What is your beverage of choice?

My horse of choice (Daski) preferred Iced Tea while we were trail riding, and then later, when we were settled in at our campsite, he switched to red wine. Of course water was always available and he did consume volumes of that too. Have you ever had a pet that wanted to eat or drink whatever you were having? I have had several that did--dogs, cats, horses. Anyway, I always called Daski my tea sippin' cowboy. I have several beverages in mind, sangria, lemonade, my all-time favorite Crema di Limoncello. I am thirsty! Are you?



The Best Sangria from Cook's Illustrated

Serves 4

2 large juice oranges , washed; one orange sliced; remaining
orange juiced
1 large lemon , washed and sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1 bottle inexpensive, fruity, medium-bodied red wine (750
milliliters), chilled (I use Merlot)

1. Add sliced orange, lemon, and sugar to large pitcher; mash gently with wooden spoon until fruit releases some juice,
but is not totally crushed, and sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Stir in orange juice, Triple Sec, and wine; refrigerate for
at least 2, and up to 8, hours.
2. Before serving, add 6 to 8 ice cubes and stir briskly to distribute settled fruit and pulp; serve immediately.


Lemonade Concentrate

1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Quart water
1 1/2 cups lemon juice (approximately 12 lemons)

Boil sugar and water for 5 minutes. Cool and then stir in lemon juice. Cover and chill the concentrate.

When ready to serve, use equal parts concentrate and water. You can make a glassful or pitcherful, your choice.
Read more!

Warnings come with this posted recipe

The warnings on the Everclear label: Caution!! Extremely flammable, Handle with care
Warning!! Overconsumption may endanger your health
They are only the beginnings of the warnings. The recipe that is about to be revealed has its' own warnings: Habit forming, may cause a statewide lemon shortage,may create an abundance of naked lemons,may lead to making other recipes calling for lemon juice, use only in small doses,er, glasses, may temporarily take up freezer space, so delicious may cause over consumption, may cause lingering or loitering on the porch on hot summer days/nights, yum.

Crema De Limoncello

Ingredients
10 Meyer lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle Everclear
8 1/2 cups of milk
5 cups of sugar (I used 3 on my last batch)(next time I'll try two cups)
1/2 cup of vanilla sugar (put a vanilla bean, split, in a jar of sugar and let sit for 2 weeks) Or use one packet Dr. Oetker Vanilla Sugar
Cheesecloth (optional)

Zest the lemons using a Micro-plane grater or another similar tool that also produce a very fine zest. Place in a jar with the Everclear and leave at room temperature for 1 week. Strain using the cheesecloth.
In a saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat. Add the sugar and the vanilla sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. In a large bowl or pitcher, combine the Everclear mixture with the cooled milk mixture , funnel into bottles, preferably with wide mouths and store in the freezer for up to six months. Serve neat in a chilled tumbler or martini glass. Depending on the proof of the Everclear, the drink will slushy or just very cold. Vodka may be substituted for the Everclear. Read more!