As they say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. From festive music to shimmering lights, everything is truly magical.
During the holiday season, we all find ourselves indulging in great food and sipping delightful cocktails. We wanted to step out of the box and create something that involves a little more skill than popping a cork off a bottle of wine.
We decided to turn to our friends at the Downtown Market (located in Grand Rapids, MI). This wonderful place not only serves as a trendy event venue, it houses some of the most mouth-watering food options in west Michigan and offers some pretty tremendous classes.
We recently attended their “Cocktails to Leave Santa” mixology class taught by Downtown Market’s Beverage Manager Jenney Grant. Trust us friends, she knows her stuff! Jenney taught us how to infuse, stir, shake, and pour some amazing drinks to serve to our family and friends over the holidays. The cocktails ranged from fruity and light to hearty and savory. We loved this hands on experience and learned a thing or two about the history of spirits.
Check out how we became pseudo-bartenders for the night and learn these remarkable recipes below!
More to Come,
Danielle & Katie
During the holiday season, we all find ourselves indulging in great food and sipping delightful cocktails. We wanted to step out of the box and create something that involves a little more skill than popping a cork off a bottle of wine.
We decided to turn to our friends at the Downtown Market (located in Grand Rapids, MI). This wonderful place not only serves as a trendy event venue, it houses some of the most mouth-watering food options in west Michigan and offers some pretty tremendous classes.
We recently attended their “Cocktails to Leave Santa” mixology class taught by Downtown Market’s Beverage Manager Jenney Grant. Trust us friends, she knows her stuff! Jenney taught us how to infuse, stir, shake, and pour some amazing drinks to serve to our family and friends over the holidays. The cocktails ranged from fruity and light to hearty and savory. We loved this hands on experience and learned a thing or two about the history of spirits.
Check out how we became pseudo-bartenders for the night and learn these remarkable recipes below!
More to Come,
Danielle & Katie
Papa Noel
1 ounce fresh orange juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
1 ½ ounce Tequila
2 barspoons of cranberry or apple butter
Prep cocktail glass by rimming with lime wedges. Then on a small plate, mix salt, sugar, ground cinnamon, ginger and clove. Rim glass with spices then carefully add ice to glass.
Add all ingredients to cocktail strainer. Shake until frosty. Strain in cocktail glass. Garnish with star of anise.
Good Cheer (our personal favorite)
1 slice orange
1 slice lemon
8-10 mint leaves
¾ ounce Gin
¼ ounce Triple Sec
Sparkling Wine/Champagne
Add orange slice, lemon slice, mint leaves and Triple Sec into cocktail tin. Muddle citrus until juiced. Add Gin and ice and shake until cold. Strain into cocktail glass, top with sparkling wine, and garnish with a mint leaf.
NY Flip
1 egg
¾ ounce port
¾ ounce Rye Whiskey
¾ ounce cream
¼ ounce brown sugar simple syrup
Pinch of nutmeg
Add egg, Rye Whiskey, port, cream and syrup to shaker. Dry shake, Add ice. Shake, strain into rocks glass. Garnish with nutmeg.
Coquito (batch size)
Thick strips from 2 limes
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 can evaporated milk (sweetened condensed milk works too!)
1 can unsweetened coconut milk (shake well)
2 cups white rum
3 tablespoons vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
Combine sugar, lime and cinnamon and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain and chill. Whisk in everything else. Chill
To Serve: Ladle into glass, serve with ground nutmeg.