Category: Drink

Mai Tai

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex as it is fruity.

Mai Tai Recipe

The Mai Tai might sound like a simple fruity resort drink, but it’s anything but! No, this drink is a classic cocktail from the 1940’s that’s been (cough) ruined by saccharine sweet versions. How to make a real Mai Tai? The rum cocktail is breathtakingly complex, featuring aged rum, orange liqueur, and almond syrup for nutty and vanilla notes against sharp citrus. Float a little dark rum on top, and you get to the core of a Mai Tai: it’s sophisticated, nuanced, and might we say…extraordinarily special.

What’s a Mai Tai?

The most widely accepted origin story of the Mai Tai is that the cocktail was invented in 1944 at Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. It became very popular in the 1950’s and 60’s, especially at tiki restaurants. (And since Tiki culture is built on appropriation, we won’t exalt the virtues of that phenomenon.)

Full disclosure: we weren’t fans of this drink until we tasted the classic version! The Mai Tai cocktail in its original form just makes sense. It’s tropical, nutty, boozy and zingy: and it’s nothing like the adult fruit juice you might be expecting. (I ordered a Mai tai at a bar recently and it tasted like a Hawaiian punch juice box.)

Mai tai ingredients

Mai Tai ingredients

What’s in the original Mai Tai? Despite what you might think, there’s no pineapple juice! There’s actually no fruit juice, other than lime juice. The classic Mai Tai cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. The ingredients in a Mai Tai drink are:

  • Aged rum (also called golden, amber or anejo)
  • Orange liqueur: either curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • Lime juice
  • Orgeat syrup
  • Simple syrup (optional)
  • Dark rum

The classic Mai Tai ingredients also often include simple syrup. Using a hint of simple syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai. Omit the simple syrup and it makes a more boozy, spirit-forward drink. I prefer adding simple syrup for the flavor of that classic tropical drink, but Alex prefers the boozier version. Try it both ways and find your favorite!

Mai Tai Ingredients

What is orgeat syrup?

You may have noticed cocktails at bars that include the ingredient orgeat syrup. What is it, and is it absolutely necessary for a Mai Tai?

  • Orgeat syrup is a non-alcoholic almond syrup used for sweetening cocktails. It has a distinctive nutty flavor with a hint of citrus that’s hard to replicate.
  • How do you pronounce orgeat? Say Or-ZHAAT, where the “ZH” is like the J in the name Jacque.
  • What is a substitute for orgeat syrup? There is no substitute for the unique nutty citrus flavor. A Mai Tai without orgeat syrup just doesn’t work. It’s a tasty drink: just not a real Mai Tai.
  • How much does orgeat syrup cost? You can grab a bottle for about $10. It’s easy to find online: here’s the orgeat syrup we have. Use up leftovers with a Japanese Cocktail, Trinidad Sour, or Mojito Mocktail.
Aged rum

Orange liqueur: Grand Marnier vs Curaçao

A Mai Tai recipe traditionally uses orange curaçao, but it can be hard to find. Here are a few notes on what else to use as a substitute for the orange liqueur:

  • Grand Marnier is your best bet. Grand Marnier is the highest end orange liqueur, and brings nuanced, sophisticated flavor. We had a bottle (since we like Grand Marnier cocktails), so we used it here.
  • Cointreau also works. Got a bottle for making margaritas or other Cointreau drinks? You can use it here too. The flavor is a little less nuanced, but it still works!
Mai Tai Recipe

Two types of rum make the best flavor

Many Mai Tai recipes use two types of rum mixed into the drink. Our version takes it a step further and floats the dark rum on top! It makes for a showy presentation and it’s become a tradition that some people like in their version of this drink. Here’s a bit more about the two types of rum you’ll need:

  • Aged rum: This type of rum is also referred to as golden rum, amber rum, or añejo rum (meaning “aged”). Aging gives it a complex flavor, more like a Cognac. It has undertones of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel. The aged rum that we used here was Brugal Añejo Rum.
  • Dark rum: Also known as black rum, dark rum has a dark color and a rich flavor that’s smoky and sweet.

