How To Make the Best Margaritas

Whether it's Cinco de Mayo or National Margarita Day we've got you covered! But before you reach for the limes and tequila, it’s our duty to help you celebrate accordingly with a few simple tips to elevate the most popular cocktail in the United States. Your friends from el Jimador, the No. 1 selling 100 percent blue agave tequila in Mexico, recently commissioned a survey on this traditional tequila cocktail to offer up some unique ways you can enjoy margaritas with your friends this holiday.

Tip #1: Don’t Mess with Muddling

When it comes to unconventional ingredients in margaritas, black raspberry makes the top of the list. But unless you’re bellying up to a downtown craft cocktail bar, nobody has time to mess with muddling. Chambord, a French black raspberry liqueur, is a boozy substitute made with the freshest blackberries and raspberries, to deliver a sweet element that takes your margarita to the next level. Try this recipe:

Black Raspberry Margarita

1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila

½ oz Triple Sec

3 oz Sour Mix

½ oz Chambord Liquor

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime or blackberry.

Tip #2: Bring the Heat

Remember when margaritas came in two varieties – with or without salt? 84% of survey respondents proclaimed their interest in trying new types of margaritas. In addition, spicy flavors have been on the rise, with ingredients seemingly never hot enough. Conveniently, you’re bound to have a bottle of Tabasco on the shelf of your fridge door, and it’s well worth pairing with a traditional margarita to kick it up a notch… or three. Try this recipe:

Habanero Margarita

1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila

½ oz Lime Juice

3 oz Sour Mix

3 Dashes of Tabasco sauce

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime wedge.

Tip #3: Swap Your Soda for Something Sparkly

We love a nice fizz to our tequila cocktail. In fact, Mexico’s most popular traditional cocktail is the Paloma, which is made with grapefruit soda. However, if you’ve been sticking to flavored soda and seltzer water as your carbonation element, then you’re missing out on a bubbly cocktail companion that you’ll wish you met sooner. Try topping your traditional margarita with champagne, or try the beer-in-margarita concept using champagne mini bottles. Try this recipe:

Korbelrita

1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila

½ oz Triple Sec

3 oz Sour Mix

187ml Korbel California Champagne

Glass: Pint Glass or Traditional Margarita Glass

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into a pint glass or a traditional margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Flip the Korbel upside down into your glass, or top cocktail with champagne. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Tip #4: Or, Keep it Simple. Because Margaritas Are Best Made With Friends.

Maybe these elevated cocktails aren’t for you, and you’d rather just stick to the classic. The good news is that no matter which fruits, flavors, spices you add to your cocktail this National Margarita Day, the best margaritas are made with friends and el Jimador. All you need is five-dozen of the spiciest chicken wings in town, a table that seats 10 of your closest friends, and a bottle of el Jimador. Try this recipe:

Jimirita

1 ½ oz el Jimador Tequila  

½ oz Triple Sec

3 oz Sour Mix

In a shaker filled with ice, add ingredients and shake to mix. Pour into margarita glass rimmed with salt (optional). Garnish with a lime wedge.

About el Jimador Tequila
From Casa Herradura, established in 1870, el Jimador is a premium, authentic 100 percent agave tequila that captures the spirit of real tequila. The name el Jimador honors the men who harvest the locally grown agave with great pride and care. Since its introduction in 1994, el Jimador has become the No. 1 selling 100% agave tequila in Mexico*. To learn more about el Jimador, visit www.eljimador.com.  

Alc. 40% by Vol. (80 proof) Tequila, Imported by Brown-Forman, Louisville, KY

el Jimador Tequila encourages you to drink responsibly.

Peppermint Oreo Pie

Items needed:

1 (8-ounce) package Cream Cheese (softened)
½ cup Powdered Sugar
1 (8-ounce) container frozen Whipped Topping (thawed)
½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
15 Peppermint Oreo Cookies (chopped)
1 (6-ounce) Oreo Pie Crust
8 Peppermints (crushed)

In a large mixing bowl and with an electric mixer, beat cream cheese while adding the powdered sugar. Beat in 1 cup whipped topping and vanilla extract. Fold in chopped Oreos, then fill the pie crust with the mixture. Top with the additional whipped topping. Place in the fridge to chill for 1 hour or more. When ready to serve, remove from fridge and top with crushed peppermints or you can garnish with more chopped peppermint Oreo’s.

