The Crazy Craze That Is Kombucha

image via here and here

correctly pronounced KOM-BOO-CHA, this fizzy tea has been around for centuries, originating in Asia. widely know in ancient times for it's healing properties, it's an old remedy that is making it's way into modern living as the hot new craze with shops like Pekoe Kombucha Bar  or the Alchemy Pickle Company (who also sells some other amazing fermented goodies) popping up. kombucha can be found in many health food stores now (like Whole Foods) and in a variety of flavours! my favourite currently is from Alchemy Pickle Company called the Green Tea Grape! revered for the fermentation process which activates the healthy bacteria called "SCOBY", this tea packs one heck of a healthy probiotic punch that really does wonders for your body. because sometimes our lifestyle and food choices aren't perfect, many of us don't have enough healthy bacteria in our guts, so the addition of a probiotic through a yogurt or something like Kombucha, takes us one step closer to getting our bodies back on the healthy track. in saying this, i should mentioned that if you know you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant/breastfeeding, or have an illness, you should check with your doctor or naturopath before drinking any kombucha, to be safe.

there are a ton of reasons why kombucha is good for you, but here are a few highlights: 

• the bacteria/probiotics help strengthen your immune system 
• aids in healthy digestive function
• loaded with good vitamins and enzymes
• overall energy booster
• helps to detox the body and
• it also is suppose to help relive PMS (i can't wait to see if it does!).

so, when i do drink this and how much? for me, my morning routine consists of getting up, having a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice to help balance the Ph level in my body, followed by a 4 ounce glass of Kombucha before i hit the gym. this makes me feel like i've set-up my body for success for the entire day! 

Cocktail Hour - Moscow Mule

i don't know why, but for some reason i always thought a Moscow Mule cocktail was made with milk or cream. perhaps it's because when i hear the word Moscow i think, Russia, cold, lots of white snow and furry parkas. but the other night i tried my first Moscow Mule (after an exceptionally rough day i have to say) and low and behold it wasn't creamy or milky at all. in fact, it was very refreshing and delightfully tart! 

i'm hooked. this is now my new cocktail delight while the days are still a little sunny in the evenings and relatively warm. it's the perfect post work pre-dinner light sipper. this weekend try making your own version and let me know what you think!

ingredients

• 1 oz Vodka
• juice from half a lime
• 1/2 oz organic pomegranate juice (you try other juices to play around with flavours)
• 1/ginger beer
• crushed ice

add the crushed ice to your glass, and follow by adding all the ingredients in the order listed above. Give everything a gentle stir and then add some mint or a lime wedge as a garnish.

St. Patrick's Day

images via, here, here, here, here and here,

cheers & green beers to a happy St. Patrick's day! hope the luck of the Irish finds you all. these are a few of my favourite ways to celebrate this pub finding, friend filled day! xoxox

Cocktail Hour - The Rummy

This recipe is from a very old passed down cocktail book called,  The Standard Cocktail Guide: A manual of mixed drinks for the American host,  by Crosby Gaige. I haven't been one to try a lot of straight liquor drinks, but this one really was delicious. Not overly tart, it is a perfect late evening sipper.

the how-to:

• 1/4 part Rum
• 1/4 part Dry Vermouth
• 1/4 part Lemon Juice
• 2 dashes Grenadine 

throw your ice into a shaker or container with a solid lid and a good seal. add all your other ingredients and give it a wild shake for about 30 seconds. pour through a strainer into the glass of your choice over ice. sip immediately.

Cocktail Hour - Old-Fashioned

the classics. often overlooked but never forgotten, these old school cocktails have been making a come back in recent years, and one of my bucket list goals is to learn to appreciate and master them. i have always wanted to have secretly good bartending skills and wall-to-wall shelves of retro glassware. recently I received an old copy of a  40's cocktail guidebook said in the intro to be "for the good wife" (insert laugh here), but it does have a ton of really key information on barware useage, brands and all the well-known famous recipes that have been around for decades. cocktails really are an art and sometimes the keep it simple stupid rule is the best. so you will have to bare with me as i learn my way through this guide, testing, tasting and ... more tasting.

when we think about the classics, the old-fashioned is one that often comes to mind. this sipper is perfect for pairing with a crackling fire and good book, or the up coming super bowl game. here is this week's spin on this delicious classic.

The What:

• 1 tumbler glass 
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 dashes of Campari (or a bitter)
• one slice of orange zest
• muddler
• 1 1/2 oz of whiskey
• 1 1/2 oz of tonic or soda water
• a slice of orange for decor

start by adding your sugar to the glass followed by your Campari (or bitter), then using your muddler mix and mash the sugar until it is more or less dissolved. next take your orange zest slice and place it in the glass and muddle that around. follow that by measuring the remaining ingredients and giving it all a quick stir. add your decorative orange slice and now sip and enjoy! 

for more cocktail recipes, click here!

