LOOKING FOR SOMETHING? Our suggestions for great ingredients used in Lark Cocktails are HERE!
Juices and Syrup:
Juice and syrup are very important in Lark cocktails! My absolute favorite flavors in a cocktail are sour (lemon or lime, ideally), sweet (subtly sweet), boozy (I don’t like cocktails that taste more like juice than alcohol), and floral or bitter. I suggest using these ingredients (and following the recipe exactly) the first time you make Lark cocktails. I love experimenting with recipes, but I think that if you make them as written first, you know which direction to go from the trailhead.
KOMBUCHA: GT’s is a reliable brand that I use, and I also like Humm brand.
LIME JUICE: Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice is available at most grocery stores and tastes fresh. You will be shocked at how fresh it tastes.
LEMON JUICE: Italian Volcano is available at most health food stores or through Amazon.
POMEGRANATE JUICE: POM Wonderful Juice is the gold standard for me. Some brands are too watery, some have added sugar, and some add apple juice without you knowing unless you are a fastidious label reader.
BLACKCURRENT SYRUP: Ribena is a syrup brand you should be able to find in the British section of your local grocery store. This is also called cassis and is a berry that grows on bushes originally found in the UK.
ELDERFLOWER SYRUP : St. Steve’s from MudLake farm in Michigan will become your new favorite! IKEA also has a lovely elderflower syrup available.
GINGER BEER: Summit brand can be purchased at Aldi stores if you have one near you. I think this brand has the perfect balance of edgy hot ginger cut with lots of bubbles that will keep your cocktails super fizzy.
TONIC: Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic now has a lower amount of quinine than it originally did, and it’s so yummy. I like the bitter taste of tonic so much that I’m not very picky about which brand I choose, although some people have strong opinions about this. To be honest, I like Faygo because it is made in my home state. But I also adore Jack Rudy tonic syrup which needs added club soda.
CLUB SODA: I adore bubbles. My favorite brand is Spa Red, sold only in Belguim. Since I don’t live there, I’m fine with other brands like San Pellegrino or just generic club soda from your local grocery. If I can’t have my favorite, then I’ll settle for whatever.
Booze: It’s hard to limit this list, but you can always contact me for specifics. My advice is to buy tiny bottles that liquor stores keep behind their counters and find your favorite flavors. Here are a few of mine...
BOURBON: Four Roses is a great value for the quality and taste.
GIN: New Holland Blueberry Knickerbocker gin is outstanding in it’s fresh taste - it elevates any simple lemonade or fruit cocktail!
SPARKLING WINE: Mawby is a vineyard in Northern Michigan that makes the best bubbly. Visit their showroom for a tasting if you don’t believe me.
Vodka: Coppercraft is a high level distillery right in my hometown of Holland Michigan. Made from corn and very pure in it’s fresh taste.
ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR: St. Germain. I have no words for how good it is.
Other
BITTERS: Scrappy’s, Beehive Bitters, and Fee Brother’s are my favorites.
CHAMPAGNE COUPES & ROCKS GLASSES: Find them anywhere! These are the only two glasses used in my book to simplify your life and bar cart.
CHAI TEA: Full Circle Organic Chai Tea is my favorite because it isn’t too spicy or overpowering.
LAVENDER: Kate Naturals Lavender is dried perfectly to yield the best flavor. It’s reasonably priced and is easy to find online.
FANCY CHERRIES: Luxardo Cherries are the gold standard. Amaro Cherries from Trader Joe’s are also wonderful but seasonal.
POPSICLE MOLDS: Ozera brand makes a sleeve like those freezie pops your mom always bought.
BLACK TEA: PG Tips Tea can be found in the British section at your local grocery.
FROZEN FIGS: Trader Joe’s carries this delicacy seasonally. But, you can also freeze figs in season – or in a pinch, dried mission figs will do (they are found at the grocery near the raisins).
PEELER: A Y-peeler is a necessary tool for citrus. Throw away any other peeler and thank me later.
Cocktail Snacks
CELERY: Cut in long slices.
CASTELVETRANO OLIVES: Find them online and then buy a bunch.
KETTLE CHIPS: Because who doesn’t like chips and cocktails? Be honest. You do.
PARMESAN CHEESE: Sliced in small wedges.