FRIDAY COCKTAIL - BLACK CAT!

Not only is it Friday the 13th..it is also a Full Moon!!!  YIKES!

Ingredients:
1 oz blue curacao
1 oz vodka
3 oz lemon lime soda
1 oz cranberry juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
lime twist for garnish

In a shaker with ice, add curacao, vodka and lime juice.  Shake well.  Add lemon lime soda and shake well again.  In a tall glass, add cranberry juice.  Over the back of a spoon carefully strain the mixed ingredients into the glass.  Try not to blend the mixtures completely for presentation.
Garnish with a lime twist.

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
ENJOY!

WELL DONE WEDNESDAY - SHRIMP SCAMPI!

Trying to start blogging food again on Wednesdays..stay tuned...
Thought that I had blogged this recipe.  Then a friend asked for it...went to the blog..even I can't find it...haha.  So Danielle here it is:

Ingredients:

1 lb fresh cleaned and deveined shrimp (16-20 count* at least)
1 lb linguine
4 Tbl butter divided
4 Tbl olive oil, divided
2 shallots minced
3 garlic cloves minced
red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dry white wine
juice of a large lemon
1/4 cup capers rinsed, drained (optional**)
fresh parsley for garnish

Cook pasta 6-8 minutes - not quite al dente, drain

In a saute pan, heat 2 Tbl butter with 2 Tbl olive oil.  Add shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes to taste.  Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.  Cook shrimp 2-3 minutes turning once.  Remove shrimp and set aside.

To the sauté pan, add wine, lemon juice and capers (if using) and bring to simmer.  Add remaining 2 Tbl butter and oil to the liquid.  When combined add shrimp to the pan with parsley and pasta.  Season with a little salt and pepper.  When plated drizzle a dash of olive oil on top.

* 16-20 count means there are at least 16-20 shrimp per pound
** the capers add a salty flavor similar to a piccata sauce.  I love them but if you want pure scampi leave them out.

LOVE MY SHRIMP!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - BELMONT BREEZE!

This is the OFFICIAL cocktail of the Belmont Stakes.  So if you have been living in a closet the Belmont Horse Race is tomorrow and for the first time in a very long time a Triple Crown opportunity exists for California Chrome!!!!  Can't wait to watch!!!

Ingredients:

1-1/2 oz whiskey
3/4 oz Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry
1 oz sweet and sour mix
1-1/2 oz fresh orange juice
1-1/2 oz cranberry juice
1 oz 7-up
1 oz club soda
Mint sprig and lemon slice for garnish

Combine first 5 ingredients in a shaker with ice.  Pour into a tall glass and top with 7-up and club soda.  Garnish with mint and lemon.

GO CALIFORNIA CHROME!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - THE STANLEY CUP HAWK!

Last Chance Time!  Let's Go


Ingredients:

2 parts Jim Beam
1 part Gran Mariner
orange juice
splash of grenadine
orange slice

Fill champagne flute with Jim Beam and Gran Mariner.  Add orange juice to almost fill the glass.  Top with grenadine and garnish with orange wedge.  Sweett!

DO OR DIE!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - STARS & STRIPES SIPPER!

Well, it will FINALLY be nice and warm here in the Midwest.  So we can talk about "refreshing" drinks, not warm-me-up drinks.  Here's a great one and easy to make for your Memorial Day BBQ!

2 oz dry rum
grapefruit juice
club soda
lime wedge for garnish
ice

Pour rum in a tall glass with ice.  Top with juice and soda and garnish with a lime.  How easy is that!!!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - ITALIAN BERRY MULE!

I realize it is Kentucky Derby weekend....just not a fan of the ol' Mint Julep.  This baby is far more refreshing.  I will be drinking one of these as they sing Old Kentucky Home!

Ingredients:

6 raspberries (and some for garnish)
ice
2 oz good vodka
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/4 oz simple syrup*
1/2 tsp aged balsamic vinegar
2 oz chilled ginger beer
mint

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the raspberries and a sprig of mint.  Add ice and all the remaining ingredients except the ginger beer.  Shake well and strain into a high ball glass filled with ice.  Top with ginger beer and a sprig of mint and a raspberry.

* Combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil then simmer until sugar dissolves.  Remove and let cool. Refrigerate up to a month.

AND THEY ARE OFF!
ENJOY!

FRIDAY COCKTAIL - PALOMA!

As Bon Appetit magazine so appropriately put it...It's Baller Season..as in Highball Spring season.  This thoroughly refreshing drink tops their list.

Ingredients:

2 oz blanco tequila
1/2 oz lime juice
6 oz grapefruit soda (ie: San Pellegrino)
kosher salt for rim
grapefruit slice for garnish

Rim a highball glass with salt and fill with ice.  Add the tequila and lime juice and top with grapefruit juice.  Garnish with grapefruit slice.

SIGNS OF SPRING!
ENJOY!