Tagged: Drinks

Recipes

Vinho Verde Portuguese Sangria Cooler

Vinho Verde Sangria is so delicious and refreshing! This is a perfect summer drink. “Cheers – Saude”!

Order these beautiful custom glass cutting boards on Lisbon Blue Shop.

Ingredients:

1 bottle Vinho Verde

1 liter bottle lemon seltzer

2 to 3 oz lemon vodka

1 orange sliced

1 lime sliced

1 lemon sliced

1 cup frozen white grapes

mint leaves

Ice as desired

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in jar and add ice. Stir well before serving.


Desserts / Holiday Recipes / Photo Gallery

How to Brew French Press Coffee

I like my coffee to simply taste like coffee and the best way to make great coffee, is with a French Press! This also known as a Press Pot or Plunger Pot. Make this coffee for your friends right at the dinner table and they’ll surely be impressed with your coffee making skills.

I’m a plain Jane when it comes to coffee.  This drives my “Coffeeholic” family crazy! Currently we have 4 coffee makers at home; Keurig, Tossimo, Mr Coffee, and a Cuisinart drip coffee maker! They buy all of the new flavored coffees but, hopelessly get me to drink them.

I think the reason is because many years ago I managed a gourmet coffee shop similar to today’s Starbucks where I smelled flavored brewed coffee all day long!

I still remember the nauseating aroma’s from the flavored coffee beans such as, “Peppermint” and the my most hated; “Amaretto” UGH!

We served and sold coffee beans from around the world from the basic,  Colombian to the more expensive Hawiian – Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain.

Today’s most expensive coffee is from Indonesia. But, this isn’t a lesson on coffee so I won’t go into the details unless you’re daring enough to click on the link and find out why!

 

Here are 2 coffee tips: 

Number 1. You’ll never get your coffee to taste as good as Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or your favorite coffee shop.

The temperature for perfect brewed coffee should be 200 degrees Fahrenheit which is 93-94C. Most home coffee makers will not maintain a temperature that high especially the cheaper models.

Number 2. Never pour away any leftover coffee! Did you know that the longer coffee sits in the refrigerator, the stronger and more robust it gets? Simple let it cool completely and store for up to 1 week!

Ingredients to make perfect coffee press coffee:

Medium or coarse ground coffee

Boiling water

Sugar (optional)

Cream (optional)

Preparation:

Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every cup of (8 oz) coffee. (use less if you enjoy milder coffee)

My press takes 32 oz, so I used 5 tablespoons because I like a milder taste but you can experiment until you find the perfect balance.

Place the grounds in the pot and slowly pour 32 oz of boiling water that has cooled for about 20 seconds. Stir the coffee gently and place the plunger with the lid over the coffee but don’t press down on the plunger yet. Some of the coffee grounds will float to the bottom.

Let the coffee sit for about 5  minutes to brew.  Press down on the plunger slowly and firmly.

Your coffee is now ready to serve. Note: The coffee will continue to brew if you leave it in the press. You may find grounds at the bottom of your coffee cup, this is normal but you may not want to drink the last sip.

 

Perfect coffee every time! Enjoy!

Photo Gallery

Portuguese Hot Toddy


A hot toddy,  is an old time drink remedy to relieve symptoms of a cold and flu. It’s usually made of liquor, and hot water with sugar and spices and served hot.

My recipe is made using 1920 Portuguese Brandy but you can substitute it with your favorite brandy or whiskey. My mother often made this with coffee instead of tea and left out the lemon.

The recipe may be old fashioned but it works! Enjoy and stay warm!

Recipe:

1 oz 1920 Brandy

1 tablespoon honey

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 cup of hot tea (any favorite)

1 slice of lemon

1 sugar stick (optional for stirring)

1 stick of cinnamon (optional for stirring)

 

Preparation:

Pour the whiskey and honey into a cup. Add the hot tea and lemon juice.

Stir and add the lemon slice. Drink while still hot.

 

Coffee version:

1 oz 1920 Brandy

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup hot coffee

 

Appetizers / Beverage / Photo Gallery

Scorpion Bowl Cooler

Cheer up your winter blues with a Scorpion Bowl Cooler & Chinese takeout!

All you need to do is buy the chop sticks, paper plates and napkins, and make the cooler!

One hour later, pick up the phone and call for delivery!

The best part of this party is no dishes to wash and easy clean up!

Scorpion Bowl Cooler

Ingredients:

3 oz light rum

3 oz of dark rum

3 oz of vodka

1 oz of brandy

1 can of Pineapple chunks

64 oz  carton of Orange Pineapple juice

1 can of Orange Sumol drink (optional)

8 oz of simple syrup

1 orange sliced

2 – cups of Ice cubes add needed


Instructions:

Reserve 1/2 of the pineapple chunks and the orange and set aside. Place all the remaining ingredients except ice in a large jar or bowl and mix well until all the juices and liquor is well incorporated.

Place the cooler in the refrigerator until ready to serve stirring once in a while.

When ready to serve, make pineapple and orange skewers with the chop sticks or wooden skewers and place them into the pitcher.

Pour the cooler into a serving pitcher and add ice cubes.

You’ll probably have some cooler left in the bowl, depending on the size of your serving pitcher.

Just keep refilling and adding more ice as needed.

Enjoy the party!