Perfect for the holidays, Maggie Battista has created this decadent Midnight Milk Punch for us! Serve it with cookies for a midnight snack.

From Maggie: “When eggnog cartons line grocery store shelves, I know it’s time to make my homemade version. Full of brandy, rum and whiskey, the eggnog chills in the back of the fridge, waiting for holiday visitors. I also enjoy this holiday cocktail: it’s an eggless milk punch that uses a small-batch caramel or butterscotch sauce to add instant depth. This punch can also be served warm in a teacup.”

 

Midnight Milk Punch
Serves 3

Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 pinches cinnamon, plus more for garnish
• 1 heaping tablespoon of caramel sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1.5 ounces brandy

Directions:
1. In a small saucepan over a medium flame, heat milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, caramel sauce, maple syrup and vanilla. Stir on and off to help dissolve the caramel. Keep on the heat for just a few minutes so you don’t scald the milk. Once the caramel is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and let cool a few minutes.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the brandy and pour over the slightly cooled milk mixture. Cover and shake, shake, shake until a bit frothy. Pour into small glasses (about 4 ounces) and add an extra pinch of cinnamon to each for garnish.

 

Scroll down or click here for the illustrated recipe “card” from Rebekka Seale!

See the full gallery here.

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Before we say goodbye to autumn, Max Gill has some deliciously moody flowers for us. I love how utterly luscious they are, with the season’s final garden roses, a variety of dark foliage, and even concord grapes. Photos by the always talented Silvana di Franco.

Can’t you just imagine this beautiful compote on a table set with glowing candlesticks? 

1. Chocolate Chervil / ”Mona Lavender” Plectranthus foliage / “Wine and Roses” Weigela foliage / “Purple Majesty” Chinese Fringe Flower foliage / ”Plum Palace” Huechera foliage

2. ”Escargot” Rex Begonia foliage / Centradenia foliage / Concord Grape / Indian Hawthorn / Viburnum Berry / Privet Berry

3. ”The Prince” Garden Rose / Chocolate Cosmo /  Nigella / Scabiosa / Chocolate Dahlia

 

See the full gallery here.

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  • Moody Autumn Flower Arrangements

    27 November 2012
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    Max Gill is back with a stunning centerpiece and bouquet for October brides! Full of bright seasonal flowers, lush foliage, plus pomegranates and acorns, both arrangements are beautiful reminders of why seasonal is a good way to go. Lovely photos by Silvana di Franco.

    Though I’m imagining these flowers in a rustic barn or vineyard venue, I actually think they would be stunning in a luxe ballroom, too. And did you notice the little pops of blue tweedia in the bouquet? Perfect for your something blue!

    Centerpiece: dahlias, “Evelyn” garden roses, pomegranates, acorns on the branch, eucalyptus seeds, and porcelain berry vine.

    Bouquet: “Evelyn” garden roses, romantic antique garden roses, “Tahitian sunset” garden roses, tweedia, porcelain berry vine, acorns, a touch of fall peony foliage.

     

    See the full gallery here.

    Photography: Silvana di Franco / Floral Design: Max Gill, (510)-459-5831 / Flowers: Garden Valley RanchSan Francisco Flower Mart, and Max’s personal garden / Ribbons: Laci’s Museum of Lace and Textiles
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  • Rustic October Wedding Flowers

    6 November 2012
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    Today, Maggie Battista from Eat Boutique and Heidi Murphy from White Loft Studio are back with recipes for not one, but two signature cocktails! Both feature ginger, the perfect ingredient to warm up a chilly October evening.

    From Maggie:  ”After the autumn chill sets in this month, warmth can come from any number of places: from an oversized belted wool coat, an embrace from your partner or a spicy drink. How about a spicy drink with your partner? We made fragrant, warming cocktails for both the bride and the groom using homemade ginger syrup, but Morris Kitchen in Brooklyn makes a favorite version you can purchase at Eat Boutique.”

     

    Ginger Bourbon Fizz
    Serves 1

    Ingredients:
    • 1 tablespoon ginger syrup (homemade or shop-bought)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 4-5 thyme sprigs
    • 1.5 ounce bourbon
    • ½ teaspoon honey
    • 4 ounces club soda

    Directions:
    In a cocktail shaker, add ice and all ingredients, except for club soda and 1 sprig of thyme. Shake the mixture a bit, then strain into a low-ball (or rocks) glass. Add a handful of ice cubes and club soda. Garnish with remaining sprig of thyme.

     

    Sweet Ginger Sparkler
    Serves 1

    Ingredients:
    • smoked bourbon sugar or demerara sugar
    • 1 lemon wedge
    • 1 tablespoon ginger syrup (homemade or purchased)
    • 4 ounces sparkling wine
    • 1 1-inch piece of candied ginger

    Directions:
    1. Spoon the sugar onto a flat plate. Run the fruit of the lemon wedge around the rim of a champagne flute. Gently dip the rim of the flute into the sugar until the entire rim is coated.
    2. In the sugared champagne flute, gently pour the ginger syrup (careful not to touch the sugar). Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with candied ginger, either on a stick or dropped into the glass.

     

    Scroll down or click here for the darling illustrated recipe “card” from Rebekka Seale!

    See the full gallery here.

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  • Ginger Bourbon Fizz & Sweet Ginger Sparkler

    23 October 2012
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