Hot Honey & Vanilla Coconut Milk

You wouldn't believe that summer begins next week, as here on the east coast, it's chilly and rainy as ever. When I attempted to take Daisy out for her walk this morning, she refused. She takes some steps backwards and then shakes her head, "No". It doesn't happen every time but when it does, I can't help but laugh out loud and attempt to coax her down the stairs by assuring her I will keep her covered with the umbrella. (Sometimes, she still refuses.) She really is Miss Daisy, as most of the time she gets her way and we go back inside until the rain lets up, lol. With this day and evening as raw and clammy as it is, I needed something warm to drink, with a promise of summer and when I think of summer, I think of tropical coconuts! This is a creamy, sweet and a little peppery drink that's just perfect for a beating-rain-against-the-window type of night, such as tonight. Enjoy!

• 12 oz. coconut milk, (the drinkable, milk substitute type)
• 1 heaping tablespoon coconut milk (the condiment type, in a can)
• 1 heaping teaspoon honey or more to taste
• 1/3 teaspoon vanilla extract
• fresh ground black pepper

In a pot, combine all of the ingredients and heat on medium heat, until steaming hot. Adjust the sweetness as needed. Garnish with extra pepper, if you like. Serves 1. Double the recipe as needed.

Rhubarb & Cherry Cocktail

Sometimes, there is nothing sweeter than the first few drops of a spring rain. I was lucky enough to be outside while peeling the rhubarb, as the cool drops started falling and for a microsecond, I closed my eyes and really enjoyed it before the heavy drops started falling and fall all day, they did. This tart, yet slightly sweet drink is refreshing on a hot and humid, rainy day where the windows are opened up a bit and you feel that rainy breeze coming in, while enjoying a good read. Enjoy!

• 4 cups chopped rhubarb, (about 1&1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups frozen pitted cherries
• 64 oz. water
• sea salt
• xylitol
• rose water

Begin by peeling the rhubarb. I start off by giving the rhubarb a good wash and then cutting the stalks into manageable size pieces and then I peel the thinnest outer layer. I find using a vegetable peeler takes too much of the rhubarb and a small paring knife works best, just be careful. If you are unsure, bite into the rhubarb and it should have none of those fibers and be easy to eat, just pucker-your-lips-sour!

Next, combine the rhubarb, cherries. water and a pinch of sea salt and bring to a boil. Once it's at a rolling boil, lower the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes. Next, with an immersion blender, blend your mixture until smooth and add in your sweetener of choice, if needed. I'm obsessed with xylitol now, so I added in 2 tablespoons. Stir until dissolved. Allow to cool and then add in your rose water. Add in the rose water, little by little, start with a teaspoon and then add more to taste. With rose water, my experience is a little goes a long way. This is super easy to make a party cocktail, just add in tequila, a fruity flavored vodka or sweet wine and serve with lots of ice and lemon and lime wedges. Makes 8 cups.

Cucumber & Sorrel Cocktail

It's the unofficial start of summer and I have been looking forward to this Friday for a long time now and it's finally here! But it's raining and not feeling much like summer on the east coast, as I have my comfy sweater on to keep warm, the windows are closed shut and I'm contemplating making some steaming hot chicken and leek soup. And if the outdoor temperature gauge is working right, it's about 45 degrees outside. It figures with our long winter and springs' delay that the unofficial start of summer is delayed too but that doesn't mean that we can't celebrate with a summer feeling cocktail...inside with our sweaters on and maybe a nice blanket to keep warm. ;) Have a great, memorable weekend and a thoughtful Memorial Day. Enjoy!

• 2 Kirby cucumbers
• 2 large sorrel leaves
• 4oz. cucumber vodka
• 1 teaspoon xylitol
• juice of 1/2 a lemon or more
• 12 oz.can lemon or lime flavored seltzer

Remove the inner vein of the sorrel leaf and discard. Roughly the sorrel leaf along with the cucumber and toss into a blender with the vodka until well blended. Add the xylitol and the lemon juice until well combined. Divide among 2 glasses and do the same with the seltzer and give them a gentle stir. Adjust the taste as needed. Serves 2.

Citrus Gingerade

Gingerade kombucha always cools me down on a hot day and I combined it with some of the sad citrus that was sitting in the fruit bowl and I'm so glad I did because this drink came out so tasty! Serve with ice and enjoy!

• 6 oz. gingerade kombucha
• 1 ruby red grapefruit
• 2 navel oranges
• squeeze of lime

Juice the grapefruit, oranges and combine with the kombucha. Give it a squeeze of lime juice and garnish with a slice of lime. Serves 1.

Hibiscus, Ginger & Grapefruit Cocktail

My cousin sent me a package for my birthday and did it make my heart sing. Everything in the box was a special food item and it was lovingly wrapped, so it wouldn't break. I unwrapped everything with such excitement and put it right back in the box, nestling everything back into its' square cardboard basket. I just wanted to enjoy it as it was and extend the happiness it brought to me. One of my favorite parts of Christmas was all of the wrapping paper and packaging strewn around and for some reason this is what it felt like, this treasure of mine, still in the box. And a treasure it was, Meyer lemons in olive oil, pork and poultry rub from the Golden Gate Meat Company, dark chocolate with Hungarian salami and smoked bacon (OMG), special pepperoni and olive oils and this package of hibiscus tea...I was in heaven. Have you ever seen a tea as beautiful as this one? I finally opened up the tea today and it was so delicious and makes one tasty cocktail! Enjoy!

• 2 cups water
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1 or 2 hibiscus tea bags
• 1 teaspoon xylitol
• 2 ruby red grapefruits, juiced
• 2 shots of vodka
• 2 strawberries for garnish

Use as much or as little ginger as you like. The piece I used was about half an inch thick and about two by an inch in size. Peel the outer skin of the ginger and place in the cold water and bring to a boil. Steep the hibiscus tea with the boiled ginger water. Let it cool, stir in the grapefruit, vodka and the xylitol. You can use any sweetener that you like but if using sugar or honey, dissolve while the tea is hot and then allow to cool. Divide among two glasses and garnish with the strawberries. Serves 2.

Chamomile & Lavender Tonic

It's National Stress Awareness Month and I'm sure we are more aware of it than we would like. We all know how bad stress if for our body and if we take small steps to keep it at bay everyday, it can help in the long run. Deep breathing for a few minutes, a nice hot shower or a nice cup of  tea is always calming and soothing. We all know the calming effects of chamomile and lavender. A steamy cup of chamomile tea at night is just what I need to relax and to melt some of those stressors away.  And I just love a few satchels of lavender tucked into my pillow cases to help me fall asleep. Why not combine the relaxing duo into a tonic? Enjoy by candlelight and melt that stress away...

 

• 4oz. chamomile tea, cooled
• 4oz. lavender kombucha ( I used GT's Kombucha Lavender No. 3)

 

Combine in a glass and give it a little stir. (If you like, you can add in a shot of vodka if you are in the mood for a cocktail.) Serves 1, double the recipe as needed.

 

 

Pineapple & Allspice Berry Cockail

Late afternoon yesterday, evening and late night were snowy. Spring is a only few hours away but winter is still holding on, strong. I was keeping an eye on the weather reports and knew we would be a little snow bound. I had a loose plan in place to make this drink, so I steeped the vodka with allspice berries Sunday night, just to enjoy it in time to watch the last snow fall. Didn't I think the last storm was the last snowfall? I did, but I realize now, it's not about it being the last or first snowfall, just that it was absolutely beautiful. Enjoy!

• 4 oz. vanilla or plain vodka, divided
• about 20 allspice berries, crushed
• 8 oz. fresh pineapple juice, divided (about a quarter  of a whole pineapple)
• 8 oz. lemon lime seltzer, divided

Combine the allspice berries and the vodka in a glass and let it sit about 24 hours. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator. Strain the vodka and combine with the pineapple juice and lastly, top off with the seltzer, give it a light stir. If the pineapple isn't sweet enough, you can always add a little simple syrup to the juice. This recipe serves 2.

