Archive for ‘Beverages’

June 23rd, 2011

Whiskey Sour

What’s more refreshing than a cold glass of fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer night?   Lemonade spiked with whiskey of course!  I’m bringing back a classic alcoholic beverage, sure to beat the summertime heat!    I found this recipe while perusing through a borrowed copy of Ina Garten’s, Barefoot Contessa at Home, cookbook. Special thanks goes out to my good friend Laura K.  for allowing me to hold her cookbooks hostage for a week.  I’ve not tried any Ina Garten recipes until now and I’m anxiously looking forward to experimenting with many more.

There are two reasons why this recipe jumped out at me when I came across it.  Reason number one – I had a huge jug of whiskey hanging out in my pantry.  Chris brought it home one day and was having the occasional glass of whiskey neat, à la Don Draper from Mad Men.

I’m too much of a wimp to drink whiskey without a mixer, so even though I wanted to enjoy the jug o’ whiskey with Chris, I wasn’t really familiar with different types of mixed whiskey drinks.  Reason number two – I liked that the recipe used fresh ingredients instead of a bottle of the pre-made stuff you get at the grocery store.  Sure, it’s more work, but I enjoy spending time in my kitchen and making things from scratch.  As you can see from the picture at the beginning of this post, I omitted the Maraschino cherries since I’m not a fan, but go ahead and toss one in your glass if you so desire!

Whiskey Sour
Printable Version

Makes 4 cocktails

Ingredients:
3/4 cup whiskey
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2/3 cup simple syrup (see note)
Ice cubes
Maraschino cherries (optional)

Directions:
Stir together the whiskey, lemon juice, lime juice and simple syrup and strain into glass.

Note:  To make simple syrup, add 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is translucent, about 30 seconds.   Chill before using. Important: This mixture will make more simple syrup than you will need for the above recipe.  I like to store the extra syrup in a  little squeeze bottle and use it to sweeten iced tea.  The simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Source: Adapted from Ina Garten’s, Barefoot Contessa at Home

Mad men pic from here.

 

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April 12th, 2011

Raspberry and Peanut Butter Smoothie

 

I miss the days of swinging by Jamba Juice for a cool, refreshing beverage whenever the mood strikes.  Jamba Juice doesn’t exist in this new place we call home.  I once heard a rumor that there was a Jamba Juice located on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus, so one afternoon, I trekked over to the university and spent several hours trying to track it down, only to hear from a student that the one and only location in the Raleigh-Durham area had closed down a while ago.

Luckily, I own a blender and enjoy experimenting with making my own smoothies.  This Raspberry and Peanut Butter Smoothie is my new favorite.  I clipped the recipe out of a Real Simple magazine a few months ago, waiting for warmer weather to arrive before breaking out the blender.  The peanut butter adds a nice smooth texture to the smoothie and I love that I can get a good dose of protein with my breakfast beverage to help keep me satisfied longer.  I use a natural peanut butter, but if you decide to use a peanut butter with partially-hydrogenated oil and corn syrup, try omitting the honey or add to taste only.

 

Here’s Jackson giving his seal of approval!  The first time Maya tried this smoothie, she declared it an improper use of peanut butter.  However, since I had Maya be apart of the smoothie making process, she now enjoys this Raspberry and Peanut Butter smoothie just as much as her little brother.  :-)

Raspberry and Peanut Butter Smoothie
Printable Version

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 banana
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy.

Source: Adapted from Real Simple

Nutritional Information:*
per serving (1 3/4 cup) :  384 calories; 60 grams carbohydrates; 12 grams fat; 14 grams protein; 12 grams fiber

*These calculations are for educational purposes only and can vary according to a particular brands product formulation.  Check labels for more information and follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

 

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February 24th, 2011

Sparkling Limeade

 

The first signs that Spring is on its way, have begun to slowly emerge, as the weather here has improved these last few weeks, which has prompted a few dormant plants in our yard to show welcomed signs of life. Below, are some bulbs-we-don’t-remember-planting popping their sturdy little leaves from the North Carolina piedmont clay soil, and a few sprouts of new growth on our rose tree, reminding us of the sweet smelling yellow roses that will soon appear.

All these Spring reminders and warmer temperatures have had me itching for a cool refreshing beverage and this Sparkling Limeade hit the spot.  Gone are the dark days of winter and gulping hot tea and cocoa to keep warm.  The sun is doing a fine job of that all on its own.  Soon the clank of ice cubes against a sweaty glass, filled with a refreshing beverage, will be common place.  Clearly, I couldn’t wait another day to experience a little Spring enjoyment!

 

 

Sparkling Limeade
Printable Version

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, (from about 8-10 limes)
1 cup sparkling water
Ice cubes
Lime slices for garnish, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Combine one cup water and sugar in a small saucepan.  Over medium heat, cook, stirring until sugar has dissolved and liquid is clear, 2 to 3 minutes.  Transfer to a pitcher and cool.

To serve, add sugar-water mixture, lime juice and sparkling water to pitcher, stir together.  Pour over ice, and garnish with lime slices, if desired.

Source: Adapted from Everyday Food

Nutritional Information:*
per 1 cup :  133 calories; 36 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams fat; 0 grams protein; 0 grams fiber

*These calculations are for educational purposes only and can vary according to a particular brands product formulation.  Check labels for more information and follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

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