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Are you looking for some new ideas to spice up your summer? Start with your drinks. You can spice up lemonade or gin and tonics for a refreshing drink on a hot day. You can substitute different base ingredients, such as limes for lemons or orange juice for sparkling waters. But you don't need to go beyond your spice cupboard.
Spices are often forgotten when it comes drinks. But they can add a unique essence and transform the drink. Salt rims on the classic G&T will increase the tanginess, making it hard to stop drinking. Pepper can add zest to lemonade, while lavender can transport you into a botanical paradise. A peppery red strawberry daiquiri will play with your taste buds, warming you up as it cools you down.
Add some spices to your summer beverages with these of my favorites:
SALTED + SPICED RIMS
The cocktail rim can be made of sugar, salt, or any other substance that will stick to the glass. This gives your drink a new dimension. Salt can be used to give your drink a more mouth-watering taste and also enhance its flavor. Sugar rims can be used to soften the taste of strong drinks and add a sweetness that will help reduce their alcohol content. A sugar rim can completely transform your drink. A margarita would not be a true margarita without its traditional salt edge.
Aegean Salt Gin & Tonic
1 Lime
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My older sister informed me that her friends would be coming to visit for a couple of days. I knew they'd be perfect test subjects for my summer drinks with spices. This drink was made the day after they arrived, and I had enough to serve six people. If your pitcher is smaller than the one you are using, then adjust the recipe.
Then, squeeze the juice from each citrus quarter into the jug. Drop in the fruits afterward to get the full essence of each fruit. Add the rosemary sprigs. This will allow the flavors to fuse. Pour the gin and tonic water into the glass, then add the ice. Give the drink a good stir. Serve the drink and rim your glasses with Aegean salt.
I selected ingredients I knew would go well with the blend. The floral and evergreen flavors of the gin bring out the Aegean mastic pineyness, which plays well with rosemary. And the citrus in the Aegean salt blend is perfectly complimented by the lemon peel. The drink would be great with any citrus and thyme can replace the rosemary. You can choose to rim the glass with spice if you do not want the salty taste of the mixture every time. The friends of my sister loved it and compared it to "Margaritas," "Salty Dogs," and a good shot of Tequila. This is a great drink to enjoy on your porch as the sun sets.
SPICED SIMPLES
Simple syrup is a liquid that is made of equal parts water and sugar. It is used for sweetening cocktails, coffee and lemonade. It is easier to mix with cold drinks because it is liquid. Spices impart their oils and aromatics to the simple syrup when heated. Sugar, water, and the spice are all you need to make a simple syrup with a flavor. This is an easy and effective way to spice up a beverage.
Lemonade with Cucumber and Pepper-Lavender
Sugar, 1 cup
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Toast the black pepper in medium-sized pots until the air smells of pepper. Heat can enhance the flavor of the spices and give them more depth. Add the lavender, water, and sugar. Do not let it boil. Sugar can easily burn. Let it cool and then taste the mixture with a small teaspoon without eating any of the spices. The syrup should be strained through a fine mesh sieve into a glass container if it has been sufficiently flavored with the lavender and the pepper. If you want a deeper flavor, let the mixture sit undisturbed between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Then strain. Allow the syrup to cool down until you are ready to use it.
Four lemons should be quartered and their juice squeezed through a strainer in a large jug. Pour the rest of the lemons in the jug for a citron taste. Cut up your mini-cucumber (I had only minis but half a regular one will work) and add it to the jug. Pour the water, ice and simple syrup into the jug. Mix and enjoy.
Black pepper is a common ingredient in most kitchens. Black pepper is not used often (but it does happen!) It is not often (but sometimes!) used in sweet foods and drinks, but the sweetness of simple syrup can help balance out the heat of the pepper. Making a simple sugar is an excellent way to use your savory spice. The oils that give your spices their flavor and aroma are preserved when you use the whole spice. This lavender adds a floral taste and a sweet flavor. (Read this article from Bon Appetit to find out more about how lavender can be used in food!) This lemonade has a peppery kick and is sweet, making it the perfect drink to cool down on a hot day.
WHOLE SPICES
The other option is to just put the whole spice into the drink. In drinks, this approach is rarer. Spices are usually added via syrups or rims. What works in your stews may also work for your cocktail! You can experiment with your favorite spice in a cocktail if you're in love with it. Muzzle the dried mushrooms. Soak the sage. The best way to bring out the flavor of the spice in a beverage is to soak it.
