Peach and Apricot Cider

Rain, rain, go away. Wow — I was just getting the chicken off the grill for family dinner when the earlier few drops of rain turned into a serious rainfall. OK, so much for Monday night tennis.

There are 2 good things from this cancellation though. One, I actually blew my hair dry earlier today (gotta look good when meeting friends for lunch) and I have to say it looks pretty good. So, now I don’t have to muss it up with sweat and showers and such.

And two. I made a batch of PEACH AND APRICOT CIDER (pg. 168 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time)  in preparation for what was to be a chilly night on the courts. And now, its MINE, all mine! I thought about saving it for book club night Wednesday, but, a.) once I tasted it, there was no getting the mug out of my hand, and b.) I can whip up something equally fun for Wednesday night.

So, before I refill my mug, here’s the recipe for PEACH AND APRICOT CIDER, courtesy of Sandra Lee.

Peach and Apricot Cider

• 2 cans (11.5 oz each) peach nectar
• 2 cans (11.5 oz each) apricot nectar
• 1 bag (12 oz.) frozen peach slices
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp. ground allspice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Cinnamon stick

In a 4 quart slow cooker, combine peach nectar, apricot nectar, peach slices, the water, brown sugar, bourbon, lemon juice, allspice, and 2 cinnamon sticks.  Cover and heat on Low heat setting for 2 or 3 hours.  Discard the cinnamon sticks.  Turn slow cooker to Warm heat setting.  Serve in mugs with additional cinnamon sticks.  Makes 10 drinks.

Now you can either take your batch of PEACH and APRICOT CIDER to a chilly evening sporting event, or keep your hair looking good, Southern style, by staying inside and enjoying a serving  or two of this cider in your favorite mug.  Like any other cocktail, I find that drinking this cider out of  a beautiful glass makes it even more enjoyable.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade cocktails

Rating time – does the Peach and Apricot Cider get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?

You’re on a roll Ms. Sandra Lee – the Peach and Apricot Cider gets a LUSH IT A LOT rating.

Definitely serve this Peach and Apricot Cider at your holiday gatherings.  Your family and friends will love it.  And I have to say at only 1 cup of bourbon for 10 servings, it is not going to knock anyone out.  You can adjust accordingly.  I’ll never tell.

Salude!

T-Cee

P.S. Click on Leave a Comment below and tell me how you enjoyed it.

Choco-Mint Martini

Mmmmmmmm.  That’s what I have to say about the Sandra Lee Choco-Mint Martini (pg. 170 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time).  Remember letting an Andes chocolate mint melt on your tongue and delighting in the velvety chocolate mint?  Well the Choco-Mint Martini is all that and more.  It’s so good, you’ll want to dash it down.  BUT, remember it is all alcohol, so sip it and ENJOY the flavors.

Here, courtesy of Sandra Lee, is the recipe for the Choco-Mint Martini.

Choco-Mint Martini

• 2 oz. mint chocolate Irish cream liqueur
• 1/2 oz. vanilla flavored vodka
• Ice

In a cocktail shaker, combine Irish cream and vodka.  Add ice; cover and shake until very cold.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time

You owe it to yourself to try this one. Let me know what you think by adding a Comment below.

Salude!

T-Cee

Sandra Lee Ginito Cocktail

As the name implies, the GINITO cocktail (pg. 164 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is, made with Gin. Not my favorite liquor. However, THIS COCKTAIL PRESENTS A GOOD CASE for Gin.

Since this recipe makes a batch of 10 cocktails, this was a perfect candidate for my Monday night tennis team.

Below, Sandra Lee shares her recipe for the GINITO.

GINITO Cocktail

• 2 cups gin (sorry, I used Gordons as I don’t usually stock this in my bar)
• 1 cup chilled pomegranate juice
• 1 cup chilled cranberry juice (I used diet)
• 6 packets sugar substitute (I used Splenda)
• 6 Tbs. lime juice
• Ice cubes, club soda*

In a pitcher, combine gin, pomegranate  juice, cranberry juice, sugar substitute, and lime juice.  Pour into glasses.  Add ice.  Top with club soda.*

*If you’ve been following my blog, you know by now that I do not like club soda, so I used diet Tonic water, which worked  fabulously.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade cocktails

My Monday night team LOVED THIS GINITO COCKTAIL. At least those 3 or 4 left hanging around after my match did.  Oh, sorry to those of you who didn’t get any cause my match went on FOREVER, and I didn’t leave the GINITO cocktail out on the food table, cause I know from experience YOU LADIES WOULD LAP IT ALL UP!!!

