The Intoxicologist

Beverages do not always have to include liquor as requirement for refreshment. Nor does every gathering lend itself to alcohol consumption. Yet, everyone wants that extra zip and zing that adds the touch of flair and unique to their summer get-together. Everyone wants to serve the cocktails or mocktails that will be remembered. It is the ‘remember when’ moments that get us by during the mundane times. 

 

Mighty Leaf Tea takes refreshment to new heights with stimulating recipes for spring and summer getaways. Whether it is a barbeque, afternoon by the pool or on the go, Mighty Leaf Tea mixes things up with a unique spin on traditional tea. You may drink tea for the taste alone or for the many health benefits, but either way, now is an excellent time to begin experimenting with this fun mixer in cocktails and mocktails. Tea adds sharpness and depth to drinks that otherwise cannot be found with fruit juices and sugar additives single-handedly. 

 

Begin by trying two mocktails the Mighty Leaf Tea way. Mighty Leaf Organic Spring Jasmine turns the refreshing Green Tea Granita into something special by giving it a light and healthy feel. By placing the Granita in a cocktail or margarita glass with special garnish this frozen concoction goes from ho-hum to heavenly. The refreshing factor is sure to please with its chipped ice feel. 

 

Green Tea Granita – created by Chef Jacinto

6 Mighty Leaf Organic Spring Jasmine Tea Pouches

3 Cups water

4 Tablespoons honey

1/4 Teaspoon ginger powder

A pinch of salt

 

Pour boiling water over tea pouches. Steep for 5 to 6 minutes. Add honey, ginger, and salt to taste. Stir until dissolved. Pour into an 8 by 8 shallow pan and place in freezer. Fluff mixture with a fork every 30 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and icy. The Granita should be ready to serve in 2 to 2-1-2 hours. Serve individual portions in margarita glass. Serves 3 – 5.

 

The Mighty Leaf African Nectar Arnold Palmer goes for a spin with its ease of preparation. Frozen tea ice cubes and your favorite lemonade is all it takes to turn this tea cooler into an on the go favorite.  Whether you choose to serve this one by the pitcher or in a champagne flute it will be a crowd pleaser every time.

 

Mighty Leaf African Nectar Arnold Palmer – created by Chef Jacinto

2 Cups water

4 Mighty Leaf African Nectar Tea Pouches

4 Cups of homemade or your favorite lemonade

 

Bring water to a boil and pour over tea pouches. Brew for 5 to 7 minutes and let cool. Pour tea into an ice cube tray and set in freezer. Fill Tea on Tap carafe with iced tea cubes and lemonade. Serves 3 – 5.

 

Find the Mighty Leaf Tea collections and more online at www.mightyleaf.com. 

 

Find many more Non-Alcoholic Mocktail Recipes in article form and listed individually by name within the last weekly wrap-up post on The Intoxicologist Is In site.  Living Grand & Teenie: Low Calorie Cocktail & Drink Recipes contains cocktails and non-alcoholic Mocktails for low calorie living.

 

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Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

Going low calorie and non-alcoholic for the New Year means fresh and exciting concoctions for the martini glass.  Two versions of the tried and true Lemon Drop Martini come to life in creative ways below thanks to Courtright’s award winning restaurant in Willow Springs, IL.  Courtright’s serves exceptional service and dining experiences for their guests.  They also recently offered a few recipes to AAA for safe holiday consumption and party planning.  Their Mocktail Candied Lemon Drop recipe illustrates radiance in a glass.  Delicious in their original recipe, but equally superb as a low calorie alternative.  One would never know sugar-free syrup and all natural sweetener acted as substitutes.  Definitely give this low calorie Mocktail recipe a whirl.

 

Mocktail Candied Lemon Drop

Courtright’s, Willow Springs, IL

1 ounce Monin Vanilla Syrup

1 ounce Real Lemon Juice

6 ounces Pineapple Juice

Club Soda

Lemon Twist Garnish

Sugar for Rim

 

Rim large chilled martini glass with sugar.  Combine all liquid ingredients (except club soda) in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake.  Strain into sugar rimmed martini glass.  Add splash of club soda.  Garnish with lemon twist.

 

Mocktails - Drink Recipes & Photos with Mocktail listing

 

Candied Lemon Drop – Low Calorie Revision

Adapted by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

1 ounce DaVinci Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup – 0 calories

1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice – 8 calories

6 ounces Dole Pineapple Juice – 100 calories

1 packet True Lemon – 0 calories

1 packet Sun Crystals all natural sweetener – 5 calories

Lemon Twist Garnish

 

Combine packets of True Lemon and Sun Crystals.  Rim martini glass with fresh lemon.  Dip rim into lemon and sweetener combination.  Set aside.  Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake until chilled and frothy.  Strain into rimmed martini glass.  Garnish with lemon twist.  Total calories: 113

 

Find many more Non-Alcoholic Mocktail Recipes in article form and listed individually by name within the last weekly wrap-up post on The Intoxicologist Is In site.  Living Grand & Teenie: Low Calorie Cocktail & Drink Recipes contains cocktails and non-alcoholic Mocktails for low calorie living.

