Coconut

Recipe Summary
Total Time: mins
Servings:16oz
Source: Culinary Camp

Ingredients

1/2 cup freshly sqeezed lemon juice (3 to 4 lemons)
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup ice
1 pint vanilla ice cream

Directions

1. combine lemon juice and sugar in a pitcher and stir until sugar is dissolved.
2. add water and stir until well mixed.Chill for 1 hr in frige.
3. add the lemonade ice and ice cream to a blender.Blend until smooth.
4. Pour or scoop into serving glass and serve with straw.

Margarita Jello Shots

My mom made these as a fun Christmas cocktail. Unlike me, most of my friends experienced these in their youth. They enjoyed sharing their various techniques with the newbie. I found this recipe preferable to the traditional vodka shots. They go down a bit easier and are a fantastic accompaniment to the HeHeOle Casserole.

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 15 mins
Refrigerate: 4 hours
Servings: ?
Source: KegWorks

Ingredients

Lime Jello, 2 (3 oz) packages
Water, boiling 2 cups
Water, cold, 1 1/4 cup
Tequila, 1/2 cup
Triple Sec, 1/4 cup

Directions

1. Bring water to a boil and remove from heat.
2. Dissolve the packages of Jello in boiling water, stirring for at least 2 mins until gelatin is dissolved.
3. Add cold water, tequila, and Triple Sec.
4. Pour mixture into plastic cups. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Notes

1. The plastic cups were purchased at Target near the gladware and ziploc bags. They had lids which is perfect for preventing spills as the jello hardens. 

"I'll Be Mother" - Tea Pouring Superstition

LSO and I love the new BBC show called Sherlock. My favorite episode is called A Scandal In Belgravia. In the episode Sherlock and Watson find themselves in Buckingham Palace discussing a case with Sherlock's brother Mycroft. During the conversation Mycroft says "I'll be mother" as he pours the tea. Curious about the origin of this saying I came across a article call Steeped in Superstition by Dr. Alec Gill. According to the article tea drinking and fertility are linked and around the 1930's there was a belief that if a man and woman took turns pouring they would have a child together.

The article mentions many other tea making and drinking superstitions, other than birth control. I can't wait to bring them up at my next tea party!

The White Russian

The weekend between Christmas and New Years we drove North to visit my sister. We love spending time with her boyfriend and his family. They are our kind of people. The best part of their house is the full bar. It is self-serve and open 24/7.  LSO served up White Russians for everyone once and sometimes twice daily. Sadly his recipe changed each time. The ingredients were half and half, Kahlua, Vodka, and ice. Stirred then served. Happy New Year!

Mojito

Recipe Summary
Time: 10 mins
Servings: 1
Source: Jessica Harris' Rum Drinks

Ingredients
Spearmint, 5 leaves, fresh
Peppermint, 5 leaves, fresh
White rum, 2 oz.
Simple syrup, 1/2 oz.
Lime, juiced, 1 oz.
Ice cubes
Club soda

Directions

1. Muddle the spearmint leaves, lime juice, and simple syrup in a highball glass
2. Add the rum and ice and top with club soda
3. Stir to mix
4. Serve immediately

Notes

1. A garnish of a sprig of mint or a slice of lime may be added.
2. Bacardi Superior was my choice for white rum
3. Roll the lime on the counter pressing firmly to prep the fruit for juicing.
4. The hefty metal end of a whisk worked well since I did not have a muddler.
5. As with any adult beverage, the measurements are a suggestion. The crowd I served preferred sweet drinks so I ended up quadrupling the simple syrup and halving the lime juice.

Beat the heat with cucumber water

I literally have cucumbers coming out of my ears. Since I have grown tired of  tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella salad and despise pickles, I have had to get a bit more creative. My latest discovery has been putting slices of cucumber in my ice water. I found it to be quite wonderful but was concerned my California idea would not go over well in the South.

So, to test my idea, I served it to some skeptical house guests. To my surprise, and theirs, they enjoyed the "fresh" and "energizing" addition to tap water. This has been a welcome addition that fosters hydration in this intense summer heat. Try this tested and approved recipe at home!

Cucumber Water

1. Fill one water jug with water. 
2. Place desired amount of cucumber slices into jug.
3. Refrigerate for at least one hour. 
4. Serve chilled.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Recipe Summary
Servings: 4
Source: LSO’s Mom

Ingredients
Strawberries, frozen (roughly ½ freezer bag)
Limeaid, ¼ - ½ can
Sprite, Gingerale, or 7-Up
Powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp
Ice
Lime, sliced (optional)

Directions

1. Measure out equal parts of limeaid and Sprite.
2. Pour limeaid and half of strawberries into blender. Blend.
3. Pour Sprite, remaining strawberries, and powdered sugar into blender. Blend.
4. Add ice. Blend. Add more Sprite if needed.
5. Serve in martini glasses. Garnish with slice of lime.
   

Notes

1. More Sprite can be added as needed to obtain desired consistency.
2. Rum can be substituted for the Sprite. The cheap stuff works great. I like coconut rum for intimate parties of light drinkers.
3. Freeze fresh strawberries whole by placing them on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Stores up to 6 months.