The Americano cocktail is a fizzy, bittersweet drink with Italian origins. It’s the perfect aperitivo before dinner or a refreshing weekend afternoon sipper. The Americano is a unique spritz that strikes the elusive balance between bitter and sweet. This cold, bubbly drink is lovely on a hot day, yet the complex, warming flavors are equally welcome before Thanksgiving supper.

Americano cocktails are made with Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda. If you love a Negroni, this drink is right up your alley. The Americano is served in a taller glass with club soda instead of gin, and the Negroni is actually a derivative of the Americano. Don’t write off this cocktail if you don’t like Negronis, though (I don’t!). It’s like a Negroni light, and you can adjust it to suit your preferences.

Americano cocktails have nothing in common with Americano coffee, except that they were both popularized by Americans visiting Italy. Apparently, the Americano is based on another drink, the Milano-Torino, which is made with just Campari and Vermouth di Torino. There are several origin stories, and I’m not sure which one is true. All I know is that this is a nice cocktail! I hope you enjoy it.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Americano Cocktail appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Love a good paloma? Me, too. The paloma is a delightfully fizzy grapefruit, lime and tequila cocktail hailing from Mexico. If you enjoy a Greyhound, grapefruit margarita or ranch water, this cooling drink is right up your alley.

South of the border, palomas are typically made with grapefruit soda like Squirt or Jarritos, which taste similar to Sprite to me. Up here, bartenders often mix them with fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water instead. I prefer mine to be less sweet and more citrusy, so I love the made-from-scratch option.

This paloma recipe is made from scratch with basic ingredients. You’ll need tequila, fresh grapefruit and lime, simple syrup (which is very easy to make), and Topo Chico or sparkling water. Make them at home with top-shelf tequila and you’ll enjoy a better paloma for less money than you’d pay a restaurant.

To make this paloma, we’ll shake everything but the Topo Chico in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shaking the ingredients together yields the kind of paloma you’d receive at a fancy cocktail bar. It’s a brief step that is worth the extra effort.

Finally, we’ll pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice and top it with Topo Chico to retain all those glorious bubbles. You can watch how it all comes together in the brief video below.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Paloma Cocktail appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Have you ever heard of a French Blond cocktail? Me neither, until last week! I read that it’s Taylor Swift’s favorite cocktail after she recently requested it at a local Kansas City restaurant called Rye. Once I saw the ingredients—grapefruit, gin, Lillet and elderflower, I knew I had to try it. It’s fantastic. The cocktail is well-balanced, citrusy and floral, not too strong and not too sweet.

I’m generally completely oblivious to both pop culture and football, to the point that when my husband came home from a charity event last year and told me he was on a team with Travis Kelce, I said, “Who is that?” But the funniest thing has happened now that Taylor is dating Travis. Suddenly, I’m fascinated by a couple I’ve never met, I’m paying attention to football, and I’m wondering, who am I? Am I a Swiftie now?

Maybe it’s the sheer proximity of it all, like I’ve been to Rye, where Taylor Swift supposedly ordered this cocktail! My friend’s mom saw Travis at the Apple Store the other day! My husband said that Travis was friendly and great with kids, and the only rumor I’ve heard about Taylor is that she is indeed very nice. Maybe it’s because they seem like a great match, so they remind me of when my husband and I started dating.

Maybe it’s because I, like all of Taylor’s fans, imagine that maybe we could be friends if we met in real life. How crazy is that? Taylor, we have cold Lillet in the fridge if you guys want to come by for a cocktail. Now I’ve really lost my mind. Anyway, go Chiefs!

Continue to the recipe...

The post French Blond Cocktail appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Have you tasted a great whiskey sour? One made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and quality whiskey? They’re bold yet balanced, with a lovely lemony flavor.

Whiskey sours are one of my favorite drinks to order at swanky cocktail bars. If you have sworn off the whiskey sours of your college days, the ones made with cheap whiskey and fake sour mix, I assure you that legitimate whiskey sours are worth your while.

Whiskey sours are also fun to make at home. Serve them during the holidays, on game days, or for date nights in. If you have already enjoyed my Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour or New York Sour, I have no doubt you’ll love the original.

To make a whiskey sour, you’ll need just a few basic ingredients—good whiskey, fresh lemons, a little sweetener, and an optional egg white. Fancy cocktail cherries, such as Luxardo, are a worthwhile investment and keep for quite a while in a dark cabinet.

Whether you like your whiskey sour with no foam, extra foam, up or on the rocks, you’ll find all the details you need to craft your ideal whiskey sour in the recipe below. Gather your ingredients and your cocktail shaker!

Continue to the recipe...

The post Whiskey Sour appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Have you tried a ranch water cocktail? If not, let me introduce you! Essentially a tall tequila soda with extra lime, the ranch water is more than the sum of its parts. If you use a great tequila and Topo Chico, it tastes quite special.

The ranch water is like a bubbly, light and totally unsweetened margarita. If even “skinny” margaritas are sometimes too sweet for you, try a ranch water instead. It’s super refreshing and perfect on a hot day. When I’m at a bar without an exciting wine list, the ranch water is my go-to drink order regardless of the season.

