Liquid Bourbon Ball

The Liquid Bourbon ball is a great dessert drink from The Woodford Reserve Culinary Cocktail Tour, a food and cocktail book put out by the distillery. The chocolate and hazelnut liqueurs are great flavor pairings for Woodford Reserve's complex bourbon flavor profile.

Prep Time: 2?minutes

Total Time: 2?minutes

Yield: 1 Drink

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
• 1 oz white creme de cacao
• 1/4 oz hazelnut liqueur
• chocolate shavings for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the bourbon and liqueurs over ice in a mixing glass.
2. Stir.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

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How to Pull Espresso Shots

Every espresso machine is different and there's quite a bit of controversy over the "best" way to pull a shot. However, there are some basics that can help you sharpen your espresso-pulling skills and pull great shots. From why fresh-ground beans are a must to what "mouse tails" are and why you should watch them, these step-by-step instructions cover all the basics of pulling espresso.

Shots begin with whole beans. It is imperative that you begin with whole beans because the volatile oils (which give coffee its incredible range and depth of flavor) begin to dissipate off of the coffee as soon as it is ground. In fact, the effect of lost oils is so pronounced on espresso's flavor that it's important to pull as shot as soon as possible after you have ground the beans and it is almost always recommended that you grind for each and every individual shot you pull.

Conical burr grinders are the best way to grind espresso because they produce the fullest flavor. (Here's more information on blade grinder vs. burr grinders.) Grinders generally come with recommended grind settings (for coarser or finer grounds), but these must be changed throughout the day to account for a multitude of ever-changing factors, such as bean variations, temperature and humidity. Also, generally speaking, grinds should be slightly finer for manual or automatic espresso makers than they should be for stovetop espresso makers/moka pots or pumpless electric espresso makers. Ultimately, most baristas agree that the best grind size is the one that results in a shot that pulls in 23 to 29 seconds and (Very important!) tastes great.

To grind coffee beans for espresso, fill the hopper and activate the grinder for about 15 to 20 seconds. Many grinders require that a lever ("doser") be pulled forward repeatedly as the coffee is ground. This action dispenses the ground coffee into the portafilter.

If, later, you find your shots are extracting too quickly, the first thing to try to adjust is the grind size. Make it smaller. Similarly, if a shot is taking too long to extract, try making the grind size slightly larger.

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Hot Chocolate for Adults

Don't bother chopping up chocolate, this recipe calls for easy-to-use chocolate chips. This is a pretty strong but mellow hot chocolate cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup half-n-half
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup hazelnut liqueur (Frangelico)

Preparation:

You don't really need to chop the chocolate chips, but you can if you want the chocolate to melt really quickly. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, or whatever method you prefer.

In another small saucepan heat milk, half-n-half cream and sugar to almost boiling. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 1 cup of the hot milk mixture to the chocolate and mix well. Pour into the rest of the milk and stir until smooth. Pour in rum and liqueur. Heat the finished hot chocolate through, and serve.

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New Caffeine Articles

There's a claim that tea can be decaffeinated with a short infusion (or "rinse") in hot water. Some say it's true, some say it isn't. Do you know the truth? Find out: Can I Naturally Decaffeinate Tea?

Also... many people think that green tea is naturally caffeine free or very low in caffeine, but some types of green tea (including the one pictured above) are even higher in caffeine than coffee. Do you know how much caffeine is in your green tea? Find out how to reduce caffeine in green tea, how much caffeine is in green tea and more in this new article.

Photo (c) Lindsey Goodwin
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Interested in learning more about tea? Sign up for the free, easy Tea 101 e-course.

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Bramble Bar Cocktail

Edinburgh Scotland is home to one of Europe's premier cocktail bars, the world famous Bramble Bar. Earlier this month, top mixologist Mike Aikman created this drink using Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky, cloudy apple juice, elderflower cordial and mineral water. An elegant and refreshing new way to drink blended Scotch whisky, this cocktail is perfect for summertime sipping. Try this at home and see why Bramble Bar is so highly regarded in Europe.

Prep Time: 2?minutes

Total Time: 2?minutes

Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Chivas Regal blended Scotch whisky
• 2 oz cloudy apple juice
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz elderflower cordial
• mineral water to top

Preparation:

1. In a Collins glass, combine the first four ingredients.
2. Add ice, top with mineral water.
3. Stir briefly to incorporate ingredients. Serve.

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Homemade Maraschino Cherries

Sure, you could buy a jar of maraschino cherries, but the standard process of making maraschino cherries today leaves a lot to be desired (read more about maraschino cherries). If you regularly use this popular cocktail garnish you may want to make them yourself for a far more natural maraschino cherry.

This is similar to the original method of making maraschino cherries using maraschino liqueur as the preservative. Though the sour Marasca cherry is the original "maraschino" you can use any variety of cherry you desire, with bing being a good sweet option. Read more about cherry varieties...

