Cocktails and Dreams
Cocktails and Dreams ….(as any of you know who have seen the Tom Cruise Movie, “Cocktail”) was going to be the name of a new business venture where bartenders tossed drinks and bottles in the air without spilling a drop. I was fascinated at the expertise of these bartenders, especially since I can hardly carry a glass from the table to the sink without dropping it! 🙂 The movie was a cute “chick flick”…..and yes, I like “chick flicks”!
I have to confess that I am really not a drinker…my days of drinking just never happened, unless you call sipping on a Strawberry Daiquiri that is long on strawberries and very short on Rum, ….drinking. If I make the drinks, you can bet there will not be much alcohol in the drink…that is just the way I roll.
My social drinking consists of me sniffing something and turning up my nose and saying…I’ll take green tea please!
If we are having dinner out..the Captain will tell our server to use the small lid of the alcohol bottle to measure the alcohol and then only use half of that! The Captain takes care of me….
Now, wine is another story…I do like wine….well some wines!
Many years ago, we were at a dinner party held by friends of ours! Our host (Jim or Tam…not sure which) made a wonderful cocktail called a Caipirinha. At first I didn’t want to taste it, but when I saw the limes floating around amidst crushed ice in a tall beaker, I was intrigued. They explained it was a Brazilian drink made with a fine sugar and Cachaca!
As soon as my lips touched the glass, I was hooked on Caipirinhas! I like to make them myself because I make it more like a limeade than a cocktail. Very little Cachaca (or Dark Rum or Vodka), but lots of limes and sugar. I have a printable recipe below.
I mentioned Strawberry Daiquiris…I also have a recipe for that sweet, slushy drink that is in printable form below.
And since I lived in New Mexico for a long time…I have also included a Margarita. You should have either a Corona with a lime wedge or a Margarita when eating Mexican food….or hot green tea! 😉
The recipes are pretty basic and that is the great thing about them…you can add extra of some ingredients and less of another ingredient. It is a matter of choice, and my choice is to make it taste good for my palate! …which means less alcohol! 😉
The Captain on the other hand….well, lets just say he laughs at the way I make my personal cocktails! 😉
But he does like my recipes before I start adjusting the alcohol and sugar content!
All three printable recipes are below…I hope you enjoy!
By the way…..I decided to venture out onto Instagram. the site below is just pictures, but I had a little fun with putting a pic of the Captain laying pavers…check it out.
http://instagram.com/meandmycaptain
Me
- 4-6 sliced limes
- 4 tablespoons sugar (you may want to use just one teaspoon per drink)
- 10 ounces of Cachaca (or you can use Dark Rum or Vodka)
- 4 cups of crushed or cubed ice. (I prefer crushed)
- Muddle the sliced limes and sugar together in the bottom of a tall pitcher, holding back 4 slices for garnish
- If you use a fine sugar, the mixing is a little easier and the taste is better.
- Mix the limes and the sugar really well, it takes a few minutes. Be patient.
- I really like to get into mushing it all together...I like slices of lime but you can use chunks
- Add the Cachaca, (I have to confess that I do not add the full amount of Cachaca. As I said, I like it as a limeade with a touch of Cachaca...:)
- Mix with a long stem stirrer.
- Add the crushed (or cubed) ice and pour into 4 glasses.
- I have made this with Rum and Vodka....and people who have tasted my particular glass, say I am just drinking a limeade ...and that is ok....it is oh so good!
- A true Caipirinha is a bit stronger....I would suggest taste testing to come up with a good combination that suits your taste. The listed ingredients above are the most common with this drink...probably less sugar though as noted.
- 6 cups of ice
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 4 ounces of frozen Strawberries (and a few fresh strawberries)
- 1/8 cup of lime juice
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
- 3/4 cup of Rum
- 1/4 cup of lemon-lime soda
- Combine in a blender, the Ice, sugar and frozen strawberries
- Add the lime and lemon juices, Rum and the lemon-lime soda
- Blend until the desired consistency...slushy or smooth.
- Garnish with whole strawberries or you can drop a few chopped strawberries over the top
- I personally like the little umbrellas and stir sticks and keep them on hand for parties :). I also use less of the Rum...but that is me.:)
- 1 can of frozen Limeade Concentrate (6 ounces)
- 6 ounces of Tequila
- 2 ounces of Triple Sec (or Grand Marnier)
- Fill Margarita Maker (or Blender) with Crushed Ice.
- Add the Limeade Concentrate, Tequila and Triple Sec
- Blend until the desired consistency...slushy or smooth.
- Like I have said before...I make my drinks with less alcohol and more sugar...Your choice though...
I hear ya…
thanks Sandy for commenting!
Me
Hi Kari,
I don’t drink much these days (hot tea, or water now), but in my younger days I drank all of these and others. lol