Mint Julep

Who has been to Disneyland? Of those of you that have been to the Land of Mouse, who has had the Mint Julep in the French Quarters? Oh, if you haven't you need to! And if you can't easily get to Disneyland, I'm here to help! I'm here to help increase your sugar intake, by a lot!

This is the original recipe that is given to guests upon request.

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 cups soda water
3 tsp lime juice concentrate
6 oz. thawed lemonade concentrate
6 tbsp creme de menthe (syrup available at liquor stores, or check stores like Smart & Final or Cash & Carry. Do not confuse it with creme de menthe liqueur.)

Garnishes:
mint leaf
lime slice
maraschino cherry

Instructions:

1. Dissolve sugar into the soda water in a 3 quart saucepan.
   
2. Add lime juice and lemonade and bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and add creme de menthe.
4. To serve, combine 3 parts syrup mix to 5 parts chilled water.
5. Transfer beverage to pitcher and enjoy!
6. Garnish each serving with mint leaves, lime slice and a maraschino cherry.

Makes 2/3 gallon.

Hot Buttered Rum

OMG this recipe is so good! My aunt and uncle make it every year when we go down there for Christmas.

Make the whole recipe or cut in half. Store in the freeze and it will last you awhile.

Rum Mix
1 lb. butter
1 lb. brown sugar
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 qt. french vanilla ice cream
3 tsp. vanilla
nutmeg
cinnamon

Freeze mix for later use.

Add 1 tsp. rum mix to jigger rum and 1 cup boiling water. Top with more nutmeg and cinnamon.

Me, personally, I like it with about 2 tbsp. mix and no rum.

Prepare to wear it on your hips.

Latin Lover

I know it's a bit too chili outside for a recipe like this. But it's too good to wait for warm weather to share. I had this first while attending a bachelorette party about...oh, 7 years ago...

Ingredients:
4 tbsp. frozen pineapple juice concentrate*
2 tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tbsp. frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 tbsp. lime juice
2 oz. Malibu rum
1 1/2 cup small ice cubes.

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth.

Serves 2.

*I've had a hard time finding frozen pineapple juice. So I'll get frozen orange/pineapple and put 6 tbsp. of that in place of the pineapple and orange juices.

Cowboy Margarita

The easiest, quickest no blender needed margaritas eva'!

This recipe is world famous, at least you'd think it was in my family. I don't know who invented it, but I will always give my cousin Claude props and kudos. At every family event that happens at the ranch, about 12 handles of tequila is consumed in this bad ass drink.

The players:


The recipe:Take straight from our little flip recipe holder that Aunt Kate gave as a Christmas gift many years back. This recipe and recipe book has seen a lot of love and wear.

Diet Lemon-Lime soda can be used for a "diet" version. And I always add an extra can of soda. It's a super strong recipe without that extra soda. Still good, but it'll knock you off your feet.

So go, mix, partake of the Cowboy Margarita over this festive Labor Day weekend!