With Easter come and gone and the kids back at school, it’s time for adults to enjoy a sweet treat of their own. These springtime, dessert-inspired cocktails are perfect for an after-dinner treat and will satisfy your sweet tooth when the Cadbury Creme Eggs and chocolate bunnies run dry.
Boozy Strawberries and Cream
1 ½ oz Baileys Strawberries & Cream ½ oz strawberry syrup ½ oz vodka Splash of heavy cream (optional) Strawberry slice
To begin, chill the Baileys, then make the strawberry syrup.
Combine ½ cup water, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. This recipe makes plenty of extra syrup that can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
Reduce to medium-low heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the strawberries have softened and released their color.
Strain the syrup into a jar through a fine sieve and let cool.
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then combine the syrup, Baileys, vodka and cream (if desired). Shake vigorously, then serve straight up in a martini or coupe glass with a strawberry slice garnish.
Gin Lemon-Blueberry Tart
1 ½ ounces gin 1 oz limoncello 1 oz lemon juice ½ oz blueberry syrup Lemon slice
Just like before, make the blueberry syrup by combining ½ cup water, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer and let cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until the blueberries burst.
Halfway through, finish the syrup with the zest of one lemon. Strain through a fine sieve and let cool.
Fill a shaker halfway with ice, add the syrup, gin, limoncello, lemon juice and blueberry syrup, then shake. Serve on the rocks in a lowball or goblet glass with a slice of lemon as a garnish.
Raspberry Mudslide
1 oz vodka 1 oz raspberry liqueur (such as Chambord) ½ oz Baileys Irish Cream ½ oz chocolate liqueur 1 oz heavy cream Chocolate syrup
Drizzle chocolate syrup in a chilled martini or coupe glass. In a shaker, combine ice, vodka, raspberry liqueur, Baileys and chocolate liqueur and shake well. Serve straight up for a decadent dessert.
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Sandpoint in Pictures
Filmmaker Jimmy Matlosz of the Idaho Film Company has made a series of mini documentaries about influential Sandpoint locals, including the late Dann Hall and Erik Daarstad as well as icons Diane Michaels and Dan Shook. He is currently working on a series of interviews connected to the history of the Panida Theater. Jimmy is a 30-year veteran filmmaker who's work can be seen at dpmatlosz.com.
Meet the Reader
Ever wonder who makes the Reader happen? Here's a behind-the-scenes look pieced together by summer 2017 intern McCalee Cain in which Ben, Cameron and Lyndsie explain what exactly about the Reader keeps them coming back to their shabby (but well-loved) office each week.
