Category Archives: cocktails

Frozen Summer Treat

Posted on June 3, 2010 by | 1 comment

Miss Mojito spent a recent Friday afternoon bidding farewell to a coworker at a work party. This coworker is particularly well-known for his affinity for what we call “girly” drinks, so I clearly had to make one in his honor.

What makes a drink “girly”? Typically, it’s marked by a mix of super sweet flavors, bright colors and lots of fruitiness.

I thought that a strawberry daiquiri would fit the bill – it uses seasonally appropriate ingredients while combining the perfect pink color with a sweet and fruity drink. But I didn’t want to mess with the hassle of transporting a blender and blending up batches on site at the party.

That’s when I remembered the Red Rooster. It’s a combo of cranberry juice, vodka and sugar that’s mixed together in a large, flat tray and frozen overnight. What you’re left with is a granita: a slushy cocktail treat that you can scrape into glasses and serve with spoons. My mom served these as a Thanksgiving treat, but I figured that the granita principle would transfer well to the strawberry daiquiri concept. The perfect, cool treat for hot summer days!

Miss Mojito preps her strawberry daiquiri granita

 

Strawberry Daiquiri Granita
Serves 8-9

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 32 ounces strawberries, hulled
  • 20-24 ounces white rum
  • Juice of two large limes

Directions:

Bring water and sugar to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes, until mixture thickens and reduces by about half and you’re left with a simple syrup.

Puree strawberries in food processor (in two batches if necessary) until no chunks of strawberry remain. If you’re looking for a smooth texture, strain the strawberry puree. (Personally, I skip the straining step.) Add lime juice to puree.

Pour puree in a 9×13 baking dish – preferably one that comes with a lid. Pour in rum and cooled simple syrup and stir to mix. Cover (with aluminum foil if you don’t have a lid) and freeze for at least three hours, stirring occasionally.

The finished product will be a big, messy, slushy pan of fruity goodness. Use a large spoon or ladle to transfer to cups, and serve with spoons or straws.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

1 Comment

Posted in cocktails, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, white rum

Tagged , ,

The Cosmopolitan Story

Posted on May 25, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Manolo Blahniks and Cosmopolitans are synonymous with “Sex and the City.” And given those strong S&C connections, we are obliged to celebrate the SATC pop cultural phenomenon up until our own “Style in the City” event on Friday.

You may have remembered from the first movie that our favorite NYC ladies closed with a round of Cosmopolitans. It went something like this:

Charlotte: This is delicious!

Miranda: Why’d we ever stop drinking these?

Carrie: Because everyone else started.

Four fabulous NYC gals brought the Cosmopolitan cocktail to widespread popularity. (photo courtesy of The Gnostic Gospels and Her Name was Lola)

It is true that the fab four of Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda are credited for bringing the Cosmopolitan cocktail to incredible popularity. But, the original Cosmopolitan actually pre-dates the TV series. Like most cocktail origins, the history of the cocktail is disputed, but it appears that the real story of the Cosmopolitan starts in the early 1990’s at an exclusive after-party for the Grammy’s, held at the famous Rainbow Room where Dale “King Cocktail” DeGroff was tending bar. Madonna and her entourage settled in the VIP Lounge. When the songstress requested something chic and delicious, DeGroff whipped up a batch of Cosmopolitans – a delectable mix of top-shelf vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice served in a chilled martini glass, and garnished with a twist of orange.

Dale DeGroff has also created a modern version of his famous concoction – something for the more sophisticated lady of 2010. But, there’s no shame in ordering the original – at least this week. The  recipes below are courtesy of Cointreau.