 

Lemon Drop Cocktails w/alcohol added

Dos Lunas Acai-berry Lemon Drop – Pinky Raspberry Lemon Drop – VeeV Lemon Drop

Pomegranate Lemon Drop Martini – Ultimate Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini – Raspberry Lemon Drop

Italian Lemon Drop

 

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

 

Do you follow a favorite super hero through the pages of comic books?  If so, you might be interested to know that today has been set aside as National Comic Book Day.  Perhaps a masked man wearing spandex tights will be lurking around the corner handing out free comic books.  Better yet a damsel in distress (with broken high heel shoe of course) about to be preyed upon by some evil bad guy will be in your path today and you can swoop in to save the day.  You will be the super hero of your own comic book. 

 

Who are the favorite super hero comic book stars of all time anyway?  I don’t really have the answer to that question, but the top answer on my Twitter page hands down was Spiderman. 

 

White Spider

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1 teaspoon Simple Syrup

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a cocktail glass. 

 

White Spider starts sweet first and then moves to tart quite quickly.  Right away it smoothes again with a vanilla finish leaving one with the feeling that another sip is in order to decipher what just happened.  This is similar to extremely well made lemonade that will come around full circle and bite you where it really counts if you keep sipping and wondering what just happened.  Soon enough the White Spider will let you know it just did you in.

 

Back in the day of Spiderman cartoons on television all the guys thought Angelica Jones, A.K.A. Firestorm, was the bomb…or bombshell that is.

 

Bombshell

1 part Tequila

2 parts Dry Marsala

Splash Campari

Splash Cherry Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

 

Combine the ingredients in a rocks glass over ice.  Garnish with lemon twist.

 

Iceman was also one of Peter Parker’s college friends who always plunged from the sky on his own super ice ramp.  Sure beats a ski lift any day, but imagine the melt down cleanup…

 

Frostbite

1 ounce Tequila

3/4 ounce White Crème de Cacao

3/4 ounce Heavy Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake until cream becomes nice and frothy.  Strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with grated nutmeg.

 

Frostbite makes a fabulous dessert style cocktail.  Use tequila with kick to it; something with depth of character, spicy in base.  Skip the mixto and go for 100% agave with pepper, vanilla and caramel note to complement the cacao and nutmeg.  This drink recipe isn’t too heavy on sweetness, but long on satisfaction.

 

Batman fans are truly in luck.  As one Twitter user pointed out Batman’s character strengths were his lack of ‘super human power’.  His super power happened to be detective work and dedication to honing his physical perfection.  It didn’t hurt that he was massively wealthy and could afford every super toy imaginable, but that’s another story.  Batman’s character list is long as well as the cocktail recipe possibilities that could be paired with any number of them friend or foe.

 

The Dark Knight

1-1/2 ounce Sambuca

4 ounces Cola

1/2 ounce Homemade Grenadine

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

 

Build in a highball glass over ice, topping off with grenadine as float.  Garnish with maraschino cherry.

 

Gotham Martini

3 ounces Smirnoff Vodka

1/2 ounce Blackberry Brandy

1/2 ounce Black Sambuca

3 Blackberries for Garnish

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled one-third full of ice.  Shake ten to fifteen seconds.  Strain into a well chilled martini glass.  Add blackberries on a skewer for garnish.

 

Gotham – created by Robert Hess 2002

1/2 teaspoon Absinthe

3 dashes Peach Bitters

2 ounces Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

 

Coat a chilled small rocks glass with absinthe.  Add peach bitters and brandy.  Garnish with lemon twist.

 

Cat got your tongue?  Drooling over the feline qualities of Cat Woman with her nicely ripped up and haphazardly sewn together leather duds?  Every girl needs an outfit like that with whip and high heels to match.

 

The Reluctant Tabby – created by Gary Regan

1-1/4 ounces Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Limoncello

1/4 ounce Scotch Whisky

Lemon Twist Garnish

 

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into a wine goblet.  Garnish with lemon twist

 

This is just a fun little cocktail.  The Reluctant Tabby plays up Dubonnet Rouge with fantastic appeal.  Possibly it’s the Scotch that downplays the sweet factor of limoncello.  Whatever it is, it just works.  Dubonnet just rolls over the tongue with luscious sophistication and flavor.  Love this little sipper.  Gary Regan created a winner here…of course.

 

Cat’s Eye

2 parts Gin

1-1/2 parts Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Kirsch

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Water

 

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake until frost forms on the outside of the cocktail shaker.  Strain into a chilled goblet. 

 

If the Joker happens to be your favorite villain with his wicked grin…

 

Dry Smile

1 part Mandarin Vodka

1 part Cinzano Extra Dry

1/2 part Orange Curacao

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

1 tablespoon Strawberry Syrup

Pineapple Juice to Taste

Strawberry Garnish

 

Combine vodka, Cinzano, Curacao, lemon juice and strawberry syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend.  Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.  Taste.  Add pineapple juice to create the desired finished taste to your liking.  Garnish with strawberry.

 

The most bizarre, albeit fun, answer I received when asking about superhero favorites was Bananaman.  This was one I’d never heard of, but saw a short video firsthand as ‘proof’ of his existence.  It appears he begins as a boy, so it seems appropriate this superhero begin with a Mocktail recipe rather than cocktail. 

 

Banana Coffee Break

10 ounces Milk

4 tablespoons Coffee Powder

5 ounces Vanilla Ice Cream

2 Bananas – sliced and frozen

Brown Sugar to taste

 

Pour milk and coffee powder into blender and combine.  Add half of the ice cream and combine again.  Continue to add remaining ice cream until all is thoroughly blended.  Add bananas and brown sugar to desired sweetness level.  Blend until thoroughly combined.  Divide mixture between two glasses.  Garnish with fresh banana slices if desired.

 

Since adults enjoy a good read about Bananaman…the adult cocktail to suit those needs.

 

Banana Cocktail

1 part Advocaat

1 measure Crème de Banane

1 ripe Banana

Club Soda

 

Combine Advocaat, crème de banane, and banana in a blender with one cup ice until thoroughly blended.  Pour into a chilled highball glass.  Top with club soda. 

 

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Top 10 Classic Cocktails - 21 Must Try Classic Cocktail Recipes - Top 10 Popular Shot Recipes

 

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Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

One must love the succulently sweet taste of pineapple and coconut to thoroughly enjoy this Mocktail creation, but then again, why not?!  Chi-Chi à la mode turns out creamy, smooth and delicious.  It is the non-alcoholic version to its vodka based cocktail hour cousin, Chi-Chi.  Winter may come rapping at the door soon, but don’t let that curb the desire for blended cocktails.  They are still the perfect pick-me-up to winter blues when it is all gloomy outdoors.  Snuggle up under warm blankets by the fire and whip up an easy blender Mocktail or cocktail and remember the days of summer are just ahead. 

 

Chi-Chi à la mode – adaptation by The Intoxicologist

Serves 4

1/2 Fresh Cored Pineapple

3 ounces Coco Lopez

3 ounces Half & Half

2 cups Ice

Fresh Pineapple Spears Garnish

Whipped Cream

 

Cut pineapple into chunks.  Place pineapple chunks, Coco Lopez, half & half and ice into blender.  Blend until mixture is completely smooth.  Pour into four cocktail glasses.  Insert pineapple spear garnish.  Top with dollop of whipped cream. 

 

Chi-Chi

1 ounce 42Below Vodka

1/2 ounce Coco Lopez

1/2 ounce Pineapple Juice

1/2 ounce Half & Half

1/2 to 1 cup Crushed Ice

Fresh Pineapple Garnish

Whipped Cream Optional

 

Blend liquid ingredients and ice together in blender until mixture is completely smooth.  Pour into Hurricane glass.  Garnish with fresh pineapple and whipped cream if desired. 

 

Mocktails - Toxi-Tails A-Z - Cocktails - Low Calorie/Low Carb

Drink Recipes & Photos with Mocktail listing - Mocktail Recipes with 10 Fruity Twists

10 Crowd Pleasing Mocktails - 10 POM Wonderful Mocktails & Smoothies

10 Summery Mocktail Recipes

 

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

This non-alcoholic cocktail gives a little zing to the watermelon and raspberry combination with the addition of ginger ale rather than adding in tonic water or plain club soda.  The Ginger Melon is lightly refreshing, not too sweet and easily put together for a winning combination. 

 

Ginger Melon – created by The Intoxicologist

6 Watermelon Chunks

5 Raspberries

1 Lemon Wedge – Squeezed

Ginger Ale

1/2 ounce Grenadine

2 Raspberries Garnish

 

Muddle watermelon, raspberries and squeezed lemon juice in bottom of mixing glass.  Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.  Top off with ginger ale leaving room for 1/2 ounce grenadine float.  Garnish with 2 skewered raspberries. 

 

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·         Toxi-Tails A-Z

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·         Drink Recipes & Photos with Mocktail listing

 

The Intoxicologist on Twitter: @intoxicologist

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

 

Copyright 2009 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved