SANGRIA

Alright, I'm going to share a secret with you.

I don't measure anything, EVER.

I have found this to be the reason my sangria is especially successful: it's never exactly the same.

Dump in some wine, some juice, some liquor, fruit and club soda or ginger ale (depending on how sweet you like it), taste, adjust and voila!  Sangria : )

This is my first batch (pictured).

I used red, white and blush wines, all mixed together.  There's some cognac, peach schnapps, OJ and pineapple juice, frozen raspberries and club soda.  This was a big hit!  

*If using a container like me, with a spout, consider marinating the fruit separately and ladling some into the glass when serving.  The fruit will clog the spout.

Enjoy!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

This post is dedicated to my boss and one of my favorite people...and also the reason I am a food snob.

This is Chef Rod Jones of Georgetown, KY.  He and his wife Elizabeth Johnson-Jones own Rodney's On Broadway, where I mix the drinks!

Rodney's On Broadway Website

Like Us On Facebook

Made possible by Chef, here are a few of my favorite things!

 Tacos Camarones

 Herb-Crusted Steak Fries with sweet roasted red pepper sauce and bacon sour cream.

 Shrimp and Grits

 Black and Blue Sea Scallops

Beef Bourguignon

Rachel's Homemade Sour Mix

Tutorial:  How to make your own sweet & sour/sour mix.

This is similar to lemon and limeade with some orange added.  It makes the best margaritas ever!

If you don't like the syrupy yuck you get at the store, make your own.  It's so much better.

I usually make about 2 quarts at a time.  You need about 8 lemons, 8 limes and 2 oranges.  This depends on the size of the fruit of course.  You can use a hand juicer like the one in the photos, but since these were taken, I have discovered a hand press or hand held juicer works better.

Juice all of the fruit and strain out the pulp and seeds.

In a separate container, mix about 2 cups of sugar with boiling water by adding the water a little at a time, while stirring.  When the sugar is dissolved, add to the juice and add water.  The amount of sugared juice to plain water ratio is about 1:2, but taste it!  You may need to adjust to your preference.

Enjoy!

Dastardly Delicioso: My Liquor Infusions

 Carrot infused vodka...maybe a carrot cake martini?  Get your vitamins and booze in one swoop!

 Mixed berry vodka here: raspberry, blueberry, blackberry.  This has turned out awesome!  I make it mojito-style with muddled mint, simple syrup and club soda.

 Tequila with Serrano, Banana and Jalepeno peppers and just a hint of agave nectar.  This makes one HOT margarita!

 My Elmer T. Lee bourbon with walnuts.  Bourbon Ball Martini for fall!  (Hello Kentuckians!)

This is the newest experiment.  Cucumber vodka!  This is so light and refreshing for summer.  Just add lime and club soda.

More to come, fellow liquor-lovers!