Ginger Mojitos

The perfect refreshing summer beverage you've been looking for... ginger mojitos! They were a hit at our July 4 celebration. 

Here's how to make them: 

Boil 1 c. water, 1 c. sugar, and 1/3 c. grated ginger until sugar is dissolved. Throw in a cup or so of fresh mint leaves. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, and then strain out the ginger and mint. You will be left with a ginger-mint infused syrup. 

Then, put 1 part syrup, 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice, and 2 parts rum in a pitcher. Stir well. Add as many parts as you want of sparkling lime water (I added 4 parts). Then, add a lot of ice. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired. Enjoy! Happy Fourth! 

I'll be back soon with exciting new European adventures... 

Iced Coffee

This summer I became addicted to iced coffee. Having to wake up early every day all summer long was not easy, but this coffee got me through. Just think - ice cold coffee over ice mixed with Splenda and milk - it was a yummy way to start the morning.

My favorite coffee combo is french vanilla coffee - I fill a glass with ice and then about 3/4 full of coffee - mixed with a packet of Splenda and topped off with 1% milk. I started using a combo of half and half and skim milk, though, because Cambridge Cowboy is worried about his saturated fat intake.

Here's how to make the coffee (adapted from PW's iced coffee recipe):

1. Measure out about a cup of ground coffee. My favorite is French Vanilla from New England Coffee, but any coffee you like should work.

2. Pour the coffee into a 1/2 gallon pitcher

3. Fill the pitcher with water and let sit for 8 - 12 hours.

4. Using a strainer and coffee filter, cheese cloth, or paper towels, strain the grounds out of the iced coffee. Funnell the coffee into a container you can keep it in the fridge in.* Refrigerate overnight, and enjoy.

*Any pitcher would work, but I have found that a growler is the perfect size to store this amount of coffee in.

 

The Best Margaritas

Since moving to Massachusetts, I've mourned the loss of my favorite drink in Austin - the Mexican Martini. I've settled on the following method of margarita making to satisfy my margarita cravings when they come. It is a simple recipe that requires only four ingredients:

Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

Agave Syrup

Tequila (100% de agave is best)

Orange Juice

We don't use triple sec because we never have it and I prefer not to buy it.

You need a few other things to make the margaritas:

A shotglass (preferably with a longhorn on the front), a shaker, fresh lime slices, ice, and martini glasses.

Oh yeah, and you need salt too!

Get your glasses ready. This recipe makes 2 margaritas.

Shake together the following ratio of ingredients over ice:

3 shots tequila

1 shot agave syrup

1 shot orange juice

2 shots lime juice

Shake, shake, shake, and then pour...

... and enjoy!