The Cosmopolitan 2010

  • 3/4 oz Citrus Vodka
  • 3/4 oz Cointreau
  • 3/4 oz Cranberry juice
  • 1/4 oz Fresh lime juice
  • 2 1/2 oz Champagne

Assemble the vodka, Cointreau, and juices in a shaker with ice and shake well to chill. Strain into a coupe glass and fill with champagne. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

The Original Cosmopolitan

  • 1 1/2 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz Cranberry juice
  • 3/4 oz Fresh lime juice

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in cocktails, cointreau, vodka

Tagged

Style in the City

Posted on May 24, 2010 by | 4 comments

Shoes & Cocktails and Farmers & Fishers are hosting a special “Style in the City” party on Friday, May 28, and we want you to come celebrate with us. We’ll be celebrating all things stylish — shopping, shoes, cocktails and the city of DC — all to mark the season’s most anticipated movie sequel!*

Don yourself in stylish attire, put on your favorite shoes, grab your friends and come to Farmers & Fishers on Friday, from 5-7:30pm. The “Style in the City” event will feature a signature cocktail, light hors d’oeuvres and past episodes of the TV series that brought every woman’s shoe fantasies to life.  Cost is $22 per person.

We’re hosting a stylish event you don’t want to miss!

Here are ten reasons why you should join us:

10. Meet Ms. S&C and the friends that inspire her.

9. It’s a holiday weekend! Why not start it off with a fun, fashionable event?

8. Drink cocktails from the excellent Chief Mixologist Chef Jon Arroyo.

7. Taste foods from a restaurant with a farmer-inspired attitude and dedication to the use and promotion of sustainable agriculture.

6. Hang out in an awesome Georgetown Waterfront location.

5. Fashion. Do you have a pair of shoes (or a dress, or a blouse) that’s been waiting for the right event? In this setting, you can wear whatever you want.

4. Win door prizes, including a Farmers & Fishers dining certificate, a Lowe’s Movie Theatre Gift Card, Brunch for two at Farmers & Fishers, and a pair of Lillybee Shoes from SimplySoles.

3. Meet people similar interests (like, um, shoes and cocktails, and a particular TV show that celebrates both).

2. Drink the “Style in the City” signature cocktail — a champagne cocktail with a lovely pinkish, slightly violet hue. Champagne is gently stirred with Crème de Casis, a touch of cranberry and a fresh raspberry. Perfect light and and summery fruit essences for glamourous gals!

1. Did I mention we’re celebrating fashion and cocktails — together — at one event?

You can RSVP on Facebook, make a comment below, or just show up at F&F on Friday. Hope to see you there!

* Due to exclusive movie-related partnerships, we are prohibited from mentioning the movie title, but think: four very stylish gals, amazing clothes, life, love and shopping. I think you know what we’re referring to.

posted by Ms. S&C

4 Comments

Posted in cocktails, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged , ,

Cocktails for a cause

Posted on May 21, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C likes to shop for a good cause — and drink for a good cause. And, you don’t have to twist her arm to get her to New York City to do so. When a good friend of hers announced she was co-chairing the first annual Food & Fotos event, to benefit Foundation Rwanda, Ms. S&C was thrilled to attend the event and support the cause.

A few facts:

  • Between April and June of 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days.
  • An estimated 20,000 children were born from rape during this genocide.
  • Due to the stigma associated with rape, these children and their mothers have been severely marginalized by their communities, live in extreme poverty and do not have the means to pay their children’s school fees.

Food & Fotos was an event to help sponsor secondary school education for these Rwandan children. And, it was outstanding. It featured tasting tables and signature dishes from 30 of New York City’s top restaurants, and there was an exhibition of portraits from Rwanda. A silent auction of culinary items and contemporary photographs was also held to raise funds. (In a last minute dash, Mr. and Ms. S&C snagged the “Taste of DC” item, so we get to look forward to a return trip to Restaurant Eve and visits to 1789 and Old Ebbitt Grill!)

Mr. S&C enjoyed the fine beers from Brooklyn Brewery, but Ms. S&C made tequila her drink of the night. 901 Silver Tequila was a sponsor of the event and offered several tasty cocktails. Yes, 901 is Justin Timberlake’s brand. (901 is the Memphis area code where he grew up, and is also representative of “the time of night when your evening is ending, but your night is just beginning,” says his spokesperson.)

