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Holiday Cocktails And Recipe Pairings You Can Make With Herbs From Your Countertop Garden

Find holiday inspiration in your own (countertop) garden this season with the Aerogarden from Macy's and Goodful!

Macy's and Goodful
by Macy's and Goodful

Brand Publisher

This holiday season, fresh herbs are easy to come by! You can grow your own with the AeroGarden, a counter-sized greenhouse with LED grow lights and a system that reminds you when it's time to feed and water the plants.

1. Vodka Shirley Temple With Mint + Lemon Basil Christmas Cookies

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce grenadine

6 ounces ginger ale

2 ounces vodka

Mint for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Fill glass with ice and add grenadine. Then add ginger ale and vodka and stir. Finish with mint!

To make the cookies…

INGREDIENTS

1 cup fresh basil leaves

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 pound butter, softened

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 egg

6 cups flour

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Process basil and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor until blended. Beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy and then gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Add lemon juice and egg, and beat until blended. Then gradually add flour and the basil-sugar mixture, beating until blended.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Dip the bottom of a glass in sugar and use that to slightly flatten the balls.

Bake for 8–10 minutes or until lightly browned. Garnish with fresh basil and serve to happy holiday guests.

2. Hot Toddy With Herbal Tea and Cinnamon Stick + Rosemary Cookies

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 ounces rye

3/4 ounce lemon juice

1/2 ounce honey

Hot chamomile tea

Mint for garnish

Cinnamon stick for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Add rye, lemon juice, and honey to a glass mug and stir to combine. Top with hot chamomile tea. Garnish with sprig of mint and cinnamon stick.

To make the cookies…

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons rosemary, finely chopped

1 3/4 cups flour

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 300°F.

In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and beat for another 3–4 minutes. Then add salt, rosemary, and flour, and mix until combined.

Roll dough onto a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

Place cut cookies onto parchment-covered baking sheets. Bake for 25 minutes or until cookies begin to brown on the bottom. Serve for the ultimate cozy snack!

3. Sangria With Thyme and Rosemary + Cheese and Prosciutto Toasties

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup sugar

10 sprigs thyme

1/3 cup rosemary leaves

2 limes, cut into wheels

2 oranges, halved lengthwise

2 lemons, cut into wheels

10 sprigs mint

4 star anise pods

1 1/2 cups brandy

1/2 cup orange liqueur

2 tablespoons sweet vermouth

2 bottles chilled red wine

DIRECTIONS

Heat sugar and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let cool.

Place thyme, rosemary, 2 lemon slices, 2 orange slices, 2 lime slices, 10 mint sprigs, and 4 star anise pods in a large bowl. Pour in brandy, liqueur, and vermouth. Chill at least 4 hours.

Strain through a sieve into a large pitcher filled with ice. Stir in wine and 1 cup simple syrup. Garnish with mint sprigs. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

To make the toasties…

INGREDIENTS

4 slices sourdough bread

Olive oil

Grated cheddar or Gruyère cheese

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

3 slices prosciutto

DIRECTIONS

Heat a pan on the stove until hot. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and place on the pan. Once golden brown, turn over and toast the other sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

Mix cheese and mayonnaise, and spread on the more toasted side of each slice of bread. Top cheese mix with 2 slices prosciutto, then cover with remaining slices of toasted bread.

Reheat pan and cook sandwiches on both sides until the prosciutto crisps. Remove from pan and let cool. When cool, let everyone at 'em!

4. Rosemary Champagne Fizz + Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

1 small bunch fresh rosemary

3 ounces gin

3 ounces red grapefruit juice

Champagne

Extra rosemary for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Make the rosemary simple syrup by adding sugar, 1/2 cup water, and rosemary to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.

Combine a tablespoon of rosemary simple syrup with gin and grapefruit juice and stir. Pour into two glasses. Top with champagne and garnish with more rosemary.

To make the bruschetta...

INGREDIENTS

2 pints grape tomatoes

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

1 loaf sesame semolina bread

2 cloves garlic, halved

4 scallions, finely chopped

1/2 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 400°F.

Coat tomatoes in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes.

Slice the bread horizontally to create 2 large planks. After removing tomatoes from the oven, switch on the broiler. Char bread on both sides and then rub hot bread with cut garlic.

In a bowl, lightly mash the roasted tomatoes with scallions and basil. Then top the bread with tomato mixture. Cut each plank of bread into 2 pieces, creating 4 pieces total. Present to guests for true holiday satisfaction!

5. Gin and Grapefruit With Sage + Lemon-Parsley Gougères

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

3 fresh sage leaves

1–2 tablespoons agave nectar

2 large grapefruits, juiced

1 large lemon, juiced

1 lime, juiced

Pinch of salt

Gin

DIRECTIONS

Use a muddler to crush the sage and agave at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the juices and a pinch of salt. Shake well, then strain over ice. Add a generous splash of gin.

To make the gougères…

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3/4 cup flour

5 large eggs

Zest of 1 lemon

3 scallions, finely chopped

3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Bring 1 cup water, butter, salt, and cayenne to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan and boil until butter has melted. Remove from heat; stir in flour. Return to the burner and cook, stirring, until the mixture comes together, about 2 minutes.

Remove from heat. Beat in 4 eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Stir in zest, scallions, and parsley. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, and drop 1-inch rounds of batter onto the sheets.

Whisk together remaining egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl and lightly brush on top of each puff. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Present with pride.

