Parrot Perch

Day 74

Parrot Perch

3.5 shots out of 5

Where did the weekend go?  I swear it just began.  Back to the routine tomorrow.  Weekend's just about over which makes it a perfect time for a cocktail!  Parrot Perch is what is on the menu for tonight's cocktail.

I gave tonight's cocktail 3.5 shots out of 5.  This is a pretty good cocktail.  It isn't strong in the banana department like some of my other cocktails have been, but I can definitely taste the difference when I use an actual banana instead of just the banana liqueur (I like the liqueur better).  It's a nice cocktail.  If you were offering me another one I'd take it, but I don't think I'd order it at a bar.  I'd want something else with a little bit more flavor.  That being said, I'm glad I tried it.

Here is the recipe for Parrot Perch:

• 1 1/2 shots coconut rum
• 1/2 shot triple sec
• 1 small banana (I used a little more then 1/2 of a large banana)
• 3 shots orange juice
• 1 shot banana liqueur

In a blender add 1 cup ice, rum, triple sec, banana, orange juice and banana liqueur.  Blend until all of the ice is gone and as is the banana.  Pour and enjoy!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Here's to finally trying an actual banana in one of my cocktails instead of just the liqueur!

Cheers!

The Cocktail Lady

Volga Boatman

Day 69

Volga Boatman

1 shot out of 5

One of my newest liqueurs to acquire a space on my shelf is the cherry liqueur.  Tonight is our first meeting, and I have to say......I'm not impressed.  I will give it another shot down the line if I find a cocktail that it's in that I think sounds good, but until then, it will sit on my shelf.

I gave tonight's cocktail 1 shot out of 5.  I gave it 1 shot and not 0 because I did go back for 3 whole sips just to make sure that it was as bad the second and third time as it was the first.  It was.  One of my very first cocktails I'd ever really liked was a screwdriver.  I thought this would be a nice twist to it with the cherry liqueur......no such luck.  I'd rather have just had a plain old screwdriver, which there is nothing wrong with.  Oh well, can't win them all and tonight definitely proves that!  

Here is the recipe for a Volga Boatman:

• 1 1/2 shots vodka (cherry vodka "might" have been better)
• 1 shot cherry liqueur
• 1 shot orange juice

In a shaker add ice, vodka, cherry liqueur and orange juice.  Shake up your ingredients really well to get them all mixed up well.  Strain your cocktail into a chilled martini glass and add a cherry (if you like).

Here is a photo of tonight's cocktail:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

I hope to find another cocktail to try the cherry liqueur in that I really do like!  Let me know if you have any recipes that include it!

Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Mother Earth

Day 67

Mother Earth

4.5 shots out of 5

Happy Earth Day!!  To celebrate I made a Mother Earth cocktail I found online!  I have to admit this cocktail sort of looks like my Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martini, but definitely tastes a lot better!  I am really enjoying this Mother Earth on Earth Day!

I gave tonight's cocktail 4.5 shots out of 5.  I'm convinced that it's the banana liqueur that makes this cocktail great.......but I'm sure it's because I'd bias and love the stuff!!  These ingredients actually all work well together.  I shook this cocktail up really well and made it kinda frothy on the top which I think adds to its yummyness.  I would definitely make this cocktail on Earth Day again....and on other days when I'm feeling Earthy....or even when I'm not feeling Earthy and just want a good cocktail.  Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!  We sure did here, the weather was amazing and gave us all the charge we needed.

Here is the recipe for Mother Earth:

• 1 shot vodka
• 1/2 shot banana liqueur
• 1 1/2 shots orange juice
• 3/4 shot pineapple juice
• 1/4 shot grenadine

In a shaker add ice, vodka, banana liqueur, orange juice and pineapple juice.  Shake it up really well so that you get some foam on top.  Strain your cocktail into a martini glass.  Then pour your grenadine down the middle on the glass and enjoy!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

(Sorry this photo if a bit blurry)

Here's to Earth Day and a very yummy Mother Earth cocktail!!

Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Tootie Fruity

Day 61

Tootie Fruity

3 shots out of 5

Here's to........yet another........song in my head!  I decided to try another cocktail from the site that I had found through Pinterest that had given me that great recipe for Liquid Marijuana.  This cocktail they call Tootie Fruity.  I have to say that my Liquid Marijuana didn't look like the one on their site......and neither does this one.  Score another one for Photoshop.  I admit, their photos for Tootie Fruity, as well as the photo of the Barbie Cocktail that's been going around (here's a link to their photo and mine on my blog) do look a lot cooler in color then mine.  I have to say though, if I'm going to make a cocktail at home from someones blog I found online, I want it to look (at least for the most part) like theirs does.  That's why I'm not photoshopping my photos.  I want you to see exactly what I see.  Sure I can make tonight's drink look neon purple if I want to, but that's not what you're going to make at home, so why should I mislead you in thinking that that is what you're going to get?  Anyways.....onto the cocktail.

I gave tonight's cocktail 3 shots out of 5.  It's a good cocktail......but nothing special I must say.  It kinda reminds me of how a screwdriver tastes--It's a good cocktail, sure, but nothing like some of these fruity cocktails I've been making.  Can't say I'd initally order this cocktail and pay $9 for it (sober), but I can say that if I've had a few and don't know what to have next this would be a safe cocktail.  I think that if you added more of one juice then the others to let it be the dominate juice, that might help.


Side Note: Check out "My Shot System" link on the left side bar under the Table Of Contents title!  I have put into words my shot system so that now you all can understand exactly what I'm thinking in my head when I rate these cocktails!!

Here is the recipe for the Tootie Fruity:

• 1 shot vodka
• 1/2 shot triple sec
• 1 shot cranberry juice
• 1 shot orange juice
• 1 shot pineapple juice

In a hurricane glass, fill it 3/4 with ice, then add your vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, orange juice and pineapple juice.  Stir it up real well and drink!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Here's to not photoshopping my photos and knowing that what you see here is what you get!  Well except for the fact that all of our monitors are calibrated a bit different so we will all probably see tonight's cocktail in a very slightly different shade of yellow.

Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Gilligan Cocktail

Day 45

Gilligan

4.5 shots out of 5

Another cocktail to give me a "theme" song in my head, just like the Ninja Turtle!  I'll need to go watch something on TV or read more of my book to get something else in my mind after I type my blog.

I gave tonight's cocktail 4.5 shots out of 5.  The Gilligan is an easy cocktail to drink.  It's not a super sweet syrupy cocktail at all.  The Malibu rum gives it a good coconutey taste while the banana liqueur puts a nice spin on the coconut.  I think I'm going to have to share the rest of my cocktail with my husband though because I gave him one sip and I got the "mmm, that's good" approval.  This banana liqueur is really surprising me!  It doesn't over power the cocktails that I've made with it so far, like the After Sex I made the other night.  It surprises me because I would just think that the banana flavor would kind of take over, but it just compliments what it's mixed with and gives only a subtle hint of banana, which is nice.

Here is the recipe for Gilligan:

• 3/4 shot malibu rum
• 3/4 shot light rum
• 3/4 shot banana liqueur
• 1 1/2 shots orange juice
• 1 1/2 shots pineapple juice

In a shaker fill with ice, malibu rum, light rum, banana liqueur, orange juice and pineapple juice.  Shake it up really well to mix all of the ingredients up good.  Pour your entire mix into a tall glass and enjoy!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Cheers to Gilligan, The Skipper, The Millionaire,  Eunice, Ginger, Mary Ann and The Professor!

The Cocktail Lady 

After Sex

Day 42

After Sex

5 shots out of 5

Guess what?!  I've got a new liqueur for you all to try, Banana Liqueur.  Can I just say, YUM!!  I remembered seeing a few cocktails with this liqueur in it so when I was at the store I bought a bottle.  I flipped through my Bartenders Black Book tonight and found this little yummy cocktail.

