What to Make When Your Kitchen is in Your Living Room

3 Items or Less

Have no kitchen?  Daiquiri is the answer. 

We're renovating our kitchen, therefore, I am currently without a kitchen. I have a small mini fridge, toaster, and microwave in my living room.  It's like I'm in college all over again.  However, instead of having Milwaukee's Best (or Yuengling if I was feeling fancy) in my mini fridge - I have a bag of limes and a well stocked bar in a Cheez-It Costco box.  Counter space is none existent. The sink I'm using is in the half-bath. And I'll admit that listening to my kitchen being destroyed made me want a cocktail, badly!

So what do you make when you have no kitchen, a cardboard box of a bar, a bag of limes in your mini-fridge, and you want to use three items or less?  Oh - and it's muggy as hell in August in Washington D.C.

Easy ratios does it

The daiquiri is a classic for a reason - balanced and simple to make.  This has a simple sour ratio - one part sour, one part sweet and usually two parts spirit.  Easy to make and to remember when you can't find your jigger.

2 oz. white rum (I like Mount Gay Silver)

1 oz lime juice

1 oz simple syrup

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe - garnish with a lime wedge

No Ratios Needed

Yes, that is my kitchen with no countertops at all. 

Another easy drink, that in my mind doesn't require any measuring, is the Dark 'n Stormy.  In my world it's always about two-thirds ginger beer to one-third dark rum and a squeeze of lime.  This one is even easier as you don't need to shake and pour anything.  I make this straight in the glass.  For those that want a recipe. 

2 oz. Gosling's Black Seal Rum

4-6 oz ginger beer

0.5 oz fresh lime juice

Fill a highball glass of ice - pour in the ginger beer, then dark rum, squeeze lime and use wedge for garnish

By Nicola O'Neil