Tag Archives: Club Soda

Cardamom Pop Punch

Posted on December 27, 2012 | Comments Off

This make ahead punch recipe brings terrific flavor to the punch bowl with it’s Cardamom Syrup inclusion. This variation of the Camarena Cardamom Tequila Punch offers guest a non-alcoholic drink choice to insure a sober drive home.

Cardamom Pop Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/4 Pineapple – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Orange – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Lime – sliced in quarter wheels

1 Lemon – sliced in quarter wheels

2 ounces Lemon Juice

1-1/2 ounce Cardamom Syrup*

10 ounces Blueberry Pomegranate Juice

4 ounces Cranberry Juice

Club Soda

Place all ingredients except club soda in pitcher. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight. Top with club soda before serving.

Cardamom Syrup – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 cup Water

1 cup Organic Sugar Cane

1/4 cup Cardamom Pods

Place cardamom pods in heat proof jar with lid. Set aside. Place water and sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is completely dissolved (approximately 5 minutes). Pour heated syrup over cardamom pods. Stir briefly. Seal. Allow flavor to infuse for 24 hours. Strain syrup. Discard pods. Refrigerate.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Blueberry Pomegranate Juice, Camarena Cardomom Tequila Punch, Cardamom, Cardamom Pop Punch, Cardamom Syrup, Club Soda, Cranberry Juice, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Orange, Pineapple, Punch, Sugar

Fragaria Fizz

Posted on December 22, 2012 | Comments Off

Mmmm… Strawberry tart edge with lovely raspberry sweetness rolling lightly over the tongue. Play time never tastes so celebratory. Bonus… this is a mocktail so anyone can join in on the delicious sipping any time!

Fragaria Fizz – created by Cheri Loughlin

6 Fresh Strawberries

1/2 measure Raspberry Syrup

1-1/2 measure Orange Juice

1-1/2 measure Club Soda

Muddle 5 fresh strawberries and the raspberry syrup in mixing glass. Add orange juice with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into champagne flute. Top with club soda. Garnish with remaining strawberry.

Fragaria is the technical name for Strawberry. Ironically strawberries are not actually berries.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Club Soda, Fragaria Fizz, Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Orange Juice, Raspberry Syrup, Strawberries

Blushing Blue

Posted on December 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Holiday brunch with friends and family is a great way to spread holiday cheer. Skip the usual Mimosa or Bellini and serve something truly unique to guests. Blushing Blue uses the deeply lush Blueberry Lavender Syrup. This versatile syrup is lovely sipped with champagne or club soda, but goes the distance as luscious dipping syrup for a few brunch food favorites like pancakes and waffles.

Blushing Blue – created by Cheri Loughlin

3/4 ounce Blueberry Lavender Syrup

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

3 ounces Brut Champagne

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place chilled syrup and fresh juice in champagne flute. Top with champagne. Stir gently. Garnish with lemon twist.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Blueberry Lavender Syrup, Blushing Blue, Champagne, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Holiday

Spiced Guava Punch

Posted on December 15, 2012 | Comments Off

Holiday parties, open house events and spur of the moment informal gatherings call for quantity and quality cocktails for guests. Be prepared for the unexpected impromptu gathering by keeping a make ahead party punch chilled and ready to pour.

Spiced Guava Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-750ml bottle Guava Rum

6 ounces Spiced Rum

12 ounces Lemon Juice

8 ounces Velvet Falernum

8 ounces Brown Sugar Syrup

3 ounces Orgeat (Almond Syrup)

15 ounces Water

Brut Champagne

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all ingredients except champagne in large container. Stir. Refrigerate several hours until ready to serve. Serve from punch bowl or pitcher in rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with champagne. Garnish with orange twist. Spiced Guava Punch can be topped with Club Soda rather than champagne. – This recipe will fit into 3 empty standard size 750ml bottles which takes up less space than most pitchers. Save empty liquor bottles. Strip off labeling. Use the bottle for an easy pour and serve option for your next gathering.

