Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
    • Flexitarianism
      • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

Winter Cocktails Cookbook Review

Published on February 25, 2015 By Emily. Updated on February 25, 2015

Last fall, I entered a giveaway on my friend Julie’s blog, Savvy Eats and won.  The giveaway was a prize pack including preserves (they were yummy, Julie!), a game and other treats, but one of the items was a copy of Winter Cocktails: Mulled Ciders, Hot Toddies, Punches, Pitchers, and Cocktail Party Snacks by Maria Del Mar Sacasa.

winter_cocktails_72dpi

When I founf out I’d won, I didn’t think much about the book.  It sounded interesting, but I was way into beer at the time and I didn’t know how much use I’d actually get out of it.  Little did I know.

inside Winter Cocktails

This book is currently one of my favorite things on my cookbook shelf.   Not every recipe is illustrated, but the photos are plentiful and beautiful.  The text is clear and easy to read and the hardcover binding of the book is really nice.  Not to mention the multitude of delicious sounding recipes Winter Cocktails contains, many of which have non-alcoholic options.   I used to think that summer was the optimal season for alcohol, but my mind has been changed.

infused gin

I’ve spent the past few months trying out various recipes in the book.  There are still many I’m looking to create, including Liquid Gold (pineapple, rum and brandy), White Witch (chai and ginger) and the Nutella Melt, but we’ve found a couple favorites regardless.  The Hot Toddy has gotten a lot of play this winter, which is notable as I’d never had one before I won this book.   I even made a batch of the Chamomile-Pear infused gin found in the text.  The chamomile flavor seemed to overpower the pear,  but we plan on making it again.

earl grey lavender hot chocolate

I was also really excited by the Earl Grey Lavender Hot Chocolate.  I’m pretty sure Maria Del Mar Sacasa thought about all of my favorite things before creating it.  The recipe definitely took more work and time than basic hot chocolate, but it delivered on all fronts.  It was also one of the richest drinks I’ve ever had, so the second half of the mug was diluted some with milk.

earl grey lavender hot chocolate 2

If you’re looking to improve your cocktail creativity or are looking for a gift cookbook for someone, I’d highly recommend this one.  And heads up, the publisher (Quirk Books) will be releasing Summer Cocktails soon!

Related Posts

Highlights: Cocktails
Trying out the Grocery IQ Smartphone App
“The Town That Food Saved”
Food in Jars Book Signing
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

Filed Under: books Tagged With: alcohol, books, review

« Highlights: Vegetarian/Vegan Soups for the Worst Winter
New Adventures: The Best Recipes I Tried In February 2015 »

Trackbacks

  1. Summer Cocktails Cookbook Review + Kentucky Mule Recipe says:
    June 9, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    […] in February when I wrote a glowing review of Winter Cocktails ?  Well, the awesome people at Quirk Books have done it again, publishing Summer Cocktails by […]

Welcome!

photo of EmilyWelcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in cooking and eating in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

relishments

Emily
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
.
.
.
https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
.
.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
.
.
.
#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
.
.
.
#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
.
Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
.
.
.
#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
More thoughts on the blog at the link in my profile or at https://www.relishments.com/blog/hot-plate-brewing-in-pittsfield/
.
.
.
#PittsfieldMA #MassachusettsBrewery #igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
.
.
.
#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #LanesboroughMA #SecondDropFarm #PickYourOwnBlueberries
It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
.
.
.
#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WilmingtonNC
15 seconds of calm. Wrightsville Beach, NC . . . # 15 seconds of calm.
Wrightsville Beach, NC
.
.
.
#WrightsvilleBeach #WilmingtonNC
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in