rolled around, Sean knew that he wanted to get a keg of Great Lakes Christmas Ale. While we’ve been enjoying it on its own, our friend, Matt, told us about this recipe.

The beer itself is a higher ABV on its own. So using 2 additional kinds of alcohol in this cocktail make it pretty powerful. You have been forewarned!

That said, the flavors of the beer and liquor, plus a light dusting of cinnamon, makes this drink taste like Christmas in a glass.