Cocktail Hour - Double Berry Gin

images via oomph.

does this cocktail look pretty or what? sometimes you want to add a new spin on an old goodie and sometimes you add that spin with some fruit. this weekend, try pairing this pre- dinner sipper with a selection of savory shortbread cookies, like the Gorgonzola & Pistachio ones from the Coach House Shortbread Company. 

The What:

• 1 highball glass
• 1 oz gin
• muddler or fork
• 1/4 cup blackberries (a few extra for decor)
• cranberry juice
• tonic for topping up
• 1 bay leaf for visual appeal

throw your blackberries in the bottom of your highball glass and use your muddler or fork to crush the berries. next measure out and pour in all the ingredients listed above . then place a few extra blackberries on a skewer and top with a bay leaf. now sit back and enjoy!

for more fun recipes, click here!

Cocktail Hour - The Grapefruit Spritz

for as cute as this cocktail looks, i can tell you it tastes even better! this is the perfect sunny  afternoon girls date cocktail, or a pre-dinner sipper. there is nothing quite like a freshly squeezed citrus cocktail. all you have to do is measure out and pour in the ingredients below. then give it a quick swirl and start enjoying!

The What:

• 1 oz Campari
• juice from half a grapefruit (and a slice for the side)
• sprig of rosemary for decor and scent
• prosecco or champagne to top up the glass
• 1 oz simple syrup*

* for more a simple syrup recipe, click here! & for more fun recipes, click here!

The 12 Cocktails of Christmas

like me, i am sure that many of you are currently in the throws of bouncing between busy holiday parties and/or holiday hosting planning lists. well, to help make things easier, here are 12 fantastic Christmas cocktails to get everyone in the festive spirit, or at take the edge off any busy running around. heck, you could even taste test one a day until Christmas if you so desire! enjoy and happy holidays!

(from top left to bottom right)

                          1// Champagne Velvet                        2//Apple & Ginger Burbon

                          3// Spiced Eggnog                                4// Burnt Karamel
                          5// Simpleton                                         6// Triple Berry Moijtos
                          7// White Mulled Wine                       8// Candy Cane Cocktail
                          9// Cranberry Champagne Fizz     10// Boozy Hot Chocolate     
                        11// Baileys Chai Swizzle                    12// Calvados Maple Cocktail

Spiced Rum Cider

this is the perfect winter hot cocktail for those super blustery days. it is easy to make and something that you can also whip up sans booze, and in very large batches at very low costs (good for big gatherings). to me this hot cocktail always smells like the holiday season and creating it makes the whole house smell just perfect.

You will need:

• a medium sized pot
• 1 jug of apple cider
• 1 ounce of black spiced rum
• 1 apple
• 1 orange
• 8 cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• allspice

The How To:

dump the entire jug of apple cider in the pot. peel your apple and drop the peel into the pot. take your naked apple and place your cloves into the flesh all over, then drop that as well into the pot. next cut your orange into slices and place all of it in, along with 2 cinnamon sticks and a dash of all spice. then let the mixture come to a good simmer for about 15-20 mins. strain the liquid to remove all the cooked fruit and spices. warm your mugs in hot water under the tap and then add 1 ounce of black spiced rum (for anyone who hasn't tried the Kraken, I highly recommend it!). finally, garnish your cup with a cinnamon stick, which doubles as a festive straw adding extra flavour!

**Helpful Hint - If you find you have left over spiced cider, store it in a glass jug or mason jar in the fridge. then at a later date you can remove and reheat to enjoy!

Autumn Air

 

 There is no season I adore more than fall. The pumpkin smells, velvet scarves, the crisp air, the crunchy sounds and the deep red colours. More than anything this year,  I especially love being in my new house getting to enjoy the season with all the windows opened and the view of trees and sunsets that surrounds it. It's been a great first month of slowly planting some fall flower pots and the little knickknacks finds their place in the home. This past thanksgiving was outstanding and my belly has never been soooo full of turkey feasts, amazing wines and teeny weeny treats. There really is just so much to be thankful for right now. Hope everyone else is enjoying this time of year. Halloween (my favourite holiday!) is just around the corner. xoxox.

Vanilla Iced Tea

 

A perfect park lunch date recently with two lovely ladies stirred up an old love for homemade iced tea. Needed: big mixing bowl, 4-5 cups of hot water, 2 tbsp honey (I like local honey as it helps with my allergies), 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, 5-6 slices of peach (a few extra for serving), 2-3 tablespoons of loose leaf vanilla tea and a strainer.

How To: Grab a small pot and boil the cups of water until it is nice and hot. Then remove from heat and add your loose leaf tea stirring only gently once or twice. Let the tea steep for about 2-3 minutes, or depending on how strong you like the flavour. Take your bowl and either place or hold your strainer over top while pouring the pot of warm tea over straining out the loose leaf. While the water is warm stir in your honey. Next add your lemon juice and peach slices. Allow the mixture to cool on the counter for a little while. If you are making this last minute, you can add a few ice cubes to help it cool faster. Once it has cooled pour into a glass jar and store in the fridge. When ready, pull it out, pour over ice cubes in a glass and garnish with an extra peach slice.