Gilmore to Say Galentine Cocktails

“Have you tried your drink?” “My what?” “Your signature drink. “I had the bartender concoct it for you. It's called "rory". It's got champagne, vodka, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Have one. You're old enough now.”

I was honored to be asked to make signature cocktails for the Gilmore to Say Podcast’s “A Gilmore Galentine” digital slumber party that they are hosting on Monday, February 13th at 7 pm CST. Tara and Haley asked me to create signature cocktails for each of them just like Emily did for Rory’s 21st birthday. I know a lot of you wanted me to make the rory when I covered this episode a couple weeks ago, but I thought this was a little more special. And because I’m extra, I made a third special Gilmore Girls-themed cocktail. Enjoy!

Get your Gilmore to Say Galetine Digital Slumber Party Tickets Here

The Tara

The Tara:

Ingredients:

For the thyme simple syrup*

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup water

• About 10 sprigs of fresh thyme (plus more to garnish)

For the cocktail

• ⅛ cup raspberries (could also sub raspberry jam)

• 2 oz vodka

• 1 oz raspberry liqueur

• ½ oz lemon juice

• ¾ oz thyme simple syrup

• 1 egg white**

*Making a simple syrup is really easy, but if you don’t feel like making one, you can buy a store-bought one. You can infuse the store bought syrup with thyme by warming the syrup and steeping the thyme for 10 minutes.

**Egg white is traditionally used to create a beautiful foam on top, but if you’re too nervous about using egg white (or don’t want to spend lots of money on eggs, you can create a foam with one tablespoon of the liquid from a can of chickpeas. Or feel free to skip the foam entirely!

Directions:

To make the simple syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the fresh thyme sprigs. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Then strain out the solids with a mesh sieve.

3. Allow the syrup to completely cool before building the cocktail.

To make the cocktail:

1. Add the raspberries to a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can also use a clean glass jar with a lid.

2. Use a muddler to break down the raspberries to form a smooth puree. If you don’t have a muddler, you can use the end of a rolling pin or the handle of a mixing spoon.

3. Add the vodka, raspberry liqueur, lemon juice, and thyme simple syrup.

4. Add about 1 cup of ice to the shaker before adding the lid. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.

5. Remove the lid and strain out the drink into a temporary container. Then dump out the ice and clean out any raspberry seeds.

6. Return the cocktail back to the shaker and add the egg white. Place the lid back on the shaker and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to create the foam.

7. If you have a Hawthorne strainer (the one with the coils) that will work best to strain your drink into your serving glass. If you don’t have a Hawthorne, simply pour your drink into the glass and the foam should layer on top because it’s lighter. A sieve won’t work as a strainer here because it will catch the foam.

8. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.

Suggested serving glasses: coupe, wine, martini

Mocktail version:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup raspberries (could also sub raspberry jam)

• 2 oz lemonade

• ¾ oz thyme simple syrup

• 1 egg white**

(Follow the above steps and replace the vodka with lemonade and leave out the raspberry liqueur and lemon juice).

For “The Tara,” I wanted to do something classy and sophisticated but also something bold and dynamic. This bright cocktail feels like a girl’s night out in New York. For a theater-loving, Team Jess girlie, this cocktail is vibrant yet elegant. Raspberries and fresh thyme create a fresh flavor profile with a silky foam on top to create a sassy drink.

The Haley

The Haley:

Ingredients:

For the sage simple syrup*

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup water

• ½ cup fresh sage leaves

For the cocktail:

• 2 oz rose gin**

• ½ oz elderflower liqueur

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• ¾ oz sage simple syrup

• Prosecco

• 2-3 dashes of Eucalyptus bitters (optional)

*Making a simple syrup is really easy, but if you don’t feel like making one, you can buy a store-bought one. You can infuse the store bought syrup with sage by warming the syrup and steeping the sage for 10 minutes.

**If you don’t want to buy rose gin, you can also steep a rose tea into 2 ounces of gin for 5 minutes.

Directions:

To make the simple syrup:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the fresh sage. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Then strain out the solids with a mesh sieve.

3. Allow the syrup to completely cool before building the cocktail.

To make the cocktail:

1. To a cocktail shaker (if you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can also use a clean glass jar with a lid), add the rose gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and sage syrup.

2. Add about 1 cup of ice to the shaker before adding the lid. Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.

3. Fill your serving glass about halfway with ice. Strain the drink over the ice. Top with Prosecco.

4. Optional step: add a few dashes of eucalyptus bitters to the drink and garnish with a fresh sprig of sage.

Suggested serving glasses: rocks glass, stemless wine glass

Mocktail version:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz rose water or rose tea

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• 1 oz sage simple syrup

• Club soda

• 2-3 dashes of Eucalyptus bitters (optional)

(Follow the above steps and replace rose gin with rose water or rose tea, leave out the elderflower liqueur, increase the sage syrup, and replace Prosecco with club soda. Bitters are usually alcohol-free, but double-check your bottle if you plan to use them).

For “The Haley,” I created a drink that’s soft, light, and cozy. Something that feels like you’re staying in to make a big dent in your TBR. For this Team Logan writer, I created a floral cocktail with rose gin, elderflower liqueur, and a sage simple syrup. If you want to invoke a sense of comfort and familiarity, you have the option of adding eucalyptus bitters. The cocktail is topped off with some bubbly prosecco.

The Gilmore to Say

The Gilmore to Say:

Ingredients:

For the strawberry puree (or you can use strawberry jam)

• 1 cup strawberries, sliced

• ¼ cup water

• ¼ cup sugar

For the cocktail

• 3 oz strawberry puree

• 2 oz vanilla vodka

• 2 oz amaretto

Optional garnish

• 1 tbsp vanilla frosting*

• Sprinkles

• 1 mini Pop-tart

*If you want a quick frosting recipe, mix ½ cup powdered sugar, ¼ tsp vanilla extract, 1 tbsp heavy cream until smooth. Store bought is totally fine!

Directions:

1. Add the strawberries, water, and sugar to a small saucepan and place over medium high heat. Allow to reach a boil then lower the heat to medium.

2. Simmer the strawberry mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Allow to cool completely before building the cocktail.

4. To a cocktail shaker (if you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can also use a clean glass jar with a lid), add 3 oz of strawberry puree, the vanilla vodka, and amaretto.

5. Add about 1 cup of ice to your shaker. Place the lid on top and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds.

6. If you are garnishing your glass, spread a thick layer of frosting around the rim of the glass. Then dip the rim in sprinkles.

7. Pour your drink into the glass then secure the mini Pop-tart to the glass with the frosting

I also created a bonus Gilmore to Say cocktail for every fan of the show who has more to say (and more to eat). This is for anyone who’s been told they’re too extra, that it’s silly to still be watching and talking about a show that aired over 20 years ago. This drink is Gilmore Girls in a glass, or more accurately, a strawberry pop-tart cocktail. Vanilla vodka, strawberry puree, and amaretto make this for an easy yet fun drink that tastes exactly like our girls’ favorite food.

Happy Cooking from the Hollow!

Cheers!