This summer I am obsessed with any delicious concoction featuring RUM! Rum is the ultimate summertime beverage, calling to mind those amazing tiki bar/beach partymovies like Gidget (circa 1959) with Sandra Dee and her dreamy leading men The Big Kahuna and Moon Doggie...and Beach Blanket Bingo with Annette Funicelo and Frankie Avalon!?
Summer always takes me back to those classic "The Brady Bunch go to Hawaii" re-runs or any episode of Gilligan's Island, The Love Boat or Fantasy Island! Besides...wouldn't any of those tv shows or movies be much funnier with a few fresh & fruity cocktails made with rum?! ;)
My current favorite is the Mai Tai...created by the legendary Trader Vic (Victor Bergeron) in 1944 and introduced to the Hawaiian islands in the 1950s. Mai Tai is Tahitian for "out of this world" as declared by his guest when creating this new drink for her. I love this quote about Trader Vic: "His pungent vocabulary and ribald air made him a popular host, as did his potent tropical cocktail concoctions and delicious Americanized adaptations of Polynesian food." Visit Trader Vic's website, you will learn the story behind this adventurous man and his penchant for making the world's best rum cocktails!
Trader Vic's Original Mai Tai
2 ounces 17-year-old Jamaican rum
1/2 ounce orgeat (almond syrup)
1/2 ounce orange curacao
Juice of one fresh lime
1/4 ounce rock candy syrup or Simple Syrup
Lime slice for garnish
Sprig of mint for garnish
Shake ingredients and pour into an ice-packed glass. Garnish with lime and a sprig of mint.
Makes 1 serving.
Mel's Raspberry Lime Mojito
This is a staple at my house in the summer time! So easy to make...and very few calories! Enjoy!
1.5 ounces Bacardi rum (clear)
Seltzer water (flavored raspberry or lime)
1/2 ounce of Simple Syrup (or omit to save calories)
1/2 lime, cut into wedges
A few sprigs of fresh mint
A small handful of fresh (or frozen) red raspberries
Pour the rum into tall metal shaker (or pint glass).
Add in the fresh mint, raspberries and lime wedges, muddle with rum in the bottom of the glass with a wooden spoon.
Shake ingredients and pour into an ice-packed glass.
Add in simple syrup & fill the glass with Selzter.
Garnish with lime and a sprig of fresh mint.
Makes 1 serving.
Planter’s Punch
•1-1/2 oz. dark Rum •1/2 oz. lime juice •1/2 oz. lemon juice •3 oz. orange juice •1 teaspoon white sugar •Dash of grenadine syrup •Ice to fill •Fill a tall glass with ice. •Combine all ingredients in a shaker, and strain into the glass. •Garnish with a fancy umbrella, a cherry & orange slice. [Source: Tastings.com]
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! I am very thankful for my loved ones and friends...I am truly blessed! Sending much love, peace and joy to all.
Bon Voyage, 2009...you were terrific! Hello, 2010...looking forward to some new adventures!
Did you know that...."In Spain, revelers mark the New Year by quickly eating a dozen grapes at midnight. Why not adopt the tradition by serving them with a glass of Champagne?"
Or, skip the champagne and use seltzer instead...very healthy! :) - mel (Source: Visit Martha Stewart.com for all sorts of wonderful New Year's decorations, idea and recipes!)
GOOD LUCK TRADITIONS
Enjoy this list of international traditions believed to bring good luck for the new year! - mel
In Spain when the clock strikes midnight the people eat 12 grapes. One grape for every stroke of the clock to represent each month in the year. Each grape is said to bring good luck in the new year.
In Puerto Rico children enjoy throwing pails of water out the window at midnight. Some believe that this rids their home of any evil spirits!
The people of Switzerland believe good luck comes from letting a drop of cream land on the floor New Years Day.
In France, people eat a stack of pancakes for luck and good health.
Belgian farmers wish their animals a Happy New Year for blessings.
Armenian women cook a special bread for their family. The bread is kneaded with luck and good wishes pressed into the dough before it is cooked.
In Northern Portugal, children go caroling from home to home and are given treats and coins. They sing old songs or "Janeiro's" which is said to bring good luck.
Romanians had a tradition of listening to hear if the farm animals talked on New Years Day. If the animals talked it was considered bad luck so they are relived when they do not hear any talking animals.
In Bolivia families make beautiful little wood or straw dolls to hang outside their homes to bring good luck.
(Source: www.essortment.com)
TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Do any of these sound familiar? I think we all have thought about what we'd like to do to improve our lives each year...take a look and see if any of these resolutions inspire you! Remember, baby steps...don't try to tackle all of these at once...and don't be afraid ask family and friends to help support each other in these positive efforts! -mel
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by GeneralNutritionCenters, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant or host a casual dinner party. Enjoy your free time! Work shouldn't always come first.
2. Get Fit
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.
3. Lose Weight
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of Pittsburgh's holistic healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.
8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, visit local museums or take art classes at a local community center.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Connect with local charitable organization in your town or through work. Or, if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. You may even consider a professional organizer to get you started!
Thank you to my friend and fellow blogger Camper English for his amazing cocktails and spirits blog called Alcademics.com! He is a prolific writer and published author out of San Francisco and shares this article called "Punch Party" at CHOW.com with lots of yummy punch recipes. Thanks Camper! :)
Here is my recipe for Cran-Razz Holiday Punch:
2 Cups Vodka
4 Cups Cranberry-Raspberry Juice
1/4 Cup Rose's Lime Juice
1/2 Cup Pomegranate Liquer
2 Cups Lime Flavored Seltzer Water
Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl. Add a large block of ice or molded ice ring to keep it cold. Garnish with sliced limes, oranges and frozen raspberry cubes. Serves about 20 people, or 10 very thirsty (and tipsy) party goers!
To make frozen raspberry cubes:The night before the party, take a few empty ice cube trays, put a raspberry in each cube, fill with cran-raspberry juice and freeze overnight.
OPTION:Instead of serving in a punch bowl, you can just pour into martini glasses! :)
Mel's Raspberry Lime Mojito 