Prep Time: 30?minutes

Total Time: 30?minutes

Yield: 1 Jar Maraschino Cherries

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh, pitted cherries
• 1 750ml bottle maraschino liqueur
• 2 tsp sugar

Preparation:

1. Add the cherries and sugar to canning jars with tight sealing lids. Cherries should fill the container but not crammed in to fit. If you have more cherries than comfortably sit in the jar use a second jar for the remainder. This is going to vary based on the size of the cherries.
2. Pour maraschino liqueur into jar(s) to cover the cherries completely and shake well to dissolve the sugar. Cherries will float so you will have to gauge this accordingly.
3. Refrigerate for 1-2 weeks, gently shaking each jar 2 times every day. After 1 week test to see if they are desired.

Notes:
There are many homemade recipes for maraschino cherries. This being one of the basic ways to achieve maraschinos. Some include different coloring agents while others require traditional canning methods, longer preparation times, excess flavoring ingredients, and many other variations on the factors involved. A simple internet search will produce all of these. I like the simple way for the bar, though I do want to point out this homemade maraschino cherry recipe that uses no alcohol for your mocktail and dessert garnishes.

While frozen cherries can make acceptable maraschino cherries, I recommend sticking with fresh cherries for the best results.

If your cherries are not pitted you will want to invest in a cherry pitter as pitted cherries (stem or no stem) are expected in cocktails.
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Best Chai Recipes

Also known as "chai tea," masala chai is a blend of spices, tea, sugar and milk from India. Popular chai spices include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger and black pepper, but chai recipes vary widely across India, and there are many Americanized adaptations of masala chai that have spun off new and innovative chai recipes.

This collection of chai recipes is a cross-section of the world of masala chai. It features some of the best chai recipes on About.com, including recipes for Kashmiri chai and caffeine-free chai, as well as a step-by-step photo tutorial for how to make masala chai from scratch.

How to Make Chai from Scratch

Lindsey Goodwin

This step-by-step photo tutorial explains how to get a bold, spicy, creamy flavor without making your chai too tannic / bitter or adding too much sugar. The basic principles for simmering chai used in this recipe can easily be applied to other recipes in the list or to your own chai recipes.

For more step-by-step instructions for making chai, check out this chai video recipe from Natasha Levitan.

Chai Coffee Cocktail Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

Much like a "dirty chai" (a chai with a shot of espresso), this chai cocktail recipe melds the flavors of chai and coffee into one drink. It's made with Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur and fresh-brewed coffee, and the glass is rimmed with honey and cinnamon for additional flavor.

Kashmiri Chai Recipe

In India, masala chai is especially popular in the northeastern district of Kashmir. There, saffron, roses and almonds are abundant, and green tea is more popular than black tea. For that reason, masala chai recipes often feature ingredients like saffron threads, rose petals, slivered almonds and green tea. This Kashmiri chai recipe includes saffron, powdered almonds (for ease of preparation), cardamom and cinnamon. You can opt to use green or black tea.

Vanilla Chai Recipe

Vanilla is not a traditional masala chai spice, but it is a very popular flavor in Americanized chai recipes. This vanilla chai recipe gets its vanilla flavor from a piece of vanilla bean that is simmered with allspice, cloves and cinnamon stick. I highly recommend this recipe to newer chai drinkers and fans of coffeehouses' flavored chais, such as vanilla chai, chocolate chai or mint chai.

Cardamom Herbal Chai

Lindsey Goodwin

Cardamom, ginger, black pepper and ginger give this naturally caffeine-free chai variation and bold, spicy flavor. This recipe can be prepared with or without milk or a milk alternative like soy milk or almond milk, and with or without honey, agave nectar or other sweeteners.

Other caffeine-free chai recipes include Caffeine-Free Moon Chai and Caffeine-Free Dandelion Chai. Both of these recipes contain many herbs and spices, so I recommend blending them in a larger batch in advance and using them as needed.

Spicy Milk Tea Recipe

This chai recipe calls for green tea instead of black tea. It has a brighter, more refreshing flavor than many chai recipes, even though it has a fairly large amount of milk for a green tea recipe. Cinnamon, cloves and ginger give Spicy Milk Tea its characteristic "chai" flavor.

This recipe makes a fairly large batch of chai -- it serves four.

Masala Spice Chai Recipe

This easy chai recipe is great for beginners. It contains classic chai spices ("nothing too exotic" says the recipe's creator, Sean Paajanen) and a lower level of milk and sugar than most chai recipes.

Similarly, Sean's Four-Spice Chai Recipe is easy to prepare and to enjoy for "chai tea" newbies and masala chai aficionados alike.

Masala Chai Recipe for Two

This delicious, traditional masala chai recipe from About.com's Indian Food guide, Petrina Verma Sarkar, serves two people. Like this Chai Tea with Fennel Recipe, it has a licorice-like flavor from fennel or aniseed.

Apple-Chai Martini Recipe

Lindsey Goodwin

This all-organic chai martini recipe was the winner of the November/December 2010 "Holiday Tea Cocktail"-themed tea recipe contest. It is high in flavor and naturally caffeine free. Yum!

Chai Frosting Recipe

Marko Goodwin

Although it isn't a drink, this Chai Frosting Recipe is one of the most popular "chai" recipes on the site. It combines pure vanilla extract, ground spices and chai concentrate for an unusual frosting flavor that's fantastic on cupcakes, cookies (such as these Chocolate-Chai Cookies) and other sweets. Try it as part of an avant-garde tea party menu.

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