Peppery Strawberry daiquiri
Two cups of frozen strawberries
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Red Long Pepper has a brownish color and is made of a cluster of peppercorns that looks like a pinecone. In a medium pot, toast the Red Long Pepper until it is fragrant. Add the sugar and water. Let the mixture heat on a low to medium temperature until the sugar has melted. Do not let the mixture boil. Try the simple syrup. Take out the pepper with a teaspoon if it has been sufficiently flavored. Then, I used my fingers to touch the pepper that was just cooked. It revealed a network of lipid-shaped kernels connected to a central core. It should be rich in chocolate flavor and have a mild, pleasant heat. If not, heat it until it is, but no more than 30 minutes. The syrup should be cooled to room temperature.
After tasting the simple syrup, I realized that it would not be enough. I decided to try something new. I blended the pepper pods with the other ingredients in the blender until they were smooth. It is important to avoid using frozen drinks that have bland flavors. Instead, use bold flavors like the strawberry and hot pepper. Red long peppers added a spicy heat to frozen daiquiri. Unlike the black pepper's biting smokiness, the red pepper was ripe and red. Direct use of a spice is a good way to give your drink a spicy flavor. However, I would recommend pairing it with something that will stand up to the heat, such as ice or strawberries.
The pepper taste perfectly balanced the sweetness and icyness of the drink and the flavor of alcohol. This drink is ideal for those humid summer evenings.
Spicing Future!
Never did I realize how many drinks I could make that were completely different. Before this experiment, I never thought to add spices to my cold drinks. I put vanilla and cinnamon in my hot cocoa and salt in my margaritas, but never thought to add pepper or salt to my G&Ts. You can forget about thinking outside of the box. The box has officially been broken. The gears are still spinning in my brain from the three spicy drinks. I wonder what else I can add to my drinks. Have you got any suggestions?
Words by John Kilfoyle and images
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to add spice to a drink?
I love how spices bring flavour to food. But how can you make them live when they're used in drinks.
Spices add a wonderful depth to any beverage. A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg can make any beverage more delicious, including coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cocktails.
Most recipes call for ground spices. This means that you'll need fresh whole spice. While this makes sense, it is costly, takes time and requires storage space.
This is where the magic happens. With your creativity, you can turn your favorite spices into easy-to-use powdered products. You can then mix the spices into your favorite beverages to make delicious spiced drinks.
These powders can be made in two ways. The first involves the grinding of whole spices to make fine powder. A mortar and pestle is another method to grind the spices to a finer consistency.
It doesn't matter what method you choose, the result is easier to measure out than whole spices and easier to store. You won't run short of powder, and it keeps well.
You can also experiment with different spices to create new flavor combinations. Peppermint and spearmint can be combined to make minty water. You can also make spicy ginger-ginger tea by combining ginger and cardamom seeds.
Once you are skilled in the production of powdered spices, it is possible to apply that technique to herbs. Oregano and rosemary are all popular herbs.
The possibilities are endless. Powdered spices are a great way to make your drinks more flavorful or to enhance dishes like soups and salads.
What is the importance of spices?
A spice can be described as a seasoning to enhance flavour in food. There are many types of spices, including powders, liquids and oils. They are also known for their versatility and ability to be used as flavours and condiments.
Spice up your meals with a variety of spices. For extra flavor and excitement, you can add many spices to your dishes.
A few drops of hot sauce can make a soup taste better. Or perhaps you could mix a handful of cayenne peppers with a cup of rice.
You can experiment with spice recipes best if you use fresh ingredients. If you buy dried herbs, look for those that are organic. Fresh herbs can last for longer than dried.
Some spices are essential to cooking; however, there are some that you might prefer to avoid. If you have a history liver disease, cinnamon sticks should be avoided. Although ginger also contains coumarin it is much less concentrated. It is safe for those who have not had liver problems in the past.
What mint is used in Thai food?
The most common type of mint used in Thai cuisine is lime-leaf mint (Mentha Cervina).
Its mild, lemony taste adds freshness and zest to dishes. Thai dishes can also be enhanced by adding other spices such galangal or coriander to their flavour.
Mint is a versatile herb that can be used in both sweet as well as savoury meals. For authentic Thai flavours, you must use the right spices and herbs.
For extra flavor, make sure to add lime-leaf mint next time you prepare a Thai meal!
Happy cooking!
