Tag Archives: Elderflower Liqueur

Driscoll’s Berries Inspire Fresh Cocktails

Posted on April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments

Driscoll's Berry Tour 113 - Driscoll's Strawberry

Driscoll’s strawberry picked fresh from Driscoll’s strawberry field. Driscoll’s berries are touched one time, picked ripe, placed in clamshell package and shipped fresh.

My recent “field to fork” berry education and taste excursion with Driscoll’s berries inspired one of my recent fresh berry cocktails. If you follow me on Twitter you may have caught several berry tweets straight from Driscoll’s offices and berry fields a few weeks ago. So you already know Driscoll’s invited me and a few others out to tour the Driscoll’s facilities and attend the Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2013 Grand Tasting event. Yum!

This isn’t just a photographic berry tour, though. There is a fresh berry cocktail with Driscoll’s berries at the end of the post, so stay tuned for a few seconds.

In no particular order: Ani Phyo, Kathy Casey, Tess Masters, Allison Kociuruba, Amy Roskelley, Natalie Monson, Dede Wilson, Maria and Josh Lichty, Jaden and Scott Hair, Cheri Loughlin, Kim Allen, Driscoll’s representatives

Driscoll’s strawberries in clamshell packaging. Driscoll’s introduced clamshell packaging to the marketplace in the early 1990’s.

When the Driscoll’s representative invited me on this tour I was psyched. I was already familiar with the product. Driscoll’s berries have occupied space in my fridge (and family’s bellies) for years. I could go on and on about the nutrient factor and how good Driscoll’s berries are for your health, but honestly I just know they taste good.

Driscoll’s blackberries are known as the “Cabernet of Berries” for their wine-like, earthy taste.

My favorite Driscoll’s berries by far are the blackberries. The blackberries I sampled while touring were incredibly juicy and HUGE! Definitely the Season’s Finest. I learned that berries should be Oslo Iced Tea Fresh Blackberry Cocktail stored optimally at 32 degrees to preserve freshness. But berries should be eaten at room temperature for optimum flavor.

I’ll be honest, I also love fresh blackberries ice cold, muddled and served liquid… as in fresh blackberry cocktails like Take Me to the Tropics Sangria, Berrily a Mojito and Oslo Iced Tea.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 113

Driscoll’s strives to grow the most amazing and sensory delightful berries an individual could possibly desire. Their commitment to consumer delight begins in a germ-free lab where technicians meticulously handle precious tiny seedlings with tweezers.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

Seedlings move to nurseries. Once these plants are ready, they are prepared for planting to other facilities.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

Driscoll's Berry Tour 138

The strawberry fields’ tour was spectacular with beautiful mountains in the distance.

Driscoll's Berry Tour 087

And yes, strawberries straight from the vine are indeed delicious! You can get that same picked-from-the-vine taste right at home. Remember, Driscoll’s berries are picked, packed and shipped while handling the berries one time only. Cold chain management is the key to preserving the integrity of their fruit.

About that cocktail I promised you…

Strawberry Fields Forever Cocktail 230

Strawberry Fields Forever – created by Cheri Loughlin

7 Fresh Driscoll’s Strawberries Strawberry Fields Forever Cocktail 254

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1-1/2 ounce Gin

3/4 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 ounce Club Soda

Sugar & Lemon Slice

Fresh Strawberry Garnish

Swirl lemon slice around lip of rocks glass. Roll lip of glass in sugar. Refrigerate glass until use. Muddle strawberries in bottom of cocktail shaker. Add lemon juice, gin, liqueur and simple syrup with ice. Shake vigorously to blend. Strain into sugar rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with fresh strawberry.

Strawberry Fields Forever tastes fresh, delicately sweet with hint of lemonade freshness with the slightest suggestion of tart.

FTC disclosure: This learning opportunity was paid for in full by Driscoll’s, but all post content, photography, commentary and opinion is completely mine.

Special thank you to Driscoll’s for inviting me along on this amazing journey. Follow Driscoll’s on Facebook and Twitter @driscollsberry.

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Cocktails, Driscoll's Berry

Tagged Blackberries, Club Soda, Driscoll's, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Berry Cocktail, Fresh Lemon, Gin, Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Simple Syrup, St-Germain, Strawberries, Sugar

Review: EPIC Peach Vodka

Posted on March 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

Epic Peach Vodka 047 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

70 Proof / 35% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $12.99 / 750ml

Availability: Epic began shipping to approximately 30 US states in February with the goal to become nationwide as the year progresses.

