Beet Infused Vodka Cocktail

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Guys. Beets are the most beautiful ingredient. Ever. Don't believe me? Here...

No artificial coloring in that delicious drink. Just sweet, earthy, beet goodness. 

We got the beet, we got the beet, we got the beet. Yeah, we got it.

When Prairie Organic Spirits contacted me to have me develop some vodka infusions, I quickly started brainstorming. What I wanted to create was something that was both unique in its infusion ingredient choice, and colorful and beautiful to photograph, look at, and drink. It didn't take me long to decide on roasted beets as a top contender. 

A lot of people are on the fence about beets, but if you try them roasted, when they are sweet and earthy, you will not be disappointed. In a cocktail, they are wonderful. It's so much more than your typical fruit flavored vodka, because beets - especially roasted beets - have so much more to their flavor profile. 

Sweet? Check. 

Smoky? Check. 

Earthy? Check. 

Fresh? Check.

Now, find me a fruit that can check those boxes!

Beet Infused Vodka

Ingredients for Vodka:

• 8 oz Prairie Organic Spirits Vodka
• 1 large beet
• Glass jar

Directions for Vodka:

1. Trim and scrub the beet, removing the outer layer of skin. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast in an oven for 50 minutes.
2. Let it cool, then cut into 4 pieces and combine with vodka in a glass jar.
3. Cover and keep in a cool, dark place for 3 days, shaking 3-4 times per day (or as many times as you remember - it can't hurt!).
4. Strain with cheesecloth or a regular strainer and make yourself a cocktail!

Beet Infused Vodka Cocktail

Ingredients for Cocktail:

• Ice
• 1.5-2 oz beet infused vodka
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• 3-6 oz soda water 
• 3 drops liquid stevia (or 1/2 tsp agave nectar)
• 1 dash angostura bitters

Directions for Cocktail:

1. Fill a shaker with ice, then top with remaining ingredients. Put the top on and slowly turn upside down a few times to mix (do not shake it if you have used soda water, you will end up with a mess!) 
2. Pour into a glass and garnish with a lime wedge

DIY Candy Cane Vodka - Christmas Gift

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The Christmas season is upon us! I am very into giving gifts and I put a lot of thought and time into getting the right gift for each person.

Recently, one of my girlfriends and her husband had a Christmas-themed housewarming party. I had already been over there for a wine night and gave her a one of a kind Japanese tea set, but I knew I wanted to bring a little something over to her house for her Christmas party. She and her husband are sort of wine aficionados, so I considered gifting her some nice wine, but ultimately decided to go a completely different - yet still boozy - route: homemade candy cane vodka.

To be honest, this started out as kind of a science experiment. I had no idea if the candy canes would fully dissolve, or if anything would even happen. I was truly surprised and loved the result. It is delicious, perfectly minty and sweet, and very bright red in color, which is fun!

This is a great treat to add to hot chocolate or coffee! As always, drink responsibly ;-)!

DIY Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1 mason jar
• 4 candy canes
• Vodka

Directions:

1. Break candy canes in half (you don't need tiny pieces, they just have to be small enough to fit in the mason jar). Place in mason jar.
2. Pour vodka into mason jar until it reaches the top. Put the cap on and give it a good shake.
3. Check on it the next day! It should be bright red and the candy cane should be entirely dissolved. 

Cucumber Mint Infused Water (Detox)

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You know that song by the Beach Boys where they sing, "I'm picking up good vibrations?" Well, let's just say that, if you haven't, you should (find it here). Why am I making you listen to random Beach Boys songs? Well, because the lyrics should really be changed to...

I'm picking up good hydration!

Why? Because of this...

I'm officially the crazy lady singing about water. What else is new? Oh, actually, not that you ask, I'm in Minneapolis this week on a work trip. Which means I'm probably not - but really should - be staying hydrated.

This is a delicious recipe for cucumber mint infused water. It will encourage you to drink more by being so utterly delicious. Also, cucumber and mint are refreshing additions that make you feel alive!

Kind of like a... detox!

Cucumber Mint Infused Water

Calories: 0

Servings: 6-8

Prep Time: 3-5 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4-1/3 Cucumber, sliced
• 10 small mint leaves
• Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, shaved
• Water

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients. Depending on the amount of flavor you'd like, feel free to add more or less of any ingredient.
2. Let sit for 1-2 hours, overnight is best.
3. Drink Up!

Fruit Infused Water... Chug it, baby, chug it!

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According to the Mayo Clinic, we need between 2.2-3 Liters of water per day (2.2 for women, 3 for men). On your average, regular day. Once you've factored in the summer heat (which is in the 90s lately), that goes up. If you work out every day, it also goes up. So I'm guessing I should be drinking around 2.5 Liters, as a ball park estimate.

That's a tough feat for me. I generally start my day with a delicious cup of coffee (and, in this heat, perhaps a cold brew... try it out!), then try to keep filling up my fabulous chevron cup from Holland. I draw myself 8 water drops on a piece of paper and try to color them in after every cup of water I consume. But sometimes... okay, a lot of times... I still miss the mark.

And when you're going on a two hour bike ride on a hot summer day, you sure as hell are gonna need to be hydrated.

But this summer, I've finally found my water drink of choice :) By adding some fruit to my water, I can very lightly flavor it. Somehow, this very light flavor manages to keep me coming back for more. I've been hitting the water mark every time.

Lemon & Berry Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass
Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 5 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 1 sliced fresh strawberry
• Ice!

Berry & Ginger Flavored Water

Calories: <5 per glass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• 3 frozen raspberries
• 3 frozen blackberries
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• (Optional: 1 tbsp Truvia or Sugar)
• Ice!

Lightly Flavored Strawberry Lemonade

Calories: <5 per flass

Add To Large Water Pitcher:

• 1/2 lemon, sliced and squeezed
• Juice from 1/2 lemon (the other half)
• 1/2 lime, sliced and squeezed
• 3 strawberries, sliced
• 1 tablespoon Truvia or Sugar
• Ice!

Notes:

• Frozen berries work better! Unlike most dishes, when fresh has more flavor, when it comes to dropping things in water, the frozen berries share their flavor more quickly than the fresh ones. I expect it's because they've already been squished, frozen, melted, etc so many times during their journey from their home to my home.
• These lightly flavored fruit drinks are delicious alongside summer fruits like berries and watermelon! They are also paired wonderfully with cheese.