Friday Feature Cocktail: Watermelon Margarita

Today’s featured cocktail is inspired by the favorite fruit of summer, the watermelon. The refreshing and sweet taste of watermelon is the perfect addition to any summertime cocktail, including the summer favorite Margarita. A classic Margarita on the rocks is always a perfect choice, but once August rolls around you may be looking to switch it up, which is where I come in with the Watermelon Margarita:

Watermelon Margarita

• 1 part Avion® Silver Tequila
• 1 part Hiram Walker® Watermelon Schnapps
• 3/4 part Hiram Walker® Triple-Sec
• Fresh lime juice

Shake with ice. Strain into glass.

If you REALLY want to shake up your Margaritas and you’re a big fan of bacon (and it seems like most people are these days) you can also give the Maplerita a try!

• 2 parts Reposado Tequila
• 2 parts Mama Walker’s Maple Bacon
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• .5 part simple syrup

Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Strain over ice in highball glass and serve

Happy Friday & Enjoy 🙂

-KJ

Friday Feature Cocktail: Watermelon Daiquiri

Not only is today Friday…it’s National Daiquiri Day! With the heat wave we’ve had hanging around New England this past week I am ready for a cool, refreshing cocktail and given today’s holiday I’ll be mixing up Daiquiris! We all know a classic Daiquiri calls for rum, lime juice and sugar, but today’s featured recipe adds another favorite flavor of summer: watermelon!

Fresh Watermelon Daiquiri

• 1 part Light Rum
• 1 part Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• ¾ part Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass.  

Enjoy!

-KJ

Labor Day Weekend: 5 Best Drinks for a BBQ!

Since Labor Day is this weekend, and like it’s good friend Memorial Day it is known for BBQ’s, I thought it would be helpful to go through the recipes on Cocktail Culture from this summer and gather up a list of what I think are the 5 best drinks recipes for a summer BBQ. With everything you need to get ready for a party, searching for a drink recipe does not have to be one of them!

#1: Bahama Mama- Because we all have those friends that get cranky when it’s too hot…this frozen tropical treat will keep your guests cool and carefree!

• 3/4 parts Malibu Coconut Rum
• 3/4 parts Hiram Walker Crème de Banana
• 1 part Spiced Rum (Malibu Black could be a great addition here, if you have it)
• 1 1/2 parts Orange Juice
• 2 1/2 parts Pineapple Juice
• 1 tablespoon Grenadine
• Crushed Ice

Combine all ingredients with ice and mix them in a cocktail shaker. Serve over crushed ice. Garnish with Orange/Pineapple wedge. Makes enough for two cocktails.

#2: Fresh Watermelon Daiquiri- Because nothing says “summer” like fresh watermelon!

• 1 part Light Rum
• 1 part Hiram Walker® Watermelon Schnapps
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• 3/4 part Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

#3) Mini Margaritas- Same great taste, but much cuter than the classic!

• 1 part Malibu Red
• ½ Part Hiram Walker Triple Sec
• ½ Part Fresh Lime

Shake and strain into a shot glass

#4) White Peach Punch- Any boozy punch with Rainbow Sherbet automatically makes the list.

• 2 cups ABSOLUT Citron® Vodka
• 2 cups Hiram Walker® White Peach Schnapps
• 1¼ cups Cranberry Juice
• 1¼ cups Pineapple Juice
• 2½ cups Fresh Sour Mix
• 2½ cups Lemon-Lime Soda
• 1 Scoop Rainbow Sherbet

Combine ingredients in Punch Bowl ¾ full of ice. Scoop sherbet into balls and float on top or float entire quart of sherbet. Multiple servings.

#5) The Orange Crush- Refer back to drink number 1, you really don’t want cranky friends ruining your BBQ.

• 1 part Absolut Mandarin
• 1 part Hiram Walker Triple Sec
• 1 part Fresh squeezed Orange Juice
• Splash of Lemon-Lime Soda
• Orange slice garnish

Mix all ingredients, except for lemon-lime soda, in a shaker with ice. Strain the beverage over crushed ice and top with soda. Garnish with an orange slice.

Enjoy your cocktails and I hope you all have a fabulous Labor Day Weekend 🙂

-KJ

National Watermelon (cocktail) Day!

I have to take a break from reporting about Tales to celebrate National Watermelon Day(it’s not actually watermelon cocktail day, but I know why you’re all visiting this site). I bet you’re probably thinking, “Well then what does that have to do with cocktails?”, and I’m glad you asked! I see today as a way to not only celebrate the perfect for summer, refreshing fruit, but to also celebrate a well-loved product of ours here at the Cocktail Culture blog, Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps!

Here are some of our favorite recipes using Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps!

French Laundry

• ½ part Elderflower Liqueur
• ½ part Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps
• 3 parts Brut Champagne

Build in-order in a champagne flute

Watermelon Drop

• ¾ parts Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps
• ¾ parts ABSOLUT Citron

Layer Citron on top of HW Watermelon. Serve with a lemon.

Watermelon Martini

• 1 ½ parts ABSOLUT Vodka

• 1 part Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps

• 2 parts Cranberry Juice

• 1 splash Pineapple Juice

Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

These are just some great watermelon cocktails you can make, and we encourage you to get creative on this joyous National Watermelon Day 🙂 We also suggest you take a look at Hiram Walker’s Facebook page for some more watermelon recipes and drink photos!

Enjoy!

-KJ

National Daiquiri Day!

Happy National Daiquiri Day everyone! Sorry our posts have been somewhat scarce lately, as we’re busy getting prepared to head to TOTC in just 6 short days! Since it is such a great holiday today I had to take a moment and share with you all a recipe to help you celebrate the occasion.

Fresh Watermelon Daiquiri: 

• 1 part Light Rum
• 1 part Hiram Walker® Watermelon Schnapps
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
• 3/4 part Simple Syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into cocktail glass.

Enjoy your daiquiris everybody and I hope I’ll be seeing you soon 🙂

-KJ

“Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue”

Watermelon Margarita

Happy (almost) 4^th of July everyone, and Happy Birthday America! In honor of America’s birth, we thought we’d share with you not one, but THREE Margarita recipes, that together look pretty patriotic (and also taste amazing don’t worry)!

RED: Watermelon Margarita

• 1 part Avion® Silver Tequila
• 1 part Hiram Walker® Watermelon Schnapps
• 3/4 part Hiram Walker® Triple-Sec
• Fresh lime juice

Shake with ice. Strain into glass.

White: Classic Triple Sec Margarita

Triple Sec Margarita

• 1 part Hiram Walker® Triple Sec
• 2 parts Avion® Silver Tequila
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice

Shake with ice. Strain into glass.

Blue: Blue Curacao Margarita

• 1 part Hiram Walker® Blue Curacao
• 2 parts Premium Tequila
• 1 part Fresh Lime Juice

Shake with ice. Strain into glass.

Blue Curacao Margarita

 

And there you have it, 3 Margaritas for “Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue!”

Enjoy and have a wonderful 4th of July 🙂

-KJ

National Martini Day!!!

A refreshing Hiram Walker Watermelon Martini – a modern Martini perfect for summer

Happy National Martini Day everybody! The Martini, traditionally served with just Gin and Vermouth in its earliest days, has transformed into a drink with an endless variety of flavors and spirits.  Adding ‘tini’ to the end of flavors and drink names has become a common occurrence, Pometinis, Appletinis, Mangotinis, the list goes on and on. Today is a day to recognize and celebrate (and drink!) the Martini any way your heart desires! I’ve included below a classic Gin Martini for those who appreciate the traditional way to enjoy the cocktail, as well as a fruity flavored Martini, and a Chocolaty Martini recipe for those looking to try something more modern!

The Plymouth Original:

• 2 Parts Plymouth Gin
• Splash of Dry Vermouth
• 2 Drops of Orange Bitters

In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the dry Vermouth and stir, making sure that the ice is coated. Strain off the excess Vermouth and add Plymouth Gin and the Orange Bitters. Stir until extremely chilled and strain into glass.

Watermelon Martini:

• 1 1/2 parts ABSOLUT® Vodka
• 1 part Hiram Walker® Watermelon Schnapps
• 2 parts Cranberry Juice
• 1 splash Pineapple Juice

Shake with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Chocolate Martini:

• ¾ part Hiram Walker® Crème de Cacao White
• ¾ part ABSOLUT® Vodka
• Splash of Coffee

Shake, strain into a chilled martini glass.

No matter how you choose to drink your Martinis I hope you all enjoy! Have a great National Martini Day, and if you can’t get enough of Martinis, and really want to go all out this holiday, check out more recipes HERE!

-KJ

Snappy Gourmet’s Peach & Honey Sangria Slushies

Photo Courtesy of SnappyGourmet.com

Recently I was looking around on Hiram Walker’s Facebook page when I came across a delicious looking recipe for Peach & Honey Sangria Slushies, posted by Snappy Gourmet. These slushies called out to me as the perfect summer, frozen treat and I felt it necessary to pass along her tasty recipe, which uses both frozen peaches and Hiram Walker Peach Schnapps, with all of you!

As I went to check out these slushies, I spotted another delicious looking cocktail on her website, the Watermelon Poptini. While this drink looked great as is, I couldn’t help but notice that the addition of Hiram Walker Watermelon Schnapps would make it even better! Check out the recipe HERE and try this cocktail with the addition of a ¼ cup of HW Watermelon!

Thank you again to Snappy Gourmet for this peachy recipe, and be sure to check out more of her recipes at http://snappygourmet.com/

Enjoy!

KJ