Blue Lagoon Cocktail

The Blue Lagoon cocktail (pg. 122 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is another summer mix drink made with blue curacao. This BLUE LAGOON however is also made with gin which is not a particularly favorite cocktail ingredient of mine.

It is interesting however, that I made the BLUE LAGOON on the same day that I was surrounded by a ‘sea of blue’ – I’ll explain that later, but first, here’s the mix drink recipe, courtesy of Ms. Sandra Lee.

Blue Lagoon cocktail drink

• Superfine sugar (I used regular sugar)
• 3/4 oz gin (I used Seagram’s)
• 1/4 oz. vodka
• 1/4 oz. blue curacao
• 1 splash lime juice (I used Rose’s)

Wet the rim of a (tall shot) glass with water.  Dip rim in sugar.  In a cocktail shaker, combine remaining ingredients, add ice cubes.  cover and shake.  Strain into glass.

Note:  Use a tall shot glass for this – the small quantity gets lost in a cocktail glass unless you fill it with ice first.

OK, now you’ve got the recipe, go ahead and make one and enjoy my ‘sea of blue‘ story .  Actually, it’s not a long story.  I was simply taking my son to practice at the school which is being renovated. Not only is the school campus a mess, the streets surrounding it are also a mess – some streets are blocked off entirely and entrances and exits to various parts of the campus have been changed.

So, I decide to follow the two cars in front of me that are going down a street next to the school. They appear to be driving with no hesitation, so I figured they knew where they were going. Zip, Zip, around the corner – no problem. Zip, Zip, into a parking lot which I assumed they must know is a back way through the construction.

WRONG. Those two parked their cars and the officers in each of the cars got out and made a bee line for the building – apparently they were late for work and the parking lot was the precinct back lot. And of course the split second I realized this, an iron gate slammed behind me locking me in the parking lot. Now I look around and realize I am surrounded by a ‘Sea of Blue‘, so I burn rubber racing around the parking lot to catch up with the last officer entering the building, roll down my window,and yell “hey, do you know how I can get out of here?” She looks at me like I’m from mars and says “how’d you get in here?” I indignantly reply “I followed you”. (I’m thinking, I’m a taxpayer and what the hell kind of security is this? – but I wisely keep this thought to myself). So, the officer has to get on her talky thingee and get some guy to remotely open the gate, and I make my escape. Not bad for 7AM! I wonder what else I’ll do today.

T-Cee reviews Sandra Lee cocktails

I really didn’t get into any other trouble that day, but that evening, I did make the BLUE LAGOON cocktail in honor of my Blue Sea adventure.

So does the BLUE LAGOON cocktail get a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT? The BLUE LAGOON cocktail drink was not particularly tasty – even a bit bitter. Although the BLUE LAGOON cocktail was a tad better when I threw it in a glass of ice, I have to give it a Semi-HomeTested rating of LEAVE IT. Sorry Ms. Sandra Lee.

Salude!

The Ciroc Blue Ocean cocktail (pg.122 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is a delightfully fresh summer drink. And it gave me an excuse to use some of my favorite liquor glasses. You’ll see when you make this blue curacao inspired drink, that it makes a very small quantity. So although in her recipe, Sandra Lee just specifies to ‘strain into a glass’, I found that the quantity just gets lost in a regular 6oz. cocktail glass. So when you make the Ciroc Blue Ocean cocktail, dig out your tiny 3 oz. glasses. And although this cocktail is more a shot size drink, you won’t want to down it like a shot, you’ll want to sip this one and savor the flavors.

Ciroc Blue Ocean (cocktail)

• 1 oz. vodka (I used Smirnoff)
• 1/2 oz. blue curacao
• 1/4 oz. grapefruit juice
• 1 splash sugar syrup
• Thin lemon or lime slice

Fill a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.  Add vodka, blue curacao, grapefruit juice, and sugar syrup.  Cover and shake vigorously.  Strain into a glass.   Garnish with lemon or orange slice.

T-Cee review of Sandra Lee cocktails

OK, time to rate this cocktail. Do I give the Ciroc Blue Ocean cocktail a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT, or LEAVE IT?
This is a tiny but beautiful summer cocktail and gets a Semi-HomeTested rating of LUSH IT.

So, if you can’t go to the ocean, kick off your shoes and enjoy the Ciroc Blue Ocean cocktail. Leave your comments below to tell me what you think of this blue curacao inspired cocktail. (don’t forget to click on ‘submit comment’) Or tell me about your favorite blue curacao cocktail.

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!

Kissable? NOT SO MUCH! This cocktail (pg. 110 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) of orange flavored Vodka (I used Pinnacle), white creme de cacao, and milk sounded promising, but produced no fireworks!

I got super excited when I looked at the back of the creme de cacao bottle and read “rich chocolate liqueur”, but at least in this KISSABLE cocktail, it was anything but rich tasting! The blend of orange and chocolate should have been a no brainer, delicious combination — But it just fell flat.

Maybe it was because the recipe called for using milk? Normally I prefer to use milk rather than cream in a cocktail, but I think because both the creme de cacao and the orange vodka are clear liquids, adding milk made it look very watered and unappetizing and produced a weak candy bar taste. Using cream would certainly improve the look and texture of the drink.

Regardless, given a choice of LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT,or LEAVE IT, my 4th of July family gathering unanimously voted the KISSABLE a Semi-HomeTested rating of LEAVE IT.

Sorry, once again Ms. Sandra Lee.

Fortunately, we had the good old Margarita standby on hand. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July celebration.

Salude!

PS – See you at the Real Housewives of NY, Bethenny (Frankel/Hoppy) wedding!

I wonder how many cocktails in the Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time book include the word “Fizz”. In May, the Watermelon Fizz was a fizzle, and so too is this month’s entry of CAPRI FIZZ.

The CAPRI FIZZ (pg. 108 Sandra Lee semi-homemade Cocktail Time) is a mix of bitter Italian aperitif (I used Campari), strawberry nectar, and strawberry vodka. The Campari is bitter (being a bitter Italian aperitif and all) and I think, is an acquired taste. I thought the addition of the strawberry nectar would soften it, but no, not so much.

Perhaps it is the ratio of the nectar to the aperitif used in Sandra Lee’s recipe. If I were to try this again, I would use a good 8 ozs. of strawberry nectar.

So, LUSH IT, LUSH IT A LOT or LEAVE IT? I have to give the CAPRI FIZZ a Semi-HomeTested rating of LEAVE IT. It was just too bitter for my taste! So sorry Ms. Sandra Lee.

Salude!