Category Archives: cocktails

Getting Sentimental Over Shoes

Posted on June 24, 2009 by missmojito | 1 comment

A friend who happens to be very in tune with Miss Mojito’s purchasing habits once made the observation that I don’t tend to buy clothes so much as I tend to collect them. And she was at least a little bit correct. I do like to grow and nurture my wardrobe, building it up piece by piece so that I’ll have an outfit ready for any occasion. And if that meant that I had to wait a year before I found occasion to wear the red silk dress with necklace detailing, so be it. Or if a brown jersey cocktail dress with a jeweled tie has remained dormant in my closet for over three years now, that’s alright with me. I just feel better knowing it’s there, at the ready, making my closet more complete.

The same philosophy certainly applies to my shoes. The crown jewels in my footwear collection happen to be two of those pairs that I have never—nay, could never—wear, but for a different reason than you might imagine. The shoes are impossibly small, remarkably narrow, impeccably stylish, and admittedly in need of repair. They also happen to be about 60 years old.

Both pairs of shoes belonged to my grandmother, Bobbie. Based on the fabulousness of these particular pairs of shoes, she certainly shared the same taste for footwear that we here at S&C so value. Both pairs are peep-toe ankle straps, a shoe silhouette that has retained its popularity today. The black pair, which bears the mark of Paul’s Aristocrats of Brooklyn, is decorated with polka dots and swirls, while the creamier pair is made of satin and tiny rhinestone buckles.

bobbies_shoes

It’s sentimental favorites such as these that turn a wardrobe into a collection, one that inspires memories and a bit of sentimentality. And, on occasion, something to wear, too.

So, what would Miss Mojito sip were she able to cram her feet into these diminutive pumps? Why the Aviation, of course! It’s a classic cocktail concoction that gained popularity throughout Prohibition and into the 1930s, when my grandmother probably wore these shoes.

The Aviation Cocktail
Serves one.

2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons maraschino liqueur
1/4 ounce Crème de Violette (optional)
Ice

Combine the gin, lemon juice and maraschino liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Add a drizzle of Crème de Violette and serve.

*Miss Mojito makes the Crème de Violette optional because some versions of the Aviation omit the liqueur entirely, plus it’s a bit cost prohibitive.

Miss Mojito wants to know: What “crown jewels” are in your closet? Or, rather, in your “collection.”

Posted by Miss Mojito.

1 Comment

Posted in cocktails, gin, shoes, spirits

Tagged aviation, bringing back old-school cocktails, vintage shoes

Ms. S&C goes southernmost

Posted on June 16, 2009 by msshoescocktails | 4 comments

It has been a month since Ms. S&C returned from her Key West vacay, and she has finally gotten her act together to write a recap of her trip. This was not Ms. S&C’s first visit to the keys. It was her third, actually. Trip number one was Spring Break, sophomore year in college. Trip two was Spring Break, senior year. Trip three was with Mr. S&C, who’s never been there. It is safe to say this visit was different than the first two — but not that different.

People of all kinds visit Key West. Bikers, gays, hippies, retirees, frat boys, the girls-who-love-frat-boys, couples. And many of them visit with one thing in common — drinking. There may be some people-watching and site-seeing, conch fritters and key lime pie, but there is an awful lot of drinking. This heavy-imbibing eclectic mix reminds me a lot of New Orleans. You can call Duval Street the southernmost Bourbon Street.

marina

Ms. S&C had no choice but get used to drinking out of
plastic cups when in Key West

One thing that made this visit different from others: planning. When planning a trip, to Key West, or any other destination for that matter, Ms. S&C recommends you check out the usual suspects for travel ideas: the New York Times’ 36 Hours covers Key West; the Washington Post has several articles; and OpenTable helps with restaurant recommendations. Even with all these resources, nothing beats recommendations from friends (thanks, LC). And with that, Ms. S&C brings you her Guide to Key West.

(Note: Items with an * indicates that I recommend. Items with an * and in bold are the spots I highly recommend, and are the places I would 100% visit again. That means, you shouldn’t miss them if you find yourself there.)

DAY 1 – FRIDAY

Flew from D.C. to Miami (we got a really cheap flight–$325 for two, round-trip tickets).

Rented a car (splurged on a convertible b/c of cheap flight), and drove down Route 1. The drive takes longer than you think because you can only go about 40 mph. But, I drove from Virginia my previous two visits, so this 3 and a 1/2 hour trip was a breeze.

Checked in at Island City House*. This is a lovely, affordable inn with gorgeous gardens and a friendly staff. It has a nice pool, serves breakfast, and is an easy walk to Duval Street (and everywhere else). But, it is also far enough way that you escape the constant party-goers.

Swam a few laps in the pool, drank a few Red Stripes (I can’t resit the Jamaican lager when I’m someplace beachy), then hit the town.

Dinner at Seven Fish* – a tiny intimate spot that is a favorite of locals. Probably because it feels far away from the rowdy crowds of Duval Street. There’s a lot of fresh fish on the menu, and the dishes are well prepared. The key lime cheesecake should not be passed up.

801 Bourbon Bar – literally ran in this bar because of an unexpected thunderstorm. I’m sure I’ll see a drag show sometime in my life, but I wasn’t feeling it my first night in Key West. The show is apparently quite good, and the bar itself is fun with great dance music, but I wanted to be out on the town.

Green Parrot* – when googling “jukebox bars + Key West,” the Green Parrot was the top result. Mr. and Ms. S&C love bars with jukeboxes. This jukebox was good, but far too specialized with too much blues and jazz. The place also appears to have a loyal following of locals, again, probably because it is a few blocks off Duval.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY

Lunch at B.O.’s Fish Wagon* – this can’t be described any other way than an open-air shack. I was a little bit intimidated by the lady-with-a-big-personality taking our order, but the food is definitely worth it. Try the grilled fish sandwich and share an order of fries.

Toured the Hemingway House* – you should take the guided tour (our tour guide was a hoot). You’ll learn about Hemingway, his family, his cats, his work, the house (great architecture and art), and some Key West history. The house itself, and the pool, are amazing by the way.

Captain Tony’s Saloon* – known as the original Sloppy Joe’s and favorite bar of Ernest Hemingway. Not sure he would enjoy it as much today, but it is a great place for people-watching (saw a guy dressed as a pirate, with a live parrot on his shoulder). There’s a mixture of tourists and townies, and maybe a few people who drink for a living. There’s also a really fun (and talented) acoustic guitarist who plays a few days a week. Then, there’s the Pirates Punch, of course.

pirate_punch

Pirates Punch is a secret blend of Cockspur rum, gin and a tropical fruit mixture. Served in a souvenir cup that’s yours to keep.

Kelly’s Caribbean Bar and Grill* – Kelly, as in Kelly McGillis of Top Gun, has a casual, yet elegant eatery, with killer happy hour specials—three drinks for $8. Great margaritas.

Green Parrot, again.

Virgilio’s* – recommended by a local we met at Green Parrot. We skipped the martinis (a specialty) and dined on carpaccio, insalata mista and penne puttanesca. Waitress told us we could take our leftover wine “to go,” but we told her we couldn’t.

Continue reading →

4 Comments

Posted in cocktails, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged good cocktails in key west, jukebox bars, S&C on the road

Make Mine a Manhattan

Posted on June 15, 2009 by missmojito | 3 comments

Strawberries are already on their way out of season, so it’s time we take advantage of them while they’re still in their Strawberry Manhattan prime. The folks at Gourmet had the same inclination, and offered a host of strawberry-inspired ideas in a recent electronic newsletter. My favorite suggestion? Infuse some bourbon with fresh strawberries and bottle up some berry bourbon. Miss Mojito decided to use hers to whip up a batch of Strawberry Manhattans.

To make the strawberry bourbon, hull a pint of strawberries and place in a large bowl. Pour bourbon over the berries (I used a 750-milliliter bottle of Jim Beam because that’s what I had on hand, but I’m sure a liter of some nicer bourbon would work just fine). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Strain out the berries and bottle the bourbon. I’m not entirely sure of the shelf-life of this liquor, but I’m guestimating you have a week or so to enjoy the intoxicating strawberry flavors.

Although I am a bourbon fan, I haven’t participated in much Manhattan mixing, and was pleased with the results. After much investigation, we decided on equal parts sweet and dry vermouth as a nice balance for the fruity bourbon. And the strawberry garnish is a necessary addition to fully enhance the fruity flavor. I advise you whip up a batch immediately, before it’s too late!

Strawberry Manhattan
Serves one.

2 ounces strawberry bourbon
½ ounce sweet vermouth
½ ounce dry vermouth
1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
Ice
Sliced strawberries for garnish

Pour bourbon, both vermouths and bitters into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour over ice. Garnish with strawberries and serve.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

3 Comments

Posted in bourbon, cocktails, S&C categories, spirits, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged strawberry manhattans

Ready for a Reunion

Posted on June 5, 2009 by missmojito | 5 comments

Miss Mojito will be reunionizing with college friends in Charlottesville this weekend and has been in search of a dress, shoes and a c maxidress ocktail to help prepare for the festivities.

Outfit Requirements: A fun, cool and casual dress (that’s long enough to hide the alarming sunburn marks that are still on both of my legs as a result of my Nags Head vacation over two weeks ago) was my number one requirement. My hope was to find a maxi dress that wasn’t too clingy to match with a pair of comfortable flats.

Outfit Results: I snagged a pearly pair of bone-colored, Pierre Du DSCN1221 mas thongs for a cool $24 at Richmond boutique Fab’rik. The flats are a perfect match for my turquoise maxi dress with a braided rope detail, but the best part is that I can pair them with tons of other summer-friendly outfits.

Cocktail Requirements: Blue and orange are the official colors of my alma mater, but I’m coming up empty on ideas for similarly colored cocktails with great flavors.

Cocktail Results: Since I’ve abandoned the color theme, I’m going to focus purely on taste with one of my favorite summer cocktails, the Basil Gimlet. Traditional versions often rely on Rose’s Lime Juice, but Miss Mojito prefers the fresh stuff instead – if you do have some Rose’s on hand, though, it can’t hurt to add a splash. Legend attributes the drink to Sir Thomas Gimlette, who apparently served the concoction to his shipmates in the late 19th century to promote health and prevent scurvy.

I first experienced this herbal version of the gin cocktail at Mas, a tapas restaurant in Charlottesville.

Basil Gimlet
Serves two

In the bottom of a shaker, muddle 1 large handful of basil (torn), with 1 tablespoon superfine sugar using a muddler (or the back of a spoon as a backup).
Add 1 ounce of lime juice, 1 ounce of grapefruit juice and 4 ounces of gin (preferably Tanqueray’s Rangpur version, which is a bit sweeter and has extra notes of citrus).
Add ice and shake well. Strain and serve.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

5 Comments

Posted in cocktails, gin, shoes, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged basil, flats, gimlet, reunions

Jumping on the Homemade Bandwagon

Posted on May 28, 2009 by missmojito | Leave a comment

Ever since Miss Mojito started testing tonics and investigating the possibility of homemade tonic water, she’s experienced a growing interest in the make-your-own-ingredient movement. Expert mixologists are well known for creating their own syrups, cordials and the like, but more and more the trend is for at-home-cocktail-imbibers to adapt these techniques for their own kitchens.

In a May 19 article on San Francisco-based blog Yumsugar.com, the poster recalls her experience at a “House-Made Ingredients How-To” class, where instructors Jeff Holinger and Neyah White taught attendees about the value of experimenting with everyday kitchen items—pickle juice, for example—with a waste-not, want-not mentality. The end results are liquors with new and exciting flavors.

And in Michelle Maynard’s May 19 New York Times article, “Ginger Ale Without the Can,” Ms. Maynard has convinced me to try my hand at a homemade version of the soda to integrate into my home bar. A homemade ginger ale and bourbon sounds like it would literally burst with freshness.

Wikihow even provides an easy, 10-step method for creating your own cordials. With summer upon us, I’m thinking that a cordial made from strawberries or raspberries might be the ultimate refreshment. I’d love to try a dollop in a flute of champagne.

And the prospect of homemade, pomegranate-flavored grenadine is truly exciting. The process of boiling and reducing a mixture of sugar and pomegranate juice couldn’t be more simple, although I might try replacing the two cups of sugar with agave nectar or Stevia natural sweetener. That’s the beauty of homemade ingredients, after all: you can adapt the recipes to suit your needs.

Miss Mojito is eager to know: do you have any home ingredient experiments to share?

Posted by Miss Mojito.

So much and so little

Posted on May 26, 2009 by msshoescocktails | 3 comments

Ms. S&C has so much to share, but so little time to share it. Stay tuned for the S&C Guide to Key West (which will be heavily focused on the “C” side of S&C), sloe gin fizzes, agave margaritas, and sandals. We definitely need to discuss summer sandals. I want about 100 different pairs.

In the meantime, here are a couple of updates about my beloved topics:

Shoes – For my Key West vacay, I picked up a pair of studded, brown thongs from Zappos. I think they’re cool, in biker-chic kinda way. And, after wearing them all over the southernmost part of the U.S., I’m still a big fan.

Cocktails – I tweeted about Ms. S&C and Miss Mojito’s visit to PX, but wanted to share a few more details. It’s no secret that I have an affection for speakeasy-style bars. Yes, due in part to the glamour and secrecy around them, but the main reason is the cocktails. These establishments serve the most innovative drinks around, and PX is no exception. Before getting to the cocktails, here are a few housekeeping-type notes:

Make a reservation – you’ll likely not get in otherwise. And, a party of three is an ideal number in my opinion (Miss M’s big sis, LC, joined us). PX thankfully doesn’t overwhelm you with cocktail selections, but you’ll want to try e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Take two others and you’ll make significant dent in the menu.
Sit at the bar if possible – you really should watch the bartenders at work.
Be patient – the cocktails are referred to as “liquid art,” and they do take time.
Ask questions – there will be ingredients that you’ve never heard of, and it is okay to ask.

Here’s a sampling of the cocktails we tried:

Smoker’s Delight
Tobacco honey syrup, honeycomb, and Basil Hayden’s bourbon served in a martini glass.
S&C’s take: Very little smokey or tobacco-y flavor, which may have been the right thing to do, but I would have liked a little more. It also makes me want more bourbon in my life.

Big Ken’s Palomita
Don Julio Blanco tequila, Cointreau, sage tincture, grapefruit juice, and grapefruit soda served over ice with a salted rim.
S&C’s take: Good and very salty dog-ish.

Boris Karloff
House-made elderflower liqueur, Plymouth gin, kaffir lime, and eggwhite served in a martini glass.
S&C’s take: A lovely and elegant cocktail. Second favorite of the night.

Most Aggressive Fish in the Ocean
Cucumber, yuzu, mint, Cruzan rum, Hendrick’s gin, and eggwhite served in a martini glass.
S&C’s take: Interesting and good, but don’t have this and the Boris Karloff back-to-back (too much eggwhite-frothiness pour moi).

Champagne Cocktail
Cherry bitters, cherries, sugar, and Gruet.
S&C’s take: Sounds simple, but there was fire involved in the preparation. And, it was the favorite drink of the night.

posted by Ms. S&C

3 Comments

Posted in cocktails, shoes

Tagged good cocktails in DC, sandals, speakeasy-style

Beach Twists

Posted on May 21, 2009 by missmojito | 1 comment

A Wednesday-through-Sunday beach vacation with friends from high school and college was the perfect chance to put a multitude of cocktails to the test. It was a relaxing, laid-back affair, so exotic experimentation was not at the forefront of Miss Mojito’s train of thought. Rather, this was an opportunity to mix good ingredients in new and interesting ways with refreshing results.

DRINK: Frozen Margarita
TWIST: Grapefruit Juice
1 cup of tequila, ½ cup lime juice, 1/3 cup Triple Sec and a pitcher full of ice make up a standard batch of frozen margaritas. A ½ cup of pink grapefruit juice adds a splash of color and a touch of tang to this beachy concoction.

DRINK: Salty Dog
TWIST: Lime Juice
2 ounces of gin, a large splash of grapefruit and a salted rim go into a traditional serving of the Salty Dog. We found a ½ ounce or so of fresh lime juice to be a nice addition.

DRINK: Sangria
TWIST: A frozen version
A good friend shared her recipe for a frozen sangria that was the perfect easy beach drink – it was fun, fruity and light enough for some daytime-appropriate imbibing. The night before, mix a bottle of fruity white (we used a pinot grigio), a can of frozen lemonade concentrate and OJ in a bowl. Freeze overnight, then mix and serve the next morning. Repeat as needed to prevent beach-related dehydration throughout the course of your vacation.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

1 Comment

Posted in cocktails, gin, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, tequila, wine

Tagged beach, frozen margarita, frozen sangria, salty dog

Footwear and Fun in the Field

Posted on May 1, 2009 by missmojito | 2 comments

The pounding hooves, blistering sun and lingering scent of bourbon in the air can only mean one thing: Foxfield. Miss Mojito spent this past weekend at one of her favorite springtime celebrations. The Foxfield Races are steeplechase races (distance horse racing with jumps and such) that are basically an excuse for Albemarle County’s biggest tailgate party.

Miss Mojito’s favorite part of Foxfield has, traditionally, been the wardrobe picks. My favorite outfit in the seven years that I’ve attended the races entailed a horse-pattern dress (custom made by Mother Mojito) with a petticoat, cowgirl boots, a straw hat covered in feathers and a matching purse.

Since graduating from college, Miss Mojito has toned down her outfits a bit – but that doesn’t mean she takes the task of dressing for Foxfield any less seriously! With sunny skies and 90 degree temps in the forecast, I snagged a strapless, bohemian-style frock from Off 5th, the Saks outlet store. But what to choose in the way of footwear?

Flops are de rigueur for Foxfield. While standing in the grass all day, you certainly don’t want to find yourself in a pair of stilettos. But flats did nothing to accentuate the empire styling of my dress. A 4.5-inch heel was desired–nay, required–to make this particular outfit work. And with a $10 coupon to DSW in hand, I decided that wedges were the way to go. I’ve been coveting a cut-out heel for ages now, so this pair by Madden Girl met multiple shoewear desires. And while they weren’t the most comfortable pair of shoes ever worn, they were most certainly the most comfortable pair of 4.5-inch heels that ever graced Miss Mojito’s feet.

