Cranberry-Hibiscus Cooler

Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I'd already been sipping on one of these before deciding to photograph another. This was a "I-want-to-drink-but-I-don't-want-to-go-to-the-liquor-store-for-a-real-mixer" sort of cocktail. I just used what I found in the fridge and it was actually really good (others agreed, it wasn't just because I was drunk, geez).

Cranberry-Hibiscus Cooler

makes one cocktail

1 part Vodka
2 parts Cranberry-Hibiscus juice (ours was from Trader Joe's)
2 parts Ginger Ale (ours: Diet Hansen's)

Add all liquids to glass with ice, stir, enjoy.

I imagine this would taste great with many other kinds of juice as well, go nuts!

Raspberry Mojitos

Whenever we have game night at our house mojitos are on the menu. I don't remember how this came to be, but it works for me (that rhymes, ha). We've tweaked the ingredients around several times and have found one that we now use every time. This time we threw in some raspberries, when blackberries are in season I like that even better.

Raspberry Mojito

makes one large cocktail (about 16 oz with ice)

1/2 lime (either squeeze juice into glass or toss in wedges)
12 mint leaves
6 raspberries, plus additional for garnish
1 oz simple syrup (or 1/2-3/4 oz agave nectar)
2 oz white rum
4 oz sparkling water
ice

Add lime juice or wedges to glass along with mint leaves, raspberries, and simple syrup. Muddle everything together with a spoon (if using lime wedges really push on them to get the juice out). Add rum, sparkling water, and ice to glass. Stir. Garnish with additional raspberries and serve. These are easiest to drink with a straw.

Enjoy!

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

I'm usually a beer gal, but every once in a while nothing will serve like a frilly girlie cocktail. Last monday I received a bit of bad news, it was one of those times I needed to drown some sorrows and lift my spirits by having some. I whipped up this little beauty, and it's mighty tasty.

Pomegranate Cosmopolitan

makes one cocktail

1 oz vodka
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz pomegranate juice
splash of lime juice

1. Add everything to shaker. Mix.
2. Pour. Serve.

If you were looking to dress it up a bit a lime wedge or berries would make a nice garnish, or a lime peel swirl or pomegranate seeds tossed in the drink would be lovely.

Spiced Cocoa

Mmm...cocoa. One of the best things about cold weather (others: fires and sweaters). Until I became vegan I had never made cocoa from scratch (like a lot of things) before, always relying on little paper packets. Big mistake. Quick to make in a saucepan and worth every minute.

Spiced Cocoa

makes ~2 cups

1/8 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
pinch salt
1/3 cup hot water
2 cups soymilk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine cocoa, sugar, spices, and hot water in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until boiling, then stir about a minute more. Add soymilk. Heat through. Remove from burner. Add vanilla and serve.

Variation: leave out cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Instead, once removed from heat add 1/4 tsp mint extract.

Yes, this is great with vegan marshmallows! I'd really like to try it with soy or rice whip too.