Category: Cocktail

Siam Sapphire — A Lemongrass Martini — Shaken, Not Stirred, Please

Siam Sapphire — A Lemongrass Martini — Shaken, Not Stirred, Please

A few weeks ago, during a warm spell and a flash of inspiration, as well as a flashback to my childhood in Bangkok, I was inspired to make lemongrass soda. This weekend, with my 46th birthday party looming, I made some more of the lemongrass simple syrup to serve, but instead of just splashing it into soda over ice, I decided to shake things up a little and experiment with adding the lemongrass syrup to gin, shaking it in a cocktail shaker and serving it in a martini glass garnished with a kaffir lime leaf. YUMMY!

Why had I not thought of this before?

Aug 01, 2010 | 6 comments View Post
Homemade Ginger Ale and a Dandy Red Wine Cooler

Homemade Ginger Ale and a Dandy Red Wine Cooler

The ginger ale soft drink as we know it is a descendant of many generations of ginger drinks probably originating in Eastern Europe. Some were alcoholic and some were not, and I’ll bet virtually all delivered a kick and personality you won’t find in the high-fructose corn syrup versions available at most supermarkets. This homemade one will not disappoint. Three kickers in the form of ginger, lemongrass and chiles tamed with sugar and water make for an exotic, energizing, cooling and healthful refreshment.

Jul 08, 2010 | 3 comments View Post
A Fruity Splash of Flavor — Melontinis

A Fruity Splash of Flavor — Melontinis

Fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew remind me of summer. Making aguas frescas from these fruit is a delightful way to enjoy them. Add it to vodka in a cocktail shaker full of ice and voila — you’ve got a great martini!

May 03, 2010 | 5 comments View Post
The Libation Perpetration - How the Green Light Cocktail Took Baltimore

The Libation Perpetration – How the Green Light Cocktail Took Baltimore

These sorts of capers happen in cities like Baltimore. Charm City, home of The Ravens, The Orioles, John Waters, and the late Edgar Allan Poe. It’s where the “beehive” and “Natty Boh” beer linger on in perpetuity. It is a quirky city full of quirky people. My kind of people.

Of the friends we made while living there, Steve and Mary were the most prone to frequent quirkiness. Steve St. Angelo, AKA Shop Boy, and wife, Mary Mashburn AKA Belle Pica, live in Bolton Hill, a grand neighborhood of town homes dating from as early as 1830.

Oct 20, 2009 | 7 comments View Post
A Little Fusion Makes for Fun Libations and a Twist on Scallops

A Little Fusion Makes for Fun Libations and a Twist on Scallops

I thank my lucky stars that my childhood was spent roaming the globe with my family. I think living in different countries and visiting different countries gives you a broader global perspective, and broadens your mind as well as your palate.  
As a curious child, I’ve never been afraid of trying different foods during my childhood [...]

Oct 17, 2009 | 3 comments View Post