<p>Its sort of warm, D2 is on the launchpad, and I plan on getting into the spirit of the empty nest by imbibing early and often. But the single-malt is put away for the summer, and the La Famiglia comes out only for special occasions (e.g. Saturday afternoon), so I need some drink suggestions. Love Mojitos but can’t seem to make them right and end up with a bleh drink and/or mint in my teeth. I’d appreciate any ideas (except appletinis. Or any other tini that is not vodka/gin, vermouth, and olives. Except sake-tinis. They are not bad.)</p>
<p>Mean-time here is my no-fail Sangria recipe (purists may want to avert their eyes):
Soak fruit (orange, lemon, apple, nectarines) overnight in cheap California red wine (burgundy works well). Add Orange-Dri soda and ice. Serve.</p>
<p>I had three great drinks on Thursday. I thought I had the cookbooks they are in, but of course they are nowhere to be found. They were either from Mambo Mixers: Recipes for 50 Luscious Latin Cocktails and 20 Tantalizing Tapas or *Calypso Coolers: Recipes for 50 Caribbean Cocktails and 20 Tropical Treats *by Arlen Gargagliano.</p>
<p>One was a ginger champagne cocktail. Lemonade, champagne and grated ginger.
One was mango martini vodka plus mango juice.
One was a cosmopolitan variation, which had some coconut juice added to the mix - it was light and clear as opposed to pina colada.</p>
<p>Lazy-tini: Newmans Own lemonade, lime vodka, throw in a couple of frozen raspberries.</p>
<p>A little more prep:</p>
<p>Sparkling Ginger Cocktails
Simmer 3/4 cup water with 2 ox (1/2 cup) sliced fresh ginger and 1/2 cup sugar, uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep 15 minutes; strain, discarding solids and chill until cold (stored covered for up to 2 weeks).
Finely grind crystallized ginger with additional sugar in a food processor and spread on a small plate.
Run lemon wedges around rimes of glasses and dip into ginger sugar. Put 1 tablespoon of ginger syrup into glass and top off with Prosecco.</p>
<p>OH now I want the Lazy-tini, unfortunately I have to wait until tomorrow, the ABC in VA is closed on sunday.</p>
<p>Try the skinny girl margarita</p>
<p>2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)
Tiny splash of Orange Liquor
Juice of 4 Fresh Lime Wedges
Splash of Grand Marnier or BOLS Triple Sec</p>
<p>Pour over ice. I haven’t put orange liquor (cointreau) in, I use peach schnapps. I also use Triple Sec, I have used grand marnier, but triple sec is much cheaper. </p>
<p>I guess mine would be called the CHEAP skinny girl margarita!</p>
<p>Another great summer drink</p>
<p>GEORGIA PEACH</p>
<p>Make a screwdriver and add a splash of cranberry juice. Think of a peach skin color, or close to the pit, when you are adding it for visual purposes. It is sweet and tart at the same time, while having a nice full body in the drink.</p>
<p>My girlfriends favorite summer drink is a Baybreeze
Vodka, Cranberry juice and pineapple juice.</p>
<p>My favorite summer drink because it reminds me of sitting at a beach bar in Florida with nothing to do but relax and enjoy myself: </p>
<p>Bahama Mama</p>
<p>Orange-pineapple juice–about a cup
1 oz rum
Splash of Malibu coconut rum over the top
Splash of grenadine
Serve with lots of ice or even blended as a frozen drink. </p>
<p>Not quite as good as the ones I’ve had sitting at a bar on the beach, but close. It seems to be missing the breezes and sounds of waves :)</p>
<p>1 large bottle yellowtail shiraz
1 Cup Myers Rum
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Orange Juice
1/2 Cup Lime Juice
1 Can peaches in natural juice
whatever other fruit you want to include I will sometimes use sliced strawberries, apple slices, grape halves, whatever.</p>
<p>I don’t drink it because it’s not beer but I’m told it’s mighty tasty.</p>
<p>I never have success with Sangria, because I either don’t marinade long enough or marinade too long. I also am not a fan of fruit in my glass.</p>
<p>I am a fan of yellowtail, because it is a good cheap wine, that doesn’t taste cheap. I also like Fisheye and three blind MOOSE in that price range. Fat ■■■■■■■, and old fart are good too.</p>
<p>Two new favorites that we’re serving at D1’s wedding in June:</p>
<p>Nantucket Red Cocktail
Pour 1 oz of cranberry juice into a chilled flute glass, squeeze in a wedge of lime and top with champagne. Garnish with a cranberry or two. You can substitute prosecco for champagne–if you like. A high-end prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is cheaper than high-end champagne. I’ve really started to like prosecco.</p>
<p>St. Germain Cocktail
Pour 1 oz of St. Germain liquor into a chilled flute glass and squeeze in a wedge of lemon, top with champagne. Use a half strawberry for garnish. St. Germain liquor is made from white elderflowers blossoms (which grow on trees in the Alps).</p>
<p>Gosh you guys are high class, I am sipping on “Golden Gate Vintners” seems to be on special at our local New England Supermarket @ $2.99/ bottle. LOL, flavors seems to be Chardonnay, Merlot, etc… Cabernet Sauvignon… And I got a free wine bag that holds 6 bottles when I bought 6 bottles… Actually, I think if you buy any 6 bottles of wine you get that tote bag! </p>
<p>Orange Polar Dry soda tastes great with vodka & a piece of fresh lime!</p>
<p>I don’t know what you call it, but H and I became fans of this when visiting Venice a couple of years ago. A very nice warm weather adult beverage. I prefer prosecco - and have a couple of bottles on hand, in the fridge, chilled and ready for any (or no) special occasion.</p>
<p>Take two parts prosecco or white wine, mix with one part Campari, top with a splash of fizzy water, and serve over ice with either an un-pitted green olive on a skewer or a wedge of orange or lemon.</p>
<p>My favorite summer cocktail is a Caipirinha. The traditional ones are made with lime but they are wonderful with almost any fruit, especially strawberries, kiwi and different melons. You can use Vodka or the traditional Brazilian Cachaca, which you can get at larger liquor stores. Get a masher and you’re ready to go! Use fine sugar.</p>