*If you cannot find the Peppermint Oreo Cookies, substitute with regular Oreo Cookies, a small amount of Peppermint Extract and red food coloring.

Rebel Yell Old Fashioned Cocktail

'Tis the season to be jolly!  Nothing like having an Old Fashioned to celebrate the holidays this year.  Enjoy the season and try out this cocktail.

Old Fashioned:

1.5 ounces Rebel Yell

2 dashes bitters

1 lump sugar

Splash of soda

Muddle sugar, soda & bitters in glass. Add bourbon and ice, stir. Garnish with cherry and orange slice.

You can check out more recipes using Rebel Yell  by going here.

Please drink responsibly and do not drink and drive!

Christmas Candy Dipped Pretzels

Candy Dipped Pretzels

Items needed:

1 bag Pretzel Rods
1 (12-ounce) bag Green Candy Melts or Wafers
Vegetable Oil
Christmas Sprinkles
Wax Paper
Wire Rack
Large Pan

Place a large pan under a wire rack.(this will catch the leftover sprinkles to reuse.) Lay out a couple of sheets of wax paper. Pour sprinkles in a small bowl, set aside. In a small and narrow bowl, heat wafers along with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted. Tilt bowl and dip half of the pretzel rod down in the melted candy, turning to coat. Using your finger, run along the back of the pretzel to remove excess melted candy, then place on the wire rack. Coat with sprinkles and let sit for a couple of seconds on the rack so that more candy drips off, then remove and run finger along back of pretzel again to smooth out candy coating. Add a few more sprinkles to the back and sides of the pretzel, then place on a clean sheet of wax paper to harden.

*Have damp towels handy while dipping pretzels. You will need to wipe the excess melted candy off of your fingers before applying sprinkles.
*You will need 1 teaspoon Vegetable Oil for each ½ bag of wafers.

How to make the perfect cookies for Santa Claus

Are you leaving cookies out for Santa this year?  He will love these Ginger Cookies!  Get the kids in the kitchen to help make these delicious cookies.



Items needed:

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 ½ teaspoons Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3/4 cup Vegetable Shortening
1/2 cup Sugar, plus additional for rolling
1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Molasses
1 large Egg
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Spray an 11x17 inch pan with cooking spray, set aside. Place a small amount of sugar in a bowl, set aside. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon. Sift into a medium size mixing bowl, set aside. In a large mixing bowl and with an electric mixer, beat vegetable shortening while adding ½ cup sugar. Add dark brown sugar and beat. Add molasses and beat. Beat in egg. Beat in flour mixture. Roll dough into 1 ½ inch balls. Roll dough around in small bowl of sugar. Place on greased pan. Gently press on dough and flatten slightly with fingers. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees on the top (1st) rack for 7 to 9 minutes.

How to get your kids in the kitchen and make Turkey Cake Pops

I love for my kids to help in the kitchen.  Whether it be chores like washing dishes or FUN, like making these awesome cake pops, it gives your child a sense of responsibility.   Most children have a break from school during Thanksgiving and this is the perfect opportunity to get them in the kitchen and make some delicious treats. I give you cake pops!!!  These Turkey Cake Pops are easy to make and kids love them!  You can make some now and make some to to have at your Thanksgiving dinner.  I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did,  This is the perfect opportunity to teach your kids to work as a team, teach about measurements, and a very tasty art project!

1 Box Duncan Hines Butter Golden Cake Mix

2/3 cup Cream Cheese Frosting
1 bag Vanilla Candy Wafers
2 (14-ounce) bags Milk Chocolate Candy Melts or Wafers
Vegetable Oil
Pretzel Sticks (broken into 2cm sections)
Thanksgiving Feather Sprinkles
Yellow Peanut M&M’s
Edible Black Pen
Orange Candy Coated Rainbow Chips
Heart Shaped Sprinkles
Lollipop Sticks
Treat bags
Large piece of Styrofoam
Foil
Double Boiler

