Grab the celery! It's Bloody Mary time! Dr. D and I are hosting a brunch this Sunday so I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about the quintessential brunch, "hair of the dog" cocktail. As with most cocktails, the origin of the drink is not clear. However, the King Cole Bar that I referenced in an earlier post (where we had drinks before our friend's wedding) is allegedly the origin of the drink in the U.S. It was called the "Red Snapper" because the term "Bloody Mary" was deemed too gauche for the esteemed bar. I know we certainly saw a lot of folks ordering it, even though it was 5 p.m. on a Saturday. And thanks to lifestyle guru, Martha Stewart, I now present their recipe:
Ingredients:
1 ounce Belvedere vodka
2 ounces tomato juice
1 dash lemon juice
2 dashes salt
2 dashes black pepper
2 dashes cayenne pepper
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Directions: Shake. Strain. Serve up.
http://www.marthastewart.com/873593/red-snapper-original-recipe
Very simple. Of course, the best thing about the Bloody Mary is the infinite variations of the cocktail. You can use flavored vodkas (citrus and pepper work best), different tomato mixes (Zing Zang, Mr. & Mrs. T's), and add garnishes such as pearl onions, spicy green beans (Dr. D's favorite), olives, and the ubiquitous celery stalk. The Hotel Monaco bar in Chicago (South Water Kitchen) adds a slice of crispy bacon to its version and serves it with a beer back. When Dr. D tried it last December, he thought he had died and gone to heaven!
But that's the beauty of the cocktail, even when it's at its most simple, it's still delicious. Dr. D and I love to grab one on morning Southwest flights when we go on vacation. It's nothing fancy, just vodka and bloody mary mix/tomato juice, but it really gets us in a great mindset.
Sadly, we have decided not to serve Bloody Marys at our brunch, since the weather is so warm and I was dying to do a DIY champagne bar. I'll have to report back on that after the weekend. So this weekend, get an early start on laundry and yard work and then kick back with a late morning "Bloody." It'll make the upcoming week start a little bit better.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
No Cocktail of Week so let's w(h)ine!
I was so uninspired this week as to what cocktail to highlight so since yesterday was National Chardonnay Day (or as we call it in the Dinks' household - everyday), I thought I would discuss wine this week.
I love wine. Seriously, it's probably not healthy how much I do. The fact is, it just tastes damn good to me. I rarely get a serious buzz from it because I do try to keep the alchohol % low in what I buy/consume. And Chardonnay is my fave. I can rock a Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon once in a while. But Chardonnay is so versatile. It's got a very neutral taste so it can be heavily influenced by terroir (fancy French term for dirt) and oak barrels. That's why Chardonnay can be really fun and really frustrating all at the same time. Most consumers like consistency. Therefore, a little education about where a grape comes from can help you make a good purchase. For example, most Chardonnays from Napa Valley tend to be more full-bodied and heavily oaked. French Chardonnays are leaner tasting, more minerally. It helps sometimes to look at the label; some wines will have descriptions about the process (if it was stored in oak, it will have more of those flavors; if it was stored in stainless tanks, then the flavor will be more neutral). Some vineyards even label the wine as "unoaked." When you can nail down a flavor profile, you'll start to learn that you can expand your wine knowledge. For example, a clean unoaked chardonnay from Mendocino might be similar in flavor profile to a fuller bodied Sauvignon Blanc from Napa. Wine store owners usually are glad to help find something that will please your palate.
The best thing about learning about wine is the process. Drink up! Find out what your taste buds like. Wine ratings are fine but there have certainly been times when I have preferred a lower rated, cheaper wine over a fancy, expensive one. I say that if you like it, and it likes you back (doesn't kill your head), then all is well. And try different varieties; you don't want to get burned out.
Cheers!