EPIC Vodka is available is Classic and will be available in Whipped Cream, Kiwi Strawberry, Cherry, Cake and Coconut flavors at 70 proof / 35% alcohol. More flavors projected at a later date.

EPIC Peach Vodka Tasting Notes

Color: Clear Epic Classic - Peach Vodka 045 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Aroma: Peach for sure. Sweet succulent peach. Not sugary peach, but juicy peach. No burn.

Tasted Neat: Sweet! Not as sweet as liqueurs, but was definitely surprised at the sweetness in this 35% alcohol flavored vodka. Some flavored vodkas of this same alcohol content are not nearly as sweet. Peach flavor is very good. Ripe peach. Some burn. Slight artificial flavor in the aftertaste, but nice juice peach in the initial taste.

Mouth Feel: Medium. Bit thinner than the EPIC Classic, but still rolls over the tongue rather nicely.

Epic Peach - Stoli Peachik Comparison 056 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Comparable Spirit: Compared this to Stoli Peachik which contains peach flavor and is the same 35% alcohol content. EPIC Peach is much sweeter with more peach flavor and less burn.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: I see fresh spring cocktails in my future. Variations on Fuzzy Navels for sure. Simple Peach Vodka and Sprite (Zero if watching the girlish figure) or Soda would be a breeze.

EPIC Vodka has a few recommendations as well…

EPIC Cosmo

1-1/2 ounce EPIC Peach

3 ounces Cranberry Juice

Splash Peach Schnapps

1 teaspoon Lime Juice

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Though they didn’t call for it, I think a fresh or even frozen peach slice would make a wonderful garnish!

EPIC Georgian

2 ounces EPIC Peach Vodka Mango Peach Margarita 3 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

1/2 ounce Lime Juice

1/2 ounce Orange Juice

1/2 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. Oh, my! I can totally see this one blended into a frozen poolside sipper, can’t you?! Throw in some frozen peaches and whirl away!

Review sample courtesy representatives of representatives of EPIC Vodka & Sazerac – @EPICVodka on Twitter – EPICVodka on Facebook

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Cocktails, Frozen, Spirits

Tagged Cosmo, Cranberry Juice, Elderflower Liqueur, EPIC Peach Vodka, Fresh Lime, Orange Juice, Peach Schnapps, Peach Vodka, St-Germain, Stoli Peachik

St. Zipaine

Posted on May 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Champagne might be the first bubbly that comes to mind when one thinks of celebration cocktails, but sparkling sake mingles and tingles its way through cocktail culture with a burst of bubbly excitement. Its versatility is apparent as it is excellent sipped straight from the bottle, lovely fluted and incorporates beautifully in mixed cocktails.

St. Zipaine

2 parts Zipang Sparkling Sake

1/2 parts St-Germain

2 parts Club Soda

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place chilled St-Germain in champagne flute. Top with club soda and sparkling sake. Garnish with lemon twist.

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.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Champagne & Bubbly

Tagged Club Soda, Elderflower Liqueur, Sparkling Sake, St-Germain, St. Zipaine, Zipang Sparkling Sake

Night of Passion Cocktails

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Every holiday serves a purpose. Many daily holidays are wink and nod as ‘reason’ to indulge in specific spirited choices served as straight pour or swirled in a cocktail glass. Other holidays tipple at the senses as occasions for gift giving times such as birthdays and Christmas. There are others still that cause great division of thought as to whether the holiday serves the world of commerce or the passion of the people. Valentine’s Day is one such holiday.

The cynical view of this puffy red hearted holiday is love is completely lost in the commercial gift swapping event for underlying motives of what men and women really want. Valentine’s Day isn’t about jewelry, chocolates, flowers or cocktails for that matter. When all is said and done, Valentine’s Day comes down to the love and sex factor.

Passionate Pussy

1 measure Alize Gold Passion Liqueur

1/2 measure Cinnamon Schnapps

Dash Tabasco Sauce

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into shot glass or serve in small rocks glass over ice for slow, simmering sip.

Naïve Negligee

1 measure Citrus Vodka

1/2 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1 measure Pink Lemonade

2 measures Brut Champagne

Lemon Twist Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add vodka, liqueur and lemonade. Stir. Top with champagne. Stir. Garnish with lemon twist.

