mad.men.

"Am I the only one who can drink and work at the same time?"

Oh Peggy. Right there with you girl.

summer delicious-ness.

Sangria? I think so. 

Anything that incorporates my two favourite things (wine and fresh fruit) is good in my book. 

Ingredients.

2 cups blueberries

2 cups blackberries

2 cups hulled strawberries

2 cups mixed red and golden raspberries

1 tablespoon superfine sugar

5 ounces Framboise, or other raspberry liqueur

1 bottle chilled rose wine

1 1/3 cups white cranberry juice

Directions. 

In a pitcher, combine fruit. Stir in sugar. Add Framboise; let sit at least 1 hour. Stir in wine and juice. Serve chilled. 

via m.stewart

prescribe.

Personal opinion...a classic margarita is the best way to finish off a long days work. 

A Classic Shaken Margarita

Recipe via ReadyMade

2 oz. 100% agave silver (blanco) - Recommended: El Tesoro, Sauza Hornitos, or El Milagro (which brings an amazing vanilla-ness to the party)

1 ounce Cointreau - you can use Gran Marnier if you happen to have some, but stear clear of Triple Sec

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice

1/4 - 1/2 oz. agave nectar (optional)

Kosher salt

1. Begin by squeezing the lime juice with a juicer or citrus reamer. Use the spent lime half to rim a 4-5 oz. martini glass or a rocks glass, and dip into the salt. (If you like them less salty, only rim half of the glass.) Place in the freezer or fill with ice cubes and water to chill.

2. Pour the lime juice into a shaker, and add the orange liqueur and tequila, and the agave nectar (if that's what you're using). Fill the shaker with ice, and shake until your hands get cold, then shake some more. It's essential that it's very well mixed and diluted just so with the melted ice, and that comes from shaking. Don't skimp here; you're hard work will be rewarded.

3. Retrieve your glass, and fill with ice if using a rocks glass. Strain your shaken cocktail into the glass, and enjoy!

ohmy.

Okay. I hope you all are not too annoyed with this but I am on a summer kick this week. Most likely because the weather in Portland is so awful this week. I need to have some sun to think about.
So without further adieu I give you...Watermelon-Basil Margaritas.


mixins.
7 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, fruit cut into 1-inch cubes
4 teaspoons superfine sugar
6 ounces (3/4 cup) silver tequila
25 basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
3 ounces (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) triple sec
6 cups small ice cubes


to do.
1. Place 24 watermelon cubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover, and freeze at least one hour (up to 2 days).
2. Puree remaining watermelon and the sugar in a blender until smooth. Pass through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. (You should have 3 cups.)
3. Place tequila and basil in a glass pitcher, and crush with a wooden spoon. Stir in watermelon juice and triple sec.
4. Place watermelon cubes in glasses. Using a cocktail shaker, mix 3/4 cup margarita with 1 cup ice. Strain into a glass. Repeat. Serve garnished with basil. 


If this recipe doesn't say summer, I don't know what does.