6. Basil Cranberry Julep + Marinated Goat Cheese With Garlic and Thyme

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

2 cups pure, unsweetened cranberry juice

1 cup sugar

6 basil leaves

1/4 ounce agave nectar

2 ounces mezcal

1 ounce cranberry syrup

DIRECTIONS

Add cranberry juice to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Once juice has reduced by half, remove from heat and add the sugar. Stir to dissolve.

Add basil leaves and agave nectar to the bottom of a julep cup and muddle. Add mezcal and cranberry syrup, then top with crushed ice. Drizzle extra cranberry syrup on top and garnish with basil leaves.

To make the goat cheese…

INGREDIENTS

1 small log fresh goat cheese

2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, whole

2 2-inch strips of lemon zest

2 bay leaves

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 garlic cloves, cut in half lengthwise

DIRECTIONS

Cut goat cheese log into four equal pieces and form into balls.

Add 1 cup olive oil into a wide-necked jar, such as a mason jar. Add chili flakes and fennel seeds. Add the goat cheese balls one at a time, making sure they are fully immersed. Add lemon zest, bay leaves, thyme, and garlic to the jar. Finally, pour in enough olive oil to fully cover the cheese.

Seal jar and refrigerate for at least two hours. Lasts up to two weeks — in other words, ready and waiting for every party you attend.

7. Cucumber, Basil, and Lime Gimlet + Feta and Olive Salad

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 fresh basil leaves

2 slices cucumber

1 1/2 ounces vodka

1 ounce lemonade

1/4 ounce fresh lime juice

Lemon wedge for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Muddle the basil and cucumber in a shaker. Add the remaining ingredients and ice, and shake. Strain into a glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.

To make the salad…

INGREDIENTS

1 pound feta, crumbled

1/2 small red onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 lemon, zested and minced

1 orange, zested and minced

1 cup small cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup green olives, pitted and sliced

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced

2 teaspoons fresh oregano, minced

1 teaspoon fresh mint, minced

Several large butter lettuce leaves

DIRECTIONS

Place feta in a large bowl, then add onion, garlic, lemon zest, orange zest, cherry tomatoes, green olives, and Kalamata olives. Toss thoroughly. Drizzle the olive oil over salad; toss again. Add fresh herbs and toss. Arrange the lettuce leaves and spoon feta salad on top. Serve with cheer!

8. Brandy Smash With Mint + Baked Brie With Fruit

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

4 sprigs mint

1 teaspoon simple syrup

1 ounce club soda

2 ounces brandy

Orange slice for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Muddle mint, simple syrup, and club soda in your glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add brandy and stir well.

Garnish with an orange slice and serve.

To make the brie…

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter

2 peaches, skinned and diced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup apple juice

1 cup blackberries

1 14-ounce Brie round

Desired crackers

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Melt butter in a pan and add peaches. Cook until tender. Then add in brown sugar and stir until melted.

Add apple juice and cook until thickened, then add blackberries and stir until they are warm.

Put Brie in an oven-proof pan and bake for 5–10 minutes. Remove from oven and top with fruit mixture. Serve with crackers and love.

9. Apple and Sage Smash + Sweet and Sour Mini Meatballs

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

4 fresh sage leaves

Thinly sliced green apple

2 tablespoons simple syrup

2 ounces vodka

Club soda

Sage simple syrup

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 small handful fresh sage leaves

DIRECTIONS

Make the sage simple syrup: Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and steep for 1 hour. Strain.

Make the cocktail: Muddle lemon juice, fresh sage leaves, and apple slices in a glass. Add sage simple syrup. Fill glass with crushed ice and add vodka. Top with club soda, and garnish with apple slice and sage leaf.

To make the meatballs…

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup whole milk

1 1/2 pounds ground pork

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2/3 minced yellow onion

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Sauce

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup diced pineapple

DIRECTIONS:

To make the meatballs: Preheat oven to 500°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, stir together bread crumbs and milk and let sit for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, garlic, onion, egg, salt, pepper, and bread crumb mixture. Mix with hands until combined.

With your hands, roll meat mixture into small bowls and arrange in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through, and prepare sauce while meatballs cook.

To make the sauce: Add olive oil to a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Once hot, add minced garlic and cook until golden brown.

Whisk in pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil and cook until sauce is thick, 3–5 minutes.

Transfer the cooked meatballs to a large bowl, then add diced pineapple. Add the sauce and toss to combine. Serve to hungry guests!

10. Lavender Martini + Goat Cheese Toasts With Honey, Walnuts, and Thyme

To make the drink…

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce dry vermouth

1/2 ounce lavender simple syrup

2 dashes orange bitters

Sprig of lavender for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain into a well-chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a sprig of lavender.

To make the toasts…

INGREDIENTS

4 slices whole-grain bread, lightly toasted

3 ounces fresh goat cheese

1/4 cup walnuts

1 teaspoon roasted walnut oil

Sea salt and fresh black pepper

Honey for drizzling

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Arrange the toasts on a small rimmed baking sheet. Spread toasts evenly with the goat cheese and sprinkle with walnuts. Drizzle 1/4 teaspoon of the walnut oil over each toast. Bake until the walnuts are toasted and the cheese is warm, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the toasts to plates and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle each toast with honey and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Serve and let the compliments roll in.

Now that’s herb-wonderful! Create holiday magic this season with the Aerogarden from Macy’s and Goodful.

Design: Victoria Reyes
Photo: Taylor Miller
Food stylist: Dana Bonagura