Ranch waters hail from Texas, with Ranch 616 in Austin claiming to be “home to the original ranch water.” I honestly can’t recall when I first tried a ranch water—maybe it was during my month in Austin in 2015, or sometime in between. My brother lives in West Texas and I was delighted to discover ranch waters at his wedding reception a few years ago.

Pre-made ranch water cocktails in cans are becoming more popular, but you can’t beat a homemade ranch water made with good tequila, bubbly Topo Chico and fresh lime. They’re so easy to make. Find my recipe below!

Continue to the recipe...

The post Ranch Water Cocktail appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

How about a martini? Sometimes a martini sounds just right. I’m often disappointed by restaurant martinis (unless I’m at The Campground in Kansas City—Chris makes the best martini of all time).

So, I’ve been studying the martini and perfecting my at-home martini game. Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned!

While martinis may seem intimidating, they are actually the perfect cocktail to make at home. The ingredient list is short and basic. The method is easy—stirred, not shaken, to bring out gin’s best flavors.

Now then, the “perfect” martini is very much determined by your personal preferences. I’ve typed up a foolproof classic martini recipe below. I’ve also provided suggested ingredients and details to help craft your perfect martini.

Whether you like your martini with gin or vodka, wet or dry, with a lemon twist or dirty with olives, this recipe is for you.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Classic Martini appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Let’s warm up with some fresh turmeric tea, shall we? It’s golden and earthy, spicy and soothing at the same time.

Fresh turmeric is too precious to go to waste, so this tea is the perfect way to use up any leftover turmeric you might have on hand.

If you’re a fan of fresh ginger tea, I’m confident you’ll enjoy turmeric tea. Turmeric and ginger are close cousins, after all. Like ginger tea, turmeric tea can also help settle an upset stomach.

Try turmeric tea as a mid-day pick-me-up, or wind down with a mug in the evenings. It’s simple to make, and a lovely alternative to caffeinated or alcoholic drinks.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Fresh Turmeric Tea appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Cheers to the holidays! I’ve rounded up my favorite holiday cocktails for you. Whether you’re hosting friends and family or looking for a festive drink to enjoy by the fire, you’ll find plenty of fun options below. Don’t miss this not-too-sweet holiday punch, or the mulled wine that makes your home smell like Christmas, or the fresh cranberry margaritas.

Looking for non-alcoholic options? Check out my hot chocolate, ginger tea (add a cinnamon stick) and hibiscus mocktail.

Before I go, here are some simple snacks and treats to round out your evening:

• Coconut Macaroons
• Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Easy Chocolate Bark
• Festive Cheese Board
• Naturally Sweetened Candied Pecans
• Perfect Stovetop Popcorn
• Sesame Caramel Corn
• Sweet & Spicy Roasted Party Nuts

1) Vanilla-Pear Holiday Punch

Reposado tequila or bourbon

“Made it tonight for our Christmas eve family time and a virgin version for my kids. So wonderful! Sent a jar to a neighbor friend and got rave reviews. Will be making this for years to come. I did sub in bourbon because that’s what I had. Such a beautiful drink either way. Thank you!!” – Malia

Continue to the recipe...

The post 18 Festive Holiday Cocktails appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

You’re going to love this strawberry smoothie. This recipe is cold, creamy and satisfying, and its nutty strawberry flavor is truly crave-worthy.

In their most basic form, these strawberry smoothies require just four ingredients—frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, almond milk and almond butter.

This smoothie recipe tastes like a strawberry milkshake, and you can make it for breakfast! I’ll be sipping on these pink drinks all summer, and I hope the recipe becomes a staple in your home as well.

If you ask me, smoothies should be super simple. I don’t want to pull a bunch of ingredients out of my fridge and pantry every morning just for a smoothie. I am not a morning person! Plus, these smoothies are easy to whip up in the afternoon or after dinner if you get a craving for a sweet treat.

You can change up the recipe by adding flax or oats for a nutrition boost, or a light drizzle of maple syrup to make them taste even more dessert-like. I’m plenty satisfied with the four-ingredient formula, though, and I think you will be, too!

Continue to the recipe...

The post Simple Strawberry Smoothie appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

This holiday punch is unlike any I’ve ever had, and I think you’re going to love it. It’s not too sweet. It tastes like pear, vanilla, spice and everything nice. It’s a smooth, easy sipper, even with tequila inside. Yep, tequila!

This pitcher of cocktails was inspired by an oldie but goodie, my Pear Nectar Cocktails with Reposado Tequila. That cocktail is proof that simple ingredients can yield a delightfully complex cocktail. If you’re just making one or two drinks, follow that recipe instead.

You won’t need any fancy liqueurs for this holiday punch recipe, just some pear juice, reposado tequila, plus a few basic ingredients—lemon juice, club soda, cinnamon and vanilla extract.

If you’d like to batch some cocktails for your family or friends, this punch is just the ticket. Serve it at your holiday party! You could also share some holiday cheer by dropping off a jar of cocktails with friends or neighbors. I wrote the recipe to yield eight drinks, and you can divide or multiply it as you’d like.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Vanilla-Pear Holiday Punch appeared first on Cookie and Kate.