Vanilla Sugar

Guest Boozaholic again:

i make a huge batch and then i use it for everything -baking, coffee (and i usually drink my coffee black, but will occasionally treat myself to some with vanilla sugar), french toast, -it's yumalicious. ~2 cups of sugar:1vanilla bean, cut and scraped. mix it all together and then put it in a container with a good lid. set aside, and shake every few days. after 2 weeks, run it through a sifter to get the larger pod particles out and break up the clumps.

Risa-Hito

Guest boozaholic Risa-san brings us her speciality:

the risa-hito is a wonderfully refreshing beverage for any season, best served over crushed ice and enjoyed with friends. -hey, i got a knack for introductions, no?

step 1: place 5-6 mint leaves in glass and cover with 2-3 tbs. of risa's vanilla sugar.

step 2: using a mortal (or pestle, i don't remember which one is the tool), gently crush the mint leaves to extract the oils. a simple syrup may be used, but the sugar has an abrasive effect on the leaves which brings out the fragrance more.

step 3: add crushed ice

step 4: squeeze the juice of 1/4 - 1/2 lime into cup

step 5: add an ounce (or two) of Patron tequila

step 6: fill the glass with seltzer water

step 7: enjoy!!

*note* -i don't actually measure anything when i make them, and i like 'em on the sweeter side.

Sloe Gin cocktail

This recipe is taken from the Chicago Tribune & I'm posting here so that I can remember it:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/family/chi-1213-drink-sloe-gindec13,0,112949.story

The Sun Also Rises

Makes: 1 cocktail

Charles Joly, chief mixologist at The Drawing Room, uses Plymouth Sloe Gin and Sirene Absinthe Verte by North Shore Distillery in this drink.

¾

ounces sloe gin

¼

ounce absinthe

¾

ounce fresh lemon juice

¼

ounce simple syrup

3

to 4 ounces Champagne

3

drops Peychaud's bitters

Pour sloe gin, absinthe, lemon juice and simple syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker; shake until chilled. Strain into a flute glass. Slowly pour Champagne into flute to fill. Top with bitters. Grab your favorite Hemingway novel and enjoy.