On our recent team trip to Oaxaca, we spent three days soaking up the city’s vibrant art, food, and culture. Of course, a mezcal tasting was warranted given that Oaxaca is home to this smoky spirit. The experience left me itching to infuse more mezcal moments into my cocktails this summer. Enter: this spicy mezcal Paloma recipe.

I’ll start by confessing that this recipe is breaking a cardinal rule of mezcal drinking. We learned that mezcal is meant to be sipped straight instead of mixed into cocktails. But if you’re like me, you might need a little fresh juice and soda to help you ease into your mezcal journey. Plus, it’s hard to turn down a classic, thirst-quenching Paloma. So let’s get to it.

Why You’ll Love This Mezcal Paloma Recipe

A traditional Mexican Paloma is made with tequila blanco and grapefruit soda. This version is a riff on the classic, using a mix of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sparkling water.

Mezcal has been produced in Mexico for centuries, and believe it or not, tequila is actually a type of mezcal. Both tequila and mezcal come from agave plants, but the types of agaves and production methods differ for each spirit. Mezcal production is deeply rooted in tradition and begins by being cooked in the ground in natural ovens. It’s later distilled in copper pots, giving it that distinct, smoky flavor. However, the more authentic the mezcal, the less smoky it tastes.

This recipe also calls for blanco tequila in addition to the mezcal to balance the flavors and round out the drink. Lastly, I’ve found that using honey balances out the cocktail’s other, stronger flavors. And don’t forget your sliced jalapeño and chili salt for that extra kick! The resulting sip is a beautiful blend of tangy, smoky, and salty with just enough sweetness.

Mezcal Paloma Ingredients and Substitutions

Here’s everything you need to mix up this cocktail in less than five minutes:

• A good tequila blanco. I prefer LALO.
• Your favorite mezcal. I’m a fan of Madre.
• A few limes. Fresh-squeezed lime juice makes all the difference.
• Grapefruit. You can opt for store-bought grapefruit juice, but the drink will taste the most fresh if you juice the grapefruit yourself. And if you opt for the store-bought route, just be sure to use a bottle without added sugar.
• Honey. For a dash of sweetness.
• Sparkling water. It’ll give your Paloma that extra fizz. I love Topo chico but club soda works as well.
• Jalapeño. A little goes a long way!
• Chili salt. You can buy store-bought chili salt or make your own. (Instructions below!)
• Garnishes. I’ve used fresh herbs like rosemary, lime, grapefruit wedges, and even sliced cucumber.

How to Make This Mezcal Paloma Recipe

This cocktail couldn’t be any easier, and I love that it’s simple enough to make large pitchers so guests can mix up their drinks as they please.

To make the Tajín rim, mix equal parts pink Himalayan salt and Tajín in a small bowl. Spread the mixture in a thin layer evenly across a plate. Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge, then dip the cocktail glass upside down into the chili salt mixture to line the rim.

To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add tequila, mezcal, lime juice, grapefruit juice, a jalapeño slice, and honey. Strain into an ice-filled glass and add a splash of sparkling water of your choice on top. Add your preferred garnishes.

What to Serve With This Mezcal Paloma

These mezcal Palomas have been a crowd-pleaser at my house this summer. Mix up a batch and enjoy your cocktails alongside sheet pan chicken fajitas, tostadas, or one of our best taco recipes of all time. For summer gatherings, I love to double (or triple!) the recipe and prepare it in a big pitcher for friends to pour over ice when they’re ready for a cocktail.

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Spicy Mezcal Paloma

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★★★★★

5 from 10 reviews

• Author: Michelle Nash

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Description

This mezcal paloma is tart, smoky, spicy, and a little bit sweet.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 oz blanco tequila (I like LALO)
• 1 oz mezcal (I like Madre mezcal)
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz honey
• 1 oz sparkling water (I like Topo Chico)
• sliced jalapeño
• chili salt: mix pink Himalayan salt and Tajín seasoning together in a small bowl
• garnish with a grapefruit wedge and a handful of rosemary sprigs

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Instructions

1. Mix equal parts pink Himalayan salt and Tajín in a small bowl. Transfer to a plate and spread across the plate evenly. Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge, then dip the cocktail glass upside down into the chili salt mixture to line the rim.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, mezcal, lime juice, grapefruit juice, a jalapeño slice, and honey.
3. Strain into an ice-filled glass and add a splash of Topo Chico on top.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and a rosemary sprig.

The post This Spicy Mezcal Paloma Will Heat Up Your Summer appeared first on Camille Styles.

Intrigued? We have all the details on how to carefully craft this exquisite summer cocktail below. With only six ingredients, this is sure to be a recipe repeat for those warm summer days spent lounging in the sun. Santé!

Why You’ll Love This French Spritz Cocktail

Given the cocktail’s association with the famous beach located in Biarritz, France, the La Grande Plage evokes feelings of a summer spent by the sea. Peppler’s recipe utilizes seasonal ingredients like lemons and oranges for garnish, a touch of Angostura bitters for an herby and spiced flavor, and light ice to chill the crisp sparkling wine.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lillet Rosé: Lillet Rosé a sweet, light-bodied wine with notes of strawberry, citrus, and melon.

Amaro: No, this is not Amaretto or Amarone. Amaro is an Italian bittersweet liqueur with flavors of herbs and florals.

Angostura Bitters: A spicy and bitter liqueur with notes of cloves and cinnamon, typically made with gentian root and other herbs and spices.

Dry Sparkling Wine: This cocktail is best with sparkling wine on the drier side to counter the other sweet ingredients.

Lemon or Orange Wheels: Because what’s a fun cocktail without the presentation?

La Grande Plage

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★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews

• Author: Rebekah Peppler

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Description

This is the spritz to make when you’re by the sea (or want to be) and desire something lightly bitter and bubbly and giving sunset in a cup.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 1/2 ounces [45 ml] Lillet Rosé
• 3/4 ounce [22.5 ml] amaro, such as China-China, Nonino, or Montenegro
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Pinch flaky sea salt
• 4 ounces [120 ml] dry sparkling wine
• 1 or 2 very thin lemon or orange wheels, if desired

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Instructions

1. In a wine glass filled with ice, combine the Lillet, amaro, bitters, and salt. Top with the sparkling wine. Add the citrus wheels directly in the glass (if using) and serve.

The post We’re Calling It—The “La Grande Plage” Is the Spritz of the Summer appeared first on Camille Styles.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Margarita

There are countless ways to mix up a margarita. You can keep it classic with tequila, fresh-squeezed lime juice, Cointreau, and agave syrup. Or, you can play things up with unexpected flavors like prickly pear syrup, blended frozen watermelon, and even celery juice. But there’s something undeniably delicious about the simple but standout zing of a spicy margarita.

It delivers a little heat while still managing to quench that warm-weather thirst. This spicy margarita recipe is tradition taken up a notch. As someone who loves nothing more than dousing *anything* with a healthy shake of hot sauce and never turns down a side of salsa, this spicy margarita is everything I’ve ever wanted in a glass. Oh, and that Tajín rim? Trust me: once you sip, it’s hard to stop.

What You’ll Need to Make This Spicy Margarita Recipe

This spicy margarita recipe is a leveled-up take on the classic drink. We have all the staples—tequila, lime juice, and a little sweetener—but a few more ingredients get added to the mix to really send it over the top.

• Tequila blanco. I live by one rule: good tequila, always. But thankfully, to make this spicy margarita recipe, you don’t need to shell out on the most expensive bottle. Here, we used LALO tequila blanco, but we also love Flecha Azul and Casamigos.
• Lime juice. Only opt for freshly squeezed. Yes, using the bottle cuts corners, but it’ll also leave you with a slightly stale-tasting margarita. Not ideal.
• Orange juice. Like the lime juice, we’re sticking to the fresh stuff. The resulting flavor is bright, citrusy, and with just a touch of acidic sweetness to balance out the heat.
• Honey or agave. Depending on how you like your spicy margaritas, you can add more or less of your sweetener. This will balance out the slight burn you get from the tequila, keeping your drink tasting smooth and delish.
• Tajín. The star ingredient of this spicy margarita recipe. Tajín is a Mexican seasoning blend comprised of chile powder, salt, and dehydrated lime. The flavor is complex, with a bit of citrusy tang, a slight saltiness, and of course—heat. It sends the spice factor home without overwhelming the drink.
• Sliced chili pepper. Use this to garnish. It adds a nice pop of color for a vibrant, spicy finish.

