The St~Germain Cocktail

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So, M&P has been a little quiet lately. We decided to try for a screen-free summer to focus on family, friends, fresh air and the delicious things right in front of us.  It was a pretty successful endeavor; allowing us to lift our heads from our computers and stretch our necks.  Speaking of stretching, we've been bitten by the yoga bug!  Who knew?  Kelly,  once described as "zen-phobic" and Pam, who is too busy to breathe, have both become (or trying to become) bendy, breath-y and serene.  (insert prayer hands)

Of course, none of these new things have been an impediment on our cocktail hours!  When getting back into our little website (over drinks), we realized we've never shared The St~Germain Cocktail, the most heavenly of all cocktails.   How could we do this?!   Such a huge miss!!  But see what happens when you take a little break?  Clarity. (insert more prayer hands here)

This drink is a true favorite.  Its easy to drink and goes with almost everything.  Its effervescent, light and refreshing with a bit of sparkle. 

Fill a large glass with ice, and pour:

  • 2 parts dry white wine (or Prosecco)
  • 1 1/2 parts St~Germain
  • 2 parts sparkling water

Stir, garnish with a little citrus and enjoy.

Cheers to new beginnings!

xo
Measure & Pinch

Pineapple St~Germain Martini

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And just like that, its summer!  

Scroll down, our last post is about cozy, rich French onion soup.  What a difference a day (or two) makes!  

We've been revisiting our old friend, St~Germain by adding it to practically every drink we make.  Its so versatile, but also special.  Here, we're celebrating the promise of tropical weather- a little sunshine in a glass!

  • 1/4 oz lime juice
  • 1 ozSt~Germain Elderflower Liquor
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz pineapple juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and pour into a chilled martini glass.   Garnish with pineapple or lime slice.

Feet up, deep breath, sip... & repeat!

xo

Measure & Pinch

* Thank you Red Bliss at Home for the gorgeous Gold Nexus Coaster Set. They are simply stunning!  redblissathome.com

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The Mezcalita

Hold on to your sombrero!

My husband, Paul (a.k.a "McSweeney") has already been dubbed the ultimate margarita maker here in Measure & Pinch land (a.k.a "The Shore"), but hasn't stopped him from upping his game.     

So, Mezcal... There was a cool article in the New York Times back in 2009 about it making a comeback.   It seems to be taking its sweet & smoky time coming back, but we're still convinced it's the next big thing!   Mezcal is very special because it's still made in Oaxacan Villages, which may also explain the slow come back... travel time. 

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For 2 lovely, smoky, spicy drinks:

  • 1 oz Reposado Tequila
  • 1 oz Silver Patron Tequila
  • 1 oz Mezcal
  • 1.5 oz Cointreau
  • 3/4 oz lime juice
  • 1/4 oz agave nectar
  • 1-2 slices of fresh jalapeno and lime for garnish

Enjoy, responsibly - xo Measure (a.k.a Mrs. McSweeney)



Guest Home Chef: Denise

Kelly's big sister, Denise is big supporter and contributor to Measure & Pinch.  Today, we get to hear from her directly as she takes the reins on our webpage all the way from sunny Florida! 

DENISE'S LIMONCELLO

In Florida, there are always lemons in abundance.  These beauties are from a neighbors tree.  Rather then letting them fall to the ground and go to waste, she brings them to me!  This recipe takes 30 days, so if you are looking to have it today, it's not going to happen!  Trust me, I am not a patient women but this is worth the wait.

This recipe makes a double batch. If you wish, you can easily cut in half.

What you will need:

  • 2 1.75 liter bottles of mid range to cheap vodka (don't use the good stuff, no need)
  • 15-20 lemons (if they are small, use 20)
  • simple syrup (2 cups of water, 2 cups of sugar that has been boiled and cooled)

What you will do:

1.  Peel all the lemons.  Be sure to leave as much as the pith as you can (white part of peel).  The more pith, the more bitter it will be.

