Category Archives: cocktails

One fine muddle

Posted on April 13, 2009 by | 6 comments

The nice folks over at Leblon recently shipped Ms. S&C a bottle of cachaça. Cachaça, as  you may already know, is the main spirit in latest and greatest muddled cocktail, the caipirinha. I’ve had cachaça, a sugar cane-derived spirit from Brazil, and caipirinhas before and really do find it a nice, less sweet, yet fun-because-it-is-muddled, alternative to the mojito. Especially if you are not in the mood for mint, and truth be told, I’m not always in the mood. (Of course, the mojito still reins supreme of muddled concoctions, Miss M!)

caiprihinas

Mr. and Ms. S&C’s blackberry and lime caipirinhas

Mr. and Ms. S&C found the perfect occasion to pop open their bottle of Leblon cachaça. After a gorgeous weekend of perfect Spring weather and back-breaking yardwork, I placed steaks marinated in chimichurri on the grill, and served up a his and her version of the caipirinha. His version was traditional with lime only; hers was bright and fruity with blackberries. Both were equally refreshing and delicious and highly recommended. As mentioned before, juicy limes and crushed ice go a long way in elevating cocktails. Additionally, you’ll want to shake the ingredients well to fully incorporate the sugar. Lastly, my second caipirinha is always better than the first because I use the leftover limes and blackberries from the first drink and just add more.

The Caipirinha
makes one cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon superfine granulated sugar
  • 1 lime quartered
  • Blackberries (optional, but recommend 6 or more)
  • 2 ounces cachaça, preferably Leblon
  • Seltzer water

Directions

  • In a mixing glass, sprinkle sugar over the limes (and blackberries)
  • Muddle together until sugar is dissolved and lime juice is released
  • Pour an almost-full old-fashioned glassful of crushed ice into the mixing glass
  • Add cachaça and shake well to incorporate
  • Pour mixture back into the old-fashioned glass
  • Top with seltzer water
  • Garnish with lime (and blackberries)

posted by Ms. S&C

6 Comments

Posted in cachaca, cocktails, spirits, spring/summer cocktails

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Olive Love

Posted on April 10, 2009 by | 2 comments

I recently made a purchase that I’ve been pondering over for weeks: a big container of olives with fennel. I’m olivesembarrassed to admit that fennel—and the olive, for that matter—has only made its way on to my taste bud radar as of late. I started enjoying fennel about one year ago, and olives have made a comeback for me in just the last six months. As they say, better late than never, so thank goodness for maturing palates!

But back to the matter at hand: how will I use my new acquisition? Besides the obvious (snacking) and the more obvious (gin martinis), how can an olive with fennel be integrated into Miss Mojito’s cocktail repertoire? The problem with the martini is that it often packs a bit too much of a punch for my tastes. Still, I’m hoping that with the addition of this new and exciting olive, plus some first-rate Hendrick’s gin, my taste buds just might up their maturity a notch further. But as a back up, I’d like to have some other cocktail recipes ready as a substitute that will also make use of olives.

The Bloody Mary could easily benefit from the addition of the fennel olive. But it’s not exactly the evening cocktail I’m looking for. Miss Mojito wants to know: Are there any savory-style cocktails that would benefit from an olive that I’m missing out on? Help me brainstorm in the comments section below!

posted by Miss Mojito

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Posted in cocktails

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Shoes & Cocktails in Staunton

Posted on April 3, 2009 by | 1 comment

Staunton, Va, is one of my favorite places for a quick weekend visit. They have a great Shakespeare theater company and beautiful architecture, but most importantly, Staunton is home to some amazing restaurants and great shops.

