Teetotalers and designated drivers need not miss out on holiday fun in the drinks department. Vinegars infused with fruits and herbs make for lively and delicious celebratory libations. Variously known as Drinking Vinegars and Shrubs, these infused vinegars are balanced with sugar or a simple syrup and then mixed with sparkling water. The flavored vinegar base is potent … [Read more...]
TURKISH GREEN APPLE LEMONADE
Green Apple Lemonade, as served in the bustling cafés of Istanbul's most fashionable neighborhoods, is an elixir that captures nature's very life force. Cold tumblers of fresh lemonade topped with a boisterous boost of freshly extracted tart green apple juice gives new meaning to Turkish delight. (Ask Çevdet, owner of the wonderful Galata Flats Hotel in Karaköy -- he'll steer … [Read more...]
PINK GRAPEFRUIT CAMPARI MARMALADE
Just in time for Valentine's Day, this rich Pink Grapefruit Campari Marmalade is the very color of modern love. A passionate pink shaded with vibrant orange, its declared sweetness nearly - but not quite - conceals traces of bitterness. This chunky grapefruit marmalade has a one-of-a-kind flavor as remarkable as your own true love. The sweet-bitter balance of Campari, … [Read more...]
SASSAFRAS ROOT BEER
Our world famous ginger ale has been a runaway success. As the house drink here on Springy Banks, folks expect it when they come over. Fair enough, it is exquisite, and I do believe in giving the people what they want. (Much as I'd like to, I can't say I always believe in giving people what they deserve, but that's not usually a culinary … [Read more...]
ROSEMARY MINT CORDIAL: ORIGINAL MOCKTAIL-COCKTAIL RECIPE
Why should only the oenophiles and mojito-swillers have all the fun? If one is not in the mood or mind for a stiff one, options for a smart aperitif are usually pretty glum. Do you really want another Diet Coke? In restaurants and bars you can get some variation on the grapefruit-cranberry-seltzer combo, but that's nothing to write home … [Read more...]
A SPECTACULAR CELEBRATION OF POMEGRANATES!
I happily accepted POM Wonderful's invitation to host an all-things-pomegranate dinner party. And what do you know? In short order an enormous box of the brightest fresh fruits arrived at our door. Now it was up to us: we needed to dazzle them with new recipes, fabulous decor and fun times. No sweat. That's the way we roll at … [Read more...]
WORLD FAMOUS GINGER ALE
Options for non-drinkers at parties can be pretty bleak -- best case scenario is usually cranberry juice, and if you're lucky, some grapefruit juice to mix with it. To my knowledge a bottle of Canada Dry has never generated much excitement. I'm a big proponent of mocktails. Every time I whip up a batch of homemade ginger … [Read more...]