Category Archives: Delish Drinks

Foodie Fave: Champagne Jello Shots

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Ok, guys. We’re about to get next level with jello shots – champagne jello shots! The minute I saw this post from Sugar and Cloth I knew I had to share it with you all. Especially with New Years’ Eve right around the corner, these are the perfect compliment to that champagne glass in your hand. Cheers, darlings!

  • 8 oz Champagne or Cava
  • 4 oz Gin
  • 2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 oz simple syrup (quick recipe below)*
  • 2 packages Knox gelatin
  • Edible gold leaf for garnishing (optional)

Combine the simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then pour into a medium saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for two minutes, then heat over very low heat, stirring constantly, until the gelatin is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes).

Remove from heat and add the gin and Champagne, stirring well to blend. Pour into a very lightly greased loaf pan and chill until fully set, several hours or overnight.

Turn out the set gelatin onto parchment paper, then slice carefully (a thin knife works best) into rectangles or squares.

Garnish with edible gold leaf using a paintbrush (use one you can reserve for food only — you don’t want paint chemicals in your food!). Gold leaf crumbles and sticks to things (like fingers!) easily, so be gentle — just pull off tiny corners with the brush (they will stick), then place them gently on top of the gelée squares.

*If you don’t have simple syrup here is a simple easy recipe. In a small sauce pan over medium high heat, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup water. Bring it to a simmer. Watch it closely for roughly 5 minutes until it has a syrupy consistency.

champagne-jello-shots-colleen-jeffers-10

*Photo: Sugar and Cloth

Happy Eating (and Happy New Years’!), XO.

Cold Brew Coffee (with Cardamom!)

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In honor of International Coffee Day yesterday, we’re bringing you an international coffee recipe!

I’m sure by now you’ve heard of cold brew coffee. Especially now that Starbucks has started featuring it. For those of you who aren’t sure about it: No, it’s not cold coffee. You can still drink it hot. Yes, it’s so much more delicious, flavorful and fresh than regular brewed. No, you don’t have to use it all at once. It can stay in the fridge for up to two weeks. Yes, it gives you an excuse to use one of your cute mason jars for real (and not just decoration).

My British friend (told you this would be international) recently introduced me to this British fellow, Mike Cooper, after discussing homemade cold brew coffee. I thought I needed huge special equipment and my own goddamn coffee tree to make cold brew. But therein lies the beauty – you only need a bowl and a strainer. (Oh, and that cute mason jar.) That’s it. However, I will warn you – it does take about 24 hours to make, but it’s well worth the wait. Trust.

  • 2 cups fresh coffee grinds
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 1/4 cup cardmom pods (optional)*
  • Paper towel or a sieve

In a large bowl, pour in the coffee grinds and water. *If you’re making cardamom coffee, mix in the pods. Cover it with a tea towel and place in the fridge. Our British fellow says to leave it for 20 hours but I’ve been doing between 24-28. You’ll see a nice foam at the top when you take it out.

After the wait is finally over, you’re going to strain the grinds. If you’re using a sieve, strain the coffee into a medium sized bowl. Once strained, covered another bowl with the paper towel and pour the coffee over it.

If you’re using paper towel, you’ve already cut to the second part and will only need to strain once. Cover a medium sized bowl with the paper towel and pour the coffee over slowly, letting it strain through.

At this point the coffee is really concentrated, but it gives you the freedom to choose how strong you want your cup to be. Pour a little coffee into a cup, and using piping hot water (or cold for iced coffee) fill it to your liking. If you’re a big fan of iced coffee like my husband, you can also use the concentrate to make a few iced cubes for next time.

cold-brew-coffee

 

Happy Drinking, XO.

Foodie Fave: Turmeric & Almond Milk Latte

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Yeah, yeah, I know we’ve been giving you a lot of drinks lately, but lesbehonest. There’s always room for drinks. And with fall right around the corner (although it may not feeeel like it) you need a couple of cozy drink options.

For a little while now, I’ve been a fan of turmeric and its super powers. So, I’m really excited to see it popping up in so many recipes. Especially a creamy latte such as this from Figs and Pigs. When the fall weather finally comes, grab your knit sweaters and biggest mug and settle in with this super easy recipe. (And obvi throw in an Instagram shoot bc you’ll have everything for the perfect photo. #fall)

  • 2 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1″ grated ginger
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

In a pan on a medium heat add all the ingredients. For the ginger, squeeze the grated pulp so just the juice is used in the latte. Discard the pulp. Heat until just before boiling whisking all the while for about 6 mins. Serve immediately.

Turmeric Almond Milk Latte

*Photo cred: Figs and Pigs

Happy Drinking, XO.

Cucumber Cooler

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Although the days are getting shorter (I’m sure we don’t need to remind you), summer cocktails aren’t going away just yet! Sure, rose slushies are a thing, but somehow I keep coming back to gin. It could be because I’m pumped to use Wolffer Estate’s new pink gin, or it could be because it’s just so good and versatile. There are countless ways to make a lemon, cucumber, something or other cocktail. And here’s one of those delicious variations. Let’s get one more cocktail in before the end of summer, shall we?

*Makes 1 drink.

  • 2 oz  gin
  • 3/4 oz St. Germain
  • 3/4 oz lime juice
  • 1/4 oz simple syrup (quick recipe for this below)
  • 5 mint leaves
  • 4 slices of cucumber
  • Seltzer water to top it off

In a cocktail glass, muddle together the lime juice, simple syrup*, mint leaves, and cucumber. Top with ice, gin, St. Germain, and seltzer water. Garnish with a cucumber slice.

*If you don’t have simple syrup here is a simple easy recipe. In a small sauce pan over medium high heat, add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup water. Bring it to a simmer. Watch it closely for roughly 5 minutes until it has a syrupy consistency.

cucumber-cooler_damdelish

Happy Drinking, XO.

St. Patty’s Day Gin (& Juice) Cocktail

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And we’re back! After taking a couple of weeks off to get our lives together, we’re coming back in a strong way – with a strong cocktail. (We know you missed our corny jokes…). I went in to HomeGoods the other day just to browse…as if anyone actually makes it out alive without buying anything…and came out with these awesome, old school cocktail glasses. I had to use them that night. Obviously.

Although it’s earlier than last year, I’m getting back into my “gin” kick. (Remember our fizzy gin concoction last year?) I also just recently came back from a trip to London, so I’m on a Beefeater streak. Obviously. So with some of the simple ingredients I had laying around, I threw this bad boy together. Oh, and did I mention it color coordinates perfectly with St. Patrick’s Day? 🙂

  • 1/4 cup Beefeater Gin
  • 1 cup cucumber juice
  • Juice from 1/2 a lemon
  • Splash of St. Germain
  • 1 slice of cucumber

I used my juicer for the cucumber juice, but you can also muddle it (get in a workout while you’re at it), or a blender. Place all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain and garnish with a cucumber slice.

Gin & Juice DamnDelish

Happy Drinking, XO.