Summer is almost here… it’s time for outdoor fun, for a refreshing Hibiscus Sangria with mango, mandarin, lime and Cava (sparkling wine) to make it fizzy! I saw a recipe not long ago of “Agua de Jamaica,” a simple juice made by infusing hibiscus leaves and sugar, then cooling it and voila! The picture looked so yummy, and I thought, those flowers are so pretty… they must taste good too. Well, I found some hibiscus leaves in the market and tried them as a simple tea… without any sugar… wasn’t tasting as they looked… I was shocked by how unpleasant that infusion was… then I had little Stevia (0 calorie sugar) and cooled it overnight. Wow! The difference it makes with a bit of sugar sometimes… It went from 0 to 1000! Same goes for this Hibiscus Sangria! Health Benefits of Hibiscus Hibiscus leaves have many health benefits; they help control your blood…
The little brother drink of Pisco Sour, this version replaced the lime for passion fruit, also called Maracuya. Nothing is more pleasant than dipping your lips into this airy foam to reach this fruity Maracuya Sour cocktail! If a drink is waiting in paradise for our soul, Maracuya Sour would be it! A soft foamy, fruity drink with a touch of bitterness. There is no better drink, especially made with the actual fruit; Maracuya, also called passion fruit. So let’s do a deep dive into the specifics of this cocktail. Origin Pisco Sour is the pride of Peru, a type of Margarita made with pisco, lime, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and egg white. Well, this version is the same, but I exchanged the lime for Maracuya! Pisco is a type of grape-distilled spirit from Peru or Chile. It was produced by the Spanish settlers who wanted to recreate another spirit…
Skinny Kir Royal with blueberries is an elegant, fizzy and delicious cocktail! The perfect companion for any event and fun to watch your blueberries dancing up and down. This version is skinny because I’ve used a simple blackcurrant syrup (0% alcohol) instead of the blackcurrant liquor or cream (approx. 20% alcohol). Also, this syrup got more sugar, making these two colours fun-looking glass. It will mix more and more while you drink it, changing the flavour. Kir Royal is a classic aperitif cocktail in France, and so simple to make! Aperitif (or Apero) is the drink you have before a meal, a stomach starter, they say! Often written: Kir Royale in the web-O-sphere, no clue why the ‘e’ made an appearance… Blueberries dancing in the Kir Royal Types of Kirs This drink is one of the only wine “cocktails” out there, with sangria. In Brittany, they make the Kir Breton with…
Pink pepper Gin Tonic is your next way to start the weekend in good company. This version is a slightly spicy. In Barcelona, the gin tonic is “the drink”, if you go walk around you’ll often see in the windows, “we have 40 types of gin” or similar information. Before moving over sea, I didn’t know a thing about this popular drink, after a few years of experimenting, I’ve learned quite a few variations and this is one of them. This is no funny business here, there is an art to those G & T, and many competitions to find the best around Spain. A few things I’ve learned is, for example, not to add a full lemon wedge to the drink, because the pulp kills the bubbles. Simply rub the side and inside of the glass with a twisted peel of the lime or lemon. I took lime to make a change…
Dirty Cilantro Mojito is a great alternative to the traditional one, this mojito is just as refreshing and tasty as the original. Often in recipes you’ll see mint to be substitute by cilantro or vice versa… Well, I add a bunch of cilantro leaves to use… so guess what I had to try?… a Cilantro Mojito, of course! A great discovery, and delicious one too. It gives the famous drink a second life, a great new dimension to mojito. I’m still a great mint mojito lover but this is equally good, and if you are like me, and like a little change once in awhile, this is the way. Both mint and cilantro are filled with health benefits, minerals and vitamins of all kinds, so no winner on this side. The famous mojito cocktail was created in La Havana, Cuba. I’ve, for my part, discovered mojitos, while backpacking though central America, a few years ago, back…
Peruvian Pisco Sour is a gem; this foamy lemonade cocktail contains a grape-distilled liquor called Pisco with limes, syrup and an egg white topped with a few drops of Angostura bitter. I know the egg white can scare a few away… there might be a slight risk of getting sick, but there isn’t any problem if you get a fresh egg and let me say: the danger is well worth it! This Peruvian Pisco Sour drink is an elegant, fluffy lemonade for grown-ups. A Peruvian Drink I’ve spent a year in Peru, where on our first night out, we were told to try this foamy and refreshing drink, their national drink. Right on the spot, I fell in love with this unique drink and its thick foam. So refreshing and new! It’s the margarita of Peru, and everyone passing by must try this famous Peruvian cocktail called Pisco Sour. Billy the…
Bloody Mary is a classic cocktail made of tomato juice, vodka and a touch of heat to bring some veggies into your diet. For those last days of winter, before the heat comes, just a little hot Bloody Mary drink will warm you up! A drink made largely of vegetables is a tad different. It’s a bit of everything; spices, veggies, vodka… Back in Canada, where I’m from, they do a version with Clamato juice (mildly spicy clam broth and tomato juice) instead of simple tomato juice, they call it Bloody Caesar. Since Clamato isn’t easy to find in Europe where I live… I have to use tomato juice, and spice it up! I’ve also added some celery salt, which I think is an important element to this drink. Obviously, living in Spain, I add a little ingredient called “Salsa Espinaler” which is basically a vinegar and paprika sauce instead of…