Life is Simply Not So Simple

It's been a crazy month since we launched, with Home Shows, Special Events and getting into some retail shops.  All very exciting but oh so busy.  Nevertheless, the minute I slowed down I got myself some Prosecco & Limoncello and tried this awesome cocktail creation by Jennie at The Messy Baker Blog.... ahhhh.  You need to go check it out for yourself and do it quick because you still have a chance to win!

Sparkling Not So Simple Strawberry Limonaide



Sparkling Not So Simple Strawberry Limonaide

I know I should be taking more time on my posts and staging my pictures and such but it's just not where I am at right now.

 

When I find a moment to enjoy a cocktail, there's no time for staging.  These are my real life moments.  I need a drink dammit ;-)

 

And bottom line, I'm afraid I'll lose these awesome recipes if I don't start chronicling better....

 

This drink was what I VERY late in the season dubbed my official drink of Summertime 2013. I only had the recipe in a comment on my Facebook Instagram post. 

It was only a matter of time before it was

gobbled up by my endless ramblings

never to be found again....

 

But now it's safe.  And you really should try it. 

 

I. LOVE. THIS. DRINK.

 

and you will too....

  

What You Need:

• 1.5 ounce Limoncello
• 1.0 ounce Strawberry Not So Simple Syrup
• A couple lemon slices
• 3 ounces Brut Champagne
• A couple strawberries for garnish

 

What You Do:

• Lightly muddle your Syrup with a couple lemon slices
• Add Limoncello
• Pack your glass with ice
• Top with Brut Champagne

Insert Straw into drink, butt into lounge chair.... AHHHH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy National Rum Day {What a Long Strange Trip It's Been}

There's naught, no doubt, so much the spirit calms as rum and true religion. Lord Byron

If you had offered me Rum two years ago, I would've declined.... I really was never a Rum drinker.  That was before my first Dragonberry Mojito, which is kind of where this whole PDA {Public Display of Alcoholism} began.... well, my Rum journey has definitely been an evolution and I thought I would share that trip with you for NATIONAL RUM DAY {I was pretty shocked to see what a long strange trip it's been}!



My first Rum Love
The Dragonberry Mojito



My First Creation
The Blue Mojito

Taking it South
The Keylime Mojito

It goes with coffee too
The Jamaican Latte

Give a man a fish;
you have fed him for today.
Teach a man to fish;
and you have fed him for a lifetime”
—Author unknown
I've had a similar Mojito experience....
The Elderflower Mojito

I am now creating the alcohol
The LIMONCELLO MOJITO

This was a crowning moment for sure
THE CHAMPAGNE MOJITO

Just when I thought I had peaked...
Mint Sugared Glass
Lemon-Lime Mojito

Changing it up....
The Dark & Stormy

Classic Rum.... Do you like
PINA COLADAS?

Am I off the Mojitos and on to Classics?
THE RASPBERRY DAIQUIRI



Nahhhh, I heart my Mojitos
this is where I leave this year's celebration....
THE MILLIONAIRE {ZACAPA} MOJITO

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR...

SAME TIME SAME PLACE! XXOO



The Limoncello Journey Continues {Limoncello Mojito}

Limoncello Mojito

You knew this was coming.
In fact, I know you were like WTH is taking so long.


I apologize.  It's this darn diet.


But as promised, I am drinking this weekend and that leftover Easter Limoncello has been calling me....
 "Heeeiiiidi, Heiiiiidddddi.... you know you need to make a Mojito out of me".


And I did.  And SBJ, it was so worthy.
 Please, break out your Limoncello and join me 

Limoncello Mojito

{Addie? Leslie? Are you out there?}


here's what you need
1 & 1/2 oz. white rum {I used Bacardi}
1 & 1/2 oz Limoncello
1 oz Simple Syrup
8 mint leaves

2 key limes quartered {or one regular in eighths}
2 lemon slices 

club soda

here's what you do
Muddle everything {but club soda} to perfection.
Fill appropriate glass with ice
top with club soda, garnish and.... you know, AHHHH

The Limoncello Journey continues...... {Sparkling Limoncello Sangria}

 I've been DYING to share this recipe, it was one of my favorite things from my Easter brunch this year BUT certainly a drink that would rock any occasion or just a chillin'-by-the-pool Saturday.

What you ask? Well, my Limoncello Sangria of course.  As you may recall, I made my own Limoncello for this very occasion and while it was a 3-4 week process, it was well worth it {but you can cheat and buy from liquor store... I won't tell}.

Hate to be full of myself but it was FAB. The Limoncello alone and the Sangria.

When Life Gives You Lemons {The Limoncello Journey}

 This week lemons were on sale at Aldi's and so you know it, the Old Guy brought home a bag.  I thought to myself "what the heck to do with all those lemons?" After posting an S.O.S. it was suggested I make Limoncello.  I thought, hmmmmm that could be fun.  Then this morning, as though the stars were aligned, my Cousin Addie started posting recipes for Limoncello drinks on Pinterest because she has a bottle she "needs to get rid of".  So, in perusing them I found one with champagne that I think will be a fab addition to my Easter brunch.  Yes, this  is how my brain works, not unlike a game of dominoes.

• 
  
• And so, I'm gettin' busy as while there is a HUGE range of recipes out there they all agree on one thing.... it takes TIME.  I figure, my minimum is about 3 weeks {NEXT year I'll start this with the first day of Lent} and so today is the day.

I'm also going to do this post segmented in case any one wants to join in... oh come on 40 cents for a BAG of lemons at Aldi's!!!!

I digress, shocking I know.  Half the recipes I found called for grain alcohol & half vodka.... since I have no grain alcohol "hanging around" I'm going conservative and using Vodka {Stoli to be exact}, I'm also going small since this is my maiden voyage.... and only making a half batch.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TODAY:

• 5 lemons
• 1/2 750ml vodka

HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:  Zest the lemons and place zest into a large glass bottle or jar. Pour in vodka. Cover loosely and let infuse for one week-ten days at room temperature.

NOTE:  all the sites I read said use a peeler not a zester & avoid the white pith to the extent possible.  I peeled "lightly."

See you NEXT Week, I'm going long so I won't be doing until Sunday

Be prepared with:  1 & 1/2 cups white sugar & 1 & 3/4 cups water.... it's going to be AWESOME!

**************to be continued

I'm baaaaaaccccccccccck!

So, take 1 & 1/2 cups white sugar & 1 & 3/4 cups water and bring them to a boil, WITHOUT stirring let it boil for 10 minutes.  Then remove from heat but leave in it's pot until cool {an hour or so}.  Once cool stir vodka mixture into syrup; strain into a glass bottle and seal.  DONE.  Let mixture age for 2 weeks at room temperature....

See you Easter!