Hooch! Homemade Irish Cream

by Melody Kettle


Hooch is one of Grandma's holiday concoctions I've been sipping since I was at the "kids table." 

Why do we call it "Hooch"?  I'm not exactly sure?  It more closely resembles what most recipe books refer to as "Irish Cream Liqueur." 

Read More

Purple Pomegranate Sangria

by Melody Kettle


Melody KettleRecipe courtesy of Melody Kettle.

1 cup simple syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar)

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, Rioja if available, otherwise any cheap jug wine will suffice

1 bottle Pomegranate Juice (8 0z.)

1 cup orange juice

¾ cup blackberry brandy

¾ cup triple sec

Orange slices, lemon slices, cubed apples, blueberries, grapes.

Read More

The Bitter Pill

by Melody Kettle


Recipe courtesy of Evelyn Hsu-Ciszak, mixologist and sommelier at Chakra in Paramus, NJ.

1 oz. Pimm’s Cup No.1
1 oz. Campari
1 oz. Fair Trade Goji Berry Liquor
Dash of Simple Syrup
Combine all ingredients into mixing glass.
Add ice and shake vigorously.
Strain and pour over fresh ice into Collins glass.
Garnish with an orange twist.