How to Make a Spicy Margarita

The good news is that there’s little between you and the best spicy margarita of your life. Mixing up this recipe is a simple matter of shaking your ingredients in a cocktail shaker and pouring into a rimmed glass. Here’s how it’s done.

1. Rim your glass. For the Tajín rim, pour the Tajín onto a shallow plate. Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass. Dip into the Tajín until coated.
2. Shake your ingredients. Add tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and your choice of sweetener to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until your shaker is cold, about 30 seconds. Pour into your glass and garnish with sliced chili pepper. Top with sparkling water if needed. Enjoy!

What to Serve With Spicy Margaritas

While delicious on its own, this spicy margarita recipe knows how to play well with others. Guacamole is a classic, of course, but you can also enjoy it alongside your favorite warm-weather meals. These are go-to pairings.

• Carne Asada Tacos
• Classic Guacamole
• Grilled Salmon with Stone Fruit Salsa
• Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit-Avocado Salsa
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Shrimp Skewers with Tzatziki

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Spicy Margarita

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★★★★★

5 from 1 review

• Author: Michelle Nash
• Yield: 1 drink

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Description

Consider this your go-to spicy margarita recipe. With good tequila, a mix of citrus juices, and a Tajín rim, it’s pretty close to perfection.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1.5 ounces tequila blanco
• 1 ounce lime juice
• .5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons honey or agave
• Top with a splash of sparkling water if needed
• Tajín rim
• Sliced chili pepper to garnish and add spice (can use jalapeño or a ghost pepper for added spice)

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Instructions

1. To a cocktail shaker, add tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and your choice of sweetener. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
2. For the Tajín rim: Place Tajín on a small plate. Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass and dip the rim into the Tajín to coat.
3. Fill the glass with ice and pour in the margarita. Top with a splash of sparkling water if needed. Garnish with sliced chili pepper. Serve immediately.

 

 

The post A Spicy Margarita Is My Go-To Drink Order—Here’s How to Make It At Home 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.

While I also fell victim to the Aperol Spritz craze of 2020, there’s nothing quite like the effervescent blend of Lillet Rosé, sparkling wine, and a bright hint of summery citrus to transport me straight to France. (In other words, a state of pure relaxation.) If you’re looking for more ways to romanticize your summer, you’re in luck. I’m taking you through the beyond-simple steps to make my favorite summer cocktail.

Ingredients You Need for a Lillet Rosé Spritz

Let’s chat about the simple components that make this spritz so special. First, start with your glass—cocktails always taste best when served correctly. To make your Lillet Spritz feel like a true European vacation, I serve my cocktail in a large, stemmed wine glass. It captures the perfect casual-elegant feel.

Lillet Rosé. While the classic Lillet Spritz is made using Lillet Blanc, I’m a pink girl (and this is Barbiecore summer, after all), so I thought it fitting to opt for my favorite bottle of Lillet Rosé. I love its delicate fruity aroma—it lends a flavor that’s lighter than Sangria but still summery nonetheless. It’ll be the driving factor and foundation of your Lillet Spritz cocktail.

Sparkling Wine. This is where I tend to veer from tradition. Prosecco, a sparkling Italian white wine, steers this drink away from the purely French vibes. However, I love the citrusy lemon notes it lends to my glass, perfectly balancing out the sweet, fruity flavor of the Lillet Rosé. Otherwise, champagne or your favorite sparkling wine work wonderfully.

Next, it’s time to introduce the star of the show—Lillet Rosé! For one drink, I measure out two ounces of the apéritif and pour it over the ice. This will give your drink a subtle, floral sweetness and add a touch of elegance.

Orange Bitters. While optional, I love the complexity orange bitters introduce to my drink. The resulting flavor is tropical with a little spice. It gives your Lillet Spritz that je ne sais quoi factor.

Club Soda. More bubbles make the spritz, after all. Once you’ve mixed your other ingredients, top off your drink with either club soda or sparkling water.

Citrus and Fruit Slices. Add a pop of color and flavor with your favorite citrus and fruit slices for garnish. I love thin slices of orange, lime, and strawberries. A few fresh herb sprigs (thyme would be gorgeous) from the garden wouldn’t hurt either!

