Seattle Cider Basil Mint Hard Cider

I'm always excited when I stumble upon a new hard cider and was happy to come across this one. The name sounded great, Seattle Cider Basil Mint Hard Cider, especially since I love basil and mint together and thought the flavors would pair well with apple. Unfortunately, I didn't seem to taste either named ingredient and found the cider to be just a little bit on the funky side. The aroma was not enticing and the flavor was a bit flat. This was a miss for me and I would not purchase again. Seattle Cider makes others that are much better, so I will stick to those.

Cherry-Limeade Sangria

This is the perfect drink for a hot summer evening or day, which ever you prefer. I served this with ribs and pulled pork and it went over well. The original recipe comes from www.recipegirl.com and I thought it needed some added sweetness, so that is where the simple syrup comes in. I would probably add some more cherry juice too, maybe another 1/2 cup or more. Give it a taste and do what tastes best for you. This will make about 20 servings and can be easily cut in half.

Cherry-Limeade Sangria

2 750ml bottles Sauvignon Blanc, chilled
4 cups prepared limeade, chilled
2 cups bottled cherry juice, chilled
1 1/2 cups vodka
1/2 cup simple syrup
3 medium limes, thinly sliced
3 handfuls of fresh cherries, pitted and halved
1 1-liter bottle club soda, chilled

In a large beverage dispenser or punch bowl, combine all ingredients except club soda several hours or overnight. Add club soda just before serving. Scoop fruit into wine glasses, add ice and sangria. 

Peppermint Martini

This recipe was featured in the KC Star a few weeks back. The recipe comes from Mike Catlin of My Martini in Arlington TX. It sounded like the perfect recipe to serve for Christmas, so after going to 3 different stores to find the 3 liquors that go in to it, I finally had the ingredients. I then almost forgot to serve them. So after mixing them and serving them, my family and I decided that they were kind of gross. So this recipe is posted as one of those that you should not try.

Peppermint Martini

10 oz. pepper vodka (yes, that is pepper. Absolute has one)
4 oz. white creme de menthe
1 oz. peppermint schnapps
Ice
Mini candy canes for garnish

In a tall martini pitcher, mix liquors with ice.
Strain into frosty glasses, garnish and serve.