Strawberry Collins

Guys. It's sooooooo hot here I'm hiding in the house in front of the fan - on the upside it gives me more time to craft and make stuff...gotta look for the positives :)

I found this recipe for a modified Tom Collins, I've never had one and I have all the ingredients on hand (no going to the grocery store - I'm not leaving the house if I can help it, you got that - right?) so thought I'd try this version. Since I don't know what a Tom Collins tastes like I can't tell you how this strawberry cocktail compares - but it's delish regardless! I'm thinking for a patriotic holiday cocktail I'll add frozen whole blueberries to the drink - that'd be pretty.

This recipe makes 2 drinks - the only thing I changed from the posted recipe is she adds a touch of pomegranate syrup and I don't have that so I omitted it.

Strawberry Collins

10 strawberries, plus more if you want to freeze some and use in place of ice cubes
4 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 ounces vodka (gin is in the original Tom Collins but substituting vodka is a thing, I prefer vodka)
club soda
ice cubes

• puree the strawberries until smooth, add the sugar and let it set until the sugar dissolves. 
• put 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a tall glass (note: I don't have old fashioned size glasses, but I'm not a stickler for having to have my drinks in the correct glass!)
• add 1 1/2 oz. vodka to the glass 
• divide the puree in half and add to the glass, stir to mix it all together. Note: I didn't puree mine enough so it's a bit chunky - next time I'll blend it more. You could also strain the puree to remove some of the seeds if you like. Second note: I'm not sure why she didn't just add the alcohol and lemon juice to the blender along with the puree - next time I'll blend it all together that way instead of stirring the mixture up in the glass. 
• add a couple ice cubes or whole frozen berries. Another note: it would taste good to add crushed ice to the blender along with the puree - it'd be more like a frozen daiquiri that way I guess and maybe that's straying too far from calling this a "Collins".
• top with club soda and enjoy! One more note: for the second drink I experimented by using coconut flavored seltzer water and it was even better than plain club soda. 

Click here for the original source.

Swedish Fish

I don't eat much candy and when I do it isn't gummy chewy things so I've never had swedish fish candy...but if it tastes anything like this yummy drink I might be missing out! This isn't overly sweet and with the lime juice it has just the right bit of tart to it - don't let the name stop you from trying this drink.  I found the recipe here, but I didn't put it with ice in a shaker like a martini - it tasted great just mixed together in a glass with a bit of ice. And I definitely didn't put a swedish fish candy in it for garnish...!

2 oz. vodka
2 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. Rose's lime juice
1 oz. triple sec

Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a swedish fish candy.

Pitcher Mojitos

Al and Cathy came over for dinner last week - it was a hot night and we decided to eat in the screened in porch, mojitos seemed like the perfect thing to serve with the appetizer "everything" cheese ball I made (click here for that post). I've never made them before because I felt like there was going to be too many steps, but I was wrong - these are easy and simple to whip up, and making them in a pitcher meant we weren't making one at a time and could enjoy seconds with no hassle.

you'll need:
1/2 cup white sugar (note: I used raw natural sugar)
36 fresh mint leaves, plus more for (optional) garnish
3 limes, quartered
1 cup white rum (ok, ok, I added more than this)
1 liter club soda

directions:
Muddle sugar and mint leaves together in pitcher until leaves are well broken down. Add limes and muddle until limes are juiced. (note: I used a potato masher to muddle - basically "muddling" is just smashing it all up!) Stir rum into sugar mixture, add club soda and stir. Serve over ice and garnish with additional mint leaves if desired.

note: I added at least another 1/2 cup of rum (there wasn't much left in the bottle after using the 1 cup as listed). It was a little strong but tasted good! If you stick with the 1 cup I would probably not add as much club soda so it doesn't get too watered down.

I found the recipe here.

3- Ingredient Sangria

Super easy cheater way to make sangria - perfect for the hot days we are having!

1 bottle light red wine (like Malbec or Rioja - I don't know what Rioja is but we really like Malbec so that's what I used)
3 cups apple juice
2 thinly sliced peaches
I like to add a big handful of blueberries too, but I made that part up and it's not in the actual "recipe" from Real Simple magazine a few years ago.

Mix all together and serve over ice.

Wedding Day Mimosas

The morning of my sister's wedding all the girls came to my house so we could get ready together (there was hair product and makeup everywhere haha!). My nieces brought champagne and orange juice to make mimosas and get in the wedding spirit - I don't drink mimosas very often, I kind of forget about them - but they are so easy, light, and yummy that I might drink them more often now :)

don't worry - Brooke is drinking straight oj!

One niece poured half and half champagne to orange juice, the other did it 3/4 champagne to 1/4 orange juice - I didn't notice a difference so make them however you want. Raspberries are a more traditional garnish but I only had blueberries on hand - turns out they are really good! Also, you'd normally serve these in pretty champagne glasses but I didn't have time to hand wash all those glasses so we used plastic cups - classy, I know.

took a break from getting ready to have a toast. 

Caramel Apple Shots

I assure you I'm not an alcoholic, although I can't explain why I have so many flasks...


Sometimes when it's really cold out and you are forced to stand outside (ahem, annual Light Parade I'm talking about you) it's nice to have a little sip of something to warm you up - this caramel apple drink is perfect for that. It's just equal amounts of Buttershots (butterscotch schnapps) and Green Apple Pucker - pour it in a little flask and tuck it in your purse/pocket/glove and you're good to go.

Brain Hemorrhage

Going to a Halloween party tonight and I asked what I can bring. Amy said to bring whatever I feel like making, but Scott goes "if you want to bring something I want it to be brain hemorrhages" - apparently a long time ago I made them and he still remembers it hahahah. I have a terrible memory and do not remember making them but he does so I'm happy to bring them! I'm hoping the reason I can't remember this is that my memory is just bad and it's not because I drank to many of them LOL!! Yes, they look disgusting but it's a Halloween party and I'm pretty sure that's the point - you might not have anyone that wants to try them cuz it's a gross looking drink, but it tastes good if that helps...be brave!

for each drink: put 1 ounce chilled Peach Schnapps in a shot glass and slowly add 1 teaspoon of chilled Baileys. Wait a second and it'll start to curdle which looks nasty. Top with a little bit of chilled grenadine.


Dekuyper's website has the ingredient amounts listed as 3/4 parts peach schnapps to 1/4 part irish cream (baileys) with a few drops of grenadine. It doesn't say to have them each chilled beforehand but I think it tastes even better cold. The picture I'm using is from their site since it's early in the morning and I don't want to make one of these right now hahah - but it should look like this!

Click here to see how to make brain hemorrhage shots if you'd rather! 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cocktail

These are pretty, sweet, and easy to make. What's not to like?

Put some ice in a glass and add a splash of grenadine. Top with 1.5 ounces cake flavored vodka and 3 ounces pineapple juice. Stir and top with a maraschino cherry.

This has to be one of the shortest posts ever - but really what else can I add? These are YUMMY and a little dangerous. Word to the wise - remember this is vodka, not punch...they go down easy. Too easy perhaps. ;) Cheers!

Classic Moscow Mule

Mmmmmm...ever tried a Moscow Mule? This is a super simple cocktail to make, it's light and refreshing so perfect for a summer drink - and ginger beer is so good that even if you don't want alcohol just try it mixed with lime juice and leave out the vodka! Ginger beer is non-alcoholic and tastes like a cross between root beer and strong ginger ale to me. I love it.

Looking up recipes online most of them are pretty much the same - 1 part vodka to 2 parts ginger beer with some lime juice and wedges, over ice.


Ingredients:
-2 oz. vodka
-4 oz. ginger beer
-1 oz. lime juice (or squeeze half of a lime)
-wedge of lime for garnish
-ice
-moscow mule copper mug (or small glass tumbler)


Directions:
add ice to your mug or glass, followed by the vodka and lime juice. top with ginger beer and stir, then garnish with a lime wedge.

Harvey Wallbanger

While roaming Prague we walked by a little bar that had a porch, and on the porch were gliders with a table hooked between them - so you're rocking back and forth while drinking and eating. It was so cute that we totally had to sit out there, never considering if rocking back and forth while drinking and eating is a good idea...

...after a few minutes of rocking, swaying back and forth,  we realized that eating would not be a wise choice - so we just had a drink. It was the middle of the day and nothing really sounded good to me, but then I saw a "harvey wallbanger" on the menu and decided I needed to try one. I've heard of it but didn't know what was in it, but I ordered it anyway - I thought it was going to be a manly cocktail in a short glass, but it came out in a tall pina colada glass with fruit sticking out. Does "harvey wallbanger" make you think of a fruity foofoo drink? It sounds manly to me haha. Anyway, I don't love fruity foofoo drinks and won't be putting this into the "drinks I order often" category - but it was fine and we were rocking, that's good enough. 

And I bet I'll always remember where I had my first harvey wallbanger - in Prague, sitting in a glider on the porch of a bar.

I found a recipe here if you want to try one - it's just vodka, oj, and Galliano.

Little Sis Takes Over - Coco Lopez

Hi- Well my sister is off again while I am living the dream here in Michigan in my cubicle.  I’m Jenny.  Otherwise known to this blog as the non crafting, non cooking sister.  Since I am traveling nowhere my sister has asked me to “guest blog” for her.  This would be a challenge since I don’t cook or craft.  Not sure anyone would be interested in my adult womens soccer team or how to make dinner with whatever random bits are in my cupboard but I’ll give it a try.  In my interest for full disclosure I am only doing this because I owe her.  She makes all my dishes to pass for work functions and bbq’s, she teaches my children to craft and cook (but no I’m not willing to let her teach me), and she remembers all family birthdays and writes my name on the card and gift she sends.  So here I go.  

Guest post #1.  What is most important to a busy  working mother of 4?  That would be a good delicious alcoholic drink.

Start with canned Coco Lopez and your blender.  I like to use my Ninja because I hate cleaning out the Blender :

Add some Captain Morgan (as much as you like), some Orange Juice) (not too much or you cant get tipsy so what’s the point) and some Ice:

This combination makes an orange pina colada.  I don’t own any fancy glasses so my drink goes in this (courtesy of my friend Natalie who indeed likes Big Cups) I can hold more this way and don’t need to get up and refill or blend more:

Now I’m thirsty so I’ll write more tomorrow.  Please be sure to appreciate the educational value of this post, and hopefully my sister is too busy vacationing to read how pathetic my guest blogging is!  But Hey.. you get the help you pay for.

Whiskey Sour "Lite"

I found this recipe for whiskey sours made with Crystal Light so it saves some calories - that counts for my new healthier category, right? HA! Not sure about that...

I really like these, but I'll warn you that they are really sour. Everyone else who tried them didn't enjoy how sour they are but I like sweet/tart so they are fine with me. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of lemon juice, next time I will start with less and add more to taste. My mouth is watering and doing that puckering thing and I'm wincing just thinking about the sourness haha - love it!

I found the recipe on Kraftrecipes website, click here to see the full article.

Mix 1/3 cup water with 1 packet (the one that makes 2 quarts, not individual packet) of Crystal Light lemonade until it's dissolved. Stir in 1.5 cups whiskey and 3/4 cups (or less!) lemon juice. Serve over ice, garnish with maraschino cherries if desired. Makes 8 servings, 110 calories each.

Gimlet

This is an easy recipe for an oldie but goodie cocktail - a gimlet. These are traditionally made with gin but I like them using vodka instead, I'm not a big gin fan.

