Category Archives: spirits

Beach Twists

Posted on May 21, 2009 by | 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 blended-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.

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Footwear and Fun in the Field

Posted on May 1, 2009 by | 2 comments

foxfieldThe 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 cutout_wedgeyourself 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.

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Cake and punch

Posted on April 29, 2009 by | 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-cakeSpectacular 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-punchPomegranate 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

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

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Imbibing in New Orleans

Posted on April 21, 2009 by | 1 comment

Miss Mojito just returned from a trip to Mississippi, but had the chance to take a quick detour to New Orleans. Tuesday nolaafternoon 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.

mintThe 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!

Mint Julep
Serves one

  • 2 ounces bourbon (Miss Mojito recommends Woodford Reserve)
  • 1 Tbl. simple syrup
  • Small handful mint leaves
  • Whole mint leaves, cherry and orange for garnish (optional)
  • Crushed ice

Muddle mint leaves in bottom of a glass. Fill with crushed ice. Add syrup and bourbon and stir. Garnish as desired.

Posted by Miss Mojito.

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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

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

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Sapphire in the mud

Posted on April 7, 2009 by | 4 comments

After reading Garlic and Sapphires for my book club, I’ve been craving Asian food like something intense. Ruth Reichl’s exploration of Japanese, Korean and Chinese restaurants, while restaurant critic of the New York Times, was remarkable and mouth-watering. While at the NYT, she was criticized for her time spent reviewing small, ethnic establishments, but I admire her attitude toward food — especially her view that she didn’t have to review restaurants just for rich people.

Desperate to satisfy my craving, friends and I tried Yechon over the weekend. Located in the suburbs of Washington, DC, in an area engulfed by strip malls, I knew ahead of time that looks would be deceiving. It did, however, meet every expectation of deliciousness. Truly a sapphire in the mud, whether that was T. S. Eliot’s intention for the phrase or not. For dinner, we shared the bul kalbi, beef short ribs marinated in chef’s special sauce. The meat was a little sweet and a little salty, and grilled right at the table. Wrap it in crisp lettuce with fiery cabbage kimchi and you wonder why you haven’t been eating this food all along. The bowls of panchan were plentiful, and maybe next time I’ll get the nerve to ask which each of them are. Like the kimchi, they are the cold dishes Korean restaurants offer with every meal.

And, what do you drink with a feast like this? White wine and lagers are the most fitting accompaniments. The food is spicy and flavorful and you’ll be happier with a refreshing beverage. Most of us drank Hite and Kirin, beers of Korea and Japan that taste just like American lagers Budweiser and Miller. We also tried Soju, a traditional Korean liquor similar to vodka but sweeter as it is distilled from sweet potatoes. Soju is served chilled and in shot glasses, and should be consumed in one gulp, preferably after toasting to good friends around the table.

korean-bevs

Our beverages at Yechon: Soju, Korean beer Hite
and Japanese beer Kirin

posted by Ms. S&C

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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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The men’s department

Posted on April 1, 2009 by | 3 comments

Our closets, nor our back accounts, can handle more than one clotheshorse in the family, but Ms. S&C can count the number of shoes Mr. S&C owns on one hand. She thinks it is time that he freshen up his wardrobe a bit. And, of course, she is here to help! Here are some early footwear picks that she wishes he would go for.

millbrook-mocs

These leather driving mocs with contrast stitching are fairly understated, and look comfy, no? A good fit because Mr. S&C is also understated (in the best possible sense), and he sometimes has an aversion to laces.

sydney-shoes1

These boots, (I guess you would call them boots), are a little bit hipster and a little bit rugged. Not sure Mr. S&C would like to be described that way, but I think they are pretty awesome. sperry-slip-on

I love these timeless patchwork plaid slip-ons. But, I’m also a total sucker for infusing nautical preppiness every now and again. Mr. S&C, remember we’ve got a beach trip coming up — and again, no laces!

tassel-mocs

Tassel mocs are making a comeback says Footwear News. But Mr. S&C doesn’t don a three piece suit and cuff links too often, but if he did…

I’m not going to transform Mr. S&C’s footwear selection overnight. But, there’s one thing I know he won’t pass up — scotch and soda. I guess he prefers his cocktails like he prefers his shoes, sans embellishments.  He imbibes a variety of blended Scotch whiskeys, but recently he has become a friend of Johnnie Walker Black. Also a friend of Winston Churchill, coincidentally.

Scotch & Soda

  • Fill cocktail glass with ice
  • Pour in 2 ounces of blended scotch
  • Top with club soda
  • Garnish with a twist of lemon

posted by Ms. S&C

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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.

182123_001_ss_011

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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Green with envy

Posted on March 17, 2009 by | 5 comments

Forget the parades, shamrocks, and leprechauns for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. There are green shoes to be worn! And the variety is incredible — floral, t-strap, patent, snakeskin, flats, platforms, sneakers and rainboots. The strappy sandals are my personal faves. They are flirty and fun, and I can see them having a place in my spring wardrobe long after the Irish festivities are over. Quick reader quiz — who can spot the $1,000 pair and which are eco-friendly? Share your guess in the comments section.

lanvin

blue-floral

prada-sandal

patent-t-strap

rl-platform

slingback-sandal

sperry-top-sidereco-friendly-2blowfish-sherbert

conversesigerson-morrisondaisy-rainboot

As far as imbibing on this occasion, beer is traditionally the favorite. And, like shoes, there are more choices than you think.

1. Irish beer, such as Guinness or Harp

St. Patrick’s Day is the only day of the year when I’m tempted to drink a Guinness or a Harp or both. I like the half-and-half combo which yields a Black & Tan.

2. Green beer, as in beer that is the color green

Green beer, even on St. Patty’s Day, doesn’t really appeal to me, but I thoroughly enjoy that others consume it. In the event you ever want to mix up your own batch, Mix That Drink outlines, step-by-step, how to make this concoction.

3. Green beer, as in beer that is eco-friendlygreen-beer

Drinking beer is good for you and the environment. Well, not exactly. But it still sounds like a cause that many of us can get behind. The Sierra Club has a few recommendations for beers made by companies who are working to lighten their carbon footprint–Sierra Nevada and Brooklyn Brewery are included. This way you can drink green beer today and any other day.

Cheers!

posted by Ms. S&C

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