This drink is so nice and smooth, it would be great in a punch bowl! Just double or triple the recipe as needed. If making this for a party, making drink markers out of the berries is a fun idea. To make a drink marker out of the allspice berries, use a thick needle, like a crochet needle and thread through the center of each allspice berry, making a hole, like a necklace bead. Using a set of pliers to hold the berry or needle, helps, along with a thimble for your finger. Next, using any color crochet thread you like, thread a few allspice berries onto the thread. Tie a simple knot around your glass and trim the excess thread. You can thread as many or as little as you like, to differentiate the markers (for example, 1 through x amount of berries, depending on how many guest you have.) Or, even better, you can use a silver fine point marker and personalize them.

Chai-ed Milk with Black Spice Rum

When I was little, I found a recipe for a sweet hot milk in a childrens' cookbook and couldn't wait to try it. My mom was never enthusiastic about me using the stove and I had to ask her when she was in good spirits, lol. And it was around Christmas time, that I first made the recipe with milk, sugar and vanilla. Did I love it, especially because it was sweet and spiced with vanilla. It was almost like a hot melted scoop of vanilla ice cream. Mmmm...as much as I like ice cream soup, it doesn't seem too appealing now, lol but a chai spiced almond milk spiked with black spice rum sounds much better. ;) Enjoy!

• 16 oz. vanilla flavored almond milk
• 3 oz. black spiced rum
• 2 chai tea bags
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon honey
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• pinch ground cinnamon
• fresh nutmeg

This is a great cocktail that works with any kind of milk, regular, soy, almond or rice. You can use plain or vanilla flavored. (If using regular milk, you might want to add more honey or even sugar and adjust as needed. Just add the sugar in as the milk is warming up.) On low heat, bring the almond milk to an almost boil. Add in your tea bags, cover and let steep for 10 minutes. With a spoon, squeeze your tea bags to get all of the flavor out. Whisk in your honey. Add in the black spiced rum, vanilla, cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg. If you want your chai super hot, you can do this on the stove or you can cool it down with an ice cube and sip with a straw. Serves 2.

Witches' Brew

When I see that sign at Dairy Queen, that says "Just 4 days left," a mild panic sets in. It's a combination of it being, a sure sign that winter is eventually going to be here. (Winter is my least favorite season. If I could live in a beach shack somewhere for a few months, I would.) And, where am I suppose to get pumpkin ice cream if they are closed? That's the real concern, lol. But I have a few days left before the CLOSED sign at Dairy Queen, stays that way. (Until late February 2013, the 22nd to be exact, but who's counting and who circled it on her mental calendar, not me, lol) So it's time to enjoy the pumpkin ice cream while we can! If you aren't a fan of pumpkin, you can use vanilla or chocolate ice cream, dulce de leche would be nice also. And you can use cream soda instead of cola also. This is such a fun drink and looks like a little bit of a witches' brew! To delight your inner witch, wrap a piece of "creepy cloth" around your glass and cackle away, my pretty!

• 2 scoops pumpkin ice cream
• 4 oz. chocolate liqueur, like Godiva
• 8 oz. cola
• milk chocolate for garnish *optional

Fill your glass with a scoop of ice cream. Top with the liqueur and the cola, skimming the foam to add more if necessary. Grate the chocolate on top. Serves 2. Enjoy!

Turmeric Tonic Cocktail

I have been trying to kick my coffee habit. I love a nice cup of coffee, and the most savored cups being when the seasons change. There is nothing better than when the weather cools and you get that first cup of hot coffee. Or when the winter chill finally breaks and there is that one warm spring day. And you take that first sip of iced coffee. I broke down and had a cup of coffee the other day. It's a hard habit to kick, but what is helping me are my turmeric tonics. I've been combining turmeric, saffron, honey and water. Sometimes, I add ginger to the mix or substitute agave syrup for the honey. And it tastes so good to me, I though to myself, "This would be a great drink!" So if you enjoy turmeric also, you'll enjoy this drink! This makes 2 cocktails. Enjoy and have a happy weekend!

• 2 oz. vanilla vodka
• a few strands of saffron
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 8 oz. gingerale, divided

In a small covered container, combine the saffron and the vodka. Let this sit for a minimum of 12 hours. Add in the turmeric and combine well. Using muslin cloth, stain the liquid, gently squeezing the fabric to get all of the liquid. (I'm sure a paper towel will work fine.) Divide among 2 glasses and pour in the gingerale. If you would like a sweeter drink, you can always add honey or agave syrup.

Rosehip Margarita

There is a little bit of a chill in the air this morning, and a cup of hot tea would be nice. When I was little and had the sniffles, my mom would make a cup of tea for me and usually put some honey in it but what really made me smile and feel better was when she added the rose hip syrup. It gave the tea an ever so delicate perfume of sweet roses and sweetened it just the way little kids like, lol. As a grown-up, I've come to enjoy it in a cocktail. I hope you always have time to stop and smell the roses but if not, this little drink can take you there. Enjoy and happy weekend!

1 oz. tequila
1 tablespoon rose hip syrup
6 oz. raspberry seltzer
a wedge of lime

Combine the tequila and the rose hip syrup, pour in the seltzer and give it a stir. Give your drink a finish with a squeeze of the lime wedge.

You can usually find rose hip syrup at any Polish deli. You can also check you local supermarket or any international type of food store. If you enjoy the scent of roses, you will really enjoy this syrup. It's great  mixed with seltzer and topped with ice for a non-alcoholic version.

Kombucha Spritzer

Mmm...I love kombucha and they re-released the alcoholic version! (*cheers & claps*)  I have been waiting patiently for the day and am happy to be enjoying it once again. Now you have to be 21 to buy it though. My feelings get a little hurt when I'm not asked for ID, sigh, but that's ok as long as I have the goods, lol. As GT's bottle states, "Kombucha is a cultured tea that is low in alcohol however federal law requires a warning statement on any product that may contain more than 0.5% of alcohol per volume." It's the brown bottle labelled "classic" and to my surprise, I saw a new flavor not seen yet, "Third Eye Chai" and I immediately thought this calls for a fun Friday cocktail. It's so easy and I hope you enjoy this and your weekend!

• 8 oz. Third Eye Chai kombucha
• 4 oz. chilled black tea sweetened with honey

Combine in a pretty glass and enjoy.

Aww my honey must be thinking of me, my scoby is heart shaped! lol. Don't be afraid of the scoby, it's just bacteria and yeast, oh wow, sounds worse now that I explained it a little bit. But essentially kombucha is a health drink and it does require an acquired taste as it's a bit of a mix in flavor of vinegar, beer and wine. Once you try it, I'm sure you'll become a fan, it just may take a little time. For anyone new to kombucha, try the mango flavor as a starter and nothing beats gingerade on a hot day to quench your thirst!

Garden Salad Cocktail

I know this doesn't sound too appetizing but it is! If you like garden salads and vodka together? lol. It's refreshing and goes down nice and smooth if you are in the mood for something crisp, fresh and light. I started making this drink last summer and I've even tried it with carrots, different types of herbs like cilantro and dill, lots of tomatoes and cucumbers and it's all good! Stay cool and get those veggies in., I think this counts as a serving. lol ;)

For one cocktail you'll need:

• 2 oz. cucumber vodka
• 1 good medium size tomato
• 1/4 green pepper
• 6 oz. seltzer
• 1 slice cucumber, for garnish
• 1 leaf of parsley for garnish
• fresh ground pepper *optional
• ice cubes

Muddle the green pepper to get all the pepper flavor out. Once you have muddled it, squeeze the pulp so you get all the juice out. Next take your tomato, (it's really important to use a good tomato because this is where you are getting your sweetness from)  half it and take all of the tomato seeds and put them in your glass. Give your tomato a slight squeeze to get any juice out. You can save the rest of the tomato to use for your morning egg scramble or to saute with garlic for a quick tomato sauce. Pour in the vodka and the seltzer and add some ice cubes. Give it a nice stir and top with fresh ground pepper, it gives it a little bit of a kick. Cut a slit in your cucumber slice and top with your parsley leaf. Add your garnish to your glass and enjoy!

Mango Cucumber Cocktail

Nighttime summer drinks are the best. A cool drink in hand, as you look up at the stars, making a wish on the first one you lay your eyes on. The cool breeze brushing against your bare arms, a mosquito passing through takes a bite, ahhh...summertime. I will take the summer over the winter any day, those pesky bugs included. Good laughs and something simple being grilled. A lightening bug passing through to illuminate the darkness.The simpleness of summer is beautiful. I think this is a nice drink to enjoy on a summer night. Cheers!