Doggy Style

1 measure Coconut Rum

1 measure Raspberry Vodka

2-1/2 measures Tonic Water

Lemon Slice Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add rum and vodka. Top with tonic water. Stir. Garnish with lemon slice.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2011 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Valentine's & Lover's Cocktails

Tagged Alize Passion Liqueur, Champagne, Cinnamon Schnapps, Citrus Vodka, Coconut Rum, Elderflower Liqueur, Raspberry Vodka, Valentine's Day

Manhattan Nights Holiday Cocktails

Posted on November 7, 2011 | 2 Comments

The Manhattan Nights B&B cocktails created by master mixologist, Gary Regan, are sure to delight and please the senses. These bold creations go beyond the average and venture into the extraordinary. Such is to be expected when one combines Benedictine and Brandy with celebrated Ardent Spirit, Gary Regan. Each are truly unique “spirits”.

Botanical Breeze - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin B&B liqueur is an audacious combination of Benedictine liqueur and fine French cognac. Invented at New York’s “21 Club” in the 1930’s, it is the first mixed drink ever bottled and sold in the United States. B&B is excellent as an after dinner cocktail and also pairs exceptionally well with desserts as can be seen with the recently launched “Manhattan Nights” program which also includes New York pastry chef Martin Howard.

The following cocktails created by Gary Regan correspond to the desserts from the “Manhattan Nights” project. Never shying away from a creative challenge, Gary infuses his cocktails with tequila, bourbon, absinthe, Scotch, ginger and elderflower liqueurs. Each cocktail imparts a creative flair that is as unique as B&B with the style that is ardently Gary Regan.

Belle of the Ball

1-1/2 measures Bourbon

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/2 measure Peach Schnapps

1/2 measure Lemon Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Garnish with lemon twist.

Bohemian Breeze

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

2 measures Sweet Vermouth

3 measures Lemon Lime Soda

2 dashes Classic Bitters

Orange Twist Garnish

Place all liquids in ice filled cognac snifter. Stir. Garnish with orange twist.

Bandit’s Bliss

2 measures Dry Vermouth

1/2 measure Cognac

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

Orange Twist Garnish

Place liquids in ice filled wine goblet. Stir. Garnish with orange twist.

Bewildered Beauty

1-1/2 measure Dark Rum

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

6 fresh Raspberries

2 Tablespoons Coco Lopez

1/2 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into wine goblet.

Beauteous Bette

1 measure Reposado Tequila

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/4 measure Ginger Liqueur

Champagne

3 fresh Blueberries Garnish

Place tequila, B&B and ginger liqueur in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into chilled champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with skewered blueberries.

Botanical Breeze

1-1/2 measure Gin

1/2 measure B&B Liqueur

1/2 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 measure Lime Juice

Kiwi Slice Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled champagne coupe. Garnish with kiwi slice.

Babbling Brook

1-1/2 measure Scotch

3/4 measure B&B Liqueur

1/4 measure Absinthe

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Stir. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

These cocktails make great additions to your home entertaining this holiday season. The look is elegant, the taste fresh and cutting edge and sure to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Christmas Cocktails, Cocktails

Tagged Absinthe, B&B Liqueur, Blueberries, Bourbon, Champagne, Classic Bitters, Coconut Cream, Cognac, Dry Vermouth, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Gary Regan, Gin, Ginger Liqueur, Holiday, Ice Cream, Lemon Lime Soda, Peach Schnapps, Raspberries, Rum, Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, Tequila

Review: Dragon Bleu Flavored Vodkas

Posted on October 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Dragon Bleu White Ginger Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural ginger and agave syrup

40% Alcohol – 80 proof

Color: Misty white. Cloudy like fresh lemonade without the pulp.

Aroma: Faintest dab of ginger. Some sweetness. Citrus such as lemon zest.

Taste: Beautiful lilting soft ginger flavor. Tinge of sweetness, but definitely not sugary like liqueurs. Perhaps there is just enough gentle sweetness to tame some of the bite ginger can sometimes leave on the tongue.

Misty Eyed – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Dragon Bleu White Ginger

1/4 measure Elderflower Liqueur

1/2 measure Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

1-1/2 measure Club Soda

Lemon Wedge Garnish

Combine liquids except club soda in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda. Stir. Garnish with lemon wedge.

Refreshing with light sweetness mingling softly with brush of ginger.

Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural rose and agave nectar

40% Alcohol – 80 Proof

Color: Crystal clear.

Aroma: Barely there hint of rose. Slight perfume. More traditional vodka aroma.

Taste: Definite rose especially in the after taste. Much sweeter than expected, but still not to the degree of liqueur.

I’ll be completely honest and say I am not a fan of roses, rose scent and especially not a fan of rose water or rose flavored cocktails. However, cocktail culture ventures more and more toward varied cocktails utilizing botanicals / floral flavors. The addition of rose in cocktails is quite popular.

