Mix It Up: Ginger Mandarin Beet Cocktail

Hi, guys, and happy Halloween! Just in time for the spookiest of all holidays, Andrea, Samantha and Jade and Matthew are back today sharing the perfect beet cocktail. Whether it’s for sipping this evening after the trick-or-treaters have ransacked your candy stash or whipping up for a Halloween party you might be hosting or attending, this cocktail is both unique and unexpected. Made with a beet-infused vodka and the loveliest ginger mandarin simple syrup, this cocktail is not only delicious, but it also takes on that rich beet color that is somehow both beautiful and a touch creepy. Stay tuned later today, because we’ve got a great deviled egg recipe to share, too!

For the beet infused vodka

• 1 bottle of vodka (Be sure to save the bottle!)
• Approximately 4-6 medium sized beets (scrubbed and trimmed)

Place beets in sauce pan and cover with water. Boil beets until tender (45 minutes to 1 hour). Remove beets from water and let them cool a bit. Peel the beets and slice em up! Place warm beets in 1.5-2 quart glass lidded container. Cover beets with Vodka. Let sit for at least 24 hours and up to a week, depending on how much beet flavor you want. Strain beet infused vodka back into original vodka bottle. Can be made up to 1 week in advance.

• For the ginger mandarin simple syrup
• 2 Tbsp grated ginger
• Zest of 1 mandarin orange
• 1 cup of water
• 3/4 cup of sugar

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan on medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture just begins to bubble. Remove from heat and let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain simple syrup mixture into the container of your choice! Can be made up to 1 week in advance.

For the cocktail

• 2 oz of beet infused vodka
• 1 oz of freshly squeezed mandarin juice
• 3/4 oz of ginger mandarin simple syrup (Add more or less depending on your sweetness preference!)

Place ingredients in shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds. Pour drink in the glass of your choice and top with a thin slice of mandarin. For an even spookier twist try the drink with blood orange instead of mandarin!

[Styling by Gray Harper Event Maker and Samantha Huba | Photos and cocktail recipe by Jade + Matthew Take Pictures.]