Sunny Day Drink

Pictured: Hot Monkey, Hot Pepper Infused Flavored Vodka 

from the New Deal Distillery in Portland, Oregon.

Tony and I went to Portland recently and Tony got to try out some of the distilleries there. I got to smell everything and it was lovely :)

Tony bought a few bottles and I made him promise to save them until I could enjoy a cocktail with him.  I'm not quite ready for a cocktail but it was a sunny day today and a delicious drink was in order after he spent most of the afternoon on house projects. The recipe below is a twist on a recipe we got from the New Deal Distillery for their Hot Monkey Vodka.

Papaya Mango Spice

(makes two cocktails)

1 cup sliced Papaya (fresh or frozen)

1 cup sliced Mango (fresh or frozen)

2 cups Grapefruit or Orange juice

2-3 shots of Pepper Vodka 
1 cup fresh Mint 
Paprika

1. Mix the juice, papaya, and mango in a blender. If you are using fresh papaya and mango either add about 1/2 cup ice to make a margarita style drink or serve the juice over ice.

2. Muddle 1/3 cup of the mint in a cocktail shaker.

3. Pour half the juice puree into the cocktail shaker. Add 1- 1/2 shots of spicy vodka. (Omit the vodka for a mock-tail). Shake and strain into your favorite glass.

4. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and finely chopped mint.

Silver Lining...

April was so very rainy!  I thought (like I do every April in Seattle) that it might never end.  But this weekend was gorgeous.  One of the great things about living in the Pacific Northwest is that the sunny days are so glorious when compared with the overcast days that seem to plague us in months like April.

This morning, I made brunch for Tony and a friend.  As I was setting the table I decided to break out the silver. 

Some of the pieces of my silver "set" have been handed down from the family, like my Aunt Clairabelle's baby spoon, and some are from a set that my dad found at the thrift store.  I like to think of it as treasure because I keep it in a dusty old box and also because it really is quite beautiful. 

The combination of the food and company at brunch were lovely.  And I was in such a good mood because of the sunny skies. But I think that the day had that extra something special because of the silver...which makes me think I should leave it out...just for now...in case those clouds come back.

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