Habanero Tequila

Hi.  My newest obsession.  Habanero tequila, mixed with grapefruit juice and a cucumber slice.  That is all.

I made the mistake of slicing too many cucumbers for a salad this weekend (recipe to come).  That, inevitably meant that I needed to make an endless supply of habanero tequila.  Right?  That's how I interpreted my cosmic universe, anyway.

Gin Gin Mule

Anyone who truly knows me, knows that my drink of choice is a gin and tonic.  You really can't go wrong when you hand me one of those.  I may fall in love with you.  But, this weekend, the boy managed to research a drink that may now be at the top of my list.

I sipped on some tonic water while he made this, just so I had an open bottle as a fail-safe, if this new beverage-relationship didn't work out.

A Gin-Gin Mule - amazing.  Think about a mojito made with gin, but splashed with a heavy dose of ginger beer.  All my favorites, muddled into one drink.  Okay - three drinks.

For Those Muddling Kids...

After a weekend of mojitos, spritzers and punches, I came to a swift conclusion this morning:  I need a muddler. I am way too fond of fresh, bold flavors to not be able to muddle some fruit and herbs, myself.

Not familiar with a muddler?  It's that really cool mortar-like thingy that your bartender uses when you order complicated drinks that take more than a bottle opener (...me.  I order these).  But, lo and behold!  Mr. Mojito to the rescue!

Not only does the Mr. Mojito Company sell solid-wood, high-quality muddlers, but the site also shows you techniques and recipes from the pros to get you started.  Dang.  Quick tip I learned: don't waste your time and energy, only to have your drink fall flat of expectations...a good 8-12 twists of the muddler per drink is a safe range to get enough flavor when experimenting.  So, stock your bars for summer...we got 12 weeks of fun to get through together! (found, here.)

Cured

Ina Garten's Melon Prosciutto found here.

What better to welcome someone stateside than with a home-cooked meal?  While the jury might be out on what exemplifies American cuisine, I find I have a few tried-and-true recipes that need to be slap-dashed and presented family style.  Now, the hard question is: cheeseburger, steak or ribs?  If only I was good at any of those...

Martha Stewart's Tequila Thyme Lemonade recipe here.

Easiest Apple Turnovers ever, found here.