How you doin’? My refreshing elderflower gin cocktail gets a pop of color and flavor from the addition of blood orange juice. It uses two of my favorite flavors—St. Germain and blood oranges.
 
What are blood oranges? Where do the best blood oranges come from? Blood oranges thrive in Mediterranean climates such as Italy, Spain and Malta and California, Arizona, Texas and Florida.
 
Blood oranges are subtly sweet and taste as if they have been infused with tangy red grapefruit and hints of tart cherries and raspberries. Blood oranges are delightful simply eaten out of hand, but don't stop there. In Sicily, freshly squeezed blood orange juice is a typical addition to the breakfast table.
 
St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur is a sublime liqueur created with wild, handpicked elderflowers and made in the traditional French style, using a process that has existed for centuries. Following an exquisite elderflower liqueur recipe, it is only available in limited quantities. Each bottle of St-Germain is numbered and marked with the vintage year that reflects the year in which the flowers were harvested.
 
These two flavors make one of the best, most refreshing cocktails anytime of the year.
 
Prep Time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 serving
 
Ingredients 
1 ounce gin (your choice—I use Hendrick’s)
3/4 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
2-1/2 ounces chilled ginger ale
1 ounce fresh-squeezed blood orange juice
 
Directions

1. In a serving glass, combine gin, St. Germain, lime juice and ginger ale.
2. Top glass with ice.
3. Slowly pour in blood orange juice.
4. Garnish with blood orange slices and fresh lemon thyme sprigs, if desired.
5. Serve immediately.

ChefSecret:  Lemon thyme is one of the many varieties of thyme. It looks just like regular thyme… long, thin sprigs with tiny spear-shaped green leaves. You'll notice a difference immediately when you crush a few of its leaves and breathe in its sweet, lemony fragrance.

Quip of the Day: “Not to get technical, but according to chemistry ALCOHOL is a solution.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide .
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #Gin #BloodOrange #Elderflower #StGermain #2022 #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                             ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2022​

How you doin’? It’s cocktail time again! If you live in Moscow, it could have been Happy Hour 12-hours earlier, but what the heck… we’re lucky enough to live in the good old USA where it’s always five o’clock somewhere.
 
There are a number of drinks that are called “Russians,” however none of them were created there. The traditional cocktail known as a Black Russian, which first appeared in 1949, becomes a White Russian with the addition of cream. While neither drink has any known Russian origin, both are so named because vodka is the primary ingredient. It is unclear which drink preceded the other.
 
 White Russian

 The Oxford English Dictionary refers to the first mention of the phrase "White Russian" in the sense of a cocktail as appearing in California's Oakland Tribune on November 21, 1965. It was included in the newspaper as an insert with a cryptic recipe.
 
The White Russian saw a surge in popularity after the 1998 release of the film The Big Lebowski. Throughout the movie, it appears as the beverage of choice for the protagonist, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski. On a number of occasions he refers to the drink as a "Caucasian.” A White Russian is a cocktail made with 5 parts vodka, 2 parts coffee liqueur and 3 parts fresh cream served over ice in an old fashioned glass.
 
Ingredients 
2/3-ounce coffee liqueur (I prefer Kahlua)
1-2/3 ounces vodka (you don’t need the expensive stuff)
1-ounce fresh cream
Coffee beans for garnish
 
Directions

1. Pour the coffee liqueur and vodka into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.
2. Float the fresh cream on top and stir slowly. Garnish with coffee beans.

Black Russian
The Black Russian is a cocktail made with vodka and coffee liqueur. Traditionally, the drink is made by pouring the vodka over ice cubes or cracked ice in an old-fashioned glass, followed by the coffee liqueur. There is no cream in this cocktail.
 
Ingredients
1-2/3 ounces vodka (the cheap stuff is okay)
2/3-ounce Coffee liqueur
 
Directions

1. Pour the ingredients into an old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes.
2. Stir gently.

 
Guinness Black Russian
(The Irish Spy)
 
I’m a Guinness Stout guy. I like my brews dark, bitter and chewy. I’m amazed at how Guinness continues to experiment and innovate in true pioneering style. Guinness remains one of the world's most iconic brewed beers pushing brewing boundaries since 1759. Try this innovation… take a Russian and mix it with a little Irish.
 
Ingredients 
1-ounce vodka
1-ounce brewed strong coffee, chilled, or coffee liqueur
2-ounces cola
2-ounces Guinness beer
 
Directions

1. Pour vodka, coffee or coffee liqueur and cola into an ice-filled 8-oz. cocktail glass.
2. Top with Guinness.

 
ChefSecret:  There are many variants to the Russian category of cocktails.

• The Blind Russian (also known as a Muddy Water) which substitutes cream with Bailey’s Irish Cream
• The Mudslide (a Blind Russian with both)
• The Anna Kournikova (named after the tennis player), made with skim milk (i.e. a "skinny" White Russian)
• The Russian Cherry Orchard made with the addition of Grand Marnier (named for the play by Anton Chekhov)
• The White Cuban (made with rum instead of vodka)
• The Dirty Russian (made with chocolate camel's milk instead of cream—you can use Yoo-hoo if you wish)
• The Colorado Bulldog is very similar to the White Russian, using all traditional ingredients, but adding a splash of cola.

Quip of the Day: “A Russian proverb--'No long break between the first and second shots.’”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide .
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #Vodka #BlackRussian #WhiteRussian #Kahlua #Guinness #Cream #2022 #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                           ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2022

How you doin’? G’day mate! That’s the way you would be greeted in Sidney, Australia. Sidney has always been one of my favorite cities. If I were starting all over again, I probably would be living in Australia instead of California.
 
Things in Australia can be strangely different. Many Australians are descended from cast away English convicts—true. They say water swirls down the drain counterclockwise because it is on the other side of the equator—interesting story, but not true. One of the most unusual mysteries in Australia are the famous Min-Min Lights described as large glowing balls of light that dance or float just above the ground—true. There is an area outside of Sidney that is like the Grand Canyon on steroids—The Blue Mountains—true and beautiful. When it’s winter in Los Angeles it’s summer at Bondi Beach in Sidney—true and time for a summer cocktail.
 
My summertime Cucumber Collins Cocktail is perfect for any season whether in Sidney or Los Angeles. It’s light and refreshing and is perfect when paired with fresh seafood, it is also refreshing on hot and cold days and perfect for a Friday Happy Hour. Cheers!
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1-ounce dry gin
3/4-ounce elderflower liqueur
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
3-1/2 ounces soda water
1 thin cucumber curl, sliced lengthwise 
Lemon wedge or slice garnish
 
Directions

1. Pour the gin, liqueur and lemon juice into a tall Collins glass and gently stir.
2. Fill the glass with ice cubes, then top with soda water.
3. Stir gently again and garnish with the cucumber slice and lemon slice.

​ChefSecret:  Make a long decorative slice of cucumber by dragging a fork over the surface of the skin and then making thin lengthwise slices with a vegetable peeler.

Quip of the Day: “Frank Sinatra once said, alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but in the Bible, it says, love thy enemy.” 
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide .
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #Gin #Elderflower #Cucumber #Collins #Lemon #2022 #Cheers # QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                     ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2022

How you doin’? Vodka is most famously paired with juices like orange or cranberry, but the lesser known combination of vodka with apple juice is also delicious. It's very simple–just two or three ingredients—juice (or mixer) and vodka are all you need to make a great happy hour cocktail.
 
Which mixers go best with vodka?

Grapefruit Juice—If you’re looking to add a little sweetness to your vodka libation but don’t want a sugar overload, try using freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice. I love a Vodka Greyhound cocktail (originally made with gin). It makes for a punchy cocktail that is as tasty as it is refreshing.
 
Ginger Beer—There is a reason why the Moscow Mule is one of the most popular drinks in bars today. It is a mix of vodka, lime juice and spicy-sweet ginger beer. Make sure you buy a good quality ginger beer (not ginger ale) to get the most out of your cocktail and ensure it isn’t sickly sweet.
 
Lemonade—You don’t need to squeeze your lemons. Why waste the time when you could be drinking and not squeezing? Try using Simply Lemonade or the old frozen standby.  Experiment a little by making the drink on your own by muddling fruit (like cranberries) or fresh herbs into the drink. Or try the Oaxacan Lemonade, which uses mezcal and cilantro to give the vodka and lemonade mixture smoky, grassy notes.
 
Cranberry Juice—Everyone knows cranberry juice makes a Cosmopolitan—the perfect mixer for vodka, especially when you use the tart juice. If you don’t have orange liqueur for a classic Cosmo, feel free to use simple syrup to help balance the cranberry juice’s tart notes. You can also mix vodka, cranberry and grapefruit for a fruity, refreshing Sea Breeze.
 
Pineapple Juice—Take a trip to the islands with a vodka cocktail with a fruity edge. Or mix vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord to create a downright delicious French Martini, or tackle the Tiki Torch with the Chi Chi, a vodka-spiked version of a Piña Colada. Or simply pour your favorite vodka into a glass of pineapple juice. Use the freshest juice possible with no added sugar.
 
Tonic—Still one of my favorites is the clean taste of a Vodka. Use a good quality vodka and a mild tonic with less intense quinine flavor.
 
Orange Juice—A Screwdriver was likely one of your very first cocktails that you probably ever tasted. The mix of orange juice and vodka is easy, refreshing and perfectly balanced when made with the freshly squeezed stuff. Add a little Galliano to the mix, and suddenly you have a Harvey Wallbanger, slightly fancy—but just as simple.
 
ChefSecret:  How much juice do I mix with vodka? Pour 1 to 2 fluid ounces of vodka into a highball glass and fill it with ice. Stir in as much juice as you like.

Quip of the Day: “If you can’t think of a word, say “I forgot the English word for it”… that way people will think you’re bilingual instead of an idiot.”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide .
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #Vodka #Grapefruit #GingerBeer #Lemonade #CranberryJuice #PineappleJuice #Tonic #OrangeJuice  #2022 #HappyNewYear #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
​
                                        ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2022

How you doin’? It’s time to kiss 2021 good-bye and good riddance! Welcome 2022 and more power to you.
 
I want to thank all our readers on postings both here and on other platforms. You have supported us with your kind comments, and we really appreciate you! We have posted almost 400 blogs since the beginning of the Covid-19 lock-down as part of our Survival Guide. People tell us how much they enjoy, not only the recipes, but the history that accompanies them.
 
Look at all that has happened during the last 12 months—much of it not so good. The pandemic continues with new variants, everything has gotten more expensive, if you can even find things on shelves, we still are living in a country divided, kids are shooting kids in schools, governors are resigning, and news commentators are being fired left and right. It’s hard to even recognize our country these last few years.
 
But 2022 will be better, right? I hope so! We (just ordinary people) will make things better… after all we are positive-thinking Americans, and it is a new year. The pandemic will be overcome and that alone will relieve a lot of problems.
 
But we can make a lot go away for at least one night—the last night of year. Here are two cocktails for you to imbibe—one for the waning moments of 2021 and another for the early minutes of 2022.
 
                                                 Bourbon Negroni
 
If you're planning to toast a good riddance to 2021 with something stiff and bitter, you can't beat a Bourbon Negroni. It's easy to make, exceedingly good, and oh, so very satisfying and warming. So, warm up your New Year’s eve with this American bourbon spin on a classic.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1-1/2 ounces American Bourbon
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
3/4 ounce Campari
Orange peel, for garnish
 
Directions

1. Combine American Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Campari and ice in a cocktail shaker or glass.
2. Stir with a long-handled spoon for 30 seconds.
3. Strain and pour over fresh ice.
4. Garnish with orange peel.
5. Toast good-bye to 2021!

 
                                            Bubbly New Year’s Punch
 
Celebrate this bubbly cocktail for an uplifting New Year’s fling. The origin of champagne cocktails is unclear, but some believe they first splashed on the scene in 1861, when England went into mourning for Prince Albert. According to historians, a bartender at London's Brooks' Club decided champagne also should be used to mourn and paired it with Guinness stout to make a black velvet.
 
My recipe is to celebrate, not mourn. I have paired a sparkling wine with Lillet Blanc (delicious taste and aromas of candied oranges, honey, pine resin and exotic fruits) and fresh orange juice.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  6 to 8 servings
 
Ingredients 
1 (750-milliliter) bottle chilled Lillet Blanc
16 ounces freshly-squeezed chilled orange juice
1 (750-milliliter) bottle chilled Champagne, Prosecco or other sparkling white wine
Orange wheel garnish
 
Directions

1. Combine Lillet blanc, orange juice and sparkling wine in a pitcher.
2. Serve in Champagne glasses garnished with an orange wheel.

ChefSecret:  Drive responsibly!  If you are drinking, please, please, please do not drive—call Uber!

Quip of the Day: “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a new 365-day book… write a great one!”
-------------------------------------------
Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com.  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide .
-------------------------------------------
​To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. In this New Year, seek out the good in people and avoid conflict. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America.

#Cocktail #HappyHour #HolidayCocktails #BourbonNegroni #Champagne #Lillet #2022 #HappyNewYear #Cheers# QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                          ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, Inc., 2021