I love wine. Seriously, it's probably not healthy how much I do. The fact is, it just tastes damn good to me. I rarely get a serious buzz from it because I do try to keep the alchohol % low in what I buy/consume. And Chardonnay is my fave. I can rock a Pinot Grigio, Albarino, Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon once in a while. But Chardonnay is so versatile. It's got a very neutral taste so it can be heavily influenced by terroir (fancy French term for dirt) and oak barrels. That's why Chardonnay can be really fun and really frustrating all at the same time. Most consumers like consistency. Therefore, a little education about where a grape comes from can help you make a good purchase. For example, most Chardonnays from Napa Valley tend to be more full-bodied and heavily oaked. French Chardonnays are leaner tasting, more minerally. It helps sometimes to look at the label; some wines will have descriptions about the process (if it was stored in oak, it will have more of those flavors; if it was stored in stainless tanks, then the flavor will be more neutral). Some vineyards even label the wine as "unoaked." When you can nail down a flavor profile, you'll start to learn that you can expand your wine knowledge. For example, a clean unoaked chardonnay from Mendocino might be similar in flavor profile to a fuller bodied Sauvignon Blanc from Napa. Wine store owners usually are glad to help find something that will please your palate.
The best thing about learning about wine is the process. Drink up! Find out what your taste buds like. Wine ratings are fine but there have certainly been times when I have preferred a lower rated, cheaper wine over a fancy, expensive one. I say that if you like it, and it likes you back (doesn't kill your head), then all is well. And try different varieties; you don't want to get burned out.
Cheers!
Friday, May 17, 2013
Senior-itis
I have senior-itis. Not the type that is normally present this time of year. After all, I've been graduated from high school for....well, never mind about that. I've become obsessed with thinking about mine & Dr. D's golden years.
This morning, in the shower, I actually said to Dr. D that we will need to sell our condo in Oxford (you know the one we bought nine months ago!) when we hit our 70s because both bedrooms are upstairs. That's right, I am already concerning about mobility issues and falling and breaking a hip. The truth is I should be more concerned about running down those stairs in flip flops after consuming a bottle of wine. Seriously, I already tripped and scraped my hand going up the stairs taking up laundry. If anything, maybe aging will make me more careful!
It's not surprising, I guess, considering all the hell that we've gone through with his elderly parents lately. They have been so stubborn, not admitting that anything is wrong with them (both have dementia). Whether you have children or not, I think it's important to meticulously plan your future and retirement plans before you get too stuck in your life and habits to truly comprehend what may be the best course of action. Luckily, the concept of "we can't leave our home," and "we don't like change" is one that we are rejecting, at least for now. We are looking forward to retirement and old age as a new challenge and adventure. For me, I would like a place that's walkable to stores, shops and that needs little upkeep. And near a liquor store and restaurant/bar with a good wine list, obviously. Hopefully, we'll be that old couple sitting at the bar that younger couples look to and go, "I hope that's us in forty years."
Gotta run and yell at some kids to get off my lawn. Plus, dinner is only a couple of hours away. Hmmm, does that mean cocktail hour starts at 3?
This morning, in the shower, I actually said to Dr. D that we will need to sell our condo in Oxford (you know the one we bought nine months ago!) when we hit our 70s because both bedrooms are upstairs. That's right, I am already concerning about mobility issues and falling and breaking a hip. The truth is I should be more concerned about running down those stairs in flip flops after consuming a bottle of wine. Seriously, I already tripped and scraped my hand going up the stairs taking up laundry. If anything, maybe aging will make me more careful!
It's not surprising, I guess, considering all the hell that we've gone through with his elderly parents lately. They have been so stubborn, not admitting that anything is wrong with them (both have dementia). Whether you have children or not, I think it's important to meticulously plan your future and retirement plans before you get too stuck in your life and habits to truly comprehend what may be the best course of action. Luckily, the concept of "we can't leave our home," and "we don't like change" is one that we are rejecting, at least for now. We are looking forward to retirement and old age as a new challenge and adventure. For me, I would like a place that's walkable to stores, shops and that needs little upkeep. And near a liquor store and restaurant/bar with a good wine list, obviously. Hopefully, we'll be that old couple sitting at the bar that younger couples look to and go, "I hope that's us in forty years."
