Peace, Love & Cocktails

2012-06-12T11:12:00.003-04:00

No Day But Today

It's been SO long since I posted last, but I figure there's no day like today to start back on the road to blogging fun!

In the spirit (so punny) of my attempt at a comeback, I have decided that today's feature will be my newest favorite libation. It's an homage to a P(retty) F(amous) CH(inese) restaurant's deliciousness I had back in March. Can you guess which restaurant chain I speak of? I call it an homage because their recipe calls for lemon juice, and I prefer limes... so lime juice it will have! Give it a try - it's perfect any time of the year, and is especially delicious when it's nice and warm out!

Coconut Lime Sour

2.5oz coconut water *
1.5oz coconut vodka +
.75oz fresh lime juice ^
.75oz bottled bar syrup or [preferably] simple syrup (recipe to follow)

Shake all ingredients together with ice.
Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprinkling of shredded coconut.

* I like Zico best, but so many are good!
+ Any coconut vodka can work, but Ciroc is by far the best. You get what you pay for!
^ Use fresh limes, or in a pinch non-sweetened lime juice - do not use Rose's Sweetened!

Simple Syrup

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Once all sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let cool.
Once it's cool, put it in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.

You can use regular white sugar, but I think brown sugar gives drinks a little more of a smooth sweetness.

1/8/11: Happy Birthday, Elvis!

2011-01-08T23:10:00.000-05:00

Elvis would have been 76 years old today. And in honor of the King of Rock 'n Roll.....the tradition will continue! Pickle soup for dinner, followed by pink piña coladas and a viewing of "Blue Hawaii"! Happy Birthday, Elvis!

Piña Colada
2 oz pineapple juice
2 oz cream of coconut (goya's is pretty good. coco lopez is what i usually use.)
1 1/2 oz light vodka (I used Bacardi)
1 cup of ice
Grenadine

Throw it in a smoothie maker (trust me, it's better than a regular blender....unless it has a smoothie setting) without the grenadine. As it's blending, add the grenadine until it's the pink color you want!!!

Use a fat straw...and don't forget the paper parasol!

1/3/11: A little Feng Shui or whatever it's called

2011-01-03T22:06:00.001-05:00

This one is for my friend...Heather F.... because she's at the melting pot RIGHT NOW enjoying my favorite* cocktail!

Yin Yang Martini
Ingredients

½ ounce Godiva white chocolate liqueur
1 ounce Stoli Vanilla vodka
½ ounce White crème de cacao
3 ounces Vanilla ice cream
crushed ice as needed

Directions
Blend these ingredients in a blender and pour into a 10–ounce chilled martini glass. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings in a yin yang shape and add dark and white chocolate wafers for the dots of the yin yang.

* one of my favorites from the melting pot. i mean, really, how can you pick one??? And credit for the photo belongs to Heather, too!!!!!!

1/2/11: And it begins...

2011-01-02T22:59:00.000-05:00

So much for 2011 being off to a great start!
So, hubby & daddy tried fixing the roof today. Yes, it has stopped leaking, but after taking a bunch of shingles off, finding the area that's soaked, buying a [cut] sheet of plywood, and new shingles (they had everything else) they discovered that there is NO hole in the roof! The blizz-izzard we had caused ice build up - or as my dad called it, an ice dam - and the snow that was melting had nowhere to go but into the wood and seeped in! I guess it's good news that there's no hole, but the time spent and money on supplies will be missed. And when it gets warmer, the ceiling in the master bedroom will need to be replaced.....since those water spots on the ceiling are what made us discover this problem to begin with!!!

Until then, though, I will continue to forge ahead with my cocktail adventure. Today's cocktail is called a Money Shot, and so I have included an image for you as well as the recipe!

Money Shot
1/2 oz vodka (Svedka, thank you)
1/2 oz Irish Cream (today I used Bailey's)
1/4 oz coffee liqueur (yup, still Kamora)
Splash of cream (or, in my case, fat free 1/2 & 1/2)

Mix in a shaker with ice. Strain into a shot glass.
Or, if you aren't in a shooter move, like me, pour into a glass - ice and all, sip & enjoy!

1/1/11 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

So, here I sit with my hubby, our puppy....and my mom and dad. They are here to help us fix our 1st headache of the new year. There's a hole in the roof! Weirdly, since we bought the house in August, there have been a number of rainstorms - and some were pretty bad. But we never had a problem with a lea in the roof until this week. Thank you blizzard of 2010....you really but the icing on the rancid cake that was 2010. Maybe this will be the only big issue that we have to deal with this year, so that we can get on with getting all of our "wants" done and not all of the "needs."

Know what I needed? Something to relieve the major headache that was born in my brain this morning when Jason found that leak....

Spiked Mocha

1oz coffee liqueur (again....Kamora....)
1oz creme de cacao (i used clear, but brown is cool, too)
Espresso or strong brewed coffee
Whipped Cream
Brown Sugar

Mix liqueurs in a coffee mug (I used a clear glass Irish Coffee mug for aesthetic pleasure). Add coffee....as much as you'd like...but leave a little bit of room at the top! I don't have my espresso brewer/maker available (he has the week off - ha ha ha!) so I just used french roast coffee in my Keurig on the smallest setting. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle a little brown sugar on top. Use a chocolate candy stick or a chocolate peppermint candy cane as a stirrer.

Be wary: this thing will knock you out - even if you use regular coffee! Or, maybe I'm just a lightweight.....

12/31/10: Goodbye 2010....on to bigger & better things!!!!

2010-12-31T10:41:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year's Eve!!!!
So, I haven't posted in 6 weeks. So much for making a blog a daily part of my life!!!! But now that 2010 is over and 2011 is just around the corner, I'm going to make a go of it again! Also, thanks to my "Secret Sister" (thanks Liz!) I have a new cocktail book - and appropriately, it's 365 cocktails long!!! I will, of course, still create new cocktails and revisit old favorites, but that book sure is tempting! As a matter of fact, I've already picked out about a dozen I'd like to try ASAP!

So, for my last post of 2010...I opt NOT to use the new book, but revisit and old favorite.

Peach Bellini
OK, this one is a little more detailed than normal - more steps. BUT it makes a pitcher to share with friends (don't be greedy!) and it's so delicious! Oh, and thanks http://www.foodnetwork.com ....since I lost the recipe but found it on your site!!!

6 peaches, (about 1 pound, 8 ounces), halved and pitted
1/4 cup superfine sugar, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup water
1 bottle Prosecco (750 ml or 3 1/3 cups), chilled

With a box grater grate peaches into a pitcher. Add the sugar and water to the peaches and place pitcher in refrigerator until chilled and sugar has dissolved, or until needed.

When ready to serve pour the superfine sugar on a plate and invert a chilled Champagne glass in the sugar to coat rim. Pour about a 1/8th of the peach mixture into the prepared glass and top off with Prosecco. Stir gently and serve.

Day 15: Anchored for Life

2010-11-11T23:32:00.000-05:00

This one's quick and easy..... too tired for elaborating...

LONG day today. Luckily, although I drove to the ER, it was Jason who got the stitches and tetanus shot this time around. After that and workingworkingworking, it was time for sorority initiation! I am sure the girls are partying it up. I do hope they have fun, but of course I hope they are careful, too.

AST girls....this one's for you!

Yellow Rose

Pour 1 1/2 oz pineapple juice and 1/2 oz ice-cold tequila in a shot glass.
DRINK!

Day 14: Stop, Drop & Roll Me Out

2010-11-10T23:40:00.000-05:00

Too. Much. Food.....

So, all day today I forgot to eat. Yes, I remembered to drink coffee. 3 cups. I also remembered to get a lot of work done. And I remembered that I wanted to got my nails done in prep for Mikey's wedding on Saturday. What I forgot to do was actually eat something.

So, after I got back from a 1 hour 45 minute trip for a set of LCNs (I know! 45 minutes too long!) Jay and I headed out to Ruby Tuesday. Sadly, I did not make this mocktail, so I don't know proportions. It's a sort of concoction that's on the "zero proof" portion of their drink menu. What is it, you ask?

