Before I stopped at Kendahl’s from Our Nourishing Roots on my VGN Tour, I was convinced I didn’t like alcohol.
I’ve tried a few things over the years: beers, whiskey, gin, rum, vodka, tequila, brandy, wines…
But none of them have ever appealed to me. Wine gives me a headache. Beer is too filling. Shots burn. Mixed drinks are too sugary. All of it made my stomach feel strange. None of it was enjoyable.
I eventually decided that drinking just wasn’t for me. But all that has changed!
BEHOLD!
Kendahl’s eBook: Natural Cocktails for the Real Foodie!
When I told Kendahl that I’d never enjoyed alcohol, she set out to fix me! I have been fully immersed in the world of all-natural made-from-scratch cocktails for four days now, and let me tell you, I’M IMPRESSED!
This book features over 165 RECIPES, and will teach you how to infuse your own liquors, make your own bitters, mixers, flavorings, garnishes, and more! All without artificial sweeteners, juice concentrate, food coloring, or other fake syrups.
Four misconceptions I had about these cocktails:
1. I thought they would be hard to make. (They’re not.)
2. I thought they would be too strong. (They’re just right.)
3. I thought making homemade grenadine and bitters, etc. would be complicated. (It’s not.)
4. I thought that drinking would make my stomach feel strange like it has in the past. (I felt fine with these cocktails!)
Reviews of my dates with Kendahl’s cocktails:
SIDECAR: cognac, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice
Oh Sidecar, how had I not heard of you a week ago? You pulled me into you with the deep, full-bodied flavor of your cognac, reminiscent of toffee and caramel… Yet the fresh notes of citrus brought me up again, dancing on my tongue and bringing a smile to my lips. You made me feel at once happy, full, and refreshed. You’re welcome to take me out for dinner or dessert, anytime.
COSMOPOLITAN: citrus vodka, light orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, flamed orange peel
Cosmo, Cosmo. You sweet-talker, you! You are deceptively sweet, yet come with a kick later! I don’t think I could handle your flattery all the time—only if I was in the mood to be sweetened up a bit.
MARTINI: gin, dry vermouth, fresh orange bitters, olive, peanut
My friends warned me that you’re more of an acquired taste. People either like you right away or they don’t. You remind me of rosemary and honeydew melon, and small green buds in spring. It’s not that I don’t like you, per se, but I just don’t think we’re meant for each other. I’m more of an autumn, a lover of deep earthy tones, mocha and chocolate and steak. Yes, being with you made me want to eat a steak and spend an afternoon with Ron Swanson.
MANHATTAN: bourbon, sweet vermouth, aromatic bitters, maraschino cherry
Manhattan, your deep, dark tones speak of life experience and sophistication, but you’re just too strong for me. What are you thinking, going out with this young thing? You took me too far too fast. You lit a fire in my throat and belly, which although pleasant, still seemed like a little too much for me to handle right now. Don’t take it personally. I just think we’re not a good match.
DAIQUIRI: light rum, honey syrup, lime juice
Daiquiri, why didn’t you tell me you were like grown-up lemonade? Just reminiscing about you now makes me smile. Sweet, tart, delicious. Let’s meet again, soon. I have a feeling I’ll invite you to all my summer parties.
JACK ROSE: applejack, fresh lemon juice, homemade grenadine, lemon twist
Jack Rose, you are certainly the sexiest cocktail I’ve ever met, but then again, I’m a fruit girl. You won me over with your sweet applejack liquor, making me dream of apple orchards and vanilla beans…of late summer nights and the nearing crispness of fall… As if you hadn’t flirted with me enough already, you plied me with fresh lemon and sweetened pomegranate, then topped me off with a twist of fresh lemon rind. Humina humina. You’re more than just a fling. Let’s be summer loves. Heck, why not fall, too?
My top 3 favorites
1. Jack Rose, by far
2. Sidecar
3. Daiquiri
Still think you don’t like alcohol or that it must be terribly unhealthy?
Well…..while I don’t ACTUALLY recommend drinking all the time (YES, I did drink every night for a week with Kendahl to try all these! Haha.) I DO recommend only drinking these real food version of cocktails.
Not only are these better for you, but they TASTE AMAZING!!!
Kendahl’s book is comprehensive and thorough. It’s easy to read, and well-laid-out. It’s the PERFECT guide for making real food (and REEEEEALLLL good) cocktails at home. You seriously don’t want to miss this.
But does it make you “tipsy”? happy? lol
Yep. :)