Text by Hayley Leray | Photo by Rhonda Adkins

It’s a far cry from the beach in central Montana, but this refreshing summer chiller will whisk you off to the beach where the ocean breeze gently rustles your hair and the salty, sea-weedy smell of the ocean relaxes the soul. Like an ocean breeze, this attitude adjusting cocktail will cool your jets with a delicious blend of orange juice, vodka, tequila, and Cointreau. Mix up a tall, cold pitcher, sit back and enjoy the view. If you put your ear to the glass, you may even be able to hear the ocean waves crashing! Okay, that only happens with seashells, but this drink will have you relaxing like you’ve been sitting on the sand and surf all day! Salut!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup pulp free orange juice
1 ounce Absolute Citron vodka
1 ounce Tequila
1/2 ounce Cointreau
1-2 tablespoon Hibiscus syrup or grenadine
Ice
orange slices and candied hibiscus flowers for garnish, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

In a small pitcher mix orange juice, vodka, tequila and cointreau. Pour over ice filled 8 ounce tumblers. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of syrup, depending on how sweet you like it and garnish. Makes two cocktails.

Imbibing in Spring

Text by Hayley Leray | Photo by Rhonda Adkins

What’s the best way to segue into spring? With a cocktail of course! This Sparkling Vanilla-Pear Bourbon Lemonade is the perfect teaser for the warmer days ahead. Infused with market-fresh ingredients, this seasonally inspired recipe screams summer with lemonade but the pears, vanilla, thyme and brown sugar give it a warming quality and depth of flavor… the perfect ingredients for transitioning into spring. So, dust off the patio furniture and gear up for some warm-weather imbibing.

Text by Hayley Leray  |  Photo by Rhonda Adkins

What would winter be without the warmth of a crackling fire and a festive libation to toast the beginning of another fabulous year!  Whether lingering on the couch curled up in a cozy blanket or mingling with friends at a dinner party, Signature MT suggests this lively winter cocktail guaranteed to warm your cockles and spice up a frost-filled night.  Cheers to a warm up that is packed with deep spicy flavor and a comforting effervescent twist.

This winter inspired libation is one that many either adore or despise and rarely is there any middle ground for persuasion. It’s not difficult to understand the hesitation behind eggnog; just the thought of eating raw eggs, milk and sugar raises some serious red flags. But if you think about it, unfrozen ice cream has the same basic components and not too many folks plant a red flag in that bowl when it’s set in from of them.

The key to great eggnog means: not too sweet, not too thick and topped off with a perfect milk-to-booze ratio and spice combination. This holiday season we are spicing up the nog in hopes of satisfying the lovers and converting the haters with a pumpkin twist on this creamy seasonal concoction. Cheers to a pumpkin inspired eggnog that truly captures the flavor of the holiday season. Cheers!