Thursday, March 29, 2012

New favorite

I rarely make mixed drinks with the exception of the rattler (in the absence of an actual bartender, I tend to stick to good beer, cheap wine and straight whiskey), so I had to do a bit of searching to find something good for the shower.

Luckily, I had set myself some really narrow guidelines. I wanted to somehow incorporate both gin and champagne but without veering too far into sweet territory. Desserts should be sweet, drinks should not. Emily introduced me to Hendrick's quite a few years ago and we have a well established champagne tradition from college, and I knew there must be a way to pair the two.

welcome table
{cherub's cup}

The cherub's cup was basically the only drink I found that met my criteria and it forced me to go purchase St. Germain, which I've been dying to do based on the bottle aesthetics alone. Win win! This drink is fairly similar to a French 75, but with a bit of a dressy twist thanks to the strawberries and elderflower. I can see this being a great standard for spring/summer parties.

Cherub's Cup (original recipe available all over the place - modified loosely to fit a large pitcher - I think it's a 52 oz one) 
1/4 cup sliced strawberries + more for garnish
1/2 cup St. Germain
1 cup Hendrick's gin
1/3 cup lemon juice (this was NOT exact, so you can adjust)
~ 1.5 bottles dry sparkling wine (I just filled the pitcher) 
*the original recipe also calls for simple syrup, but I tasted the drink and decided to leave it out - if you prefer sweeter drinks, you can add simple syrup or superfine sugar to taste*
:: Muddle your strawberries with a bit of the St. Germain (it's easier to muddle if you're working with a small volume - I always forget this and try to do it with the entire batch and whatever I'm muddling keeps floating up to the top, annoyingly).  
:: Pour the muddled berries and all the hard alcohol into a large pitcher. Stir in the lemon juice and the sparkling wine and taste to make sure you like the proportions. You can make a bit more of the St. Germain + gin mix and add it in if you like. Add additional sliced berries to the top for a pretty finish. 

I was preparing this super last minute, panicking slightly over the time, and realized I hadn't juiced the lemons yet. And then remembered that a couple months ago I'd frozen some leftover fresh lemon juice in an ice cube tray. I can't tell you how relieved I was - I needed those spare 30 seconds to get into real clothes. They had the added advantage of keeping the pitcher cold. Now I'm going to try to remember to always have lemon juice cubes on hand.


33 comments:

  1. straight whiskey! girl we would be friends. and a lover of champagne and gin?! we'd really be friends. try a gin gimlet - incredibly easy to make and incredibly delicious and refreshing. an old school drink that's been forgotten. I think you'll really like it.

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    1. As far as I'm concerned a Gin Gimlet is the only Gimlet. Now we have to say Gin Gimlet because everyone uses vodka instead. If you like gin--try a Gordon's cup: cucumber, lime, gin, simple syrup, and some sea salt. Mmmmm. I might have to have one tonight.

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks - really can't take credit for that! I think I read about it in Martha Stewart a long time ago and just had never gotten around to doing it!

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    2. Where did you get the flutes? I thought they were from CB2 but nope!

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    3. Very close! They're from Crate and Barrel. They're these ones. I love them.

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    4. I do think the pitcher was from CB2, though I can't find it on their site anymore ...

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  3. This looks beautiful and sounds so tasty! I've been wanting to try St. Germain! Thanks for the tip on lemon juice cubes! xo.

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  4. I'm a vodka girl--dirty, three olives.

    I have a bottle of veuve clicquot languishing in my refrigerator (don't care for wine, sparkling or otherwise) and I've been thinking that I should make a mixed drink with it or something. This is perfect.

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    1. I've never really warmed up to vodka. We purchased some pricey and rather good stuff for a dinner party a while ago and it was the closest I've come to really enjoying it.

      You are probably lucky you don't care for wine! I can easily resist hard alcohol in the evening, but a glass of wine is always so tempting.

