Raspberry Brut Rosé Ice Cream Float

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Peg

Well, bless Pat…whoever that is! That’s what my grandmother Smith used to say back in the day to express shock and awe. So, I give you a “back in the day” treat. Warning, this is an adults only float! Tomorrow is hump-day, so add this to your evening and celebrate making it through the first half of the work week. Just keeping it fresh for you. Dessert Raspberry Rose Ice Cream Float

Here’s the what and how to:

1/2 cup raspberries, plus more for garnish
2 Tbs sugar
4 large scoops vanilla ice cream, softened a few minutes
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur
Rosé brut champagne

In blender, purée raspberries and sugar.
Pour in glass.
Rinse blender.
Add ice cream to blender.
Purée until smooth.
Place ice cream in 2 short glasses.
Pour liqueur over ice cream.
Pour raspberry purée over ice cream.
Top with champagne.
Garnish with a few fresh raspberries.
Serve with a straw.

Makes 2 floats.

Champagne Float

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Peg

Try a little grown up version of the old ice cream float! I’m giving it a solid A+. Mmmmm! Thank you Anne Burrell for sharing the love. (Food Network Magazine, June 2014.)

12 strawberries, quartered
1 Tbs sugar
1 pint Breyers vanilla ice cream
Bottle Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvee, chilled

Toss berries and sugar in bowl.
Let sit 30 minutes
Divide berries among 4 flutes.
Place small scoop ice cream in each glass.
Top up with champagne.

Moscow Mule

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Peg

It’s Monday…Get your Cocktail on, again…Just Because! And now I present the Moscow Mule, served in its proper copper cup. The cup is key, especially during the hot and humid days of Southern summers. The copper keeps the drink cool and feels so refreshing as it touches your lips. Find yours here at Mark and Graham. In case you’ve never tried ginger beer, it’s found in the soft drink and mixer section of your grocery; FYI, it is non-alcoholic. Wicked Good!!

©PEGhardee Just sipping along peacefully in my sunroom!

Juice of half lime
1 1/2 oz Vodka
3 to 4 oz Ginger Beer
Lime slice or fresh mint to garnish

Fill a copper cup to the brim with crushed ice.
Pour in lime juice and vodka.
Top up with ginger beer.
Stir well.
Garnish with lime slice or fresh mint.

Naturally, if you don’t have the copper cups, it’s quite delectable in a Collins glass (as I enjoyed a few days back at Silo in Nashville). Personally, I prefer garnishing with mint, because I enjoy that extra freshness.

Loveless Cafe, Nashville

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Peg

I found myself in Nashville Tennessee last week with the don and a couple of my favorite other friends in this wide world. And we collectively found our foursome at the Loveless Cafe for Thursday brunch. My goodness is all I have to say. Neva’ in my life have I seen such a place, or eaten such Southern deliciousness. This little cafe was opened in 1951 by Annie and Lon Loveless, and now serves over 450,000 guests each and every year!I did however decide to drink my tomatoes that day. Yep…a bloody mary served in a mason jar, with a side car of everclear…didja ever hear of such a thing? Did I happen to mention that they make 7 thousand biscuits a day?! What? If you find your mouth watering a bit now, you can get some of this goodness shipped to your front door by the good folks at the Ham and Jam Shop. Hooking you right up!

Limoncello Cocktail

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Peg

Whoa…it is HOT here in ENC. 92° already and it’s only 11 bells in the am. I was having dizzy spells from all this heat and humidity yesterday so I whipped up this refreshing concoction. Throwing tradition to the wind, think of this as the adult beverage version of the Arnold Palmer. Had me up, going, and dancing off the wall in no time. Try it, you’ll like it. Thanks Mikey! Hey, check out these over-sized ice cubes. Makes life great in this heat!

1 cup Limoncello liqueur
1 Black tea bag
8 oz Club Soda

Pour Limoncello in tall glass.
Add tea bag.
Chill in refrigerator 1 hour.
Add ice to short cocktail glass.
Pour 2 oz Limoncello mixture over ice.
Top up with club soda.