• 8 oz. mango juice, or smoothie type juice
• 2 oz. cucumber vodka
• 4 oz. seltzer
• a slice of cucumber for decoration
• mint leaf, ripped into small pieces

In a glass, combine the mango juice, cucumber vodka and the seltzer. Cut a slit in your cucumber slice and put it on your glass. Now run the outer rim of the glass with a little seltzer and "paste" your ripped mint leaves on the glass. If you aren't a mint fan, you can always leave it out. This makes enough for one. You can also multiply this for a pitcher. It would be great with some chopped cucumber and mint leaves floating around in it! Enjoy!

Baileys & Cream Soda with Espresso

I have to start off by saying, I'm not having this drink this early, lol. I made this last night and it kept me up, on and off throughout the night. At 3:30, I got up to look up the dream meaning of sand. I was pushing a lot of sand in a red wheel barrel. I was maneuvering it carefully, afraid I would spill it. Ahh...dreams are great. But I did wake up feeling refreshed. The effects of late night espresso. I really like my coffee and combining the Baileys, cream soda and espresso makes a nice drink to end an evening. You get a little sweet from the cookie crumbs but the drink isn't overly sugary because of the bitter espresso. I hope this weekend you get a chance to try it, in between creating memories with family and friends and remembering our fallen heroes. Wishing everyone a nice relaxing Memorial Day Weekend.

• 12 oz. cream soda
• 2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream
• 2 oz. of espresso (2 shots)
• 1 shortbread cookie

Using a box grater, grate your shortbread cookie, so you have some fine crumbs. Dip your finger in a little vodka and run it outside the upper rim of a martini glass, that holds 8.oz. Dip your glass into the shortbread cookie crumbs. Press firmly so the crumbs stick. Using a little more vodka as needed, and repeating until you have a nice cookie crust on the outer edge of the glasses. This recipe makes 2 drinks. Combine your Baileys and espresso. Divide between the 2 glasses. Top off with the cream soda, and give it a light stir and enjoy!

Faithful Margarita

It's Cinco de Mayo! A celebration of victory! According to Wikipedia, this battle "was significant in that the 4,000 Mexican soldiers were greatly outnumbered by the well-equipped French army of 8,000 that had not been defeated for almost 50 years." Despite the odds, Mexico won!  Today tortilla chips, salsa and margaritas are polished off and downed, in this days' observance. I'm enjoying a margarita in honor of Mexico's victorious history while taking in some positive thoughts for the future. The faith that the Mexican army had, was greater than they were in number, and I think that is what bought them to victory. I'm taking this night to ponder on great faith and miraculous outcomes. Cheers to that!

• 2 oz. Tequila
• 2oz. Pear Liqueur
• 4 oz. ginger ale
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 teaspoons agave syrup
• 3 raspberries, smashed with a fork
• salt flakes

Combine all the ingredients, except for the salt. Sometimes I like my drinks "chunky" lol, but if you don't, you can omit the raspberries. Run the rim of the margarita glass with the lime and dip in the salt flakes. Pour your drink into the glass, and let the deep thoughts of faith and victory flow.

Chamomile Tea & Ginger Ale Cocktail

I love chamomile tea, and thought why not bring it into a feel good, mellow you out spirit? Dressing up the glass is half the fun and makes the drink festive. You could personalize the glasses for your guests, instead of drink labels, you could use different combinations of flowers & greens. Just cut your flowers to size, and wrap with jute twine, and tie a little bow. This one is dressed up just for me, hubby didn't want flowers tied to his glass. lol The list is short & sweet...

• 4 bags of chamomile tea
• 5 cups of water
• 6 tablespoons honey
• vanilla vodka
• ginger ale
• ice

Steep your tea bags in a tea pot. I steep them for a while, then remove your tea bags, add your honey and stir till it's dissolved. Let it cool. For each drink, I use 4oz. of tea, 2oz. of vanilla vodka and a 2oz. of ginger ale. Stir it up and pour it over the ice (you can also make a pitcher if having more people over) and it's time to party.