Category Archives: Cocktails

Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups

Posted on by May 29, 2015

Finally, picnic season is fully upon us and these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups are perfect for a leisurely afternoon picnic. In fact, I have them in mind as the light, low-alcohol cocktail for my English Polo Picnic Menu. After all, next weekend there’s a match in Jersey City and yours truly intends to be there, friends and picnic in tow, including these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups. The distinctively subtle cucumbers, lychee and thai basil muddles perfectly into herbaceous flavors of the Pimm’s No. 1 liquor. A little lychee syrup goes a long way to sweeten it up just a touch, and the effervescence from the sparkling water keeps the drink light and refreshing. Serve these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups with lots of ice, plenty of gorgeous lychees, cucumbers and thai basil for garnish and they’ll help you keep the party going all afternoon long. As the drink for my Polo Picnic Menu, I paired these Cucumber Lychee Pimm’s Cups with my Salmon Burgers with Curry Mayo and Saffron Poached Apricot Almond Trifle. It’s hard to tell you which dish stole the show since leftovers were few and far between, but I will say that even the non-cocktail drinkers got on … Continue reading →

Cucumber Mint Lime Agua Fresca

Posted on by April 30, 2015

We’ve got leaves, we’ve got flowers, we’ve even got some legitimately hot days head our way and since it seems I’m determined to skip right into Summer this year, we’ve got refreshing Cucumber Mint Lime Agua Fresca just in time for Cinco de Mayo. In Spanish, “agua fresca” means cool waters, and I first really learned about the wonder that is agua fresca living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where every good burrito stand has some form of house agua fresca that they serve to counter the heat of the hot weather and the spicy food. I’ve had a lot of different flavors over the years, but recently a friend of mine made a Cucumber Mint Lime Agua Fresca (like this one) that she had at the restaurant Lemonade in L.A. While I don’t promise that this is their exact recipe, I can promise that I like it a lot, it is delicious and refreshing, and it’s easy to make. And once you make it the first time, you’ll be persuaded to make it often. It’s a great beverage to keep on hand for guests who aren’t imbibing, too. Just serve it in a big pitcher with lots of … Continue reading →

White Cranberry Sprinter Cocktail

Posted on by March 27, 2015

It’s five o’clock somewhere, and it’s almost five o’clock here, so it’s time to get ready for the weekend with this White Cranberry Sprinter Cocktail. Sprinter, that’s spring, plus winter, see what I did there? Corny, I know. But here in Philly, it’s definitely Sprinter. Yesterday it was 70. Today it’s 40. What gives? And what’s a party thrower to do? Hot Chocolate or Piña Coladas? Don’t worry, of course I have the drink for you. I highly recommend mixing up a batch of this delicious White Cranberry Sprinter Cocktail which perfectly navigates the challenges of the in between season with its light nod to winter in the form of cranberry and rosemary, and its playful spring inclinations with a little spicy ginger and Caribbean inspired rum. If you’ve been persuaded by me in the past to keep some herbal simple syrup on hand, all you need to do is add a couple of tablespoons of rough chopped ginger into some rosemary simple syrup and rewarm it. It will infuse while it cools leaving you with a woodsy, spicy syrup that goes great with the tartness of the lime and cranberry. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s a cup of … Continue reading →

Chanh muoi Lemon Salt Soda

Posted on by December 11, 2014

Well, it is my birthday, and I do love a good funky cocktail, so here it is, the Chanh muối Lemon Salt Soda. The Chanh muoi Lemon Salt Soda is a traditional Vietnamese drink that I somehow didn’t know about until fairly recently. Like any good menu reader who prides themself on ordering all the dishes and drinks they’ve never heard of, I was surprised that I’d never come across the Chanh muoi Lemon Salt Soda. It turns out the Chanh muoi Lemon Salt Soda is a common menu item, which I discovered this fall at a local Philly pho taste off. Of course, I had to immediately compensate for the years with no Chan muoi in my life and all kinds of kitchen experimentation began. Thank goodness I’m constantly deciding that I need to do things like preserve lemons, because I had them on hand. While it started with making traditional Chanh muoi Lemon Salt Soda, it became aparent to me that the drink was an obvious candidate for conversion to cocktail. Sure enough it was wonderful with bourbon. Cheers! And happy funky cocktail day to all of us. And may you ever associate both me and my birthday … Continue reading →

Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita

Posted on by November 10, 2014

This Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita is one of those “you’ll just have to trust me and try it” recipes, because it sounds a little wacky. But I promise you’ll like it. It’s really nice as a breakfast drink as it’s a little savory. Think a Bloody Mary replacement… I suppose the cat’s out of the bag, I’m into those lately (à la my Sunny Mary: A Bloody Good Alternative). The inspiration for the Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita was an article on Austin bars, but as you can see, I’ve run with it. I lightened it up so it doesn’t have much alcohol in it- perfect for a rejuvenating weekend brunch drink. The Hair of the Dog Breakfast Margarita is also a great mocktail. Instead of infusing tequila, just infuse some water, or even sparkling water, if you want a little effervescence. And of course you can add as much tequila as you like. Just make sure you add the jalapeño stuff by taste so you don’t get it too spicy for your guests. Who says margaritas aren’t for breakfast? Not me. … Continue reading →

The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail

Posted on by May 8, 2016

The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail is dear to my heart for a variety of reasons. A dear friend is getting married this month and she asked me to create a few signature cocktails for her. I have no clue if she’ll select this one, but I know when I drink The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail, I’ll think of her. The September Wedding: Pineapple Sage Cocktail features smoky scotch, woodsy sage, and chartreuse and is paired unpredictably with pineapple juice- perfect for the marriage of summer to fall. But how did it come about? That’s a story in and of itself. My dad is a gardener extraordinaire and a couple of weekends ago, I came home to three huge boxes of herbs. Lemon verbena, thyme, and sage. I already had very specific plans for the verbena (I make this sheep’s milk lemon verbena ice cream that I’ve shared a version of here, and I served a more complicated version for my pop-up restaurant). The verbena and thyme where well on their way towards dry, so nothing had to be done right away, but the sage was still very fresh and lush and would rot if not preserved or used … Continue reading →

Sunny Mary: a Bloody Good Alternative

Posted on by May 9, 2016

Summer is in full swing and tomatoes are coming in by the bushel, so I’ve been busy in the kitchen conjuring weird and wonderful uses for said tomatoes. It’s hot; so hot that hot is out and ice is in. With my mind focused in on tomatoes and ice it was only a matter of time before I set my sights upon re-envisioning the classic Bloody Mary. Let me present, Sunny Mary: a Bloody Good Alternative. I’ve been experimenting with tomato water lately and learning of its many virtues: light, luscious, packed-with-summer flavor, once I tasted it, I knew I had to make a lightened up, let-the-tomato-steal-the-show version of a Bloody Mary with tomato water. Pair that notion with a box of gorgeous yellow Roma tomatoes and the Sunny Mary: a Bloody Good Alternative was a done deal. Tomato water is delicate in flavor and body so it makes for a very elegant brunch cocktail. In the days of “add a fried chicken to it” Bloody Marys (thanks for that Wisconsin), the Sunny Mary: a Bloody Good Alternative is the exact opposite. Its flavor is intense yet subtle all at the same time. It begged for a fresh, crisp, raw … Continue reading →

Watermelon Saffron Cooler

Posted on by January 20, 2015

I have to admit, this Watermelon Saffron Cooler is about one year in the making. It started with some saffron simple syrup and a need for a sort of sweet and savory cocktail with saffron. And I nailed it. Finally. But finding the right blend that would accentuate the saffron without masking it took awhile. And a lot of ingredients. At one point there was a yellow tomato puree that you’re going to see in a very cool Bloody Mary; I tried out Crème De Violette, and rum, and tonic water… the list goes on. But I’m pleased to report that the Watermelon Saffron Cooler is ready, and well worth the wait. You’d do well to make the watermelon juice and saffron simple syrup ahead of time, while neither is time consuming, it’s nice to have everything ready to go and well-chilled before you’re ready to make the cocktails. And once you make your first batch of watermelon juice, you’re going to want to have it around all Summer long. I buy whole watermelons and juice one half right away. Just about a ¼ cup of the juice is the perfect addition to a glass of ice water. But even … Continue reading →