Gotta run and yell at some kids to get off my lawn. Plus, dinner is only a couple of hours away. Hmmm, does that mean cocktail hour starts at 3?
Cocktail of the Week: Pimm's Cup
We are finally having some consistently lovely spring weather so I thought it was the perfect time to break out one of my favorite warm-weather drinks - a Pimm's Cup. This refreshing beverage originated in England. James Pimm ran a bar and he developed a gin-based tonic of sorts, call the Pimm's No. 1 Cup. New Orleans has recently brought it back in vogue in the States. One great advantage to this cocktail is that it is low in alcohol, so it's perfect for sipping by the pool.
This is the basic no-frills recipe:
4 oz. Pimms No. 1
1 cup of ginger ale (can also substitute ginger beer)
Slice of cucumber for garnish
Just mix in a tall glass over ice - simple! You can adjust amounts accordingly as to the amount of beverage you want. For example, when I made mine last night, I put 3 oz of Pimms and just topped off the glass with ginger ale.
Pimm's No. 1 is available in most liquor stores.
Cheers!
This is the basic no-frills recipe:
4 oz. Pimms No. 1
1 cup of ginger ale (can also substitute ginger beer)
Slice of cucumber for garnish
Just mix in a tall glass over ice - simple! You can adjust amounts accordingly as to the amount of beverage you want. For example, when I made mine last night, I put 3 oz of Pimms and just topped off the glass with ginger ale.
Pimm's No. 1 is available in most liquor stores.
Cheers!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sex & the City 2: Did we miss the point?
My trip to NYC and a recent watching of Sex & The City 2 on cable got me wondering why I still want to watch it when its on. Let's be honest, the critical ire was warranted; the movie was a vapid piece of crap. I seriously have to leave the room when the karaoke scene comes on....cringe-worthy.
But deep down, the movie includes some truths about relationships, which I think, minus all the designer clothes, private jets, and movie premieres, dealt with in a real way. Charlotte is freaking out because her child is a screaming terror and throwing a serious kink in her J. Crew perfect life. How many moms have felt guilty when they have enjoyed down time away from their toddler? Or been concerned and jealous that their husband might be attracted to someone younger and more fun because mom is all uptight and moody? I would imagine more than we care to admit.
Being 1/2 of a childfree couple, the scene that really speaks to me is where Carrie tells a loyal reader (and serious judgmental bitch) that kids aren't part of her and Big's plan. It always hits me like a ton of bricks. It isn't the declaration that's so shocking, but the complete disbelief that the reader and her husband experience when being told that not everyone has to get married and immediately expand their family. It boggles my mind as to why people are so threatened by that choice and why they feel the need to attack or make me explain what is my and my husband's personal business. For some reason, it is unacceptable to say, "just because I don't want to." You're branded selfish (I'll give you that one), a child-hater (not at all - Love my friends' kids and Mr. D is actually Dr. D, a pediatrician), or misguided (you're missing out on life's greatest joy - yea...I'm pretty sure my day in St. Martin, drinking wine on the beach would have been greatly enhanced by trying to wrestle a screaming toddler to put on his/her sunscreen).
It briefly went through my mind in my 30s to lie and say I couldn't have children. But I find that to be offensive to those women who really want children, but cannot have them. Plus, then I would get unlimited advice on specialists or special remedies to make me fertile - the most terrifying Pandora's box ever. Poor Dr. D (makes him sound like a rapper!) got it worse than I did being a pediatrician. If a friend says she/he might not want kids, leave them the hell alone. It's her/his decision; they are not stupid. If you can't get it, then maybe that's your issue, not his/hers. And it works both ways. There have been times when I have advised younger people to wait and not rush into having kids; then I realized I was doing the same thing, but in reverse. Putting my values on them. So I get the desire to question or advise, but I have learned to just shut the hell up. It's not my life; it's their's.
