Classic Daiquiri for #SundaySupper

Posted on Jul 15, 2012 | 32 comments The theme of this week’s #SundaySupper is Beat the Heat – and I don’t know about you, but when I think about cooling off in summer a cold, refreshing cocktail is one of the first things that comes to mind. This classic daiquiri recipe fits the bill. With only three ingredients (rum, lime juice, and simple syrup) it’s clean and fresh, and oh so simple to make. If you’re looking for a...
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Strawberry-Rhubarb Cocktail

Posted on May 2, 2012 | 59 comments Springtime is in full bloom and that means strawberry and rhubarb in endless wonderful, beautiful combinations. I’ve got a pie coming your way soon, but today I could use a cocktail. Rhubarb is hard to come by in Israel, so when I saw some at the market I snatched it right up and began contemplating the various ways I could put this tart stalk to good use. It’s a low-alcohol,...
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Pomegranate Mojito and a Cocktail Blog Hop

Posted on Dec 30, 2011 | 50 comments Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and that means I have cocktails on the brain. One of my favorite cocktail discoveries as of late is this refreshing Pomegranate Mojito that was concocted by my friend Ben Brewer of Israel Food Tours. I came upon it while doing research on Jewish cocktails for an article in the Jewish Daily Forward and simply fell in love. Although in the article I proposed it as a...
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A Tropical Cocktail for a Tropical Storm

Posted on Aug 27, 2011 | 26 comments I know everyone on the East Coast has already stocked up on groceries and other essentials this weekend in preparation for Hurricane Irene, as we all watch every moment of its journey North. My sister and many other friends had to evacuate from Red Hook to higher ground in Manhattan, and relatives in Long Island had to do the same. I wish I had a pantry meal ready to go for those who are...
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The Israeli Summer, aka Sparkling Limonana

Posted on Jun 10, 2011 | 10 comments Limonana – refreshing lemonade infused with mint (nana, in Hebrew) – is the national drink of Israel. It’s sold year round as soda and juice flavors and come summertime this is practically all anyone drinks. Considering how ubiquitous the beverage is in Israel, and how simple and delicious it is, I can’t believe it isn’t more popular worldwide. It is just...
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Cocktail Hour: Mustard Batons

Posted on Jun 3, 2011 | 12 comments Over the last few days I’ve given you recipes for simple syrups, grenadine, and maraschino cherries. You’re all set to get creative with your home bar and make some cocktails. Now I need to feed you. Can’t have all drinks and no food. That’s when things get messy. Not at my party, thank you very much. These mustard batons are perfect for your next cocktail hour, whether...
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Homemade Maraschino Cherries

Posted on Jun 2, 2011 | 21 comments As a follow-up to my post on flavored simple syrups, today we’ll be making homemade maraschino cherries. You’ve had maraschino cherries before. Those candy apple red, overly sweet, gummy drops sitting in neon syrup, found at the bottom of Shirley Temples and atop ice cream sundaes. Nostalgic, yes. Also full of corn syrup and artificial flavors. I wanted to make my own. When I told a...
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Four Simple Syrup Recipes and a Grenadine to Kick Start Your Summer

Posted on May 31, 2011 | 38 comments As it gets hot out we’re all reaching for cold beverages to cool us down. Here, four simple syrup recipes to sweeten any drink, from a sparkling non-alcoholic mint lemonade to a boozy Mojito. Plain simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water, simmered until the sugar dissolves. This is crucial for sweetening cold beverages since sugar crystals won’t dissolve easily in icy liquid....
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Kumquat Martini Smash

Posted on Feb 17, 2011 | 5 comments It’s Thursday, and I’m sure we can all use a cocktail by now. I know I can. I came up with this the other night in an attempt to put the beautiful kumquats I had to good use. They’ve arrived at the shuk, big beautiful baskets of perfect little ovals to be purchased by the kilo. I remember the first time I tasted a kumquat. I was a child attending the American Academy of Arts and...
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Ode to the Negroni

Posted on Oct 28, 2010 | 3 comments Bittersweet and slightly medicinal, The Negroni is easily my favorite cocktail. It’s not for everyone. And that’s ok. Meant as an aperitif to whet the appetite I will happily sip on Negronis all night. In Israel there’s been no shortage of good beer, but good cocktails and spirits are harder to come by. That’s why my face lit up when I discovered a liquor store near my...
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