Tuesday, June 24, 2008
These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
I love summertime! I love those rare nights where I can go sweaterless in San Francisco. I love cool drinks and brown skin. I love how everyone's chaotic pace slows just a bit. Needless to say, I have been enjoying the past few weeks, and I am abuzz with the thrill of knowing that I have spent less of it than I have left to spend; there are two whole months left of this juicy season. Yum.
In the last few weeks I have found two new things that have already made my summer better, and I look forward to making use of both as I bask in my favorite time of year. They are unrelated, but both make my heart smile and my mouth jabber on about them. The first is workout skirts. These fantastic little spandex skorts allow me to feel the breeze on my legs without subjecting myself, and those around me, to the horrors of bike shorts or the gaping indiscretion that loose-legged shorts provide -- no one likes to share too much during sit-ups at the gym. For the last few years I have been wearing capri pants to the gym and rolling them up as I begin to overheat. Not exactly a Vogue moment. Workout skirts keep me cool and "cool." A friend of mine even wore hers out dancing the other night. It was a hit. I am inspired to pull a Smurfette and buy seventeen of them so I can have a closet full at the ready. I look forward to reliving my favorite trick of second grade: "Oh! You thought I was wearing a skirt? Ha! You are wrong! I sure fooled you!"
While wearing my skorts, I will be sipping my new favorite drink. Recently, I mocked a bartender and learned something very exciting as a result. He was cutting a big bunch of fresh basil, and I asked him if he had condescended to help the kitchen staff. "No," he said, "I make a drink with this." My interest was piqued, and he went on to explain, and then serve to me, a basil infused sparkling lemonade. Just like I crinkled my nose at the thought of my first cucumber water, I was a little suspicious of the tall, beautifully basil-garnished, glass he handed me. Wow! In a matter of seconds, basil became my new favorite drink additive. I have been obsessing about cool basil drinks ever since. The subtle flavor is so refreshing and surprising, and as someone who has always longed to eat basil by the bushel, I am happy to have found a new use for my favorite herb.
After talking to the bartender and sleuthing Al Gore's Fantabulous InterWeb, I concocted a version of my own. Just for fun, I have included the recipe below.
Happy Summer!
Basil Vodka Lemonade
(This is great in a pitcher or punch bowl so a large number of guests can serve themselves.)
1 part basil lemon zest simple sugar (explained below)
1 part vodka
1 part triple sec
1 part fresh lemon juice
2 bunches fresh basil
sparkling lemonade or water (to taste)
Make simple sugar:
Boil one part water and one part sugar with the zest of 2-3 lemons and a bunch of basil. Heat until sugar is fully dissolved. Allow to cool fully, and then strain out all of the solids.
Infuse the vodka:
Place half a bunch of basil in the bottom of your serving bowl or pitcher. Cover with vodka, and allow to sit for an hour or two.
Make the lemonade:
Combine the above listed ingredients in serving vessel. Add ice (for an extra kick pre-make lemonade ice so as it melts the drink's flavor is not diluted). Garnish the drink with fresh lemon slices and basil sprigs.
Enjoy!Labels: fitness, recipe, review
tidbit posted by Mosa @ 11:52 AM
