Showing posts with label cocktails. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cocktails. Show all posts

Monday, February 24, 2014

Papaya, Mango-Ginger Frozen Margarita's #NationalMargaritaDay






The problem you see,  if you are tolerant enough to see that it is in fact a problem, is that the weather here is so gorgeously perfect out right now that it is impossible to get anything done on time. The laundry is piling up, the dust bunnies are everywhere and my 'To Do' list has all but been forgotten. All for the gravitational pull of the warm 'Spring' Phoenix sun that quite literally drags me outdoors to soak in all of it's perfectness. Bad day. Forgotten.







The afternoons here have been perfect in every form of the word and I would be insane not to take advantage of weather most of the world is wishing for right now and not sit outside on the back patio with a cocktail in the late afternoon and enjoy every last fleeting moment of it. July will be here all to soon with it's triple scorching digits and all of you in Central Park, Maine, North Carolina and everywhere else can rub it in my face if you please.






I love papaya's subtle, floral sweetness and it's buttery texture. Make sure you choose the smaller tropical ones, not the giant ones from Mexico, in my experience those smell and taste like vomit. Sorry, just warning you. The smaller ones are as I described above just make sure you wait until they are very ripe to get the full tropical flavor experience, otherwise they are fairly tasteless. It's pretty safe to buy frozen papaya as I did for these margaritas. Paired with mango, a squeeze of lime juice and a bit of ginger and you have yourself one damn good margarita.









What could make this situation any more perfect? Two things. Shrimp and margaritas. duh.

National Margarita Day was on Saturday and just in the nick of time for most of you clinging to your coats, scarves and blankies in knee deep snow. ick. If you aren't fortunate to be able to celebrate this occasion outdoors, there is absolutely NO reason IMHO not to turn up the heat, put on a tank top and blend up a tropical margarita this afternoon! It's quite rude not to honor holidays you know. Quite rude.


Heather from GirliChef put together a little party to celebrate this worthy National party, made up or not I've yet to find out. Who cares? If I get to mix up a margarita or two (or three) and sit outside in the fabulous Sonoran sun then I'm celebrating!

Of course, I managed to somehow miss the link up in time (see disclaimer above) and didn't realize my post didn't auto load that morning because I had to work all day. On a Saturday. On National Margarita Saturday no less. Bummer. Ah well, nothing a Papaya, Mango and ginger margarita can't fix. Mood brightened!



If you too are in need of a cold frozen Margarita, head over to GirliChef for an impressive list of margaritas. If fact, their are Margaritas on the rocks, Margarita cupcakes, drunken shrimp and more!



SERVES 2
2 cups frozen papaya and mango
1 inch piece of fresh ginger
2 limes, juiced
2/3 cup blanco tequila
4 oz. triple sec or Cointreau 

Blend, enjoy, repeat.
Chile Sugar to garnish on rim




I made a big bowl of Drunken Shrimp Pasta to go with our frozen Papaya Mango Margaritas and needles to say, we were in 7th heaven that evening sitting outside in the setting Phoenix sun sipping on our drinks and slurping up the spicy sauce from fettuccine noodles. Check back in a couple of days for the recipe, It's the best shrimp pasta I've ever had if I must say so myself.





Thursday, February 13, 2014

Perfectly Pink Sparkling Cocktails for Valentines Day: National Grapefruit Month


Did you know it's National Grapefruit month? I think its pretty funny how just about every food or beverage has a National day, week or month honoring it. Grapefruits have long been one of my absolute favorite healthy snacks and so I'm not feeling too goofy honoring the mouth puckering citrus.

According to Epicurious, grapefruit pairs perfectly with avocado which just so happens to be another favorite food of mine, even though I have a teensy weensy allergy to it. I've been trying to build up a tolerance to avocado for years by adding it to my salads, tacos or straight into my mouth via a big salty chip. This, to me is perfectly sane reasoning. Agreed? Good.

Like I was saying, grapefruit and avocado are perfectly palatable partners and it just so happens that lobster, cheese and salami also pair extremely well with the bright pink, tart citrus.

  Lobster, avocado and grapefruit salad anyone?!! 


To go with your lobster salad I'm thinking a pretty pink cocktail is in order. It's not to late to throw one (or 3) of these super simple refreshers together for Valentines Day. I've been seeing these Ice Beverage bottles all over the super markets lately and seeing as that they are zero calorie sparkling flavored waters I jumped in head first. 





Pink Grapefruit Sparkler




Ingredients:2 oz. Pink Grapefruit Sparkling ICE3 oz. white wine, preferably MoscatoMint leaves for garnish Directions: Pour white wine over ice.Top with Pink Grapefruit Sparkling ICE. Garnish with mint leaves.







A little kick of heat from jalapeños are perfect zip with sweet and tangy grapefruit.
 I love. love. love the combination of spicy and sweet. 



Jalapeño Grapefruit Martini





Ingredients: 
3 oz.  Pink Grapefruit Sparkling ICE
1 ½ oz.  Vodka
1 oz. lime juice
Lime wedge
Sliced fresh jalapeño
Chili salt for rim of glass (Kosher salt mixed with chili powder)
 
Directions: 
Use a lime wedge to rub the entire rim of a chilled martini glass, and dip into chili salt mixture. 
Combine vodka and jalapeno slices with ice in a shaker.
Strain and pour into the chilled martini glass.
Top with Pink Grapefruit Sparkling ICE. 
Garnish with a few Jalapeno slices. 




Happy Valentines Day!