2.  Put all the peels in a container large enough to hold the vodka with the peels.  The container you use should not be transparent, and it must have a lid.

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3. Pour vodka over lemon peels, seal up the container and place in a cool dark space.

4. Wait 30 days... patiently...

5.  Finally, after 30 days, strain and then add simple syrup.

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6. Put in pretty bottles and either store in fridge or freezer (I love the freezer - it will freeze but it will be a terrific temperature!

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Pucker up!

xo & a squeeze,
Denise

At Measure & Pinch, we believe that we are all stars in our own kitchens!  We celebrate our Guest Home Chefs by taking a page out of James Lipton's book and do a little "Inside the Actor's Studio"- inspired interview.  We leave out the question about the favorite curse word though.  We try to keep it clean! 

Here is Denise's interview:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?  potato chips and onion dip

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?  Liver

WHAT TURNS YOU ON?  I love to sit outside with a beautiful glass of wine.  This is my happy place.

WHAT TURNS YOU OFF?  A dirty house/bathroom and especially a dirty port-a-potty!

 WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO COOK?  I don't like to cook every day meals.  I like to cook big meals and have family over.  I also cook one day month but freeze a lot of it so when I come home from work, nothing to cook- just heat up & eat!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?  a fresh squeezed margarita. 

WHAT PROFESSION OTHER THAN YOUR OWN WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?  I would love to be a "Orange County Housewife"  they are always eating and drinking on the show.

IF HEAVEN EXISTS, WHAT DO YOU WISH TO HEAR GOD SAY TO YOU WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE PEARLY GATES?  We've been waiting for you, here's your Mom and Dad.

THANK YOU DENISE!  

We are looking forward to hearing from Denise again soon!

Holiday Re-Post: Candy Cane Merry Martini

Happy Friday!  Every Christmas season we pull out our red bows, twinkly lights, gold garland (!) and our favorite holiday recipes!  This is one of them.  We are remembering Christmas past and looking forward to a magical season this year!  Cheers!

  • 1 1/4  oz vanilla vodka
  • 1 1/4 oz white crème de cacao
  • 3/4 oz peppermint schnapps

Shake with ice until freezing cold, pour and enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Measure & Pinch

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St-Germain Summer: The "Henke" Panky

Henke Panky 

Henke Panky 

Our St Germain summer continues with this little gem. Inspired by our friend Brian Henke, we've named it the "Henke Panky!"

You know how you meet someone and you just connect immediately?

Well, despite being a sweaty disaster after racing through New York dragging my roller luggage over a mile to catch the ferry home, with zero time to spare and falling into my seat, only to begin the mad search through my briefcase for God knows what, Brian and I started chatting and, of course laughing. We shared a ton of laughs that day (including me potentially being Janet from "Three's Company" aka Joyce DeWitt) with lots to follow! 

Today we're sharing the love of St Germain in the form of the Henke Panky! 

Ingredients: 

·       1.5 oz Pink Grapefruit Vodka (Belvedere) 

·       1.5 oz St-Germain

·       1.0 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice 

·       Shake in a shaker, with ice! 

·       Top off w/Soda Water (or in Brian's version, rose champagne!) 

When Brian & Mike tied the knot in the Spring, this cocktail was one of two signature cocktails at their wedding. Great idea for your wedding cocktail this summer or if you're just in the mood for something fresh & fabulous! :) 

While shown here in a cocktail glass we also love to serve it in a large Cabernet glass filled with ice or a Collins glass, also filled with ice with the St Germain spoon-straw!

 

Yum.....

Yum.....

Enjoy, Measure & Pinch xo 

St~Germain Summer: The Vodka Germain Gimlet

"Have you tried St-Germain?" 

This has been the question of the summer.  We have been asking everyone because, quite honestly, its the best thing that ever happened to drinks... all drinks!