Stepping off soapbox now to say that SATC2 had some redeemable qualities, and you can be damn sure I'll be on board for a third movie! [Insert stream-of-consciousness rambling here: Possible plot lines: Charlotte & Harry (& brood) move to CT; Miranda, Steve & Brady deal with health issues of some sort or they kill off Magda (Miranda was kind of useless in the 2nd movie so we need some drama there. What ever happened to Steve's Mom - she in a home? Did she die?); Carrie & Big have money issues; and Samantha is researching which assisted living facility has the hottest senior dudes that she can bang! They need to introduce Samantha's family - maybe she needs another long-term boyfriend. Bring Richard back! If they can bring back that useless fuddy-duddy Aidan, they can bring back bad-ass, cheating Richard. Okaaaay, ADHD moment over.]
"Me and you, just us two" - Amen, Carrie!
But deep down, the movie includes some truths about relationships, which I think, minus all the designer clothes, private jets, and movie premieres, dealt with in a real way. Charlotte is freaking out because her child is a screaming terror and throwing a serious kink in her J. Crew perfect life. How many moms have felt guilty when they have enjoyed down time away from their toddler? Or been concerned and jealous that their husband might be attracted to someone younger and more fun because mom is all uptight and moody? I would imagine more than we care to admit.
Being 1/2 of a childfree couple, the scene that really speaks to me is where Carrie tells a loyal reader (and serious judgmental bitch) that kids aren't part of her and Big's plan. It always hits me like a ton of bricks. It isn't the declaration that's so shocking, but the complete disbelief that the reader and her husband experience when being told that not everyone has to get married and immediately expand their family. It boggles my mind as to why people are so threatened by that choice and why they feel the need to attack or make me explain what is my and my husband's personal business. For some reason, it is unacceptable to say, "just because I don't want to." You're branded selfish (I'll give you that one), a child-hater (not at all - Love my friends' kids and Mr. D is actually Dr. D, a pediatrician), or misguided (you're missing out on life's greatest joy - yea...I'm pretty sure my day in St. Martin, drinking wine on the beach would have been greatly enhanced by trying to wrestle a screaming toddler to put on his/her sunscreen).
It briefly went through my mind in my 30s to lie and say I couldn't have children. But I find that to be offensive to those women who really want children, but cannot have them. Plus, then I would get unlimited advice on specialists or special remedies to make me fertile - the most terrifying Pandora's box ever. Poor Dr. D (makes him sound like a rapper!) got it worse than I did being a pediatrician. If a friend says she/he might not want kids, leave them the hell alone. It's her/his decision; they are not stupid. If you can't get it, then maybe that's your issue, not his/hers. And it works both ways. There have been times when I have advised younger people to wait and not rush into having kids; then I realized I was doing the same thing, but in reverse. Putting my values on them. So I get the desire to question or advise, but I have learned to just shut the hell up. It's not my life; it's their's.
Stepping off soapbox now to say that SATC2 had some redeemable qualities, and you can be damn sure I'll be on board for a third movie! [Insert stream-of-consciousness rambling here: Possible plot lines: Charlotte & Harry (& brood) move to CT; Miranda, Steve & Brady deal with health issues of some sort or they kill off Magda (Miranda was kind of useless in the 2nd movie so we need some drama there. What ever happened to Steve's Mom - she in a home? Did she die?); Carrie & Big have money issues; and Samantha is researching which assisted living facility has the hottest senior dudes that she can bang! They need to introduce Samantha's family - maybe she needs another long-term boyfriend. Bring Richard back! If they can bring back that useless fuddy-duddy Aidan, they can bring back bad-ass, cheating Richard. Okaaaay, ADHD moment over.]
"Me and you, just us two" - Amen, Carrie!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Cocktail of the Week: Manhattan
Ugh! So I had this post all ready to go for my trip this past weekend, but time got away from me and I forgot. So here's the cocktail of "last" week!
Since the mister and I jetted off to a wedding deep in the heart of Midtown in NYC, I thought it only appropriate to make the "Manhattan" my cocktail of the week.
