Recipes
Smoky Sunset
This bold cocktail dances in the grey area between sweet and savory. Starting from tequila as the base, we spiced this drink up with chipotle to complement the spirit's slightly earthy sweetness. Next, we added lime and grapefruit as an acidic counterpoint to the smoky heat. As a last touch, we finished the drink in style with a salty rim made of chipotle flake and alderwood smoked salt.All that's missing is a name. Perfect for a slow sip at dusk after a hot summer day, the cocktail tastes exactly like what we decided to call it: a smoky sunset.
Learn more
Portuguese Ginjinha
Ginjinha, or Ginja for short, is a liqueur made from an infusion of sour cherries, also called ginja berries. After a friend from Lisbon introduced us to this delicious concoction, we waited almost a year Pacific Northwest cherries to be in season so we could try to make our own. Our recipe for this liqueur is spiced with Cassia Stick Cinnamon and Cloves to add a spicy, aromatic bite.Traditionally served in shot glasses for a slow sip with a tart cherry garnish, Ginjinha is also a great ingredient in other cocktails. Try using some in a batch of sangria, or add a bit to your Manhattan for a sweet and spicy twist. As soon as we tried it, Ginjinha quickly became a bar cart staple for its versatility and unique flavor.
Learn more
Kashmiri Garam Masala Papaya Smoothie
On the way to our storefront behind the Pike Place Market, we're fortunate to be greeted each day by a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Papaya is a fruit normally enjoyed on a tropical vacation, but the ones at Frank's Quality Produce looked absolutely perfect. Since nothing says summer like a tropical smoothie, we decided to give pick some up and try it out.Papaya is buttery and sweet, with a flavor akin to cantaloupe. To add a spicy twist, we turned to Kashmiri Garam Masala, a delicious and fragrant spice blend containing cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, cloves, and mace. A touch of Turmeric balances the sweetness, while frozen banana and chia seeds round the flavor. Bursting with tropical sweetness, this smoothie will have have you feeling just a little bit closer to paradise.
Learn more
Mystic Mule
Perfect for a hot summer evening, or anytime, really. The classic Moscow Mule needs no introduction. Fizzy and softly spicy, this delicious cocktail is typically served in a copper mug for instant ice-cold refreshment. For this variation on the drink, we used our Mystic Licorice Tea to complement the traditional flavors. Full of warm spices like licorice, cinnamon, cardamom, orange, coriander, and cloves, this tea blend adds complexity to gentle bite of ginger beer, while including a sweet finish that pairs well with the sour flavor of the lime. We suggest you make a pitcher, because these go down easy. We also used local ginger beer from Timber City, which has a strong ginger kick without too much sweetness to make this cocktail. When making the tea, we recommend brewing a strong batch to stand up to the other flavors. Approximately four teaspoons per cup of water should do the trick.
Learn more
Emerald Mojito
We've mixed some Mojito magic here using a simple syrup made with our Emerald Mist tea! Peppermint and spearmint are the main flavors in the syrup, along with with licorice, cloves, and ginger. Combined with fresh lime to make it a Mojito, this drink is delicious virgin or classically spiked with rum. Kick back and enjoy it on a hot summer day. Don't feel up for that much mixology? Emerald Mist makes a fantastic iced tea for summer all on it's own.
Learn more
Cooling Green Tea Punch
Get ready for warm weather with this Cooling Green Tea Punch! We like to keep iced tea on hand all summer long, and this combination of green and herbal makes a wonderful cocktail base. The Rwandan Green is mild, while the peppermint is mellow and cooling. White rum, nutmeg and lime lend Caribbean flourish to make your cocktail hour feel as good as a beach vacation.
Learn more
Saffron Lemonade
We often get asked how to use Saffron, and this is one of our favorite and unique ways. A little goes a long way with this flavorful brew and it is so easy to make. The sunshine in this cup shines all on its own but it also mixes well with all manner of spirits, sweet or savory. Truth be told we've tried it with everything from Mezcal to Vanilla Vodka and they are all fantastic.
Learn more
Warm Winter Sangria
Spiced wine? Mulled cider? We say "choose both" with this Warm Winter Sangria. Mulled wine alone can be too harsh, and mulled cider too sweet. Put them together with a touch of honey and orange, and the drink comes out just right.Choose a full bodied wine whose shelf-talker boasts of black or red cherry flavors that will complement the mulling spice, but with a price that won't break the bank. Mid-shelf Pinot Noir or Cabernet are good choices, and an unfiltered and unsweetened cider is the perfect complement. We were lucky enough to have one straight out of the press and it made this Warm Winter Sangria all the more flavorful. Don't forget the Mulling Spice!
Learn more
Golden Milk
Golden Milk is a delightful warm, spiced beverage often sipped before bed for its healing properties. The key ingredients are milk and turmeric, and from there variations abound! Most begin with a non-dairy milk and a healthy dose of turmeric, along with other spices to round out the flavor. Our favorite begins with a base of DIY cashew/coconut milk for pure creamy goodness, and we've blended in the spices with the making of the milk so there's no straining later on. No muss, no fuss and maximum flavor!
Learn more