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  5. I am in love with St. Germain! Daniel just picked some up last weekend and we have been experimenting. Right now I like a cocktail with gin, St. Germain, sparkling water, and a squeeze of lime, it's so refreshing after a long work day. Your drink looks amazing, too, I'm going to have to try it.

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    1. Yay! Maybe we should incorporate it into a family party sometime soon?

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  6. i've been looking for a st. germain vehicle as well; many thanks, o helpful one!

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  7. I could have used some frozen lemon juice while making guacamole last night. That's a great idea to keep it on hand since it probably defrosts pretty quickly.

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  8. I have been wanting to try St. Germain forever too and this cocktail combines all things I love in a drink. I will be trying this out next weekend for girl's night! Frozen lemon juice = genius.

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  9. I am in awe of your foresight and togetherness! You put us all to shame, Rachel. :) I'm sure it was a wonderful party, and Emily is lucky to have you as a friend.

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  10. All your preparations and little details are so amazing. What a sweet friend you are! Teri

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  11. I've done this drink SEVERAL times without the strawberries, but I'll have to try adding next time! Also, I've toyed around with other elderflower liqueurs and St. Germain is still hands down, the best.

    (P.S. I infused tequila with habaneros per your suggestion - with the grapefruit, I'm hooked. I'm talking like a drink a night hooked!)

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    1. Ha! Sorry about the tequila habit - it is so easy to pick up with that drink.

      The strawberries are fun in the drink, but definitely not necessary, as you've found!

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  12. Is it possible to pour the drink- fruit and all- into those skinny glasses without making a huge mess? eek! :) Sounds yummy

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    1. Amazingly, yes! I wasn't sure how it would go, but I think I only spilled a little bit once. I guess the pitcher is pretty functional!

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  13. What a great drink to glamorize a party. I love the pretty fresh strawberries!

    Come check out my recipe for Avocado Pistachio Ice Cream! :)
    http://www.becauseofmadalene.com/2012/03/avocado-pistachio-ice-cream.html

    Christina

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  14. That fresh lemon juice ice cube idea (phew, what a mouth full!) sounds amazing! I hope you don't mind if I steal it :) I'm also a huge fan of gin... but whiskey?! Cheers to you lady!

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  15. Genius! This looks so good.

    Kate {Something Fabulous}
    http://thesomethingfabulous.blogspot.com

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  16. Looks yummi! :P Here's one from me:
    Sparkling Wine + 1/4 Aperol + Ice + 1 slice fresh orange (this is one portion)
    Enjoy! :)

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  17. Okay, I might have to try that this Spring. I hardly ever drink, but I do happen to have some St. Germain in the house. I never met a recipe I didn't tweak. I'd change the lemon to lime, and maybe add some mint.

    Good to see someone else who likes gin and whiskey.

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  18. I had totally pinned this drink the other day for a party I'm planning - so cool to see it in a big pitcher! Here I was trying to figure out how to do it in a shaker with enough for everybody, genius me... :) Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Rachel! The party looked lovely! Two tidbits for you and your readers:

    1. A favorite go-to recipe for moi is St. Germain + dry champagne + sparkling water + mint leaves (for garnish or crushed with a bit of sugar water for added sweetness). There are also recipes involving gin, too.

    2. St. Germain is pricey, so if you are having a larger party, you can substitute it for Elderflower syrup. The syrup is potent, so start with a small amount and add to taste. Ikea sells a 7-ounce bottle for under $5. I save them to use as bud vases. :)

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    1. Oh, so smart! That recipe sounds weeknight simple, which I love.

      I'll definitely be picking up some elderflower syrup the next time I'm at Ikea! Thanks for the tip!

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  20. Just wanted to let you know I served this drink at my recent housewarming party and it was huge hit, thanks so much for the inspiration! It was a madmen party and we called it my signature cocktail, "Caitlin's Cup" (my name) made with "(Christina) Hendrick's gin", after the character/actress. Thanks Rachel!

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