St-Germain is an elderflower liquor that has a wonderful, slightly sweet, delicious flavor that adds wonderment to any drink.  As the makers say:

"Neither passionfruit, nor pear, grapefruit nor lemon, the sublime taste of St-Germain hints at each of these and yet none of them exactly.  It is a flavor as subtle and delicate as it is captivating.  A little like asking a hummingbird to describe the flavor of its favorite nectar."

So now, you have to try it.  Here's the perfect start.

  • 2 parts Vodka
  • 1 part St-Germain 
  • 1/2 part lime juice

Pour all into ice and filled shaker & shake with vigor.

Strain into a martini glass, garnish with lime twist, sip and enjoy.

We are St-Germain obsessed!  You will be too.

a votre sante! (cheers!)

Measure  & Pinch
 

* This is not a sponsored post

Arnold Palmer Bar

For my step-son's 16th birthday celebration, we created an Arnold Palmer bar.   Iced tea, lemonade, ice and fruity add-ins!  Its hardly a recipe.  We didn't even brew the tea or squeeze lemons, but tiny effort sometimes bears festive results.  The birthday boy loved it. He loves a good Arnold Palmer and he's actually a golf caddy, so perfect!

For our bar, we had a pitcher of lemonade, a pitcher of iced tea and ice.   For our add-ins we chopped fresh cherries, raspberries and peaches.   We sprinkled a bit of sugar on them so that they macerate and get a little saucy.  We also sliced lemons & limes and picked mint from the garden.  The Ball jars are perfect for this because you do your little prep-work early, cover them up for the day, twist them open when your ready to set up and Voila! Instant Iced Tea Party! 

What add-ins would you use?

Oh, and did you know that a vodka-spiked Arnold Palmer is called a John Daly? 

Happy Summer!

xo & a pinch,

Kelly

 

Planter's Punch

There's nothing like that dusting of nutmeg over an icey rum- spiked punch that transports you right into island mode.  Make a pitcher, sit back, sip & dream...

For a Pitcher, about 8 drinks:

  • 16 oz dark rum
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 12 oz orange juice
  • 12 oz pineapple juice
  • 4 oz lime juice
  • 4 oz agave
  • 1 oz grenadine

Fill a large pitcher with ice.  Add the above ingredients and stir.  Garnish each drink with orange slices, maraschino cherry and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

xoxo Cheers!

Measure & Pinch


Cucumber Gin Rickey by Guest Bartender, Joseph

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Kelly's nephew, Joseph is our Guest Bartender today!   Joseph loves to shake up a good cocktail and this one is worth sharing.  Its refreshing with a little zing! We love it.

Joseph says: 

This recipe is a twist on the original Gin Rickey (2 parts Gin, 1/2 part lime juice and club soda). The addition of cucumbers and fresh mint make this a cool and refreshing drink for when the weather gets warm.  Instead of club soda we use Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale's assertive older brother, to add a spicy kick.

Tools:

Shaker, Muddler or wooden spoon, and a Pint Glass

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Ingredients for two drinks:

  • 4 Parts* Gin
  • 1 Part Lime Juice
  • 6 Slices of Cucumber (plus 2 more for garnish)
  • Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves
  • Ginger Beer

 * A part is an equal portion of a drink recipe, for this recipe I used the larger end of a jigger (1 1/4 oz) so 4 parts Gin would equal 5 oz. You can use shot glasses (1 1/2 oz) or single ounces as long it's consistent.

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Steps:

1. Add mint, cucumber (reserve a few for garnish), and lime juice to a shaker.

2. Muddle ingredients until thoroughly crushed.

3. Add gin and then ice to above the level of liquid and shake vigorously for about ten seconds.

4. Strain into pint glass full of ice cubes, top with ginger beer, and garnish with cucumber and some mint leaves.

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Refreshing and delicious.  Thank you Joseph!

Joseph has also been a Measure & Pinch Guest Home Chef.  Check out is Fresh Mozzarella recipe (click here).

xo

Measure & Pinch

The Painkiller

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My husband and I spent an entire.  week.  alone. with.  no.  kids in St. John USVI, or as I call it Caribbean Heaven.   We drank many of these luscious babies, right on the beach.  When we returned home to our real lives & all that includes, these were the best medicine.

