Hemingway Cocktail

Last year, around this time I read my first Hemingway book, A Moveable Feast. I feel in love instantly and couldn't put it down. His words were amazing and I wanted to be there to experience Paris in the 1920s. It was such a glorious book, I would say it change my life even for that brief little period. I talked about it constantly, I wanted to live it, etc etc. But, alas I have put off reading more Hemingway in case I didn't like it as much. 

Since I read that book, I have had a soft spot for Hemingway. I defended his honor in discussions of good authors a few time, but I felt bad because I only had the one book to basis on and of course what you hear. So, here it is, I cave. I'm reading another Hemingway starting tonight.

In honor of this, I present you with a delicious Daiquiri, especially made for Mr. Hemingway. This recipe can vary, but this is the one I really like. 

• 1 ounce of white rum 
• 1/4 ounce of maraschino liqueur
• 1/2 ounce of grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
• 3/4 ounce of simple syrup
• 3/4 ounce of fresh lime juice

Shake all ingredients and strain into a cocktail glass. I put a cherry in there for good measure too. 

 

This drink is very tasty. drink responsibly. 

and seriously, do yourself a favor and read A Moveable Feast. 

Welcome 2014! (And a drink recipe)

I am excited for 2014. I feel like it's going to be a good year. One full of possibilities and changes for the better. I am still confirming my resolutions, so I haven't been able to start any. However, I have decided I need to read over 15 books this year and write at least 200 pages of anything. I need to get my creativity back. 

Anyway, Keith and I rang in the New Years very low key. We watched movies and hung out on the couch. It was kind of really fun. Keith and I decided to have a dinner of appetizers and we made several different kinds of drinks. We decided on several "vintage" cocktails, including the Pink Lady. The Pink Lady has been around for awhile. During Prohibition (1920-1933) it was already well known. Traditionally, pink lady is made with egg whites, however I found a recipe that didn't use it.

Here is the recipe we used:

• 1 and 1/2 ounces of gin
• 1/4 ounce of grenadine
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• Shaker of ice

 

Pour one shot glass of heavy cream in the shaker with ice. 

After rinsing out the shot glass, pour a full shot of gin, then half a shot. Add to the shaker

Keith measured out ounces using my teaspoons. To get 1/4 ounce I used 1 and a half teaspoons of grenadine. 

 Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. 

 

Enjoy! But be careful these are tasty and kind of strong. Also, its a cream drink which can be heavier then other cocktails. As always, drink responsibly. 

I hope 2014 is great for everyone and you visit back here often. We will have more posts in the up coming year! Hooray!

Recipe: The Barbara

So, Keith is a busy man.  This week our first night with any time together, Wednesday, I came home and needed to go to the doctors right away about my knee which has been acting up. After 2 hours and x-rays, we found out my injuries are not too serious, but need to be looked after. But number one, is stay off it as much as possible and take some medicine I got. There's no drinking on my pills, and usually Keith and I unwind with drinks on Friday and catch up. It's like a date night at our apartment. So, instead I made him a drink to try out. This drink is called the Barbara. I found the recipe while searching for 1920s cocktails. 

The Barbara is a earlier version of a white russian. I have yet to try it, but Keith enjoyed it a lot. Here's the (super!) easy recipe.

• 1 and 1/2 oz of vodka
• 3/4 oz of creme de cacao 
• 3/4 heavy cream

Place ice cubes in a cocktail glass. Pour in vodka, then creme de cacao. Lastly float cream. Keith wanted to use milk instead of cream and it was still great!  Don't forget this recipes main ingredient is vodka, so you want to drink responsibly. This drink would be fantastic at a 1920s party.

enjoy.