Mr. D loves a Manhattan! His all-time favorite is the one that used to be made at Central 214 at the Hotel Palomar -Dallas. It involved maple syrup and Woodford rye whiskey. However, they have since changed their cocktail menu (bastards), so I will just enlighten you with a basic recipe.
Ingredients:
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions:
1. Shake the rye, vermouth, and bitters with ice
2. Strain into a well chilled martini glass
3. Garnish with a lemon twist or maraschino cherry
Some versions call for bourbon, personally I like the bitterness of the rye. Gives it a nice aged quality.(Dinks tip: Instead of putting bitters into shaker, shake the bitters into the clean glass, swirl it around and then dump out excess bitters.)
Mr. D ended up having a Manhattan at the famed King Cole Bar in the St. Regis. He said he thought it was made with Canadian whiskey; he said it was okay, not great.
Since the mister and I jetted off to a wedding deep in the heart of Midtown in NYC, I thought it only appropriate to make the "Manhattan" my cocktail of the week.
Mr. D loves a Manhattan! His all-time favorite is the one that used to be made at Central 214 at the Hotel Palomar -Dallas. It involved maple syrup and Woodford rye whiskey. However, they have since changed their cocktail menu (bastards), so I will just enlighten you with a basic recipe.
Ingredients:
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions:
1. Shake the rye, vermouth, and bitters with ice
2. Strain into a well chilled martini glass
3. Garnish with a lemon twist or maraschino cherry
Some versions call for bourbon, personally I like the bitterness of the rye. Gives it a nice aged quality.(Dinks tip: Instead of putting bitters into shaker, shake the bitters into the clean glass, swirl it around and then dump out excess bitters.)
Mr. D ended up having a Manhattan at the famed King Cole Bar in the St. Regis. He said he thought it was made with Canadian whiskey; he said it was okay, not great.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Cocktail of the week: Margarita
It shouldn't be a surprise that this week's cocktail of the week is the Margarita. Cinco de Mayo is only a few days away, so let's get to shaking up some tequila!
As with most cocktails, there is no definitive answer as to the origin of the margarita. Most likely, it evolved from an American drink called the "Daisy," which used brandy instead of tequila. During prohibition, Americans drifted across the border in Texas to get alcohol. Plus, "Margarita" is Spanish for "Margaret," and Daisy is a nickname for Margaret.
While those frozen premade concoctions are super easy to whip up in your blender using mixes from the store, I recommend making your margaritas from scratch. It takes no more time to do so, and your taste buds (and head) will thank you. All that sugar from the mixes = hangover!
A quality margarita is made with only 100 percent agave tequila (Mr. D & I prefer Avion, Patrón Silver, Herradura, or Don Julio) and Cointreau. Here is Mr. D's recipe for one "Dinks-sized" serving (or two small ones):
Simple Syrup :
The great thing about this cocktail is it has infinite variations. One of our favorites is to add an ounce or two of fresh-squeezed blood orange juice to the margarita when they are season. You may need to adjust citrus & simple syrup for personal taste preference. (Dinks tip: Blood orange juice is also lovely with champagne. You may need to use Extra Dry rather than Brut style as blood orange juice is usually more tart than regular OJ.)
Salud!
As with most cocktails, there is no definitive answer as to the origin of the margarita. Most likely, it evolved from an American drink called the "Daisy," which used brandy instead of tequila. During prohibition, Americans drifted across the border in Texas to get alcohol. Plus, "Margarita" is Spanish for "Margaret," and Daisy is a nickname for Margaret.
While those frozen premade concoctions are super easy to whip up in your blender using mixes from the store, I recommend making your margaritas from scratch. It takes no more time to do so, and your taste buds (and head) will thank you. All that sugar from the mixes = hangover!
A quality margarita is made with only 100 percent agave tequila (Mr. D & I prefer Avion, Patrón Silver, Herradura, or Don Julio) and Cointreau. Here is Mr. D's recipe for one "Dinks-sized" serving (or two small ones):
- 3 ounces 100% agave tequila
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice (basically the juice of one lime)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 ounces Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Cointreau (or Grand Marnier - please don't use triple sec)
Simple Syrup :
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Put the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. (Dinks tip: If you are watching your calories, you can use Splenda instead of sugar.)
* Whether or not to salt the rim is a personal choice. Personally, I hate it; Mr. D likes it. Don't use table salt; use kosher salt. They also sell margarita salt in the drinks section of local grocery stores. Pour the salt onto a small plate. Wet the rim of the glass (one trick is to take a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the glass) and dip the glass rim into salt.
The great thing about this cocktail is it has infinite variations. One of our favorites is to add an ounce or two of fresh-squeezed blood orange juice to the margarita when they are season. You may need to adjust citrus & simple syrup for personal taste preference. (Dinks tip: Blood orange juice is also lovely with champagne. You may need to use Extra Dry rather than Brut style as blood orange juice is usually more tart than regular OJ.)
Salud!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Like sands through the hourglass....
This last week has been full of drama, arguments, tears, and lots of wine (at least on my part). Mr. D and I are great, by the way. However, my in-laws are....well, in a word...nuts. They've always have their personality issues. They didn't want Mr. D to marry me. Then again, no one would have been right for them, so I didn't take it personally. His father is a rough, former Army sergeant who is jealous, insecure and paranoid. Add old age to that....let's just say it's a bad combination. And sadly, his Mother's short-term memory lapses have quickly moved into full-blown Alzheimer's. And the crap hit the fan several days ago, prompting supervised care and some tough decisions. He and his sister have had a rough time this past week. I have tried to help but sometimes it's hard to know what to do.
All that to explain why no "cocktail" post last Thursday. I was helping to "baby-sit" my mother-in-law. It was originally supposed to be a fun DINKS-centric long weekend, watching baseball and going to an art festival with a friend flying in from across the country. But family is more important, so we cut short our fun, but we were able to squeeze in some fun and baseball Sat. afternoon.
One argument that people love to throw at child free couples is, "Who will take care of you when you get older?" Well, that's what nieces and nephews wanting a little inheritance are for! Seriously, there's no guarantee that your kids will take care of you. We have bought lots of insurance, tried to save as much of our "pennies" as we can for retirement. So hopefully, we'll be that old couple kicking it at some swanky retirement community, getting tan and leathery, and still flirting shamelessly with one another. I would be lying if I said Mr. D and myself aren't concerned about his family history of mental dysfunction, but as I told him, he is not his father or mother & we are not his parents. We are social (they hated going out and were generally distrustful of others), spiritual (his mother is wonderful in this regard but his dad rarely went to church), and work hard at being a part of the world around us. I think we'll be just fine. Besides, what can we do about it, except make good decisions for ourselves. And line up which niece or nephew I think will smuggle me wine in the home!
Look for my cocktail of the week tomorrow!
All that to explain why no "cocktail" post last Thursday. I was helping to "baby-sit" my mother-in-law. It was originally supposed to be a fun DINKS-centric long weekend, watching baseball and going to an art festival with a friend flying in from across the country. But family is more important, so we cut short our fun, but we were able to squeeze in some fun and baseball Sat. afternoon.
One argument that people love to throw at child free couples is, "Who will take care of you when you get older?" Well, that's what nieces and nephews wanting a little inheritance are for! Seriously, there's no guarantee that your kids will take care of you. We have bought lots of insurance, tried to save as much of our "pennies" as we can for retirement. So hopefully, we'll be that old couple kicking it at some swanky retirement community, getting tan and leathery, and still flirting shamelessly with one another. I would be lying if I said Mr. D and myself aren't concerned about his family history of mental dysfunction, but as I told him, he is not his father or mother & we are not his parents. We are social (they hated going out and were generally distrustful of others), spiritual (his mother is wonderful in this regard but his dad rarely went to church), and work hard at being a part of the world around us. I think we'll be just fine. Besides, what can we do about it, except make good decisions for ourselves. And line up which niece or nephew I think will smuggle me wine in the home!
Look for my cocktail of the week tomorrow!
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