Step 2: Prepare Your Glass

While more finicky drinks call for a chilled glass, here there’s no need. Simply fill your wine glass with ice cubes. This will keep your Lillet Spritz cool and refreshing while you sip.

Step 3: Add an (Optional) Dash of Orange Bitters

While this Lillet Rosé Spritz couldn’t be easier, it leans heavily on the complex layers of flavor each component adds to the cocktail. The orange bitters are optional, but I find that they bring a hint of bitterness and a lovely citrus quality to the mix. If you’re feeling adventurous, try giving it a go!

Step 4: Pop the Bubbly!

The Lillet Rosé Spritz was made for three things: relaxation, summertime sipping, and celebration. So open up your bottle of bubbly and add the spritz’s signature effervescence. Measure out two ounces of your sparkling wine and pour it into the glass. The bubbles will mingle with the Lillet Rosé, creating a symphony of flavors.

For a refreshing sparkle and to balance the flavors, top off your Lillet Spritz with club soda. It adds a gentle fizz to your cocktail, keeping everything refreshing and light.

Step 5: Garnish with Citrus and Fruit Slices

We’re not only going for flavor here—the Lillet Spritz is all about the aesthetic presentation. Garnish your cocktail with slices of citrus and fruit. Lemons, limes, oranges, and berries all work. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also infuse the cocktail with a burst of fresh, tangy flavors.

Before taking your first sip, give your drink a gentle stir, combining all of these beautiful flavors. Now it’s time to enjoy! Whether you’re saying Cheers! Santé! or Chin Chin! I guarantee you’ll love indulging in the summery simplicity of a Lillet Rosé Spritz.

Some Tips for Lillet Rosé Spritz Success

Experiment with garnishes. Switch up your cocktail’s finishing factors and fruit combinations to find a flavor profile you love. One of the beautiful things about this simple spritz is that you can customize it to fit your flavor preferences. Add edible flowers, swap in liqueurs, or opt for a flavored sparkling water. It’s your spritz—sip like you mean it!

Sweeten it up. Prefer your drink on the sweeter side? Omit the orange bitters and add a splash or simple syrup or a sugar cube.

Swap out your wine glass. A tall, elegant tumbler keeps your drink chilled and shows off your spritz beautifully.

Use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes. Slow sipper? Keep your spritz from getting watered down and add a burst of fruity flavor by adding frozen strawberries to your cocktail.

Adjust your proportions. Love the flavor of the Lillet Rosé? You can always increase it. Prefer a more bubbly sipper? Add a little extra sparkling wine.

Cheers to mastering the art of the Lillet Rosé Spritz! You’ll love its delicate, beautiful blend of ingredients, mixed with citrus accents and a little sparkle. Enjoy it with family beside the grill or gathered with friends for a garden party. However you sip it, be sure to savor the summer of spritz!

Lillet Rosé Spritz

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• Author: Isabelle Eyman

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Description

A light, fruity, and sparkling drink to enjoy on a sunny summer evening—it might just replace your Aperol Spritz. Santé!

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 2 ounces Lillet Rosé
• 2 ounces sparkling wine (I like Prosecco, but champagne or your favorite will work)
• Dash of orange bitters (optional)
• Club Soda
• Citrus and fruit slices, for garnish (I like orange, lime, and strawberry)

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Instructions

1. Combine the Lillet, sparkling wine, and orange bitters if desired over ice in a glass. Top with soda and garnish with citrus and fruit. Enjoy!

The post The Lillet Spritz Is Here to Level Up Your Happy Hour appeared first on Camille Styles.

I’ve never gotten over the heaven that is Italy in June, and this Limoncello Spritz is an easy way to recapture the romance. Read on for this simple guide to mixing up a Limoncello Spritz, complete with a few tips to ensure its spritz is a sparkling success. Let’s get mixing.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 part limoncello
• Squeeze of lemon
• 3 parts prosecco
• Sparkling water to top off
• Ice, lemon slices, and fresh mint for garnish

Step 1: Chill your glass

Choose a beautiful glass that will not only hold your spritz but also showcase its vibrant colors. A stemmed wine glass or a tall highball glass work perfectly. For a more casual look, I love to use these recycled tumblers. Place it in the freezer for a few minutes to chill, ensuring your cocktail stays frosty until the very last sip.