What other cocktails use these types of rums? Use aged rum in an El Presidente or Pineapple Rum Cocktail, and dark rum in Rum Punch, Dark and Stormy, or a Jungle Bird.

What people are saying about this Mai Tai recipe

Once you’ve got your orgeat syrup, stocked up on golden and dark rum, and figured our your orange liqueur, it’s time to make your Mai Tai cocktail! This is the easy part: shake up the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, strain into a glass, float the dark rum on top and garnish! Here are a few comments from readers who have made this recipe:

  • “I thought your recipe was excellent. I added more lime juice than listed by accident, but is turned out fine. The flavors are amazing and I felt like I was back on Maui enjoying happy hour. It sure packs a punch! I will definitely make this again.” -Rosemary
  • “Used 15 year old Rhum Barbancourt from Haiti topped with Bacardi Black with Grand Marnier. It came out very nice!” -Jim
  • “Wow, wow, wow! You guys hit this one on the head. Absolutely fantastic recipe. The moment I tasted this, the memories of when I first had this came back to me.” -Justin
Mai Tai recipe | Mai tai cocktail
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Mai Tai Recipe

Mai Tai

★★★★★

4.5 from 24 reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex as it is fruity.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces* aged rum
  • ½ ounce orange liqueur: Curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • ¾ ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce orgeat syrup
  • ½ teaspoon simple syrup (optional**)
  • ½ ounce dark rum, to float (optional)
  • For serving: Crushed ice or clear ice, fresh mint, cocktail cherry, lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Place the aged rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup (if using**) in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain the drink into an ice-filled glass. Top with the dark rum. Garnish with fresh mint, a lime wedge, cocktail cherry and pineapple slice. 

Notes

Here’s a link to these fluted lowball glasses.

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

**A hint of simple syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai. Omit it for a more boozy, spirit-forward Mai Tai.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Mai Tai, Mai Tai Recipe, Mai Tai Ingredients, Mai Tai Drink, Mai Tai Cocktail

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A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

The Best Hibiscus Margarita Recipe

This hibiscus margarita recipe is a lovely twist on the classic margarita cocktail! This cocktail … Read more
The post The Best Hibiscus Margarita Recipe appeared first on Sugar and Charm.

This hibiscus margarita recipe is a lovely twist on the classic margarita cocktail! This cocktail ... Read more

The post The Best Hibiscus Margarita Recipe appeared first on Sugar and Charm.

Chocolate Martini

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and Baileys for a flavor explosion.

Chocolate Martini recipe

Looking for a cocktail to please a chocoholic? Try this chocolate martini recipe! This drink is rich and creamy, basically a dessert in a glass. It stars Irish cream and creme de cacao for maximum flavor, like the liquid version of your favorite chocolate bar. Mix this up as an after dinner drink to impress guests, or anytime you need a sweet treat in cocktail form. You’ll be smitten, we promise!

Chocolate martini ingredients

The chocolate martini is a vodka martini made with Irish cream and a chocolate liqueur or syrup. Legend has it that the classic Chocolate Martini was invented by Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in 1955 while filming the Hollywood classic movie Giant together, adding chocolate syrup and chocolate liqueur to the vodka martini. 

It’s become a concept that all bartenders riff on, so there’s no “official” definition like the Espresso Martini. You’ll find chocolate martinis with just vodka and chocolate liqueur, but many add chocolate syrup, Baileys Irish cream, or other ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this chocolate martini recipe:

  • 2 oz Irish cream (like Baileys)
  • 1 oz creme de cacao or other chocolate liqueur
  • 1 oz vodka

Preparing the glass

The chocolate martini is all about presentation! For decorating the glass, there are three different elements you can add to maximize the visual and flavor impact:

  • Chocolate syrup: Drizzle chocolate syrup into the inside of a martini glass in a swirl pattern.
  • Cocoa powder and brown sugar: Wet the rim of a martini glass, then dip and rotate it in a plate of 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar. This adds a chocolaty crunch to each sip. Another option is drawing a circle of chocolate syrup on a plate and dipping in the rim.
  • Grated chocolate: If desired, top the drink with grated chocolate (optional).
Creme de cacao

What’s creme de cacao?