Almond Flour vs. Almond Meal. What's The Difference?
An almond meal, which can be used as an almond flour substitute, is more versatile than other almond flours because it can be used for baking and cooking, as well as making nut free dishes.
Almond flour may also contain gluten, making it difficult to digest. It's important to avoid gluten-free diets if your condition is celiac.
Although almond flour isn’t considered to be a “superfood”, it is rich in healthy fats and fibre.
The almond meal provides nutritional benefits such as magnesium, iron, zinc and manganese. It also contains vitamin A, B1 (thiamin), C, and folate.
Almond flour is made of almonds. Almond oil is made from polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, fatty oils. Both types lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and increase HDL(good cholesterol).
Almond flour also contains antioxidants like phenolics and flavonoids. These compounds protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
An experiment published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry showed that almond flour has an equivalent antioxidant activity to that of blueberries.
Almond milk is often sold with almond flour, which has been fortified with additional nutrients.
What purpose is Thai spice used?
We've all heard the term "Thai spice" thrown around without knowing exactly what it means. We are left wondering why we don't eat more Thai spice when our mouths water.
It's not just any spice. It is an important ingredient that gives flavor and depth to bland dishes.
Although there are many recipes that call for Thai spices in large numbers, very few recipes actually use the true thing. Let's discuss how to incorporate these tasty flavors into your meals.
Thais have been using spices and herbs to flavor food and drinks since ancient times. The name Thai originates from the Sanskrit word for "to cook."
Many Thais love spicy foods, even today. This preference can often be attributed to Thailand's hot weather, which makes it hard to stay warm without hot beverages. Thais also consume more chili peppers that Americans or Europeans.
A local Asian grocery store is the best place to learn more about Thai spice. There will be a large selection of ingredients available including dried chilies (fresh basil leaves), curry paste, ground black pepper, and curry paste.
Also, you may find whole peppercorns.
Thai cuisine uses both dry and wet spices. Most Thai cuisine uses dry spices, which are ground and pulverized finely.
Dry spices are added directly to a dish. Ground red pepper can be sprinkled on chicken soup, for example. In order to make a paste out of wet spices, oil or butter is often used.
Wet spices can be used in sauces, dressings, and marinades. Wet spices are used in many dishes, including fish sauce, oyster, sesame, sesame, sesame oil and curry paste.
To make Thai food at your home, it is important to understand which spices are best with particular ingredients.
For example, red pepper flakes is recommended for beef. White pepper is better for seafood such as shrimp.
You can also order online if your Asian market is not available. There are many options for exotic herbs, spices and dried chilies.
You might want to try these Thai recipes next time you feel hungry.
Statistics
- According to a recent survey, professional chefs and many home cooks use spices; usage has only continued to grow from 2011 to now. (hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu)
- According to Healthline, pink Himalayan salt is estimated to contain up to 84 minerals and trace elements, which gives the salt its special pink color. (spicecravings.com)
- It has been estimated that around 1,000 tons of pepper and 1,000 tons of other common spices were imported into Western Europe each year during the Late Middle Ages. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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- Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more.
- Amazon.com : Morton & Bassett Whole Nutmeg 1.9 Oz : Nutmeg Spices And Herbs : Grocery & Gourmet Food
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How To
How to choose the right spices?
To cook, you'll need to know how to choose the right herbs and spices for your recipes. There are hundreds to choose from, so where should you start when choosing the right ones for your pantry?
There are three main factors to consider when choosing spices: flavour profile, shelf life, and cost. You can choose to use different flavour profiles depending on whether your cooking involves meat, poultry or fish, vegetables and pasta. Once you have decided on a category you will need to narrow your options based on the differences.
The shelf life of spices can also vary. Some spices last forever, while others expire quickly. Cayenne pepper has a long shelf life, while oregano is only good for two months. The price is another factor. Prices for spices range from $1 per teaspoon to more than $100 an ounce. This means you'll need to find a balance between value and quality.
You'll also want to determine whether you prefer organic or non-organic ingredients. Organic products have fewer pesticides and chemicals that conventional products, which is better for your health as well as the environment. You'll have to balance the benefits and costs of organic products.
The best way to get the perfect spices for your home is to shop online. Online retailers provide detailed information on each product, including ingredient lists, pricing, reviews, and ratings.
Once you have narrowed down your choices, you can place an online order with the retailer. You should store your items in airtight containers, away from heat and sunlight once you receive them.
Resources:
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