Step 2: Measure and Mix

Grab a jigger or a measuring cup (or eyeball it, if you’re feeling adventurous). Pour one part of that gorgeous limoncello into your chilled glass. Limoncello, with its tangy lemon flavor and sweet aroma, is the star of this cocktail. I used Caravella limoncello for this one.

Step 3: Give It a Squeeze

Limoncello is quite sweet, so I like to give it a burst of fresh and tart flavor with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Feel free to adjust based on how sweet or tart you like it.

Step 5: Pop the Bubbly

Now, let’s introduce some effervescence to our spritz. Pour three parts of chilled prosecco into the glass, bringing the light, fruity notes that complement the tangy limoncello like a match made in cocktail heaven.

Then, add some sparkling water to top it off and dilute the intensity. Remember, we’re going for refreshing and light, a drink made for sunny afternoons. Adjust the amount to your liking, and you can even add a bit of flavor with a lemon, lime, or grapefruit-infused water.

Step 6: Finish it off with lots of ice, citrus slices and mint

Add a generous handful of ice cubes to keep your Limoncello Spritz cool and refreshing. Drop in a few lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint, which makes this drink smell like summer, too. We drink with our eyes first, so make this one a feast for the senses. Give it all a good stir to blend the ingredients and distribute the lemon and mint flavors throughout the cocktail.

A few tips for Limoncello Spritz success

• Experiment with proportions: If you prefer a sweeter spritz, increase the amount of limoncello. If you like it lighter and more refreshing, adjust the ratio of prosecco and sparkling water.
• Use chilled ingredients: Ensure your limoncello, prosecco, and sparkling water are nicely chilled before mixing. This will keep your spritz cool and prevent dilution from melting ice.
• Customize your garnish: Get creative with your garnish! Try adding a lemon twist or substituting the mint with basil for a unique twist.
• Play with glassware: While traditional wine glasses work great, don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of glassware. Martini glasses or even mason jars can add a fun and casual touch to your spritz.

Ready to give it a try? Gather your ingredients, embrace your inner mixologist, and let the Limoncello Spritz become your go-to summer indulgence. This is a cocktail that’s made to be savored. As the Italians say, “Dolce far Niente“, which means to enjoy “the sweetness of doing nothing.” Take a moment to appreciate the vibrant colors and fresh aroma, and be transported to a sun-drenched Italian paradise.

Limoncello Spritz Cocktail

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• Author: Camille Styles
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink

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Indulge in the refreshing flavors of a Limoncello Spritz this summer. Here’s my step-by-step recipe to make my favorite Italian cocktail.

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Ingredients

• 1 part limoncello
• Squeeze of lemon
• 3 parts prosecco
• Sparkling water to top off
• Ice, lemon slices, and fresh mint for garnish

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Instructions

1. Fill a chilled wine glass half full with ice.
2. Add the limoncello and a squeeze of lemon juice. Top with the Prosecco and sparkling water, and stir to combine.
3. Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon slices. Drink!

Notes

• Experiment with proportions: If you prefer a sweeter spritz, increase the amount of limoncello. If you like it lighter, add more prosecco and sparkling water.
• Use chilled ingredients: Ensure your limoncello, prosecco, and sparkling water are nicely chilled before mixing. This will keep your spritz cool and prevent dilution from melting ice.
• Customize your garnish: Get creative with your garnish! Try adding a lemon twist or substituting the mint with basil for a unique twist.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Category: cocktails
• Cuisine: italian

Keywords: limoncello spritz cocktail

The post Embrace ‘La Dolce Vita’ With This Limoncello Spritz Cocktail 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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• Author: Camille Styles
• Total Time: 5 minutes

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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.

Says author and chef Valerie Rice:

“I hope the Brits don’t mind my suggesting half tonic and half soda water for this cocktail. It’s so light and delicious and has less sugar. Rum, gin, vodka, and white port all work beautifully in a sonic, but my favorite is white port, which adds a wonderful richness and is an awesome less-alcoholic option for day drinking (you’re welcome). These days, most bottle shops carry a good range of organic tonics made without high-fructose corn syrup – make the switch!”

