Ger-Nis INTERNATIONAL, LLC

Herbs and Cocktails: Add Dazzle to Your Drink!

Seasonal organic produce, grass fed beef, free range chicken and going green; these seem to be the “hot topics” in the culinary world, and they are changing the way we eat, drink and even how we entertain and are entertained. At bars and restaurants all over the world we are seeing a menu revolution that is trickling down into our homes. Through culinary education resources that range from the Internet, our grocery stores, television shows and food networks, neighborhood culinary programs, gourmet magazines and top chef books, we are bombarded with information on how to use natural ingredients in our everyday lives.

This winter as we entertain we want to incorporate natural ingredients into the frenzy of holiday parties, Sunday brunches, dinner parties, happy hours with friends, and all of the other entertainment we will enjoy along with simply entertaining ourselves and our own families. Our suggestion for extra holiday dazzle is herbs and cocktails. Whether your cocktails are alcoholic, non-alcoholic or a combination of both, we have the ideas and the recipes to “dazzle with drinks!”

Warm and Cozy Dinner Parties

Having a few friends over for a lovely, cozy dinner and need a few dazzling drink ideas to go with your menu? Try the following drink ideas and their inspired menu pairings.

Blood Orange Thyme Margarita (makes 4 margaritas)-Paired with a delicious Latino menu, this drink is a go-getter from the appetizers all the way through to the desert. Mix 6-8 oz tequila, two oz orange liquor (Triple Sec or any high end brand is fine), the juice of two blood oranges, the juice of two limes, one tablespoon of thyme leaves, and a pinch of salt in a shaker. Shake well and strain into lowball glasses that have been rimmed with salt and fresh thyme. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with a slice of blood orange.

Maple Sage Manhattan (makes 4 manhattans)-Paired with any steak meal this dressy drink is the perfect start to a simple yet sophisticated dinner party. Swirl together eight oz bourbon or whiskey, two oz sweet vermouth, 2-3 dashes of bitters, ¼ cup chopped sage, ¼ cup maple syrup. Add shaved ice, strain into martini glasses and garnish with a sage leaf and a maraschino cherry in each glass.

Holiday Get-Togethers

Whether with friends or family we want holiday get-togethers to be special, memorable and dazzling. Fresh herbs and cocktails are an excellent way to dazzle holiday after holiday!

Cranberry Pear Thyme Champagne Cocktails (Makes 4 cocktails)-Paired with a special meal like Cornish game hens and baked with citrus and herbs, these dazzling holiday cocktails set the scene for the evening. In a shaker, mix 4 oz pear vodka, 1 oz cranberry thyme syrup (see “Hot Herb Trends” for recipe), 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and five crushed fresh cranberries. Fill shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Pour champagne in four glasses so that they are ¾ full, strain the pear vodka mixture into the glasses, garnish drinks with a floating fresh cranberry, and a few leaves should fit through the strainer as well.

Rosemary Crantini-(makes 4 crantinis)-These crantinis are perfect for a sophisticated and simple evening alongside Ginger Apple Crusted Pork Loin as the main course. In a shaker, mix 8 oz vodka, 1 tsp crushed fresh cranberries, and 2 oz rosemary syrup (see “Hot Herb Trends” section for recipe). Shake well and strain into four martini glasses. Serve garnished with sugared rosemary skewers and a cranberry. (See “Hot Herb Trends” section for recipe.)

Sunday Brunch

The problem with brunch is that it sometimes becomes “just brunch.” We like to shake it up and create a dazzling ride for our guests by getting them excited about the drinks. When we dazzle them from the start the rest of the meal is smooth and exciting, and it is not ever just another brunch.

Tarragon Persimmon Bellini-(makes 4 bellinis)-Make a Sunday brunch a little bit more spectacular with these herbed up bellinis that go magnificently with eggs Florentine. In a blender, blend half of a ripe persimmon, 1 T chopped fresh tarragon, and ¼ c of sugar. Blend until smooth and mixed well. For each glass of champagne stir in 1 tsp persimmon tarragon mix and mix well.

Mixed Herb Bloody Marys (makes 1 qrt bloody mary mix)-Heartier fare is needed for this drink so a brunch of steak and eggs is the perfect dazzler for any Sunday morning. Blend 1 qrt tomato juice with ¼ c of each of the following herbs: cilantro, chives, tarragon, parsely, and lovage. Add ¼ c fresh grated horseradish juice and the zests of one lime and one lemon, salt, pepper and a dash of citrus champagne vinegar. Blend well. Drink as is or for each drink add 2 oz vodka and garnish with a few chive sprigs and a section of lime.

Happy Hour with Friends

Muddled Minted Cucumber Gin (makes 4 drinks)-These drinks are cool and refreshing and are great paired with sushi type appetizers for any happy hour occasion. Muddle ¼ c of chopped fresh mint with ¼ cup of chopped cucumber, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Mash very well and add 8 oz gin and shake with ice. Strain served over shaved ice in lowball glasses. Garnish with a cucumber slice or sprig of mint.

Tarragon Beetini (makes 4 drinks)- The beetini is a super funky and unusual drink for a super funky crowd. It is best served at something like a crazy crostini happy hour party. Bake (wrapped separately in aluminum foil) one red beet and one yellow beet, then peel and chop into chunks. Pour half of one large bottle of vodka into a container and the other half in a separate container. Place the yellow beets in one half and the red beets in the other half, and ¼ cup chopped tarragon in each, and soak for two days until the deep color of the beet shows through. Strain and throw away the soaked beets and tarragons. Mix 6 oz of either red or yellow beet vodka in a shaker with the juices and zests of one lime and one orange, 1 oz tarragon syrup (see “Hot Herb Trends” section for recipe), then shake and strain into martini glasses. (Martini glasses can be served with sugared rims for a sweeter drink experience)

Simply Entertain Yourself

Even at home by ourselves or with our loved ones, we deserve to be dazzled by our drinks. Here are a couple of simple ideas to make any moment in your evening a dazzling moment.

Hot Cranberry Bay Cider (makes 2 drinks)-We pair this drink with a good book. On the stove, pour three cups of apple cider into a pan. Add ¼ c fresh cranberries, 5-6 fresh bay leaves, one cinnamon stick, a few cloves and a pinch of nutmeg. Cook on a light boil for about five minutes, strain and serve. No garnish, no fuss!

Citrus Basil Cocktail (makes 2 drinks)-This cocktail is an invigorating drink that will both dazzle and refresh the drinker. It takes advantage of winter and the exorbitant amount of seasonal citrus fruits available during this season. The cocktail is best paired with a sitcom. Juice one orange, one tangerine, one grapefruit, one lemon, one lime, and 1-2 tangerines. Place the juice in a shaker with 2 T chopped basil, the zest of one lime, and add 4 0z vodka. Shake and serve!

As we become more aware of our ingredients, and as we have more access to learning how to use them, it becomes easier to be daring. When you are daring you can dazzle without having to make it challenging or difficult. Go ahead and dare to dazzle this winter season!