The drink of the occasion? Tequila. The shoes? Polka dot peep-toes.
(sorry for the blurry pic, but it’s the only one I have of the shoes *and* dress)

The Valley Vista was my favorite cocktail of the night, even though a pesky bartender tried to steer me towards a less spicy, more fruity beverage. He thought I couldn’t handle the jalapeno, but Mr. S&C assured him that, despite my very colorful dress, I have a dark side. The La Senorita was an interesting cocktail. Wondering if the pineapple syrup was prepared with liquid smoke? It was a little like sucking on a wood chip (not necessarily a bad thing, particularly because the strong flavor makes it more of a sipping cocktail).

Valley Vista
ingredients:

  • 901 Silver Tequila
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Homemade grenadine
  • Cucumber
  • Jalapeno slice for garnish

La Senorita
ingredients:

  • 901 Silver Tequila
  • Smoked pineapple syrup
  • Fresh lime juice
  • 3-4 dashes of Tabasco
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Looking forward to making Food & Fotos an annual event!

posted by Ms. S&C

Leave a comment

Posted in cocktails, tequila

Tagged , ,

Bourbon drinking time

Posted on April 13, 2010 by | 2 comments

With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, (read this great article from NPR about how to throw a Kentucky Derby party), it seems right now is prime-bourbon-drinking-time.

Around this time last year, Miss Mojito visited New Orleans and shared her Pat O’Brien’s mint julep experience. Inspired by this, and the pretty fantastic weather we’ve been having (which means planting and playing in the yard), I present, with unbridled enthusiasm, the Bourbon Mojito. I like to think of it as the mint julep’s less intoxicating sister. It has similar ingredients, but the tartness of the citrus and the bubbliness of the seltzer make this a great, early Spring, sit out on the patio, with maybe even some dirt left under your fingernails, drinking companion.

The mint julep’s less intoxicating sister, the bourbon mojito.

Bourbon Mojito

Ingredients (for one cocktail):

  • 1/2 lime, quartered (plus extra for garnish)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 full sprig of mint
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • Soda water

Directions:

In a glass, muddle the lime, sugar, and mint until the sugar is dissolved. Add ice and bourbon. Stir well. Top with soda water. Garnish with lime.

Bonus Tip: Growing mint is perfect for a beginning gardener. It is hardy and fast-growing, and thrives in all kinds of conditions. But, it should be contained. Seriously, use a pot, because this lovely aromatic herb spreads quickly, and will take over your yard.

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in bourbon, exclusive, fall/winter cocktails, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged ,

A Liquor-Free Cocktail

Posted on April 1, 2010 by | 5 comments

Miss Mojito recently returned from a short trip to the great commonwealth of Massachusetts, where the skies were blue, the seafood was plentiful, and the cocktails were a change of pace.

Massachusetts introduced me to a new concept: the 10-month liquor license. I can’t figure out the rhyme or reason, but some restaurants have two separate licenses: a 12-month license for wine, beer and cordials, and a 10-month license for liquor.

That means that the 10-month license holders have to get creative with their cocktail mixing for two months of the year. How do you make a liquor-free cocktail? Good question – and one that Massachusetts restaurants have tried to answer using their most imaginative mixology methods.

Wine or sparkling wine typically provide the base of these liquor-free cocktails, while club soda adds the fizz and fruit juice and cordials give some oomph to the flavor volume. Also known as liqueurs, cordials are sweetened spirits flavored with anything from fruits and herbs to roots and leaves. To make a cordial, you start with an alcoholic base – brandy, rum, or whisky, for example – which you then either distill, infuse, macerate or percolate to change the flavor profiles.

The kir would be a classic example of a liquor-free cocktail: white wine mixed with a dollop of creme de cassis, a sweet, blackcurrant flavored liqueur. (Sub champagne for the white wine and you have yourself a kir royale).

For a cocktail that’s a bit more modern and on-trend, look no further than Domaine de Canton, the ginger flavored liqueur. I’m thinking a mix of Cava, a healthy splash of Canton, a good squeeze of lime and some candied ginger for garnish would hit the spot.

