black cherry old fashioned.

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this old fashioned knows we're almost through the winter.

i have an insatiable hankering for old fashioneds during the winter. a really goooood old fashioned, though. and to sit in a dark cozy bar. one that's not so loud i have to scream at my friends. and not seated next to the door where people keep letting the cold in. preferably with a fireplace. and a big fluffy dog next to it. and then a smaller cute dog for my lap. is that sew much tew ask??

they just warm yer soul right up and come in a fun glass with fun tastes and fun stuff inside!

i'm not much of a mixologist at home - i leave that to bartenders out in the world and usually don't even think to make a cocktail at home because i am clueless on the cocktail front. but when i think of something sounds good and i don't think it generally exists in the world - i make it mahself!

i love this old fashioned with equal parts black cherry juice to whiskey or bourbon. the tartness of the black cherry juice balances out that sharp zing from the whiskey and the fresh orange zest adds SO much aroma and flavor. if you prefer a boozier cocktail, just alter the ratio of whiskey to black cherry juice.

this drank is cozy & heartwarming to enjoy during the bitter end of february, but it's also refreshing & juicy with signs of springtimes ahead. yaaaaas.

also, happy valentine's day!!!!!!!!!!!

Black Cherry Old Fashioned

Makes 1 Cocktail, easily multiplied

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp. agave nectar (or simple syrup or a sugar cube)
  • 3-4 dashes of angostura bitters
  • 1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
  • 1 1/2 ounces 100% black cherry juice (I used R.W. Knudsen brand)
  • orange zest
  • orange twist and/or cherry garnish

Instructions-

Lightly stir or muddle the agave/sugar and bitters in the bottom of your glass. Add the whiskey or bourbon and black cherry juice and stir. Add a cocktail ice cube, grate some fresh orange zest over the top, and add a cherry and/or orange peel twist for garnish & flavor. Serve immediately!

 

qp

orange julius.

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can i even call it that? i just don't know what else to call it because a "julius" is not really a "thing"...but this is an orange julius.

at home! no need to venture into the stinky mall. 

also, just take a look at the word "julius" in lowercase... it's really weird, man. but what is a julius even? a category of beverages? i take it these things were just invented by a guy named julius who enjoyed oranges. 

this girl in my 5th grade class made orange juliuses one day (?? not sure why?) and gave out the "recipe." i remember going home and making them because i looooved orange juliuses and felt like i had the ultimate secret of the universe with this recipe because this was a food item i could only possibly have when we happened to need to go buy new clothes or whatever at the mall. mi madre and i would treat ourselves to an orange julius and a crisP bean burrito from the taco time next door when we'd have to shop at the mall. we both hate shopping, so it makes sense that we had to soothe the experience with a fried burrito and frozen orange sugar drink..

my dad was there asking me what went in this recipe, and he about pooped himself when he saw that it read 1 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR. i vividly remember him being like, "there is not a CUP of sugar in ANYTHING." so i was thinking, "yikes..what's sugar? i don't really get it. but i like it, i think? i dunno, i'm 11!" this was probably my first realization/understanding that excessive sugar is not good for you.

so i made these in a much more natural approach. no sugar added.

that's all. 

enjoyyyyyeeeee.  mall not required.

Orange Julius

Makes two 16 oz. drinks

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (12 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate - (100% orange juice, no additional sugar)
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond coconut milk (I use this brand)
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 egg white
  • 8-10 ice cubes

Instructions -

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until combined, less than 30 seconds. The orange concentrate will still be quite strong, so if you want a less intense orange flavor, add extra almond milk or ice cubes. If you do want a bit of extra sweetness, add a teaspoon of agave nectar. 

Serve in cold glasses.