Reprinted with permission from Lush Life: Food & Drinks from the Garden by Valerie Rice, Prospect Park Books 2021

Photo credit: Gemma and Andrew Ingalls

The post This Sonic Cocktail is Summer in a Glass appeared first on Camille Styles.

Says author/chef Mariana Velásquez:

Barranquilla is a modern sprawling city that sits at the mouth of the Magdalena River, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Referred to as  La  Arenosa  (the  Sandy One), Barranquilla hosts the country’s largest yearly carnival, mixing African, Indigenous, and worldly traditions. It’s actually one of the world’s largest carnivals, although it remains lesser known to international tourists. People take over the streets, dress up in costume, and dance, drink and eat the night away, carrying on all the next day and into the night and day again.

The patillazo came to me on a steamy Barranquilla afternoon. I was in meetings during a quick visit to the city and lunch was distant. Dehydration, an understatement. I pulled over onto the sidewalk underneath a tin roof where I found a crowd of schoolchildren, chatting and joking away as they dipped their spoons into tall cups of crushed watermelon with tons of lime and ice. The watermelon pieces had been steeping in the lime juice long enough for its flavor to become more intense, the chunks of watermelon extra supple. It was the perfect antidote to my exhaustion and hunger.

In this sense, there is nothing extraordinary about this watermelon punch recipe except the way the flavors come together so seamlessly, making for a delightful midsummer drink.

From the book COLOMBIANA by Mariana Velásquez. Copyright © 2021 by Mariana Velásquez. Published by Harper Wave, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission.

Photos by Gentl & Hyers.

The post This Patillazo Watermelon & Lime Punch Is the Ultimate Summer Refresher appeared first on Camille Styles.

Having been well below the drinking age in the ’90s—the heyday of the espresso martini—I didn’t realize the vodka cocktail’s return was just part of our current obsession with that decade’s trends. And I certainly didn’t realize how many feelings people would have—both positive and negative.

There are several theories as to why this particular ’90s-era cocktail—and not, for example, an Appletini or Carrie Bradshaw’s Cosmopolitan—is enjoying a resurgence. The New York Times considers the recent obsession with coffee culture (particularly on TikTok). They also point to my personal favorite Bravo show, Summer House, where the cast’s drink of choice on any booze-fueled episode has proven to be a harbinger of sorts for alcohol trends. (In the article, castmate Kyle Cooke boldly claims the group’s obsession with rosé in 2016 may have led to Whispering Angel’s popularity, which is exactly why he’s one of the reality TV greats.) Cooke and castmate Amanda Batula launched a ready-to-drink espresso martini under their canned cocktail company Loverboy this fall. Recently, a friend even floated the idea that the espresso martini is just a slightly more sophisticated take on the buzzy Red Bull vodkas we drank in college. Fair enough.

The real reason behind the resurgence may be even simpler: cold brew coffee has become more universally available in recent years, and it’s a great alternative to the espresso that was so often substituted in martini recipes of the past (a habit that may have given the drink its reputation as being, to put it plainly, not very good). Coffee liqueurs have also come a long way since the 1990s.

So if your first response to the espresso martini’s comeback was less than enthused, consider giving it another go. After decades of little evolution, the current craft cocktail craze has helped produce far more complex and exciting versions.

And if you like to dabble in the arts of the caffeinated cocktail from the comfort of home, consider these excellent espresso martini recipes.

A Perfectly Frothy Espresso Martini

Emphasizing the importance of strong, well-made espresso, the Preppy Kitchen helps you nail the cocktail’s picture-perfect foam topping.

Tidy Mom’s Easy Espresso Martini

Tidy Mom’s traditional recipe includes a few tips for the best craft cocktail experience, including a vanilla syrup alternative and the best dishes to serve with an espresso martini.

A Decadent Espresso Martini

This recipe adds a touch of caramel and features an Irish Cream liqueur.

A Clean, Dairy-Free Espresso Martini

By nature, espresso martinis should be naturally vegan-friendly, but if you want to ensure the cleanest version of the cocktail, this dairy-free recipe is as easy (and tasty looking) as they come.

The Defined Dish’s Traditional Espresso Martini

The health-conscious Texas-based food writer behind some of my favorite tequila cocktails offers a classic take includes advice on creating a perfectly chilled martini glass.