Mango Iced Tea!

It's freshly brewed ice tea mixed with bits of mango and (probably) some mango syrup. So disgustingly amazing! I will say, though, that once I can find the exact recipe for said "mocktail," I will try to enhance it. I'm thinking of adding some strawberry vodka, or maybe some framboise or fragioli strawberry liqueur. What I know is that it was yummy with no alcohol in it. Imagine what it will taste like with a bit of 'berry stirred in!

Day 13: A Day Late

2010-11-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

I totally dropped the big fat ball yesterday...

I can't believe it's been less than 2 weeks and I already skipped a day on the blog-a-day thing. I guess sometimes life gets in the way!

In any case, here's my contribution that should have been for yesterday. I did enjoy this cocktail during "Raising Hope" - my 2nd favorite Tuesday show on Fox 5! Today's will come at a more appropriate cocktail hour!

Don't be a Sucker

2 oz Three Olives Bubble Vodka
Cream Soda
Dum-Dum lollipops - I used watermelon

Shake vodka with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Fill with cream soda. Put a Dum-Dum in the glass (candy side in the drink, duh). It's like a cavity in a glass!

Day 12: kind of a boring day today....

2010-11-08T18:28:00.000-05:00

I guess I'll have to spice it up with a cocktail!

Really, all I did was work work work. After sleeping for a mere four hours. Four cups of coffee does not a sleepy Jennie make!

Learned my lesson...no coffee tonight. I'll have a cocktail when I get back from Seton Hall...

Chocolate Snake Bite

Combine 1/2 oz Goldschlager
1/2 oz Kamora (again, or Kahlua)
1/2 oz Brown Creme de Cacao (that's cremm D kuh-sow, if you want to know)
1/2 Irish Cream (I like Carolan's, but you probably know Bailey's...)
....in a shaker with ice.

Pour and strain into a highball glass.

Day 11: Sunday, Nutty Sunday....

2010-11-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

I love when people visit me!!!

Call it silly or whatever, but I happen to love company. Random drop-in company, planned-visit company, coming down for lunch company - whatever! Ok, sometimes it's not convenient, but overall it's kick-ass.

Today was an awesome day. Woke up after our fab cocktail party, house was already 85% cleaned up from the night before (we are entertaining pros) and Annie came down to visit! Yes, same Annie from the drink suggestion the other day. We did nothing productive besides have Surf Taco for a late lunch, and it was fantASTic (heehee). I would even call it a bit nutty, because, well, we gabbed like 2 high-school kids. Not a far stretch for Annie, but for me, well....it's been a while since high school!

So now that it's almost bed time, I'm having my day-ending cocktail. Thanks, Surf Taco, for the idea that has become an awesome frozen drink. That I am drinking in my fleece pajamas while cuddling under a down quilt....

Really Nutty Surfer

1 large scoop vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream (mmmm......edy's slow churned.....)
2 Tbsp peanut butter (delicious orchard's natural creamy!)
1 banana
2 cups milk (i use fat free)
2oz Peanut Cream Liqueur (I have Nutz & Rum we brought back from St. Lucia, something called Castries - which is actually the capital of St. Lucia - is available here in the states.)

Throw it all in a blender. Put as much of the liqueur as you want. If you want it more smoothie-like - this is kinda milkshake-like - add ice.

Can't believe I missed the midnight cutoff....

2010-11-07T01:07:00.000-04:00

All because the internet decided to go down right after my party ended.

So we had our "meet the neighbors" party tonight. Now we love where we live even more!

Beer was cold, wine was flowing and drinks were all around! My choice for the night?

Nut Juice

Sounds bad, I know....buy you'll see!

Pour 1 1/2 oz Bacardi Coco over ice in a tall glass (this is the best of the cocoNUT rums, I think!)
Fill with orange JUICE.
Drop in 2 cherries (hee hee) and float a little bit of the maraschino juice on top.

