New Year Cheer - French 75

This New Year's elevate your pop, fizz and clink with the French 75.  This bubbly concoction adds instant glamour to any bar and is a sure way to bring spirit and cheer to your New Year's celebration.  The simplicity of this drink will ensure that you are not stuck behind the bar laboring, making it the perfect New Year's party libation. 

As with all apothecary concoctions, the details are in the quality of the ingredients (e.g., top champagne or sparkling wine is a must - none of that $5 bubbly imposter nonsense).  Here's what you'll need per serving:

• 1 ounce Cognac
• 1/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 ounce simple syrup
• 4 ounces Champagne
• lemon twist

Shake Cognac, lemon and simple syrup with ice and strain into a champagne flute.  Top slowly with 3 to 4 ounces of Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.  Let the cheer begin to flow!

Let the corks begin to fly, cheers to 2016!

{images by Brooklyn Boheme}

Cocktail Apothecary: Savoring Summer with a Blueberry Mojito

Here's one last Summer cocktail to savor the season before Labor Day.  I was first introduced to the Blueberry Mojito at the the seclusive shores of the Horned Dorset hotel in Puerto Rico, and I returned home with this recipe as my souvenir of choice.  I love the pureness and simplicity of a refreshing Mojito, but this sweet twist elevates the classic drink to chic delicousness.  This recipe requires juicing, muddling and straining, but it's worth every last effort.

Blueberry Mojito

Blueberries may be substituted for strawberries, blackberries or your Summer berry of choice, but only fresh seasonal berries and no frozen or prepackaged juices or purees.  As with all apothecary concoctions, the devil is in the quality of the ingredients. 

Recipe (per cocktail serving):
*12 mint leaves
*Handful of blueberries
*1/2 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
*4tsp. bakers sugar
*1 1/2 oz white rum (I used Bacardi because that's what was on hand)
*Splash of club soda

Muddle the mint leaves and lime juice in a beaker.  Mash and strain fresh blueberries into the same beaker.  Add bakers sugar and ice, followed by rum.  Stir and then pour into high ball glass 3/4 way full.  Top with club soda.  Garnish with a spring of mint and lime wedge.
 

Essential ingredients - fresh seasonal blueberries, lime and mint.

Muddled mint and lime juice.

Blueberry mash and strain.

Blueberry muddled concoction.

Serve and enjoy.

Images by Brooklyn Boheme.
 

Cocktail Apothecary: Watermelon-Jalapeno Margarita

Cocktail trends come and go, but tequila (good tequila) is always in fashion and this summertime cocktail is sure to satisfy your most fashionable of pool guests.  This spicy twist on a fruit margarita is the perfect way to enjoy your summertime watermelon - not too sweet, yet still refreshing with a smoky kick that keeps you coming back for more.  The key ingredients of this recipe: Tequila + jalapeno + watermelon + lime juice. 

As with all apothecary concoctions, the devil is in the quality of the ingredients.  Make sure to use fresh ingredients - meaning, no frozen, canned or prepackaged juices or purees. 

Recipe makes 3 cocktails:

* ¾ of one jalapeno
* 2.5 oz tequila (I used Patron silver because that's what was on hand)
* 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed - usually 2 limes will give you 1 oz)
* 1 oz watermelon puree (save a few slices for the garnish)
* ¾ oz agave nectar
* Hickory smoked salt (for rimming the glasses)

Muddle the jalapeno in a shaker or beaker.  Add tequila, lime juice, watermelon puree and agave nectar.  Shake with ice and strain into glass filled with ice and rimmed with hickory smoked salt. Garnish with a slice of watermelon and lime wedge.

Cocktail tools.

Muddled jalapenos and smoky salt to rim the glasses.

Adapted from Boulder Locavore.
Images by Brooklyn Boheme.