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Published August 27th, 2014
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It's a One-Two-Three Punch for Fun Summertime Drinks!
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| By Susie Iventosch |
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There's nothing quite like a refreshing gin and tonic for a hot summer evening and this rendition was inspired by the Spanish Gin and Tonic at The Cooperage in Lafayette. My daughter ordered this drink one evening, and not only was it very pretty, but also so refreshing, made with grapefruit, juniper berries and a sprig of fresh rosemary. We added a wedge of lime, but did not include the pretty little flowers they have floating in their cocktail!
One day a few weeks ago, I had an unquenchable thirst after working around the yard, and discovered a bottle of root beer in the refrigerator. I almost never drink sodas, but this one was calling my name ... loudly! It was so delicious that we decided to go ahead and make root beer floats that evening for dessert. We added a little splash of Bailey's Irish Cream and used pecan caramel crunch frozen yogurt along with a smattering of candied nuts sprinkled over the top. This is a delicious dessert for a hot summer night!
Now, if you are in the mountains, or if the fog should roll in, then the apropos drink would be something hot ... like a good old San Francisco Irish Coffee. Since I really don't enjoy the taste of Irish whiskey, we made our campfire coffees with a smattering of liqueurs so everyone could pick exactly what they wanted! Some like the traditional Irish whiskey or Amaretto, or even Kahlua, but my favorite is a combination of Bailey's and Kahlua! Use Bailey's Coffee Creamer for the younger crowd ... it has no alcohol!
Any of these drinks can be made without alcohol and the coffee drinks are also good with a scoop of coffee chocolate-chip frozen yogurt in place of the float of heavy cream.
We recently received the results from the Moraga Peach Recipe Contest, and the recipes look terrific. Look for those recipes in our next issue!
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Grapefruit and Juniper Gin and Tonic
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| These fun and refreshing gin and tonics include grapefruit juice, juniper berries and a sprig of fresh rosemary. Photo Susie Iventosch |
INGREDIENTS (per drink)
1-2 shots of chilled gin (2-3 ounces ... the better the quality, the better the drink!)
Juice of 1/4 grapefruit
Juice of 1/4 lime
4-5 large ice cubes
2-4 ounces tonic water
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 wedge fresh grapefruit
1 wedge fresh lime
10-plus juniper berries
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Campfire Coffee
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| Campfire coffees, with or without alcohol, can warm up a chilly morning. Photo Susie Iventosch |
INGREDIENTS (per drink)
4-5 ounces of strong coffee (we use decaf for these)
1 1/2 shots of your choice of liqueurs (if you use Irish whiskey, add 1 teaspoon agave syrup to hot coffee and stir well, before adding the whiskey and cream)
2 tablespoons thickened heavy cream (don't whip, just thicken by shaking or beating for a short time)
Cocoa powder for garnish
DIRECTIONS
In a stemmed glass, pour hot coffee (stir in agave syrup now, if you plan to use it along with Irish whiskey). Add your choice of liqueur or non-alcoholic creamer. Spoon thickened cream over the top and dust with cocoa powder.
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Root Beer Float
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| Photos Susie Iventosch |
INGREDIENTS (per drink)
1-2 scoops of caramel praline crunch frozen yogurt (or your choice of yogurt or ice cream)
1 shot (1.5 oz.) Bailey's Irish Cream (use Bailey's Coffee Creamer for non-alcoholic version)
1/2 shot Amaretto (use 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for non-alcoholic version)
1-2 tablespoons candied nuts, coarsely chopped (cashews or pecans are good)
Root beer (4-8 oz.)
DIRECTIONS
In a frosty mug, place 2-3 scoops of frozen yogurt, add Bailey's Irish Cream and Amaretto, (or
1 shot Bailey's Coffee Creamer plus 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for virgin drinks), sprinkle in candied nuts and fill to top with root beer. Serve with a spoon!
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA