Ice + Clink + Drink

Don’t you love anagrams? So much fun scrambling up words to make new combinations. Here are some for “Halloween Cocktails” that still fit the theme:

 For real Halloween cocktails, whip up the Bloody Sunday punch I created last year, or try this fun layered one. Enjoy either of these at your Halloween party next weekend! I will work on more next week (“Hello, A New Cocktail”).

 Hone Well A Cocktail

Amongst the Halloween parties October 27-30 will be the first annual Seattle Cocktail Week – definitely “A New Alcohol Tickle!” There will be events at bars all over the city in celebration of cocktails. For updates, check out the event’s Facebook page. Be sure to attend the LUPEC event on Thursday, October 27 from 7-9 pm at Rob Roy. “Boobs, Booze & Beignets” will raise money for breast cancer research New Orleans-style. Good cause + good cocktails = good time!

Cheers, ICE

 

Maybe you have a last BBQ to attend this Labor Day Weekend and need an easy pitcher drink. The Capetown Collins is that drink. It is easy to create and unique in taste – the perfect combo.

Capetown Collins* (make ahead of serving)

 In a pitcher, combine the gin, Rosemary-Rooibos Syrup and lemon juice and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour. Stir well and strain into ice-filled collins glasses. Garnish with the rosemary sprigs. Makes six servings.

 Rosemary-Rooibos Syrup

 In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil with the rosemary sprig; simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the tea bags and let steep for 5 minutes. Discard the tea bags and rosemary and stir in the sugar until dissolved. Let cool, then pour into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

 You really only need an hour and a half advance notice to throw this together. The syrup is quick to steep while you juice a couple of lemons, and then combine it all in a pitcher. The rosemary and rooibos tea together give it a nice spice profile that mellows the gin. This combination of ingredients isn’t especially seasonal, so keep the Capetown Collins in mind for parties throughout the year.

 Cheers, ICE

 *the Capetown Collins was created at No. 9 Park in Boston and featured in Food & Wine’s Cocktails 2008.

 As always, check out my Glossary of Spirits page for alcohol and mixer definitions and details.

 

There are pros and cons to cocktails. One of the pros is how the alcohols and mixing agents combine to create new, fabulous tastes. But the con is that strong drink equals drunk. Now that my friends and I are getting just a wee bit older, getting sloshed isn’t usually a goal at a party.  Not that it can’t still be fun (get that girl a microphone!). 

 So, sometimes a pitcher drink with a wider ratio of non-intoxicating ingredients to alcohol can be the right prescription. Sip this DRY soda Rhubarb Mojito at your 4th of July BBQ and you’ll still be conscious for the fireworks (notice I said sip and not guzzle!).

Rhubarb Mojito* Pitcher (8 servings)

Muddle mint in a pitcher, add rum, simple syrup and lime juice. Refrigerate to chill. Just prior to serving add chilled Rhubarb DRY Soda and stir gently. Serve in ice-filled glasses.

DRY Sodas come in a variety of interesting flavors and are found at many grocery stores, including Amazon Fresh. While using the DRY soda is a convenient option for easy entertaining, a mojito would also be fabulous using the rhubarb syrup I posted last year.  Try this: 

Rhubarb Mojito, Take Two

 Cheers, ICE

 *Created by Matthew Walker & Devlin McGill for Bellevue, Washington’s 0/8 Seafood Grill. Original recipe can be found on the DRY Soda site. 

 

Each year at my kids’ elementary school the staff holds a Volunteer Tea to acknowledge the work of the PTA and volunteers. These are some dedicated parents who put in a lot of time making sure the students and teachers feel supported. They are fortunately not, in other words, in the mold of the Harper Valley PTA folk (other children of the seventies out there?).

To celebrate another successful year of fundraising, hosting school events, chaperoning field trips, coordinating enrichment classes, revamping Websites and general volunteer excellence, I created for them an enhanced Volunteer Tea.  Like many school projects, there are a lot of parts that combine to make the whole. Drink enough and it just might “sock it to the Harper Valley PTA.”

Volunteer Tea

Brew tea according to package directions (1 teabag to 8 oz water) and let cool. Muddle raspberries in a glass; add ice and remaining ingredients and stir well to chill (straining is optional). Garnish with raspberries (optional). Note: if you don’t have ginger liqueur then ginger beer or muddled ginger could also work here.  Serves one weary volunteer.

Thanks for all your great work!

Cheers, ICE

As always, check out my Glossary of Spirits page for alcohol and mixer definitions and details.