The Golden Girl Martini

I admit it, I watch The Golden Girls probably more than a 25 year old should, but it’s just so good! Those four ladies make me smile and as half of my multinational ancestry is Italian I hope to be as sharp and witty as Sophia Petrillo when I’m 85. So I got to thinking, if The Golden Girls were a drink what would they taste like? The answer was simple…CHEESECAKE!

First thing’s first…the tunes you should listen to while drinking this tasty little treat:
Norah Jones - Happy Pills
Dusty Springfield - Spooky
Sharon Van Etten - Leonard
Nancy Sinatra - Summer Wine

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Now for the recipe!

2 oz half and half

1 oz amaretto - I used Lazzaroni

1 oz vanilla infused vodka - I used Absolut Vanilia

1/2 oz brown sugar syrup - it’s like simple syrup, but you use brown sugar instead of white sugar. Check back soon for some recipes on how to make your own syrups!

Dash of lemon juice

Ground Cinnamon for garnish

Cream cheese and graham crack crumbles for rim

First fill a cocktail shaker with ice followed by half and half, amaretto, vanilla vodka, brown sugar syrup and lemon juice. Vigorously shake until all ingredients have blended and set aside while you prep the glass.

Take a martini glass and rim the glass with cream cheese. The easiest way to do this is to spread a thin layer of cream cheese on a plate and slowly spin the rim of the glass over the plate. Next do the same with the graham cracker crumbles.

Strain the liquid mixture into the martini glass. Try to avoid pouring the liquid over the graham crackers so they don’t get soggy too quickly. Put a dash of ground cinnamon to garnish and serve to four of your closest friends around your kitchen table while sharing St. Olaf stories!

Adapted from Cooking Channel

Sweet Tea Bourbon — YUM! YUM!

The first party of the summer is always important and this super yummy cocktail will sure be welcomed at any steamy, hot summer shindig. I recently made this at my house warming party and it was a HUGE hit!

Before we start boozing it up, check out these tracks to get tipsy by.
JD McPherson - North Side Gal
Shovels and Rope - Boxcar
Deer Tick - Born at Zero
Dr. Dog - Lonesome
Yonder Mountain String Band - After Midnight (Yes, that’s right a bluegrass cover of the song written by JJ Cale and made famous by ol’ slowhand himself Eric Clapton)

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So here you go, the recipe is revealed:

8 cups of water

5 bags of black tea - I used Tazo Focus. It is a great dark blend orange, yerba mate’ and cocoa peel that goes great with the rest of the ingredients in this drink

2 oranges - I used Honeybells (which I think technically is a cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit so not really an orange, but hey this is Florida and we get a little nutty with our citrus)

6-10 sprigs of fresh mint

1/2 cup local honey

1 cup bourbon (you can use more if you want it stronger) - I used my very favorite bourbon in all the world Bulleit Bourbon

First part is super easy, make the black tea! I am assuming here that you all know how to boil water and through in some tea bags and let them seep so I don’t think I need to go into much detail on that.

While the tea is steeping, cut up the oranges into thin slices. Place the oranges and the mint leaves in the container of your choice. Next pour the honey over the oranges and mint. Begin to muddle the three ingredients together, at this point try not to mash up the oranges too much and as soon as it becomes fragrant pour in the bourbon. Continue to muddle the mixture until most of the honey has dissolved and the bourbon takes on the sweet smell of the oranges.

Once this is complete pour in the tea, chill in the fridge and serve cold to guests!

COMING SOON!

Ever listen to a tune and think to yourself, “I wish I had a cocktail to go with this track!?” Or have you ever wanted to craft a playlist around your favorite beer? Look no further! Young and Moody gets a makeover just in time to help you out with you dilemma.

Check back soon for music and booze that will sure to delight!