Mixers & Fixers – Part VII
By Count Blogula on Mar 16 Filed In Austin, Texas, Cocktail Recipes, Food & Beverage, Organic, Uncategorized Add a Comment
I seem to have lost my phone number. Can I have yours?
St. Patrick’s Day is a magical time for those of us who like to indulge in fermented delights. A quick side note, always use a standard three-leaf clover (a.k.a. shamrock) for the holiday. St. Patrick used the three leaves to talk about the Trinity, which is all about three becoming one. None of this lucky four-leaf business – that’s a pet peeve of mine. As I was saying, it’s a drinker’s holiday, and that means it’s time for me to drop some new recipe knowledge on you. So, here’s how to make a St. Patty’s Shandy:
1 part Sweet Leaf Original Lemonade
1 part wheat beer or hefeweizen
2 drops of green food coloring
(optional)
garnish with a thick wedge of lemon and a shamrock
Nothing says “Top of the mornin’ to ye!” like a swig of green alcohol, and this recipe is so easy an Irishman could mix it. (Just kidding, folks. I’m not trying to instigate a donnybrook.)
Send me your recipe. I’ll post them here, and I’ll add them to our website.
-Craig
Mixers & Fixers – Part VI
By Count Blogula on Feb 23 Filed In Cocktail Recipes, Food & Beverage, Uncategorized Add a Comment
You must be tired, because you’ve been running through my mind all day long…
This one comes to us from a fan named April Green. Thanks a million! If she’s anything like me, she’s had just about enough of this nasty, cold, winter weather. Maybe that’s why she sent me her take on one of my favorite summertime drinks. Here’s the how-to for April’s Mint Julep:
2 parts Mint & Honey Green Tea
1 part Maker’s Mark
Simple enough. You may want to throw a sprig of mint into the mix just for presentation. You could even add some muddled mint leaves into the drink if you want to go the extra mile, but don’t go crazy – the tea is pretty minty to begin with. Of course if you’re in a hurry to get to thee rocking chair on the warm and sunny porch in your day-dreaming mind, then you should probably just stick to April’s version.
Send me your recipe. This one is proof that I’ll post them here, and that I’ll add them to our website.
Cheers,
-Craig
Mixers & Fixers – Part IV
By Count Blogula on Dec 18 Filed In Austin, Texas, Cocktail Recipes, Food & Beverage, Uncategorized, Vacation 2 Comments
Oh look! We’re standing under the mistletoe. How did that happen?
The holidays are here. We’ve got a funny way of changing our consumption habits during this time of year – something I don’t completely understand. It’s not just a weather thing either. Have you ever caught somebody drinking eggnog or baking a fruitcake in February? In any case, we’ve created some holiday specialties.
“The Snowplow”
2 parts Mango Green Tea
1 part Vodka
Pour into sugar-rimmed glass
Stir with sugar cane stick
“Naughty & Nice”
2 parts Half & Half Lemonade Tea
1 part Vodka
Add muddled strawberries
Garnish with strawberry slice
“The Nutcracker”
2 parts Pomegranate Green Tea
1 part Vodka
Garnish with sugared lime
“Sugar & Spice”
2 parts Mint & Honey Green Tea
1 part Vodka
Stir with peppermint candy cane
Invite your friends and family over to wet their whistles. Even your crazy uncle. It’s the holidays, after all, and the family that drinks together stays together.
Send me your drink ideas. I’ll try ‘em. If it’s any good, I’ll blog about it and put it on our website.
Ho ho ho,
-Craig
Mixers & Fixers – Part III
By Count Blogula on Nov 27 Filed In Austin, Texas, Cocktail Recipes, Food & Beverage, Organic, Uncategorized Add a Comment
Your friend over there thought you could use some company. Mind if I join you?
It’s Black Friday, people. If you haven’t already hit the mall, chances are you or someone you know will be braving the crowded masses for a chance at deep retail discounts. Me? I don’t subscribe to the super-sale mentality. Too much pushing, shoving, and hackneyed secular holiday muzak. But to each his or her own. For those of you taking part in this proud capitalist ritual (and some like me who are not), you’re probably going to want to take a load off tonight.
This one is my personal favorite. My good friend Colby introduced me to this a couple years ago, and it’s been “my drink” ever since. It’s known as “The Ori-GIN-al,” the “Bi-Partisan,” and at my favorite watering hole, it’s sometimes called “The Craig Special”:
1 part gin
1 part Original Sweet Leaf Tea
Mix with ice in shaker, do not strain.
Serve with a lemon wedge.
Shaking it up with ice is key, because melted water will cut the otherwise strong drink. Also, give a few different brands a chance. I’ve found that the quality of gin changes the flavor dramatically. I actually prefer some of the cheaper brands for this mix. If you’re not a gin drinker, I really suggest you try this before you make up your mind. I didn’t like gin until I got hooked on this.
Send me your drink ideas. Do it. I’ll post them here and on our website.
Cheers,
-Craig
Mixers & Fixers – Part I
By Count Blogula on Sep 3 Filed In Austin, Texas, Cocktail Recipes, Food & Beverage, Organic, Uncategorized 3 Comments
Hi there. Haven’t seen you around… do you come here often? Really? Me too. I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other before.
This is my first in a weekly series of adult-beverage recipes. We’ve made our fair share here, and I feel like it’s time to show the world a whole new way to enjoy Sweet Leaf Tea. So if you’re ready to enjoy some delicious alco-treats (responsibly) then stay tuned.
Today’s drink is a staple for the Sweet Leaf family. We’ve got a long-standing (long-stumbling?) relationship with the wonderful people at Tito’s Handmade Vodka, also based here in Austin. Here’s how to make a “Tito’s Sweet-o”:
2 parts Mint & Honey Sweet Leaf Tea
1 part Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Pretty simple, right? You’ll inevitably find the right proportions for you – I like mine a bit stronger. It’s hard to mess up a drink made with two perfect ingredients. If you’re into presentation, I suggest garnishing with a sprig of mint or a lemon wedge. Serve it over ice (of course). It’s got to be Tito’s and it’s got to be Mint & Honey if you want to try a true “Tito’s Sweet-o,” but it’s no surprise that we’ve mixed other flavors and Tito’s with great results.
More to come…
If you fancy yourself a mixologist, feel free to share your concoctions with me. I promise to try as many recipes as I can, and if they’re delicious, I’ll post it on the blog and on our website. So, what kind of Sweet Leaf drinks do you mix up?
Cheers,
-Craig