Miss Mojito wants to know: What are your favorite cordials for cocktail mixing? And can anyone shed some light on the Massachusetts liquor licensing laws for me?

Posted by Miss Mojito.

5 Comments

Posted in cocktails

Tagged , ,

S&C reader mail–out of this world cocktails

Posted on March 30, 2010 by | 2 comments

Ms. Shoes and Cocktails,

Long story, but my company is having an “Around the World” day where we have to pick a country/region/place, make food from that area, and then present it to a judge wearing an outfit representative of the area. My team has picked “Outer Space” for our theme. We’ll be making futuristic, astronaut-like food, and someone brought up the idea of a tang drink.

Might you have any ideas for a tang-inspired cocktail? Ideally we would serve it out of a punch bowl. We are also planning on making shot glasses out of ice (someone in the group has the appropriate molds to do so).

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you!
LC

——————————————

Dear LC,

I love your workplace! First, mobile beer carts, now an “Around the World” day where cocktails will be served.

I’ve tried to find something out-of-this-world, given your team has chosen “Outer Space” as your theme. But, it’s been a challenge. In a good way.

I’ve seen this “Jupiter” drink in a few of my cocktail books. Not sure it can be turned into a “traditional” punch, but it looks pretty tasty (and, I know your affection for gin). Tang could certainly be substituted for the OJ. And, since it should be served in a chilled glass, an ice shot glass would be a great touch.

Jupiter Cocktail
(serves one)

  • 1/2 oz Gin
  • 1/4 oz French Vermouth (white/clear vermouth)
  • 1 tablespoon Orange Juice
  • 1 tablespoon Parfait Amour

Shake ingredients well over ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Another option that has significantly less ingredients, and much easier to prepare — how  about tang and champagne? What do you think they call mimosas in outer space?

Please let me know what you decide!

Ms. S&C

——————————————

Update on the “Around the World” office party: LC’s team decided on tang mimosas, and really took their Outer Space theme to a whole other level. Check out their impressive menu. (I forgot to ask about what outfits they wore.)

  • Cocktail: Tang Mimosa
  • Main dish: Dehydrated steak and potatoes (Grass-fed Cabernet Sauvignon-marinated beef jerky with homemade potato chips)
  • Dessert: Fire in ice (Chipotle vanilla ice cream)
  • Chef’s gift: Whisky gums (Glenlivet whisky-flavored gummy candy)

Need an outer space themed cocktail? Or something to complement futuristic, astronaut-like food? Try tang mimosas.

posted by Ms. S&C

2 Comments

Posted in cocktails, gin, reader mail, vermouth

Tagged , ,

Beer float

Posted on March 16, 2010 by | 3 comments

It is a pretty simple formula: Beer + Ice Cream = My new favorite dessert.

Ms. S&C isn’t a fan of root beer, but given the amount of craft beer consumed in her household, she can’t believe she hasn’t tried this dessert cocktail before. Her stout beers of choice for this heady concoction include: Brooklyn Brewery’s Black Chocolate Stout and Williamsburg Alewerk’s Coffeehouse Stout. Both beers are strong with roasted malt and well-suited for coffee flavored ice cream (or gelato!).

Stout & Ice Cream Float

  • Split a bottle of stout beer among two glasses
  • Add 1/2 cup coffee ice cream to each glass

Want another variation on the traditional root beer float? Try Bobby Flay’s adult version with bourbon.

posted  by Ms. S&C

3 Comments

Posted in beer, bourbon, cocktails

Tagged ,

Meryl and Julia: the cocktails

Posted on March 5, 2010 by | 1 comment

The 82nd annual Academy Awards are this Sunday. I’ll admit, I do get enraptured in the red carpet hoopla, the extravagant celebrity fashion, the self-indulgent speeches. Plus, I like movies. I also like the timing of this shindig. A month or so before the awards, I happily escape the cold and head to the movie theater to see many of the Oscar nominated picks.