Mint juleps were the libation of choice for this day of fun, but since we encountered that particular concotion just last week, let’s examine another race-friendly drink today. After a bit of research, I discovered that all of the “big” races (the Belmont, the Preakness and the upcoming Derby) have their own signature drinks. So why not Foxfield? I’m taking a nod from Ms. S&C and recommending this festive Bourbon Punch as a contender for the official drink. Foxfield just isn’t Foxfield without a bit of bourbon, and I’m crazy about the addition of tangy grapefruit juice. And though I’ll have to wait until 2010 to give the punch an official test run at the races, there’s nothing stopping me from conducting a cocktail dress rehearsal this weekend!

Posted by Miss Mojito.

2 Comments

Posted in bourbon, cocktails, shoes, spirits, spring/summer cocktails

Tagged bourbon punch, Foxfield, tailgating, wedges

Cake and punch

Posted on April 29, 2009 by msshoescocktails | 9 comments

The fun thing about going to a one year old’s birthday party is the party turns out to be one that’s really more for adults. Ms. S&C recently had the pleasure honor of fixing a punch for an adorable lad’s first birthday party. Said adorable lad also happens to be Miss Mojito’s nephew! While the pomegranate champagne punch was a crowd pleaser, the real hit of the party was this incredible rainbow-colored cake baked by the lad’s superstar mom, LC. LC tells me the rainbow cake was inspired by a number of blogs and recipe sites (Google rainbow cake and you’ll get oodles of results). But her cake and icing recipe came from Restaurant Eve’s Birthday Cake. Clever mom that she is, LC implemented the rainbow layering and colored coconut for the topping, rather than using plain old sprinkles.

bday-cake Spectacular rainbow colored birthday cake

For the punch: when asked to help make a cocktail for the party, I wanted something equally colorful and festive. Since we were serving a large crowd of 20-30 people, I knew that punch was the only practical option. I found a pomegranate rum punch recipe from Bon Appetit on Epicurious. I’ve always been a fan of pomegranate juice – the color and tartness make it a perfect mixer for cocktails. Not to mention all the health benefits. But, I’m not so much a fan of rum (which could be good in a fall/winter version), so I subbed champagne and white wine, and made a few other tweaks. The result was a bright, cheerful, and sparkling beverage that parents, and friends and family of parents, can enjoy.

pom-champagne-punch Pomegranate champagne punch with lime and mint

Pomegranate Champagne Punch

Ingredients:

Simple syrup
5 bottles chilled brut Champagne
2 bottles chilled white wine (Ms. S&C uses sauvignon blanc)
1 cup triple sec
3 cups pomegranate juice, (Ms. S&C prefers POM Wonderful)
4 limes, thinly sliced
Simple syrup, to taste
Pomegranate seeds (optional)
Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
1 ice block

Directions:

For the simple syrup: bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely. Note: adding lime slices is always an option to infuse the syrup.

Combine Champagne, white wine, triple sec and pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in lime slices, and pomegranate seeds. Add ice block to bowl. Garnish with mint.

posted by Ms. S&C

9 Comments

Posted in cocktails, fall/winter cocktails, spirits, spring/summer cocktails, wine

Tagged champagne goes with everything, infused simple syrup, pomegranate, punch

Imbibing in New Orleans

Posted on April 21, 2009 by missmojito | 1 comment

Miss Mojito just returned from a trip to Mississippi, but had the chance to take a quick detour to New Orleans. Tuesday nola afternoon found me on the patio at Pat O’Brien’s beneath blue skies and enjoying a balmy breeze. The perfect locale was only enhanced by the perfect New Orleans beverage: the Mint Julep.

It may not be as indicative of New Orleans culture as the Hurricane or the Sazerac, but I think the Mint Julep is the perfect drink to enjoy while you’re visiting New Orleans: it packs a punch while remaining festive. I like to think of it as the mojito’s American cousin. They’re both classified in the same category of drink (perhaps Miss Mojito’s favorite category), the smash, in which ingredients are “smashed” and muddled together with alcohol and mixer.

mint The Pat O’Brien version is assertive and fun. They pair plenty of bourbon with plenty of garnish for some fantastic results. So until you can make your way to Pat O’Brien’s and try their version for yourself, here’s a quick recipe to test out. And with the Kentucky Derby coming up on May 2, it’s the perfect time to hone your julep-making skills. Enjoy!