Posts Tagged ‘liquor’

• Tequila Cosmo

  Date: 2010.08.30 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  What could be a cooler way to have a Cosmo than to add tequila?  I had a particularly hectic and, at times, frustrating weekend (frustrated at my own mistakes BTW) so I woke this morning thinking today I should skip school (by school, I mean work) and lounge on my deck (by which I mean the park) and drink these!

  Ingredients:

  1 1/2 oz. silver tequila
  1 oz. Cointreau or triple sec
  1 oz. fresh lime juice
  1 oz. cranberry juice
  1 lime wedge

  Shake ingredients together with ice.  Strain into glass and squeeze lime wedge on top.  Discard lime and relax.

  I am heading off to the office but perhaps you will be stronger than I and skip to the deck, porch, patio or simply the park.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Daiquiri

  Date: 2010.08.28 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  I can’t believe the summer is almost over.  I am trying to understand what that means to me as a new New Yorker.  Summer is year round in Los Angeles so I am certain I am about to have the shock of my life when Labor Day comes and goes and suddenly I have to wear tights and coats!  Regardless, I am hoping to have a nice Labor Day weekend and celebrate the end of the season with some adult beverages.  Today I am sharing some flavorful ways to make daiquiri’s.  You can substitute any fruit puree for the mango to create your custom daiquiri.

  Mango

  1 1/2 oz. light rum
  1 Tbsp. triple sec
  1  1/2 oz. lime juice
  1 tsp. sugar
  2 oz. pureed mango

  Combine ingredients in a blender with 1 c. crushed ice.  Blend until smooth and enjoy!

  Banana Daiquiri

  1 1/2 oz. light rum
  1 Tbsp. triple sec
  1 1/2 oz. lime juice
  1 tsp. sugar
  1 ripe banana sliced

  Combine all ingredients plus 1 c. crushed ice in a blender.  Blend and serve.

  Classic

  2 oz. light rum
  1 oz. lime juice
  1 tsp. sugar

  Combine all ingredients plus 1 c. crushed ice in a blender.  Blend and serve.

  Let me know what kinds of flavors you create!  I would enjoy a strawberry/banana or a blueberry/raspberry.

  xo–me

• Creamsicle Margarita

  Date: 2010.08.26 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  I have always loved creamsicles. Recently I discovered a bakery with creamsicle cheesecake! It was heavenly, very rich and almost too much but I loved every last bite. When I stumbled on this recipe for a creamsicle margarita, I knew I had to give it a try. It did not disappoint and if you drink it with a straw, it is like a creamsicle slurpee. Oh thank heaven…

  Ingredients:

  sugar rim
  1 1/2 oz. gold tequila
  3/4 oz. Tuaca liqueur
  1 1/2 oz. sweet & sour
  1 oz. fresh orange juice
  1 oz. half and half
  1/2 c. orange sorbet
  1 1/2 c. crushed ice

  Sugar the rims of two margarita or large cocktail glasses. Chill the glasses. In a blender, whirl the tequila, Tiaca, sweet & sour, orange juice and half and half for a few seconds, just enough to combine. Add the orange sorbet and ice. Blend until thick, slushy, and frothy. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared glasses. Garnish with fresh orange slices, if desired.

  As we head into the last holiday weekend of the summer, I am thinking these must be served. Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Power Punch

  Date: 2010.08.23 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  It sure seems to be shower season and I am not discussing the stuff from the clouds. I have been invited to shower after shower lately (and am grateful for being included!) so I thought I would share this delicious punch that is perfect for a shower or a family gathering. Any soiree that requires a fruit punch for celebrating should be featuring this punch.

  Ingredients:

  6 oz. fresh lime juice
  8 oz. fresh lemon juice
  10 oz. fresh tangerine juice (orange will work as well)
  4 oz. sugar syrup
  20 oz. pineapple juice
  10 oz. brandy
  10 oz. creme de cassis
  2 oz. Amaretto
  2 bottles chilled champagne

  In your loveliest punchbowl combine all ingredients except the champagne. Refrigerate at least an hour. When guests arrive, remove punch bowl and slowly add the champagne. If you want to add texture, cut up some fruit into slices to float on top.
  

  I love using my punchbowl as you all know, so why wait for a party to bring it out? Surprise your loved ones next time you’re having a casual gathering with the use of the punchbowl. You can make margaritas, daiquiris or just about any beverage to put in there. My girlfriend Lisa would make a giant bowl of Jack & Coke. I promise your merry occasion will be more merry with that pretty punchbowl.

  xo–me

• Watermelon Refresher

  Date: 2010.07.11 | Category: Beverages | Response: 0

  I am melting.  It has been so warm outside for so many days, I don’t seem to recall any other way to live but with this sweat on my brow and flowing down my back.  I moved this last week and I could not have picked for worse weather!  We are slowly settling in, box by box, but each day I am making lemonade, iced tea and just about anything I can get my hands on that may refresh us while we work through this sea of boxes.

  This recipe hits the spot and is an instant thirst quencher.  I found it in a cookbook of alcoholic beverages.  Fortunately for me, there is a chapter of non-alcoholic drinks that I can make during this heat!  This one is simple and really could have a splash of vodka in it at the end of the day.

  Ingredients:

  Healthy watermelon wedge (about 1 lb.)
  ice cubes
  watermelon slices with which to decorate

  Chop the watermelon into chunks, discarding seeds.  Put the chunks into a food processor and zap until smooth.  Pour over ice cubes in a tall cool glass and serve with garnish.

  I occasionally add a sprig of mint under the ice cubes and smash a bit with my straw.  This recipe produces two healthy servings for yourself or if you are feeling generous, you and a friend.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Yoda Soda

  Date: 2010.06.28 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  Star Wars fans got their very own cookbook in 1998.  I have noticed a huge resurgence of this cookbook in the last few years at places like Urban Outfitters.  I am happy to use mine (I actually have three, all gifts) when the need arises as it has this week.

  I got to thinking, well rather, obsessing about refreshing drinks.  See, it’s very warm here and I am constantly drinking.  Drinking plenty of water but also looking for that one sip that will simply hit the spot.  It was then I remembered the chapter of drinks in the cookbook (possibly triggered by walking past UO down the street and there the cookbook was in the window) and thought I would share this delicious recipe.  It will be perfect to make in large batches this weekend for your Independence Day celebration.  Party with this Yoda would.

  Ingredients:

  3 limes
  3 Tbsp. sugar, more if you have a sweet tooth
  1 c. sparkling water
  1 scoop lime sherbet or sorbet

  Cut each lime in half and squeeze the juice into a measuring cup.  Once you have 1/4 c. juice, place in pitcher with the sugar.  Stir until the sugar dissolves.  Add water and stir until mixed.  Taste and add more sugar, if desired.

  Scoop sherbet into a tall glass, and pour in the lime water.  Serve immediately.  Sometimes with vodka.

  I multiplied this recipe by 10 and made a punch bowl full for a cookout.  It was a huge hit before and after someone spiked it with vodka.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Caribbean Champagne

  Date: 2010.06.11 | Category: Entertaining | Response: 0

  Am away on a very mini-vacation in Los Angeles and realized I need to start it off with a champagne beverage.  I got to thinking of all the traditional ways we have champagne and realized I want something different.  This recipe is a perfect way to begin my day as it has fruit and can be a lovely contribution to the breakfast category!

  Ingredients:

  1/2 white rum
  1/2 shot creme de banane
  chilled champagne
  banana slices to make it pretty

  Pour the rum and creme de banane into a chilled stemware.  Fill with champagne.  Stir gently to mix and dress with banana slices.  Sip like the diva you are!

  I am not a lush, I promise.  But isn’t it great when you can begin your day any way you wish?  Enjoy!

  xo–me