Turmeric & Star Anise Pickles

These sweet pickles are fun-tastic! Gather a basket of your favorite crunchy vegetables and slice them into strips, discs and triangles. For this batch we used half carrots and cucumbers, and half assorted white vegetables to really let the color of the turmeric shine. They were ready to munch on after just one night and the flavors from the spices and fresh ginger just keep getting better with each passing day. Serve them alongside savory or spicy dishes for a nice contrast of flavor and don't waste the brine! Add it to sauces and vinaigrettes or splash in a dirty martini for incredible flavor.

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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.

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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!

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Voodoo Bloody Mary

Make your next pitcher of Bloody Mary's with a little Voodoo....or a lot! We gave this favorite beverage a Gulf Coast makeover complete with a pickled okra garnish for a recent Cajun & Creole flavor party. This Voodoo Bloody Mary is great right off the bat, but if you've got the time make the tomato juice mixture a day ahead, as the flavors will settle in even better.

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Hibiscus Margarita

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo like never before with this delicious cocktail. The hibiscus infuses a deep rich red color to this libation... Add a slice of lime and Sel de Mer to the rim of your glass and you have the colors of the Mexican flag! Almost cranberry in flavor, it's got a "zing" that is enhanced by using silver tequila and the homemade spiced simple syrup. Tune in to the mariachi station on Pandora while you whip these up for an absolute fiesta!

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Christmas in a Glass!

The first time I ever had a Lion's Tail, I thought it tasted like Christmas in a glass, and it immediately became my go-to libation of the holiday season. This classic cocktail offers up the perfect, winter warming combination of bourbon, citrus and spice that dances on the palate. We've played around with many twists on the original theme and are including recipes for the "classic" and "spice-lover's" versions for you to enjoy.True Allspice Dram is sometimes hard to find. If its not available in your area, or if you love a great infusion project, here's an excellent recipe from Serious Eats.

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Tasmanian Pepperberry Infusions

Tasmanian pepperberries are an exotic delight with a bold but fleeting flavor profile that ranges from floral and camphor to a tingly pepper bite. One of the best ways to capture their elusive flavors is in alcohol or vinegar infusions - the flavors of the berry just jump right in, along with an appetizing rosy-purple glow.We like to use vodka for alcohol infusions, and a white balsamic or champagne vinegar respectively. The infusion technique is the same for both vinegar and alcohol- and once you have your infusion you can use it to make cocktails, shrubs, vinaigrettes or whatever else you can dream up! Simply crack the Tasmanian pepperberries in a mortar & pestle and add them to the liquid (alcohol or vinegar) in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Use 1-2 teaspoons of berries per pint of liquid, and allow them to infuse for at least 24 hours. The beautiful color will appear immediately, but allow them to infuse for a whole day to get the best flavor. Strain the berries out of the liquid using two nested strainers.These exotic infusions also make great hostess or holiday gifts. DIY doesn't get any easier, and then you get to enjoy this! A simple vodka tonic with lime is made all the more refreshing.

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