I gave tonight's cocktail 5 yummy shots out of 5!  After Sex is a simple cocktail to make and oh so yummy!  The banana taste is quite good!  This is a cocktail that you could drink quite quickly, which makes it a good/bad choice, depending on the night.  My husband and I are taking turns sipping this After Sex cocktail and I have a feeling a second one will be made here shortly.  This liqueur will defiantly be participating in my blog in the future!

On a side note, we just got a new "bar" to house all of the new alcohols, liqueurs and cocktail glasses I am buying!  WOW, I didn't realize how much stuff we had until I had to load it all into our bar.  

Here is the recipe for After Sex:

• 1 1/2 shots vodka
• 1/2 shot banana liqueur
• 3 1/2 shots orange juice
• 1/2 shot grenadine

In a shaker fill with ice, vodka, banana liqueur and orange juice.  Shake it up really good to get all the ingredients to mix up well.  Pour your cocktail into a hurricane glass and top with grenadine.  

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

I am having a blast writing this blog, I sure hope you are all enjoying reading it and maybe even trying some of these great cocktails!  Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Georgia Peach Cocktail

Day 34

Georgia Peach

5 shots out of 5

I did it!!  OK, so what did I do?  Well I found the recipe for a Georgia Peach in my bartenders book as well as tons of different ones online.  In all of the confusion, I tried the one in my bartenders book......thought it was ok, and amended it just a little.  My product, something that actually does taste like a peach AND it's yummy!!!!

This cocktail makes me want it to be summer already!  What a refreshing cocktail!  If ever you're in the mood for a cocktail, but don't want it to be too alcoholy or have that vodkaey taste to it, reach for a Georgia Peach!  I gave tonight's cocktail 5 shots out of 5 because it's light, refreshing and it has that "Oh Yea, I forgot how yummy peaches are" taste to it!

Here is the recipe for the Georgia Peach:

• 1 shot peach schnapps
• 1 1/2 shots cranberry juice
• 1/2 shot orange juice

Fill a highball glass 3/4 the way to the top with ice.  Add the peach schnaps, cranberry juice and orange juice.  Stir up your cocktail, sit back and enjoy!!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Mmmmm, hope you all enjoy this one as much as I am!!  

Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Mango Orange Creamsicle Cocktail

Day 26

Mango Orange Creamsicle

5 shots out of 5

Um.......Perfect!  WOW, it amazes me that I can recreate a taste sooo perfectly!!  Well it amazes me that I can create a cocktail that actually tastes good for starters, but to have it taste just like the real thing?  WOW.

I gave tonight's cocktail 5 shots out of 5 because, well.......I really like creamsicles!  I added some mango to it to give it a little bit of a different taste to the common Orange Creamsicle (which there's absolutely nothing wrong with).  The mango is not overpowering at all, there's just enough of a subtle hint that you "just" know it's there.

I'm having a LOT of fun with these puree's I bought.  Keep your eyes peeled for more banana and mango (ooohh, or both together would be fun) flavored cocktails to come!  I can't wait to head back to the store and choose a couple new flavors!  Wonder which ones I should choose.  Have any of you had cocktails with any different flavors of the Finest Call purees that you would recommend me try next?  Let me know!

As always, if you have a favorite cocktail that you would like for me to try, please email it along with its recipe to me at cocktailady@gmail.com, I'd love to hear from you!

Here is the recipe for the Mango Orange Creamsicle:

• 1 1/2 shots vanilla vodka
• 1/2 shot orange curaçau
• 1 shot mango puree
• 2 shots orange juice
• 1/2 shot cream

In a blender, add a cup of ice, vanilla vodka, orange curaçau, mango puree, orange juice and cream.  Blend until all of the ice is gone (no little pieces left).  Pour into a margarita glass and enjoy!!

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Here's to a cocktail that brought me back to eating an orange creamsicle as a kid!

Cheers!!

The Cocktail Lady

Fuzzy Navel Cocktail

Day 18

Fuzzy Navel
4 shots out of 5

Tonight's cocktail is the Fuzzy Navel.  Let me tell you, when I was looking through my cocktail books and online for the recipe for the Fuzzy Navel......boy did I find some other "interesting" names for similar cocktails!  I went with the original name: Fuzzy Navel.

I either haven't ever had a Fuzzy Navel, or it's been sooo long since I've had one that I honestly didn't remember what was in it.  WOW if this isn't yet another easy cocktail to make, and a yummy one at that!!  I really enjoyed this cocktail, as did the group of friends we had over.  One of our friends liked the Fuzzy Navel so much that he wanted to learn how to make it himself.  My husband also enjoyed it and made himself 2 of them as well, so needless to say tonight's drink was a hit!

On a side note, ever since I had made the Sea Breeze one of my good friends had been dying to try it, so I made a couple of them for the ladies and they enjoyed them so much that one of them asked for another!  My good friend who had requested the Sea Breeze had told me that I have shown her the light and that she will no longer be just a vodka cran girl either (like me)!  I was happy to hear that because through this challenge I have made and enjoyed so many yummy cocktails that I would hate to have any of you (especially one of my friends) still settle for just a vodka cran.  All in all it was a great cocktail night with some great friends.

Here is the recipe for a Fuzzy Navel:

• 1 shot vodka
• 1 shot peach schnapps
• orange juice

This is an easy cocktail to make.  Fill your glass (I used the Bud Vase I had purchased a couple weeks ago) almost to the top with ice.  Pour in your vodka and peach schnapps.  Fill the rest of the glass with orange juice and stir it all together.  Enjoy this refreshingly yummy cocktail!

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Here is a photo of the end result:

This is definitely a cocktail to make at your next party!

The Cocktail Lady

Barbie Cocktail

Day 9-updated

A BARBIE COCKTAIL

2 shots out of 5

For those of you who are pinners (my pinterest term for all of us that pin, haha) on Pinterest, you've all seen the ah-maze-ing photos of some of these cocktails, food items, clothes........the list goes on and on.  Well I along with many of you assume that these photos (for the most part) are totally legit.......I mean, why wouldn't they be, right?  That opens up the doorway for tonight's cocktail, a Barbie Cocktail.

On Pinterest there was this beautiful photo of this drink that was called Barbie Cocktail, I knew I had to eventually try it!

WOW, what an amazing looking drink!  That color is amazing too.  So I decided to try it out for Day 9 of my year of cocktails.....actually a friend of mine had asked if I'd do it sooner then later please, so I decided to do as she asked and do it now while it's still fresh on all of the pinners  minds.  I checked out the ingredients and couldn't figure out how on Earth they got it to be that color of a neon pink......but hoped that I'd make it and it would magically become the amazing color I saw in the photo.   Oh and check out those...bubbles??  Wait a minute.......  

Here is the recipe for a Barbie cocktail:

• 1 shot Malibu rum
• 1 shot vodka
• 1 shot cranberry juice
• 1 shot orange juice

In a shaker put add about 6 ice cubes (oh no I'm becoming more like my husband as I don't give you an exact amount of ice cubes to put in!), Malibu rum, vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice.  Give it a good shaking and then pour it into your glass through the strainer in your shaker, and...........enjoy?  or not.

As you can see I gave tonight's cocktail 2 shots out of 5.  I was feeling generous.  In my honest opinion, the fact that you put the same about of Malibu rum as vodka into this cocktail makes me raise my eyebrow (The Rock-style).  

Here is a photo of the end result:

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

You be the judge of what you see here and on other websites.  Don't always believe what you see, hear, etc.  Thank you for pulling up a bar stool for my first week plus a couple days of my Year of Cocktails!!  See you tomorrow!!

Cheers to Barbie!

The Cocktail Lady

  

Red Rooster

Day 6

FAT TUESDAYS COCKTAIL: RED ROOSTER

2 shots out of 5

Tonight's drink in honor of New Orleans Fat Tuesday is a Red Rooster.  One of my goals is to honor as many Holidays, States, Countries and Famous People as I can in my 365 days.  Tonight is my very first cocktail in doing so.  Tomorrow night will be my second, so stay tuned!!  If you know of a popular cocktail that a holiday, state, country or famous person (will be honored on their birthday) is known for and you also know its recipe, please send it in to me at cocktailady@gmail.com and you may find it featured as one of my 365 cocktails!

