Summer Beers

The summer is here and with it is the barbecue, the beach, the pool. Nothing beats the heat better than a nice ice cold beer and my suggestion this year is the case of mixed Mexican beers including Tecate, Sol, and Dos Equis. Buy some lime and you can forget about Corona or Corona Light.

A mix of beers from light to dark makes the mixed case good for groups where Corona might be played out. Sol is the lightest and most like Corona, but I enjoy a good ale so I like the Dos Equis dark the best. Another suggestion is the Modelo, which is more of a German kind of beer made in Mexico (originally by Austrians).

Enjoy. Dos Cervecas por favor

Cinco de Mayo - the aftermath

Okay, our turnout wasn't what was expected, but the muddler came in handy and the strawberry margaritas will be a large portion of this summer's fare. Using fresh strawberries and strawberries in light syrup made the margaritas amazing. Getting out the Grenadine stains from the floor - not so much.

The mexican beer wasn't used much which is to my benefit as I have left over lime and lemon to add to it and a new bench out my window. The summer is starting and Cinco de Mayo is going to last for at least a month.

One day left - Party, Party. Party.

I got a muddler, haven't used it yet, but tonight looks good for a Mojito - no recipe needed, you can find them anywhere, but tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and the menu is set.

Margaritas (mostly frozen) - Standard, Mango, Strawberry, Mojo, Catalina, Blue Skies, Midori.

Mojo Margarita
1 1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
Sweet & Sour Mix
Splash of Grapefruit
Splash of Cranberry Juice

Catalina Margarita - Mix with Ice
1 1/4 oz Tequila
4 oz. Sweet & Sour
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. Peach Schnapps

Blue Skies Margarita - Mix in Pitcher, serve over ice.
5 oz. Tequila
3 oz. Blue Curacao
2 oz. Rum
2 cups sour mix

Midori Margarita - Garnish with Melon Balls
1 oz. Midori
1 oz. Tequila
1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix

Tequila Cocktails - Cinco de Mayo, Tequila Sunrise, Pineapple Sunrise, Arizona Sunrise, Chihuahua, Pepper Eater, Green Mexican, Envy & Passion (See last post), etc. The menu will be rated after the party. You can look most of these up on line, but I will post the whole menu soon.

See you soon (after the hangover).

Yummy Yummy in my Tummy

Our countdown is on and we have a few more items to add to the list.

Advice to all: Get fresh lime juice when you can, but you can buy real lime juice to use instead of sweetened unless the recipe calls for sweetened lime juice. It helps tart up something with pineapple or other sweet juices.

Some new drinks that fit our Cinco de Mayo theme are below. Make them and you will have friends green with Envy or filled with Passion. The final menu will be out on Friday (May 4) and will be heavy on Margaritas.

Envy

• 1 1/2 oz. Silver Tequila
• 1/2 oz. blue Curacao
• pineapple juice
• Maraschino Cherry

Pour the Tequila into glass of choice
Fill with Ice cubes
Add pineapple juice and stir well
Top with Blue Curacao, stir lightly
Garnish with Cherry

Passion

• 2 oz. gold tequila
• 3 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. lime juice
• 2 oz. Grand Marnier (substitute SoCo or Triple Sec)
• Lime slice

Mix Tequila, Cranberry juice, and lime juice in shaker with ice
Strain into chilled stemmed glass.
Splash with Grand Marnier
Garnish with Lime

Finally we have one more drink because I was bored with Tequila and wanted some Rum.
I made up a name but if someone comes up with something better let me know.

Mexican Sunrise

Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice
Lemon Lime Seltzer
2 oz. Bacardi Limon
1 oz. Grenadine
1 oz. Lime juice

Fill tall glass with Ice and 2/3 high with Grapefruit juice and lemon-lime seltzer
Pour in Bacardi Limon
Splash with Lime Juice and then Grenadine
All the ingredients settle into layers and blend like a sunrise or sunset.
The drink is light and refreshing and is a great drink for sitting and sipping as the sun goes down.