The Bar is Open
Whether due to the spring-like weather or to the upcoming holiday weekend, my mind has turned to liquor. For me, nothing says 'drinks for breakfast' more than a big gathering of the kinfolk for a tense day-long hang, especially if Uncle Harry's coming over.
I'm not cooking this year, so I'm free to imbibe all I want. Two of my favorite 'is it too early for cocktails?' drinks are a fabulous Bloody Mary, made with my homemade mix below, and a double-octane Mimosa, which I wheedled out of my Russian friend, Boris, when he had his guard down.
Both come recommended as delicious and soothing in relatively small doses. I shan't take responsibility if you overindulge, sneeze and accidentally ignite grandma's tablecloth during dinner - but please write and tell me the tale.
Moscow Mimosa
1 part vodka
1-1/2 part orange juice
1 part champagne
Mix vodka and juice in blender, with a few ice cubes, until well mixed and ice is in small bits. Pour into a tall glass, leaving room for the champagne. Add champagne. Happy morning to you!
Gorey's Bloody Mix *evil cackle*
2 stalks celery, rough chopped
2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1 small shallot, rough chopped
juice of one lemon (no seeds please)
3 large dashes worcestershire sauce
3 dashes hot sauce (like Tabasco)
celery salt (to taste)
salt
pepper
32-oz. bottle good quality tomato juice or V-8
vodka
Using a blender or food processor, pulse celery, shallot, horseradish, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and celery salt until it is a chunky paste. Add a conservative amount of salt and pepper, pulse again.
Scape out this base mixture into a large pitcher, add the tomato juice and stir well. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt, pepper, worcestershire or hot sauce if you like. Stir again. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Serve as is, over ice, for a Virgin Bride cocktail. Or add vodka to create an amazing Bloody Bride o'Frankenstein - the more vodka added, the more unhinged she may become!
I'm not cooking this year, so I'm free to imbibe all I want. Two of my favorite 'is it too early for cocktails?' drinks are a fabulous Bloody Mary, made with my homemade mix below, and a double-octane Mimosa, which I wheedled out of my Russian friend, Boris, when he had his guard down.
Both come recommended as delicious and soothing in relatively small doses. I shan't take responsibility if you overindulge, sneeze and accidentally ignite grandma's tablecloth during dinner - but please write and tell me the tale.
Moscow Mimosa
1 part vodka
1-1/2 part orange juice
1 part champagne
Mix vodka and juice in blender, with a few ice cubes, until well mixed and ice is in small bits. Pour into a tall glass, leaving room for the champagne. Add champagne. Happy morning to you!
Gorey's Bloody Mix *evil cackle*
2 stalks celery, rough chopped
2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1 small shallot, rough chopped
juice of one lemon (no seeds please)
3 large dashes worcestershire sauce
3 dashes hot sauce (like Tabasco)
celery salt (to taste)
salt
pepper
32-oz. bottle good quality tomato juice or V-8
vodka
Using a blender or food processor, pulse celery, shallot, horseradish, lemon juice, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and celery salt until it is a chunky paste. Add a conservative amount of salt and pepper, pulse again.
Scape out this base mixture into a large pitcher, add the tomato juice and stir well. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt, pepper, worcestershire or hot sauce if you like. Stir again. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Serve as is, over ice, for a Virgin Bride cocktail. Or add vodka to create an amazing Bloody Bride o'Frankenstein - the more vodka added, the more unhinged she may become!