Lay out a couple of ungreased pans, set aside. Cover a large piece of Styrofoam with foil, set aside. Prepare and bake cake according to package directions. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Break apart cake and place in a large bowl, then crumble completely. Stir in frosting, then blend together with hands until you have the texture of play-doh. Melt a small amount of vanilla candy wafers in a small bowl, set aside. Roll cake into an oval shape. Dip tip of lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert a little ways into the ball. Lay flat on pan. Repeat until all dough is used. *You will need to melt your vanilla candy wafers every so often to continue use. Place in fridge for 1 hour. While cake balls are chilling, break pretzel sticks into 2cm sections, set aside. Just before removing from fridge, melt 1 bag of milk chocolate candy wafers along with 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a double boiler. Remove 5 cake pops at a time from the fridge. Carefully, remove from pan and dip most of cake pop in the melted candy. Use a spoon to drizzle the candy coating near the stick. Tap cake pop on the side of the pan so excess will drip off, then use your finger to smooth out the back. Carefully, insert 2 sticks into the bottom sides of turkey for legs. Place in styrofoam. Melt candy wafers as needed to continue use. Pour leftover melted candy in a bowl and save. Let cake pops sit for several hours to set. Reheat leftover hardened candy in bowl and use to seal any cracks in coating with the tip of your finger. Place back in styrofoam to harden. Dip end of feather sprinkles into melted candy and place on back of turkey making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the peanut M&M’s, then place in center of turkey for face making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. With an edible black pen, make eyes. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the orange chips and place on face for a nose making sure to hold for a few seconds to set. Dab a small amount of melted candy on the back of the heart sprinkles, then place upside down under the nose making sure to hold for a couple of seconds to set. Let sit for a few hours. Place a treat bag over each cake pop and tie with ribbon.

*You will need 3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil for each bag of Chocolate Candy Wafers.
*Mike’s Candies or Candy Corn can be used in place of the feather sprinkles.

How to celebrate National Pumpkin Day

If you love pumpkin spice, NOW is the time to get your Captain Morgan Jack O' Blast and make these delicious drinks!  

Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast is the first pumpkin spiced rum to ever hit shelves, as a blend of Caribbean rum and everyone’s favorite fall flavors - including fresh pumpkin, cinnamon and other autumnal spices. Whether you’re preparing for your Halloween party or carving Jack-O-Lantern’s with friends, Jack-O’Blast is the perfect way to toast to the pumpkin holiday. Happy National Pumpkin Day!  Enjoy!

Orange Pumpkin Smash 

·         1.5 oz. Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast

·         2 oz. orange juice

·         2 oz. club soda

DIRECTIONS: Combine Jack-O’Blast and orange juice in a glass filled with ice and stir. Top with club soda and enjoy.

Jack-O’Lager

·         1 oz. Jack-O’Blast shot

·         4 oz. Lager 

DIRECTIONS: Drop shot of Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast in a glass of lager beer and enjoy.

Blasted Brew

·         .5 oz. Jack-O’Blast

·         .5 oz. Cannon Blast

DIRECTIONS: Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a shot glass.

Please drink responsibly and NEVER drink and drive.

Jack O' Blast Hot Chocolate with Toasted Marshmallows

Fall is in the air! ahhh  We know what that means.  All things pumpkin.   This spiked hot chocolate is sure to satisfy your pumpkin craving.    Make a large batch so all your friends can enjoy.  

This recipe makes two (2) servings

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Captain Morgan's Jack-O-Blast Spiced Rum (each mug)
• 1 oz. Bailey's Pumpkin Spice Irish Cream (each mug)
• 2 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
• 4 1/2 tbsps Dark Chocolate syrup
• Marshmallows

Directions:

1. In a medium sauce pot over low heat, add two (2) cups of heavy cream and four (4) tablespoons of dark chocolate syrup, stir ingredients until the heavy cream is a rich chocolate brown.
2. Remove the pot from the heat source and divide the hot chocolate into two mugs.
3. Add one (1) ounce Bailey's Pumpkin Spice Irish cream, and one (1) ounce of Captain Morgan's Jack-O-Blast Spiced Rum into each mug of hot chocolate.
4. Top each mug with three (3) medium size marshmallows, then torch marshmallows using a baker's Crème brûlée torch, or place the mugs onto a cookie sheet and brown the marshmallows in the oven using the broil setting. 
5. Serve.

Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive

Colmans Mustard Products

Check put this recipe and giveaway for Colmans Mustard products!