I’ve been dreaming of sculptural purple heels for a while now, so I decided to indulge myself in this wedge pair at the cute clothing store Design at Nine. The patent body is a very dark purple, while the swath of suede across the wedge itself is a more brilliant shade of violet. Plus, they were a steal at 50 percent off. While there’s still a bit of a chill in the air, I’m pairing these with my black opaque tights, but they’ll also be flattering bare legged as the spring temperatures pick up.

purple_shoes

Miss Mojito was equally excited by the cocktails she encountered that same evening at Staunton Grocery Store. The Gin Fizz was my drink of choice. This quick cocktail relies on just gin, key lime and soda with satisfying results. We also sampled the Dr. Gonzo (pictured in the background), a mixture of Wild Turkey, cherry and lime. Festive cocktails were the start of an excellent meal (not to mention a highly worthwhile weekend getaway).

staunton_cocktails

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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Posted in bourbon, cocktails, gin, shoes, spirits

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Posted on March 26, 2009 by | 5 comments

A friend forwarded a fantastic article to me that got me thinking: do I have a “signature” cocktail? New York Times blogger Anna Fricke reflects on the concept in her March 22 post, “Your Signature Cocktail.”

Ms. Fricke, whose sentimental favorite is the strawberry daiquiri but finds herself “compelled by circumstances to act strawberry_daiquirimy age and order a nice Bordeaux,” thinks that many of us aren’t drinking what we want to drink; instead, we choose the drink that we think will give those around us the best impression. Which makes sense: if I’m at some dive, I’d definitely pick a beer over a bellini. And I wouldn’t be caught dead at a chic martini bar with, for example, a rum and coke in hand. “What we choose to drink can reveal more about us than, say, our astrological sign or whether we prefer Elvis or the Beatles,” writes Ms. Fricke, and I think she’s right on target.

The drink I order with the most frequency is the gin & tonic. It’s a safe, tasty bet that is hard to get wrong. It’s a bit mature but not stuffy, and definitely cheaper than some fancier cocktails. So, does the fact that the gin & tonic is my most frequently ordered drink make it my signature?

Then again, my name is, after all, Miss Mojito. The mojito is undoubtedly my favorite drink—I’ve waxed poetic about its addictive sweet tartness countless times. So what should define my signature: frequency or favoritism?

Throw into the mix the question of seasonal appropriateness, and we have ourselves a real conundrum. What might work well as my signature drink in the spring or summer might seem weak and lifeless during cold winter months. What’s a girl to do?

Miss M wants to know: Is your favorite drink your frequently ordered drink? Share your cocktail ordering philosophy.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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Fringe is In

Posted on March 20, 2009 by | 1 comment

Way back in 2008, celebrity stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe predicted that fringe would make heavy appearances in 2009’s fashion forecast. And boy, was she right. It’s fun, it’s frivolous, it’s trendy—it’s just the sort of lighthearted fashion that might take our minds off of more. . . serious issues.

And fringe isn’t just for suede cowgirl jackets anymore. Over at S&C, we’re seeing it on bags, and tops, and most importantly to our kind, shoes.

These peep-toe patent pom pom platforms use fringe in a fun and unconventional way, and are almost too cute to be allowed.

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For the recessionista-minded, you can’t get much better than Target’s fringe pumps by Mossimo, available in black and “dark caramel.” I love the multi-layer flaps of fringe and the sexy ankle strap.

target_fringe1

For a flapper-inspired trend, I recommend a 1920s-inspired libation. In the absence of some homemade bathtub gin, I’m looking forward to trying the Bee’s Knees, a gin concoction that relies on honey, lemon and lavender for flavor.

The Bee’s Knees

  • 1 part hot water
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender blossoms
  • 1 part honey
  • 1.5 parts gin
  • 1/2 part lemon juice

Mix the hot water and dried lavender blossoms in a bowl. Let steep for five minutes. Whisk in honey and strain out the lavender. Add the honey syrup, gin and lemon juice. Pour into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass (or, if you’re searching for authentic flair, a chilled bathtub.)

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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Posted in cocktails, gin, shoes, spirits

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One Cocktail-Filled Weekend

Posted on March 13, 2009 by | 2 comments

A recent weekend trip to Charlottesville found me hiking in the mountains, sampling Moroccan fare at a new restaurant (complete with belly dancers), brunching with friends and sampling a wide variety of exciting cocktails over the course of two days.

