Sandra Lee Apple Sour Cocktail

Sandra Lee’s Apple Sour Cocktail (pg. 142 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is a just right mix of sweet and sour flavors.

This is just what I needed after a day of schlepping around, measuring windows, visiting fabric stores, Home Goods store (which I love), and the big box store, Lowe’s.  Lowe’s is where I finally found something perfect for a kitchen window in my camp – nothing fancy, but definitely not kitschy. Ok, before I get too carried away, here is the recipe for the Apple Sour cocktail, courtesy of Sandra Lee.

Sandra Lee Apple Sour

• 1 1/4 oz. green apple flavored vodka
• 1/4 oz sour mix

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka and sour mix.  Add ice; cover and shake until very cold.  Strain into prepared glass.

OK, back to me. I selected a Levelor cordless cellular shade that the Lowe’s associate trimmed according to the measurement I made- and I might say she insisted that it had to be cut 1/2 inch smaller than my inside window frame measurement. More on that later.

Anyway, the manufacturer claims that this shade can be installed in 15 minutes. Are you kidding? It took me 20 minutes to find the drill (for the pilot holes), and a phone call and add’l 10 minutes to find the proper bits and put them in the drill. So that’s 1/2 hour so far. Then I had to place the 2 thingees on the window to measure where to drill the holes (another 10 minutes as I had to climb on a counter and the light wasn’t that great). But I have to say the actual drilling of the pilots took only 4 minutes. So, now I’m into this for 44 minutes.

Who knew drilling screws in an upward direction was so hard? Is there a trick to not stripping the darn screws? Half way through, I got a regular screwdriver to finish up and that was actually easier than the dang drill. (this step easily took me 20 minutes). So far, 64 minutes.

Then I had to fuss with the endcaps for 5 minutes. BUT THEN, the directions virtually stop, merely saying ‘shade attachment’ with a very vague picture. OK, this took me a full 20 minutes. Now having done this step, I see that it would only take a minute next time. But this first installation took me 89 minutes! An hour and a half!

They look great, but then I stepped back and decided the Lowe’s associate should not have trimmed an extra 1/2″ – I think her machine thingee already compensated for the raising and lowering of the shade, cause it sure would look more finished with the extra 1/4 inch on each side. Hoo Boy! It still looks pretty good.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time

Now, those of you who have been following my blog know that I did manage to squeeze in a trip to the liquor store (it was right next to the fabric store!) for my Sandra Lee semi-homemade cocktail ingredients. The Apple Sour cocktail was a breeze to make and truly took only 5 minutes to make. Perhaps I should stick to what I know best?

OK. Does the Apple Sour get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? This delightful easy end to my day definitely rates a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!

Try it yourself while you’re enjoying the new Fall TV shows, and let me know what you think in a comment below.

Salude!

T-Cee

A youthful combination of berries

The Mixed Berry Daiquiri (pg. 124 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is a cocktail full of anti-oxidant rich blueberries, raspberries and strawberries. So it was a fun Girl’s Night and an exercise in creating a youthful appearance!  We were certainly feeling younger by the end of the evening.

My friends and I do not rely on Science for this, we just know what we know and we know when we are feeling younger.  Any questions?

Mixed Berry Daiquiri (feel younger cocktail)

• 3 oz frozen mixed berries
• 1 3/4 oz sweet and sour mix
• 1 1/4 oz spiced Rum (I used Cpt. Morgan)
• fresh mixed berries (for garnish)

In a blender (I used my Margaritaville) combine ice, frozen berries, sweet and sour mix, and rum.  Cover and blend until smooth.  Garnish with fresh berries. Pour into a chilled glass.  Serve with a straw.  (We decided it was too thick so I added another 1/2 oz of the sweet and sour mix).

Be sure to make a blender full when you have a group of friends over.   And modify the ingredients for thickness – if you use more frozen berries and more ice for example, you will have a thicker cocktail.  Add more sweet and sour mix as I did, and you will have less requirement to use a straw.  Then let the party begin.

T-Cee review of Sandra Lee cocktails

OK, time to rate this cocktail. Do I give the MIXED BERRY DAIQUIRI cocktail a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?
Because the MIXED BERRY DAIQUIRI cocktail was delicious and made us feel so youthful, it gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT.

So, invite your friends over and mix up a blender full of Mixed Berry Daiquiri cocktail. Leave your comments below to tell me what you think of this anti-oxidant rich youthful cocktail. (don’t forget to click on ‘submit comment’)

Salude!

T-Cee

Watermelon Spritzer. If you love watermelon, you will love this watermelon cocktail (pg. 104 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time).

WATERMELON SPRITZER

Makes 4 drinks
• 4 cups watermelon, cut in chunks, seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 cups sparkling water, chilled (I used Pellegrino)

In a blender, combine watermelon, sugar, and lime juice. Cover and process until smooth. Strain into a pitcher. Top with sparkling water. Pour into glasses and serve. Thank you Sandra Lee for the cocktail recipe.

My friend was at my house, working hard on completing drapes for my family room. She loves watermelon, so I whipped up a batch of the Watermelon Spritzer. This worked out great because it is an alcohol free cocktail, and we do want the drapes to hang evenly after all!

We both loved this cocktail. Then I got to wondering, why didn’t I like the Watermelon Fizz (May pg. 83 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) when I like this Watermelon Spritzer so much? They both have fresh watermelon and some version of lime added. What was the difference then? The Watermelon Fizz had watermelon vodka in it and the Watermelon Spritzer did not. Was this the difference?

In the name of research, I added a shot (1oz.) of watermelon vodka to my cocktail and tasted that. It still tasted great. Comparing recipes, I noticed that the Watermelon Fizz used club soda, while the Watermelon Spritzer used sparkling water. And it must be said, I do not like club soda. Tonic water – yes. Sparkling water – yes. Club soda – NO.

So that clears up that mystery. If you like club soda, you might want to give the Watermelon Fizz cocktail a try too.

But either way, do try the Watermelon Spritzer cocktail. With or without the watermelon vodka.

Does the Watermelon Spritzer get rated Semi-HomeTested LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? My friend and I both agree, the Watermelon Spritzer gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT! Thank you Sandra Lee.

Salude!

T-Cee

The Jersey Orange Cream cocktail is like an orange creamsicle without all the cream.  This blend of orange and vanilla vodkas and lemon-lime soda is so easy to make and is  the perfect refreshing finish to a hot summer day.

I spent the hot humid summer day covered in sunscreen and hanging out with family and friends on the Lake. My last day this summer at the Lake. But wait. There’s time for one more cookout with our lake buds. So I take the Wave Runner out for one more spin, race back to the house, fight for my turn for the shower. Ahhh. Feeling refreshed and ready for the next adventure. But wait. Hubby ran out for potato salad to take to the cookout.

So there’s time for a cocktail. Love Cocktail Time. But Wait. What to make, what to make… Hmmm, I spy the bottle of orange vodka, and the rest is history. Here is my recipe for the Jersey Orange Cream.

Jersey Orange Cream

Pour the following over a glass of ice:

• 1 oz. Orange Vodka (I used Smirnoff)
• 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka (Smirnoff)
• 4 oz. Lemon-Lime Soda (I used Fresca)

Does this get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? The Jersey Orange Cream cocktail gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!!!

I hope you’re having as great a summer as I am.

Salude!

Due to the underwhelming response to the drink I made for the 4th of July (the Kissable, pg. 110 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time), my siblings and I furrowed our brows and came out with this winner.

Well, it was actually the brainchild of one of my siblings, who owned a bar a few years back. Hence, this fabulous cocktail is named after her. From this moment forward, it shall be known as the PHILLY de CACAO or the PHILLY.

Here are 3 EASY steps to create this oh so delicious, lip smacking treat:

1.  Get out your blender and add:

• 1 oz. Orange Vodka

• 1 oz. Creme de Cacao

• 1/2 cup Orange Creme Sherbet (ice cream)

• 1/2 cup ice

2. Blend for 30 seconds

3.  Drink and say ‘aaahhhh’

Does this get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?  There is no question about it, the PHILLY (de Cacao) gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!

Salude!

What’s not to like about Irish Cream and coffee liqueur? That’s what you get with the Shimmering Shiver (pg. 98 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time). And what could be simpler than pouring a generous amount of each liqueur with ice in a blender?

Easy, breezy, but easy does it – this one goes down super fast!

And did I earn this one! Yes, I was out trimming the trees and bushes in the back yard. And then I sprayed weed killer – there is just no keeping up with weeds by merely pulling them. I have given up on ‘organic’ gardening, much like ‘natural’ childbirth. What’s so special about pain? Or pulling weeds?

Crikey, it’s hot hot hot outside! But I love to hang out in my back yard when everything is nice and trimmed and I’ve got ice in my glass topped with a little somethin’ somethin’, and life is grand.

Make a Shimmering Shiver for yourself and let me know what you think.

Now, did I give the Shimmering Shiver a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? The SHIMMERING SHIVER gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!!!

Salude!

Another beautiful Monday night! Playing tennis. Life is good. We were having a great time, and then we heard a bunch – and I mean about 20 kids – messing around in the parking lot. They seemed harmless enough, and in fact, were very respectful when I asked if they were from the neighborhood.

They were not from our neighborhood, and we’ve been having a lot of trouble with vandalism, so, I had to let them know that these were private courts. Jeeeez. Now I’ve become the old FART.

When exactly does that happen? One day you’re out raising hell. Then you finish school. Then you get married… have a couple of kids. Then you’re still rolling along pretty good and one day, just like that, BAM! You become the rule enforcer.

Crap. Anyway, we play tennis for a couple of hours. And then the real social hour of social tennis begins. We retire to the bench and break out the cocktails.

So, tonight, I bring LEMON CREAM MARTINI (pg. 91, Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time). Woo Hoo! This mix of vanilla vodka, lemon liquor, with a splash of lemon-lime soda (I used diet 7-up) was a HUGE success. I did not bring the lemon rimmer to the courts, as it is just too much to mess with at the tennis courts. However, DO use the lemon rimmer on your martini glasses at home – it is soooo delish!

Time for the tennis group to vote – did the LEMON CREAM MARTINI get rated LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? This was given a hands down Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT A LOT!

Tip: Mix up a big batch of the LEMON CREAM MARTITNI sans the 7-UP in a tightly sealed container. Then add the 7-UP to each serviing at the courts (or where ever your group is getting together). Be sure to bring lots of ice – this is best served really cold.

Salude!