Thirsty Thursday: Light and Refreshing

It may be getting colder and "fall-like" where you are, but here in the Southwest, its still going to be triple-digits this weekend. So, I was thrilled to see Rachael Ray's hubby John, whip up a "cucumber mule" cocktail that is light and refreshing. We're excited to hear he has a new book coming out in November called "My Year in Cocktails" (yes, we'll be faithfully working our way through it....). Here's a link to how to make the drink, and the recipe is below. Cheers!

Cucumber Mule
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces cucumber-infused vodka
• 1/2 ounce ginger syrup
• 2 lime wedges
• A few slices of cucumber
• Seltzer water, to taste 
• Fill a rocks glass 3/4 of the way with ice. Over ice, pour vodka, ginger syrup, lime wedges and cucumber. Stir with a large spoon. Fill the glass the rest of the way up with seltzer. 

Thirsty Thursday: Girl’s Night Out

Sometimes, there is absolutely nothing better than girlfriends getting together for a few cocktails and some great food. Last night, your fearless blog authors joined up with two old friends (okay, they are not old, they are younger than us, but we’ve been friends for a looong time) at a great St. Louis restaurant called Salt for drinks and dinner. The night evolved into constant chatter, laughter and some side-splitting conversation.

We arrived first. Sharon wanted the Salt Smash, a lovely bourbon, mint and peach syrup combo. Barb wanted something a bit more traditional – and the bartender happily made a house 1862 Manhattan using Buffalo Trace bourbon, orange curacao and bitters. Jen joined in with the aquavit-laced, slightly sour drink called “Momentary Lapse of Judgment.”  Then Sylvia arrived. She desperately wanted vodka but there wasn’t a signature cocktail on the menu that contained that particular spirit. We asked our awesome, patient waiter Katie that she request the bartender to concoct a personalized vodka drink for our friend. Sylvia listed that she wanted a fruity, summery, flirty, sparkly and fun cocktail. Moments later, the drink arrived…the cosmo-based but still unique concoction hit all of Sylvia’s requests. We love it when a bartender can use his/her creativity to make a patron happy!  

Cheers to friendship, cool cocktails, and a fun time!