A Bloody Good Sangria for your Halloween Festivities! {Blackberry Lychee Sangria with Eyeballs!}

Blackberry Lychee Sangria with Eyeballs

Boo!

I adore Halloween and this is one of my favorite Halloween Cocktails.... that said, remove the eyeballs and it's a great Sangria for any time of year :)






What You Need
 1 (750-ml) bottle red wine {I prefer a Shiraz-Cabernet Blend for a dark spiciness}
1/4 cup Blackberry Not So Simple Syrup
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1 can Lychees* reserve syrup
1 dozen or so maraschino cherries
1 (750-ml) bottle sparkling water, chilled
optional:  dry ice

 What You Do

Combine everything but the sparkling water and Lychees in a large glass pitcher. Cover and chill completely, 1 to 2 hours.

Open the Lychee can and stuff each Lychee with a maraschino cherry where the pit once was, if the cherries are too large tear in half so as to not tear the lychee. Store in their juice in a covered container until ready to serve.

When ready to serve, add the sparkling water, lychee eyeballs and syrup.

If you are extra spookilicious.... add a small piece of dry ice to the pitcher [make sure it's not too full or it'll bubble over] to make it a smokey, bubbly brew!

DOUBLE BOO!

*Lychees are found in the canned fruit section of most Asian Markets, they are peeled, pitted and in a light syrup.

One of Those Days Best Served with a Blackberry Sage Whiskey {or Gin} Fizz!

I'm going to keep this short & sweet, I've been chasing my tail for a month.... I cannot believe a week has gone by since I saw this drink post and I haven't shouted from the rooftops.... this drink is ME.  Heather at Girlichef channeled some serious Young Grasshopper and I.  LOVE.  IT.  I promise you Blackberry in the winning basket of this giveaway!  GO! WIN! You need this drink..... well, hell, Heather's channeling, I'm projecting.... I need this drink.

Life is Simply Not So Simple

It's been a crazy month since we launched, with Home Shows, Special Events and getting into some retail shops.  All very exciting but oh so busy.  Nevertheless, the minute I slowed down I got myself some Prosecco & Limoncello and tried this awesome cocktail creation by Jennie at The Messy Baker Blog.... ahhhh.  You need to go check it out for yourself and do it quick because you still have a chance to win!

Hungry Couple: Strawberry Thyme Gin Fizz and a Giveaway!

Strawberry Thyme Gin Fizz

Oh this is the lovely Anita at her finest please check out this crafted Not So Simple ART over at Hungry Couple: Strawberry Thyme Gin Fizz and a Giveaway! and of course enter to WIN!  Contest closes tonight at the stroke of midnight :)

Not So Simple Syrup {Pin It Party}

Shout to Lauren at
Hey Hey Designs for
the new ME <3

I've alluded to my new project but I haven't done my official.... HEY LOOK WHAT I'M DOING post.  A lot is cooking over here and I saw this Pin It Party over at the Lean Green Bean and thought I'd use it as the motivation to gather myself together and do my launch post and maybe gather a Pin or two!

It's not secret I am in love with mixology. Well, my passion for the cocktail and never-ending propensity for invention led me to start Not So Simple Syrup. What started with infusing syrups for my own cocktails, evolved to perfecting them and sharing with friends or as treats at catering events. About a year ago I really set out to create all natural syrups that would make amazing mixed drinks as well as iced teas and non-alcoholic beverages that could be sold at my favorite stores.

I naturally asked my catering partner-in-crime, Barbie, to come along on the journey. It's been one big learning experience but like everyone has kept telling me.... "if it was easy EVERYONE would do it!"  It's not easy, I have made it through the labyrinth of the Florida Department of Agriculture.... the FDA.... lab testing, bottling research, design, blood, sweat and tears.

Where are we today?  We are a small, local maker of simple syrups that spend our days and nights looking for ways to help you transform your own drink creations. We use the highest quality ingredients, are permitted by the Florida Department of Agriculture as manufacturers and bottlers and work out of a commercial kitchen in Winter Park Florida. I personally test every batch individually, so you can trust every bottle of Not So Simple Syrup. And I'd like to share the few posts I have so far to celebrate our first orders shipping this week.  

And starting next Tuesday [which just happens to be my BIRTHDAY!] the first of my Blogger reviews and GIVEAWAYS will be posted.... so keep an eye out!

17 Apart

Hungry Couple NYC

That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Katherine Martinelli

Cookistry

Juanita's Cocina

Girlichef

& I keep you posted as the list grows!

In the meanwhile check out these cocktails...

Sparkling Not So Simple Sangria a great recipe
using Not So Simple Syrup to transform your Sangria
FABULOUS SANGRIA!

Not So Simple Strawberry Limonaide was what I
dubbed the Official drink of Summer 2013.
You should consider it for your 2014! [or what
the heck.... happy hour tonight!

This is my single favorite Mojito ever
and my most viral pin ever....
The Champagne Mojito!
It doesn't call for Not So Simple Syrup in this post
but made with Strawberry NSSS kicks it
OVER THE TOP!

This Citrus Sparkler was our New Years Eve
Cocktail this year.  A. MAY. ZING.

Hope you'll check out my new stuff!
NOT SO SIMPLE SYRUP
Available online for now but
working our way into stores near YOU!

CHEERS TO LINDSAY FOR INVITING US OVER!!!

Sparkling Not So Simple Sangria Flora

Sparkling Not So Simple Sangria Flora

Shuffling through  Instagram on Sunday I came across St. Germaine's Sangria Flora .... It looked lovely.

Fact: nothing is nicer than a lovely glass of Sangria on a lovely afternoon.

I headed to my bar and came up with a variation of their recipe to suit my mood and pantry and to cut the alcohol I enlisted the help of my "Not So Simple Syrup" and seltzer.  It was as lovely as I imagined and so I had to share with YOU!

What you need:

• 1 bottle chilled Chardonnay or other dry white wine 
• 1/4 cup St. Germaine Elderflower Liquer
• 1/4 cup lemon or berry Not So Simple Syrup 
• 1 cup halved seedless grapes
• 1-2 pluots (or the stone fruit of your liking), pitted and sliced
• 1 cup chilled sparkling water

What You Do:

1. Pour the wine into a pitcher.

2. Stir in the St. Germaine, Not So Simple Syrup and the fruit. 

3. If time allows chill for a few hours (which I acknowledge is not always the case).  Right before serving, add the sparkling water to the pitcher, then pour the sangria into glasses packed with ice.

CHEERS!

Feliz National Margarita Day! {Ghettorita Recipe replay with bonus track: PIRATE'S PUNCH!}

Ghettorita or Pirates Punch?

To celebrate the day....
please enjoy

this recipe

for the Ghettorita....

 

respectfully

called the

Rustyrita

around these parts...

  

 

  

ALL you need is equal parts.....

 

• Tequila
• Limeaid [frozen]
• Sprite and
• beer....

[to make it extra easy.... use the large limeade as your measuring cup and then one can sprite and 1 bottle beer per limeade container]

Stir up a pitcher and serve in a Wine Glass, Mason Jar or old Campbell's Soup Can..... it's all good... OLE!

Now.... as promised your bonus track!

PREFER RUM?
PICTURE YOURSELF DRINKING PIRATE'S PUNCH
 [featured in the foreground of the Rustyrita picture above]
1 Large can frozen limeade
1 can Malibu coconut rum
1 Can Captain Morgan
Fill blender with ice
Blend then add 2 Corona
[or Landshark if you are me ;P]
 
All I can say is never mind OLE! say ARG!



 

Happy Thirsty Thursday! GINSANITY CHAPTER X: You can never sparkle too much {Elderflower Citrus Sparkler}

Elderflower Sparkler

Happy New Year.  LOL.  I don't think I ever said that.  I am cautiously optimistic for 2013. 
Happy Thirsty Thursday... 1st one for the year.
Even though I'm on a diet for another 15 lbs [at least]I still enjoy my special cocktail treats.  This one was very special indeed, combining all of my favorite things and looking SOOOOOO pretty.

What is it? I called it an Elderflower Sparkler.  It was sweet & citrus-y with a hint of pine needles.... Florida at Christmas :)

WHAT YOU NEED:

3 slices/rounds each of orange, lemon & lime

1 & 1/2 ounce lemon OR Orange not so simple syrup

1 ounce gin

1 ounce St. Germaine

Ice

3 ounces Champagne {brut}

St~Germaine, Gin & Champagne
Can you go wrong?

WHAT YOU DO:

GENTLY Muddle 1 slice orange, lime and lemon with not so simple syrup in a shaker [do half of each flavor if you have them on hand!]. Add gin, St. Germaine and a little ice. Shake well and strain into glass.

Pack with ice and top with Champagne garnish with remaining fruit. Sip & Stir.  Repeat.

ENJOY [you are welcome]

HAPPY GOOD & PLENTY DAY & a Guest Post :)

Anyone remember Choo-choo Charlie?  I sure do.... [sorry about sticking THAT tune in your heads but I could not resist!]

My point? Well, CJ over at Food Stories asked if I'd like to Guest Post while she recouperated I said "ABSOLUTELY! What are my holiday choices oh Queen of Food Holidays?" When I saw Good & Plenty as a choice I thought HOW FUN! 

So, I set off to come up with a cocktail.... I know SHOCKING.  Head on over to Food Stories to check out what these beauties are!


 

& CHEERS CHOO CHOO CHARLIE!



Best. Darn. Mojito. {Happy Thirsty Thursday}



Blackberry Mojito

Last weekend some blackberries caught my eye and I bought them thinking I was going to try a Bramble.

That's how it all starts.

Well, I apparently saw something shiney and next thing you know my Bramble became a Mojito. And then my new Mojito became an inadvertent Denizen shout out.

You may recall when I did my Denizen review {and the Rum Collins post} I mentioned that I thought Denizen would be a fab Rum for a Mojito.  Well, I was right.  I really think this Rum and its fruity essence was a key component to what I will simply call....



Blackberry Mojito

The best darn Mojito.

What You Need:

1 oz. simple syrup

4-5 blackberries

Handful of mint

2 oz. white Rum (I used Denizen)

3 oz. club soda

Yup. No lime.

 

What You Do:

Muddle your blackberries,

simple syrup and mint.

Add rum.

Pack with ice,

top with club soda

and sit back

and ENJOY!

Can I get a WOOT WOOT? {Featured 5}

WOOT WOOT!  

Let's hear a cheer for three day weekends!!

& I am unusually happy that we will be in Jacksonville at a soccer tournament because that means I will have nothing to do but relax in my soccer chair visiting with my favorite soccer parents....

no cleaning at home.
no working at office.
& yes, no blogging.

I hope everyone has a restful, sun filled, fun filled Labor Day Weekend, I will leave you will some yumminess :)



Emily at She Makes & Bakes posted this
yummy seasonal soup Pappa Al Pomodoro! YUM!



Check out this Caramel Chicken from Ellie
Almost Bourdain OMFreakinG.... just saying




Pam at Wine & Dine with Us
posted this incredible "Cowboy Caviar" recipe....
looks like it would rock a Labor Day picnic!



Hungry Harps posts this craziness....
Grilled Dessert Bananas! SHUT. UP>



Just look at this beauty!
Angie @ Big Bears Wife
posted this special treat....
Strawberry Shortcake Trifle!

& one for good luck....

The Grownup Birthday Milkshake!

Thanks Laura @ A Healthy Jalapeno

for sharing this yumminess!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

 

**ALL PHOTO CREDITS TO THE POST REFERENCED, HUGE Thank you to all for letting me repost****

HOUSEKEEPING:

IT IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER.... for some awesome Pamper Chef Measuring Cups.... CLICK HERE TO ENTER..... lots of ways to enter!

& Last but not least! I'M A WINNER!!!!

THANK YOU Marina @ the YUMMY MUMMY KITCHEN & LAYLA GRAYCE 

for my awesome $100 Gift Certificate!

Look what I picked out!



this Rosana Serving Tray :)

& FABULOUS Dipping Bowls

Have a GREAT weekend!  Cheers!



THIRSTY THURSDAY & a Fabulous bottle of Meyer Lemon Soda {Meyer 25 Cocktail}

T.G.I.T.T.

Another week has whipped by but I did take a moment to  pick some basil, do a little muddling and come up with an absolutely fabulous drink for Thirsty Thursday :)

I think it's a great end of summer treat: it's refreshing, it's crisp, it's Yummy.  I found this awesome Meyer Lemon soda at World Market, I'm sure you could find something similar at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.  

I mixed mine with Zacapa Rum because I've grown very accustomed to that oakey, dark amber rum taste but I'm sure this would be absolutely fabulous with Captain Morgan or Bacardi.



What you need:
1 & 1/2 ounces Amber Rum
1 thick slice lemon
seven or eight torn fresh basil leaves
3 ounces Meyer Lemon soda
3 ounces club soda
lots of ice.

What you do:

• Put your lemon slice and your torn basil leaves in the bottom of your favorite class: muddle well.
• Pack glass with ice then fill halfway with your lemon soda and halfway with club soda.
• Top with your favorite Rum.

Stir well & enjoy.

NOTE: I used club soda in addition to the Meyer lemon because I like a crisp/less sweet cocktail.  In many ways this is sort of a modified Mojito in that I substituted the lemon soda for the simple syrup... if you like a sweeter drink you could skip the club soda.

p.s. excuse my crappy iPhone photography!!!

