After listening to bits and pieces of that fake love fest that was the Hillary & Barack debate last night, can you blame a guy for running to the liquor cabinet? Especially with motivation from what has become my latest must-read, Washington Post columnist Jason Wilson's cocktail column that comes out every other Wednesday (register for free at the paper's website to read all WP articles) in the online edition of the paper. As if I needed more encouragement to shake up another nerve soothing libation, his last liquorous lead from January 23rd ironically featured two quintessential summer cocktail recipes, the margarita and cosmopolitan. It was a way of explaining the importance of having the right orange liquor in one's home bar, in this case focusing on the oft-overlooked Cointreau and Grand Marnier (both of which I smugly confess to having at the ready). For my attitude adjustment session, I went with his cosmo recipe, necessitating a quick, always fun in an adult-kid-in-a-candy-store trip to the liquor store for some citrus vodka. I grabbed the Smirnoff's Citrus...inexpensive and perfect for mixing. I also did my preferred substitution of pomegranate juice for the traditional cranberry. Somehow, having what would normally be a warm weather cocktail on a cold, wet, windy, cold...did I mention it's cold here?...night here in PDX was just the ticket to take my mind off of anything happening outside the warm confines of the kitchen. I could almost forget Hillary's semi-hysterical fake laugh, Barack's insincere smile....on second thought, looking at this picture I suddenly feel the need for another....
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Cosmopolitan
adapted from Jason Wilson/The Washington Post:
Though cocktail snobs will turn up their noses, the classic Cosmo actually is a very good cocktail. The problem is that it's become obscured by dozens of variations, most of them ranging from bad to ridiculous. Spirits columnist Jason Wilson recommends a good-value citrus vodka.-JW
1 serving
ingredients:
Ice
2 ounces citrus vodka
1 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ounce unsweetened cranberry (or pomegranate) juice
1 lime wedge, for garnish
method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, orange liqueur and juices; shake well and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass. Garnish with the lime wedge.
2 comments:
Cointreau is for those who enjoy a well made cocktail.
Grand Marnier is great when the bottle is done, one can throw a lit match into it, and it makes a great whoosh sound, and an awesome blue flame.
Ha! That is so well put, and who doesn't like the classic combo of alcohol and fire?! Don't think I won't be trying that at home!
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