Crème Yvette immediately comes to mind as wonderful addition to the Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom.

Bleu Rose – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 measure Dragon Bleu Rose Blossom

3/4 measure Crème Yvette

1/2 measure Fresh Lemon Juice

2 measures Brut Champagne

Combine liquids except champagne in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled coupe. Top with brut champagne.

Quite lovely. Champagne highlights the rose flavor while softening it at the same time. Color lends itself well to holiday parties and celebrations.

Dragon Bleu Penja Pepper Tasting Notes

Vodka infused with natural penja pepper and agave nectar.

40% Alcohol – 80 Proof

Color: Crystal clear

Aroma: Total traditional vodka aroma. No hint of pepper or sugar.

Taste: Sweetness followed by pepper such as mild black pepper. Quickly fades rather than scalding the tongue. Almost too much sweetness in comparison to the peppery spice. The sweet to pepper flavors are slightly in competition with one another. Although, the sweet to peppery flavor has me instantly craving salty thin potato chips. Lays potato chips to be precise… Lays potato chips… like a cocktail you can’t have just one.

Sentimental Dragon – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Dragon Bleu Penja Pepper

1/2 measure Velvet Falernum

3/4 measure Fresh Lime Juice

Dash of Classic Bitters

Sea Salt

Rim chilled cocktail glass with sea salt. Set aside. Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into prepared cocktail glass.

Salty. Sweet. Gentle heat. They all come together quite nicely.

Dragon Bleu Flavored Vodka samples for review provided by representatives of the brand. Join Dragon Bleu on Facebook and follow @DragonBleu on Twitter.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Champagne & Bubbly, Cocktails, Long Drinks, Spirits

Tagged Champagne, Classic Bitters, Club Soda, Creme Yvette, Dragon Bleu Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Ginger Vodka, Pepper Vodka, Premium Orange Liqueur, Rose Vodka, Velvet Falernum, Vodka

Review: Absolut Brooklyn

Posted on October 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

The latest Absolut ‘Cities’ launch brings new flair to the Absolut bottle style with depiction of the omnipresent Brooklyn Stoop. The bottle, designed by Spike Lee, embraces the foundation of the Brooklyn community with vibrant color. Look closely to find clever mentions of Brooklyn within the stoop itself. But most notable, the Lars Olsson Smith seal has been altered for the first time ever. This limited edition Cities offering seal portrays Lars wearing a baseball cap and glasses reminiscent of Spike Lee.

Absolut Brooklyn Tasting

Aroma: Fresh cut apples; juicy. No alcohol burn. Barely there hint of spice. Simple lusciousness indicating sweetness to the tiniest degree.

Taste: The ginger lies in wait beneath the aroma showing through as primary, glowing forth with subtle spicy charm. Apple softens from the aroma of red juicy to fresh baked with hints of peel bringing a bit of depth to the fruit flavor. Lots of spicy play with overlay of cinnamon and sprinkling of pie crust.

This takes me a little off guard, a bit surprising. Not entirely an apple fan when it comes to cocktail and juice flavorings, I am quite taken by the appeal of this offering. Though it seems a bit off season as to its spring to summer delivery since the spirit comes across more warming, Absolut Brooklyn delivers well on the palate. This will definitely make bobbing for apples quite the treat at the next Halloween party when the season rolls around.

Spiked Core – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 measures Absolut Brooklyn

1/2 measure St-Germain Liqueur

1/4 measure Benedictine

1 measure White Cranberry Juice

1 measure Ginger Ale

Crystallized Ginger Round Garnish

Fill highball glass with ice. Add liquids in order given. Stir. Garnish with crystallized ginger round inserted directly in drink.

This drink builds upon the core flavors of apple and spice by gently enhancing the fruited sweetness of apple with St-Germain and building upon the spicy overlay with Benedictine. Choose to stop building the drink with the first three ingredients and a lovely warming cocktail emerges for fall to winter sipping. Shake it over ice and strain into a martini glass. Continue with all the ingredients over ice for a light and delicious apple inspired drink for summertime sipping.

This newest ‘Cities’ inspired offering honors and supports the Brooklyn community with Absolut Vodka donating $50,000 from profits from the sale of Absolut Brooklyn to Habitat for Humanity New York City.

Absolut Brooklyn sample for review courtesy representatives of the brand.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Long Drinks, Spirits

Tagged Absolut Brooklyn, Absolut Vodka, Benedictine, Cranberry Juice, Elderflower Liqueur, Ginger Ale, St-Germain, Vodka

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.