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Margaritas

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The most basic version of a margarita consists of just three ingredients: tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Most soft margaritas end up being ridiculously sweet, so these recipes cut the sugar for more crisp freshness.

Version 1: Premium Original Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon agave syrup (recipe below) (or pure maple syrup)
  • 5 drops pickle juice (optional, to taste)
  • 3-4 oz tonic water (or sparkling water)
  • Lime wedge for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

Cut a notch in a lime wedge and run the lime around the rim of you glass. Dip the edge into a plate of flaky kosher salt or Tajin. Fill the glass with ice. Add the lemon and lime juice and the syrup. Stir until combined. Add the tonic water. Stir gently. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve immediately.

The quinine in the tonic water adds a slightly bitter flavor and effervescence, the fresh fruit juice adds a citrusy crispness, and the optional pickle juice adds just a touch of salty spice that mimics the alcohol that we’ve removed.

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Version 2: Cranberry Blossom Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 – 1 ounce agave nectar (to taste)
  • 1 ounce cranberry juice
  • 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, agave nectar, cranberry juice, and orange blossom water to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill the glass with ice. Strain the margarita into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired.

This margarita has a sweet and tangy flavor, with a hint of floral notes from the orange blossom water. The cranberry juice provides a touch of tartness, while the agave nectar adds a touch of sweetness. The salt rim and mint leaves complete the experience, making it a delightful mocktail that’s perfect for any occasion.

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Version 3: Hibiscus Margarita

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce hibiscus flower syrup
  • 1 ounce grapefruit juice
  • 1 teaspoon elderflower syrup
  • Salt for rimming the glass
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

Fill your shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, hibiscus flower syrup, grapefruit juice, and elderflower syrup to the shaker. Shake the ingredients until well combined. Wet the rim of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it in salt to rim the glass. Fill your glass with ice. Strain the mocktail margarita from the shaker into the glass. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wedge if desired

This margarita recipe adds a touch of floral flavor from the hibiscus flower syrup and the elderflower syrup, while the grapefruit juice provides a slightly bitter and tart flavor. The mint leaves add a fresh and herbal note to the drink, making it even more refreshing.

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la Manzana Astuta

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Our goal here was to combine a variety of flavors and ingredients working together to create a drink both delicious and visually appealing. The combination of apple and pomegranate juices, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup provides a balance of sweetness, tartness, and depth, while the spices add warmth and comfort. The sparkling water adds a touch of lightness and refreshment, making it the perfect drink for any occasion. We hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz freshly squeezed apple juice
  • 1 oz pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz sparkling water
  • 1 oz Earl Grey tea, cooled
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz honey syrup (recipe below)
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • Dash of ground nutmeg
  • Dash of ground clove
  • Apple slice or lemon wedge, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in the apple juice, pomegranate juice, sparkling water, Earl Grey tea, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Add dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Stir well. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spices as needed. Stir again, garnish with an apple slice or lemon wedge, and serve immediately.

The apple and pomegranate juices provide sweetness and tartness, while the Earl Grey tea and lemon juice add depth and complexity. The honey syrup balances out the flavors and the spices give it a warm and comforting taste. The sparkling water gives it a light and refreshing touch.

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the Kisses of Gnomes

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For these shots, we were inspired by the traditional flavors of chai tea. We wanted to create a shot that was both somewhat familiar and exciting, with a well-balanced flavor profile that would appeal to a wide range of tastes. Finally, the different layers of flavor and texture in the shot make it both visually appealing and delicious to drink, making it a great choice for your celebrations.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. chai tea concentrate
  • 1 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. vanilla syrup (recipe below)
  • 1 oz. almond milk
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Star anise

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of the chai tea concentrate and pomegranate juice, creating two separate layers. Carefully pour the vanilla syrup on top of the pomegranate juice, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Slowly pour the almond milk on top of the vanilla syrup, creating a swirl effect. Sprinkle a generous amount of cinnamon powder on top of each shot. Place a star anise on top of each shot for added color and aroma (for looks and scent–do not eat star anise whole).

This shot combines the warm and spicy flavor of chai tea with the tart and sweet flavor of pomegranate juice. The vanilla syrup adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess, while the almond milk provides a smooth and nutty flavor that balances the spiciness of the chai tea. The cinnamon powder adds a touch of warmth and depth to the shot, while the star anise adds a touch of flare and aroma that complements the other flavors.

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Grapefruit Groove

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This cocktail is inspired by the classic gin and tonic, a popular cocktail that is typically made with gin, tonic water, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 2 oz club soda (or tonic water)
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz mint syrup (recipe below)
  • A pinch of ground cardamom
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, mint syrup, and cardamom to the shaker. Shake well to mix. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice, and top with club soda. Stir gently and serve.

The grapefruit juice in this cocktail provides a similar tart, citrusy flavor as the gin in a gin and tonic, while the club soda adds a light, effervescent quality similar to the tonic water. The lime juice, mint syrup, and cardamom all contribute their own unique flavors and complexities to the drink, making it a well-balanced, delicious non-alcoholic cocktail that has its own distinct character and flavor profile.

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the Frat Brother’s Kitten

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Fraternity Bros’ Kittens are a great choice for a celebration, especially for those who are looking for a soft alternative to traditional shots. These shots not only look fun and festive, they have a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz raspberry syrup
  • 1 oz blue curaçao syrup
  • 1 oz lemon-lime soda
  • Whipped cream
  • Rainbow sprinkles
  • Maraschino cherries

Instructions:

Fill two shot glasses with equal portions of orange juice, raspberry syrup, and blue curaçao syrup, creating three separate layers. Carefully pour the lemon-lime soda on top of the blue curaçao syrup, being careful not to disturb the other layers. Spoon a dollop of whipped cream on top of each shot and sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles. Place a maraschino cherry on top of the whipped cream for garnish.

The raspberry syrup provides a sweet, fruity flavor, while the blue curaçao syrup adds a touch of sweetness and a bright blue color. The lemon-lime soda adds a fizz and a tartness that complements the other flavors. The whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles make it a playful and fun addition to any celebration. The maraschino cherry on top adds a pop of sweetness and a classic touch to the shot.

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Espresso Tonic

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This one is a little bit out there, but the flavors work well together! Coffee and the bitterness of the grapefruit result in a satisfying–refreshing even–cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz pure maple syrup (or vanilla syrup or honey)
  • 1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 shot of your favorite espresso
  • 2 oz tonic water (preferably Fever Tree)
  • Grapefruit twist for garnish
  • Ice

Instructions:

Fill your shaker with ice, and add all the ingredients except the garnish and tonic water. Cover and shake well. Fill your highball glass with ice. Double strain the cocktail over the ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with your grapefruit twist.

The combination of coffee and grapefruit is a unique and interesting pairing. The bitterness of grapefruit provides a nice balance to the sweetness of the syrup, and the addition of lemon juice adds a pleasant tartness to the drink. Overall, this recipe results in a refreshing and satisfying drink for those who enjoy bitter flavors and a unique combination of ingredients. It’s worth trying if you’re looking for something new and intriguing to try.

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