Anyway, I may start making 2 batches of cocktails to try – one for the early crowd and one for those of us who play loooong matches.  So, for myself and the 3 or 4 other ladies, we all gave this a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT (out of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT).

Once again, thank you Sandra Lee, for a great cocktail recipe.

Salude!

Toni

Crushed Orange cocktail

I’m assuming that the Crushed Orange cocktail (pg. 150 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is in the October section of Sandra Lee’s cocktail book because it is orange colored.  But other than that, it’s not very “Halloweeny”.

Or even orange tasting.  If you’re  looking forward to the crisp orange taste from the Orange Crush soda from days gone by, than this is not the drink for you.  But if you know ahead of time, that the CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail is not orange flavored, you can certainly whip up a batch and enjoy the sweet iciness of this cocktail. Here is the recipe for the CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail, courtesy of Sandra Lee.

CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail

• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
• 2 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 1/2 oz. orange flavored vodka

In a blender, combine all ingredients; blend.  Pour into a chilled glass.

To make the CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail more “Halloweeny”, I poured it into my Halloween glass that I got from a fun Halloween gift exchange that one of my friends hosted.  Now THAT was a fun night.  Who knew how many creative Halloween gifts there were to be found in the $15 range?  And isn’t it funny how many ‘steals’ can be made to own such fun items – just goes to show – gifts don’t have to cost a lot to be fun!

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade cocktails

Anyway, the CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail is a yummy treat.  Does it get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?

The cranberry juice nicely balances the sweetness of the pineapple juice, keeping this cocktail just this side of getting too sweet.  Which gives the CRUSHED ORANGE cocktail a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT. And really, it couldn’t be easier to make.

Get your blender (or in my case, the Margaritaville machine) out, make an ORANGE CRUSH for yourself and let me know in the comment box below what you think of it.

Salude!

T-Cee

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie cocktail

This Chocolate Pumpkin Pie cocktail (Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time pg. 148) is such a heady combination of liquors and spices, that I hardly know where to start in describing it.

So, as usual, I will tell you of how it reminded me of the tennis match this morning.  I am happy to report that all was quiet on my court.  The INCIDENT occurred  on the next court over. And of course it involved a line call. It went something like this:

Player 1: “Out”

Player 2:  “You’ve got to be kidding” (note to self – Is John McEnroe on the court?)

Player 1:  “It was Out”

Player 2:  Screeeeeeching ….. “CHEATER”

I have no idea who eventually got the point, but play resumed.  40 seconds later, Player 1 who had been called “CHEATER” whacked the ball into the face of Player 2.  A coincidence, I am sure.

Well, Sandra Lee’s CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIE cocktail is somewhat like that wake up ball in the face,  but in an infinitely better way.  The cocktail has a delightful aroma and a creamy rich blend of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and pumpkin flavors, followed by a slight kick from the cayenne pepper.

Seriously you have got to try this CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIE cocktail.  Here is the recipe, courtesy of Sandra Lee:

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie cocktail

• 3/4 oz. vanilla vodka
• 1/2 oz. Irish Creme liqueur
• 1/2 oz. coffee liqueur
• 1/2 oz. creme de cacao
• 1/8 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch cayenne pepper

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, Irish Creme, coffee liqueur, creme de cacao, pumpkin pie spice, and cayenne pepper.  Add ice; cover and shake until very cold.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade cocktails

OK.  I whipped up a batch of the CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIE cocktail and am bringing it to tennis tonight.

Hopefully, the only kick tonight will be from this fabulous drink.

Rating time!  Does this Chocolate Pumpkin Pie cocktail get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE it.  You better not call me a CHEATER when I tell you the CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN PIE cocktail gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!

This cocktail is a MUST MUST TRY!  Leave me a comment in the box below and then click on ‘submit comment’  below to tell me what you think of it.

Salude!

T-Cee

Sandra Lee Mango Madras cocktail

The Mango Madras (pg. 134 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) couldn’t have come at a better time. As the economy gets worse, the desire to return to comfort foods, drinks, and clothing from days past returns with a vengeance. Part of the return to past clothing trends is illustrated by designers latching on to the tried, tired, but never really gone PREPPY LOOK. We’ll get back to how to look (or drink) like a preppy, but first, here is the recipe for the MANGO MADRAS, courtesy of Sandra Lee.

MANGO MADRAS COCKTAIL

• 2 oz. cranberry juice (I used diet)
• 2 oz. orange juice
• 1 1/2 oz. mango rum
• ice cubes, orange wedges, and maraschino cherries*

In a glass, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, and rum.  Add ice.  Garnish with orange wedges and cherries.

*Note:  I would NEVER use maraschino cherries – fresh ONLY please!  In my opinion, Maraschino cherries are right there at the bottom of the food chain along with catfish which eat the scum at the bottom of lakes and rivers, and then people eat them – yuk!  However, in light of the fact that the MANGO MADRAS is the perfect PREPPY cocktail, I must point out that if you add the letter ‘d’ before the ‘r’ in maraschino, you get Madras Chino, which is the perfect PREPPY pants to wear while drinking the MANGO MADRAS.

So, back to PREPPY fashion.

Lisa Birnbach, author of the new book “True Prep” says that “mixing the high and the low, the spiffy new and the comfy well-worn is a prep hallmark that is particularly appealing when a bit of belt-tightening is in order” and goes on to add “Preps are some of the cheapest people I know”.

And thank you Tommy Hilfiger for pointing out that prep on the West Coast is very different from the East Coast (less color and not as much seasonal fabrics on the West Coast), but I must say, while I love your bed and bath items for kids spaces, I have no desire to wear your logo!

So, while  you won’t catch me in madras, or most likely any kind of plaid, I will NEVER NEVER give up my boat shoes when at the lake.  BUT you will never catch me wearing them with a skirt or with slacks in the city.  Which is something a PREP would definitely do.

That being said, I am eternally grateful for ANY designer or trend that gets kids out of the grunge look!

Anyway, if you, like me, continue your quest for quality fashion with a kick (not stodgy) at a reasonable price, take heart.  I am thinking of coming out with my own book, “True Peeps”

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time

In the meantime, you don’t have to want to be a PREPPY or even look like one to enjoy the delightful MANGO MADRAS cocktail.

But be careful, it goes down fast.  If you find it is a tad too sweet for you, just increase the cranberry juice and decrease the orange juice.

OK, rating time.  Does the MANGO MADRAS get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?  I enjoyed this drink and appreciate the ease of preparing it, so I rate the MANGO MADRAS cocktail LUSH IT A LOT!

Mix one up, slip on your boat shoes (or not), and tell me what you think of this cocktail in the comments section below.

Salude!

T-Cee

Sante Fe Cooler

When I first saw the recipe for Sante Fe Coolers (pg. 132 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time), I thought  ewwwww.  Because I don’t like beer.  But as I read the ingredients again, I remembered being surprised when I noticed that my much loved wine coolers were labeled ‘malt beverage’.  And my husband assured me that that meant beer.

So, I decided to make the Sante Fe Coolers – we’ll get to how my friends liked this drink, but first I have to pass on to you some information about Red Stripe Beer (an ingredient in Sante Fe Coolers) that Wikipedia provided.  Wikipedia says “With an eye towards the success of  Heineken, Red Stripe for export was packaged in green standard 12 U.S. fl oz bottles.  American consumers … were reluctant to try the brand in the States since it was not packaged in its distinctive squat brown bottle and painted label.”  Red Stripe has since become popular via reggae and other music events.

That’s all terribly exciting, but I used Heineken beer in my Santa Fe Coolers instead of Red Stripe because:

1. I didn’t feel like driving to the grocery store
2. There was Heineken in the fridge, not Red Stripe

Here is the Sante Fe Cooler recipe, courtesy of Ms. Sandra Lee:

SANTE FE COOLERS

• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (12 oz.) frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 bottle (12 oz.) beer (Red Stripe – but I use Heineken)
• 3 1/2 cups ginger ale
• 1 1/2 cups vodka (someone had left a bottle of Gordon’s at my house, so that’s what went in this)
• ice cubes, lime slices (optional)

In a small saucepan,  bring sliced ginger (I peeled it too) and water to a boil.  Remove from heat and let stand for 20 minutes.  Strain, reserving ginger water*. In a large pitcher, stir to combine thawed** lemonade concentrate, ginger water, beer, ginger ale, and vodka.  Pour in glasses over ice.  Garnish with lime slices (optional).

*2 notes about this:  1.) I can’t believe Sandra Lee COOKED!, and 2.) I did this step the day before and stored the ginger water in a sealed container in the fridge.

** I did not thaw the lemonade – I found that it easily dissolved when stirred with the other ingredients.

Also if you get Sandra Lee’s semi-homemade Cocktail Time book, you will notice from the photo above, that my cocktail is much darker in color than Sandra’s.  I suspect that is because I used a larger piece of ginger – the ginger water was quite dark. (yum).

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee Cocktail Time

If you’d like to try a wine cooler without all the sugar and chemical additives, try the Sante Fe Coolers yourself, and let me know what you think in a comment below. Be sure to let me know what kind of beer you used in your cocktail cooler.

Salude!

T-Cee