Cheers to the End of Summer!

September 9th.  Labor Day has passed. School has restarted.  We are technically in Fall mode but here in New Jersey, it still feels like summer.  87 - 100 degree temperatures still call for refreshing cocktails in my world.  So, here is one to salute away a fantastic summer.

Lychee Lemonade Cocktail
(note the little butterfly on the flowers trying to move in on my drink.)

I recently discovered this wonderful libation -  Brooklyn Republic Vodka. They are a small family owned local company - and you know how I feel about that - that handcrafts each small batch.   They currently make straight up regular vodka, Elderflower Apple, Passion fruit Pear, Blueberry Coconut and Lychee Lemon flavored vodkas (which is what I used in this cocktail). 

If you have never had Lychee before, it is a crisp fruit that has a floral, almost sweet perfumey type of scent to it. When you open this bottle of vodka, that sweet crisp lemony scent is the first thing that hits you.  This vodka would be great on its own over ice or with a splash of seltzer or tonic.  But, I like to take things a little step further. 

I used a bit of mint since it is still growing wild in my garden.  I think it also lends a nice green earthy refreshing touch to this cocktail.  Plus, you are getting your greens so technically this is a healthy drink, right?!

Here is what you need:

A few fresh mint leaves

Juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon

2 tsp superfine sugar, divided

1 1/2 ounces Brooklyn Republic Lychee Lemon Vodka

Splash of seltzer, Pellegrino or any sparkling beverage of your choice

Here is what you do:

1. Take the leaves off the stems of your fresh mint and put in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
2. Zest (grate) your lemon.  Reserve a little on a small plate and mix with 1 tsp of superfine sugar.  Throw the rest in with your mint in the shaker.
3. Add a teaspoon of superfine sugar to your shaker.
4. Muddle (smoosh together) your ingredients in the shaker.  This will release all the great flavors of the mint and lemon zest.
5. Add your vodka. (yay!)
6. Add a cup or so of ice and put your lid on (don't forget this part - that would be a mess and very wasteful) and shake away!!
7. Take your martini glass, wine glass, sippy cup - your choice - and run the other half of the lemon around the rim to moisten.  Swirl the rim in your lemon zested sugar mixture to create a nice sweet rim around the glass.  This is an easy way to get fancy and impress your friends.
8. Best part - strain your lovely libation from the cocktail shaker into your lovely rimmed glass.  Top with chilled seltzer or like I said, Pellegrino, sprite, sparkling beverage, etc.

Cheers my friends!  Here's hoping we have an easy winter and summer will be upon us again before we know it!

Been a long time.......

Wow! My last blog post was 9/26/11. It is now 8/21/15.  Almost 4 years later. Amazing.

A lot has changed since then.

When I left you last, I was working for a food broker doing product demonstrations and moved up to Account Manager in food sales. I was out on the road all day every day - to the tune of approximately 10,000 miles on the car every 3-4 months.   And working here in the NY/NJ Metro area that equates to aging yourself about 10 years due to the traffic stresses.  The job had some great perks though and I was able to get into the kitchens of many well known restaurants in NYC/NJ and had the opportunity to meet some really cool Chefs.  I literally and figuratively "fed" off their inspiration.

In 2013 I filmed a Kickstarter campaign to open a farm to table restaurant that would offer cooking classes, special dinners and feature products from local artisans.  Although I did not achieve my goal and my location fell through, I would not be defeated.  (You can check the video out here if it should so amuse you - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/906708324/kitchen-shop-eat-learn/?ref=kicktraq - and by the way, would still love to see this happen so if anyone is interested and has a big bankroll, give me a holla!)

In 2014, after many years of cooking for people "on the side", I officially started my catering business.  www.kitchen-catering.com  I rented a commercial kitchen for about a year until the overhead became too much and I let go of the location.  I now do my cooking in commercial kitchens that I rent as needed.

And now to bring you up to date. This year, I took on another side business - leasing the space and running the concession/snack bar area at our local bowling alley.

In addition to this, I have catered many parties, taught lots of cooking classes, had some amazing meals and cocktails -  and seen a whole lot of interesting things!  Some good, some bad, some really scary - and gross - you probably don't want to know about those.

I learned much over these past few years - and would love to share some of my experiences with you.  So, here we go again - and please let me know what you would like to see in these pages - such as request specific recipes, hear some juicy stories, etc.

I hope you will check back and read more. As always, there will be lots of good food and drinks along the way.

See you soon!