COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: Kahlúa Espresso Martini

By Christabelle…

With spring here , it’s time to stow away the mulled spices and the hot chocolate and converse with friends and loved ones over a springtime drink! Invite your friends over for Sunday brunch and treat the whole gang to yummy afternoon cocktails with Kahlúa that are sure to bring a smiles to the entire room.

Originating in Veracruz, Mexico in 1936, Kahlúa has become the number one selling coffee liqueur in the world. Relying on two of the region’s finest ingredients—sugarcane and 100% Arabica coffee—the resulting flavor is as rich and distinct as the vibrant, multicultural region from which it comes.

It is 5PM SOMEWHERE!

Kahlúa Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

1.5 parts Kahlúa
1 part ABSOLUT VODKA
1 fresh brewed espresso

How to mix it: Fill a shaker with ice, add Kahlúa, ABSOLUT VODKA and a fresh brewed espresso. Shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martini glass.

(21+ – please drink responsibly)

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: Mai Kind of Tai with Leblon

By Christabelle…

The first day of Spring just passed us, our days are warmer and longer, our thirst is, well…thirstier. Time to get prepared for sunset drinks and rooftop cocktails and what better to start off the sunny weather season with a bang? Leblon Caipirinha…but of course!

The Caipirinha is the national cocktail from Brazil. Made from fresh lime, muddled with natural sugar, and mixed with Cachaça and ice, the Caipirinha is a cultural classic. The classic Caipirinha is made with fresh lime. Or, make a Fresh Fruit Caipirinha with your favorite in-season fresh fruit, such as pineapple, raspberries, watermelon, or tangerines. Add herbs such as mint, cilantro, or basil for a unique twist. Or a dash of red pepper…

Caipirinha of the Month

Mai Kind of Tai

• 8 oz Leblon
• 4 oz pineapple juice
• 4 oz orange juice
• 2 oz Triple Sec
• splash of grenadine
• 10 chunks of fresh pineapple

Muddle fresh pineapple in a carafe. Add ice, Leblon, triple sec, pineapple juice, orange juice and splash of grenadine. Stir very well, pour into a Leblon Carafe and serve on the rocks. Garnish with some fresh pineapples inside
Simply delicious and refreshing! Perfect for a long day at the Rooftop pool.

(21+ – please drink responsibly).

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: Avión Sunshine

By Christabelle…

At 2 AM on March 13, tired men and women will turn their clocks forward one hour, marking the beginning of daylight savings time. But just because you have one less hour in your day, doesn’t mean you have to skip happy hour! In honor of daylight savings, Avión recommends the Avión Sunshine, made with the extraordinary smooth tasting Avión Tequila.

Ingredients 1 ½  oz Tequila Avión Aňejo 1 oz. Apple Flavoured Liquor (can use apple from concentrate as a sub) ¼  oz. Pear Juice Splash of Egg White Dash of Fresh Lemon Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
Method In a shaker add all ingredients over ice then shake and strain. Avión Sunshine can be served either straight up or on the rocks and garnish with a thinly sliced pear. (21+ – please drink responsibly).

Pop a Pringle into ANYTHING…

By Christabelle…

I have spent my life a Pringles Potato Chip fan.  That cylinder…that crunch…a little bit of salty heaven on my tongue.  Making duck lips out of them (y’all know what I am talking about). But it NEVER dawned on me to bake with them, until a came across a recipe for PRINGLES BROWNIES (yes you heard me correctly)…and decided the world needed to know about this savory sweet, tasty treat (that you can bake in your very own kitchen). If you can get through the recipe without devouring all the ingredients – go the eco-chic way and place the finished brownies BACK in the pringles container to gift to your favorite someone (feel free to make that me!).

Below is an original recipe for PRINGLES Brownies, created by professional Chef Kyle Shadix.

PRINGLES Brownies

• 6 ounces baking chocolate, unsweetened
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1-6.41 ounce can of Original PRINGLES, regular or  1-5.71 ounce can of Original Reduced Fat PRINGLES, regular
• 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

1.       Preheat oven to 350 F

2.       Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, and spray foil with cooking spray.

3.       In a glass bowl, microwave chocolate and butter on high for 2 minutes.  Stir until chocolate melts.

4.       In a stainless steel bowl, mix sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well mixed.

5.       Pour in butter chocolate mixture and mix well.

6.       Empty PRINGLES and flour into a food processor, and puree until very fine.

7.       Empty flour mixture into chocolate mixture and mix well; add nuts to distribute.

8.       Bake for 30 minutes, and cool.

I just drooled…

Nothing Better than a Fritter on a Cold Winter Day!

By Christabelle…

Baby, its cold outside, so stay inside and make these YUMMMMY Apple Fritters created by Mario Batali…and then send me some

The Macallan Apple Fritters

2 large eggs

¼ cup whole milk

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

1/4 cup The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old whisky, plus 2 oz for topping

8 cups extra-virgin olive oil, for deep-frying

6 green apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced into ½-inch-thick rounds

2 cups vanilla gelato

Cinnamon, for dusting

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Slowly add the flour, about 3 tablespoons at a time, whisking until incorporated. Stir in the sugar and The Macallan. Allow the batter to stand for 10 minutes.

In a large deep pot, heat the olive oil to 375° F. Working in batches of 3 or 4 dip each apple slice into the batter, add to the hot oil, and cook until golden brown. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Place 5 fritters on each of four plates, in an overlapping circle. Place a scoop of gelato in the center, sprinkle with cinnamon, add a tablespoon of The Macallan over the gelato and serve.

***Created by Mario Batali