If last week was rough, then hopefully we can help out with this week’s giveaway. It’s a battle of East Coast versus West Coast, sort of. We’ve teamed up with Cocktail Crate (from New York) and Stark Spirits (California) to offer one lucky Stir and Strain reader a super giveaway package.
What’s in the package you ask? Cocktail Crate is giving you a full bottle each of their Maple Whiskey Sour, Ginger Bee, and Grapefruit Daiquiri craft mixers. Stark Spirits is shipping you a full bottle of their Sunshine Orange Brandy. With this combo any holiday blues will be whisked away.
So let us ease your holiday stress with helping you make some delicious and easy cocktails. Ready to enter? Click below and receive up to 10 entries (Open to US residents 21+ only). Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST Monday December 5th, 2016. For more information on Cocktail Crate, check out their website at cocktailcrate.com and Stark Spirits at starkspirits.com for the entire line up of products today! Good luck!
This post is brought to you by the 
We are a family that consumes blueberries in very large quantities. If you ask my kid what is her favorite food, or pretty much what her favorite anything is (she’s two and is still working out the intricacies of the English language), she will say blueberries. We are lucky here in Southern California that we can get them at the market for a selfishly long time, and then when those are gone, we hit up the frozen section. Going without them is just not an option. Blueberries have a lovely balance of sweetness and sour that is always key in a good cocktail. Pair them with your cheeseboard, drink this with the main meal, or just enjoy it after all your guests finally leave. It’s up to you, but, really, this works anytime.
This cocktail combines blueberries, maple syrup, lemons, and sparkling wine for a super easy to make and party pleasing cocktail. I love this recipe for two reasons. One, it’s easy to batch and the base will keep for some time. And two, that leftover syrup makes for some darn tasty pancake topping. Score!
For my cocktail recipe and lots more blueberry holiday inspiration, please visit the US Highbush Blueberry Council 
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Gincember! Just what is that you ask? Well, it’s all about gin cocktails… in December, duh.
Here’s what Shaker & Spoon has to say about their Gincember Box:
Coffee, persimmons, nutmeg, LIGHTING THINGS ON FIRE! It’s like the perfect holiday all wrapped up in a little box and delivered to your doorstep.
If that’s gotten you fired up, enter now! You’ll get up to 10 entries by selecting the options below. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST Monday November 21st, 2016. For more information on Shaker & Spoon, check out their website at 
This post is brought to you by Banfi Wine. Recipes and ideas are my own.
There’s a pretty easy solution that probably has never crossed your mind: freeze it into ice cubes. Because wine has a low alcohol proof and is made of a higher percentage of water, it will freeze. Now, it will never get a solid as an ice cube, but it will freeze and hold a shape. I would suggest freezing the wine for a full 48Â hours before use, and to store in the ice cube trays (
I used Banfi Wine’s Bell’Agio Rosso Dolce for my ice cubes. This Lambrusco is a sweet red wine that is a perfect match for your holiday table. The sweetness of the wine is a nice addition in ice cube form when mixing up drinks so you won’t need much (or any) added sugar.
Do you have a trick for using leftover wine? Leave your ideas in the comments below!
This post is brought to you by Patrón Tequila. Recipes and ideas are my own.
Ok Elana but what does this story have to do with Margaritas?
There is nothing wrong with the classic margarita. I love them. I love that there is a day devoted to them, even if it falls in February (?!). But I get bored of the same old same old and I never can leave good enough alone. I am always on the lookout for my #PerfectMargarita.
I’ve always been a big fan of having a little savory along with my sweet, and Patrón’s Silver tequila is a lovely base for doing just that. Patrón Silver has a slightly citrus and peppery flavor profile that is smooth enough to mix into a great tasting margarita.  My sweet element comes from ripe Champagne mangoes. Their juicy nectar cuts down on added sweetener but also gives a subtle tart bite that some freshly squeezed lime juice highlights. I’ve finished this off today with a touch of chili salt to remind the palate that they’re in for some SPICE before they even taste the first sip.
Right now THIS is my #PerfectMargarita. Tell me all about yours!