Lavender Lemonade

Posted on by July 21, 2015

There’s nothing like lemonade on a hot day. And if you want to make it extra special, a little lavender simple syrup goes a long way in creating this herbal, floral treat of Lavender Lemonade. Best of all, it’s a snap. Last week, we were in Door County, Wisconsin and I wanted to do something a little special for our big group of friends as well as create some great photo opps for Dirty Laundry Kitchen. I decided to throw an old-fashioned croquet party, and while I wanted it to be elegant, I didn’t want to spend a whole day of my vacation stuck in the kitchen while my friends and family were off playing without me. I centered the menu around quick and simple store-bought products that leave plenty of room to gussy them up. The menu was slightly French country, and very simple, and in two hours, I’d made all the food, fixed the lemonade, set a gorgeous table (with a little help from my mom) and slipped into my croquet whites. We had a hilarious afternoon knocking the croquet balls into the woods and trying our best to be the first back to the wicket. And with … Continue reading →

Chesapeake Bay Breeze

Posted on by January 26, 2015

When the weather’s still a little chilly (pre- G&T weather) but you’re at the beach anyway, and your compatriots are bourbon drinkers, it’s time to get creative and make my Chesapeake Bay Breeze. It’s the perfect cocktail to get people in the Crab Boil spirit. The Chesapeake Bay Breeze is a clever twist on the classic Sea Breeze. I kept the cranberry and the grapefruit and subbed out vodka for bourbon. I also upset the balance in the favor or the grapefruit, but you should play around with the ratios until the Chesapeake Bay Breeze is perfect for you and yours. Serve up with lots of sun, lots of ice and plenty of sand court volleyball with the Chesapeake Bay Breeze. Added bonus, this cocktail, while of course tart and refreshing for summer, it actually a sort of wonderful Winter drink. Grapefruit are at their peak in the winter, cranberries are readily available in the store for a garnish, and it definitely bourbon season. Instead of serving on the rocks try shaking and serving up. I think you’ll find you like the Chesapeake Bay Breeze year round, kind of like a trip to the Chesapeake. Sometimes a fireplace and a hot … Continue reading →

Rhubarb Mint Juleps

Posted on by April 30, 2015

Rhubarb Mint Juleps are just the ticket to take advantage of the fresh rhubarb that’s in abundance during the spring as well as take cocktail hour to the next level at the Kentucky Derby Party. I have to admit, there’s absolutely nothing traditional about this combination, and rhubarb is not a southern thing at all, so the combo might seem a bit odd, but I am a combination of a Southerner and a Northerner and I reserve the right to mix and match as I so choose. And I love rhubarb in the spring and think it pairs really well with bourbon because rhubarb is really tart, so it pairs well with things that taste naturally sweet. Mint juleps are all about the sweet, so rhubarb provides a nice balance. Note: I came upon a new technique that makes these rhubarb juleps even better, so if you looked at this recipe, or printed it prior to 4/22/15, take another look. It all came about when I was making my Fresh Strawberry Pie with Rhubarb Curd. I made too much of the rhubarb puree and began whisking it into cocktails. Turns out that rhubarb puree preserved the flavor of rhubarb WAY … Continue reading →

Crowded House Margaritas

Posted on by January 26, 2015

Crowded House Margaritas are perfect for that big party you’re throwing. You’re expecting a crowd and hand-squeezed lime margaritas would require a truckload of limes, a dedicated lime squeezer, and more money than you’ve got in your pocket for cointreau and patron tequila. You know the party; everyone is there, and the while the party will definitely top your list of epic fiestas, it’s not a top shelf sort of night. Perhaps Cinco de Cuatro is coming up fast, and you’re afraid the Bluth family will drink you dry? Then the Crowded House Margaritas are just what you need. They’re perfect, no squeezing of limes or pennies and it’s easy to ensure that you won’t run out because while they’re delicious and citrusy (without that awful sour mix aftertaste) the best part is that you can whip up a new batch in a minute or less! And if this hasn’t been a strong enough endorsement, you should know that Marc and I served them at our wedding. They’re so good, you just might start making Crowded House Margaritas even when the house isn’t all that crowded. … Continue reading →