{Friday Cocktail} Pimms Cup

Who's excited for the opening ceremonies tonight? 

ME!!!

I love the Olympics. 

It probably has something to do with growing up in Atlanta, where Olympic fever ran rampant for several years before the 96 games, then left a footprint on the city so we'll never forget how awesome it was. Centennial Olympic Park, Turner Field, the flame? Whenever I see any of those ATL haunts I can't help but think fondly of that summer in 1996. I went to the table tennis finals, gymnastics, swimming, and the closing ceremonies and they were all AWESOME. There's a box in my parents attic filled with my Olympic pins, autographed Olympic paraphernalia,   and countless other Olympic themed trinkets. Needless to say, every time the summer games roll around I'm reminded of a great summer of childhood memories. 

Now I'm all grown up (well, that's slightly debatable... but that's another post), and I can partake in a few games of my own this year... 

DRINKING GAMES. duh. 

I'm heading to an olympic party tonight, so I'm looking forward to serious Olympic fun. Make up your own rules (depending on how much LSAT studying you have to do the next day), but pick a few key words, every time Bob Costas says: 

"world record"

"hard work"

"discipline"

"sacrifice"

"already a winner"

Take a sip your drink.

 Every time the theme song plays... take a sip.

*I will not be held responsible for any lingering hangovers. This is the OLYMPICS PEOPLE. Fight through it, and go for the gold!

Okay... so I probably wont be over indulging tonight... but I will sip on my favorite British Cocktail. The Pimms Cup.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Pimms (a British gin based spirit )*
• Lemonade (or try lemon lime soda, or even ginger beer)
• Sliced Cucumber
• Sliced Strawberries

Directions

In a high ball glass pour Pimms over ice. Toss in a few slices of cucumber and strawberries, then top with lemonade. Sip and go watch the games.

*In addition to Pimms, another Gin is added, though it is optional. 

Have a great weekend lovelies!!!

{Friday Cocktail} Peach Two Ways

So, I'm from Georgia. I love Peaches. I love peach cocktails. I saw this on the lovely Julie's blog and I knew I had to devote this week's cocktail to the peach. You should know something about me though, I am indecisive. oh, and I like many liquors. When making these last night, I absolutely couldn't decide so I made two versions.

They both start out the same: Peach Puree. All you need to do is slice up a perfectly ripe peach (over ripe would be even better) remove the pit, and puree in the blender/food processor. Strain if you so desire (I did not care to).

Jim (Bean) and the Giant Peach

In a shaker combine 2 Tbsp of the peach puree

1.5 oz of Bourbon

1 Tbsp Honey or Simple Syrup

add ice and strain into glass.

Top with cranberry juice (but next time I would probably cut it with club soda)

or if gin is more your style (as it is mine) you should definitely try...

The Gin-ger Peach

In a shaker combine 2 Tbsp of peach puree

1 Tbsp Honey or Simple Syrup

Add ice and shake. 

Strain into glass. Top with Gingerale.

Can you tell I love peaches? mmhmm. Both are delicious (I had to down sample both of them for y'all ), but the gin-ger peach is much lighter, perfect for summer time. 

Hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend!

{Friday Cocktail} Cucumber Mint Gimlet

There are a few reasons I'm featuring this yummy cocktail on the blog this week. #1. I love Gin. It is my favorite liquor. I've read a few articles lately about how gin has come back in vogue in recent years. I would like to take this opportunity to take full responsibly for that. I am clearly quite the trendsetter. Ha ha. I kid. I am sure one influential factor is the rising popularity of my favorite show Mad Men. That brings me to #2. Betty Draper Francis loves her some gimlets, and who am I to knock the fabulous Mrs. Draper's drink of choice. #3. It's horse racing season. I'm not a huge mint julep fan, if it has enough sugar sure, but I'm still working on learning to love bourbon and other whiskeys. I feel that this is a gin lovers response to the mint julep. Plus who doesn't love a cucumber mint combo.

via

Ingredients

• 2 oz Cucumber Gin 
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz Mint Simple Syrup
• Cucumber peels, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
• crushed ice 

Cucumber Gin

• Steep 2.5 cups of diced peeled cucumber in 4.5 cups of gin
• Cover and chill at least 8 hours, up to four days
• Strain and Store

Mint Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• combine over medium heat until sugar dissolves
• Add 1 cup mint leaves and remove from heat
• Cover, steep for 30 minutes -1 hour, then strain and discard mint. 
• Store up to 2 months

Enjoy! I know I'm looking forward to sipping on one of these this rainy spring weekend.

{Friday Cocktail} Fancy Gin Cocktail

If you read my post from earlier you know that I have been in need of several yummy cocktails lately. Last night my roommate KJ and I headed to a local bar/coffee shop/restaurant in our hipster-hood called The Big Bear Cafe. Each of us selected a yummy sounding cocktail from their list of hand crafted concoctions. I ordered what Big Bear deems the "Fancy Gin Cocktail" It was SO good. If y'all live in DC you need to seek out this joint and treat yourself. For anyone else, you need to make this at home!

In a shaker muddle 1.5 oz Genever with some orange peel and 1 tsp cane sugar. Add 3 shakes of aromatic bitters and top off with ice. Enjoy!

If you try one let me know what you think! Hope y'all have a great weekend! I'm heading to Williamsburg, VA for some much needed R and R.