Creme de cacao might not be something you’re used to stocking in your liquor cabinet. It’s most famous for its use in the Brandy Alexander and the Grasshopper, but it’s also popular in a chocolate martini!

  • Creme de cacao is a cocoa bean flavored liqueur, available in both white (clear) and dark varieties. It’s one of the older alcoholic beverages, made in the 1600’s by monks after cocoa beans were brought back to Europe from America.
  • What does creme de cacao taste like? White creme de cacao, the clear variety, tastes like milk chocolate with notes of vanilla.
  • Is it worth buying Creme de cacao costs between $10 to $20 for a 750 ml bottle. It’s worth buying if you like sweet cocktails! You can use leftovers to make creme de cacao drinks like the Brandy Alexander, Grasshopper, or Bushwacker.
Chocolate martini recipe

More about Irish cream

Irish cream is a liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream. The most popular Irish cream is Baileys, but there are other brands of Irish cream (we used a different brand for this recipe). The most popular Irish cream cocktail is the Mudslide, which is a variant of the classic creamy White Russian.

How to make a chocolate martini

Got those specialty liquors? Then you’re good to go! There are lots of ways to make a chocolate martini recipe, like with melted chocolate or chocolate syrups. This one works well with just straight up cocoa powder. Here’s what to do:

  • Shake in a cocktail shaker: Add 2 oz Baileys, 1 oz vodka and 1 oz creme de cacao into a cocktail shaker and add 2 handfuls of ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold.
  • Strain and garnish. That’s it! Strain it into the prepared martini glass and garnish with a little grated chocolate.

More martinis

There are so many more flavored types of martinis to try! Here are some of our favorites:

When to serve a chocolate martini

The chocolate martini recipe works before dinner, after dinner, or anytime in between. Serve it as a:

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Chocolate Martini recipe

Best Chocolate Martini

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe

Description

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and Baileys for a flavor explosion.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces* Irish cream (like Baileys)
  • 1 ounce creme de cacao
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar, for the rim (optional)
  • Chocolate syrup, for the glass
  • Grated chocolate, for the garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wet the rim of a martini glass. Spread 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar on a plate, stir them together and spread into a single layer. Dip the outside of the rim of the glass into the plate. If desired, pour a swirl of chocolate syrup into the martini glass.
  2. Add the Irish cream, creme de cacao and vodka to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with 2 handfuls of ice and shake it until cold.
  3. Strain the drink into the prepared glass. If desired, garnish with grated chocolate.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Chocolate martini, chocolate martini recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka. Smooth and creamy, it’s the perfect pick-me-up…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka. Smooth and creamy, it’s the perfect pick-me-up for any occasion! Here’s how to make it.

Espresso Martini in cocktail glass topped with 3 coffee beans

Oh hello, Espresso Martini. This 1980’s cocktail vaulted back into popularity in 2021, and it’s easy to see why. Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated drink that’s cool, frothy, and bittersweet. Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re home cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, and this one’s a fast favorite.

Espresso Martini ingredients

The Espresso Martini is a vodka martini made with coffee that was invented in 1983. Bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie in London created the drink for a patron who asked for a drink to wake her up. Apparently the coffee machine was right next to the drink station, and the Espresso Martini was born. The name came in the 1990’s when flavored martinis were all the rage.

There are lots of variations on exactly how to make this Espresso Martini recipe. The original version had two types of coffee liqueur and simple syrup. Today it varies based on on the bartender. This cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. The ingredients in an Espresso Martini are:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua or coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz espresso or strong coffee
  • ½ oz simple syrup (optional)
Espresso Martini in cocktail glass

How to make an Espresso Martini

The only part about an Espresso Martini that takes some time is making the coffee. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for it to cool. Wait a few minutes until it’s warm, then shake it up. Here’s how to make a coffee martini:

  • Make 1 shot (1 oz) espresso using an espresso maker (or French Press). Alternatively, you can make a very strong cup of coffee and use 2 tablespoons. Place the coffee in the freezer until room temperature. 
  • Place the espresso, 2 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahula, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  • Add 1 handful ice and shake until cold.
  • Strain into a martini glass. Top with coffee beans, the traditional garnish.

An Espresso martini without simple syrup

Many Espresso Martini recipes have simple syrup, but the extra sweetener actually isn’t necessary. The cocktail is sweet enough with the Kahlua alone. Here are a few notes about the sweetness in this drink:

  • Simple syrup rounds out the flavors and makes for a balanced, sweet drink. Even though we’re not big sweet cocktail fans, we like this one with the added simple syrup.
  • For a less sweet spin, use ¼ oz simple syrup, which still lets the flavors shine.
  • Or, make an Espresso Martini recipe with no simple syrup. Kahlua has added sugar, so combining it with vodka and espresso still makes for a sweet and balanced drink.
Coffee

Coffee making methods

To add the coffee element to an Espresso Martini, there are a few different coffee making methods. For espresso, you can use an espresso machine or portable espresso maker to make an espresso shot. You can also use non-traditional tools like making French press espresso.

Don’t have an espresso maker? Simply make strong coffee using double the grounds of your regular method. You can also use a Moka Pot (Bialetti) to make strong coffee that has a flavor in between espresso and coffee.

You can also make an Espresso Martini using cold brew concentrate, either purchased or homemade. This has the added benefit of already being chilled! The concentrate is very strong and has a similar flavor to espresso (make sure not to water it down before using).

Does an Espresso Martini have caffeine?

Yes! This coffee martini has caffeine from the coffee and the Kahlua. The espresso contributes 64 mg caffeine and the Kahlua 2.5 mg, for a total of about 66 mg in this drink. This is about 70% the amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee (95 mg).

Kahlua bottle

More about Kahlua

Kahlua is a pretty widely known liqueur…but what actually is it made of? Here’s what to know about this coffee liqueur:

  • Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar and coffee. It does have some caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee. The standard Kahlua is dairy-free, vegan and plant-based: it contains only rum, sugar and coffee.
  • How much does Kahlua cost? It costs about $20 per bottle.
  • What are some substitutes for Kahlua? You can also use other types of coffee liqueur, like Tia Maria or Sheridan’s.
  • What other cocktails use Kahlua? Use it to make Kahlua drinks like the White Russian, Black Russian or Mudslide.
Espresso martini in cocktail glass with coffee beans

More coffee cocktails

Are you into spiked coffee? Boozy coffee drinks combine the beautiful bittersweet flavor of coffee into fantastic mixed drinks. Here are some of our favorite coffee cocktails:

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Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

★★★★★

5 from 1 review
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe

Description

The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka. Smooth and creamy, it’s the perfect pick-me-up for any occasion! Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Make the espresso or strong coffee. Place it in the freezer until room temperature. 
  2. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously until cold.
  3. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

Notes

*Simple syrup rounds out the flavors and makes for a balanced, sweet drink. For a less sweet spin, you can use ¼ oz or make an Espresso Martini without simple syrup entirely.

To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons. 

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Espresso martini, espresso martini recipe

More vodka martini recipes

Flavored martinis are a modern invention: built on the vodka martini. Most of them drop the vermouth…so they’re hardly a Classic Martini at all! Here are some of our favorite flavored martini recipes:

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Butterbeer

This butterbeer recipe is an easy and delicious way to recreate the classic Harry Potter drink! Perfect for parties, Halloween,…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This butterbeer recipe is an easy and delicious way to recreate the classic Harry Potter drink! Perfect for parties, Halloween, or anytime.

Butterbeer recipe

Want to recreate the classic Harry Potter drink! Try this Butterbeer recipe! Our son has become obsessed with Hogwarts and this recipe is an easy way to recreate the series drink. It’s so tasty, bubbly with a butterscotch flavor and a frothy top! Many recipes are extremely sugary but our take is toned back so it lets all the flavors shine through (and you or the children you’re making it for won’t be bouncing off the walls). It’s perfect for parties, Halloween, and any occasion where you need a little magic!

What is butterbeer?