No big awards show is a big awards show without Meryl Streep. Last Sunday’s New York Times called her a “cinematic chameleon for all audiences.” And with that, I dedicate this blog post to her 16th Oscar nomination — this year for best performance by an actress in a leading role for “Julie and Julia.” In this role, Meryl becomes Julia Child — and, because of her outstanding performance — Julia has now become Meryl. When Ms. Streep was nominated for an Academy Award last year for “Doubt,” Gourmet named a cocktail in her honor.

The Meryl Streep cocktail, courtesy of Gourmet,
because the lady is tasteful, classy and golden.

The Meryl Streep
courtesy of Gourmet

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon Goldschläger, including some gold flecks
  • 1 teaspoon Bénédictine
  • Demi-sec Champagne or Prosecco (well-chilled)

Combine Goldschläger and Bénédictine in a Champagne flute, then top off with Champagne.

Another cocktail option for awards ceremony watching, is a drink honoring of Ms. Julia Child. Back in August, a New York Times’ Shaken & Stirred column focused on Noilly Prat vermouth. The recipe featured? The Upside-Down Martini, which is said to be Julia’s favorite cocktail.

Upside-Down Martini
courtesy of The New York Times, adapted from Libation

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 ounce gin
  • 3 3/4 ounces Noilly Prat vermouth
  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Combine the gin and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the lemon twist. (Alternatively, you can serve it on the rocks; combine the ingredients in a rocks glass with ice, garnish and serve.)

Ms. S&C will be *live blogging* the event from a friend’s seventh annual Oscar Extravaganza party. So, if you’re home watching the show, check-in with S&C and share your comments!

posted by Ms. S&C

1 Comment

Posted in benedictine, cocktails, gin, vermouth

A Quick Peek at What’s Ahead

Posted on March 3, 2010 by | Leave a comment

As soon as the calendar turns to March, Miss Mojito gets a bad case of spring fever. And it’s a good a reason as any to turn our minds away from snow, wind and rain for a few moments to take a look at what the coming months will hold for us, shoe- and cocktail-wise.

Piperlime.com is pinpointing neutrals, cut-outs, wedges and platforms as key trends for spring. So what could be better than a shoe that embraces all four trends in one sleek shoe?! Here are a couple of pairs that fit the bill.

This pair by Emma Pink rings in at a moderately reasonable $98. I love the peep-toe design.

This pair by Hive and Honey, in a similar price range and style, boats a cool, ashy gray hue and a fun geometric design.

Endless.com is predicting that the woven look will feature prominently in the spring 2010 forecast, and I’d be willing to get on board with that trend with this cool metallic number by Michael Antonio. The weathered golden shade and the perky toe make for a very unique shoe. The gold pair goes for $74.95, but other colors are available at a discount.

What cocktails shall we enjoy whilst traipsing about in our neutral/wedge/cut-out/platform/woven shoes? I’m thinking something bright and bubbly, since a return to warm weather is most certainly a cause for celebration. This Strawberry Smash, which I found over at at sdnn.com, sounds like it’s full of notes of spring and originality. I, for one, can’t wait to partake!

Strawberry Smash
Makes 1 cocktail

  • 3 ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 6 leaves of mint
  • 1 ounce white rum
  • 1 ounce all-natural sour mix (see note)
  • 2 ounces prosecco

Add the strawberries and mint to a glass. Smash the strawberries and herbs gently with a muddler until the berries are a pulp and the herbs smell strong. Add the rum or gin if using and sour mix to the glass and give it a stir. Fill 3/4 full with ice. Top off with the prosecco. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Note: To create my all natural sour mix, mix 1 cup lemon and or lime juice with 1 cup sugar in a medium non-reactive saucepan. Heat over a low-medium flame, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When cool, pour syrup into a sterile glass bottle and refrigerate. Keeps for up to 2 weeks.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

Leave a comment

Posted in cocktails, shoes, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged ,