Mixology

This past weekend we hosted a Euchre party with part of the objective being to use up some of the liquor in our cabinet.

So in preparation I browsed around the internet and found a few different pitcher drinks to make. They were all pretty good.

So first up is Crockpot Mulled Cider, I liked this one!

Peel of 1/2 Orange,cut up
1 6-inch Cinnamon stick, broken
1 piece Ginger root , 1 inch, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tsp whole Allspice
8 cups Apple cider or apple juice
1 cup Apple brandy (optional) (I used regular brandy)
1/4 cup Honey

Tie orange peel, cinnamon, ginger root, and allspice in an 8-inch square of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth. -- Combine apple cider or juice, apple brandy (if desired)and honey in crock pot. Add spice bag. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove and discard spice bag. Ladle cider into cups. Makes 8 to 9 eight-ounce servings.

Next is a Cosmopolitan, I really liked this one!

1 cup vodka
1 cup Chambord
½ cup lime juice
2 cups cranberry juice
4 stalks mint leaves

Add all ingredients except mint to a pitcher and stir well to mix. Chill in fridge, or add ice cubes to chill quickly. Pour into Martini glasses and garnish each with a mint sprig.



Then there's Mojitos, I liked these, might sweeten them a tad more,
Ingredients:

9 oz. light rum
6 tsp. sugar
3 cups Club Soda
3 limes
3 cups mint leaves

Quarter limes and squeeze juice into large pitcher. Add mint leaves and sugar, and “muddle” (crush using a muddler, the end of a rolling pin or back of a sturdy wooden spoon) together to release the oils in the mint. Add rum, and half of the squeezed lime sections (the rind adds the right amount of bitterness to the drink). Chill mixture until ready to serve. At party time, add club soda and gently stir. Pour into chilled, ice-filled glasses.

And finally a White Wine Sangria, also very nice

Juice of 1/2 Orange
1 bottle dry White wine
2 tblsp Sugar
1 oz Brandy
1 oz Cointreau
1/2 Orange in thin slices
1 Lemon in thin slices
2 cups Ice cubes
1 cup Club soda

Combine orange juice, wine, sugar, brandy and Cointreau. Add lemon and orange slices. Chill. To serve, add ice and club soda, stir gently.

Hope you've seen something that appeals to you,enjoy!