Cocktail and Mocktail

Are you familiar with Marx Foods? They have some pretty cool fine foods and exotic spices. They sent me a few samples of some of their spices and asked me to participate in their Cocktail & Mocktail Mixology Contest. Of course when I said yes, I had no idea what spices they were going to send me. Wow...what a challenge. I got Fennel Pollen, Saffron Threads, Juniper Berries, Long Pepper, Dill Pollen and Dried Pineapple. (I had no idea spices came as "pollen") After reading up and doing some research on what flavors compliment each other, I came up with a couple fun drinks.

Pineapple Express Cocktail

Makes 2 cocktails

1 cup coconut rum

2 slices Dried Pineapple

1 pinch Fennel Pollen

2 shot pineapple juice

club soda

In a small bowl, combine the coconut rum, dried pineapple and fennel pollen. Cover and set aside until pineapple is tender. This could take several hours

Remove the pineapple from the rum mixture and place one slice in each glass. Fill a shaker half way full with ice. Add 3 shots of the rum mixture and 1 shot of pineapple juice. Shake and pour into the glasses. Top with club soda.

Pepper Long Stocking Mocktail

makes 1 mocktail

1/4 tsp grated fresh ginger

6 cilantro leaves, plus more to garnish

1 Long Pepper Peppercorn

2 shots ginger ale

1 shot lemonade

Muddle the ginger and cilantro leaves. With a microplane, zest in a good pinch of long pepper. Add ice, ginger ale and lemonade. Shake lightly and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with cilantro.