Tag Archives: Beverages

Festive Copycat Cocktails and Drinks Recipes

Festive Copycat Cocktails and Drinks Recipes

Make your celebrations more fun with these easy-to-make copycat recipes from well-known restaurants.

P.F Chang’s Copycat Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is one of the potent cocktails from the famous P.F Chang’s. This Chinese bistro has introduced many iconic drinks throughout the years to make sure their customers come back again and again. Mai Tai translates into “out of this world” in Tahitian, and as mentioned earlier, this historic drink was first invented by Trader Vic in 194Bring home this tropical drink to mesmerize yourself with its authentic and refreshing taste.

Serves 1 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¾ ounce triple sec
  • 1½ ounces Bacardi light rum
  • ¾ ounce orgeat syrup
  • 3 ounces pineapple juice
  • 3 ounces orange juice
  • Splash dark rum
  • Splash Bacardi 151 rum
  • Maraschino cherry and pineapple wedge to garnish

Directions

  1. Fill a 16-ounce glass with ice.
  2. Add the triple sec, light rum, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice, and orange juice. Stir gently.
  3. Add a splash of Bacardi 151 and dark rum. Don’t stir.
  4. Spear a cherry and pineapple wedge on a toothpick. Drop the toothpick in the glass.
  5. Serve chilled.

 

 

Chevy’s Blue Agave Margarita

By Mixing tequila and Curacao liqueur, you get a blue margarita that is sweetened with agave syrup, and by adding the traditional sweet and sour flavor we all look for in a Margarita. Just perfect. It’s one of Chevy’s most popular drinks and now you can easily make it at home!

Serves 2 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Herradura silver tequila or other favorite tequila brands
  • ¼ cup blue curacao liqueur
  • ¼ cup triple sec liqueur
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup
  • ½ cup sweet and sour mix*
  • 1 cup ice

Salt-Rimmed Glasses

  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • Pinch of blue food coloring (optional)
  • 2 lime wedges or zest strips

Directions

  1. Mix the salt and food coloring in a shallow bowl.
  2. Rub the rim of each glass with a lime wedge until barely moist.
  3. Dip the rims of the glasses into the salt.
  4. Add the ice and all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well.
  5. Strain the drink into the glasses and serve.

* You can make your own sweet and sour mix by adding to an airtight container like a Mason jar, equal parts of water, white sugar, fresh lemon juice, and fresh lime juice

 

 

TGI Friday’s Copycat Poinsettia Cocktail

Bring alive this TGI Friday’s cocktail specialty at home with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. This festive cranberry drink has an eye-catching red color that looks simply irresistible to sip all at once. It’s party time with this rocking Poinsettia Cocktail!

Serves 1 | Prep. time 5 minutes

Ingredients

Regular

  • 3 ounces Champagne
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • ½ ounce Cointreau

Non-Alcoholic

  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 3 ounces ginger ale
  • Lemon juice (optional)
  • Lemon slices and mint sprigs to garnish

Directions

Regular

  1. Fill a Collins or rocks glass with ice.
  2. Add the champagne, Cointreau, and cranberry juice; stir.
  3. Add some lemon juice (optional).
  4. Decorate with mint sprigs and lemon slices.
  5. Serve chilled.

Non-alcoholic

  1. Fill a Collins or rocks glass with ice.
  2. Add ginger ale and cranberry juice; stir.
  3. Add some lemon juice (optional).
  4. Decorate with mint sprigs and lemon slices.
  5. Serve chilled.

 

 

Olive Garden’s Copycat Limoncello Lemonade

This simple yet refreshing lemonade is a true savior on hot summer days. This classic cocktail is prepared from freshly made lemon syrup so that you can taste the authentic version that is served in Olive Garden. Limoncello is an Italian lemon liqueur that gives this favorite summer drink a boozy and refreshing makeover. Are you ready to make this drink right now?

Serves 1 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup hot water
  • 1 ounce limoncello liqueur
  • 1 ounce Smirnoff citrus vodka
  • 1–2 cups ice
  • 4 ounces Country Time or Minute Maid lemonade
  • Slice of lemon to garnish

Directions

  1. Add the hot water, sugar, and lemon juice to a mixing bowl; mix well until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Set aside to cool.
  3. Add the ice, citrus vodka, limoncello, lemonade, and ¾ ounce of the prepared syrup to a blender or food processor.
  4. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the ice is crushed completely. You can add more ice for a slushier texture if desired.
  5. Pour into a 16-ounce serving glass and decorate with a lemon slice over the rim.
  6. Serve chilled.

 

 

Disneyland’s Copycat Mint Julep

Serves 10 | Prep. time 5–10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup crème de menthe syrup
  • ⅓ cup frozen lemonade concentrate
  • ⅓ cup frozen limeade concentrate
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 2 quarts water
  • Few drops of green food coloring (optional)

Garnish

  • Mint sprigs
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Lemon or lime wedges

Directions

  1. Heat the sugar and water in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it cool down.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a large pitcher.
  3. Mix in the syrup, food coloring, and concentrates. Chill in the refrigerator.
  4. Pour into serving glasses and serve with your choice of garnish.

 

 

Shake Shack’s Copycat Peanut Butter Shake

Shake Shack’s incredibly rich and smooth peanut butter shake is made with just a few simple ingredients to create magic in your mouth. It has vanilla ice cream, milk, and, of course, peanut butter. Create this authentic shake at home—don’t deprive your taste buds anymore, just savor this creamy shake from this famous burger joint.

Serves 3 | Prep. time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ cup peanut butter

Directions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth.
  3. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

 

 

Starbucks’ Copycat White Chocolate Mocha

It is hard to find such a combination of affordability, convenience, simplicity, and deliciousness in one mocha cup. Here is your chance to get all of these in one hot cup of mocha from the great Starbucks. Make it once at home and you’ll get hooked—it’s a sure-shot guarantee.

Serves 1 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup white chocolate baking chips
  • ⅔ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup freshly brewed strong coffee
  • Cinnamon, whipped cream and white chocolate shavings to garnish

Directions

  1. Heat the milk and chocolate chips in a medium saucepan over medium heat while stirring until the chocolate melts completely.
  2. Brew some strong coffee. Pour ¼ of the chocolate mixture into a large mug.
  3. Add ½ cup of brewed coffee and more of the chocolate mixture, if desired.
  4. Top with a dollop of whipped cream.
  5. Garnish with chocolate shavings or ground cinnamon.
  6. Serve warm.

 

 

 

***These recipes and more are found in Lina Chang’s Copycat Recipes: Making Restaurant’s Most Popular Cocktails and Drinks at Home. To get your copy, click on the cover below or click here.

To download a copy of the featured recipes, click here.

Refreshing Sorbet Recipes!

Refreshing Sorbet Recipes!

Make quick and easy, delicious, and sweet sorbets and other frozen fruity desserts for your family and friends! They will love it!

Raspberry Sorbet

Makes about 4 cups (½ cup per serving)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 12 ounces fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup water

Directions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil.
  2. Cook for about 5 minutes, remove it from the heat and then let it cool completely.
  3. In another saucepan over medium heat, heat the raspberries with the water and let them boil for about 10 minutes. Let them cool completely.
  4. Place cooked and cooled cranberries, in a blender or food processor mix until smooth. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve.
  5. Pour in the cooled simple syrup and pulse to mix.
  6. Chill the mixture in the fridge for 2–3 hours (or overnight).
  7. Pour the mixture in a Pyrex or stainless steel 9×13 pan and freeze for 30 minutes. The edges should start freezing.
  8. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat the sorbet for 1 minute, until smooth.
  9. Return to the freezer for another 30 minutes and beat again as before. Repeat this step 4–5 times until the sorbet is firm. If at any point the sorbet is too hard to beat, place it in the refrigerator until it softens.
  10. Serve right away or transfer the sorbet to an airtight freezer-safe container.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 93, fat 0 g, carbs 20.2 g, sugar 15.6 g, protein 0 g, sodium 1 mg

 

Strawberry Mango Pops

Surprise the kids with these healthy ice pops made at home!

Makes about 6 pops

Ingredients

  • 3 cups mango purée
  • 1 ½ cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

  1. Stir the strawberries and honey into the mango purée.
  2. Spoon the mixture into ice pop molds and add sticks or lids.
  3. Freeze for 6 hours, and enjoy

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 140, fat 0.6 g, carbs 36.5 g, sugar 30.1 g, protein 1.1 g, sodium 4.0 mg

 

Coffee Granita

This chilled coffee drink is perfect to serve at a summer brunch.

Makes about 4 cups (½ cup per serving)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups strongly brewed coffee
  • ½ cup coffee liqueur

Directions

  1. Combine the granulated sugar and coffee in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Mix until the sugar is dissolved, but do not allow the mixture to boil.
  3. Add the coffee liqueur and bring the whole mixture to a boil.
  4. Cook for about 5 minutes, and then set it aside to cool for about 15 minutes.
  5. Transfer the mixture into a freezer-safe container and let it freeze for 1 hour.
  6. Using a fork, scrape and loosen the whole mixture and put it back in the freezer.
  7. Repeat the same step every hour for the next 3 hours, or until the mix becomes a crystallized slush.
  8. Serve in chilled glasses and enjoy.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 212, fat 0.1 g, carbs 41.3 g, sugar 41.2 g, protein 0 g, sodium 4 mg

 

 

Orange Slushie

Keep it simple with this chilly and refreshing summer classic.

Makes about 4 cups (½ cup per serving)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups ice cubes
  • 3 oranges, peeled and diced
  • 2–3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons agave syrup

Directions

  1. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the ice cubes with the orange pieces and pulse until only small chunks remain.
  2. Add the water and agave syrup and blitz again until well mixed.
  3. Serve in chilled glasses and enjoy.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 97, fat 0.2 g, carbs 24.6 g, sugar 12.9 g, protein 1.3 g, sodium 7 mg

 

Fruity Shaved Ice

Makes about 4 cups (½ cup per serving)

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup fresh or frozen fruit
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cups crushed ice

Directions

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the fruit, lemon juice, water, and sugar.
  2. Bring the whole mixture to a boil and let it cook for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Transfer the whole mixture into a blender or food processor, and process until a fine purée form.
  4. Strain the whole mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and cover with plastic wrap.
  5. Let the syrup cool completely before serving (a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge or overnight).
  6. Put the shaved ice in serving cups and pour some of the fruit syrup on top of the ice.
  7. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Nutrition per Serving

Calories 106, fat 0 g, carbs 28.1 g, sugar 27.3 g, protein 0 g, sodium 2 mg

 

 

**All of these recipes and more are found in Louise Davidson’s book Sorbet Cookbook: Homemade Sorbet, Shaved Ice, and Slushie Recipes. Click here or on the cover to get a copy!

Click here to download a copy of the recipes above!

Popular Cocktail and Drink Copycat Recipes from Favorite Restaurants!

Popular Cocktail and Drink Copycat Recipes from Favorite Restaurants!

Makes favorite cocktails and drinks just like at the restaurants with these easy-to-make copycat recipes!

Roadhouse Grill’s Copycat Roadhouse Rita

Roadhouse Grill bartenders serve this cocktail in a 32-ounce mason jar. We have them at home because we use them for canning, but if you don’t, just clean up a big old mayonnaise jar or any large glass. This potent libation gives a strong buzz, and that is why some salt on the rim is highly recommended—unless you are carrying a pack of aspirin in your pocket!

Serves 1 | Prep. time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup sweet-and-sour mix
  • 1½ ounces Triple Sec
  • 3 ounces Jose Cuervo Gold tequila
  • 1½ ounces Bud Light
  • ¾ cup orange juice
  • Wedge of lime
  • Margarita salt

Directions

  1. Sprinkle some margarita salt over a small plate or saucer.
  2. Moisten a clean towel or napkin with water and use it to wet the rim of a large glass jar.
  3. Dip the rim of the jar into the salt.
  4. Add the tequila, sweet-and-sour mix, triple sec, and orange juice to the jar. Stir well.
  5. Add the beer shot.
  6. Decorate with a lime wedge. Serve chilled.

 

Outback’s Copycat Sydney’s Cosmo

Fill your glass with a burst of cranberry mango fun with this copycat cosmo recipe.

Serves 1 | Prep. time 5 minutes 

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces orange vodka
  • ½ ounce Cointreau
  • 1 ounce mango syrup
  • 4 ounces cranberry juice
  • Lime wedge, to garnish

Directions

  1. Combine the ingredients in a martini shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake, pour in a martini glass, and serve with a small wedge of lime.