My first out-of-the-ordinary sampling was a sweet concoction at Maya: the Peanut Butter Martini. While sitting at the bar, my friend grew curious when she spotted a container of peanut butter sitting behind the cash register. When we found out that the jar of Jif was intended to play the starring role in the Peanut Butter Martini, my friend was quick to order a couple to satisfy our curiosity. This is definitely a dessert-style drink best suited to those sweet of tooth. The ingredients are top secret—in fact, the martini menu lists ingredients for every other drink except for this one; under Peanut Butter Martini, the only information you’ll find is “??????????????????????” 

Our next stop was at the Box, a tiny bar located just off of Charlottesville’s pedestrian downtown mall, for some beers. Only when I ordered two Magic Hats, the bartender misunderstood my order amidst the din and served up two lemon drops instead (go figure). But these weren’t just any lemon drops – they were Ginger Lemon Drops with a sugary rim. Delish.

The next night, at the aforementioned Moroccan restaurant Alhamraa, I indulged in a Hibiscus Cooler. The refreshing drink combined homemade hibiscus concentrate, Bombay Sapphire and cava. It was a bit on the sweet side (and were those notes of cinnamon I detected in the hibiscus concentrate?), but it was definitely something different.

We continued our evening at Bang, an Asian-inspired tapas restaurant. Bang has an extensive martini menu, and Miss Mojito found herself partial to “The Joe.” Although Miss M was less than reliable in her note-taking, she recalls a delectable mixture of gin, Chambord, white cranberry juice, ginger syrup and lime.

The winner of the evening? It was the accidental lemon drop. The ginger added a kick to the traditional—and sugary—lemon flavor, resulting in a winning combination.

Recipes for Ginger Lemon Drops are few and far between, but this one sounds promising.

Ginger Lemon Drop

  • Ice
  • 3 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounce ginger syrup, recipe follows
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Twist of lemon
  • Superfine sugar

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the vodka, ginger syrup and lemon juice. Cover and shake vigorously until combined and chilled. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with superfine sugar. Add twist and serve.

Ginger Syrup:

  • 1 lemon, peel removed with a vegetable peeler into strips
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh ginger (peel too)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 cups water

Add the ginger chunks and lemon into a food processor and process until finely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a pan and add sugar and water. Mix and simmer for about 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and cool. It can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Credit: JeMangeLaVille.com

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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Posted in cocktails, vodka

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Another cocktail news alert

Posted on March 2, 2009 by | 2 comments

We continue to be impressed by our local Washington, DC, area publications, who seem to frequently cover our favorite topics.

On Thursday, February 26, The Washingtonian hosted an online discussion with four notable local bartenders, who will be featured in their March issue. The bartenders chatted about the spirits du jour, the history of cocktails, the craft and technique behind a well-made drink, and much more. The Washingtonian asked for questions in advance and one of Ms. S&C’s made the cut.

———————————–

Question from Alexandria, VA:

Saw the Sazerac all over cocktail menus during the winter. What cocktails can we look forward to in the spring/summer?

Answer:

Gina Chersevani: Rickeys.

Chantal Tseng: Pimm’s Cups.

Derek Brown: Return of the Rickey.

Chantal Tseng: Definitely the Rickey. More Punch?

Gina Chersevani: Juleps.

Derek Brown: I think the Champs-Elysees might be making it on a few cocktail menus.

Gina Chersevani: Punch definitely!

Derek Brown: I just had a vision yesterday as I made one.

Chantal Tseng: Right. It would be nice to see more juleps. Alas, crushed ice is key though.

Derek Brown: Tom Collins made with fresh juice.

Gina Chersevani: I heart Tom Collins! Crushed ice is key to a julep,but a little prep solves that problem.

Chantal Tseng: More cachaca drinks. More pisco drinks. Maybe a mini-tiki summer?

Derek Brown: Yeah, Tiki drinks! Definitely more Pisco drinks.

