Ugh.

I haven’t experimented with all the crazy Bloody Mary ingredients and recipes out there.  I’ve been a basic Tabasco and Mr. and Mrs. T‘s kinda girl.  But today, I am trying Zing Zang‘s mix.  The wine guy at the fruit market got a little excited when I asked him where the Bloody Mary mix was located.  He briskly walked me to the secret stash of Zing Zang and with a smile on his face said, ‘It is the best,’ as handed me a bottle.  

So, what’s the verdict?

Amazing! 

It was spicy, zingy, and zangy.  The chili peppers in the mix kept the party goin’ with every sip and the vegetable juice blend was flavorful and filling.  I mean, who needs to eat dinner when they can drink it? 

So, the wine guy was right.  It is the best.  Bravo, Zing Zang!  Bravo!  You brought a little comfort to working girl dreading her manic Monday.   

Cheers. 

After a few nights of practice, I did it!  I was able to measure a few alcoholic masterpieces!  To spread the joy, here the three tasty cocktails I perfected to help you start your evening out right!  Enjoy!   

Grass Skirt

Ice Cubes

1 1/2 oz Gin

1 oz Triple Sec or Cointreau

1 oz Pineapple Juice

1/2 teaspoon Grenadine

1 Pineapple Slice

Half-fill a shaker with ice cubes.  Add the gin, triple sec/Cointreau, pineapple juice, and grenadine.  Shake well and pour (unstrained) into an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with the pineapple slice and enjoy!   

Jamaica Sunday

Crushed Ice

2 oz Jamaican Rum

1 teaspoon Clear Honey

1/2 oz Lime Juice

2 oz Lemonade

Dissolve the honey in the rum and then pour into an old-fashioned glass filled with the crushed ice.  Top with lime juice and lemonade.  Enjoy! 

Hawaiian Vodka

Ice Cubes

3 oz Vodka

1 oz Pineapple Juice

1 oz Orange Juice

1 oz Lemon Juice

1 teaspoon Grenadine

1 Lemon Slice

Half-fill a shaker with ice cubes.  Pour in the all the juices and vodka.  Shake well and strain into an old-fashioned glass.  Garnish with the lemon slice and enjoy! 

Recipes from The Cocktail Handbook

Hey Rustybeachers!  By now you have seen some of the amazingly well written posts and I begged to contribute.  I mean, who else do I know that drinks as much as I do?  I have cut back the last few years, but it kinda hurt my pride when I decided to take a slow swig into the weekend known for gluttony, booze and birds-Thanksgiving!  It is 10:30 pm on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Back in Detroit, the day is over-celebrated and quite possibly a close second or third in Drinking Holidays.  You know, New Year’s, Saint Patrick’s Day, 4th of July, Halloween, and my favorite Ground Hogs Day.  Hey, when I can make an excuse to throw a party and celebrate that rodent emerging from that hole with a keg of Woodchuck Cider, why not?  

But tonight is different.  I feel older and those two glasses of wine I had last night gave me a little fight this morning.  The 12 beers watching the Michigan State/Penn State football game translated into a two day recovery.  What is happening?  Am I losing my tolerance that I worked so hard for?  I feel like Lance Armstrong getting fat.  Speaking of fat what is that asshole, Jerod the Subway guy, going to eat tomorrow?  A turkey sub?  Wouldn’t you like to punch that douchebag?  I hope he gains 100 lbs.   

Maybe my five day booze-a-thon is better started slow.  I mean the tortoise beat the hare, right?  Why rush things? I picked up a six pack of Negra Modelo on my Schwinn after work and am already three down.  I have a game of beer pong tomorrow at a Thanksgiving get together.  And I defiantly plan on bringing out the Stoli Elit Vodka sometime this weekend.  You got to try that stuff!  Smooth like strawberry ice cream… 

I also plan on kicking it up around Friday at the LA Critical Mass Bike Ride.  Yes, it is perfectly acceptable for 500 people to assemble in Los Angeles on bicycles, ride throughout the city, and turn parks and 7-Elevens into mobile Bars-on- Wheels.  A 12 pack- in- a- backpack is a cheap night.  Plus, it is fun as hell!   

A bit about me.  It all started years ago when I thought Molson Ice was the best beer ever made.  Then Labatts.  I love the way the youth drink- kinda like evolving from Kool-Aid to coffee.  A slow transition from sweet to bitter.   Boones Farm becomes your new friend.  We have all been there, right?  Then you take a turn down the microbrew road.  Not a bad road but there seems to be a speed limit on that two lane highway so you hit the nitrous button and start into the hard stuff.  Mixed Drinks.  Rum and Coke to start off, then maybe Jack and Coke.  Yummy.  Vodka Tonics and Gin and Tonics.  You get a few of those nights that are so tough you get a jersey retired to the rafters after an amazing performance. Mine is Hot Damn.  Never, ever, again.  

Booze is always there for you.  Never let anybody tell you that you have a problem.  My friend, you have a solution.  

Cheers!
Jason