Bourbon Slush

9 cups water, divided
3 black tea bags (or 1 family size)
1/2 cup sugar
12 oz frozen lemonade concentrate
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cups bourbon

ginger ale, chilled, for serving

In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.  Add the tea bags and steep for 10 minutes.  Discard the bags.  Stir in the sugar until it dissolves.

In a large container, combine the sweet tea, lemonade and orange concentrates, 7 cups of water, and 2 cups of bourbon.  Place in freezer for a minimum of 6 hrs, but preferably overnight, until the slush is firm all the way through.

For serving: scoop slush into a tumbler, top with ginger ale, stir and serve with a straw.

Recipe doubles well.

#iheartfaces #tgif

Chocolate Martini

Chill two martini stems ~

Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice cubes and add these four ingredients in order.

3 oz Absolut vanilla vodka
3 oz Godiva chocolate liqueur
3 oz Patron dark cafe liqueur
3 oz half and half (not pictured)


Shake vigorously.  Dampen the rim of both glasses and coat with powdered cocoa mix.  Shake mixer once again.

Strain into stems.


PS  Light a candle, place a flower, and grab your napkin - Cheers!

Friday Five

1. How often do you get sick with a cold? The flu?

Rarely do I get sick, although this week I felt crummy on Wednesday and went to bed at 6:30 pm, skipped dinner, and slept straight through 'til morning. I took some Advil for the body aches.

2. Are you the sort of person who goes to work or school no matter how sick you are or are you willing to stay at home when it gets bad?

Yes, I usually carry on with my duties even when I dont feel well. DH noted that in the 35 years he's known me, he's never known me to stay in bed all day. Hope that doesn't jinx my streak :)

3. Will you get a flu shot?

No, not planning to get a seasonal flu shot, nor an H1N1.

4. What do you do to keep from getting sick in the winter?

In addition to making sure that the host (my body) is good at fighting off bad germs and viri by eating healthfully, sleeping adequately, and drinking plenty of water, I will wash my hands more often this winter in order to avoid getting sick.

5. What is your favorite thing to do when you stay home from work or school?

If I'm sick enough to stay home, I will be in bed. That's how I know that I'm really sick: I dont want to read a book, watch TV, or listen to music.

PS: I do like a hot toddy, if I feel something coming on....

My recipe:

In a mug, combine

2 Tbs lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2-3 Tbs local honey

2-3 Tbs whiskey

Pour in 6 oz boiling water and stir until blended.

What's your home remedy?

Margaritas

5-7 cups crushed ice

3/4 cup (6oz) frozen
limeade concentrate

6 oz tequila
(Cuervo Gold)

2 oz Triple Sec

1-2 T lime juice

Shot of Amaretto
(optional)






In a blender add the above ingredients and whirl until smooth. The blending time depends on how powerful the motor of your blender is :)

Serve in chilled mugs or highballs.   I prefer not to salt the rim of my glass, but some do.  So, do that, if desired, before pouring a generous portion for each of your friends.

Makes enough for three adults.



Oh, and for some reason, it tastes better through a straw.


We had these before our BBQ ribs on Monday.


What's your favorite aperitif?

Coffee

Here's my

coffee maker.


Not what

you expected?



Huh?







In the contraption is 1 lb. of freshly ground coffee beans and 2 qts. cold water. The mixture sits overnight (10-12 hrs) and is drained through a filter.

Read more about this cold water brewing system at the Toddy website.

Since I was thirteen I've been drinking coffee and it's my favorite morning beverage. Black, please.



The results is about a quart of concentrated coffee, which I dilute with boiling water.





Join me for a cup?



We have lots to talk about.

For the lovers of Almond Flavoring

Plantation Almond Tea

3 family sized tea bags steeped in 8C boiling water for 15 mins. Sweeten with 1.5 to 2 C sugar. Stir until all of sugar is dissolved. Add 1/2 C freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, and 1 tsp pure almond extract (no imitations, please!) Add cold water to make one gallon (about 7 more cups). Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.

Lately I have been enjoyed Bigelow's English Breakfast Tea. It's better than Twinings. I drink my tea black, while I eat a banana. Yum. Or sometimes I will have a Power Bar. I like the Oatmeal Raisin ones.

What did you have for breakfast today?