THE SWEDISH TART

Ever had a Swedish Tart? No, not a promiscuous Scandinavian, but an innovative cocktail using green tea Kombucha. I love the fact that tea, (my drink of choice), is so versatile and is making it's presence known in entrees, desserts, chocolates, and my current favorite: cocktails.

The following, courtesy of the March 2013 issue of bon appetit magazine, is definitely a "think outside the box" adult beverage, and one of three featured as part of  "The Primer - Home Mixology". 

Please click on the link below for photo & ingredients. A special thanks to Eamon Rockey, at Aska in Brooklyn (creator of The Swedish Tart), for the unique use of Kombucha tea.
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/03/the-swedish-tart

For those unfamiliar with aquavit liquor, (I was), please see below link for explanation and history:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/31128/aquavit;

and most importantly, for those not familiar with Kombucha tea (again, I wasn't until recently), please see link below featuring a video on how to make it. An active culture is necessary for the starter and may be purchased in advance or made from scratch; both can be saved for recurring use. 
http://deliciouslyorganic.net/kombucha-and-a-giveaway/

As always, please drink responsibly. Enjoy!

Royal Maple Tea

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here and for party planners everywhere, it's "game on". Time to put out that yummy food fare of glazed wings, little smokies and meatballs to go with your favorite beverage, adult or otherwise.

If you're a tea lover looking for a new cocktail, here's a recipe incorporating tea & whiskey:

*ROYAL MAPLE TEA
   (makes 8 servings)

Ingredients
10 cups water
8 tea bags (good quality hearty black tea)
1 navel orange
4 whole cloves
Sugar
1 1/2 cups whiskey, Crown Royal Maple
Ice cubes
8 orange slices/wedges

Directions
1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat; add tea bags, 3 wide strips of orange peel,  and cloves. Let steep for 4 minutes. Remove tea bags, orange peel and cloves. Sweeten to taste. Allow to come to room temperature.

2. Juice navel orange and add to tea. Add whiskey. Transfer to a large container.

3. When ready to serve, fill large glasses with ice, top with tea and garnish with orange slices.


And here's one more:
This Amaretto tea is much like a chai spice tea - but with an Italian kick!


AMARETTO CHAI SPICE TEA            (makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:
6 oz. of Masala Chai brewed and cooled
2 oz. Amaretto
1 – 2 oz cream/half & half

Serve "on the rocks" or add to a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Give a few shakes, strain and pour into a martini glass.

Hope it's a great day for all enjoying the game with family & friends.



Please drink responsibly!

*Royal Maple Tea recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee.