I've been having creative difficulties (and technical) with blogspot all of yesterday and today. I started looking at other blog platforms, but they were all confusing. So the product of almost 2 full days of blog work... nothing. I had a great 101 lined up for Thursday and it has now gone to join his loved ones in cyberspace. But thankfully it's Friday, which means the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend!
So after a week that has been as frustrating and unproductive and just makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs while pulling your hair out (I was considering this, but I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to do in Cubicle-Land on the 5th floor). But instead of being self-destructive and disturbing everyone else around me, I decided some delicious cocktails were in high demand for Friday night (or afternoon... depending on your concept of what a bad week is).
Friends + Cocktails + Fun = Weekend!
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| And maybe if you're lucky enough, Tom Cruise will be your bar tender (the old, cool Tom i.e. Top Gun or Cocktail, not the Katie Era Tom) |
A new fave...
1. THE FLIRTINI
This martini has the most amazing zing to it with a surprise of bubbly on top. I don't have martinis that often, but when I do it better be good. This one passed the test. Some bars will serve a Pink Flirtini (usually it looks like the one pictured). Achieve the flirty pink color by adding a splash of cranberry juice. Regardless of color, it's delicious... but probably a good idea to make the boys their own drink.
THE FLIRTINI
GLASS: MARTINI GLASS
1 1/2 OZ GREY GOOSE L'ORANGE VODKA
1 OZ PINEAPPLE JUICE
--ONCE POURED, FINISH WITH CHAMPAGNE
SERVE WITH LEMONS OR LIMES AS GARNISH
A cocktail manly enough for any man... even Jack Bauer
2. SHADY GAFF
The cool part about this "cocktail" is that it doesn't look like one. It's a hybrid between a great pint of beer and a cocktail, allowing your girlie drink to meet his manly drink half-way. This dates all the way back to the 19th century (must be good). It's light, spicy, and still refreshing.
SHADY GAFF
GLASS: PINT GLASS
FILL A PINT GLASS A LITTLE MORE THAN HALFWAY WITH A GOOD AMERICAN PALE ALE, WELL CHILLED
TOP OFF SLOWLY WITH GINGER BEER
...THE SPICIER THE BETTER
Still have some ginger beer left over from the Shady Gaff?
3. DARK & STORMY
This is a great drink to be enjoyed on those hot, sticky days we've all had this summer, but it's got enough umph to it to make it a great drink in the fall too. The key to this drink is nailing the precise ratio between the spice of the ginger beer and the richness of the rum. You may want to play around with proportions depending on what brands you're using. This drink came to us from Bermuda, but they would never put lime in their D&S, but I would recommend it especially the first time you have this drink. The ginger beer's spice can be a little surprising if you've never had it before. (And by the way, in America it's always served with lime juice... are we weak sauce?!) This is a favorite summer drink of my family in Rhode Island and several rounds are usually poured and mysteriously missing only a short time later. I included this recipe because my mom and my aunts LOVE and enjoy sipping on D&Ss... I don't think you'll be sipping this one! But be careful, they catch up on you fast!
DARK & STORMY
GLASS: COLLINS GLASS
3 OZ DARK RUM
3 OZ GINGER BEER
1/2 OZ LIME JUICE
--COMBINE THE RUM, GINGER BEER, AND THE LIME JUICE IN A TALL GLASS FILLED WITH ICE; STIR
**I should mention that the 2 preferred labels to include in this drink are GOSLING'S BLACK SEAL RUM (it's from Bermuda and is of course the brand of choice if you can find it); any good dark rum will do if it's called for. Another wonderful import from Bermuda, BARRITT'S GINGER BEER. Again, this is the preferred brand, but any ginger beer will do (just make sure not to get ginger ale!!!!)
A tried and trusted party pleaser...
(If you're looking to jump-start the party)
4. KAMIKAZE SHOT
It's easy and uses common cocktail ingredients so you won't have to be searching all over the store. There are a GAGILLIAN variations that one bar or another will do to a Kamikaze to make it their own, but when in doubt -- go with the original baby!
KAMIKAZE SHOT
GLASS: SHOT GLASS
1 1/4 OZ VODKA (SMIRNOFF SUGGESTED)
1/4 OZ TRIPLE SEC
1/4 OZ LIME JUICE
-- COMBINE THE VODKA, TRIPLE SEC, AND LIME JUICE. SHAKE WELL AND STRAIN INTO A SHOT GLASS.
And if you still have some party left in you...
an oldie but goodie:
5. LONG ISLAND ICE TEA
This is a drink that will kick your butt if you're not careful. It is delicious and another great summer-into-early-fall drink, so watch out. The recipe I've always "followed" (not really), uses all name-brand, quality liquors; this is not a necessity, just a recommendation. Do what you can, but remember in any recipe, food or cocktail, bad ingredients = bad results. Recipes for a LIIT always have very precise measurements of 1/2 oz this and 1 1/2 oz that; the best way to make this is just do a splash of each, taste it: if it's good, you're done... if it's bad, make some adjustments.
LONG ISLAND ICE TEA
GLASS: COLLINS OR
.25 OZ TANQUERAY LONDON DRY GIN
.25 OZ SMIRNOFF VODKA
.25 CAPTAIN MORGAN SILVER SPICED RUM
.25 CUERVO ESPECIAL GOLD
.25 OZ TRIPLE SEC
3 OZ ICE TEA
3 OZ SPRITE (OR SOME EQUIVALENT)
LEMON WEDGE
--ADD GIN, VODKA, RUM, TEQUILA, AND TRIPLE SEC, INTO AN ICE-FILLED COLLINS GLASS; STIR. TOP WITH A SPLASH OF ICE TEA AND SPRITE. GARNISH WITH LEMON WEDGE (OPTIONAL)
Grab a cocktail and party hardy or sit back and relax; whichever you choose, toast your friends and be happy to be together...no matter how crazy you are!
CHEERS!
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| A & K... (old hair, old kitchen, old lives) |
(and a glass of white wine does just fine too; 2 are even better)
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