Butterbeer is a fictional drink in the Harry Potter series that’s beloved by wizards. It is first mentioned in the book Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and has a level of alcohol doesn’t affect witches and wizards. The concept is based on an actual drink called buttered beer that originated in England in the 1500’s. That drink was made with beer, sugar, eggs, nutmeg, cloves and butter (similar to something like buttered rum).

Author J.K. Rowling reportedly told Bon Appetit magazine that the taste of butterbeer should be like a “less sickly butterscotch.” In April 2010 Universal Studios announced a non-alcoholic butterbeer drink sold at their Harry Potter World, which was tasted and approved by Rowling herself!

Butterbeer recipe

Ingredients in butterbeer

No one knows the exact ingredients in the official Universal Studios butterbeer recipe (except this guy). However, the flavor of butterbeer is reminiscent of cream soda. Most copycat recipes include cream soda, butterscotch syrup and cream or ice cream for a frothy topping.

This butterbeer recipe is unique because it’s got all those classic flavors but a little less sugar to let them all shine! It’s built like an Italian soda, with soda water, flavored syrup, and cream. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Butterscotch syrup, like Torani
  • Vanilla extract
  • Yellow and brown food coloring
  • Soda water
  • Heavy cream

Tips for making butterbeer

This butterbeer recipe is like an butterscotch-flavored Italian soda, a drink made of club soda and flavored syrup, often served with cream on top. The concept was invented by an Italian American couple who introduced Italian soda in San Francisco in 1925. It took off and has been popular ever since! Here are a few tips for making and serving butterbeer:

  • Whisk 2 tablespoons heavy cream until slightly thickened. Reserve this for the topping.
  • Mix a splash of soda water with 2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup in a small beer mug or glass. Add 3 drops yellow and 1 small drop brown food coloring to simulates the beer coloring (which is the main coloring agent in cream soda).
  • Add 1 cup soda water. Do this right before serving to preserve the bubbles.
  • Top with the cream to simulate the frothy top of a beer. Enjoy!
Butter beer recipe

Harry Potter themed mugs and glasses

The best way to serve butterbeer is in a small beer mug! We like these small glass beer mugs. You can also serve it in Harry Potter themed glasses. We like this set of Hogwarts crest glasses that have the crest of each of the houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Our son especially loves drinking anything out of these!

Of course if you’re serving butterbeer for a party, you can use disposable glasses or cups of your choice. Keep in mind the finished drink has about 1 ¼ cups volume with about 1-inch extra room needed for the foam.

Spiked variation

Want to make a spiked butterbeer? This butterbeer recipe works beautifully with rum. Add 1 oz añejo rum to each serving of butterbeer, which adds notes of vanilla and oak. We think it’s best with rum, but you could also try something like vanilla vodka if desired.

Butter beer

More fun homemade drinks

This butterbeer drink is a fun and easy homemade drink that kids and adults alike love! It’s fun for parties, as a Halloween drink, or anytime you need a fun cooking project with kids. Here are a few more homemade drinks to add to your arsenal:

This butterbeer recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free.

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Butterbeer

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

No reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe

Description

This butterbeer recipe is an easy and delicious way to recreate the classic Harry Potter drink! Perfect for parties, Halloween, or anytime.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons (1 oz) flavored butterscotch syrup, like Torani
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 drops yellow food coloring 
  • 1 small drop brown food coloring
  • 1 cup (8 oz) soda water
  • 2 tablespoons (1 oz) heavy cream, whisked until slightly thick

Instructions

  1. In a mug or glass, stir together the butterscotch syrup, vanilla extract, food coloring and a splash of soda water. (Spiked variation: Add 1 oz añejo rum.)
  2. Top with the remaining soda water. Carefully pour cream across top and serve. 
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Butterbeer, butter beer, butterbeer recipe, butter beer recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Halloween Margarita

This Halloween Margarita is the best drink for the season! Whip up single cocktails or a pitcher for a spooky…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This Halloween Margarita is the best drink for the season! Whip up single cocktails or a pitcher for a spooky evening.

Halloween Margarita

Here’s a drink that screams spooky fun: the Halloween Margarita! It might look scary, but it tastes like a dream, made with a spiced apple cider syrup, fresh lime and tequila. It’s tangy and a little sweet, balancing the lime and tequila perfectly. Make it as a single drink, or whip up a pitcher for a party! The glass garnishes take it over the top, like DIY black colored sugar, blood oranges, and a few spiders (of course!).

What you need for Halloween margaritas

If you love Halloween like we do, you’ll absolutely love this drink! This Halloween margarita is ideal for parties because you can whip up single drinks to order or make a big pitcher. The flavor is perfectly spiced and nuanced, tangy sweet from the apple cider syrup balanced with the bite of the tequila. It’s absolutely worth whipping up the syrup in advance because it infuses major flavor without watering down the drink. Here are the components you’ll need for a Halloween margarita:

Apple cider syrup

Making the apple cider syrup

Apple cider syrup is essential for the flavor in this drink! Apple cider on its own waters down cocktails instead of adding flavor. Making the syrup is what infuses major flavor into the drink, while still allowing the tequila and lime to shine through. Here’s what to know about apple cider syrup:

  • It takes 30 minutes to make. Simply boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for about 30 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy.
  • Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated.
  • Make a double batch for a pitcher. If you’re making 8 drinks, make a double batch of the syrup!
Halloween Margarita

Halloween margarita drink garnishes

The best part of a Halloween margarita? The drink garnishes! You can get creative with your own ideas, or you can use what we’ve made up here. Here’s what to know:

  • Make DIY colored sugar. Turns out, you don’t have to go out and buy drink sugar. You can make your own! Go to our DIY colored sugar tutorial and follow the instructions for the black sugar. Or, you can make different colors like orange or purple!
  • If you prefer, make a salt rim. It also tastes great with a salt rim. (In theory, you could use the same instructions as the colored sugar for salt: we just haven’t tried it! You’ll want to use flaky or kosher salt, not fine salt.)
  • Use an orange slice and festive cocktail picks. These Halloween cocktail picks (aka cupcake toppers) really set the tone! We used a blood orange slice to fasten our cocktail picks, because Halloween! But if you can’t find them, a regular orange will do.

Notes on clear ice

While it’s not required, clear ice is the final component that makes for the best Halloween Margarita! Clear ice is crystal clear ice that makes a drink look like it came from a fancy bar. You can cut it into large, organic chunks to take your cocktails to the next level.

Colored sugar

Make a Halloween margarita pitcher for a party

If you’re having a Halloween party, make a Halloween margarita pitcher! It’s easy to make 8 drinks at once and comes together quickly. See the instructions in the recipe below.

Party tip: Make sure to have all your drink rims and garnishes prepped in advance. Then you can add ice and pour in the drinks directly before serving. Avoid placing the ice in the glass beforehand, since the melting ice can cause the food coloring in the colored sugar to melt.

Halloween margaritas

More Halloween drinks

Want more ideas for spooky drinks? Here are a few Halloween cocktails we love:

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Halloween Margarita

Halloween Margarita

★★★★★

5 from 1 review
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Syrup Prep: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: N/A
  • Total Time: 39 minute
  • Yield: 1 drink
Print Recipe

Description

This Halloween Margarita is the best drink for the season! Whip up single cocktails or a pitcher for a spooky evening.

Ingredients

For the Halloween margarita

For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Make the apple cider syrup: Place the apple cider, granulated sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil, then maintain a low boil for 30 to 35 minutes until reduced to ¾ cup. Use immediately or refrigerate until using (stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated).
  2. Prepare the glass: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt or black colored sugar.
  3. Make a single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 4 ice cubes and shake until cold.
  4. Serve: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Fill the glass with clear ice. If desired, garnish with a blood orange slice and Halloween cocktail picks.
  5. For a margarita pitcher (8 servings): Place 2 cups tequila, 1 cup apple cider syrup (make 1.5 or 2 times the recipe above!) and ½ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Pour into the prepared glasses.

Notes

 

  • Category: Cocktail
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Halloween margarita

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Homemade Lemonade

Here’s how to make the best homemade lemonade recipe from fresh lemons! It’s quick and simple with excellent flavor. The…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s how to make the best homemade lemonade recipe from fresh lemons! It’s quick and simple with excellent flavor.

Lemonade recipe

The best lemonade? Homemade with real lemons. Make it at home with fresh squeezed citrus, and you’ll find out why this beverage became so popular in the first place. Make a big pitcher for parties, or you can make it by the glass. Either way, you’ll be absolutely smitten! Here’s the best homemade lemonade recipe: and it’s quicker and easier than most methods, too.

Ingredients for this lemonade recipe

You only need two ingredients to make fresh lemonade (three if you count water!). Here’s what you need to make this homemade lemonade recipe:

  • Lemons: You’ll need about 7 to 8 large lemons to make a full pitcher of 8 servings. This is a lot of squeezing, so if you prefer you can make a single glass using 1 lemon.
  • Sugar: The best sugar to use for lemonade is plain old granulated sugar. This type of sugar makes for the best yellow lemonade color. You use other sugars like cane sugar or coconut sugar: the color will just be slightly darker. If you prefer natural sweeteners, it works with honey or maple syrup, too.
Homemade lemonade

How to make lemonade

Many lemonade recipes call for boiling a simple syrup on the stove. This can be time consuming, so we decided to make our recipe even simpler. You can’t stir sugar right into cold water because it doesn’t dissolve, but we found a trick! Here’s all you have to do for this easy lemonade recipe:

  • Juice the lemons. This is the most time consuming part…by far! See below for a few tips on juicing.
  • Mix the sugar with 1 cup warm water. No simple syrup necessary! All you have to do is mix sugar into warm water and it dissolves.
  • Add the cold water and lemon juice, and some ice. Cool it back down by adding cold water, lime juice and some ice. Voila: homemade lemonade!

The best way to juice lemons

Juicing lemons might not sound intimidating, until you have to juice 7 to 8 in a row! If you don’t have a great citrus juicer, this recipe will do a number on your finger strength. Here are the best juicers we recommend:

  • Top choice: a press citrus juicer. This type of juicer is incredibly efficient and ends up getting out even more juice than other types. Here’s the press juicer we use. It’s held up the best of any method, after making 150+ cocktails.
  • Next best choice: a handheld citrus juicer. The next best juicer is the type with a ridged top (similar to this).
Lemons

Whatever the case: don’t try to juice them with your hands only! Not only will your hands hurt, you’ll get seeds into the lemonade. Of course, you can strain those out if you don’t have a juicer and are dying to make this recipe. (We won’t judge!)

Make lemonade by the glass

Don’t want to make an entire pitcher of lemonade? We hear you. This recipe makes 8 to 9 cups of lemonade, so it’s intended for parties or entertaining. Of course, you can also make a big pitcher and refrigerate it. But want to make lemonade by the glass? Here’s what to do:

  • Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass. That’s 1 large lemon or 2 small.
  • Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons warm water and stir until it dissolves.
  • Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice. Water it down more if necessary. Enjoy!
Homemade lemonade recipe

Types of lemonade recipes

There are so many tasty spins on homemade lemonade! You can easily jazz up this lemonade recipe by using different types of fruit, or making it boozy. Here are a few ideas:

Sparkling Lemonade

Add soda water for a sparkle!

Fresh Pink Lemonade

Add cranberry juice to make sweet tart pink lemonade.

Strawberry Lemonade

Adding strawberries makes a fruity flavor and brilliant color!

Mint Lemonade

Blend in fresh mint leaves for an herby spin on lemonade.

Easy Raspberry Lemonade

Adding raspberries makes a bright pink color and sweet tart flavor!

Lavender Lemonade

Dried lavender buds bring floral notes to this lemonade recipe.

Watermelon Lemonade

Blend watermelon and lemons for the best summer lemonade!

Cucumber Lemonade

Blend in cucumber for a cooling spin on this drink.

Vodka Lemonade

Mix 1 cup lemonade with ¼ cup vodka. Tangy and so easy to drink!

This lemonade recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Lemonade

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 (8 to 9 cups)
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s how to make the best lemonade you’ll taste from freshly squeezed lemons! Using real citrus gives this recipe extraordinary sweet tart flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (7 to 8 large lemons)*
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 7 cups water, divided
  • Ice
  • Fresh mint, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Juice the lemons.
  2. Add the sugar and 1 cup warm water to a large pitcher and stir until it is dissolved.
  3. Add 6 cups cold water and lemon juice. Add ice and serve.