 

Panera’s Copycat Mango Smoothie

You can’t ask for more from this signature smoothie from the one and only Panera’s. This creamy, rich smoothie has a delicious blend of honey, yogurt, banana, pineapple, and mango to make any occasion a festive one. This mango smoothie truly balances the sweet and tangy flavors to make a unique drink that will stick in your memory for a very long time.

Serves 2 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen peeled mangoes, chopped
  • ½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice
  • ½ medium ripe banana
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ½ cup reduced-fat plain yogurt

Directions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Pour into serving glasses and serve chilled.

 

Ruby Tuesday’s Raspberry Iced Tea

Unveiling the great spring sipper iced tea from Ruby Tuesday’s that lures people with its lip-smacking taste and brilliant color. When the weather takes a cruel warm turn, this is your thirst-quenching drink filled with mouthwatering tangy raspberry flavor and simple-to-source ingredients.

Serves 15 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) package frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed and undrained
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 quarts water (divided)
  • 10 teabags
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

  1. Boil 2 quarts of water over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan.
  2. Remove from heat, add the tea bags, cover, and steep for 6–8 minutes. Remove the tea bags and set them aside.
  3. To another saucepan, add the remaining water, sugar, and raspberries. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the mixture into a container. Press the mixture through the strainer with the back of a spoon. Remove any seeds and pulp from the strained mixture.
  6. Add the raspberry syrup, prepared tea, and lime juice to a large pitcher; stir and refrigerate until chilled.

 

Dunkin’ Donuts’ Copycat Iced Latte

Fan of cold coffeehouse drinks on hot summer days? This Iced Latte is the frontrunner to beat the heat with its ultimate taste and texture to delight you. It has a crisp, refreshing flavor that makes it the most beloved drink at Dunkin’ Donuts. When the weather changes from cool to warm, this will be what makes you fall in love with the summer season.

Serves 8 | Prep. time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ cup boiling water
  • ½ cup instant coffee granules
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 4 cups chocolate milk
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • Ice cubes

Directions

  1. Add the coffee and boiling water to a mixing bowl; mix until the coffee dissolves.
  2. Add the cold water, chocolate milk, and condensed milk. Mix again.
  3. Fill serving glasses with ice cubes and pour the latte over them.
  4. Serve chilled.

 

Bennigan’s Copycat Irish Coffee

“Wow” is the word that usually comes out when people go to Bennigan’s and order this boozy Irish coffee for the first time. Crème de menthe and cherry added on top heighten the visual appeal of this coffee. The time is right to make a clone of this ultimate Irish coffee at home.

Serves 1 | Prep. time 10 minutes | Cooking time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ ounce Kahlua liqueur
  • 1 ounce Jameson Irish whiskey
  • Splash crème de menthe
  • Whipped cream
  • 10 ounces hot coffee
  • Maraschino cherry to garnish

Directions

  1. Add the whiskey and Kahlua to a coffee cup.
  2. Pour in the coffee.
  3. Add the whipped cream on top and splash with crème de menthe.
  4. Decorate with a cherry.
  5. Serve warm.

 

All these recipes and more can be found in Lina Chang’s Copycat Recipes: Making Restaurant’s Most Popular Cocktails and Drinks at Home. To get the book, click on the cover or here.

To print or download a copy of the featured recipes, click here.

.

Irish Coffee

Bennigan’s Copycat Irish Coffee

Bennigan’s Copycat Irish Coffee

“Wow” is the word that usually comes out when people go to Bennigan’s and order this boozy Irish coffee for the first time. Crème de menthe and cherry added on top heighten the visual appeal of this coffee. The time is right to make a clone of this ultimate Irish coffee at home.

Serves 1 | Prep. time 10 minutes | Cooking time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • ½ ounce Kahlua liqueur
  • 1 ounce Jameson Irish whiskey
  • Splash crème de menthe
  • Whipped cream
  • 10 ounces hot coffee
  • Maraschino cherry to garnish

Directions

  1. Add the whiskey and Kahlua to a coffee cup.
  2. Pour in the coffee.
  3. Add the whipped cream on top and splash with crème de menthe.
  4. Decorate with a cherry.
  5. Serve warm.

Recipe is from Lina Chang’s Copycat Recipes: Making Restaurant’s Most Popular Cocktails and Drinks at Home. Click on the cover or here to learn more.Making Restaurant's Most Popular Cocktails and Drinks at Home

To download and print this recipe, click here.