Posts Tagged ‘cocktails’

I have been neglecting this blog. However, that is going to change, hopefully, because work is finally slowing down. In addition, I’ve actually booked my first honest-to-Gawd vacation in I don’t know how long. I’m going to HAWAII! Yes, I will be basking in the sun for 8 days and 7 nights on Maui. I cannot wait to suck back some fruity drinks made with fresh pineapple juice. In anticipation of that glorious event, today’s featured drink is the Mai Tai.

Mai Tai Cocktail - Hawaii's Finest

Since this will be my first trip to Hawaii, I have no idea what the original Hawaiian cocktail is like. I do, however, know that I’ve tried several on the mainland and throughout Caribbean resorts, and this recipe is by far the best one I’ve made at home. While I think most Mai Tai cocktails are made with nothing more than pineapple juice and lime, this one has some other fresh juices. I’m all about what tastes good.

INGREDIENTS

* 3 oz. light rum

* 3 oz. dark rum

* 1 oz. orange curacao (or grand marnier)

* 2 oz. pineapple juice (fresh is amazing if you can do it)

* 2 oz. guava juice

* 2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

* 1 oz. orgeat syrup (almond syrup w/ orange or rose)

* 1 oz. simple syrup

* crushed mint leaves to garnish (very important)

* pineapple wedges for garnish

* lime wedge to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Put all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker. Fill two high ball glasses with shaved ice. Shake cocktail shaker thoroughly, at least ten times. Strain into two glasses.

Crush the mint leaves between your fingers and float on the top of the drink. It is important to really bruise the mint leaves, because they blend the flavors together. You should NOT skip the fresh mint – it is the key to the whole drink.

Garnish with pineapple and lime wedges.

Drink through a straw. Make sure you have a designated driver … or make at home so you don’t need one.

If you are having a party, these can be made ahead of time and stored in a pitcher, but make sure you stir well before serving.

I can almost feel those tropical breezes already!

Happy Solstice! Today marks the official beginning of Winter and the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Going forward, our days will slowly become longer as we begin another transit in our elliptical orbit around the Sun. Did you know that we are, in fact, approaching the closest point in our elliptical orbit to the Sun? It’s true! We’re actually closer to the Sun on the day of the Winter Solstice than we are on the day of the Summer Solstice. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s cold now because we only get indirect rays of light from the Sun due to the tilt of Earth’s rotational axis. Most people mistakenly believe it is Winter right now because we are at the most distant point from the Sun in our elliptical orbit, but that’s not the case.

As such, I thought today’s Midweek Martini should celebrate the intriguing mechanics of our solar system. What could be more appropriate for a Winter Solstice celebration than a drink called Fire & Ice? It is a layered drink featuring Hot Damn (i.e. cinnamon schnapps) and Bailey’s Irish Creme. Cinnamon is one of those wonderful warming spices, which makes it ideal for a cold Winter’s day, and represents the warmth of our Sun. The Bailey’s Irish Creme represents the ice and snow of Winter.

Making a layered drink can be tricky, so I’ve included a video on how to perfect the art of the layered shot!

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS: