Drink of the Moment: Honey DO!

It's Memorial Day weekend, and we all know what that means!  Good times, good friends, and  ... good grief it's been a long time since I've done a Drink of the Moment!  For those of you that thought I had fallen ON the wagon (you know who you are), NEVER FEAR for I am back with a fantastic beverage for whatever upcoming weekend fete you might be gearing up for.  I call it the 'Honey Do' since it's sweet, melony, and easy enough for your someone else to whip up for you all afternoon so you don't have to lift a finger.  Sounds perfect, no?  Oh, and let me not forget to mention that it is neon green.  Who doesn't have fun drinking a glowy green drink - a total DO .  Give it a chug (or three) and let me know what you think!

The Honey Do

3/4-1oz Stoli Sticki honey flavored vodka

2oz Midori melon liquer

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Club Soda

Lime &/or blackberry for garnish

Mix first 4 ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.  Pour into your glass, top with club soda, and garnish with fruit.  Easy peasy.

You can also do this one up instead of on the rocks if it tickles your fancy.  Just be sure to reduce the lime and simple syrup slightly so they don't overpower the flavor of the melon, or maybe add some more Midori if you go this route.  Either way, your own fate lies in the balance here, and the last thing anyone wants is to taste something gone horribly awry called a 'Honey Don't'.

Cheers!

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Drink of the Moment: Kiwi Colada

Ok people, get ready to whet your whistles cause I've got another good one for you!  Unlike the last exceptionally popular drink of the moment that could still very easily have been thrown together twelve drinks in, this one actually does require a little prep work with a sharp utensil, so make sure you have things geared up ahead of time if you're planning on having a multiple batch kind of night ... eh hem, or day.  


I present for your consideration ...

... THE KIWI COLADA!

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)
Calories: 143

Ingredients

Try prepping your kiwi in bulk.

• 5 peeled kiwifruit, divided     
• 3 cups ice
• 1/4 cup light rum
• 1/4 cup Midori (melon-flavored liqueur)
• 3 tablespoons Cream of Coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Preparation

• Cut 4 kiwifruit into quarters, and place in a blender. Set remaining kiwifruit aside. Add ice and remaining ingredients to blender; process until smooth. Strain mixture through a sieve into a pitcher; discard seeds. Divide evenly among 6 glasses. Cut remaining kiwifruit into 6 slices; garnish each glass with 1 kiwifruit slice.

Cynthia Nicholson, Cooking Light 
JUNE 2005

I promise the prep work does pay off when you sip on this tasty beverage, and I certainly didn't waste my time straining or discarding any kiwi seeds (that I'm pretty sure most people eat in the fruit anyway). Who doesn't need another frozen yum yum drink to beat the (what seems to be dwindling) heatwave most of the North American continent has been dealing with - or to send out the summer with a bang.  So, go now I say, and indulge in this frosty wonder of a beverage before it's too late!

Drink of the Moment: Jameson in June

Look at this - TWO posts in the same week!  It's a flippin miracle, and it's been waaay too long since my last 'Drink of the Moment'.  Last weekend being Jay's birthday weekend, I mixed up a lovely little sumthin sumthin with his favorite joy juice, Jameson.  So, on that note, I bring you the very special treat of what I'm calling 'Jameson in June'.


Now I am  not typically a huge Jameson fan unless I'm in the throws of a severe winter cold (when it does wonders mixed with warm lemon juice and honey), but I know a LOT of Jameson fans who don't need a reason or a mixer to enjoy a nip every now and then.  This little concoction is by no means a replacement for the slow sipping of a whiskey on the rocks or the late night shot (or two), but it is a surprisingly refreshing and tasty alternative for those who were already fans looking to mix it up a little, AND those of us who were just waiting for a reason to become a fan.  To top if off, it's super easy to make.

Jameson in June

                                                                                  

2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey

4 oz Apple Juice (I used Simply Apple)                  

Splash of St Germaine (or elderflower cordial)

Splash of lemon juice

Pour all ingredients into glass, stir, and serve over ice.  Garnish with mint sprig.

The best part about this little gem, is that it's already gotten me thinking about what I'm going to do with it for a winter version.  Jameson in January anyone?  Until then, what are you waiting for?  Go ahead and get your new June juice on!

Drink of the Moment: Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur

I had been eyeing the Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur in the isle now for quite some time.  Sitting there with it's chic iced glass bottle with curves like bamboo and dramatic black label contrasted against the warm amber color of the liquid, I was sure it would taste as elegant and sophisticated as it looked.  Every time up until now though I had always walked out of the store with a different bottle of inspiration. I knew I was missing out on something, and in this case, good things do come to those who wait.  I am glad to say that I am no longer missing out.

Not that waiting really had anything to do with it at all, but this stuff is amazing.  The color, the scent, and most importantly the flavor is absolutely alluring.  I usually try to taste things in their purest form prior to mixing them in a drink if I can.  Sometimes, that rule of thumb leads to a bit of regret that later becomes way more pleasant when mixed properly, but this dear friends can be enjoyed all by its lonesome - maybe with a little ice if you like.  Of course, not being one to champion lack of experimentation I had to do a little mixing to find a yummy concoction that would highlight my fabulous new find.

After some trial and error, this emerged as my favorite Domaine de Canton cocktail so far.

THE CANTON COOLER

1/2 PART DOMAINE DE CANTON
1/2 PART DARK RUM
1 1/2 PARTS FRESH LIME JUICE
1/2 PART SIMPLE SYRUP

RASPBERRIES (to taste)

FRESH ROSEMARY (to taste)

Muddle raspberries and rosemary with simple syrup. Build in all other ingredients. Shake and strain.  Garnish with a sprig of rosemary or lime zest. 

Not a huge fan of super sweet drinks, I was a little hesitant at first, but this little cocktail wrapped a whole bunch of flavors into one little glass.  The bright ginger, lime, and raspberry flavors are wonderfully complimented by the almost smokey sweet flavor of the dark rum, and the savory flavor of the rosemary.  Also nice is the idea that you can sweeten it with a little more syrup if you do prefer a more sugary beverage.  I would imagine you could also top with some prosecco or champagne if you want to add some fun fizz.

If the rum doesn't set that well with your tastes, you might also try some Absolut Wild Tea in it's place.  This takes away some of the depth of flavor that the rum adds, and instead keeps it altogether light with a hint of elderflower.  Both are yummy in my opinion, and ask to be sipped on more than once!

Drink(s) of the Moment: Square One Cucumber Vodka

Happy Weekend!  After the workday I had yesterday, I really couldn't wait for the weekend to start; sooo, I didn't.  Immediately after work, I dove right in and mixed a concoction (or two) using my new favorite 'vodka of the moment' - Square One Cucumber.  Now, I expected this vodka to be nice, but I never knew how inspiring it is.  There are SO many different and unique cocktails you can mix up with it, and it seems like all of them that I've tried to date are just so wonderfully refreshing, surprisingly tasty, and extremely drinkable.  I am also finding that they are an exciting change to the oh-so-common beverage rut we all find ourselves in every now and again.  Below, I've selected two of my favorites to share with you, though don't be surprised if you see more of these cucumber vodka based drinks in future 'Drink of the Moment' features.

My original focus was on the 'Celery Cup #1', which is a great little savory cocktail that mingles the cucumber with celery, lemon, and cilantro; but then I tried the 'H', which I'm sure must stand for 'Holy Crap this is a Fantastic Drink' instead of just the inventor's initial.  Both are quite lovely, and almost taste like a little sneak preview of spring, so they really go with the warmer snap we've gotten here recently.  I think I have found a new longstanding go-to drink in the 'H' too, which is no small feat.  If you give either of them a try, I promise your taste buds will love you.  Oh, and though it may be tempting, do NOT leave out the black pepper garnish in the 'H', it's amazing.

Celery Cup #1

Inspired by Pimm's Cup and Featured at the Slow Food Nation  2008 event in San Francisco. 1 1/2 oz. Square One Cucumber 1-inch fresh English cucumber 2-inch celery stalk (closer to the heart for sweetness) palm-full of cilantro 1 oz. fresh lemon juice 1/2 oz. Pimm's 3/4 oz. organic agave nectar or simple syrup 1 celery stalk for garnish (Credit:  H. Joseph Ehrmann)

In a mixing glass, muddle the cucumber, celery cilantro and lemon juice into a pulp.  Add remaining ingredients, cover in ice and shake hard for 10 seconds.  Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice and garnish with a piece of celery.

"H"

Simply named and nicely done.  This is a cocktail served at Quality Social in San Diego that is named after Square One mixologist H. Joseph Ehrmann. 1 1/2 oz. Square One Cucumber 3/4 oz. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur 3/4 oz. lime juice 1/4 oz. simple syrup Soda Water Cucumber sliced lengthwise and a sprinkle of pepper for garnish. (Credit:  Timothy Lacey)

Lay Collins glass on its side, slide cucumber slice along side of glass and then add ice to keep cucumber in place.  Pour all ingredients, except soda, into a mixing glass and shake well.  Strain into Collins glass filled with ice and cucumber slice.   Top with soda water and sprinkle of black pepper. Cheers!