Since I'm a multi-tasker and as you're learning someone whom likes to find unexpected uses for everyday items around our homes, it's no surprise that I have not only deemed vodka a multi-tasking, repurposing gem but secured its place as my numero uno cocktail ingredient!
Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it throughout the day---drinking responsibly of course! BTW: You can also use vodka to perk up fresh flower or shine your diamonds. No I've not been drinking --yet-! Click here to learn its vodka's multi-tasking virtues!
Morning, Brunch & Lunch
MARY HAD A LITTLE HAM-burger or Whatever Else Your Inner Little Mary Likes !
I love making a meal out of my drinks and using the basic store-bought Bloody Mary as my base provides the perfect 'meal' in a glass'! I'm a carnivore so I like adding lil burgers which you can do ahead. But if you have other fave yams, simply grab those skewers and build your bloody with whatever.
What you need:
Favorite Bloody Mary Mix (Mine's Mr. T's. You can make your own but why when there are so many good mixes to buy that you can up taste!)
Vodka
Skewers: Wooden or Metal long enough to 'build'
Garnishes Options:
Hot peppers
Stuffed Olives with Pimento, Blue Cheese, Anchovies etc
Cooked Shrimp
Cooked bacon
Cubed cheese (non-crumbly recommended: cheddar, brie, etc.)
Stirrer Options:
Celery
Asparagus
Lil Burger Option: (Makes four so you have leftovers...maybe!!
4 oz. Chopped Meat
Salt & Pepper to taste
One Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
Ice
Lemon or lime slice for garnish
How to make it: (Reminder burgers can be made ahead!)
Burgers
In a small bowl mix meat with salt & pepper to taste, dijon and cheese
Make 4 small patties
Broil or grill 3-5 minutes per side (if like rare as I do 1-2!)
Set aside under ready to 'build' your Mary
Mary's Lil Burger Garnish
Take wood or metal skewer pierce burger
Ad
Bloody:
Pour 3:1+ (i.e. vodka mix to vodka) into tall glass
Stir well or put a glass over the top and shake
Extra spice? add horseradish, hot sauce or pepper
Add ice
Place 'Mary's' Lil Burger Skewers or U skewers across or in glass
Garnish with lemon or lime slice
Bon Appetitie!
Happy Hour & Din Din
CUKE CROCKTAIL
Since cucumbers are 95% water and contain electrolytes and when we imbibe alcohol it causes us to dehydrate ....I figure why not neutralize vodka's effects by adding fresh cukes to my cocktail and hey this is 'repurposing'! Brilliant eh!
What you need:
cucumber slices
lemon squeeze or twist
vodka
muddler (or anything that will crush cakes)
ice
Optional: vermouth
How to make it:
Crush thin slices of cukes and lemon with muddler in shaker
Add 2oz+ vodka
Add ice and shake well for 30 seconds
Tips:
I like using with crushed ice which creates a nice layer of ice
Keep mulled cukes and add as it continues to 'infuse' flavor
Strain & pour
Garnish with cuke slices
Later Night
NEWLY FASHIONED OLD FASHIONED
Here's a simple new twist to the classic ole fashioned whose controversial origins date back to the 1880's and have given Louisville, Kentucky claim to being its official cocktail and place of mirth! Long story short: A girl walked into a bar...oops that's another story! A bartender at The Pendennis Club, a gentleman's club in Louisville is said to have 'fashioned' it in honor of Colonel James E. Pepper--a prominent bourbon distiller who then brought it to the famed Waldorf Astoria Bar in NYC. This tale has been contested though since a 1880 article in the Chicago Daily Tribune gave a shout out to Old Fashioned Cocktails prior The Pendennis Club being opened.
Whatever its origins, time now to enjoy this new vodka-inspired fashioned and toast its peppered past!
What you need:
Titos toasted pecan infused vodka
2 teaspoons of brown sugar or brown sugar cubes
3-5 dashes orange bitters
1/2 part hot water (use the small shot of a jigger/i.e. shot*
*NOTE: Typically, the larger end of the jigger is 1.5 ounces and the smaller end is 0.75 ounces. In most cases when people refer to a “jigger” or a “jigger shot” they are referring to the standard jigger size of 1.5 ounces. And, in case you're interested: The smaller end of the jigger is known as a pony shot!
orange peel
maraschino cherry
muddler if crushing sugar cubes
one large ice cube
How to make it:
Saturate sugar with bitters
If using sugar cubes muddle first then saturate with bitters
Add
small jigger of hot water to dissolve sugar
vodka and stir with long necked
ice cube
Stir again
Twist orange peel to release oils and put peel into glass
Have a fave vodka crock...please share @....