Heres what you'll need for 4 drinks ( yes, 4. you'll drink them):

  • 12 oz of dark rum
  • 4 oz Coco Lopez cream of coconut
  • 16 oz pineapple juice
  • 8 oz orange juice

Pour over ice, shake.  Top with ground nutmeg and garnish with an orange.

 

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Feel better,

xo & a pinch,

Kelly

My Big Sister's Bloody Mary

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I have a big sister.  Her name is Denise.  Its impossible to describe her without taking up your entire night.  In a nutshell, Denise has admitted "I cant find my 'off switch'."  Its true.  I've witnessed this personally.  When she's having fun,  there is no tomorrow.

Like any good big sister, Denise has taught me many things:

On food:  Eat what you want, as long as its delicious.   Denise lives on Lay's potato chips and maintains adorable tiny-ness.  Its hateful.

On kids:  Love them until it hurts, but at 7 PM, its bedtime.   Even in summer when the sun is still shining and neighbors are splashing away in their pools... When the clock strikes 7:00- To bed for the kids and the margaritas start blending. 

On men:   Let them chase.  When we were young, Denise would sometimes go missing at 7PM on Saturday nights, leaving my poor Dad to say to her dates "No. I'm sorry, she's not here... No. I don't know when she'll be home."   Terrible.  Denise has been married to my amazingly awesome, brother- in- law, Joe for 28 years.    (Yes, Joe got the Saturday night "I'm sorry" from my Dad)   Persistence.

On fashion:  If you try too hard, you look like you've tried too hard.

On having fun:  Ok. There is a tomorrow, but there's always spicy Bloodies!

Denise was happy to share her ingredients, but to nail her down to measurements was an exercise in futility.   Here's my take on Denise's recipe for two:

  • 3 oz vodka
  • 3 oz V8 juice
  • 1/2 tsp Worchestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp horseradish
  • 1 tsp olive juice
  • juice of one lemon
  • hot sauce,  3 shakes (we like Outerlimits Jalepeno Lime)
  • celery salt (A MUST!)

Fill a shaker with ice, half way.  Add the above ingredients and shake until combined and cold.  Pour into glasses filled with ice.  Garnish as you like with olives, celery, lemon, lime, etc.

Denise insists on celery salt on top.  I got yelled at ( a little) for not showing it in my pictures.  She said "make sure you say celery salt!"  So.. celery salt. 

ENJOY! and CHEERS!

xo & a pinch from Denise,

Kelly

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Denise &  me with our Nanny at Christmas, 1972.

Aperol Spritz & Gratitude!

Measure & Pinch began this summer as our fun way to share our recipes and stories.  We started out with about 5 readers (Thank you Millie, Mom Read, Bean, Garvin and Sis-Denise!). Over the past few months, we've had helpful critiques, great comments, shared recipes, Guest Home Chef participants and overall, amazing support!

Today we have a wonderful reason to celebrate...  over 100 Facebook followers!!

We are so excited, happy and mostly very grateful!  

THANK YOU for reading and sharing your thoughts and comments with us!

Here's to a great fall and many more recipes to come!

Our Classic Aperol Spritz:

  • Aperol, 1 shot
  • Prosecco, 2 shots
  • Club soda, to top it off
  • lemon peel

CHEERS!

xo- Measure & Pinch

 

Summer Deadly Sips # 7 : Pink Sangria

Sangriarose! 

Ingredient shot! 

Ingredient shot! 

McSweeney and I are from Boston. One of our most favorite parts of the greatest little city in the states is the Back Bay. If I could have a brownstone in the Back Bay to host my family up there for all holidays, I would in a second, probably on Marlboro Street.

Newbury Street is the most famous, shopping, restaurants, etc.

One of our favorite restaurants there is Tapeo because we love all things Spanish and of course, Tapas. Tapeo also has the greatest Sangria on the planet. And, when we decided to throw a party when we got engaged, Tapeo was a hands down the winner to host it!

