Tag Archives: Cucumber

American Harvest Farm to Table Cocktail Recipes

Posted on April 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

I am a tried and true vodka lover. I sip it on the rocks; with or without a lime peel. In an extremely Dry Martini with lemon twist; extremely dry means just vodka shaken or stirred with ice only please. No complicated drink recipe there. In the case of American Harvest Organic Spirit, I would even choose equal parts vodka to gin on the rocks or martini style. What I’m saying is American Harvest is easily sippable. I think it’s a great value for the money and it will be a winner when mixed in an abundance of cocktail recipes.

Speaking of cocktails and drink recipes, American Harvest launched fully prepared. They have some great recipe suggestions for spring with more cocktail recommendations in the future. The two recipes below utilize garden fresh herbs, vegetables and berry fruits for the freshest farm to table cocktails. Read on and stay tuned.

Local Harvest

2 ounces American Harvest Organic Spirit

4 Fresh Basil Leaves

3 Lime Wedges

3 Thin Slices Cucumber

1/4 ounce Agave Nectar

Basil Leaf & Cucumber Slice Garnish

Muddle basil, lime and cucumber in mixing glass. Add American Harvest, agave nectar and ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with basil leaf and cucumber slice.

Very Berry Harvest

2 ounces American Harvest Organic Spirit

4 Fresh Mint Leaves

4 Blackberries

4 Raspberries

1/4 ounce Agave Nectar

Ginger Beer

Crushed Ice

Blackberries, Raspberries & Mint Sprig Garnish

Muddle mint leaves and berries in mixing glass. Add American Harvest, agave nectar and crushed ice. Gently swizzle. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with berries on a cocktail pick and mint sprig.

What is American Harvest Organic Spirit?

Organic Vodka & Organic Flavor. Snake River USA

American Harvest is handcrafted in small batches from organic winter wheat grown on a family owned and sustainably managed American farm. It is distilled and bottled in Rigby, Idaho using water from aquifers deep beneath the Snake River plain. American Harvest is the creation of Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc., a third generation family business that is 100% US owned and operated.

American Harvest has no artificial additives or preservatives and is produced with a continuous column distillation process and charcoal filtration to ensure the integrity and purity of the spirit. The American Harvest Distillery is USDA Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth. – American Harvest media materials

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $23.99

American Harvest Tasting Notes

Color: Clear

Aroma: Faint hint of peppercorn. White pepper maybe. Roundness like vanilla, but not quite as lush.

Tasted Neat: Definite vanilla. Rich vanilla. Hints of sweetness like buttery butterscotch, but the spirit isn’t sugared. Bit of nut skin like macadamia nut oiliness. Pink peppercorn maybe. Barely any burn. Rolls over the tongue nicely. Perhaps a wee hint of coffee. Proves that vodka is no longer the “tasteless” spirit. Almost brings the vodka and rum categories a little closer together where taste and flavor are concerned.

Mouth Feel: Excellent viscosity. Lingering flavor.

Comparable Spirit: The premium vodka category is becoming more affordable and less comparable from one brand to another. Like I mentioned, once considered a completely blank slate spirit, vodka is lifting the veil and allowing consumers to discover there’s more to it than raucous burn.

Review sample courtesy representatives of Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. & American Harvest – American Harvest on Facebook – @AHOrganicSpirit on Twitter

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services

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Posted in Long Drinks, Short Drinks, Spirits

Tagged Agave Nectar, American Harvest, Basil, Blackberries, Cucumber, Farm to Table Cocktails, Fresh Lime, Ginger Beer, Local Harvest, Mint Leaves, Organic, Organic Cocktails, Organic Spirit, Raspberries, Sidney Frank Importing Company Inc, Very Berry Harvest, Vodka

Mandarine Napoleon Liqueur

Posted on December 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

Mandarine Napoleon Liqueur Brand Tasting Notes

Color: Warm & Bright Amber

Aroma: Natural mandarin zest with woody spiciness and undertones of rich cognac

Taste: Sweet mandarin with nutmeg, cinnamon and hints of marmalade and liquorice

Finish: Smooth, sweet and dry

Brand suggested cocktail:

Piscine

1-1/2 measure Mandarine Napoleon Liqueur

3/4 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

1 slice Orange

1 slice Cucumber

1 Raspberry

1 Strawberry

Champagne or Prosecco

Place all ingredients except champagne in large wine glass with ice. Stir. Top with champagne.