Notes

*To make it by the glass: Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass (1 large lemon, or two small). Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons warm water and stir until it dissolves. Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Squeezed
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Lemonade, Lemonade recipe, Homemade lemonade, homemade lemonade recipe, How to make lemonade

More recipes with lemon

The lemon is one of our most used ingredients in the kitchen! Here are a few more tasty lemon recipes:

  • Lemon Blueberry Pancakes Light and fluffy, with just the right citrus zing and sweet bursts of berries!
  • Lemon Aioli A tangy sauce great for dipping fries, vegetables or using as a sandwich spread!
  • Peas with Lemon Cooking peas with garlic and lemon makes them taste incredible.
  • Lemon Dill Salmon Takes just 10 minutes to bake! Mix up a zesty dill sauce while it cooks.
  • Lemon Water Oh so refreshing, with 0 calories and no sugar.
  • Lemon Vinaigrette Tastes like pure lemon, and uses only 4 ingredients.

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Fresh Guava Juice Recipe (Agua de Guayaba)

Inside: Learn how to make this fresh and delicious guava juice recipe, which is perfect for hot summer days! Guava juice, or agua de guayaba, is delicious, refreshing, and a great …

The post Fresh Guava Juice Recipe (Agua de Guayaba) appeared first on My Latina Table.

Inside: Learn how to make this fresh and delicious guava juice recipe, which is perfect for hot summer days!

guava juice in a glass jar

Guava juice, or agua de guayaba, is delicious, refreshing, and a great source of vitamin C. It has a great flavor and aroma, and is perfect when you are craving a sweet drink on a warm day. The guava fruit is very popular in Mexico, especially around Christmas time. It can be used in a variety of recipes. Besides this juice, it is also used in lots of desserts and has a very sweet flavor. 

What is Guava Juice, or Agua de Guayaba?

Guava juice is a type of “agua fresca” or “fresh water,” which are very common in Mexico and are made by combining fresh fruit with water and sugar. You can find many different varieties in Mexico, including strawberry (fresa), canteloupe (melon), watermelon (sandia), and many more! 

agua fresca de guayaba

It is such a simple recipe, but it always hits the spot. Where I grew up in Mexico, it is very hot and humid year-round. There is nothing like a delicious agua fresca made with guava or your other favorite fruit after spending a lot of time outside. 

The guava fruit is a small, round fruit with a yellowish color. There is also a pink variety, but the yellow guava is more common. I chose to use the yellow guava fruit for this recipe because it is what I have always used, but you can use the pink version too if you prefer. 

How do you make Guava Juice? 

Like I said, this is a simple recipe. All you need are the following ingredients:

  • 1 pound of ripe guava fruit
  • 1 cup of sugar (you can use less if you want it less sweet)
  • 8 cups of water
  • Ice

Start by washing the guava fruit, and cutting off the ends of each one. Then cut them into 4 parts and put them in a blender with 2 cups of water and the sugar and blend well. 

guava juice for a hot day

Next, strain the mixture into a large pitcher, using a wooden spoon to move it around so you get as much of the liquid as possible. Add the rest of the water and more sugar if desired, and then finish it off with ice. That is all, now you have a delicious agua fresca to enjoy with your family!

Check out these other tasty beverages.

guava juice in a glass jar
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Fresh Guava Juice (Agua de Guayava)

Learn how to make this fresh and delicious guava juice recipe, which is perfect for hot summer days!
Course beverage, Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword agua fresca, guava, guayaba
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 135kcal
Author Charbel Barker

Ingredients

  • 1 lb guava fruit
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ice

Instructions

  • Wash the guava fruit and cut off the ends of each. Cut into four pieces each.
  • Add to a blender with 2 cups of water and the sugar, blend well.
  • Strain the mixture into a pitcher and add the rest of the water and sugar.
  • Add ice and serve cold!

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 129mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The post Fresh Guava Juice Recipe (Agua de Guayaba) appeared first on My Latina Table.