The Last Word

This isn’t my first draft of this post. It’s more like my fifth. I’ve been feeling the weight of everything and I unloaded a lot in those words… all in a long, somewhat sensical paragraph. It was good to get it down, to express my heartbreak over the pandemic, to share a bit about these complicated emotions that I (and so many others) are having to deal with. What came out was something along the lines of “Everything is awful. How will anything get better?” Elements of this linger in my thoughts. But I don’t want to leave out the good, the joy, the gratitude. When I revisit this entry years from now, the mixture of devastation and hope and uncertainty and warmth is what I wish to remember.

Support. Laughter. Anger. Learning. Tears. Books. Connecting. Dancing. Hugs. Alone. Together. Fear. Confusion. Singing. Volunteer. Distant. Zoom. Birthdays. Backyard drinks. Bread. Companionship. Masks. Walks. Funerals. Debates. Tension. Vote. Relax.

The Last Word

Yield:
1 cocktail

Ingredients:
3/4 oz gin
3/4 oz green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur
3/4 oz lime juice
Lime twist (optional garnish)
Maraschino cherry (optional garnish)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, about 10 seconds. Strain into a coupe (or cocktail glass of an equivalent size).

Garnish with lime twist and/or maraschino cherry.

Sunrise/Sunset (Mezcal, Ginger and Grenadine Cocktail) + Giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Cocktail Artist. As always, the opinions expressed here are my own. 

When I think about bottled lemon or lime juice, I'm reminded of those little containers you get at the store filled with a liquid that mildly resembles citrus, but with a slight metallic flavor. I basically learned that bottled was not an option. Earlier this year, I heard about Cocktail Artist from my friend and Boston bartender, Tenzin Sambo... he started posting about his collaboration with them and I was immediately intrigued. I knew that he wouldn't put his name on something if it wasn't a stellar product. With that said, I remained skeptical. 

A box arrived with the lineup of Cocktail Artist products not too long ago and I immediately got started with quick, easy recipes, like a whiskey sour. I was surprised by how fresh the drinks tasted; lacking the artificial, cloyingly sweetness that comes with most bottled mixers. Now, when I'm in need of a cocktail, all it takes is a a few pours, a quick shake or stir, and I'm ready to go. 

Below I'm featuring a creation I made using the Cocktail Artist products. Of course, if you don't have a bottle of these products on hand, you can still make the drink. I went for my favorite spirit, mezcal, and utilized the great bottled citrus from their collection. I don't think I'd ever used grenadine before, but I wanted a bit more sweetness and so I poured a little on top. The color sort of reminded me of a Tequila Sunrise (it definitely does not taste like one, so don't worry)... hence the name. 

And fun news, everyone, but I'm hosting a giveaway of a set of Cocktail Artist products. One person is eligible to win bottles of the following: Simple Syrup, Lime Juice, Grenadine, Lemon Juice, Mint Syrup, Mule Mix, Manhattan Mix and Old-Fashioned Mix. Pretty much all you need to throw a really awesome party. 

Details: 
To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite cocktail is (what you like to order at a bar or mix at home).  Eligible to US residents only (sorry international friends)! Giveaway ends at 12PM EST on Friday, December 22, 2017. The winner will be notified via e-mail. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, another name will be drawn. (Note: Be sure to fill out the e-mail field in the comment form) 

Sunrise/Sunset
Yield: 1 drink
Tools: cocktail shaker, muddler, cocktail strainer
Glassware: Highball

Ingredients:
2 oz mezcal
1 oz lime juice
.5 oz lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
1" piece of ginger, peeled and cut into 3 slices
¼ oz grenadine
Mint, garnish
Crushed ice

Directions:
Add ginger, lime juice, and simple syrup to cocktail shaker. Muddle ginger. Add mezcal, along with 3-4 ice cubes and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into highball. Fill glass to the top with crushed ice. Top with grenadine and garnish with mint. Serve with a bar straw. 

Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita

I’m going to be up front and admit to you all that this was pulled out of my drafts folder. It’s been sitting in there for over a year, just waiting to be shared with the world. While I’ve been trying to monitor my alcohol consumption during this time (at least on weeknights), when the weather is warm enough and the sun is shining bright, Eric and I will pour a cocktail and sit outside and chat… or just listen at all the sounds of the world.

A perfect margarita, for me, is one that hasn’t been messed with. But, I do adore anything with a little kick and this I had my first cilantro drink the other week, and I realized it'd be the perfect addition to a spicy margarita. Now, I know a "perfect margarita" is just tequila, lime and Cointreau, but this is my idea of the perfect margarita: herbal, spicy, savory, tangy and just a little sweet.

Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita

SERVINGS
1 drink (but can easily be multiplied)

GLASSWARE
Rocks glass

INGREDIENTS
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 slice jalapeno (with or without seeds, depending on how spicy you'd like it)
5 cilantro leaves

Lime wedge (a used one will do just fine, it just needs some juice in it)
Salt (I used Tajin Clasico with Lime, but Kosher salt works fine)

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pour salt onto a plate. Rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge and then dip the rim into the salt, spin slowly until rim is lightly coated in salt.

2. Pour tequila, lime juice, Cointreau into a mixing glass, along with the jalapeno and cilantro.

3. Using a muddler, mash the jalapeno and cilantro until it's thoroughly broken up. 

4. Fill rimmed glass with ice and strain drink into the glass.