Gina Chersevani: Have you had Cuca Fresca Aged Cachaca??? It’s pretty good!

Chantal Tseng: Need to find some fun mugs and bowls.

Derek Brown: This is going to be Pisco summer.

Chantal Tseng: Pisco Punch? With pineapples and fresh lemon.

Gina Chersevani: At PS 7’s there is a cheeky tiki on the tasting menu that is available at the bar for a pairing, but shhh, it’s a secret.

Chantal Tseng: He he. No worries, it shall not be i that will blow your cover.

Derek Brown: Yellow Chartreuse is the old, new “it” mixer ingredient.

———————————–

Holy cow, I’m excited. Pimm’s, punch, rickeys, Tom Collins, and the importance of crushed ice — yes, please! Plus, I just picked up a bottle of Pisco, as a result of Miss M’s sipping sours. The S&C team are ready for warm weather cocktails. Bring ’em on.

posted by Ms. S&C

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Posted in cocktails, spring/summer cocktails

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Citrus Juicing and Ice Chipping

Posted on February 26, 2009 by | 3 comments

I recently tried out two new tools that are sure to enhance the cocktail concoction experience.

I gave the Black & Decker Citrus Juicer to my dad for Christmas in 2008, after spending over half an hour one evening juicing lemons and limes for his family-sized batch of whiskey sours. I decided to invest in this small, affordable home juicer as a present for dad (and to give my poor hands a break). It’s small enough not to take up too much room in my parents’ limited cabinet space.

We finally whipped it out one Sunday to make a batch of the much-lauded whiskey sours. I must admit, even thdscn09052ough I was the one who bought the juicer in the first place, I was still skeptical that it would produce results good enough to convince me to forgo my hand juicer.

For a $15 purchase, the results were pretty stellar. The way it works is this: you fit the citrus over one of the two plastic reamers (a larger one for oranges & grapefruit, a smaller one for lemons & limes). When you press down, the reamer automatically spins, extracting the juice into the awaiting container. Seconds later, you have a bone-dry citrus rind in one hand and a cup full of juice in the other (up to 34 ounces worth). This particular model also has different settings for no pulp, medium pulp and pulp-a-plenty. Brilliant!

dscn0908The other tool I tried out that might deserve a place on your cocktail cart is the manual ice grinder. It’s basically a plastic container with a sharp metal mouth through which you feed your ice cubes. Depending upon the direction you turn the crank, the result is large ice chips or fine ice slush. Though you have to definitely exert some strong arm power to properly chip the ice, the results are worth the effort for those times when ice cubes are just too inelegant and bulky.

I think the best way to make use of these two finds is a mid-winter cocktail that celebrates them both. The Salty Dog is just the ticket: squeeze your own grapefruit juice, chip your own ice, them mix them both together with some gin and serve in a salted-rim glass.

The Salty Dog
serves one

  • 4-5 oz. fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
  • 2 oz gin
  • Salt
  • Chipped ice

Chill your cocktail glass in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before preparing the drink. Pour salt (a couple spoonfuls should be plenty) on a square of parchment paper. Dip and roll the edge of the chilled glass in salt. (If the salt has trouble sticking to the glass, try rubbing the glass with a wedge of lime, first.). Pour gin and juice in glass; fill with ice and stir to mix.

Posted by Miss Mojito

3 Comments

Posted in cocktails, fall/winter cocktails, gin

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Shocking Tonic Results

Posted on February 20, 2009 by | Leave a comment

Some girlfriends gathered chez moi last weekend for some high school reminiscing, appetizer consuming and cocktail imbibing. We started by sipping prosecco with hibiscus flowers and syrup (which I’ll save for another post). I then proceeded to turn my guests into guinea pigs with my much anticipated tonic testing. The results, I must say, were surprising indeed! But first, let’s meet the contestants.

