quinn's place

this old fashioned knows we're almost through the winter.

i have an insatiable hankering for old fashioneds during the winter. a really goooood old fashioned, though. and to sit in a dark cozy bar. one that's not so loud i have to scream at my friends. and not seated next to the door where people keep letting the cold in. preferably with a fireplace. and a big fluffy dog next to it. and then a smaller cute dog for my lap. is that sew much tew ask??

they just warm yer soul right up and come in a fun glass with fun tastes and fun stuff inside!

i'm not much of a mixologist at home - i leave that to bartenders out in the world and usually don't even think to make a cocktail at home because i am clueless on the cocktail front. but when i think of something sounds good and i don't think it generally exists in the world - i make it mahself!

i love this old fashioned with equal parts black cherry juice to whiskey or bourbon. the tartness of the black cherry juice balances out that sharp zing from the whiskey and the fresh orange zest adds SO much aroma and flavor. if you prefer a boozier cocktail, just alter the ratio of whiskey to black cherry juice.

this drank is cozy & heartwarming to enjoy during the bitter end of february, but it's also refreshing & juicy with signs of springtimes ahead. yaaaaas.

also, happy valentine's day!!!!!!!!!!!

Black Cherry Old Fashioned

Makes 1 Cocktail, easily multiplied

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tsp. agave nectar (or simple syrup or a sugar cube)
3-4 dashes of angostura bitters
1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
1 1/2 ounces 100% black cherry juice (I used R.W. Knudsen brand)
orange zest
orange twist and/or cherry garnish

Instructions-

Lightly stir or muddle the agave/sugar and bitters in the bottom of your glass. Add the whiskey or bourbon and black cherry juice and stir. Add a cocktail ice cube, grate some fresh orange zest over the top, and add a cherry and/or orange peel twist for garnish & flavor. Serve immediately!

back in 8th grade or so, you could find me drinking up all the sprite remix on the back porch. remember that stuff? the original version they made was the BEST. so delicious.

i haven't forgotten it over the years. i think they've been coming out with new versions or something? i'm not sure. but i just have the fondest memories of its fruity fizzy deliciousness in the 2002 era. i think i always thought that it tasted like a magical elixir of skittles and carbonation.

i'm always up for trying out a new popsicle concoction that i've thought up. i often have burst memories of how much i used to love sprite remix. so i thought i'd make it in popsicle form.

look at all them berry beauties. just gawwwjusss.

and let me tell ya, the popsicles actually did resemble the taste of 2002 sprite remix. huzzah!

i think that adding an extra spritz of lemon and lime in the popsicle molds would be a nice touch. but overall, super easy to make & super refreshing. and if you were like me, guzzling sprite remix in the summertime, these will make you happy.

Sprite Remix Popsicles

Ingredients:

20 oz. Sprite
1 cup mixed berries: blackberries & raspberries, etc.

Instructions-

Wash your fresh berries. Add a few different berries to each popsicle mold. Fill with Sprite, leaving half an inch of space at the top. Place the popsicle mold handles onto each mold and place in the freezer for about 4-6 hours. At this time, you can replace the popsicle mold handles with wooden popsicle sticks if you desire. Add a touch of Sprite if there are any holes or gaps in the popsicle form.

Freeze again overnight. I usually freeze all popsicles for 24 hours to ensure they're frozen all the way through.