Archive for the 'mixed drinks' Category

Bourbon Slush

Published by Hal on February 5, 2008 in mixed drinks and recipes. 0 Comments

bourbonslushThis drink is super easy and was popular at our party last night. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy whiskey or bourbon, this might be it! This recipe comes courtesy of Stacie’s cousin, as part of the family cookbook.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounce can of frozen lemonade concentrate, softened
  • 12 ounce can of frozen orange juice concentrate, softened
  • 4 cups of bourbon or sour mash whiskey
  • 1 cup of water
  • 4 tea bags
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
  • Lemon-lime soda

Procedure

Bring the water to a boil and steep the tea bags for one minute. Drain the tea bags and discard. Combine all the ingredients, except the soda and the sugar, in a large container. Add sugar to taste. Place in the freezer and allow to become slushy-to-firm.

When ready to serve, scoop some slush into a nice glass, then top off with a splash (or a bit more) of soda.

Some Hints

This make take a day or more to firm up in the freezer. We made the mix Saturday night, and it’s still not completely frozen (and we had some, over ice, last night). This might say something about our freezer, or it just might be that between the sugar and the alcohol, the freezing point for this concoction is lower than normal. If you can’t get this to freeze by the time you’re ready to serve it, just pour the mix over ice, top off with soda, and stir. It’s still equally delicious, even if not so slushy.

Also, use whatever whiskey tastes good to you. Normally, I’m a big bourbon fan, but I don’t drink cheap bourbon. The cheapest bourbon I’d drink is Maker’s Mark, but I thought it would be too sweet for this drink, and I didn’t want to waste any “good” bourbon. So, I went with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It worked great, as much as it pains me to say. Regardless, I still won’t drink any whiskey straight but my good old Kentucky bourbon ;)

5 Easy Appetizers for New Years Eve

Published by Hal on December 30, 2007 in Hal's Hint, mixed drinks and recipes. 1 Comment

With New Years’ celebrations upon us, I thought it might be a good idea to give you a appetizers that look and taste gourmet, but are easy on the wallet and are easy to prepare.

1. Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Get a few packages of lean cut bacon and some containers of dates. Wrap a slice of bacon around each date and skewer with a tooth pick. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked.

2. Prosciutto-Wrapped Apples and/or Melon

Wrap some prosciutto around wedges of apple or melon, such as honeydew (but only if you have access to good quality melon!). These are sure to be a hit!

3. Honey-Nut Brie

Place an 8-ounce wheel of brie on the center of foil lined baking sheet and score the top. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle some fresh thyme leaves over the top. Cover with the foil, and bake in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for 10 minutes. When the brie is melty, plate it and cover with 1/4 cup of toasted pecans and 2 tablespoons of honey. Serve with crusty bread.

4. Bagel or Pretzel Dip

Combine 8 ounces of cream cheese with 5 ounces of Old English Cheese. Add about 1 teaspoon (up to 2, if you like the flavor) of garlic powder. Serve with cut up bagels or soft pretzels.

5. Easy Bruschetta

Dice 6-8 roma tomatoes and add to bowl. Prepare a chiffonade of fresh basiland add it to the tomatoes. Add a dash of salt about about 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir to combine. Serve over toasted slices of French Bread.

BONUS COCKTAIL

Here is an easy, refreshing cocktail for your party. Fill a tall, thin glass with ice. Add one ounce of vodka, then fill with sparkling water. Squeeze a lime wedge into the drink and garnish with some curls of lime zest or a slice of lime.

Hal’s Hint: As you can see, these appetizers are really easy, the most difficult having only five ingredients. And, most only have 1 “gourmet” ingredient. Because of this, your guests will be amazed–but we know the secret, that these recipes cost nearly nothing. Another trick that will “Wow!” them is presentation. We eat first with our eyes, so having these dishes arranged artfully on a nice platter will be certain to whet your guests’ appetites. Be creative and festive–your guests will appreciate your effort!

4 Sites To Help You Make Holiday Drinks Like a Pro

Published by Hal on December 22, 2007 in mixed drinks, recipes and technique. 0 Comments

You have to admit, this is a stressful time of year. Sometimes, there’s only one way to unwind or take the edge off when dealing with dynamic personalities and unruly relatives. Personally, just give me a beer or a good quality bourbon on the rocks, and I’m happy. But, if you want to check out a few other ways to get hammered take the edge off, here are sites that tell you how to do that, with a Holiday twist:

There is a lot of information here, so hopefully you’ll be able to find something that everyone will be able to enjoy! Just in case, I’ll make it easy for you…

Hot Buttered Rum

Ingredients

  • 6 cloves (whole)
  • 1 1/2 oz. dark rum
  • 1 generous tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 Cinnamon stick
  • Boiling water
  • butter
  • Grated nutmeg
  • Lemon peel

Directions

  1. Rinse a large mug with boiling water and add brown sugar, cinnamon stick, and a lemon peel studded with cloves.
  2. Pour in a little boiling water and stir until sugar is dissolved.
  3. Add rum and fill with boiling water.
  4. Stir, then place pat of butter on top of drink, and sprinkle with grated nutmeg.

Peppermint Patty

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1 ounces peppermint schnapps
  • 1/2 ounces white creme de cacao

Directions:

  1. Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice.
  2. Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  3. Makes one drink.

Do you have a favorite holiday cocktail? What’s your recipe?