Basil Chiller

My apologizes in advance before I flood this page with Gin cocktails. SOOOO often when I tell people about my love for Gin, I get very similar, disgusted responses. Gin may not be the best spirit for throwing back shots, but it is great for mixing! The trick to using Gin, is pairing it with different flavors that can balance out the bite. Whether you want to make the drink sweet, earthy or even spicy, Gin is one of the most versatile liquors you can test out.

- Gin 

- Pineapple Juice
- Lime Juice
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Ginger Ale

Instructions:

1. Pour 1.5oz of gin into a shaker with 2oz of pineapple Juice and .5oz of lime juice, tear up fresh basil leaves and add into shaker as well.

2. Shake the mixture and pour over ice.
3. Top the mixture with ginger ale. 
4. Garnish with a cluster of fresh basil leave!

Grapefruit Rosemary Refresher

I think at this point it's nearly considered a sin that I haven't posted any cocktails- seeing as I'm a former bartender. While bartending I grew an understandable love for citrus. The acidity balances out drinks, especially when using earthy spirits like Gin. However I really liked using more uncommon fruits, like grapefruit for instance. The only issue I ran into when it came to using grapefruit, was the strong bitterness. Naturally I would always add simple syrup to counteract the bite. But still, something always seemed to just be missing. I've also always loved floral flavors, so this is where I started crafting floral syrups. After many different variations, I found that the rosemary complimented the grapefruit best. Now this recipe can be made with gin or vodka, but in my opinion- gin is ALWAYS the way to go.

- Gin or Vodka (I prefer Gin)

- Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
- Sugar
- Soda Water
- Grapefruit (for garnish) 

Instructions:

1. First things first, you're going to want to make the rosemary simple syrup. For this its equal parts sugar and water (I usually do one cup of sugar and water). Bring this to a boil in a small saucepan, and make sure the sugar is completely dissolved in the water. Then add 4-5 rosemary sprigs and simmer for 3 minutes. Afterwards let the mixture completely cool, and store for up to two weeks!

2. Now that you have your syrup you can craft the cocktail. In a mixer pour, 1.5oz of gin or vodka, .5oz of the rosemary syrup, and 3 oz of grapefruit juice over ice and shake. 
3. Pour the mix into a glass of ice, and top the rest with sparkling water. 
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a grapefruit slice, and relax!

Holiday Flatbread (Roasted Grape and Pomegranate)

Okay, okay so this recipe isn’t just for the holidays- but you’re lying if you’re saying the color scheme doesn’t remind you of jolly Christmas magic! This is my FAVORITE flatbread recipe base, and I think it’s really fun to switch up and play with different ingredients for each season. 

- Pita Bread

- Double Cream Brie Cheese

- Grapes

- Pomegranate

- White Onions (carmelized)

- Arugula

- Fig Glaze

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Personally, I really like to roast my fruit to really bring out the flavor, so I pop my pita and fruit in the oven for about 10 minutes while the oven preheats.

3. After you take the pita out of the oven and it's cooled, spread the double cream brie throughout generously and then pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes to melt.

4. While the pita and cheese cook, start caramelizing some onions on your stovetop.

5. When the cream cheese has firmed up a bit place in the pizza dough ball.

6. When the cheese has melted, pull it out of the oven and let it cool. 

7. Now assemble your flatbread! I like to start by arranging my roasted grapes first, then adding on onions, arugula, and the pomegranate seeds.

8. Finally, drizzle a fig glaze over top of the flatbread and its ready to be served!