Yummmmmmmmm

Day 9: "It's hot cocoa, but a little bit tropical..."

2010-11-05T23:51:00.000-04:00

Soooooo.....tired....never too tired for a cocktail!

I really must rethink this crazy thing called life. I mean, really - why does work keep getting in the way of the fun stuff and stuff I want to do for me?

Anyway, it was a LONG and frustrating day of work - even though I did work from home. No worries...tonight was a sorority event that proved to be as fun as always!

And the last thought I had while I was getting into my car to come back home is this one:

Annie's Concoction

Make hot cocoa
Add 1 1/2 oz (give or take) Malibu rum.
I'd add some whipped cream - like Redi Whip!

Per Annie, she says "It's hot cocoa, but a little bit tropical." I'll take it!

Day 8: Aperol Spritz

2010-11-04T23:34:00.001-04:00

Today's thought is short and sweet...but the cocktail is slightly bitter with a twist!

I feel like the old character from SNL - Jack Handy. Deep thoughts.... OK, maybe not deep. Just thoughts. Today's thought is when you buy a TV, don't expect that you'll get the same clarity you see in the store. It's just unrealistic.

Second thought of the day: Happy 111th Founders Day to ALL of my Alpha Sigma Tau Sisters! <3 Anchored for Life <3

And now for a little something different: NOT a super sweet cocktail!

Aperol Spritz

Fill rocks glass with ice.
Pour in 3 parts sparkling prosecco (I happen to love Mionetto "il" prosecco)
Then pour in 2 parts Aperol Aperitivo
Then add a splash of soda and stir gently
Serve with a slice of orange.
Voila!

Day 7: All I Needed Was a "Sip of Hope!"

2010-11-03T23:12:00.000-04:00

Yes, I have my cell phone back.....but all is not 100%.

I will tell you the anecdote of my cell phone escapade tomorrow. Today has been so stressful that I just needed to come home, have a cocktail and watch some Law & Order: Los Angeles. Love me some Skeet Ulrich!

Anyway, a short and sweet blog entry calls for a sweet cocktail.

It's November, which means it's not officially "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," but rest assured that all that has happened with my cell phone is nothing compared to what some women - and men - have to deal with every single day of the year. Not just in October. This is for them, and those who know, love & support them.

Sip of Hope

2oz Sutter Home White Zinfandel
1oz Vodka (today I've got Svedka)
1-1/2oz mango juice (I used mango nectar - found it at WalMart)
1oz pomegranate juice (use Pom - bottles are awesome!)
1/2 lemon juice
Splash lemon-lime soda (I used diet...there's enough sugar up in here already)
Pomegranate seeds for garnish (oops...I left this part off...)

Shake White Zin, vodka, mango, pomegranate and lemon juices with ice.
Strain into a (pink) sugar rimmed glass.
Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.
Garnish with the pomegranate seeds....or don't....

Day 6: No Cell Phone....But I've Got a Toasted Almond!

2010-11-02T22:29:00.000-04:00

Who knew I would ever get so stressed out by not having a cell phone for 5 days?

I was supposed to have my phone today. It was to come Fed Ex 2nd Day. Even though Fed Ex can receive a package on a Sunday, and can even scan the tracking number into their system before the start of business day Monday (I'm talking 4:10am), Monday 9am starts the count of day one. Even everyone at Verizon is STILL convinced that they paid for a service that would guarantee my phone to arrive today. But, alas, it did not.

But, thanks to the awesome guy and girl at the Verizon store is Sea Girt, they were able to finagle something to have the phone redirected to work so that I can sign for it!!! Yay!!! Too bad FedEx wouldn't do something like that... I am not thrilled that I don't have my phone now. Call me a coward, but I HATE driving long distances without the phone. 70 miles one way to work is NOT a good thing when there's no way to be prepared in case of emergency!

And what's the other bad thing that happened today? Glee is a rerun. So I cleaned up the office a bit. And that's when I saw it. A bottle of DiSaronno staring me in the face....