Are you a fan of the Espresso Martini comeback? Or does it make you cringe? Sound out below.

The post Are You Team Espresso Martini? Why the 90s Cocktail Is Summer’s Most Divisive Drink appeared first on Camille Styles.

These blood orange margaritas are the perfect way to toast Cinco de Mayo – or simply the fact that summer has arrived.

From Lush Life: Food & Drinks from the Garden: “Tart, delicious, and so beautiful, blood orange season is something to celebrate. Supermarkets often stock blood oranges that have been shipped in from a land far, far away, and I find that they can smell dank and are soft to the touch. It’s best to purchase them at the farmers market. Or, better yet, if you live in a warm climate like we have in Santa Barbara (where the days are warm and the nights are cool), buy a tree and plant it in your yard. If you’re tight on space, grow a dwarfed variety in a large pot. You’ll know the citrus is ready to be picked when the peel looks slightly red like it was dusted in rust.”

Scroll on for the recipe, and click here to read more about this summer party-worthy menu from Lush Life.

The post Blood Orange Margaritas appeared first on Camille Styles.

Thanksgiving cocktails should be simple (’cause you’ve already got enough going on in the kitchen), FUN (obvi), and not too sweet (’cause you know you’re about to have multiple slivers from allll the pies.) This Gin & Tonic Bar setup from my friend Erin Gleeson checks all the boxes.

Erin’s book, Forest Feast Mediterranean, became an immediate favorite when it arrived in the mail last fall. If you’re a fellow fan of her other books, you’ll recognize the magical photographs, charming watercolor illustrations, and knack for making delicious recipes that are so simple, they almost seem good to be true. This book is different though, in that it goes outside her cozy cabin in the woods to bring the reader along for her family’s journeys through France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. I devoured every word of her captivating stories, and the way she brought the meals they experienced on their travels to life… and then translated simply for a home kitchen.

One of my favorite recipes in the book, her Gin & Tonic Bar, will be kicking off the festivities at my own family’s Thanksgiving this year, so I asked Erin to share it here. It’s a true example of “eating with your eyes first;” the garnishes make a striking centerpiece for your buffet or bar setup on their own. Scroll on for the recipe…

Other great Thanksgiving Menu ideas right here:

• Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts
• Kale & Wild Rice Salad with Mustard Maple Vinaigrette

this post originally ran in November 2019.

The post A Gin & Tonic Bar is Your Thanksgiving Cocktail Solution appeared first on Camille Styles.

*Excerpted from Sheela Prakash’s new cookbook, Mediterranean Every Day.

From Sheela: Multiply the honey, water, and lemon juice depending on how many you plan to serve. Combine the three ahead of time and, when needed, shake with ice, divide among glasses, and top off each glass with prosecco. It’s a drink that feels a little fancy yet is wildly fast to prepare.

The post Honeyed Prosecco is The Easy, Fancyish Cocktail You’ve Been Looking For appeared first on Camille Styles.

I have a real love for watermelon. In my twenties, my summertime dinners often consisted of a bowl, a fork, and a mountain of ice cold watermelon cubes. And while my cooking skills have come along way since then, I still find myself seeking out ways to work watermelon into my diet all summer long.

These margaritas are my new favorite way. I can’t take credit for the idea — weeks ago after our first lake weekend of the year, my husband threw our leftover watermelon into the freezer and, hours later, surprised me with a tequila-spiked, slushy-like treat that I, admittedly, consumed a little too quickly given the tequila content. But it was sooo tasty and refreshing I couldn’t help myself — I instantly knew we had our new drink of summer.

So here I am, spreading the word. Move over rosé, tonight we’re sipping watermelon mint margaritas.

One thing I love about this recipe is that it relies solely on the sweetness of frozen watermelon. Often times I order a margarita at a restaurant and it’s sweet. Too sweet. I love that I can make this recipe at home and have complete control over the sweetness, without actually having to add any sweetener at all.

This does mean it’s important to get your hands on a watermelon that’s at its peak ripeness. But no worries, if you find yourself with a less-than-stellar melon you can always add a splash of simple syrup or a squeeze of honey to liven things up. The mint is totally optional and a little goes a long way, but I love the garden-fresh flavor it adds. And the tequila? Well, that’s self explanatory.

Cheers!

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