The Mandarine Napoleon bottle photo is available for digital download in the Wine & Spirits stock photography Gallery.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2011 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved – All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

Mandarine Napoleon sample for review courtesy representatives of the brand

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Champagne, Cucumber, Fresh Lemon, Mandarine Napoleon Liqueur, Orange, Raspberries, Stock Photography, Strawberries

Belle of the Boulevard

Posted on March 7, 2011 | Leave a comment

The simplicity and style of the South Side Fizz provided inspiration for Belle of the Boulevard. Non-alcoholic drinks need something more than one dimensional flavor otherwise mere bottled juice poured into a glass would suffice as ‘Mocktail.’ Cucumber and mint weave the spirit of fresh into the drink while lemony sour combined with hint of sweet provide zing to this sparkling spring drink.

Belle of the Boulevard – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 Baby Cucumber – Sliced

2 Mint Sprigs

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

1/2 ounce Homemade Lemon Lime Sour*

3 to 4 ounces Club Soda

Mint Sprig Garnish

Muddle sliced baby cucumber, mint sprigs and lemon juice in cocktail shaker. Add simple syrup, lemon lime sour and one ounce of club soda with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with remaining club soda. Stir. Garnish with mint sprig.

*Lemon Lime Sour

2 cups Sugar

1/2 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 cup Fresh Lime Juice

Place all ingredients in sauce pan over medium low heat. Stir continually until sugar is dissolved and liquid is on the brink of soft simmer. Remove from heat. Allow to cool completely. Place in covered glass storage container. Refrigerate. Notation: Lemon Lime Sour is sometimes referred to as Homemade Sour.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Club Soda, Cucumber, Fresh Lemon, Lemon Lime Sour, Mint Leaves, Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Simple Syrup

Begin the Week with a Clear Conscience

Posted on October 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

Clear Conscience created at Restaurant Zoe – non-alcoholic Mocktail – photo provided by representatives of Restaurant Zoe

Weekends needn’t be three days long or holiday stuffed to make one feel the need for recovery. Late nights filled with friends, good times and fun memories catch up quickly once Monday morning rolls around. Keep sharing good times throughout the work week with a Monday non-alcoholic pick-me-up Mocktail with friends. The Clear Conscience drink recipe created at Seattle’s Restaurant Zoë is a sure fire responsible choice to meet the work week head on in revitalizing style.

Clear Conscience

1/4 of a Tangerine

8 thin Cucumber Slices

1 Lemon Verbena Leaf or Kaffir Lime Leaf

1-1/2 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1-1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

2 ounces Club Soda

Thin Sliced Cumber Garnish

Juice tangerine and drop into cocktail shaker with cucumber slices and crushed lemon verbena leaves. Bruise lightly with muddler. Add limejuice, simple syrup and ice. Shake to blend and chill. Add club soda and gently shake until chilled. Strain into martini glass. Float thin slice cucumber in drink.

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Posted in Mocktails

Tagged Club Soda, Cucumber, Fresh Lime, Mocktails, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Restaurant Zoe, Simple Syrup, Tangerine, Verbena Leaf

Bacardi Dragon Berry & Torched Cherry Make Summer Entertaining a Breeze

Posted on June 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

The entire purpose behind the highly successful Bacardi Dragon Berry flavored rum and newest release, Bacardi Torched Cherry, appears to be fun, fun, fun. To gain the highest enjoyment from summer lovin’ fun, ease of preparation must be factored into the equation. While splashes of cola or toppers of lemonade might be the first ‘go to’ mixer for Dragon Berry and Torched Cherry, fresh fruits of the season muddle up a few more tasty options without too much fuss.

The next time you’re thinking pool party, backyard barbeque or neighborhood cul-de-sac party, think brief recipe directions, a few bowls of fresh fruit, measuring utensils and Bacardi flavored rum. Display ingredients on a table for guests to build their own cocktails. This adds hands on enjoyment to the mix while allowing mingle time for the host. All around summer fun and refreshment for all to enjoy!