Toasted Almond

1oz amaretto (DiSaronna or Amaretto di Amore are faves)
1oz coffee liqueur (Kamora or Kahlua)
1-1/2 to 2oz cream (I use Land O'Lakes fat free 1/2 and 1/2)

Put all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Strain into a rocks glass.
Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon.
Use a cinnamon stick for a garnish.

Day 5: Kir Royale

2010-11-01T23:33:00.000-04:00

Whatever will I do with this teeny bottle of sparkling wine and mini of Chambord?

Today was pretty much the same as every other Monday. Wish I can sleep all day....wish I'm a bazillionaire so I don't have to work at all....wish for lots of things.

At least on [most] Mondays from September through May I get to spend time with my sisters! I love the ladies of Alpha Sigma Tau (especially my girls at Seton Hall! Anyway, I got home from today's meeting earlier than I have in a while. So I decided to celebrate!

Kir Royale
1/2oz Chambord (raspberry liqueur - use creme de cassis in a pinch)
Sparkling wine

Pour the Chambord into a tall champagne flute (don't ever use those marie antoinette style glasses!)
Fill with sparkling wine.

Oh, and NO, it's not all Champagne! All Champagne IS sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. to be called Champagne, it must be from the Sham-pahn-ya (Champagne) region of France. You're welcome!

Day 4: Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:24:00.000-04:00

What a fun day today has been! I just love Halloween!

Actually, I am not a fan of the scary part at all. I love seeing the kids dressed up, amusingly I like to give out the candy (Jason struggles with that) and I especially love the annual Pine Ave Trick-or-Treat-Trivia-for-Candy game. And so do the kids in Manasquan! So many of them remember us from the past years! Yes, you heard right. You must answer a trivia question in order to get candy. This year's favorite candy was Wonka's Nerds Rope. Three years I've gotten it to hand out, and three years running it's the first candy to be out. Not the Snickers, Milky Ways, Whatchmacalits, Reese's Pieces, Hershey Bars, Skittles or Starburst. Sure, there were fans of these candies *like me* but the Nerds Rope is where it's at!

That said, I feel like a traitor for going back to Manasquan instead of staying at the new house in Wall. But we were told no one will come here - we are the last house on the dead end...and the previous owner was, well, feared by the kids in the neighborhood. Not good. But we did leave a bowl of candy out. To prove everyone was right, we left at about 1:00 or so....got back at 9:00 and there's still about 1/3 of the bowl of candy left. True, these are not the King size bars like we give out at PATOTTFC, but who takes one fun size bar if no-one's watching? NOBODY! You know kids took fistfuls....which is OK. Halloween is for them, right?

So, I've been home for 20 minutes and I'm freezing. Going pretty basic again tonight...but it's pretty delish - a true old favorite standby!

Cocoa Butter

Hot cocoa (no marshmallows needed)
Buttershots (butterscotch schnapps)
Redi Whip (optional)

Make the cocoa.
Add about 1 1/2 oz of Buttershots.
Top with whipped cream if you wish.
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy....

Day 3: Mischief Night...... VooDoo Cocktail

2010-10-30T20:47:00.000-04:00

Let's just say that Blackberry started the mischief today.

On our way out to MeeMaw's 85th birthday party in Allentown, PA (MeeMaw is Jason's dad's mom...) my purple BB started getting hot. I mean hot. So, I did the smart thing and turned it off. At the party I tried to turn it on: nothing. Tried with Jason's BB's battery: turned on, got hot immediately. After the 2 hour drive home, made it to the Verizon store. They had to order me a new BB. I won't have it until Tuesday!!!!!

Anyway, the party was awesome, houses on our new street got TP'd (ours didn't - I feel like I don't belong...) and today's cocktail is fab. So really, the only mischief so far is that BB mishap.

And now, on with the show.

VooDoo

1 oz Kamora (or Kahlua....I happen to have Kamora on hand)
1 oz DeKuyper Buttershots (butterscotch schnapps)
1 oz Bacardi Coco (coconut rum)
2 oz milk or cream (i used fat free 1/2 & 1/2 because that's what's in the house)

Shake ingredients with ice. Pour into a sugar rimmed martini glass (preferably halloween colored sugar!)

VooDoo - with Halloween Candy in back!!!

Day 2 Part B: The Bloody Englishman

2010-10-29T22:51:00.001-04:00

Thank goodness it's over for today and forever!

I mean the "Saw" franchise. Today is opening day of the final chapter of the Saw movies. I have endured opening night for ALL SEVEN of them, as they have become Jason's favorite movie series. And to make matters worse, they made the last one different. I mean same concept - more blood and gore than I can handle - maybe more than normal. A twist at the end which is surprising (and this time it also left me torn...) but somehow makes sitting through that drudgery worth it. What's different? "Saw 3D." For real? Blood and guts and an intestine falling to the ground like a giant homemade sausage isn't enough - you have to make it a 3D movie, too?

Well, it took me a while to get my blood pressure back to normal...and I think I also need a drink to keep calm!

Tonight's cocktail is in honor of Saw 3D - only because I'm toasting it's being the finale!!!!

The Bloody Englishman

5 oz Bailey's
Grenadine

Put a teeny bit of grenadine in a martini glass.
Shake Bailey's with ice.
Strain into the martini glass.
Put about a dozen or so droplets of grenadine all over the top of the Bailey's.

I know Bailey's is Irish, but Cary Elwes, the first survivor of Jigsaw's traps - back from the first movie ...you know, the guy who had to SAW his foot off to escape...is of English decent.

So Dr. Gordon....this one's for you!

Day 2 Part A: Coffee for Breakfast

2010-10-29T09:44:00.001-04:00

While I have chosen this blog to be about cocktails, there is something I like even more than cocktails.

No, I am not trying to dispel any thoughts that I might be an alcoholic. If you know me, you know that I am not. You may know that I worked for Wine Country (liquor stores in NJ) for a long time, and I am back with them again. If you didn't know, you do now! While there on my first stint, I was able to try all kinds of liqueurs and spirits I might not try on my own...and I was able to buy the newest ones as they came on to the market, too! Which is how I have built my collection of favorites. I will be trying new things as time passes, too. I don't expect everyone to like everything I do, but isn't it fun to try new things?

Back to the main reason for today's "Part A" post: COFFEE. I love it. Adore it. Can't have a day go by without it. And even more so, I LOVE MY KEURIG!!!! I would just die without it. Getting my coffee delivery from Keurig or Green Mountain Coffee (depends on which month it is...) is like Christmas! Yes, I am a dork - but a dork that drinks amazing coffee!

Today's breakfast selection is Green Mountain Coffee's Caramel Vanilla Cream. It's like a caramel macchiato and french vanilla drip all in one without the mess of making espresso!

Part B of today's blog will have a cocktail in it. Promise.

Day One. Peppermint Patty time.

2010-10-29T09:23:00.000-04:00

So, I have no idea what a blog really is, or why one would choose to write one.

Ok, I do. Well, I think I do. Well, at least I know what I want to do. I just want to share some of my favorite cocktails with my friends far and wide!

I'm not much of a beer drinker, and I'm not much of a wine drinker, either. Frankly, I like a good cocktail. There's something so juvenile about my favorite cocktails, which is ironic, since kids can't drink them! While cocktails can have a hearty burn, or a heavy taste, I prefer lighter ones - the ones that you can drink without making those crazy faces! True, some people like the burn and not the sweet - but this is MY blog! My favorite cocktails are sweet, sometimes fruity, sometimes desserty and always delicious. I say they are slightly juvenille because so many of them remind me of candy or ice cream sundaes. I mean come on - can't something that reminds me of being a kid still be something very adult?

To this I say "YES" and bring you my newest find and first blog cocktail.

The Peppermint Patty

1-1/2 oz to 3oz Peppermint Schnapps (how much burn do you want?)
Yoo-Hoo - 1 can.
Ice.

Shake schnapps and Yoo-Hoo with ice. Strain into a glass. Enjoy!
~or~
Pour schnapps over ice in a tall glass. Fill with Yoo-Hoo. Yum!