Known internationally as the English mustard, Colman’s Original has been England’s Iconic fiery-hot, go-to cooking essential for nearly 200 years. Available in dry and prepared form, Colman’s Mustard has a distinct taste. Colman’s secret is in blending high-quality brown mustard seeds and white mustard seeds that consistently produces a unique kick! Did you know that Colman’s is one of only 3 mustard mills in the world to blend both white and brown mustard seeds?! Momma Lew met Colman's Mustard at the Summer Fancy Food Show and created this recipe for Chicken and Waffles with Spicy Honey Mustard sauce. Be sure to check out the recipe and find out more about Colman's here. Colman’s Mustard is sponsoring a giveaway for a prize pack of Colman’s Mustard products. Assorted Colman’s Mustard products and merchandise. One winner per household, email address, or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winner must have a U.S.-based address to receive the prize. Momma Lew is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway will end 10/9/2016 11:59p ET. Good luck!  

Entry-Form

Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil Giveaway

Capatriti is one of the only Extra Virgin Olive Oils to acquire the highly coveted United States Department of Agriculture Quality Monitoring Program Seal, meaning it is 100% pure, true EVOO. To display the USDA QMP seal on their packaging, Capatriti EVOO is randomly sampled and evaluated on an ongoing, unannounced basis. Momma Lew met Capatriti EVOO on the Mom Blog Tour this summer and loved their product so much, she made this Chicken Scarpariello dish. Get the recipe and find out more about Capatriti here. How would you like to win a Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil giveaway? You will win Capatriti EVOO, decanter and apron; approximate MSRP $50. One winner per household, email address, or home address. If you have won this prize on another blog you are ineligible to win again. Winner must have a U.S.-based address to receive the prize. Giveaway ends 9/30 at 11:59p ET. Good luck! Momma Lew is not responsible for prize fulfillment. Momma Lew participated in Mom Blog Tour at the Summer Fancy Food Show on behalf of Wendy’s Bloggers and received Capatriti EVOO products to facilitate her review. #MomBlogTourFF

Entry-Form

Witch Finger Pretzel Sticks

1 bag Pretzel Rods
1 (12-ounce) bag Green Candy Melts or Wafers
Vegetable Oil
Sliced Almonds
Wax Paper
Wire Rack

Place a sheet of wax paper under a wire rack. Lay out a couple of sheets of additional wax paper. Pour sliced almonds in a small bowl, set aside. In a small and narrow bowl, heat half a bag of wafers along with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted. Tilt bowl and dip half of the pretzel rod down in the melted candy, turning to coat. Using your finger, run along the back of the pretzel to remove excess melted candy, then place on the wire rack. Place a sliced almond at the tip of each pretzel for a fingernail and let sit for a couple of seconds on the rack so that more candy drips off, then remove and run finger along back of pretzel again to smooth out candy coating. Place on a clean sheet of wax paper to harden. 

*Use 1 teaspoon vegetable oil along with each half bag of wafers. Have damp towels handy while dipping pretzels. You will need to wipe the excess melted candy off of your fingers.

Halloween Brownie Trifle

'

Make your Halloween SPOOKTACULAR!  This dish is always a hit at parties and gatherings.  Never any leftovers, so make two.  Click on the links if you need orange food coloring or a trifle dish. This has been a hit at Halloween parties and family gatherings!  No leftovers!

This post contains affiliate links.

1 (18-ounce) box Fudge Brownie Mix
Water, Eggs & Vegetable oil for brownie mix
Black Food Coloring
1 (5-ounce) box Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling
3 cups Cold Milk
Orange Food coloring
1 (16-ounce) container frozen Whipped Topping (thawed)
6 regular size Heath Candy Bars (crushed)
Candy Corn
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Trifle Bowl

Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the brownie mix along with the desired amount of black food coloring. Beat with an electric mixer until completely incorporated, then pour into the prepared pan and bake according to package directions. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Combine vanilla pudding, milk and orange food coloring in a bowl. Whisk for 2 minutes, then let sit for 5 minutes to set. Stir 1 cup of the whipped topping into pudding mixture, then set aside. Crush heath bars into small pieces and set aside. Crumble ½ of the baked brownies in the bottom of a trifle. Add a few pieces of candy corn around the outside of the brownie for color. Layer with ½ of the orange vanilla pudding mixture. Layer with half of the leftover whipped topping. Layer with ½ of the crushed heath bars. Repeat the process. For the topping, add candy corn along with crushed Heath bars. Place in the fridge to chill for a few hours, then serve.