Bee's Knees.....Bzzzzzz

Here's a recipe for a gin drink called The Bee's Kness, yum. I've slightly adapted it for my taste :D

Bee's Knees

1 1/2 ounces gin (I used New Amsterdam)

1 tablespoon honey

2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine all four ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Before adding the ice, stir well to incorporate the thick honey with the other liquids.
2. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled glass and enjoy!

Makes 1 drink.

I've also found a Martha Stewart recipe for:

Ginger Sidecar

• Sugar
• 1 orange slice
• 2 1/4-inch-thick slices peeled fresh ginger
• 1 one-inch piece orange zest
• 2 ounces brandy
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
• Ice

Directions

Place sugar on a plate. Run orange slice around the rim of a glass; rotate rim in sugar. Muddle ginger in a cocktail shaker. Add orange zest, brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, maple syrup, and ice; shake. Strain into glass.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone !!!!

So technically, Thanksgiving was yesterday, but for me, it's tomorrow. Well, Second Thanksgiving, anyhow. Because we were going to my SIL's house for dinner on Thursday, I decided to make another dinner on Saturday. It's been awesome! I feel so free to decide what I want to make since no one will miss any traditional dishes since they already had them on Thursday. My theme is a Paula Deen Thanksgiving. Southern-style dishes will be featured. Here's my menu:

Apple-Bourbon Smoked Turkey and Gravy

Cornbread Dressing

Baby Collard Greens

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

String Bean Casserole

Pineapple-y Sweet Potatoes

Red Cabbage and Apple Cole Slaw

Cranberry Jell-o Mold

For dessert

Chocolate Chess Pie

Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake

Apple-Blackberry Pie with Cheddar Crust

Well on our way!

So Jenny and I worked on our apple pie liquor last night and it's coming along fantabulously! We bottled up 5 10-oz bottles (I settled on woozy bottles because they were in stock and cheap) , then we worked on our cute graphics and copy for the labeling. We're really excited about them. It's like we share a mind. There was a quick discussion of the picture, then we both started drawing it, and they were practically identical, except hers was of a much better quality.... I'm also working on recipes. Here's a few:

Bubbling Apple Pie

1 oz Apple Pie Moonshine

3 oz Sparkling wine or Champagne

Serve in a champagne glass. Garnish with cinn. stick

Hot Apple Pie

1 oz Apple Pie Moonshine

3 oz hot apple cider

Serve in a mug. Garnish with cinn. stick.

Pie a la Mode

1 oz Apple Pie Moonshine

1 scoop vanilla bean ice cream

Blend in the blender. Serve in cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of apple pie spice.

No name yet...

1 oz Apple Pie Moonshine

1/2 oz Canton Ginger Liquor

2 1/2 oz ginger ale

Stir. Serve on ice in an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Scarlet Fever!

Well, it's true that when I was young, I developed scarlet fever after a severe bout of strep throat, and now, I have it again!!! The good thing is that while I may have hallucinations after a while, there will be no removing of my stuffed animals. I was browsing the Fever Tree website when I found an awesome recipe for a drink which I had all of the ingredients for!!!! It's a gin and tonic with a splash of Campari. Yum. Fever Tree tonic water is pretty good. It really does have a fresh, subtle taste compared to big brand tonic water. I hope I can source some more of their products. Especially the ginger beer, cuz I really want to work on my Dark and Stormy.

Apple Pie Season!

Well, it's almost time to try my apple pie liqueur! This weekend it's a date :D

Right now I'm drinking a pink gin cocktail and blech! Don't like it one bit. First of all, it's not pink. I know pink, not sure if you've noticed. So I added some maraschino cherry juice and a cherry, but it just wouldn't work. I think I'm going to reinvent pink gin with homemade grenadine. We'll see how that goes. Blech. And I like bitters, but this is so not good!

Is it ready yet?

Today I tried all the liqueurs that I made and I have to say, even after a few days, they are improved :D The apple pie knocked me over with fresh-from-the-oven aroma as soon as I opened the jar. I added some lemon zest to brighten up the flavors a bit. Also, I strained the mint leaves from the Moroccan mint tea liqueur, and added two packets of matcha green tea powder. Eventually, I have to buy some proper canning jars for the large batches. Probably quart sized. The pomegranate is also yummy, with cardamom. Eventually, it and the mint will need a sugar syrup for finishing. Yipee!

Apple Pie Liqueur

OK, so here we go. A little delay, but no bother. I've been wanted to make some homemade liqueur for a while now, and with the fall festivals and holidays coming, now is a good a time as any!

Apple Pie Liqueur #1

1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups Trader Joe's Apple juice (filtered)
1 1/2 cups Trader Joe's MacIntosh apple juice
1/2 cinnamon stick
1 allspice
2 lemon zest strips (peel with a sharp peeler or knife)
8 oz Devil Springs Vodka 160 Proof

In a saucepan, mix the sugar with a bit of water. Cook without stirring until you get a good caramel color. Quickly add the apple juices (careful of steam and splattering) and bring to a boil. Put up in a quart canning jar, add the spices and let cool. Once cool, add vodka. Put lid on and taste every day until desired spice level. Remove spices. Whew! This baby packs a wollop! Gonna let it age for a while and see how it goes.

I also have started a Moroccan Mint Tea liqueur and a Spiced Pomegranate Cordial, which are also ageing happily away. Yum.