 

Thank You "Week" For Ending! {Featured Five!}

What a crazy, unpleasant week... but it did not kill me and therefore I am stronger...

And even as the madness swirled I knew I was doing this post come hell or high water...

 

[and looks like I may get the latter with Isaac heading towards us! ]
 

Anyhow, all week I was squirreling away my pics & here they are!

Hope you love 'em <3 



Tortellini Soup at Wine & Dine Us
looking like just the Comfort Food I need!  Thanks Pam <3

 



Combo of me needing some soup love
& my love affair with fresh corn...
Thanks Gerri from My Southwest Kitchen.  YUM!



This particular recipe
looks CRAZY good to me
Slow Cooker Mexican Corn Pudding
at Our Eating Habits <3



SHUT. UP. Chris from the Keenan Cookbook
 posting a To. Die. For. Taylor Ham Sandwich...
Any Jersey Girls [or boys] out there?
 

I thought these looked extremely yummy....
so yummy that
I am trying them as soon as I type this!
Thanks CJ at Food Stories for posting these
Cauliflower Poppers

Uno Mas Por Goodo Lucko

ok, o.k, I'm a loser that only speaks English.

I loved this Stone Fruit Sangria though....

and I could use some luck

Thanks Anne at From My Sweet Heart!

 

 **ALL PHOTO CREDITS TO THE POST REFERENCED,

HUGE Thank you to all for letting me repost****

HOUSEKEEPING:

And as our month FLIES by.... don't forget there's some awesome Pamper Chef Measuring Cups up for grabs.... CLICK HERE TO ENTER..... lots of ways to enter!

Somewhere in there I squeaked out time to celebrate with my foodie

Judges over at Food Story and please give a round of applause for Karen from

We Call Him Yes, Chef! She has an amazing blog and was our July Winner of the Food Stories Excellence in Storytelling Award.... FUNNY!!!! CHECK HER OUT!

Thirsty Thursday & ANOTHER "food" Holiday {Whiskey Sour Recipe}

Whiskey Sour

Well ANOTHER food holiday approaches and it struck me as a nostalgic one because Ruthie in my minds eye often had a Whiskey Sour as her cocktail and the glass with her red lipstick kiss on the rim is as clear as can be in my mind.  

And even though it's an "old school" drink.... it's REALLY quite yum and I think you should give it a try on Saturday to celebrate the Day!

You can buy the store mix but I find Sour Mix to be SO easy to make fresh that it's almost harder to get the Mix bottle open!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1/3 cup whiskey (I used Jack Daniel's "Green Label" Tennessee Whiskey)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/3 cup simple syrup
Ice cubes

WHAT YOU DO:
 Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and pour in the whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice, and syrup. Shake, Shake, SHAKE! and pour into your glass, ice & all. Traditional garnish would be a maraschino cherry and orange slice, I kicked it up with a couple raspberries.

CHEERS!

Pic me a WINNER! {Featured 5}

Feedback says: I need to keep picking my pics!  And since this really is my favorite post I need to make time to do it!  I hope you like my "pics" this week.... I L*O*V*E them!


HAPPY FRIDAY & HAPPY FEATURED 5! 


START WITH YOU.
I'm not sure if everyone
 is familiar with the Shine Project. 
 It's a cause/blog/mission
worth checking out for sure,
but this was a great little post,
 particularly as school starts.
I'm sharing it with my daughters
 [& my Prince too] 
Great message Ashley <3



Simple Romaine Salad with
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing,
Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon, and Feta
from MANGIA. 
It's the bacon that got me.  OMG



Shrimp Tacos with Mango Slaw....
you had me at Shrimp.
Check it out at 4 the love of feasting!



I am INTRIGUED.  and therefore I must try....
Smoky Strawberry and Corn Salsa
Thanks Jenn at Home Skillet
for dreaming that crazy yummy combo up!

I know, Risotto..... it's a problem. 
But WTH Wilde in the Kitchen....
Gorgonzola and Leek Risotto? 
I'm knocking people over
to get to the store to get
what I need to make this!




One for good luck? You know it!

A Rum challenge and no one invited moi???
Sigh.  I'll forgive in time.
Mixed Berry Cooler [spiked] YUM! RUM!
Thanks Savoir Faire

**ALL PHOTO CREDITS TO THE POST REFERENCED,

HUGE Thank you to all for letting me repost****

 

HOUSEKEEPING:

And as our month FLIES by.... don't forget there's some awesome Pamper Chef Measuring Cups up for grabs.... CLICK HERE TO ENTER..... lots of ways to enter!