drinks – My Whisk and I

Glühwein

August 16, 2022August 14, 2022by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

3 cardamom pods
750ml red wine
1 orange, sliced
2,5ml allspice berries
2,5ml whole cloves
2 star anise
2 cinnamon quills/sticks
62ml brown sugar

Bruise the cardamom pods by placing them on a work surface. Place a saucepan on top and press down onto it to crack the pods.
Add the pods, wine, orange, allspice, cloves, star anise and cinnamon to a saucepan set over medium heat.
Heat the mixture but do not allow it to boil – you want the wine warm to the point before boiling.
Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
Allow the wine and spices to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature so that it can infuse.
Strain the Glühwein and serve warm with fresh orange slices.

Fresh Bloody Mary

July 7, 2022June 14, 2022by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

Tomato Juice:
1,5kg ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 onion, finely chopped
10ml tomato paste
1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
15ml lemon juice
salt and white pepper

Add the tomato and onion to a blender and process until smooth.
Pass the mixture through a sieve.
Pour the strained juice into a small saucepan and add the tomato paste and chilli to it.
Bring the mixture to a boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Skim the surface of the juice while simmering.
Take the saucepan from the heat, add the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and white pepper.
Cool the tomato juice and refrigerate.

For the Bloody Mary:
vodka
1 egg white, lightly beaten
coarse sea salt
olives
rosemary twigs

Dip the rim of a serving glass into the egg white and immediately dip it into the sea salt. Allow to dry.
Fill the glass with ice.
Mix together 150ml tomato juice and 30ml vodka and stir together.
Pour the juice and vodka over the ice and garnish with an olive studded rosemary twig.

Strawberry Slushy Cocktail

November 10, 2021November 9, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is such a refreshing drink and can easily be adapted as a mocktail. Makes 4. Cheers!

250g fresh strawberries
45ml sugar
a squeeze of lemon
50ml Grand Marnier (orange flavoured liqeueur)
25ml vodka
2 basil leaves
350g ice, crushed

Add the strawberries and sugar to the bowl of a liquidiser and process.
Add all the remaining ingredients and pulse together.
Serve in 4 martini glasses.

Aperol Gin Cocktail

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is a deliciously refreshing drink on a hot day and easy to make at home. Serve it for your next aperitivo hour in true Italian style!

30ml Aperol
30ml gin
30ml lime juice
30ml simple syrup
60ml soda water

Add the Aperol, gin, lime juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
Add 3 ice cubes and shake the mixture for about 1 minute.
Pour the contents into a glass and top with soda water.
Garnish with edible flower ice cubes before serving.

Rosemary Lemonade

September 10, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

This is a refreshing drink to have on a summer’s day and a real crowd pleaser. Add a shot of vodka or tequila and serve with aperitifs!

500ml water
2 sprigs rosemary about 15cm long
125ml sugar
125ml honey
300ml fresh lemon juice
1,5 litre cold water

Pour the water into a small sauce and bring to a boil.
Add the rosemary, cover the saucepan with a lid and reduce to a simmer, for 10 minutes.
Take from the heat and remove the rosemary.
Stir in the sugar and honey.
Pour the mixture into a jug and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Add the lemon juice and 1,5 litres cold water.
Chill the lemonade for at least an hour.
Serve over ice and top with fresh lemon slices and a sprig of rosemary.

Chocolate-Espresso Kick

September 9, 2021by Karen ClaassenLeave a Comment

Two of my very favourite drinks in one cup!!

250ml milk
15ml sugar
80g chocolate, chopped
30ml espresso
2,5mll vanilla

Pour the milk into a small saucepan, add the sugar and turn the heat to medium. Warm the milk to just before boiling point.
Turn down the heat to the lowest setting and add the chopped chocolate.
Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes while whisking/stirring continuously.
Take the saucepan from the heat and add the hot espresso and vanilla.
Stir through and serve hot.

Tag: drinks