Don't Let Summer Slip Away!

Where are all the yummy warm days of Summer? I've said it once and I'll say it again...it is NOT Fall yet! With that in mind, on this long weekend, live it up like one only can in the Summer months. What is the best way? With a tropical drink of course.


I was thumbing through Sunset Magazine last night at a friend's house and found this luscious treat. Enjoy and have a fun & safe long weekend!!

TROPICAL MAI TAI

Ingredients
2 tablespoons light rum
2 tablespoons orange curaçao
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 dash orgeat
1 dash simple syrup
1 tablespoon dark rum
Mint, a pineapple slice, and a paper umbrella for garnish

Preparation
1. Fill an 8-oz. glass with ice. Pour in light rum, orange curaçao, orange juice, lime juice, orgeat, and simple syrup.
2. Drizzle dark rum on top. Garnish with mint, pineapple slice, and paper umbrella.

Yield
Makes 1 drink

Sunset Magazine, September 2008

Red, White and Blueberry!

When wondering what to post for the 4th of July, what came to mind? Cocktails of course! Enjoy this fabulous Blueberry Mojito recipe, courtesy of St. Joe's Bar in New Orleans (via Food & Wine Magazine) inspired by my friend Gavin who works at Sostanza in Madison Park, here in Seattle.


INGREDIENTS
10 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig for garnish
10 blueberries
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
Ice
1 1/2 ounces gold rum
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce chilled club soda
1 ounce chilled Sprite

DIRECTIONS
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves, blueberries and Simple Syrup. Fill with ice, add the rum and lime juice and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass, top with the club soda and Sprite and garnish with the mint sprig.

What could be better than that? Sweet, tart and totally patriotic! OK, maybe that is going a bit too far. Enjoy your 4th of July everyone...I'll see you Monday!

Photo courtesy of the Food Network