Raspberry Bourbon Smash with Spicy Vanilla Sugar

 

We are kicking off our Father's Day with a drink.  And a damn good one!

I've never been a huge fan of bourbon (please don't tell my father because he would probably be disappointed in my Kentucky blood).  After trying this drink, my fanhood has totally moved up a notch. Make that two.

Raspberry Bourbon Smash with Spicy Vanilla Sugar

(Makes 3)

4.5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

4.5 ounces simple syrup

4.5 ounces bourbon

3 T triple sec

1/2 pint of raspberries muddled into a pulp

Top drinks off with club soda (I used orange flavored from Trader Joe!)

Crushed ice

Vanilla sugar and cayenne for the rim (about 1/8-1/4 cup)

Basil leaves for garnish

Directions:

Prepare your glasses: rim your high ball glasses by dampening the rim.  In a small dish, pour your vanilla sugar and a dash of cayenne. Give it a quick mix.  Dip your glasses into the vanilla sugar/cayenne mixture.

Fill your glass half way with crushed ice.

Mix the orange juice, simple syrup, bourbon, triple sec, and raspberries into a shaker with some ice.  Give it a good shake. Divide into 3 glasses.  Top with club soda and garnish with basil.

Rasberry Peach Basil Water

Summer is at it's height in Michigan. We have had so many 90 degree days it makes it hard to get out of the house...and I need to stay hydrated.

I gave up soda a long time ago. If I have one, I consider it a treat, but it's certainly not part of my daily routine to drink. I stick to water but sometimes that gets to be a bit monotonous. Since I'm not a fan of juice (too sugary for me) I'm really running out of choices!

Then, the lightbulb went on. My husband and I take a yearly trip to Calistoga Ranch, where we were married almost 3 years ago. One of our favorite bartenders makes fruit water daily. All he does is takes fruit, blends it, tops it with ice, then fills the jug with water. It's fabulous and refreshing...and it contains no sugar (well except from the fruit itself). I also manage to get a bit of my fruit serving in there, too! I've spent the summer experimenting.

Now, don't expect an 'in your face' flavor here. It's meant to be subtle. But it's definitely the ultimate summer refreshment!

Enjoying our water at the pool!

Raspberry Peach Basil Water
Recipe by: Cafe Coco

Ingredients
1 peach, pealed, pitted and diced
1 cup raspberries
5 basil leaves, muddled
Water/Ice

Directions:
In a blender, blend the peach chunks and rasberries until blended. Add to jug. Top with water and ice. Top with the basil leaves. Stir. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can continue to top with ice and water.

Malted Milkshake with Whoppers

I was the queen of “make believe” when I was a kid. The youngest of 3 girls, I was always left out on the sidelines so I had no choice but to make up my own fun.

When “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” came out, my imaginary brain would run in wild circles on what I would do if “I” got the golden ticket…I can tell you…I would probably be the one in the middle of the chocolate river. I’m just sayin’.

So in the midst of make believe and wishing I was a kid again, I saw a recipe for a Malt Milkshake in my May, Bon Appetit Magazine. (If you don’t get this mag….get it. It will never ever disappoint) AND since I made whopper cookies last week….I was lucky enough to have 2 boxes of Whoppers still in my pantry just begging to be used.

This was just what I needed to wash the ‘real’ world away…

For all my Whopper loving readers…this is for you.

Whopper Malted Milkshakes
Recipe derived from “Bon Appetit Magazine”, May 2009

Ingredients:
2 ½ cups vanilla bean ice cream (I used Edy’s slow churned)
2 tablespoons of malted milk powder
½ cup milk
½ cup half and half
¼ cup coffee or chocolate liquor (optional)
½ cup Whoppers, crushed

Directions:
In a blender, add milk, half and half, ice cream, and liquor. Blend until smooth.

Meanwhile, put Whoppers in a Ziploc bag and beat with a wooden rolling pin or mallet.

Pour milkshake into classes and top with Whoppers. Serve immediately.

Greyhound Martini

I am not a drinker.

Really. But when my husband suggested we make "Greyhounds" for New Years Eve as the signature drink for our house party, I thought, "Cool". I dig a signature drink.

We got a bottle of Ciroc vodka (you know from the commercials with Puffy Combs on them) for a gift at Christmas and we went out and bought some, way pricey, but freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for the ingredients and we were set.

I mixed up turbinado sugar with some pink sprinkle sugar and rimmed martini glasses and voila...a beautiful and amazing drink! It tasted JUST like a fresh grapefruit in the morning. SOO yummy. But be careful...ahem...uh...these bite back if you aren't careful. *wink*

So get out your martini shakers girls and try it out at your next party....your guests will love that you have a 'Signature Drink'. So ...Sex and the City! ;)

Greyhound

1 part Vodka

2.5 parts Grapefruit, freshly squeezed (get the fresh...TOTALLY makes a difference!

Turbinado sugar for garnish

or

1 oz. Vodka

5 oz. Grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed

Turbinado sugar for garnish

Directions:

1. In a martini shaker add the vodka, then grapefruit juice. Add 5 pieces of ice and give it a shake.

2. Dampen martini glass rim with water and roll in sugar mixture of turbinado sugar and pink sugar.

3. Pour in the drink...and enjoy...responsibly!