I used Cruzan Rum since it was already in my liquor cabinet. Use whichever brand you usually purchase or have on hand.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Fall & Thanksgiving, Halloween Cocktails

Tagged Almond Syrup, Brown Sugar Syrup, Champagne, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Guava Rum, Holiday, Orgeat, Punch, Spiced Guava Punch, Spiced Rum, Velvet Falernum

Blue Bourbon Frost

Posted on December 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Drinks that go long are excellent for holiday parties and informal gatherings. Club soda provides celebratory sparkle to this holiday hued cocktail. Recipe for Blueberry Lavender Syrup can be found on this site in the Bar Basics section by following the link within the recipe.

Blue Bourbon Frost – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Bourbon

1/2 ounce Blueberry Lavender Syrup

3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

2 ounces Club Soda

Lemon Twist Garnish

Build in highball glass over fresh ice. Stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

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Posted in Christmas Cocktails

Tagged Blue Bourbon Frost, Blueberry Lavender Syrup, Bourbon, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Holiday

Pirate’s Punch

Posted on December 10, 2012 | Comments Off

Punch style cocktails are an excellent way to spread spirited cheer during holiday parties or happy hour cocktails with friends. Make Pirate’s Punch as a single drink for one or multiply the ingredient measurements by the number of drinks desired for pitcher or punch bowl serve.

Pirate’s Punch – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Spiced Rum

1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

1 ounce Pineapple Juice

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

1-1/2 ounce Club Soda

Orange Slice Garnish

Place rum, schnapps and juices in goblet over fresh ice. Stir. Add club soda to top. Stir. Garnish with orange slice. To serve as punch: Combine all liquids in pitcher. Serve in punch glasses over ice. Top with club soda.

I used Black Beard Spiced Rum while creating this cocktail.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Black Beard Spiced Rum, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Orange Juice, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice, Pirate's Punch, Punch, Spiced Rum

Create a Cocktail: Dubonnet Rouge, Cointreau & Kahlua

Posted on November 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

I recently posted a photograph of three spirits (Dubonnet Rouge, Cointreau and Kahlua Especial) to The Intoxicologist Facebook page to encourage a little cocktail creativity. The directive: What cocktail would you create using these three ingredients plus base spirit and / or mix-ins such as juices, syrups, etc.? The following three recipes were shared in response.

Thanks to all those who shared recipe ideas! I look forward to doing this again soon.

Grape Season – via Daniel Delgado Teran

1 ounce Kahlua (Coffee Liqueur)

1 ounce Cointreau (Premium Orange Liqueur)

1/4 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1/4 ounce Hazelnut Liqueur

1/2 ounce Merlot Juice

Sea Salt Rim

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled sea salt rimmed cocktail glass.

Bloody & Bitter – via Justin Scappaticci

1/2 ounce Kahlua (Coffee Liqueur)

1-1/2 ounce Cointreau (Premium Orange Liqueur)

1/2 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

2 ounces Blood Orange Juice

2 dashes Orange Bitters

Club Soda

Justin didn’t give instructions on glass type, but due to the volume of this drink I would imagine the Bloody & Bitter should be built in highball glass over fresh ice.

Duke of York – via Steve Asmussen

Steve didn’t leave a name for his creative concoction, so I took the liberty of naming it. Steve, if you’re reading this and would like a name change for the cocktail, let me know.

2 ounces Kahlua (Coffee Liqueur)

1 ounce Dubonnet Rouge

1 ounce Cointreau (Premium Orange Liqueur)

4 ounce Peach Nectar

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. ~ This makes an 8 ounce drink, so it might be advisable to cut the measurements in half. This makes the drink more manageable and you can take your time sipping without worrying about the bottom half of the drink becoming watery from ice melt.

What cocktail would you create using the spirits above?

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Blood Orange Juice, Bloody & Bitter, Club Soda, Coffee Liqueur, Cointreau, Dubonnet, Duke of York, Grape Season, Hazelnut Liqueur, Kahlua, Merlot Juice, Orange Bitters, Peach Nectar, Premium Orange Liqueur, Reader Recipes, Sea Salt

Review: DonQ Mojito Rum

Posted on November 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Puerto Rican Rum Infused with Natural Mint

40 Proof / 20% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $12 to $15 range

Availability: United States offices opened in June 2009 with the purpose of increasing availability to all fifty states.

Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Light mint. No burn. Like Rigley’s Spearmint Gum aroma-wise.

Tasted Neat: Sweet with rush of sour almost immediately. Sweet to sour as in a sweet tart kind of way. Made my mouth water. Mint flows through nicely. Warming at back of throat. Perhaps tartness is hint of lime. Comes across as soft yet tart apple.

Mouth Feel: Lower end of medium. Not too thick even with the sweetness. Not too thin either.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Could possibly top with plain club soda and add a hint of extra simple syrup to sweeten the deal. More mint is always good. Betting this would be great in lemonade with splash of 7-UP or Sprite.

It would be fascinating to see the infusion process of natural fruit and/or herbs since the mint works so well with this one.

Find more DonQ Rum Reviews & Cocktails on this site by following the link.

DonQ Lazy Mojito

3 ounces DonQ Mojito Rum

2 ounces Club Soda

Lime Wheel & Mint Sprig Garnish

Build in highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheel and fresh mint.

DonQ Mo-Tea-To

2 ounces DonQ Mojito Rum

3 ounces Unsweetened Iced Tea

1/2 Lemon – Juiced

Lemon Wedge & Mint Sprig Garnish

Build in highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon wedge and fresh mint.

Review sample courtesy representatives of DonQ Rum

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Club Soda, DonQ Lazy Mojito, DonQ Mo-Tea-To, DonQ Mojito Rum, DonQ Rum, Fresh Lemon, Iced Tea, Mint, Mojito, Mojito Rum, Rum

Swashbuckler

Posted on October 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

It’s your job to rescue damsels in distress. You know the ones. They’re sitting at the bar sipping oh so sweet cocktails served straight from the Slurpee machine. Introduce them to fresh fruit, light sweetness and deep flavor. This one rolls off the tongue with round, lush refreshment.

Swashbuckler – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 Silver Rum

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

3/4 ounce Simple Syrup

5 Fresh Cherries

3 Fresh Blackberries

2 ounces Club Soda

Fresh Cherry Garnish

Muddle cherries, blackberries and lemon juice in cocktail shaker (no need to seed cherries). Add rum and simple syrup with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with fresh cherry.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Blackberries, Cherries, Club Soda, Fresh Lemon, Rum, Simple Syrup, Swashbuckler

Review: Absolut SF Limited Edition

Posted on August 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Vodka with grape, dragon fruit and papaya flavors

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: Within the $20 to $25 range / 750ml bottle

Availability: Released in May 2011 with limited edition status.

Absolute SF Vodka Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: No burn on the nose. Light citrus. Bit of grape (succulent rather than tartly sweet). Reminds of tart citrus wine. Peaches. Faintest hint of perfumed sweetness, most likely from the papaya inclusion.

Tasted Neat: Compared with the aroma, there is barely any sweetness carrying through in the taste. Grape definitely comes through first, but muted rather than like a grape flavored vodka. Bit of burn. Metallic. Hint of bitterness. Bit of floral. Hints of apple come to the forefront once the spirit is chilled with ice. Flavor is nice, subtle.

Mouth Feel: Thin

Comparable Spirit: None come to mind off the top of my head. Keep in mind the Cities Editions are often unique with flavors, history and thoughts of the specific city they are designed with in mind.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

Might try with ginger ale for a bit of crispness. Simple syrup with splash of club soda or bubbly. Peach schnapps and cranberry. Possibly tonic or splash of lemon lime soda as topper would also be refreshing.

Absolut Wild Parrot

1-1/2 ounce Absolut SF Vodka

1/2 ounce Lychee Liqueur

1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

2 ounces Cranberry Juice

Club Soda

Mint Leaves & Lime Slice Garnish

Combine liquids except club soda in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprig and lime slice.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Pernod-Ricard