“Drinkable Food”…beautiful beet juice cocktail with pear & star anise garnish….
In a few days it will be December….D-e-c-e-m-b-e-r! November went by in a flash. I remember returning from a trip to Mexico…lots of food styling shoots…and the last Third Thursday Dinner Party of the year…and…oh, yeah…Thanksgiving. If anything could send you running to the home bar I believe November would be it. The need for a very deep red, but somewhat wholesome cocktail comes to my mind this time of year. A cocktail that will give you vitamins & minerals while creating a sense of well-being & unreality! Basically a perfect cocktail to fortify one for what is to come between now and the New Year. A cocktail perfect for a party small or large.
“Drinkable Food” recipe for Good Health & Mental Fortification for the Holidays (makes 2 quarts)
1. Make a simple syrup using 1 1/2 cup water, 5 or 6 whole star anise & 1 cup dark brown sugar. Bring water & sugar to a low boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Toss in star anise and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes until mixture is syrupy. Remove from heat. Set aside to cool completely.
Strain mixture to remove star anise. Put in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and chill until ready to use.
2. Peel 3 medium size fresh beets. Chop into large chunks. Puree using a food processor. You will probably have to work in batches.
3. Strain pureed beets over a bowl, pressing pulp with a wooden spoon to release most of the juice. Don’t toss out that beet pulp! Fresh beet pulp is great in breads & cakes. See Nigel Slater’s Book “Tender” or wait for my next blog to see how to make a killer chocolate cake using beet pulp. Freeze the pulp.
As with most of my cocktail recipes this one is not an exact science project, but more a mix & taste project until I hit the “sweet spot”. Is there any color of red more delicious than fresh beet juice? I think not.
4. I had about 3 cups of beet juice when all my beets were pureed & pressed. To this juice I added 1 cup of the Star Anise & Moscovado Sugar Simple Syrup…
…..1.5 liter pure apple juice…..
….and 1.5 cups Bulleit Rye Whiskey.
Taste & adjust to your liking. Decant into glass jars with tight-fitting lids. Chill until ready to drink.
Add a label…or not. Great over ice with a star anise & slice of pear to garnish. Get ready, get fortified!
It’s almost December….get your red on!
Teresa, I had a few of these cocktails at the last Third Thursday Dinner. They sound weird, but very tasty!!!
Teresa I love beets and healthy foods. This sets the record straight that Christmas doesn’t have health benefits.
Angela, I am not really sure of the health benefits, but beet juice has got to be better than coca cola as a mixer…right?
holiday gorgeous, and crazy-good to drink! like John, I imbibed a couple of these cocktails at Third Thursday—wow.
Nancy & John, it was holiday gorgeous and a hearty cocktail for a Third Thursday Dinner Party night wasn’t it. So happy you both enjoyed it.
I’m not a whiskey drinker but these sound fabulous!
Monica, how nice to hear from you. I am not a whiskey drinker either, but this use of rye whiskey really good with the beet & apple juices. Try it for yourself. Happy Holidays.
This was one of the best healthy cocktails, after two of those (drinks) you love beets. By the way RED is very popular now a days.
Teresa het lijkt me ontzettend lekker, het is jammer dat dit glas op een tafel in Nashville staat, misschien neem je het volgend jaar mee in een fles.
Dikke Zoen Elazabeth
Teresa it really looks delicious, it is a pity, that i see that glass standing on a table in Nashville. maybe next year you can bring the same drink in a bottle to me.
Big kiss Elazabeth
Wouter and Elizabeth I will make a special Dutch cocktail when I visit in late Spring…something very cozy & lovely.
Captivating photos, and a lovely sounding everso drinkable treat!
I love this. I wish I was sharing one or two of these drinks with you tonight
Me too, my friend, me too.
i may start “drinking” again…
yes, let’s!
Awesome, awesome, awesome!
and it’s healthy too, teresa! beets? good! bulleit anything? good! haha. beautiful cocktail.
Talk about a colorful cocktail for Christmas and so very different. Great idea.
love, love, love that last shot of the peel Teresa!!
Hi..Is this something that will last a longtime in the fridge or do you make this close to when you are serving?
Hi, I made it and we had it the first day while it was still warm and it was just the best. The next day I took it to some friends and we ate it cold and it was different, but still delicious.