Clara's Mint Juleps

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Warning: These are so good, you might drink half your drink before taking a picture. 

My cousin is the cocktail queen. 

When we got together a few weeks ago on Derby Day, I charged her with making Mint Juleps. It doesn't matter if this girl has made a drink before or not, she will figure it out and make it amazing.

Repeat after me: All hail the queen.

And, as I mentioned in my post about that weekend, she came through with flying colors. Since then, a few readers have asked me for the recipe.

I recently found a large amount of fresh mint growing in my new backyard (thanks, previous owners!), so there is really no excuse to not throw together a mint julep on a hot afternoon. Thanks, Clara!

Clara's Mint Juleps

Ingredients:

• 5 medium sized mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon sugar in the raw of sugar substitute, or 3 drops of liquid stevia
• Squeeze of lime
• Ice
• Splash seltzer water

Directions:

1. In an empty glass of choice (I put mine in the freezer for a few hours to make it frosty), muddle 5 medium sized mint leaves with 1 teaspoon of sugar in the raw, sugar substitute, or 3 drops of liquid stevia, and a squeeze of lime. 
2. Add ice.
3. Pour 1-2 shots of bourbon over ice.
4. Pour into a shaker and shake, then pour all ingredients back into glass and top with seltzer water.

"Kitchen Sink" Long Island Iced Tea

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This may resemble a Long Island Iced Tea in look and taste, but the ingredient list is much more forgiving. You see, when I received some Iced Tea flavors in the mail from Tradewinds, I was determined to whip up something that was delicious and familiar. But, I was tired of finding cocktail recipes that required specific ingredients that I never have on hand.

What ever happened to kitchen sink drinks? Throw in everything but the kitchen sink, they say. A little of this, a little of that, times that by two or three, and voila. You've got yourself a cocktail.

"Kitchen Sink" Long Island Iced Tea

Note: 

• While there is no specific ingredient list you must use for this cocktail, there are a few guidelines to follow so that your flavors turn out well balanced and... well... appetizing.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Iced Tea. I used Tradewinds Iced Tea, and I combined sweet and unsweet, at a ratio of about 1:3 (meaning a bit more unsweet than sweet, because I was trying not to load this baby with sugar). Feel free to adjust as you see fit!
• 1 oz Citrus. I used lemon juice, but feel free to use anything you have on hand. Fresh lemon, lime, or orange? Squeeze that baby! Have some "Real Lemon" on hand? I'm not judging. That works!
• 1 - 1.5 oz White Liquor. I used Bacardi white rum because, you guessed it, I had it on hand. Also great would be Vodka or Blanco Tequila!
• 1 - 1.5 oz Brown Liquor. I used Fireball Whiskey, which I cannot recommend enough due to its ability to add a cinnamon taste to the tea. That said, other great contenders include unflavored Whiskey, Dark Rum, and Bourbon.
• .75 oz (1/2 shot) Sweet Liqueur. Any liqueur that has been sweetened with a fruity flavor will work here! I used Triple Sec, but Chambord would be delicious, too!
• Sweetener, to taste (Optional). I added 4 drops of NuNaturals Liquid Stevia, but you could also either opt out of this or add a half ounce of simple syrup or a half packet of sugar.
  
   

Directions:

1. Set a highball glass aside. Use a second glass and fill with ice, then add ingredients above.
   
   
   
2. Pour into your highball glass and serve plain or with a straw!
   
    

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

• Do you have any favorite "kitchen sink" foods and drinks? I love kitchen sink salads! They are such a great way to use up any produce you are worried you won't be able to finish. Throw it in there!
• Do you have a favorite drink of summer? I used to love Chardonnay as a summer beverage, but last summer I was totally into Effen Cucumber and anything cucumber/lime/mint flavored was my summer jam! Check out this Effen Cucumber Mint Martini if you're jonesin' for one right now!

Orange Whiskey BOKO Cocktail (Low-Cal and Sugar-Free)

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Happy Friday! It's official; we made it to the weekend. Breathe a sigh of relief in 3...2...1...

Friday might actually be one of my favorite days of the week, even though Saturday involves the most free time. There's so much potential for Fridays.

Especially on a day like today, when I have no plans. After a long and busy week, I'm pretty thrilled to be able to relax, work out, clean my apartment, and... well, whatever the heck my spirit leads me to do.

Thumbs up for Rock and Roll!

I made this cocktail recently. My fiance had poured himself some Maker's Mark on the rocks and sat down to sip it, and I wanted to play, too... but only kind of. So I made this. It's perfect for someone who appreciates the taste of whiskey... but only kind of (BOKO). I do like whiskey, but sometimes I just need to take the edge off of it - yes, even with a good batch like Marker's Mark (or our favorite Woodford Reserve).

Of all the flavors, one of my favorites to pair with whiskey is orange. Ever since trying a drink called the Barbed Wire Daisy at The Violet Hour, it's been my favorite combination. After experimenting with Orange Flavored NuNaturals in the 1920's Champagne Punch we served at our Speakeasy Party, I was dying to try it again.

This cocktail is very simple. Because, to be honest, I kind of think a drink with great whiskey in it should be simple.

Low Cal Orange Whiskey

Ingredients:

• Ice, half-way filling a short cocktail glass (Or a tall one, I guess, if you're brave)
• 10 drops Orange NuNaturals Flavored Liquid Stevia*
• 2-4 ounces Whiskey (I used Maker's Mark)
• Optional: A straw (My fiance would probably consider it a sin to drink whiskey from a straw. I, on the other hand, have no qualms about it)

Directions:

1. Fill a short cocktail glass half-way with ice.
2. Add Orange NuNaturals (or Orange/sugar combination - see below)
3. Add Whiskey
4. Stir or swirl! And drink!

Notes:

• Don't have Orange NuNaturals Flavored Liquid Stevia? Never fear! You can combine 1/2 tsp Orange Extract with 1 tsp sugar or stevia powder... or combine with orange zest!