Drinks

Refreshing Summertime Shandy Drink.

beer shandy (6)

One of my favorite drinks as a young fella growing up on the islands, which I also passed on to my daughters (they prefer the sorrel version) is Shandy. Cold, refreshing and simply delicious… on those hot summer days when the mercury starts climbing up the 30’s (Celsius). While this version is alcoholic and best kept away from the kids, there’s no reason why you can’t make the kids version with non-alcoholic beer as the version I grew up enjoying.

You’ll Need…

3-4 beers (your fav – bottle or can)
5 slices of ginger
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 lemon (sliced)

beer shandy (1)

beer shandy (2)

Place the slices of ginger and lemon in a large jug or container you’ll be serving the Shandy from, then tip the container to the side and gently pour the beer in (watch the video below).

beer shandy (3)

Feel free to use a cheap beer or one you enjoy and I must mention that a Lager works best. After you’ve gone in with the ginger, lemon and beer, it’s time to add the lemonade concentrate (thawed) and stir well to combine all the flavors. While stirring I try to bruise the ginger the lemon slices to allow the flavors to really come out.

beer shandy (4)

beer shandy (5)

Try to use the lemonade while it’s still a bit slushy so it chills the overall Shandy and you won’t require ice when serving. Additionally I chilled the beer, lemon and ginger too. I find by adding ice cubes to it really takes away from the bold flavors I enjoy. I guarantee you this will be your new drink for the summer. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked by friends for the recipe and the lazy ones will simply ask you to bring a pitcher along. You can easily double or triple this recipe for a more “tusty” crowd.

Are you following us on FacebookTwitter and Instagram yet? Join in on the fun today!

Drinks

The Old Man and his Mojito.

mojito-recipeIt must have been about 8 years ago, we were doing a walking tour of Havana (still remember all the people trying to sell us Cohiba cigars) when our guide, full of excitement said…” I’m about to take you for a drink in a very special place”. Turns out it was the old watering hole of none other than Ernest Hemingway. I don’t recall the name of the place, after-all we had just done doing a tour of a rum factory and I did give every beverage they make a special test. I do remember being asked to fork out $4 for a drink that looked like leaves in a glass. Turns out it was a Mojito and those leaves were the essence of the drink..mint!

A Cuban Classic, the Mojito!

You’ll need…

1 1/2 oz Light Rum
3 tbsp (fresh) lime Juice
2 tsp Sugar
3 (Sprig) Mint
Club Soda

Directions
In a tall thin glass, crush part of the mint with a fork to coat the inside. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir thoroughly. Top with ice. Add rum and mix. Top off with *chilled* club soda (or seltzer). Add a lime slice and the remaining mint, and serve.

After some digging I found the name of the joint, it’s called La Bodeguita del Medi.

havana

This pic was taken during our tour of Havana.. a very historic (Like much of old Havana) cathedral.  The Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Havana (Cathedral of Saint Christopher of Havana)

Drinks

What on the beach?

sex-on-the-beach-drink

The first time I heard the name of this drink I couldn’t help but think..”what a rude sounding drink”. Seems like we’re still in winter, even though spring was officially announced back in March. So what do I do on a gloomy day that sucks the life out of you? I break out the boxes with our vacation pics. Then I mix up a cocktail (I really dislike that word) and relive that vacation all over again. This time I’m watching pics we took at Darkwood beach in Antigua.

The drink? Sex on the beach!


You’ll need…

1 oz Vodka
3/4 oz Peach Schnapps
Cranberry Juice
Grapefruit Juice

Directions

Add vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass. Fill with equal measures of cranberry juice and grapefruit juice, and stir.

Serve in a Highball Glass or in that mug you purchased on the islands 🙂

Here’s a pic of Darkwood beach in Antigua…

darkwood-beach-antigua