You may ask why I chose the Red Rooster out of the many Fat Tuesday cocktails out there.  The honest answer is, it was more or less one of the only Fat Tuesday cocktails that I could find that I already had all of the ingredients for at home.  Today was a non-stop busy day here for me, so I didn't get a chance to plan out tonight's drink or run to the store to purchase any ingredients I didn't already have.  

I gave tonight's cocktail 2 shots out of 5.  I wasn't entirely impressed with its taste.  I have a feeling the amount of ice that goes into the glass was a factor in me not being impressed with it.  It's a super easy drink to make which is a plus, but I'd rather make something with twice as many ingredients and like it, then make this one and not really care to finish it.

Here's the recipe for a Red Rooster:

• 2 shots vodka
• 4 shots cranberry
• 1/2 shot orange juice (yes just a 1/2.....odd)

Fill a tall glass up with ice.  In the glass I used, I filled it up to about a good inch and a half from the top.  Reason being, I wouldn't be able to stir all of the ingredients up if it was filled completely to the top with ice.  If I would have used a different glass, like my Husbands Hurricane I would have been able to fill it a bit higher.  Next you add the vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice.  Finally you simply stir it up and you're done.  

Now as you know all I "used" to drink was vodka crans, rum & cokes or beer.  I have to say, after only 6 days.....I no longer want to drink those cocktails.  Especially after drinking tonight's cocktail which was more or less a vodka cran, not including the 1/2 shot of orange juice.

Here is a photo of the ingredients:

Here is a photo of the end result:

Happy Fat Tuesday!

The Cocktail Lady

Buck's Fizz

Day 3

BUCK'S FIZZ

(2 shots out of 5)

If you haven't noticed, I just officially changed my rating system from stars to shots!  A friend of mine gave me the idea last night and I thought it was brilliant!  Day 3's drink is Buck's Fizz, which is a three ingredient cocktail.....hey, at least it's not a 2-ingredient one!.  I was hosting a Party Lite party and decided to open up the bottles of champagne we "still" had from New Years (we're not big champagne drinkers, can you tell) and make something with them for the ladies to sip on.  

My non-champagne liking friends (like me) thought this drink was...aahhh, ok.....for a the few sips that fit into those plastic champagne glasses that you have to put together yourself before putting anything into them.  The ladies that did like champagne enjoyed their Buck's Fizz.  

I personally found that I was bribing myself (like I have to do with the kids sometimes) to finish my Buck's Fizz, saying that when it's done, I can make myself something else that I will really like.  So I took the bait, finished the Buck's Fizz and moved onto my Husbands Hurricane!  Speaking of my husband, as he's looking at my computer monitor he makes the observation that so far all of the 3 drinks that I've made, are more or less the same color!  Now I'll need to get to the store and buy some of those different flavored liqueurs that are green and blue and what not.

Here's the recipe for Buck's Fizz:

• 1 shot of orange juice
• 1 dash of grenadine
• 2 shots of chilled champagne

You can make this drink in a champagne flute or a wine glass, whichever you prefer.  First pour the shot of orange juice in the glass, then the dash of grenadine.  Next stir the two ingredients together.  Finally pour in the two shots of champagne and enjoy.  Or not, haha.

In one of the photos below you can see the amount this makes in a champagne flute.  If you put it into one of those plastic champagne glasses (the non-flute style) it will fill the glass completely.

Here is a photo of the ingredients:                                      Here is a photo of the end result:

Cheers to Day 3!

The Cocktail Lady

Sex On The Beach

Day 2

SEX ON THE BEACH 

(4 stars out of 5)

It's day 2 and I reinvented an old favorite of mine which I had actually completely forgotten about until tonight. The cocktail: Sex On The Beach!!  I had really forgotten how much I used to enjoy this cocktail.  It's super easy to make and YES it has more then 2 ingredients, go figure huh?  Up until a couple nights ago when I started this blog, I can't remember the last time I had an actual cocktail instead of a beer.  I have to say that I am very glad I took on this 365 day challenge, because I am really enjoying these mixed drinks.  Don't get me wrong, I sure do enjoy a nice cold beer......especially with baseball season right around the corner, but I have to admit that I am thoroughly getting a kick out of making these cocktails.

Tonight's drink I gave 4 stars out of 5.  I absolutely enjoyed this drink, but there's something about Husbands Hurricane that I like a little bit more.  Both drinks I would absolutely order at a bar hands down......just....not at the same time, don't want to give off the wrong impression.

Here are the ingredients to make a Sex On The Beach:

• 1 shot of Vodka
• 1 shot of Peach Schnapps
• 2 shots of Cranberry Juice
• 2 shots of Orange Juice
• 2 shots of Pineapple Juice
• 6 ice cubes (yes 6 of them once again)

Put all of the ingredients into your shaker and either shake it up or stir it up really good.  You always want to get these drinks as cold as you can which is accomplished by creating them inside your shaker.  Once you start shaking or stirring, it makes the shaker itself get cold where your drink is and that's what helps get your cocktail cold faster!

After all of that shaking and stirring is done, you can pour it into a glass like the one below, or 2 shorter glasses.  This is a MUST try, especially is you enjoyed Husbands Hurricane!  

     Here is a photo of the ingredients I used:                    Here is a photo of my end product:

Happy mixing!

The Cocktail Lady

Husbands Hurricane

Day 1

HUSBANDS HURRICANE COCKTAIL

(5 stars out of 5)

Day One of my Year of Cocktails and I didn't have to search far to find my first cocktail recipe.  My husband has his own version of a Hurricane that I MUST say is absolutely awesome!  Now my husband isn't one for "measuring" anything, he just adds and pours and announces how much he's put in.  Me on the other hand, I have my measuring cups, spoons and shot glasses with me and ready to use so that I know exactly how much of each item I'm adding in.

Tonight's drink I give 5 stars out of 5!  This is absolutely an amazing drink.  There are quite a few different ingredients to make it......maybe all of the different ingredients is why I've never ventured away from my "vodka cran" and "rum & coke" 2-ingredient cocktails when I'm making a drink?  I think too many ingredients used to scare me, but not anymore!  I'm a cocktail adventurer now!  Bring on the multiple ingredients.

OK, so here's the recipe for "Husbands Hurricane Cocktail":

We made this drink in a cocktail shaker.  You can make it in your glass if you like, but it's less messy in a shaker, especially if you choose to vigorously stir it instead of shaking it in the shaker.

In your shaker put:

·                     6 ice cubes (see I told you I like to measure and know exactly what I'm adding into my cocktails)

·                     1/2 of a shot of Myers's Rum-original dark  (yes it's supposed to have the s's in Myers's....I had to double check)

·                     1 shot of Malibu Caribbean Rum with coconut liqueur

·                     1/2 of a shot of Bacardi Rum (the clear one)

·                     1tsp of Lime Juice

·                     1tsp of Cointreau

·                     2 shots of Pineapple Juice 

·                     2 shots of Orange Juice (you can use the kind and pulpiness you like, mine has to be Pulp Free)

·                     1 Tbs of Bar Syrup (which is the same thing as Simple Syrup)

Now you can either put your shaker top on it and give it a real good shaking, or you can stick a stir stick in it and give it a good vigorous stirring.  You can either pour it all into a glass like the one below, or choose to share and pour it into 2 shorter glasses.  Lastly pour a little swirl of Grenadine into your cocktail for a cool effect.  That's it, now you get to enjoy the awesomeness that is "Husbands Hurricane".

This is definitely going to be one of my new regular drinks to make.......now that I know how!  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

   Here is a photo of the ingredients I used:                                          Here is a photo of the end product:

Enjoy!,

The Cocktail Lady