My hope was to integrate a homemade tonic into my tasting. Todd Thrasher, of Restaurant Eve fame, has a recipe that the Washington Post published a while back, but I had a bit of trouble putting my hands on some of the ingredients, namely quinine powder and citric acid. So, we had to resort to store-bought brands. I picked two brands widely available in grocery stores: Schweppes Diet Tonic and Canada Dry Regular Tonic. My third pick was the Q Tonic, a new discovery I mentioned in a previous post. Made from organic agave nectar instead of sugar, it’s billed as a healthy, superior tonic.

I mixed up three mini-cocktails for each of my friends, using Smirnoff Vodka or Tanqueray Gin and a squeeze of lime. It was a blind tasting (I used Solo cups and labeled the bottom of each with a Sharpee), so our results were completely unbiased.

The results? Three out of four gals picked the diet tonic as their favorite! The Q Tonic samples—which ring in schweppesat a staggering $10 for around 25 ounces—tasted a bit flavorless to our palettes. Comparatively, the diet tonic—a bargain at around $2 for about 33 ounces—had a sweeter flavor that seemed to accentuate the drink’s lime-iness. Needless to say, we felt extremely unsophisticated to discover that the organic, “gourmet” tonic was the least palatable to our taste buds. But I’m not dismissing the Q Tonic all together. I think it might be best suited to really bringing out the flavor of the liquor. A pairing of Q Tonic with the cucumber-infused Hendrick’s gin, for example, or maybe a flavored vodka, might be better suited to bringing out the tonic’s best attributes. But I think you’ll have to give it a try and see for yourself! You can find out where to buy Q Tonic on their Web site.

posted by Miss Mojito

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Love is in the air

Posted on February 14, 2009 by | 3 comments

Happy Valentine’s Day! The theme of love continues over here at S&C. Ms. S&C had two good friends marry a few weeks ago and thought now would be the time to share a few details.

Friends SB and LD were married in a courthouse ceremony, so they spent their wedding day with a small gathering of family and close friends — until an evening reception when many more of us joined them to celebrate. When I saw SB, she was stunning in a Tahari dress. The dress, knee length, had gorgeous silver detailing, a cut-out neckline, and was finished with a belted bow. I so wish there was a picture to share. It was very Jackie O/Audrey Hepburn-esque. SB said a courthouse wedding seemed a bit retro so she went with a vintage late 50s/early 60s look.

Naturally, I wanted to see what shoes she paired. And she really couldn’t have found a better match for the dress. The shoes were beautiful and elegant and had P-E-R-F-E-C-T bow detailing to compliment the belt on the dress. She picked up this ivory pair over at DSW, where there are more color choices. And with a price tag of $49.95, I’m very tempted to get the black ones.

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SB’s perfect wedding shows with bow detail

Another fun retro-y detail — at the reception, instead of wedding cake, red velvet cupcakes were served. I’m not sure I’ve tasted a better cupcake. The baker has a blog where she shares the recipe, and she comments that “the intense red color of the cake has some sort of hypnotic effect, because people are always delighted just to lay eyes on the cake, and then absolutely smitten when they finally taste it.” Absolutely right, sista.

red-velvet-cupcakes

Delicious red velvet wedding cupcakes

To further celebrate this heart-filled holiday, here’s a romantic cocktail that fits the occasion. It was inspired by the Rose Royce Cocktail, courtesy of OVAL Vodka. One of the original ingredients in the recipe was rose syrup. I subbed St. Germain elderflower liqueur because it of its floral notes and because I already had it in my cabinet. I used grenadine instead of simple syrup so the drink would have a slight pink color. I also didn’t have any fresh thyme, but the rosemary in my garden has survived the winter (and it seemed a better fit, both in name and flavor). All in all, a lovely drink.

The Rose Cocktail
makes one drink

1 oz. Vodka (Oval recommended)
1/3 oz. St. Germain
1/3 oz. Grenadine
2/3 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 dash Angostura Bitters
½ glass Champagne

Shake all ingredients well over ice and pour into a flute half-filled with champagne. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.

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Posted in cocktails, shoes, spirits, st germain, vodka

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