How We Determined the Best Trader Joe’s Wines

There are many stellar affordable options, but there are even more online articles attempting to parse them all out. To create one definitive ranking of the best wines at Trader Joe’s, I cross-referenced tons of online lists and narrowed down the top wines that were singled out most often. I brought my list to who I will call my new “Trader Joe’s sommelier,” and he helped me round it out with top sellers—and a few of his personal favorites. Then, I brought them to several gatherings with wine-loving friends for tastings. It may not be the most scientific way to research, but it’s deeply honest.

Ahead, you’ll find a collection of hot takes and authentic reviews, which we’ve compiled and considered to narrow down the very best of the best wines at Trader Joe’s.

How We Ranked The Trader Joe’s Wines

In addition to getting their raw feedback, we asked each taster to share a personal ranking on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.

5: I would buy this bottle in a heartbeat.
4: I would order a glass at a restaurant or bar.
3: I would happily drink it for free.
2: I would regift a bottle.
1: Not even for free would I drink this again.

After gathering everyone’s scores (and off-the-cuff thoughts), I tallied the rankings to parse the most recommended bottles at Trader Joe’s, from cabernets to pinot noirs and many a blend. Several bottles were close, but a singular red and white reigned supreme.

The Best Red Wines at Trader Joe’s

Best Overall: Conte Di Bregonzo Amarone della Valpolicella

Right away, a chorus of “this one’s good” echoed throughout the kitchen. Variations included “this one tastes expensive” and “very elegant.” A fight almost broke out over who would take home the bottle.

Technically a steal (it’s available for $18), the vintage was by far the most loved of all the sampled Trader Joe’s wines (red or white), with a zesty, full-bodied flavor that would pair beautifully with rich cheese or meats.

Note: the TJ’s employee recommended either letting this bottle air out for four hours or using a decanter.

Our ranking: 5

Best Red Wine for Under $10: Ruggero di Bardo Susumaniello

This aromatic beauty was fruity and dry in all the right ways. It didn’t blow our socks off the way the Amarone did, but at just $9.99, we would have all been happy to “invest” in a bottle.

Our ranking: 4

Best Trader Joe’s Brand: Meritage Paso Robles (Trader Joe’s Reserve)

A slightly bitter aftertaste didn’t damper our enthusiasm for this $9.99 beauty (part of the Trader Joe’s Reserve collection). The jammy, medium-bodied wine wasn’t a unanimous favorite, but for a small few, it may have been number one.

Note: Trader Joe’s Reserve wines have limited availbility, so be willing to try variations depending on what’s available.

Our ranking: 3

Best Boxed Wine Variation: Porta 6

The lightest of all the red wines we tried, this fruity favorite tastes far more elevated than the $5.99 price tag would lead you to believe. It has a lovely sweetness to it without having a sugary taste. It’s a great wine to buy by the box and keep on hand for parties.

Hot tip: It’s also available in box form.

Our ranking: 4

Best Cabernet: Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon

This TJ’s exclusive is… a lot. The aroma is intense and it’s dry as a bone. (Almost salty?) It seems to have quite a few fans based on online reviews, but I couldn’t say we found an enthusiast in our group. We would still drink it for free, but we would regift it every time.

Our ranking: 2

Best Pinot: Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Noir

The earthy wine baffled us a bit. It was good, but we couldn’t quite pin it down. It was, at once, spicy, fruity, and cinnamon-y. “If this were the last bottle of wine at my house, I would drink it,” summed up the general feeling.

Our ranking: 3

The Best White Wines at Trader Joe’s

Best Pool Wine: Espiral

This Portuguese white wine is an enthusiastic favorite. Dubbed “porch wine” or “pool wine,” it drinks more like an adult soda—with a tiny hint of bubbles. Absolutely everyone raved about this one. And at only 9% ABV, it’s perfect for an aperitif.

Our ranking: 5

The Perfect Trader Joe’s Wine for Summer: Honey Moon Viognier

This one crushed at a pool party. The light, crisp, lemony Viognier (which is most similar to Sauvignon Blanc) was deemed both “perfect patio wine” and “perfect hot tub wine.” An instant summer classic.

Our ranking: 5

Best Wine to Bring to a Gathering: Belles Vignes

If you like a dry wine that doesn’t leave your tongue puckering and, well, dry, then you’ll love this sav blanc. My TJ sommalier friend described it as light and effervescent, and he’s right. The lady next to me said, “Sold” and grabbed two. Smart move, my friend.

Our ranking: 4

The Best Rosés at Trader Joe’s

Best Sparkling Rosé for a Celebration: La Burgondie Crémant de Bourgogne

This champagne-adjacent brut rosé would be perfect for mimosas, but tastes just as light and celebratory on its own. It went down easy with our crew, and all would buy again—or be happy to be on the recieving end of a hosting gift.

Our ranking: 4

Best Bubbly: Cecilia Beretta Prosecco Rosé

Part rosé, part prosecco, the light salmon stunner is one of Trader Joe’s best sellers. Never again will a charcuterie board be complete without this bright, bubbly confection.

Our ranking: 4

Best Italian Rosé: Freeda

“Everyone goes for the French rosés, but this Italian is the best.” Strong words from my Trader Joe’s sommelier and I’m partial to French myself, but Cecilia Beretta is renowned among Trader Joe’s enthusiasts for delicious rosés, so I had to try it.

Our ranking: 3

Best Easy Drinking: Opaline Pinot Noir Brut Rosé

A pretty bottle and an even prettier tasting rosé, Opaline was dynamic and easy to sip. For a sparkling, however, it was a little lacking in the bubbly department.

Our ranking: 3

The post We Tried 12 Best-Selling Wines from Trader Joe’s—These Were Clearly the Best appeared first on Camille Styles.

A smoothie is very much a no-recipe recipe for me. I usually have an idea of the flavor profile I want from my smoothie and then adjust as it comes together. Too thick? Add more liquid. Craving a little more sweetness? Add more fruit. Missing an ingredient? Substitute with something else. Smoothies should be fun and approachable as a breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. And with spring upon us, I wanted to lean on the strawberry matcha trend I’ve been seeing and bring it to life in smoothie form. Use this as your guide, and let your kitchen lead the way.

Matcha Smoothie Ingredients

There are two layers to this smoothie, the matcha layer and the strawberry layer. Each layer has a slightly different composition to highlight their individual flavors.

For the matcha layer:

• Matcha. Make sure you’re using ceremonial matcha that you would actually want to drink. A culinary matcha has more of a grassy bitter taste. Great for baked goods, less so for smoothies.
• Yogurt. For a bit of a protein kick, use an unsweetened plain or Greek yogurt without any flavorings.
• Banana. I played around with smoothie thickeners that wouldn’t impart a ton of flavor, and honestly, banana does it best every time. You might taste it a little bit but it’s not that much. You could also substitute with frozen cauliflower or avocado if you prefer.
• Ice. Helps keep everything cold and create a thick texture.

For the strawberry layer:

• Strawberries, fresh AND frozen. This might seem extra, but both strawberries here serve a different purpose. Fresh strawberries in season are extra sweet and have better flavor. Frozen strawberries help thicken your smoothie. Use what you have and swap where you need.
• Frozen coconut milk. When I use just part of a can of coconut milk, I freeze the leftovers in ice cube trays for smoothies just like this. It adds a nice creamy texture.
• Vanilla. Optional, but I like the slightly floral flavor that vanilla adds, creating a strawberries and cream vibe.
• Ice. Just a little ice for thickness and to chill.

To thin out and help with blending both layers, use your favorite milk of choice. I used Táche pistachio milk. If you want to add a bit of sweetness, add some honey for a touch of floral flavor.

Also, hot take: you should be salting your smoothies! Just like you would salt anything else you eat, adding a pinch of salt will really elevate your flavors and make them better.

How to Assemble Your Matcha Smoothie

The fun part of this smoothie is the pretty layering vibe that comes with the strawberry and matcha layers. They’re just as delicious mixed together, but the color will be more of a muted brown. We’re going for flavor and aesthetics here. Your smoothie deserves to shine.

Tips to keep in mind:

• Creating thick smoothie layers will help you layer the two types of smoothies so they don’t sink and blend into each other.
• If you prefer a thinner, more sippable smoothie, start by pouring your first layer. Then, slowly pour your second layer over the back of a spoon. Some of the smoothie may sink into the other layer, but as you near the top it gets easier to create a separate layer for the color-stacked vibe.

Other Smoothie Recipes to Try

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The Tropical Pineapple-Ginger Smoothie My Kids Ask For Every Morning

Finally, a breakfast we can all agree on.

Keep scrolling to get the recipe for this strawberry matcha smoothie, and leave a review to let us know what you think!

Strawberry Matcha Smoothie

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Suruchi Avasthi

Print Recipe

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Description

An easy strawberry matcha smoothie perfect for spring mornings.

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Ingredients

Units USM

for the matcha layer:

• 1 banana, chopped and frozen
• 1–2 teaspoons ceremonial matcha
• 1/2 cup yogurt of choice
• 1 cup ice
• 1 cup milk of choice, more or less as needed
• pinch of salt

for the strawberry layer:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup coconut milk, frozen
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
• 1 cup milk of choice, more or less as needed
• pinch of salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Prep the first smoothie layer. Blend in a high-power blender and pour into glass.
2. Prep the second smoothie layer. Blend in a high-power blender and pour as a layer over the first smoothie. Enjoy cold!

The post A Strawberry Matcha Smoothie to Romanticize Spring appeared first on Camille Styles.

Setting up a champagne cocktail bar is super easy, plus it feels a little more special than just setting out a few bottles of bubbly on the counter. Whatever your plans are for this year, you simply can’t go wrong with serving up one of these delicious champagne cocktails. I can’t wait to try the white peach and elderflower cooler, yum! What are your plans for this New Year’s Eve?

27 Champagne Cocktails for NYE and Beyond

Whether you’re hosting a large soiree or an intimate NYE gathering, this list of champagne cocktails has something for every guest. Cheers to a new year!

Lillet Rosé Spritz

Why We Love It: If it was possible to fall in love with a cocktail, this would be the drink. A swoon-worthy blend of Lillet Rosé (a French, wine-based aperitif), champagne or Prosecco, and orange bitters create the beautiful, blush-toned hue. It’s gorgeous served in a coupe but will look elegant in just about any glass you can find.

Hero Ingredient: This cocktail is all about color. You can thank the Lillet Rosé for that.

Pomegranate Spice Champagne Cocktail

Why We Love It: Pomegranates are the crowning jewel of Christmastime, and even after the holidays are over, I savor their ruby-red beauty for as long as I can. Be sure to pick out the freshest pomegranate juice you can find for this recipe. 

Hero Ingredient: I’m all about the vanilla’s woodsy sweetness.

Ginger-Citrus Aperol Spritz

Why We Love It: Some might argue that Aperol Spritz is not a good drink. I’d have to say, New York Times, you’re wrong. Far be it from me to question the journalistic integrity of one of my favorite publications, but spritzes should be universally enjoyed. They’re refreshing, colorful, and the best thing to sip on surrounded by your friends in the summertime. And they work equally well served up at your NYE gathering.

Hero Ingredient: Aperol’s vibrant orange hue will send any imbiber straight to Tuscany. Honestly, that’s exactly where I’d want to be on the first of the year.

Apple Brandy Harvest Punch

Why We Love It: Let’s take a moment to appreciate how pretty this drink is. The effervescent mixture of champagne, Calvados, and St-Germain is gorgeous, and the orange juice adds the loveliest subtle glow.

Hero Ingredient: While I’d recommend Calvados, any apple brandy is going to give this punch its harvest-y vibes. Perfect for fall, and I’d argue, perfect for NYE.

Elixir de l’Amour

Why We Love It: Looking to impress with only a little bit of effort? Serve this to your guests. The name alone is alluring, and when you take your first sip, you’ll already be wanting more.

Hero Ingredient: Rosewater adds a refreshing floral note that’ll ward off any sugar-induced headaches.

Kir Royale from A Couple Cooks

Why We Love It: Full disclosure: Kir royales are my favorite drink. They’re easy while still feeling elegant and celebratory. After all, the French know the beauty of combining berries and bubbly. 

Hero Ingredient: This is a two-ingredient cocktail, so between the champagne and Crème de Cassis, I’ll have to choose the latter. It’s a sweet, red liqueur that’s made from blackcurrants, and it gives this drink its signature flavor.

Blackberry Lavender Champagne Cocktail from The Adventure Bite

Why We Love It: This cocktail might just be the prettiest drink on the list. I love any berry and champagne pairing, but blackberries bring a deep inky sheen that takes your champagne from good to gorgeous.

Hero Ingredient: Add lavender to just about anything for an instantly-elevated effect.

Poinsettia Spritz Punch from Half Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: To be clear, zero poinsettias were harmed in the making of this beverage. While the name comes from its ruby red color, it’s just a cranberry-champagne cocktail taken up a notch with St-Germain. This drink is floral and fancy in all the best ways—and definitely what I’ll be toasting with come midnight.

Hero Ingredient: If a drink contains elderflower liqueur, you can bet I’ll be ordering it.

Honey Roasted Pear Sparkling Cocktail from Cotter Crunch

Why We Love It: When the holidays hit and I’ve already had too many slices of pumpkin pie, it’s pears that I turn to for a little sweet relief. They’re earthy and crisp, with the perfect buttery bite. Here, the pears are honey-roasted and blended into a puree, so you get a little bit of sugary spice in every sip.

Hero Ingredient: The tablespoon of balsamic vinegar adds a rich and complex sweetness that’s wonderfully unexpected.

Plum Thyme Prosecco Smash from My Diary Of Us

Why We Love It: I love the endless possibilities that plums, and really all stone fruits, present. They’re perfect in a salad, wonderful in desserts, and downright delicious in this drink. The impact is an elegant but festive beverage that’s so simple to make.

Hero Ingredient: The thyme simple syrup concentrates all the notes of mint and lemon my favorite herb offers. Garnish with a few sprigs for good measure.

Blackberry French 75 from Heather Christo

Why We Love It: Next to kir royales, the French 75 is my favorite drink. Gin, champagne, lemon juice, and the tiniest bit of sugar—what’s not to love? This take on the classic cocktail infuses blackberries in the simple syrup for fruity flavor and a lavender-like hue.

Hero Ingredient: Lemon juice gives the French 75 its signature sour sip. In this version, the citrus does double duty in cutting the blackberries’ earthy, and slightly tart, undertones.

Grapefruit and Sage Champagne Cocktail from The Floating Kitchen

Why We Love It: The cold weather comes around, and suddenly I’m craving citrus at all times of the day. While I can appreciate a good grapefruit in the summer, nothing beats their in-season freshness. Pink grapefruit juice is just about the easiest way to brighten up any cocktail, and I love the slightly tangy, sour bite it gives this otherwise sweet drink.

Hero Ingredient: The creative possibilities are endless when it comes to cocktails. And while sage might seem a little out of the ordinary in a glass, the refreshing, almost eucalyptus-like flavor can’t be matched.

Blood Orange Champagne Mule from Half Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: Let me introduce you to just about the closest thing to a party in a glass. This inventive take on a Moscow Mule adds champagne (of course) and showcases blood oranges’ subtle citrus flavor that’s infused with cherry and raspberry notes.

Hero Ingredient: Oranges are great and all, but blood oranges? The best.

Apple Cider Champagne Cocktail from Well Plated

Why We Love It: Starting in September, I can enjoy apple cider all the way through March. It’s crisp, refreshing, and slightly sour. Plus, cider is exactly what you should add to champagne for festive, but still cozy vibes.

Hero Ingredient: A splash of brandy grounds this cocktail with a bit of body, making it perfect for your midnight toast.

Strawberry Basil Cucumber Rosé Sangria from Heather Christo

Why We Love It: If, to you, January 1 means one month closer to the start of spring, mix this up stat. While the blend of strawberries, cucumber, and basil signifies warmer days, this cocktail still feels appropriate for inviting in the new year.

Hero Ingredient: The rose petals are a refreshing iteration of the classic strawberry-basil combo.

Lingonberry Aperol Spritz from Sugar & Charm

Why We Love It: While most of what’s found on social media is short-lived, I’d argue that the most Instagram-friendly drink of 2019 will never go out of style. They’re truly timeless, and this Scandinavian twist on the classic is the perfect way to shake things up.

Hero Ingredient: Lingonberries are the perfect balance of being sour, tart, and ever-so-slightly sweet. While I love them in jams, sauces, and my favorite Nordic-inspired baked treats, here, an ounce of lingonberry syrup is the only way to improve upon Aperol’s citrusy flavor.

Peach Basil Bellini from Heather Christo

Why We Love It: While biting into a juicy, sun-ripened peach is possible only between June and July, you can recreate the experience in the colder months. Enter: this drink. Peach puree, prosecco, plus a bit of fresh basil, and you’ll be sipping your way straight to summertime.

Hero Ingredient: A little sprig of green basil freshens up this cocktail, making your drink all the more elegant.

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler from The Effortless Chic

Why We Love It: Fresh and fruity, this cocktail is bound to be the most-talked-about part of your evening. A gold-sugared rim gives it an extra bit of glam that doesn’t feel over the top. Serve it up in chic champagne flutes for extra appeal.

Hero Ingredient: With a distinctly herbal flavor, gin is a perfect complement to most champagne’s apple, pear, and citrus notes.

Cherry Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail from Jennifer Meyering

Why We Love It: I don’t ask for much, so when a drink can be made with five ingredients, I’m satisfied. When these components come together to create a stunning sipper like this? Well, consider me impressed. The cherry-pomegranate syrup brings color and cheers to every single glass.

Hero Ingredient: I always need a little sweetness with my champagne, and thanks to the fresh cherries, this cocktail delivers.

Cucumber Mint Sparkler from Domesticate Me

Why We Love It: These fizzy drinks feel light while still supplying a fair amount of festivity. The pretty pale green hue is a sight to behold, and, of course, the cocktail itself is something to be savored.

Hero Ingredient: Finely-chopped cucumber offers up a cooling flavor that mixes well with the lime and mint.

Cranberry Orange Mimosa with Candied Rosemary from Vegetarian Ventures

Why We Love It: While mimosas are my brunch beverage of choice (following coffee, of course), I’d also invite them to any party I’m having no matter the time of day. I’m already planning my pajamas, snacks, and NYE movie picks around this cocktail.

Hero Ingredient: Garnishing your glass with a sprig of candied rosemary upgrades your champagne to seasonal cocktail status.

White Peach and Elderflower Cooler from Donna Hay

Why We Love It: Cocktails are an opportunity to compose a color palette and flavor profile of all your favorite tastes, textures, and hues. This drink’s particular mix of pale yellow and romantic, peachy pink is truly a work of art.

Hero Ingredient: You really can’t go wrong with elderflower. Both the cordial and fresh flowers in this drink offer a distinctly fresh and floral sweetness that’s full of nuance.

Rose and Black Currant Champagne from Donna Hay

Why We Love It: This is not your average champagne cocktail. Blackcurrant cordial concentrates the fruit’s tart, grape-like flavor and is responsible for this drink’s rose-colored hue.

Hero Ingredient: A sugar cube in each glass doesn’t just add sweetness. When the cube hits the champagne, you’ll create a spark of celebratory bubbles.

Champagne Margarita from 40 Aprons

Why We Love It: Now here’s a New Year’s Eve cocktail. It’s sour, it’s sweet, and it’s strong. But is it really an NYE celebration if you’re not pulling out all the stops?

Hero Ingredient: Orange liqueur is the perfect bridge between sweet champagne and all the flavors of the classic, zesty cocktail.

Raspberry Mimosa from A Southern Soul

Why We Love It: Get ready to load up on the bubbly—these mimosas are going to be a hit. This drink is special without feeling fussy. The combo of sorbet, grenadine, raspberries, and champagne will fill each glass with a light and sweet flavor.

Hero Ingredient: Grenadine takes me back to my seven-year-old self, sipping on Shirley Temples. While this mimosa is a bit more age-appropriate, it’s still nostalgic in all the best ways.

Fizzy Spiked Pear Punch from The Sweetest Occasion

Why We Love It: I’m all for big-batch recipes that let me do the prep ahead of time. Mixing up a pitcher of this punch means less time in the kitchen, and more time making toasts with all of your loved ones. This is the perfect cocktail to have alongside a snacking board filled with your favorite in-season bites. And seriously, how pretty are those pear slices?

Hero Ingredient: Vanilla vodka might sound like something you haven’t touched since college, but trust me when I say it’ll seal in all the cold-weather flavors you crave.

Ginger Spritz from Bon Appétit

Why We Love It: Bubbly cava and ginger beer fill your glass with a light, refreshing flavor. This drink works just as well at your NYE party as it would at your New Year’s Day brunch.

Hero Ingredient: The thinnest slice of peeled ginger is all the garnish this sweet and spicy cocktail needs.

The post Say Cheers! 27 Champagne Cocktails for the Best NYE Ever appeared first on Camille Styles.

10 Holiday Mocktail Recipes to Celebrate the Season

Call it fatigue from the Covid-era, booze-heavy virtual happy hours, or perhaps an increase in the sober-curious among us—or any of the other many reasons we might turn down a drink. Whatever the cause, we’re wanting more from the now-trendy mocktail. To help keep your creativity flowing, we’ve found the best holiday mocktail recipes that are fruity, fizzy, and meant to be shared with family and friends. Cue the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes. Forget the hangover.

Minty Pomegranate Punch

Why We Love It: Pomegranates are the fleeting, ever-elusive ingredient that we try to use as much as we can between now and the end of December—and this recipe does the ruby-red fruit justice. Muddling the pomegranate seeds with the blueberries and mint leaves balances out their tart flavor, giving just enough sweetness to make this taste like the best take on a non-boozy mojito you’ve ever had.

Hero Ingredient: The bunch of fresh mint leaves lends a lingering coolness to offset the fruit-forward flavor of this colorful drink.

Salty Dog Mocktail

Why We Love It: Technically, Camille developed this as a cocktail recipe. But because she knows we all like a little variety in our lives, she also included a mocktail twist—and it couldn’t be easier. Grapefruit serves as the base of this drink, and on its own gives such a delicious, juicy flavor. Because of that, all you have to do is swap in some lime juice to replace the vodka or gin and add a little more grapefruit sparkling water. The recipe in its entirety calls for just three simple steps.

Hero Ingredient: I love a little garnish for added color and flavor. A rosemary sprig is perfectly festive without going overboard.

Minty Green Kombucha Smash Mocktail

Why We Love It: If you’re looking for holiday mocktail recipes that pack significant health benefits as well, this is the one to make. The foundation of this recipe is a slightly-sweet green juice that you can make in large batches. What’s more, you don’t even need a juicer to make this—simply pull out your Vitamix, blend your ingredients, and push the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Friendly reminder that you don’t need to wait until January to start practicing the habits that help you feel your best.

Hero Ingredient: Spinach is the base of many a green juice, and while you can’t taste it here thanks to the addition of plenty of other just-sweet-enough ingredients, it gives the juice its beautiful bright green color (not to mention plenty of fiber and antioxidants).

Peppermint Espresso Mocktini from Olivia Noceda

Why We Love It: We couldn’t call this the definitive list of holiday mocktail recipes without including a Christmas-favorite flavor. When the mood calls for a drink that’s cool and creamy (and you’re told that the eggnog contains rum), here’s what you need. Pretty, pepperminty, and just as deliciously indulgent as any Christmas cookie you can find, this drink epitomizes holiday fun.

Hero Ingredient: Crushed candy canes on the rim add texture and just enough festive flair.

Rosemary Pom Spritzer from Pinch of Yum

Why We Love It: If you’ve ever thought that mocktails are a second-rate substitute for the “real deal,” this recipe will have you changing your tune. Rasy to prep and fit for a crowd, this recipe checks off all of our boxes. You can make the drink in individual glasses for a small get-together with friends or mix up an entire pitcher if your plans involve a few more guests. Either way, everyone will be asking how you did it.

Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate juice gives this drink its distinctive color and flavor. Be sure to taste before going all in on the rosemary simple syrup.

Sparkling Grapefruit Mocktail from The Grumpy Olive

Why We Love It: Grapefruits are such a stunning, but often overlooked, seasonal treat. That’s why, come the holidays, I’m looking to incorporate them into everything I eat—my favorite holiday mocktail recipes included. If you can, opt for fresh grapefruit juice. It makes all the difference.

Hero Ingredient: A slice of grapefruit as garnish confirms: this mocktail is deliciously puckery.

Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail from What’s Gaby Cooking

Why We Love It: If you’ve been led to believe that apple cider belongs solely in the fall, this holiday mocktail is here to convince you otherwise. It’s bright, sparkly, and goes way beyond nursing your glass of Martinelli’s. Trust me.

Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate arils add a welcome bit of tang to this sweet mocktail.

Festive Sangria Mocktail from Little Spice Jar

Why We Love It: Sangria has the unfortunate, albeit sometimes deserved status of being named the drink of choice at many college parties. This booze-free, grown-up version adds a good amount of sophistication with a mixed medley of sliced seasonal fruits and pomegranate arils. The result is a stunning sangria that, when served with a splash of sparkling water, is celebratory enough for any party.

Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate juice is my favorite mixer. Not only for its vibrant and complex flavor but also the beautifully deep hue it lends this mocktail.

1 Minute Christmas Mimosa Mocktails from The Mindful Mocktail

Why We Love It: Sign me up for any drink that takes a minute or less to mix up. I love this less-is-more approach, especially when it comes to hosting a crowd. Two ingredients, a gorgeous color, and simple garnishes that seal the deal. This might be my ideal holiday mocktail.

Hero Ingredient: With only two ingredients to choose from, I’ll give this recipe a tie. Non-alcoholic sparkling wine and cranberry are a perfect pairing.

Cranberry Kombucha Mocktail from Get Inspired Everyday

Why We Love It: We’re low-key obsessed with this drink’s impressive color. It packs all of our favorite hues and flavors that we expect from the holiday season and even weaves in a vibrant hit of orange thanks to the garnish. Too pretty to drink? Take a picture, add to your Insta story, and sip away.

Hero Ingredient: ICYMI, kombucha isn’t just for height-of-summer poolside hangs. You can use any flavor in this recipe and the result will satisfy your craving for something bubbly. Full of probiotics that are good for your gut, this drink’s base of kombucha makes it so you’ll still feel virtuous even while going up for a second glass.

This post was last updated on November 16, 2021.

The post 10 Festive Holiday Mocktails to Sip All Season Long appeared first on Camille Styles.

10 Holiday Cocktails for Every Occasion

Holiday cocktails are a simple way to elevate your gatherings, infusing the essence of the season into every sip. Whether you’re hosting your own soirée or simply looking to unwind by the fireplace, these recipes promise to bring all the festivity. Get ready to shake and stir your way to fun.

From simple to spiced, these picks are anything but basic. Brighten any winter gathering or cozy up with your favorite holiday flick with these 10 cocktails.

Maple Bourbon Punch

Why We Love It: This maple bourbon punch is a holiday favorite in my household. It’s naturally sweetened from honey and vanilla and a bit zesty thanks to the orange juice. Add in some rosemary sprigs for an herbal touch, and you have yourself a great all-around drink to sip on.

Hero Ingredient: Make this punch in a large bowl and try the orange and rosemary ice ring included in this recipe! It’s a true pièce de resistance.

Pomegranate Spice Champagne Punch

Why We Love It: Pomegranate anything pairs perfectly with winter dishes. This champagne punch utilizes the flavor in a subtle and sweet way, with the addition of fresh fruit and spices from cinnamon sticks. Cointreau is the perfect liquor to enhance this recipe with its orange-based flavor.

Hero Ingredient: Fresh mint leaves are a great garnish to add a visually-pleasing pop of green.

Herbal Infused Bourbon Apple Cider

Why We Love It: When the temperatures dip, the first cozy drink I think of is apple cider. I’m a big fan of everything spiced when it comes to winter drinks, and this recipe does just that in an herbal-infused way. Add in some fresh apples for a crunchy topping for the coziest sipper.

Hero Ingredient: A sprinkle of cinnamon never hurt anyone.

Boozy Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Why We Love It: If apple cider isn’t your forte when it comes to hot holiday cocktails, this boozy peppermint hot chocolate might just win you over. All you need to throw together this winter fave is vanilla liqueur, cocoa, peppermint extract, and a few pantry staples you’re bound to have on hand.

Hero Ingredient: You can’t forget whipped cream for hot cocoa.

Lillet Rosé Spritz

Why We Love It: Okay, hear me out: a Lillet rosé spritz deserves a spot beyond your summer happy hour. While the drink is perfectly refreshing on a hot day, I also love its citrusy tang and effervescent sparkle during the holidays. Serve it at your next gathering and expect your guests to be pleasantly surprised.

Hero Ingredient: If you haven’t yet enjoyed Lillet rosé, add it to your cart, stat. With notes of red berries, orange blossom and grapefruit, it’s a complex but easy-sipping apéritif.

Camille’s Pomegranate Punch

Why We Love It: This pomegranate punch is a great recipe for serving a holiday crowd. The Mandarin vodka and champagne don’t go overboard on flavor, and allow the orgeat (almond) syrup and pomegranate juice to really bring forward this bevvy’s freshness.

Hero Ingredient: Garnish to your heart’s content with orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or fresh mint.

Mistletoe Kiss Cocktail from Half Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: I’ve personally never seen a more festive cocktail than this one from Half Baked Harvest. With homemade ginger honey syrup, pomegranate juice, and lime mixed with festive Campari, vodka, and orange liqueur, it’s the perfect cocktail for brightening up any room during the winter months.

Hero Ingredient: The sugar-dusted rosemary is the icing on the cake for me.

Spiced Cinnamon Bourbon Hot Toddy from Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: When I see a seasonal menu that features a hot toddy, I can’t help but indulge in the warming flavors. Brightened up with a squeeze of lemon juice and sweetened with homemade simple syrup, there ’twas never a better drink to gather around a fire and cozy up with.

Hero Ingredient: Red chili pepper gives this cocktail a unique kick of heat.

White Christmas Margaritas from Baker by Nature

Why We Love It: While your traditional margarita can be found year-round here in Texas, I occasionally like to mix it up with a unique holiday twist on the classic cocktail. A simple syrup made from ginger, lime, and oranges balances out the coconut and brings the perfect Christmas-in-July-type feeling.

Hero Ingredient: Shredded coconut creates a stunning rim for your glass.

Simple Mulled Wine from Broma Bakery

Why We Love It: When you’re feeling festive, mulled wine is always a warm and cozy option. It’s also a great way to serve a crowd without having to buy too many other forms of alcohol. This recipe is a little bit citrusy with a hint of sweetness, making it a great all-round pick for large gatherings.

Hero Ingredient: Star anise can make just about any drink look stunning.

The post Our 10 Favorite Holiday Cocktails to Toast Literally Everything appeared first on Camille Styles.

So of course, this felt like the perfect opportunity for this year’s holiday Taste-Off. That’s right—we’re finding out once and for all which store-bought brand makes the best eggnog. And if you’re not an eggnog enthusiast yourself, don’t worry—there are plenty other uses for its creamy goodness. In fact, I got so inspired that I used the winner as a replacement for milk in our Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. (Rumor has it that it was the best pie I had made in years.)

Taste-Off: The Best Eggnog Brand

In our search for the best eggnog, we tried it all. Versions that leaned thick and creamy, dairy-free almond and oat nogs, and of course, the classics. And when it came to the end of our tasting, one brand emerged as the clear winner.

So keep reading on for the best store-bought eggnog we could find at the grocery store—plus the one we’ll be keeping in the fridge for the holidays!

Ranking Guidelines

A little internet sleuthing about the history of eggnog told me a few things. To start, people who say they don’t like eggnog generally haven’t tried the real thing. Interestingly too, I discovered that store-bought eggnogs are sometimes referred to as milk nog because of how little egg yolk can actually be included. With that in mind, we were searching for the best possible option to replace the homemade kind.

Flavor. If you don’t like eggnog because you think it tastes like eggs, you probably haven’t had a great recipe. When I think of eggnog, my immediate description is that it’s like drinking melted ice cream. It’s sweet, with a subtle spicy flavor that feels like infusing the milk with the spices instead of being overwhelmingly spice-forward. We were looking for a sweet but not too sweet eggnog that had a complementary spice flavor. This would be balanced out by the sharpness of adding bourbon. (None of the store-bought eggnogs had alcohol in the ingredient list.)

Texture. The texture should be thick, creamy, and lean custard-like. Some people say that as you drink it, it should coat your throat. (Appetizing, right?) Regardless, the texture we were looking for from store-bought versions was thick, not watery, and extra creamy.

The Not-So Greats

It felt slightly impossible to rank all of the eggnogs we purchased in numerical order. There were some that we just really didn’t like and couldn’t rank them against each other in a way that felt objective.

Here’s who fell to the bottom of our rankings, in no particular order. And if you’re feeling bold, try them out yourself.

Trader Joe’s Regular Eggnog and Oat Nog

While we consider ourselves Trader Joe’s stans, the two nogs had a watery texture. The oat nog version lacked any discernible flavor and the regular version tasted almost artificial with vanilla.

O’ Nog Non-Dairy Oat Beverage

Purchase at Trader Joe's

HEB Select Ingredients Eggnog

This eggnog, while extremely thick in texture, was “like air freshener in the mouth,” though some said it would be easily remedied with a healthy splash of bourbon.

Egg Nog

$3.93 at H-E-B

Kroger Brand Rich and Creamy Eggnog

The Kroger eggnog was branded by our tasters as “cinnamon milk.” Enough said.

Rich & Creamy Low Fat Eggnog

$3.99 at Kroger

Private Selection Eggnog

This one was too thick in texture and had an artificial whiskey flavor.

Private Selection Old Fashioned Egg Nog

$4.99 at Kroger

Chobani Oatmilk Oat Nog

The Chobani Oat Nog tasted a lot like spices without having any spices in the ingredient list. Overall, these were the passes of our tasting.

Shopping Block

$5.05 at Various Retailers

The Middle-Ground

When it came to eggnogs that were branded as “drinkable” but not fan favorites, Lactaid Eggnog and Almond Breeze Nog came in the middle. They weren’t extremely thick in texture, and the flavors fell flatter than the winners. But if these were the only option at the store, we wouldn’t necessarily pass them up.

Lactaid Lactose-Free Eggnog

$4.95 at Various Retailers

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Dairy Free Classic Almondmilk Egg Nog

$3.99 at Kroger

The Best of the Best Store-Bought Eggnogs

3. Simple Truth Eggnog

We were surprised by this sleeper hit. The private label Simple Truth Eggnog was my dad’s favorite. It was more nutmeg-heavy in the spice flavor, while also being very thick in texture. Some tasters thought this one had a slightly artificial aftertaste, but not enough to demote it. Overall, a good option.

Simple Truth Organic Egg Nog

$4.99 at Kroger

2. 1836 Farms Texas Dr. Nog

A more regional and seasonal flavor from 1836 Farms, this was my personal favorite eggnog. The texture was nicely thick without being overwhelming. It didn’t taste artificial in any way and felt like one of the most drinkable options in the group. We’ll have this one on hand for the season.

1836 Farms Organic Dr. Nog

$8.30 at H-E-B

1. Southern Comfort Traditional Eggnog

And the winner for our favorite store-bought eggnog comes from Southern Comfort. This eggnog had a clear spice flavor that was warming and delicious and a thick and creamy texture that merited the melted ice cream comparison. If you’re not going to make eggnog from scratch, this is a great option to have on hand.

Southern Comfort Traditional Non-Alcoholic Egg Nog

$3.59 at Target

The post I Tried 12 Store-Bought Eggnogs—This Is the Undisputed Best appeared first on Camille Styles.

With sober curiosity on the rise and more of us limiting our alcohol consumption (or doing away with it completely), mocktails are enjoying their time in the spotlight. But, when it comes to mocktails, my major qualm is this: in an attempt to mimic the flavor of their alcohol-based counterparts, they end up tasting simply like an inferior substitute. I’m not interested in drinking something pretending to be what it’s not. That’s why I’m grateful for zero-proof sippers based off nothing beyond the unique flavors they aim to create. And when it comes to this rose & elderflower lemonade, it’s obvious: it has character on its side.

Maman’s Rose & Elderflower Lemonade

Elisa served this lemonade at an intimate gathering in her NYC loft last month, pairing the slightly effervescent bevvy with fresh and innovative dishes. And while Elisa’s known for her creative approach, the whimsy of the evening’s meal was grounded by a clear knowledge of complementing flavors. This sweet/sour drink was the perfect palate cleanser between every course, keeping guests hydrated and delighted throughout the meal.

But beyond the drink alone, this recipe also features an aesthetic spin: rose ice cubes. This simple DIY adds visual dimension while also infusing your beverage with even more delicately floral rose flavor. Personally, I’m investing in more ice cube trays so I can prep these in abundance. Because when it comes to romanticizing your life, even the smallest rituals count.

Maman’s Rose & Elderflower Lemonade

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No reviews

• Author: Elisa Marshall
• Yield: 6 drinks

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Description

Refreshing and just sweet enough, this sophisticated spin on the classic lemonade adds nuance with floral elderflower syrup and rose water. It’s the perfect non-alcoholic addition to any gathering.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) sugar
• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) strained fresh lemon juice (from 9 to 11 lemons), plus 1 lemon, thinly sliced, for garnish
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) elderflower syrup or elderflower liqueur
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
• Ice
• Miniature edible rosebuds, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup (240 ml) water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat and let the sugar syrup cool to room temperature.
2. In a tall glass pitcher, stir together the sugar syrup, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, and rose water. Add 7 cups (1.7 liters) water and stir to combine. Add a generous amount of ice and the lemon rounds.
3. Serve in a tall glass and, if desired, garnish with miniature rosebuds.
4. Store lemonade refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; wait to add ice and garnishes until ready to serve.

Notes

To make rose ice cubes, fill an ice cube tray halfway with distilled water and freeze until completely frozen, about 2 hours. Add a washed edible mini spray rose or other small edible rose to each ice cube cavity, fill to the top with distilled water, and freeze again until completely frozen, about 2 hours. The distilled water ensures the cubes will be clear, not cloudy, while the two-step freezing process keeps the roses in the middle. You can make floral ice cubes with any edible flower, including pansies, hibiscus, blue cornflowers, or lavender.

Reprinted with permission from Maman: The Cookbook by Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte with Lauren Salkeld. Copyright ©2021. Photographs by Linda Xiao. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House

The post Rose & Elderflower Lemonade appeared first on Camille Styles.

To be honest, I don’t drink much these days, so I’m always looking for recipes that are just as delicious with and without alcohol for my patio hangouts. This recipe is packed with flavor, easy enough to toss together for a large group, and can be modified for any preference. That’s right, this mango mojito recipe is summer sippin’ perfection.

What is a mojito?

The classic mojito is traditionally made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling soda water, and fresh mint. Easy, summery, and fresh. It’s no wonder Ernest Hemingway called it his fave. (Or did he?)

There are certainly different varieties of mojito depending on where and how you order your drink. A mojito blanco swaps in tequila in place of rum and a cojito introduces coconut flavor to the classic. The options abound and are entirely up to you!

My mango mojito version is fairly close to the original, with just a few tweaks to up the ante.

What You’ll Need for This Mango Mojito Recipe

Mangos. While you can use pre-packaged mango nectar or mango juice, I prefer using whole mangos that I’ve blended myself. This ensures no unnecessary additives and delivers plenty of extra mango flavor. You can use fresh or frozen and thawed mangos.

Limes. I love the acidity and tang that limes offer to help balance out the sweetness in the mango.

Fresh mint. Both as a garnish and to add a little extra flavor, mint is the traditional mojito ingredient that makes it special.

Ginger ale. I’m taking some liberties here and using a ginger ale or ginger beer instead of soda water. I love the warmth that ginger adds and the little bit of sweetness. This also means that you don’t need to include a simple syrup as most ginger ales add sugar to the mix.

White rum. Optional if you want to keep this as a mocktail, but use a good white rum for the ultimate mojito experience.

Tips for Adding Extra Flavor to Your Mango Mojito

While the ingredient list for this cocktail is rather simple, there are a few things you can do to bump up the flavor and even add your own twists.

Slap your mint. Yes, literally. Maybe it sounds odd at first, but to get the mint flavor to come across, you need to activate and release that flavor. While you can work plenty of flavor into the drink by muddling the mint, it’ll leave behind green specks. Because I prefer the clean look of pure orange mango, I place the sprig of mint on one of my palms and smack it with the other. This will release some of the mint leaves’ oils and impart their signature fresh flavor in your drink.

Add a spicy kick. If you want to take things to the next level, make this a spicy mango mojito recipe by muddling in some jalapeño. Alternatively, you can add red chili pepper to some sugar to rim your glasses. It not only looks fancy but also gives the beverage a creeping heat to balance the mango’s sweetness.

Make a pitcher ahead of time. You can absolutely make this mojito recipe as a pitcher for large groups. And the best part? It can be made ahead of time as well. The flavors will all chill together and become all the more delicious. Plus, who wants to pour individual drinks when a picture will do perfectly? Just wait to add ice and top everything off with the ginger beer when ready to serve.

What to Serve With This Mango Mojito Recipe

These mango mojitos are a true summer crowd-pleaser and add a touch of sunshine to any golden-hour dinner. As such, they pair well with some of our favorite summer dinner recipes. Mix up a batch and enjoy these mango mojitos alongside carne asada tacos, a delicious summer salad, or even as your ultimate summer nightcap. Enjoy!

Mango Mojito

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No reviews

• Author: Suruchi Avasthi
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: Two drinks

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Description

An easy, breezy summertime drink that’s packed with fresh mango flavor.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 large mango, skin removed
• 1/3 cup of water
• juice of 1 lime
• 2 shots of white rum
• 1 can of ginger ale
• 1 bunch of mint
• ice to serve

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Instructions

1. Make the mango nectar. Add the mango and water to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more or less water depending on consistency. You want the nectar to be pourable.
2. Assemble the mojito. To a glass, add about 1/4 cup of mango nectar, juice of 1/2 lime, and 1 shot of rum (leave out for mocktails). Mix together. Add ice to the glass and top off your drink with ginger ale and a sprig of slapped mint. Enjoy!

• Prep Time: 10
• Category: cocktail

Keywords: mojito, mango

The post This Mango Mojito Is Your New Golden Hour Drink appeared first on Camille Styles.

My husband and I even tried brewing alcoholic kombucha during the pandemic. (Yes, brewing alcohol was my Pandemic Project. That and… quilting. It was a weird time.) The science of alcoholic kombucha is quite confusing, so I threw out the pH strips and we ended up “testing” the alcohol levels anecdotally. And by that I mean—drinking our latest brew on an empty stomach and asking each other, “Do you feel anything?” until one of us claimed we did. Again, a weird (if not kinda fun) time.

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These days, we simply opt for kombucha in its purest form for what I might call the perfect mix-in. It’s fizzy, it’s fermented, it’s flavorful—the three F’s of a delicious cocktail ingredient. But first…

Can you mix alcohol with kombucha?

Yes, you can absolutely mix alcohol and kombucha. ‘Booch makes for a delicious bubbly mixer, especially when you experiment with different flavors and liquor combinations. The slightly acidic, fruity fermented flavor pairs well with tequila, rum, gin, vodka, whiskey, and mezcal. It’s an ingredient ripe for experimentation.

Are kombucha cocktails healthy?

While kombucha touts major health benefits thanks to its low sugar content alongside an array of antioxidants and probiotics, if you’re adding alcohol to the mix then it’s not exactly healthy. (Read up on how alcohol affects your gut.) However, kombucha is a superior option to sugar-laden, artificially flavored mixers any day. Curious to know more about alcohol and nutrition? Here’s a deep dive into the reality about women and alcohol. TL;DR it’s generally safe for women to consume one alcoholic beverage a day—and a kombucha cocktail is a delicious option.

3 Kombucha Cocktail Recipes

After much experimentation (it’s a hard job, I know), I landed on three classic cocktail recipes with a kombucha twist. Read on for a fermented take on your faves: a Paloma, spicy margarita, and of course, a Moscow mule.

Kombucha Paloma Recipe

Ingredients:
2 ounces tequila
2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish
½ ounce lime juice
¼ ounce agave nectar
2 ounces original or grapefruit kombucha
Ice

Directions: In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass over ice. Top with kombucha. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and rosemary. This is also delicious with smoked rosemary. Light a sprig of rosemary then cover with the glass for 30 seconds.

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Spicy Kombucha Margarita Recipe

Ingredients:
2 ounces tequila
¼  to ½ sliced jalapeño
1 ounce agave nectar
1 ounce fresh lime juice
3 ounces pineapple kombucha

Directions: In a cocktail shaker muddle jalapeño then add tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, and ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass over ice. Top with kombucha. Garnish with a pineapple leaf, dehydrated lime, and chili salt. Alternatively to the jalapeño, you can mix 1 ounce of Mike’s Hot Honey with lime juice then shake with tequila and ice.

Kombucha Moscow Mule Recipe

Ingredients:
2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce agave nectar
4 ounces ginger kombucha
Ice, mint for garnish

Directions: In a glass or mug, mix vodka, lime juice, and agave nectar. Add ice and top with kombucha. Garnish with lime and mint. Note: you can also scale up to make this a batched cocktail.

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The post Kombucha is the Perfect Mixer—3 Classic Cocktail Recipes with a Probiotic Twist appeared first on Camille Styles.

Since then, it’s become my official drink of summer. This light, bubbly cocktail with a pleasant hit of bitterness just feels like sunshine and adventure and takes me back to this perfect day we spent in Italy. I’ve worked to finesse my own classic Aperol spritz recipe. And now, I think I’ve got it nailed.

While it’s a simple drink with just a handful of ingredients, there are lots of differing opinions when it comes to the correct ratio between Aperol and Prosecco and exactly how it should be garnished. I’ve got opinions of my own (which I’ll share below), but first: a little more on the Italian tradition of aperitivo.

What is aperitivo?

An Italian aperitivo is sort of like happy hour, but different (and dare I say, cooler). At the Hotel de Russie, and everywhere else I’ve visited in Italy, everyone congregates before dinner for drinks and snacks. Sometimes the food is as simple as salty potato chips and olives, and sometimes it’s a more elevated bite and could include cheese or charcuterie. Either way, the purpose is to “awaken the appetite” for the larger meal to follow.

Traditionally, an aperitivo drink is a carbonated, slightly bitter cocktail (like the Aperol spritz or a negroni) that’s a bit lower in alcohol. The idea is to feel relaxed and happy, not tipsy. I love this ritual not only for the snacks and drinks, but for its focus on talking, savoring the moment, and enjoying the company of friends—activities that Italians seem to do so well.

Aperol Spritz Ingredients

I’m just going to put it out there: the Aperol Spritz is controversial. Ever since the New York Times declared that “The Aperol Spritz Is Not a Good Drink,” the debate has been on fire. At least, as fire-y as cocktail debates can be. The publication’s argument is mostly built on the theory that the cocktail uses poor-quality Prosecco. Of course, this can be rectified by, duh, using a higher quality Prosecco. And I’m not alone in my defense of the drink: Grub Street clapped back with, “The Entire Internet Agrees Aperol Spritz Is, in Fact, Good.” The best way to put it to rest? Just mix up my Aperol Spritz recipe one hot night this summer and judge for yourself.

Aperol

Aperol is an orange, sweet, and slightly bitter apéritif that’s made by the Campari group. However, it’s quite a bit lower in alcohol than Campari (11%). The brand describes Aperol as “the same spirit that spontaneously gathers people together and sparks nothing but good vibes.” Yes, please!

Prosecco

Prosecco is a light, sparkling white wine, similar to Champagne, but made in Italy. It’s delicious and also happens to be pretty affordable for good quality wine. The Sparkling Winos explain that “Sparkling wines made in this method are produced in a much shorter amount of time (sometimes in as little as a few weeks) and at a much lower cost than those made in the traditional Champagne method. That helps to explain the $15 a bottle price point.” At the grocery, look for a brand that’s around this price point and labeled “Prosecco DOC” (an Italian quality assurance). With those parameters, you’ll be good to go.

Soda

Top off the drink with your favorite club soda or sparkling water. One thing I love about the Aperol Spritz is that it’s a lower-alcohol cocktail, and you can make it even lower by topping off your drink with more soda as you sip. This is my preferred strategy for when I want to spend three hours talking and sipping with friends on a patio without feeling over-served at the end of it.

Aperol Spritz Garnishes

The typical classic Aperol Spritz will call for an orange slice. I add one to mine, but I also take a cue from the bartenders at Hotel de Russie and add a lemon twist at the end. This burst of bitter citrus makes the drink. When I hold it up to take a sip, the aroma of lemon mixed with the sweetness and bitterness of the drink is just ridiculously good.

That’s it! A three-ingredient cocktail that just might become your official drink of spring and summer. Be sure to rate and review this recipe if you give it a try! Can’t wait to hear what you guys think.

Classic Aperol Spritz

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No reviews

• Author: Camille Styles
• Total Time: 5 minutes

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Description

Made with just three ingredients, this summer staple couldn’t be simpler.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 3 ounces Aperol
• 3 ounces chilled Prosecco
• splash of sparkling water
• slice of orange and twist of lemon, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Fill a large wine glass with lots of ice. Pour in the Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water and stir well to combine.
2. Add an orange slice to the glass, then twist a piece of lemon peel over the top and drop it in. Cheers!

• Prep Time: 5

The post The Only Aperol Spritz Recipe You Need This Season appeared first on Camille Styles.

Unfortunately for Adam, I now reserve the chocolate soufflé for our annual Valentine’s date night at home, and this year I’m also making a couple of his other old-school favorites: hot honey glazed salmon, and this grapefruit vodka cocktail, also known as a greyhound or salty dog (we’ll get to the distinction in a moment.) Scroll on for this simple, classic grapefruit vodka cocktail that’s always a crowd-pleaser, along with a few tips for making it really special.

What do you call a grapefruit vodka cocktail?

Let’s break it down:

• A classic Greyhound cocktail is made by shaking up 1 part vodka or gin to 3 parts grapefruit juice and serving over ice. That’s it! It’s super delicious and refreshing, especially when made with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
• The difference between a Salty Dog cocktail and a Greyhound is that a Salty Dog has a salted rim. It’s small touch that makes a big difference in the flavor of the final product.
• The Italian Greyhound is another lesser-known vodka grapefruit cocktail that adds Campari to the mix (YUM)
• A Sea Breeze cocktail also uses vodka and grapefruit juice, with the pretty addition of cranberry juice as well.
• And if you’re wondering about the difference between a Paloma cocktail and a Greyhound, a Paloma has tequila or mezcal instead of vodka or gin.

My version is closest to the Salty Dog thanks to its yummy salted rim, but mixes up the classic ratios just a bit, adding a squeeze of agave syrup and some grapefruit-flavored sparkling water to top it off. I love the fizziness this provides, and it allows me to modify the drink and make a low-alcohol cocktail if I want to keep things light, without sacrificing the delicious grapefruit flavor.

How to make a Salty Dog cocktail in 3 easy steps

I’m not a fan of complicated at-home cocktails—I love a short ingredients list and simple shake-it-up technique, and this cocktail recipe has both.

1. First, you’re going to salt the rims of your glasses. I like the look of a rim that’s salted on just half the glass, plus it allows the drinker to decide if they take a sip with or without salt. To get this effect, all you have to do is take a lime or grapefruit wheel and run it around the edge of half the glass, then dip that half into a small bowl filled with kosher salt.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, you’re going to shake up 2 parts grapefruit juice to 1 part vodka, with a squeeze of agave if desired.
3. Strain and pour over your ice-filled glasses, then top off with grapefruit sparkling water to taste. My hands-down favorite is Rambler—everyone in our house is obsessed. If you want, garnish with a grapefruit slice.

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Tips for the best grapefruit vodka cocktail

When a recipe is this simple, it’s all about the quality of your ingredients, so I highly recommend using freshly-squeezed pink grapefruit or ruby red grapefruit juice here, instead of the bottled kind. It makes a major difference, and it’s one simple step that makes this recipe feel special, despite its simplicity.

I personally love the addition of a little agave syrup in this since it balances the tart flavor of the fresh grapefruit juice. Feel free to swap in simple syrup, or omit altogether if you like your drink less sweet.

How to make it a grapefruit mocktail

Since grapefruit has such a delicious, juicy flavor on its own, it makes an amazing base for a non-boring cocktail. If you’d like to make this drink without alcohol, just swap in a little lime juice in place of the vodka or gin, and add some extra grapefruit sparkling water. Make it feel a little more special by throwing in a rosemary sprig or mint for garnish. Delish (and beautiful!)

The post This Salty Dog Cocktail is Sweet, Tart, and Easy—Make It for Your Main Squeeze This Valentine’s appeared first on Camille Styles.

Somehow, apple cider tastes as if someone (brilliantly) devised a way to drink the flavor of falling leaves, chunky sweaters, wool scarves, and all things cozy. Strange but true, and because of this, you can find us sipping on mug after mug of all our favorite apple cider recipes from now until December—maybe beyond.

Featured image by Hannah Haston.

Like any fall dish, these 11 versions of the seasonal favorite contain every autumnal flavor you can think of—maple, apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and bourbon. But unlike other fall foods, cider fully encompasses all that is warm, cozy, and wonderful about the colder months. It’s what we keep in our cups during all the tailgates, fall gatherings, and blustery weekend afternoons spent curled up in autumnal bliss.

If you aren’t already shaking your head in agreement, prepare yourself. When you take your first sip of one of the recipes listed below, you’ll soon join the club of proud cider fanatics everywhere.

11 Apple Cider Recipes For Cozy Fall Sipping

Herbal Infused Bourbon Apple Cider

Why We Love It: When it came to apple cider recipes, I once thought of myself as a cider purist. Spoiled by the proximity of a cider press, you can bet the cider I was sipping on as a kid was as fresh as could be. And while I’ll still never get over the dry/tart flavor of my ciders of yore, I’ve learned to enjoy a little doctoring up. Enter: this herbal-infused, bourbon-spiked apple cider cocktail that epitomizes all that I love about fall flavors. It’s spicy and sweet, warming and ever-so-savory. And with a few ounces of bourbon to boot, this is the ideal fall party cocktail.

Hero Ingredient: Make a big batch of the honey-thyme simple syrup. It’s the kind of mix-in you’ll always want on hand.

Build Your Own Cider Bar

Why We Love It: This is less of a recipe and more one of my favorite ways to enjoy the best apple cider recipes around. Is there anything better than welcoming the season surrounded by loved ones? That’s exactly why we created this guide to your coziest night in—BYO cider bar, included.

Hero Ingredient: Hero… arrangement. Be sure to set out all the ingredients and add-ons in advance. That way, your guests can stir in a cinnamon stick or add a dash of bourbon as they please.

Cranberry Apple Cider

Why We Love It: CranApple is a marketer’s dream flavor for a reason. Not only does it provide a catchy name to splash across the bottle, but mixing the tartness of cranberries with the earthy sweetness of apples is a study in perfect flavor pairings. Mix up a big bowl of this punch and infuse it with your favorite fall spices. It’s the ideal drink to be sipping on during all your Hallmark favorites.

Hero Ingredient: Citrus slices are a must-add to your cider punch bowl. Not only do they add gorgeous color and up the drink’s overall visual appeal, but they add a nice sour note to give your punch a little pucker.

Spiced Hard Cider

Why We Love It: If your go-to hard cider isn’t cutting it in the fall flavors department, we’ve outlined the exact steps you need to follow to ensure your beverage is worthy of a little autumn imbibing. Eric Prum and Josh Williams, co-founders of W&P, put it best: “We like to punch up bottled cider by spiking it with applejack, a brandy distilled from apples, and warming spices. We build this drink in a cocktail shaker, infusing the applejack with the spices before topping it with refreshing hard cider.” Yum or YUM?

Hero Ingredient: A pinch of ground allspice, cinnamon, and cloves infuses your cider with the trifecta of fall spices.

Bourbon Maple Cider

Why We Love It: Bourbon maple might be my favorite pairing of words in the English language (followed quickly by maple bacon… ). In all seriousness, this drink knows how to spice up and strengthen your favorite cup of cider. With just a few simple ingredients your fall kitchen is likely to have already stocked, you’re well on your way to mixing up what we’d consider an essential autumn drink.

Hero Ingredient: Don’t mess with the maple syrup—be sure you’re using the good stuff.

Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita From Half Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: If the temps are still high where you are and you’re in need of a drink to bridge the gap between summer and fall, make it this one. Smoky mezcal is the perfect warming match for all the harvest flavors (i.e., a blend of orange liquor, spiced apple cider, citrusy lime, and maple). It’s a special drink that couldn’t be easier to make.

Hero Ingredient: A sprig of rosemary for garnish not only makes this sipper a stunner, but it gives the drink a nice piney finish.

Apple Cider Rooibos Hot Toddy From Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: Talk about clever. While I love apple cider (obviously), go crazy for hot toddies, and sip on rooibos tea like it’s water all through the fall/winter months, I’d never thought to combine the three. That is, of course, until now. The result is a strong, bold drink that’s just a touch sweet. If you’re tempted to reach for a cup of chai post-dinner, make this instead. Trust me: your taste buds will thank you.

Hero Ingredient: The spice is right with just a few slices of fresh ginger.

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail From Style Me Pretty

Why We Love It: While a few of the takes in this round-up of the best apple cider recipes know the beauty that is cider and bourbon combined, this one builds on the pairing with the addition of brown sugar. It creates a wonderfully caramelized touch of sweetness that’s slightly bitter. The ideal match for this drink’s triple-threat spice combo.

Hero Ingredient: I love that this recipe is truly homemade. You’ll appreciate the flavor of fresh apple cider once you’ve peeled, chopped, boiled, mashed, and strained 14 apples to make this magic elixir.

Sparking Vanilla Scented Apple Cider Punch From Simple Bites

Why We Love It: I find it funny that you don’t often come across a vanilla-flecked variation of apple cider. While some people think of vanilla only as sweet, I find it a bit earthy, floral, and even spicy at times—in other words, exactly what every apple cider punch should call for. This crimson, cranberry-infused cider is all the better because of it.

Hero Ingredient: Building on the vanilla here. You get not just one, but two instances of its sweet, creamy taste from the addition of vanilla extract and a split vanilla bean. Double the flavor, double the deliciousness.

Apple Cider Cocktail From Well-Plated By Erin

Why We Love It: I love how light and ethereally effervescent this apple cider cocktail is. While some ciders can feel and taste heavy (there’s a time and a place for those), this recipe benefits from the addition of ginger beer, giving it a spicy, bubbly bite. Its garnishes are beautifully considered too, with apple slices, cinnamon, and a sprig of thyme making it occasion-worthy.

Hero Ingredient: Stock up on ginger beer this season—you’ll be making this cocktail on repeat.

Ginger Pear Cider With Vanilla Bean From The First Mess

Why We Love It: Because the predominant flavor here is pear instead of apple, we’ll call this cider recipe a bit of a bonus. But I’m including it because I think more of us need to be aware of the incredibly seasonal and fresh flavor pear brings to the table (why does apple get to be the star?). Not only is this drink entirely addicting, but the addition of ginger helps you fight off the inevitable fall cold. The best part: you don’t need a press to make it! This drink can be prepared entirely in your blender.

Hero Ingredient: Give it up for the humble beauty of pears.

The post 11 Cider Recipes We Can’t Wait to Make this Fall appeared first on Camille Styles.

The popularity of rosé comes from its light, refreshing qualities, plus the fact that it pairs well with just about any summer meal. As long as you steer away from a few of the big brand names, the best rosé wines can be found at an attractive price point that you can pick up at just about any large grocery or liquor store.

So, we’re kicking off the summer season by choosing our favorite bottles that you can score for under $35. We compiled this list by polling our editors and a few industry pros to get the lowdown on the ones they’re picking up on repeat. Start scrollin’ and sippin’—these picks don’t disappoint.

Feature image by Michelle Nash.

Discover the Best Rosé Wines for Summer 2022

COR Cellars 2021 Rosae

If you find yourself in the Pacific Northwest, be sure to add COR Cellars to your bucket list. The tasting room is beautifully modern (in all the best ways) and sits up the hill from the Columbia River. Needless to say, the views are stunning—but their wines? Even better. Dry, but with a refreshing finish, this bold pick is a show-stopper without trying to be too much. Crisp and clean, it basically begs to be your go-to bottle of the summer.

COR Cellars 2021 Rosae, $22

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Landmass Wines 2021 Crystal Visions Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir

As with books, we’re encouraged never to judge a bottle of wine by its label. In this case though, I encourage you to rebel against the old adage. I love a rosé of pinot noir, because I find the flavor to be a bit tarter and with a fuller body than other options. But this sipper maintains the light and playful effervescence you often come to expect when opening any pale pink bottle.

Landmass Wines 2021 Crystal Visions Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir, $26

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Summer Water Rosé

There’s a reason I alluded to this bottle above. With notes of lime zest, grapefruit, strawberry, and watermelon, this pick epitomizes summer—meriting the name, of course. While a flavor profile like that makes me feel confident sipping it alongside any and all meals (I’m prioritizing this take on the classic Caprese) or even enjoying a glass on its own, the creators of the ubiquitous bottle recommend a plate of crispy fries. Don’t mind if I do.

Summer Water Rosé, $14.99

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Avaline Rosé

We can’t let the summer pass us by without trying Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power’s lovely, light, and fresh rosé. It’s an organic wine with notes of melon and a whiff of zest. Avaline features a smooth, floral sip and tastes of tart peaches and berry lemonade. Dry but vibrant, and definitely chic as hell!

Avaline Rosé, $24

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Bojo do Luar, Vinho Rosé Luar Rosa

This heavenly organic Portgueuese wine is made from a blend of tinta cão, vinhão, and loureiro. The tinta cão and vinhão grapes are sourced from a small producer practicing organic viticulture in the Vinho Verde region. Spontaneous fermentation occurs in concrete and stainless steel with chestnut flowers and is then combined with loureiro to add zest and even more aromatics. It’s pretty unbelievable that this wine is under $20, and how cute is the label?

Bojo do Luar, Vinho Rosé Luar Rosa, $19.99

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Fongoli Montefalco Vino Rosato

If you’ve been wanting to get into organic, biodynamic wines then look no further than this Italian beauty. Free of sulfur and bottled without fining or filtration, this gorgeous rosé is as good as it gets. It’s on the darker side of pink, but it goes down like a refreshing, summery rosé.

Fongoli Montefalco Vino Rosato, $28

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Jolie Folle Rosé

We’ve got your next everyday fave coming right up. This fruity and light rosé hails from the South of France and has lovely notes of strawberry and raspberry. On the palate, it’s bright and dry with a hint of apricot on the finish. Perfect for your next beach day, brunch, or light dinner accompaniment.

Jolie Folle Rosé, $16.99

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The Palm Rosé By Whispering Angel 2018

Considered the chic little sister to Whispering Angel, The Palm is a fresh and aromatic wine with subtle fruity notes. The cute, playful label is an added bonus to this delicious wine. It was created by winemaker Sacha Lichine, who was on a quest to create the greatest rosés in the world and is considered by many to have been responsible for the “Rosé Renaissance.” Innovative winemaking techniques revolutionized the styles of rosés being produced from this region and led to the creation of Whispering Angel.

The Palm Rosé By Whispering Angel 2018, $16.99

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Ruza Rosé Wine California

Don’t want to tote around a bottle? No problem. This four-pack of rosé wine has a bright, spritzy palate that’s perfect for your next adventure. The grapes, which were specifically designed for this rosé, were picked early in the season and taken directly to press, (after a few hours of skin contact) the result of which gives it a soft pink hue. It has notes of red berries and citrus, and best of all, it’s recyclable.

Ruza Rosé Wine California, $14.99

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Miraval Rosé 2020

This is Brad Pitt’s wine, literally. His vineyard in Provence manufactures it! It’s an elegant, pale pink, fresh wine with notes of fresh fruit, currants, rose, and lemon zest. The minerality and saline notes are perfectly balanced, making it as irresistible as it is affordable. Pair it with a gorgeous charcuterie board and enjoy!

Miraval Rosé 2020, $23.98 (reg. $28)

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Yes Way Rosé

This classic party wine is proof that it doesn’t have to be expensive to taste good. It’s a dry, classic Provençal-style rosé from the south of France. The grenache blend is light, fanciful, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Notes of ripe strawberry, citrus, and stone fruits will make it your go-to for Sunday brunch and picnics. It even comes in cans if you need to sneak it to the beach!

Yes Way Rosé, $13.99

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Babe Rosé (8-Pack)

Need another canned option? Babe Rosé is a light, refreshing sparkling delight. Three cans are equal to one whole bottle, making it incredibly convenient to tote around and share with friends.

Babe Rosé (8-Pack), $34.99

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Las Jaras 2021 Superbloom

This dark pink wine is a product of co-fermenting red and white Rhône varieties from a single vineyard. This vintage contains about a third of red and two-thirds white grapes. It goes by the term “California Table Wine,” but it’s a complex and unique wine with an unforgettable flavor. Red grapes give this wine a spicy nose and plenty of texture, while the white grapes add watermelon and rhubarb notes, plus a clean, mineral finish.

Las Jaras 2021 Superbloom, $28

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Broc Cellars 2021 Love Rosé

This gorgeous rosé wine was foot-stomped and left on the skin for 12 hours. It is what winemakers call a 100% finished wine. That means it was fermented until it went dry using only native yeasts and then went through spontaneous malolactic fermentation. It has a slight spice from the zinfandel, acidity from the Valdiguié, and texture from the Trousseau grapes. It’s a delicious Napa Valley blend!

Broc Cellars 2021 Love Rosé, $25

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Rezabal Txakoli Rosé 2021

Hailing from the Getariako Txakolina region of Spain, this lovely rosé is made with 100% Hondarribia Beltza. It’s aromatic, dry, and ever so slightly effervescent. Soft flavors of strawberries, bright acidity, and minerality shine through.

Rezabal Txakoli Rosé 2021, $19.99

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2020 Gerard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé 

Enjoy this slightly sparkly, pale pink and grey rosé. It’s ultra-fresh and light, making it the perfect beverage for a hot summer afternoon. It’s simply a classic French rosé.

2020 Gerard Bertrand Gris Blanc Rosé, $13.99

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2021 Commanderie de Peyrassol Rose Les Commandeurs Cotes de Provence

This bottle’s pale, rosy appearance is extra dreamy, and it pairs floral notes with a light, crisp, and refreshing flavor. Recommended by the importer as an accessible and tasty introduction to the Peyrassol style, this is a rosé you can sip on all summer and enjoy in any environment, alongside nearly any dish (though we’re partial to grilled fish or a sweet berry dessert).

2021 Commanderie de Peyrassol Rose Les Commandeurs Cotes de Provence, $23.99

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Las Jaras 2020 Rosé

This is not your everyday party wine, it’s also a perfect pairing for a light summer meal. This organic zinfandel and petite syrah blend is all about big red fruit and hibiscus. It’s packed with acid and minerality while retaining a super-dry finish. It also has a unique and unexpected texture as a result of destemming the zinfandel and pressing it immediately. The grapes are harvested at two different vineyards in northern California, in the Ukiah Valley and in Redwood Valley.

Las Jaras 2020 Rosé, $21.60 (reg. $27)

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Kobal Bajta Blaufränkisch Rosé Pet Nat

This natural wine is a total stunner—sustainable, juicy, mouthwatering, and bubbly. It has a moody, romantic, and cloudy appearance but it tastes nice and bright. Strawberries, raspberries, and a touch of yeastiness on the nose give it a creamy, chewy palate with a slightly bitter finish. It’s definitely for those looking to mix up their usual rosé wines with something a little more experimental.

Kobal Bajta Blaufränkisch Rosé Pet Nat, $21.99

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The post The 19 Best Rosé Wines to Sip All Summer (and They’re All Under $35) appeared first on Camille Styles.

It only took inhaling the fresh spring air to realize that this was actually a mint plant. And after inspecting its leaves more closely, it was confirmed: I had over 40 sprigs of fresh mint magically growing in my yard. While I wish this had been the case for my other favorite herbs like basil and cilantro, I was excited about this little gift from nature—and I knew I had to put it to good use. Cue the easy mint juleps!

Why mint juleps?

As it turns out, mint is actually an invasive species. It can quickly take over your whole garden if you’re not careful. I had to remove the entire plant pretty quickly to prevent this. Naturally, that left me with more mint on my hands than I could handle.

Mint has a variety of uses from cooking to cocktails, but it doesn’t get easier than a classic mint julep. With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner and the weather heating up in Austin, it seemed like the perfect time to mix up this easy mint julep recipe. So what’s the secret to this famous cocktail? For me, it was lots of crushed ice and a dash of honey. Read on for how to make this classic drink that’s as bold as it is refreshing.

What are the ingredients in a mint julep?

A traditional mint julep consists of bourbon, simple syrup, and mint. Can it get much easier than that? While I went with store-bought simple syrup for ease, you can make your own simple syrup by combining a cup of sugar with a cup of water and boiling the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Since the drink was a bit stiff for me, I added a dash of honey to sweeten it a little more.

What type of bourbon is used in a mint julep?

The main difference between a mint julep and a mojito is the choice of alcohol. While mojitos are rum-based, mint juleps contain bourbon, a type of whiskey. Any type of bourbon works for this drink. While it tends to be a tad sweeter than your usual whiskey, the smoky flavor still dominates in a mint julep. Whether you’re a bourbon fan or not, be warned that this drink is not for the faint-hearted!

Tips for making a mint julep:

“Clap” the mint. When making your mint julep, do this before adding it to your cup. The motion releases the herb’s natural flavor and will make a difference in the drink’s taste. I choose to do this instead of muddling the mint.

Go heavy on the crushed ice. The drink tends to mellow out as the ice melts, but you could also add lime juice, club soda, or sparkling water to further dilute the bourbon if you want a lighter cocktail.

The post How to Make a Classic Mint Julep Cocktail–It’s Easier Than You Think! appeared first on Camille Styles.

While I’m a margarita-loving gal, I’ll occasionally opt for something a little more festive than tequila, (though as we all know, tequila can get pretty festive). So when I’m in charge of mixing up drinks for the group, you can bet I’m making this crowd-pleasing cocktail. Because when the sun’s out, there are few things more refreshing (and fun!) than a big pitcher of bubbly, fruit-filled sangria. Plus, I love a batch drink that basically makes itself.

This rosé sangria recipe involves just a handful of easy-to-prep ingredients, so you can spend less time mixing and more time sipping. Pair it with some sunshine, tapas, and a picnic blanket, and you’re well on your way to a mental vacation to Spain. Is it happy hour yet?

What you’ll need to make this strawberry rosé sangria:

• A good pitcher
• Your favorite rosé (we love these)
• Grand Marnier (brandy works too) 
• Sparkling water (I used Topo Chico) 
• Cane sugar
• Fresh fruit (I used strawberries, oranges, and lemons)
• Herbs (mint and basil are my faves)
• Ice

What is traditional sangria made of?

I first tried sangria at a local tapas restaurant, and I won’t lie—my tastebuds were transformed. Our server, who was from Spain, stopped us in our tracks when we were contemplating ordering a bottle of Pinot Noir in the middle of summer. Their argument made perfect sense: why drink red wine on its own when you can enjoy it in a sangria? It was the upgrade we didn’t know we needed. One pitcher later, we couldn’t wait to try and recreate this delicious drink at home. 

While traditional Spanish sangria varies by region and type, it generally consists of wine, chopped fruits, some sort of liqueur (usually brandy), and a sweetener. Sometimes fruit juice and sparkling water are thrown in there too, but overall, sangria is a wine-based punch that’s been enjoyed in Europe for centuries. After drinking it myself, I can see why. 

What’s the best wine for sangria? 

While red wine is most commonly used in sangria, white wine, and of course, rosé, work just as well. In general, it’s better to opt for lighter, more fruit-forward wines with low tannins. Rosé is usually my wine of choice in a sangria because it’s slightly drier and a little bit acidic while maintaining hints of sweetness that complement the fruit.

If you’re enjoying a more traditional sangria, Pinot Noir is the most popular. When it comes to white wine, any varieties that are less oaky or buttery are usually fair game. Lastly, sparkling wines are a great option, too! I’ll usually skip the soda at the end when using sparkling wine.

What is the best fruit to put in sangria? 

As is true with any recipe, the best fruit to use will be whatever’s in season! In my opinion, rosé pairs best with my favorite spring fruits like strawberries and oranges. White wine with limes, peaches, or blackberries makes for delicious sangria during those final summer months. A traditional sangria with pinot noir, apples, pears, and lemon slices is my preference for fall. For the most part, there are no rules here. Live your life!

How far in advance should you make sangria?

From my personal experience, sangria is best when prepped at least two hours in advance. For this rosé sangria recipe, you’ll add all of the chopped fruit to a pitcher and top it with sugar or your sweetener of choice and mix. Then, after adding the liqueur (Grand Marnier in this case), you’ll let the concoction cool in the fridge for a few hours (up to eight) so that the fruit can soak up all of the flavors. Hold off on adding any wine, herbs, or bubbles until about an hour before serving. When guests arrive, just pour it over ice and you’re ready to sip! 

What foods pair best with this rosé sangria recipe?

This rosé sangria recipe is best paired with your favorite spring appetizers, like tomato bruschetta or watermelon Caprese salad. Scroll on, grab the recipe below, and enjoy a delicious glass of rosé sangria. You deserve it!

The post Red, White, and Rosé? That’s Right—You’ll Be Sipping This Strawberry Sangria All Spring appeared first on Camille Styles.

There’s really no better season than spring. The days are longer, the trees are blossoming, fresh fruit and veg can be found in abundance, and everyone’s hitting their respective cities’ best patios. There’s nothing better than sitting in my backyard at the end of the day with my husband and an aperitif—and these three-ingredient cocktails are here to save the day. Because I’d rather spend my time sipping a cocktail than making it.

But here’s the reality: Whether it’s warm-weather season or not, having a simple, go-to cocktail ready to go in your back pocket is invaluable. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up the yummiest three-ingredient cocktails I could find. Keep these cocktail recipes in your back pocket and spend less time crafting your cocktails and more time enjoying them!

Feature image by Kristen Kilpatrick.

Scroll on: You’ll definitely want to try these tasty three-ingredient cocktails.

Rhubarb Lilac Spritzer from Lark & Linen

Why We Love It: Rhubarb is one of my favorite in-season spring fruits. It’s perfect in pies, tangy in tarts, and deliciously at home in this refreshing and light spritzer.

Hero Ingredient: But lilac’s lovely floral notes are unbeatable.

Get the recipe for Rhubarb Lilac Spritzer.

Watermelon Margarita from Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: There are few things as refreshing as a watermelon on a hot day; it’s the epitome of fresh summer fruit. This watermelon margarita recipe just might reign supreme—it’s nothing fancy while also being the perfect cocktail. Get yourself some watermelon, lime juice, and tequila for a seriously delicious treat.

Hero Ingredient: It’s a toss-up between the watermelon and the tequila, but I’ll give the trophy to the former. That’s where all the flavor is, after all.

Get the recipe for Watermelon Margarita.

Classic Vodka Martini from Jones Red & White

Why We Love It: It doesn’t get cooler (literally and figuratively) than a classic martini. All you need is vodka, vermouth, lemon peel and you’re good to go. It’s my dad’s favorite cocktail, but universally enjoyed by all.

Hero Ingredient: Lemon peel doubles as being both aesthetically pleasing and this drink’s driving flavor.

Get the recipe for Classic Vodka Martini.

Cherry Amaretto Limeade from Take Two Tapas

Why We Love It: If you’re an Amaretto sour fan then you’re definitely going to want to try this refreshing twist on a classic limeade. It’s perfectly tart with a splash of sweetness.

Hero Ingredient: Hot take: Limeade > lemonade.

Get the recipe for Cherry Amaretto Limeade.

Classic Daiquiri from The Spruce Eats

Why We Love It: Daquiris generally call to mind sugary slushies on a boardwalk, but as it happens, the original recipe was incredibly light and simple. Rum, simple syrup, and lime juice make this as fresh and bright as can imagine.

Hero Ingredient: The lime juice gives your daiquiri a nice little pucker to offset the simple syrup’s sweetness.

Get the recipe for Classic Daiquiri.

Elderflower Rosé from Lark & Linen

Why We Love It: Elevate your favorite bottle of sparkling rosé with a delectable dash of elderflower liqueur and a sprig of thyme. You’ll feel like you’re lounging in the gardens of Downton Abbey.

Hero Ingredient: It’s hard to say—the three components of this sparkling bev are all just so good. But I’ll give it up to the rosé that gives your glass a blushy, sparkly shine.

Get the recipe for Elderflower Rosé.

Moscow Mule from Gimme Some Oven

Why We Love It: An ice-cold Moscow Mule is just what we need at the end of a long, hot day. The copper mug isn’t necessary, but it certainly adds to the ambiance, doesn’t it? Get yourself some vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice over a ton of ice and you’re in business.

Hero Ingredient: Ginger beer does bubbly spice to perfection.

Get the recipe for Moscow Mule.

Refreshing Cucumber Lime Margaritas from Tastes Lovely

Why We Love It: For some reason, it wasn’t until recently that I came around to cucumber’s cooling beauty in all my favorite drinks (on that note, you need to try this Cucumber-Ginger Sangria asap). It mellows out the lime juice and tequila with ease.

Hero Ingredient: This drink is a PSA to start sippin’ on cucumber juice.

Get the recipe for Refreshing Cucumber Lime Margaritas.

Margarita Float from Julie Blanner

Why We Love It: A warm spring/summer evening doesn’t go by without me craving a margarita cool-down. Serve alongside your favorite tacos for maximum impact.

Hero Ingredient: Lime sorbet makes this the most refreshing cocktail EVER.

Get the recipe for Margarita Float.

Cranberry Orange Mimosa from Crazy for Crust

Why We Love It: Whip up this easy and incredibly delicious mimosa Bellini next time you need to punch up a bit of juice. Make one for yourself or throw together a pitcher for all to enjoy. It couldn’t be easier.

Hero Ingredient: It’s not a party without the Prosecco (or champagne, for that matter).

Get the recipe for Cranberry Orange Mimosa.

White Russian from Rachel Cooks

Why We Love It: If you’re anything like me, it’s been far too long since the last time you had a white Russian. Indulge in this decadent cocktail next time you’ve got a craving some something truly special.

Hero Ingredient: I have a feeling Lorelai Gilmore would appreciate the coffee liqueur. I certainly do.

Get the recipe for White Russian.

Classic Negroni from A Beautiful Mess

Why We Love It: One of our favorite three-ingredient cocktails, the classic Negroni never goes out of style. It’s refreshing, nice and strong, and eternally sexy.

Hero Ingredient: While some folks can’t get on board with Campari, I love its bittersweet flavor. Plus, with notes of orange peel, it plays up this drink’s garnish perfectly.

Get the recipe for Classic Negroni.

Lemonade Prosecco Punch from Crazy for Crust

Why We Love It: How gorgeous is this simple three-ingredient cocktail? It looks and tastes so much fancier than it actually is, making it the perfect option for your next weekend unwind.

Hero Ingredient: Okay, so we might be cheating with this one a little. With garnishes included, technically there’s five ingredients—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t easy to mix up. One of the visual adds that’s key? Frozen blackberries offer a little color and a light, fruity flavor.

Get the recipe for Lemonade Prosecco Punch.

Lemon Sorbet Mimosa from Tastes Lovely

Why We Love It: When it comes to brunch, most of us belong to one of two camps: Bloody Mary or mimosa. My vote is always for the latter. Not only are they an elegant addition to any table, but they’re undeniably delicious. Just be mindful—they’re easy to knock back.

Hero Ingredient: The lemon sorbet makes your mimosa slightly slushy and deceivingly indulgent.

Get the recipe for Lemon Sorbet Mimosa.

Mint Julep from Fit Foodie Finds

Why We Love It: While the Kentucky Derby is still more than a month away, you can get ready with this super simple mint julep. Even with a heavy pour of bourbon, this classic cocktail still manages to be deliciously refreshing.

Hero Ingredient: The mint is muddled, mouthwatering, and totally magical.

Get the recipe for Mint Julep.

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The post 15 Three-Ingredient Cocktails You Can Make Tonight appeared first on Camille Styles.