Welcome to Cocktail Day, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic, Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake, and Donna of Cookistry. We are raising our glasses to toast you all with some unique and delicious cocktails and mocktails in anticipation of the Big Game and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to bookmark or pin these creative beverages for your next gathering. We hope you enjoy this marvelous event and the incredible giveaways from our generous sponsors. Cheers!
For this occasion, I’m sharing one of our house specialties – Le Jardinier. Le Jardinier is my take on “The Gardener,” the head bartender’s eponymous signature cocktail at RM Seafood at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. It is spritely in taste, a little minty on the nose, and the perfect way to use the last of your summer basil. The bits of basil floating among chards of ice on the cool, light green surface make for an attractive and inviting cocktail. My version varies with the addition of Ginger Liquor, and a combination of lemon and lime juice. It is perfect for this balmy winter weather we are having in Southern California, or for anyone wanderlusting about warmer weather.
Other Fabulous Bloggers Mixing It Up with Us for Cocktail Day:
- Apple Pie Moonshine by Lola’s Kitchen
- Bacon Jalapeno Bloody Mary by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Blood Orange Old Fashioned by Kelly Bakes
- Party Punch by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Caipirinhas by Food Lust People Love
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Martini by Hungry Couple
- Chocolate Cupcake Cocktaill by JavaCupcake
- Ciderhouse Whiskey by From the Bookshelf
- Citrus Cranberry Punch by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
- Coconut-Key Lime Pie Martini by Home Cooking Memories
- Egyptian Martinii by Cooking In Stilettos
- Espresso Martini by Liv Life
- Frozen Marshmallow Mudslide by 365 Days of Baking & More
- Ginger Raspberry Fizzy by Try Anything Once
- Hot Buttered Chocolate Rum by Cookistry
- Iced Cake Martini by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Le Jardinier by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
- Mandarin Mulled Wine by Food Babbles
- Meyer Lemon Rosemary Gin Fizz by Crumb
- Muddled Rosemary and Pineapple Cocktaill by My Catholic Kitchen
- Nutella Martini by The Pink Flour
- Peach Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands
- Pineapple Margarita by Miss in the Kitchen
- Pomegranate Orange Spritzer by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Safe Sex on the Beach by Mom’s Test Kitchen
- Side Car with Dried Cherries by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- White Cosmopolitans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Winter Fruit White Wine Sangria by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Our sponsors for Cocktail Day are:
![Microplane](https://christymajors.comwp-content/uploads/2014/01/Microplane.jpg)
Microplane can be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Microplane is a division of family-owned Grace Manufacturing Inc., a long-standing company specializing in the crafting of precision thin metal parts for home and industrial use. The versatile Ultimate Citrus Tool features Microplane’s surgical grade stainless steel Fine blade. In addition, the Ultimate Citrus Tool features two decorative garnishing blades in a large (.300-inch diameter) and small (.180-inch diameter) size. The blades are made in the USA and are dishwasher safe. Microplane’s sleekly designed and multi-functional Bartender’s Garnishing Tool easily opens bottles, effortlessly zests oranges, lemons, limes, and other types of citrus fruits, and is dishwasher safe.
![Molecular Gastronomy](https://christymajors.comwp-content/uploads/2014/01/Molecular-Gastronomy.jpg)
Molecule-R can be found on Ffacebook, and YouTube. Molecular gastronomy can be defined as the fusion of food science and culinary arts. Molecular gastronomy by Molecule-R is a cookbook with stunning recipes explained and illustrated with the intelligence and aesthetic beauty that defines the MOLECULE-R brand. Mojito R-Evolution teaches you how to deconstruct your mojito into floating mint caviar and spectacular foams or encapsulate your favorite cocktail into a sphere that will explode in your mouth. Margarita R-Evolution teaches you how to create a margarita slush topped with a fresh lemon mousse, add a splash of colour by creating blue azure suspended pearls or encapsulate your margarita into an edible cocktail! Cosmo R-Evolution teaches you how to add a molecular twist to your traditional cosmo sure to awe your guests! Serve a cosmopolitan bubble on a spoon that will pop in your mouth, top off your cocktail with a light fluffy cranberry foam or suspend citrus caviar in your drink.
![Not So Simple Syrup](https://christymajors.comwp-content/uploads/2014/01/Not-So-Simple-Syrup.jpg)
Not So Simple Syrup can be found on Facebook, and Twitter. Not So Simple Syrup is a a small, local maker of simple syrups. Heidi and Barbie’s passion is to create all natural syrups that inspire and stimulate your pension for amazing mixed drinks as well as iced teas and non-alcoholic beverages too. They pride themselves on individual service. When you purchase a NSSS product, you can be sure that it received their personal stamp of approval. The Not So Simple Syrup Survival Gift Basket has two flavours of delicious all natural Not So Simple Syrup, a muddler for the perfect Mojito you might want to create, two glasses and a bar towel.
The list of prizes for Cocktail Day
2 Individual Copies of Molecule Gastronomy by Molecule-R Cookbook
1 Set of Mojito R-evolution(Molecular Mixology Kit)
1 Set of Margarita R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit)
1 Set of Cosmo R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit)
1 Copy of The Architecture of the Cocktail sponsored by Race Point Publishing
1 Copy of <aApothecary Cocktailssponsored by Fair Winds Press
1 Copy of The Best Craft Cocktails and Bartending with Flairsponsored by Page St. Publishing
1 Microplane Bartender’s Garnishing Tool
1 Ultimate Citrus Tool Microplane Citrus Tool
***This giveaway is intended for each prize to have a separate winner! No person can win multiple prizes. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only . Winners will be chosen by random draw. The winners will be notified via e-mail, and have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***
Le Jardinier Cocktail –
- 2 ounces Gin
- 1 ounce Ginger Liquor
- 1 ounce Simple Syrup
- Juice from ½ of a fresh lime
- Juice from ½ of a fresh lemon
- 3 fresh basil leaves torn or roughly chopped
- ice
- Place all ingredients in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Pour into chilled martini glass.
What an interesting drink… I’ve never heard of ginger liquor before. I’m definitely going to have to look for it! My hubby loves ginger!
What a great looking cocktail, I love when herbs are added, they just make it so fantastic.
one glass please
I love ginger. I havent heard of ginger gin. This drink looks so refreshing.
What an awesome giveaway! My favorite cocktail is this one from a local restaurant called Founding Farmers: http://www.wearefoundingfarmers.com/2013/02/ff-recipe-cucumber-delight-cocktail/
I haven’t heard of this cocktail before, Christy, but it sounds fantastic!! I’m so, so glad you joined us for cocktail day!!!
I’ve never heard of ginger gin, but this sounds great!
This sounds fabulous. I love me some fresh herbs in cocktails… now I just need to get my hands on some ginger liqueur so I can enjoy a nice refreshing cocktail. 🙂
Interesting combination. I’ve tried a few cocktails with basil, and I’ve liked them a lot.
I love this drink. It’s so pretty and I’m a basil girl. I try to put it in everything.
Christy your cocktail looks and sounds delicious! I am a BIG fan of gin!
I love the ginger and lime combo! This cocktail sounds like it would really do more than just give me something to sip on. Now to find some ginger liquor…
You can always be relied upon for a great cocktail recipe. I’m going to have to get some ginger liqueur.