Bacardi Dragon Berry Nectar

1/2 part Bacardi Dragon Berry Flavored Rum

1/2 part Bacardi Coconut Flavored Rum

1 part Simple Syrup

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

4 Fresh Blackberries

4 Lime Wedges

4 Fresh Raspberries

Muddle 3 each: raspberries, blackberries and lime wedges with simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add rums, fresh lime juice and ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into glass of fresh crushed ice. Garnish with remaining lime wedge and skewered berries.

Bacardi Torched Cherry Breeze

2 parts Bacardi Torched Cherry Rum

3 Slices Cucumber

1-1/2 parts Pineapple Juice

1 part Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

1/2 part Simple Syrup

Mint Sprig Garnish

Muddle cucumbers and simple syrup in cocktail shaker. Add remaining liquid ingredients. Shake to chill. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprig.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum, Bacardi Torched Cherry, Blackberries, Coconut Rum, Cucumber, Fresh Lime, Pineapple Juice, Raspberries, Simple Syrup

Shamrock Cocktail Sparkles

Posted on March 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day cocktails and drinks do not have to be all about Irish whiskey, green beer and Jello shots. Some chatter within the cocktail world in the past has been that vodka might have slipped within the dead zone. However rarely will one see a bar without rows of premium vodka for martinis or flavored vodkas for fun sipping cocktails whether the theme is Girl’s Night Out, Date Night or just winding down from a long day at work. St. Patrick’s Day will be no different. Party goers like to join the crowd for a spirited green food coloring tinted beer or shot of whiskey, but once the night is in full swing it’s back to the basics; drinking what one likes and knows. For many that means vodka based cocktails.

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day

Sparkling Shamrock

1-1/2 ounce Pear Flavored Vodka

1/2 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

2 ounces Juiced Cucumber

1/2 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Lemonade or Club Soda

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with mint leaves, cucumber slices and fresh lemon twist. Top with lemonade or club soda according to preference.

Cocktail recipe sponsored by Grey Goose Vodka representatives.

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Posted in Sponsored Posts, St. Patrick's Day

Tagged Club Soda, Cucumber, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Pear Vodka, Simple Syrup, St. Patrick's Day, Vodka

Thinking About a Fresh New Beau

Posted on February 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

It doesn’t matter whether the man sharing bed space has been in a woman’s life for a week, a month or years; she still wants to know what goes on inside his head. No matter how much chatter goes on in the kitchen, living room or cocktail bar the real burning question women want to know is ‘do these jeans make me look fat?’ All kidding aside, everyone has insecurities as well as desire to fulfill fantasies. The only way to appease the apprehension of what a man might be thinking is to ask. Judy Dutton, writer for Redbookmag.com, did exactly that. Judy cut right to the chase and got to the heart of the matter by asking men what they really think about during sex. This insight into what men think will have anyone primed for a steamy evening for two.

New Beau

1-1/2 ounce Lucid Absinthe

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

Club soda

Cucumber wheels

Kiwi fruit

Cucumber

Place two cucumber wheels, two peeled kiwi wheels and simple syrup in bottom of double rocks glass. Muddle. Add ice and Lucid Absinthe. Top with club soda. Garnish with unpeeled kiwi wheel on rim of glass.

The Lucid Garden utilizes fresh fruit and vegetable flavors bringing youthful freshness to your romantic cocktail hour. Lucid Absinthe is the spirit brand responsible for bringing Absinthe back to the United States in 2007 after a lengthy ban on Absinthe.

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Posted in Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, Club Soda, Cucumber, Kiwi, Lucid Absinthe, Simple Syrup, Valentine's Day

Cucumberita

Posted on April 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

For those who prefer their margaritas on the lightly refreshing side: Tequila Cazadores Cucumberita.

Cucumberita

1-1/2 parts Tequila Cazadores Reposado

1-1/2 parts Sour Mix

3/4 parts Triple Sec

1/4 cup Cucumber – sliced

Splash Lime Cordial

Splash Lemon Juice

Salt

Ice

Cucumber Wheel Garnish

Rim margarita glass with lime, dip in salt and set aside. Place remaining ingredients in blender with 8 to 12 ounces of ice. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into prepared margarita glass. Garnish with cucumber wheel.

Recipe provided by Tequila Cazadores representatives