I'm in a local Facebook group for Denver bloggers and one day the leader of the pack posted about an opportunity to participate in a contest sponsored by Stirrings. I love their products and have used them for years and for me I just decided to make it a fun challenge and not have the promise of winning anything be my motivition. So I chose a couple of their mixers and rimmers and managed to use 3 out of 4 of my choices when I devised this Pomegranate and Blood Orange Tequila Spritzer.
Now normally I don't do contests because I blog professionally and my work is paid by brands when I promote them. But this one was different. I remember so clearly how I used to rely on their products before I started doing a cocktail post every week and I simply loved their stuff. The truth too is that at one time the ONLY place I could find them was World Market and now they're everywhere and much easier to find so that was another incentive; I want my readers to be able to find products I endorse!
Locally in Denver you can now find them at Hazel's Beverage World, Davidson's Liquors, Argonaut Wine & Spirits, Keg Liquors, Whole Foods Wine & Spirits and Applejack Wine & Spirits. If you're not local you can use their Store Locater to find them in your neck of the woods and if you can't find a store? From now until 12/31/16 you can have product sent to you without paying for shipping; just use the code SHIP25. No excuses...these can make crafting a cocktail for guests fun and easy too.
I was given the opportunity to choose 4 products to work with in this endeavor. For my picks I chose two Martini Cocktail Mixers, the Pomegranate and the Blood Orange and two Rimmer Garnishes, the Cosmopolitan and the Margarita. I honestly thought I would go the margarita route and try to use all four but as I started to play and build something the margarita went by the wayside and this Tequila Spritzer came into play.
I loved the blend of the Pomegranate and Orange Mixers and they could not be more suitable for a holiday cocktail. I wanted to also showcase the drink with real fruit and decided a tall glass would be best. Once I thought about having a cocktail for parties this time of year I decided to keep it lightened up with some sparkling water and the rest is history. I used the Cosmopolitan Mixer on the rim because I thought the tart flavor would fit beautifully with the pomegranate and orange flavors in the drink and well, if I'm honest because I simply thought the light pink color would be pretty!
My professional taste testers all came over (OK, my neighbors came for dinner and drinks) and every single one of them raved about them; both how pretty they looked and of course how fantastic they tasted. OK, I might have done a bit more than just mix some vodka or tequila with a mixer but cocktail making is in my blood; I can't help myself.
Still, trust me, you don't have to be like me. Of course I would love for you to try this cocktail, but with all that is going on this time of year, I also suggest you give yourself the luxury of combining a mixer with your liquor of choice and let that be it. Now that I know how easy they are to find for me I know I will be using them again. I might love making cocktails but not everyday and I love having something easy to pour if friends drop by spontaneously! Give yourself that same gift of ease and try them soon!
Pomegranate and Blood Orange Tequila Spritzer
I was provided with product for this post but was not compensated in any other way.
All commentary is my own.