Serves 4.

Strawberry Vodka Champagne Cocktail

Posted on May 15, 2014 by Peg

It is Thursday…PLUS…I am headed to our Nation’s Capital for a birthday bash (evidence of that next week!); so let’s get our cocktail on! Back I track to the yummy homemade strawberry infused vodka from last week. Here’s a masterful mixture to concoct using that infusion. Similar to an “Accomplice“, but not as strong or as sweet. Ummm, such a fragrant berry season. Cheers! PS…shelf life on the infused vodka is 6+ months. Wow!

1 oz strawberry infused vodka
Bottle of Brut Champagne, or Prosecco
1 fresh strawberry for glass

Pour vodka in bottom of flute.
Fill with champagne.
Garnish with strawberry.

As Always, Enjoy Responsibly.

Strawberry Vodka Cocktail

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Peg

I mean, honestly, this is adult Capri Sun. Only you don’t need to puncture any pouch with a straw. Just sip along for a fun ride. Ummmm.

Crushed ice
1 1/2 oz Strawberry Vodka
Wedge of lime
Club soda to top up

Fill lowball glass with ice.
Add vodka.
Squeeze in lime juice.
Top up glass with club soda.
Drop in lime wedge.
Stir.

Strawberry Infused Vodka

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Peg

Get your cocktail on baby! If you like strawberries and vodka, this post is aimed right atcha! Strawberry season is here in ENC and I picked berries at 903 this past weekend. After I canned my preserves I tried my hand at infusing vodka. Amazing results. Made me feel like a kitchen artist. So, go on and do it, ’cause I’m gonna share cocktail recipes next.

PS…shelf life on the infused vodka is 6 + months. WOW!What you need:
Quart size canning jar
30 + strawberries, rinsed and dried
1/4 cup sugar
Mild vodka (I use Tito’s)

Rinse the jar well and dry it.
Remove stem from berries and quarter them.
Fill jar to top with berries.
Add sugar.
Fill jar with vodka.
Cover with lid.
Shake.
When berries turn pink, about 2 days, strain vodka and save.
Toss berries out.
If you like a stronger strawberry flavor, repeat the process.

Mint Julep

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Peg

Throw a little Saturday into your Monday. It’s Derby week people. Get your polish out and put a shine to those silver cups. Are your julep making skills honed? There are many ways to make a great Mint Julep. Many omit the club soda; but I like to sip this greatness twice Derby afternoon. So I like the soda for dilution! Your choice on how to grab your gusto. Study the contenders. Place your bets. Eat. Drink. Carry on!!

4 sprigs fresh mint
1 Tbs simple syrup
2 oz good bourbon
Club soda
Mint for garnish

Place mint in bottom of cup.
Add syrup.
Muddle well.
Fill cup with crushed ice.
Add bourbon.
Top off with club soda.
Stir well.
Garnish with mint.

Frozen Cosmo!

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Peg

Coming to you from somewhere in the Gulf of Mexico! Zinging into Spring now that the roar of winter is behind us (we hope). Time to imbibe in those lightly flavored spring/summer adult beverages. This was the “house drink” last week at one of Tena’s fab and fun parties. Ask and you shall receive…she shared the recipe with me so we can all enjoy this fun cocktail. That crazy sister-in-law of mine has me on a ship somewhere in the Caribbean sipping something akin, this very second! Later mates! *Note that I use the less refined Triple Sec here as it is void of color. Typically I prefer Cointreau in a cocktail, but it’s inherent amber color alters the “pink of the drink”.

1 cup vodka
1 cup strawberry/cranberry juice (pink)
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup Triple Sec
1/4 cup simple syrup

Mix all together in pitcher.
Freeze 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
Take out and allow to thaw a bit until slushy.
Pour into glasses.
Garnish with a lime slice or a mint leaf.

Makes 6 to 8 glasses depending on your glass of choice.

*This is wonderful made by large pitchers full a couple of days prior to an event.
It is typically consumed quite fervently!

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