All you do is put some ice in a shaker, add 2 ounces vodka and 2 tablespoons Rose's lime juice. Shake, strain, pour into glass. Garnish with a lime wedge if you have one on hand :). Tart and a tiny bit sweet - so good!

Sweet Sunrise Mocktail

For breakfast this morning we had the other breakfast pie (click here to see that post) that I made and froze in December, and Brooke made us these yummy morning mocktails using orange juice and grenadine - they made our breakfast pretty fancy I gotta say...









Pour orange juice over ice in a small glass.

Add a couple tablespoons of grenadine, Brooke poured the grenadine in very slowly using a spoon against the side of the glass so it wouldn't get mixed in - the grenadine sinks to the bottom so you have pretty layers. You can stir it up if you like, we decided to leave them in layers - no one wanted a maraschino garnish but that would be a good finishing touch if you want.

This is a virgin version of a Tequila Sunrise. I bet you can figure out what to do if you want to make a non-virgin one...;)

Bloody Mary

I used to hate tomato juice so a Bloody Mary was never my thing - but then I had a really good one with a friend at a little bar in Ludington, Michigan and it changed my thinking...it was a little spicy but not too much, celery salt around the glass edge, and I can't remember what else. I just remember that I loved it so I've been experimenting with making them at home. My favorite brand for the mix is  Zing Zang - I doctor it a little bit of course and it's good with or without alcohol. I add sliced olives with some juice, a pickle spear if I have them (especially a spicy pickle spear - yum), a splash of lemon juice, and coarse pepper - if you want to spike it you can add vodka or whatever but my new favorite thing is to add a splash of Fireball Whiskey. I looked online and found a recipe for Fireball Bloody Mary - they renamed it a "Bloody Ball" which just doesn't sound good and I'm sticking with "Bloody Mary with Fireball in it" haha. I'm not sure why but the addition of a little cinnamon flavor is so good - it doesn't take much though to get the taste, not sure if I would like it with a full shot added. Try it (either virgin or spiked) and see what you think.

I drank mine before I remembered to take a picture haha - but really, it just looks like a glass of tomato juice with olives floating in it!

2019 update: I had a bloody mary at Uncle John's Cider Mill in St. Johns, MI that included pickled mushrooms, pickled dilly beans, and pickled asparagus along with olives and a spicy pickle and it was bloody fantastic.

Hot Buttered Rum

I've been seeing this drink and wondering (a) what is it (b) is there actually butter in it and (c) why would you put butter in a drink? So I decided to try it - there are lots of recipes and different ways to make this, I found a simple recipe here to experiment with.

You make a "batter" of butter, brown sugar, and spices, add that to a mug and top with a shot of rum (or whiskey) then fill up with hot water. Stir until it dissolves.

It's good but you don't really taste butter haha so I was disappointed. It's a good drink for a cold night tho that is easy to put together and is something different. Next time I will put less water in, I think it'll taste better (and maybe the butter flavor comes out more) less watered down.

Fireball Hot Toddy

Haha, like my including alcoholic beverages in a cozy winter scene? I've never had a hot toddy before so not sure how this stacks up, but I'm cold and feeling like a warm drink and saw this recipe...cinnamon whiskey mixed with honey, lemon, and hot water. Very easy and it's just a little glass so I thought I'd try it. I read that hot toddy's are good for the common cold - excellent, I can now honestly say my drinking is medicinal!

1 shot Fireball Whiskey (I used 1 ounce, Dave says a shot is more like 1 1/4 ounce)
1 T. honey
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup boiling water

Stir all ingredients into a mug until the honey melts. Garnish with a lemon slice or cinnamon stick (I had neither and it looks just fine without!).

I only have giant mugs so I poured it into this cute little glass instead - plus it doesn't seem so much like drinking whiskey this way :). Medicine that tastes good, nice!