This Rose is an homage to Tapeo and the best possible way to end the summer of 2014!

What you'll need for a modest batch, 3 bottles plus another 300 ml

  • Three bottles of Rose, don't spend a ton of money on it, you're dumping other stuff into it.
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup Triple Sec
  • 1/2 cup Brandy
  • 2 1/2 cups Orange Juice
  • Rasberries (2 pints, one of the mix, one for the garnish)
  • 2 granny smith apples
  • 2 oranges

Mix all the ingredients into a beautiful big plastic or glass dispenser or a giant pitcher (3 bottles + is a lot of wine!)  You can pretty much add whatever you want to sangria in your glass, peaches, apples, orange slices, etc... I've enclosed above what we're using in this fabulous treat!

Ready to enjoy! 

Ready to enjoy! 

Mix it up, but let it sit for at least 4 hours. You'll serve this in wine glasses (red or white) on tons of ice with the fruit above in small pieces as a garnish. 

We LOVE this, enjoy and happy end of Summer! 

Complete with beautiful hand made coasters from Mexico!

Complete with beautiful hand made coasters from Mexico!

Enjoy, Measure & Pinch xo

Summer Deadliest Sips #6: The St Germain Grapefruit FiZzzzz

St Germain Grapefruit Fizz

St. Germain is a French liqueur flavored with elderflowers.

St. Germain is a French liqueur flavored with elderflowers.

Christine (aka "Bean") is one of my dearest friends and anytime she visits, we have a yummy-bad-for-you treat.  I'll spare you the details on our most favorite- quickest disappearing yummy-bad-for-you treat (it involves Lipton onion soup mix and a bag of Ruffles...)  ... mmmmm..lost in salty heaven...

Anyway, the last time she came to visit she did the coolest thing for us! We had a cheese tasting party!  Ok. I'm all over the place with treats and Bean. So, I digress..  During this last visit, in between cheese nibbles,  Bean introduced me to the St Germain Grapefruit Fizz which I absolutely loved because, ST GERMAIN!  It's so refreshing and certainly NOT a guilty pleasure.  

Easiest Summer Sip of all,  thanks to Christine Bean and St. Germain! Here's what you need.

Equal parts :

  • St. Germain Liqueur
  • Gin
  • Grapefruit Juice (fresh squeezed)
  • soda water

The fizz is optional but who could resist a few bubbles?

Add all the ingredients into the shaker with ice cubes and shake, shake it!

Pour over more ice in a glass and enjoy fresh, flowery, Frenchness!

It's too fresh not to shoot with flowers! 

It's too fresh not to shoot with flowers! 

Enjoy, Measure xoxox and.... Bean!

Seven Deadly Sips #5: Le Poire Blossom

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Tasty refreshing cocktail of the summer #5

One day at the liquor store McSweeney & I stumbled on pear vodka. Shortly thereafter, Le Poire Blossom bloomed.

Magical Garden!

Magical Garden!

This blossom is very refreshing and a perfect sip on a summer evening. It's also pretty girly because it's pink so, if you're looking for a celebratory cocktail for a girlie theme party, a bridal shower, a bachelorette or if your just feeling French & flowery, this is for you!

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Grey Goose Vodka, Le Poire
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice (fresh squeezed)
  • 1 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice
  • Ice
  • Shaker
  • One blood orange

Add ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake until you can't hold the shaker anymore because it's so cold! Then, grab a towel & wrap it around the shaker, then keep shaking! Pour into a chilled martini glass and top with a slice of blood orange.

Enjoy & Sante,

xo Measure & Pinch

ps. And, if you're incredibly lucky, it will grow right out of a hydrangea plant!

amis pour toujours!

amis pour toujours!

Summer's 7 Deadly Sips #4: The Dream Overholt

The Dream Overholt 

His & His 

His & His 

Girls have the Cosmo.  Boys have this- The Dream Overholt.

interestingly, this drink takes a bit of preparation, care and a very special American Rye ("high maintenance", maybe?)  The key?  Cardamon seeds & a bit of patience.

