Apple-ly Ever After at Lugano Wine Bar and Salumeria

Perfect for a Snowy Night in Connecticut!

Last week we had almost a foot of snow dumped on our tiny little state, and this week another twelve inches on top of that! I think I can speak for our entire population when I say, enough is enough!

But what we can't get enough of is apple flavored cocktails! 

And this one from Lugano is sure to be a crowd pleaser. If you're not familiar with Lugano Wine Bar and Salumeria in Old Greenwich CT, they took their name from the only Italian speaking town in southern Switzerland and specialize in an extensive Italian tapas menu and salumeria, which offers a wide assortment of unique cured Italian meats and cheeses as well as hearty and creative salads, and a coastal raw bar.

Photo Source: MaxExPR on Instagram

The perfect pairing of items from their amazing menu always comes from their innovative craft cocktails, which, just like their menu items, features modern interpretations of the classics. 

While this isn't the exact recipe they use, it's our variation of this modern classic, the Apple-ly Ever After Craft Cocktail like Lugano!

Apple-ly Ever After Cocktail

• 1 oz Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Dark Rum
• Dash Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup
• 2 oz Apple Cider 
• 1-1/2 oz Prosecco
• Lemon peel for garnish
• Cinnamon Sugar for Rim

Directions:

Prepare a Martini Glass with a Cinnamon Sugared Rim

Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, apple cider, and prosecco in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake well.

Pour into martini glass.

Sip and enjoy!

Lugano Wine Bar and Salumeria

1392 E Putnam Ave
Old Greenwich CT 06870
(203) 990-0955

https://www.luganowinebar.com/index.php

Remember to always cocktail responsibly

What's on your drink menu?

#WhatsOnYourDrinkMenu

Apple Cider Cocktail

It's September in Connecticut which means fall is right around the corner with sweater weather, county fairs, and apple harvests!

Here's a great cocktail for you to try this autumn - a rum version of a classic martini:

The Apple Cider Cocktail!

Recipe below inspired by photo posted from
Instagrammer Sheila Barton Events

Apple Cider Cocktail

2 ozs. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
1/2 oz. Ginger Brandy
2 ozs. Apple Cider
1/2 oz Triple Sec
dash of lemon juice

Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Stir and strain into a Martini Glass

Rim Glass with Crystallized Ginger (note you can substitute cinnamon sugar)

Garnish with a baked apple chip

Remember to always cocktail responsibly.

Ginger Nogg with Virgil Kaine Bourbon for the Holidays

The Ginger Nogg - Perfect for Fall and Winter Holidays

Today we're bringing you a delicious holiday cocktail, the Ginger Nogg, courtesy of the great folks over at Virgil Kaine Low Country Whiskey.

If you're not familiar with Virgil Kaine Low Country Whiskey, they're a small batch brewing company out of Charleston, South Carolina. manufacturing great bourbon and rye whiskey since 1863.

Photo Source: Virgil Kaine Instagram @VirgilKaine

The Ginger Nogg

1 1/2 oz Virgil Kaine Ginger-Infused Bourbon
1/2 oz aged rum
3/4 oz cream
3/4 oz cardamom syrup
egg yolk

Dry shake all ingredients in a cocktail mixer well (20 seconds). Pack shaker full with ice and shake for an additional 20 seconds and strain. Garnish with nutmeg on top.

Remember to always cocktail responsibly.

Learn more about Virgil Kaine Low Country Whiskey at http://www.virgilkaine.com/

Victorious Party Cocktail at NEAT in Westport CT

You've got to hand it to Molly! When she is feeling adventurous at NEAT in Westport CT she comes up with some pretty amazing combinations. We love this one - the Victorious Party Cocktail!

It's perfect for celebrating the end of summer - and here's our take on the recipe so you can enjoy one until you can get yourself to NEAT to try the original!

Photo Source: Neat Westport Instagram @NeatWestport 

The Victorious Party Cocktail at Neat Westport

2 ozs Rum (we used The Real McCoy 3 YR Silver, Barbados)
2 ozs Lime Juice
1 oz strawberry infused simple syrup
Splash of club soda
Muddled strawberries and mint

Shake well and float 1/2 oz Green Chartreuse on top
Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh mint

Neat Westport
6 Wilton Road
Westport, CT 06880.

(203) 557-8955

http://neatwestport.com/

Remember to always cocktail responsibly!

The Foragers Tipple Martini Cocktail at Barley Vine in Bristol CT

We absolutely love the The Foragers Tipple Cocktail that Barley Vine in Bristol CT entered in the recent Faith Middleton's WNPR "Food Schmooze" Contest!

And while the Foragers Tipple Martini wasn't the winner this year, we think it must have been a heavy contender!

Photo Source: Barley Vine Instagram @BarleyVineCT

While many of the mixers in this cocktail were hand crafted by Barley Vine's bar man Khalid Williams, we think we have some great substitutes that will help you recreate this cocktail on your own!

Barley Vine Foragers Tipple Martini Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Plantation Rum
• .5 oz. Organic Hop Tincture (Barley Vine used a house made mixture)
• .5 oz. Koval's Organic Rose Hip Liqueur
• .5 oz. Yuzu Juice (or a good lemonade) (Barley Vine used a house made Yuzu cucumber punch)

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and stir well
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass
3. Garnish with edible flowers

Enjoy!

Barley Vine
182 Main Street
Bristol, Connecticut 06010
Website: www.barleyvinect.com

(860) 589-0239

Remember to always cocktail responsibly!

Strawberry Mojitos at Grant's Restaurant Farm To Table Dinner

Grant's Restaurant "Farm to Table" Featured Cocktail

Chef Billy Grant never disappoints. Whether it's an amazing dinner at one of his many restaurants or a farm to table dinner held off premise at Roseberry Farms, there's always great food and fun cocktails!

Here's the featured drink from Grant's Roseberry Farms June 2015 "Farm To Table" event!

The Strawberry Mojito!

Photo Source: Grant's Restaurant Instagram @grantsrestaurant 

And you can make a strawberry mojito similar to the one served here!

The Strawberry Mojito

Ingredients:

• Fresh Strawberries
• Fresh Limes (or a good lime juice like Rose's Lime Juice)
• Fresh Mint
• Simple Syrup
• Bacardi White Rum

Directions:

Muddle strawberries and mint leaves.

In a mixing glass combine muddled strawberry & mint, 3 ozs lime juice, 1/2 oz simple syrup, and 2 ozs white rum

Shake and serve over ice.

Garnish with fresh strawberry, lime wheel, and mint sprig
Sip and enjoy!

Grants Restaurant and Bar
977 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT
Phone: 860-236-1930
Website: billygrant.com/grants

Remember to always cocktail responsibly!