This is one of those creative cocktails inspired by a NYC bar plus a little experimentation with our dear friends/loyal tasters, Peter & Delynn.   We changed the name and morphed it a bit but it remains an absolute favorite any time of year!

Old Overholt is an American Straight Rye Whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co established in 1810.

Old Overholt is an American Straight Rye Whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co established in 1810.

You'll need:

  • 1 oz Cardamon Syrup ( see recipe below) 
  • 1 oz Fresh Lemon juice
  • 2 oz Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey 
  • ice cubes, generous (M&P insists on the cubes from the liquor store)
  • Lemon wedge for garnish 

The Syrup: 

In a medium sauce pan add; 

  • 3.5 oz of cardamon seeds
  • Smash seeds (with a heavy pan, rolling pin or your preferred smashing tool) 
  • Add 4 cups water to seeds & simmer for 20-30 minutes 
  • Add equal parts honey (approximately 4 cups) 
  • Bring to boil, then simmer for 20-30 
  • Let cool, refrigerate (make ahead 1-3 days) 
  • Drain seeds to create syrup

Girls, be careful, this dream is smooth and strong.  Boys, carry on.

Cheers!

xo- Measure & Pinch

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Summer's Seven Deadly Sips #3: Mac's Margarita

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Mac's Margarita- It Gives You Wings!

Have you ever had a fighter pilot make your margarita? Thats what we've got going on here every weekend with McSweeney.  He's annoyed as he reads this, but too bad.

This is one of his signature cocktails and, I think, our most favorite!

Mac's fresh squeezed Margarita.

Here's what you'll need for just one margarita (which he has never made...like ever)

  • Patron Silver Tequila, 2 oz
  • Cointreau, 1 oz
  • Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice, 1/2 oz (limes should be smooth with a little yellow on the skin...they're the juicy ones!)
  • Agave nectar,  1/2 teaspoon (don't add too much)
  • Water, 1 oz (optional...if you really like tequila, skip the water)
  • ice cubes (liquor store small cubes - a must have)
  • Salt (optional)

For margaritas our tequila preference is Patron Silver but any good silver tequila will work. We love Reposado, but that's better for sipping!

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake it up and pour into a cocktail glass full of ice!

Drag a lime wedge around the edge of the glass then drop it in your drink.

For those who like a salted rim you can drag a lime around the edge of the glass then dip in salt.  This is too much work for us.

Enjoy...and Happy National Tequila Day!

Have a great weekend!

Measure & Pinch

 

rumson punch

Summer 7 Deadly Sips

The Rumson Punch is really just delicious island inspired rum punch made in our favorite town.

The Rumson Punch is really just delicious island inspired rum punch made in our favorite town.

Theres nothing like a summertime backyard BBQ.   Spaghetti strap dresses, hot dogs grilling, kids running around with Pop-ice streaked arms.  Yes, we really class it up!  But it gets even better when we carry out the star of the show.    This punch is the sweet, cool, refreshing beauty queen that all partygoers gravitate towards.  

Every time we serve this punch- every time- I get tons of requests for the recipe.  So here it is, by popular demand- our first of summer's seven deadly sips!

Please know- One can hardly call this a recipe.

In a large bowl add:

  • 1/2 bag of ice from the liquor store (cubes, a must)
  • Meyers Rum (1/2 bottle or pour and count to 15... "one Mississippi two mississippi... I'm not kidding)
  • Malibu Rum (1/2 bottle or pour and count 15 Mississippis)
  • 1 can of Dole pineapple juice
  • 3 cups of orange juice
  • grenadine syrup - a few drops and stir until you get your happy color.
  • cubed fresh pineapple, frozen ahead of time
  • cherries, fresh or maraschino
  • nutmeg - a sprinkle on top...and then add more rum (kidding, or not)

Enjoy responsibly and have a sweet summer!

xo and a pinch,

kelly