Winter Is Here, So Is Citrus

Happy Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, where else!

As a Solstice baby, myself—being born on the first day of summer—December 21st holds a special place in my heart. The astronomical start of Winter in the northern hemisphere has the shortest period of daylight and the longest night. A long night, you say? Hmm, that sounds like a really good excuse to comfort yourself with a cocktail packed with vitamin C.

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Thanks Granny Gran! Winter colds don't stand a chance!

We received a box of grapefruit from Granny-Gran a couple weeks ago, and the race is now on to finish them not only before they go bad (thankfully they have quite a shelf-life,) but also before the next box comes, which will be filled with tangelos. Can you guess what my next post will be about? 

Don't get me wrong, we are super grateful to be on the coveted list of recipients of Granny Gran's Winter citrus. However, 24 grapefruits is a lot, so one does need to get a little creative in modes of consumption. 

Enter the following three cocktail recipes. If you are not on the receiving end of a Pittman & Davis box of cold-fighting citrus, pick up one or two at the store today and try these out tonight as you while away the long hours of darkness. You won't be disappointed, and may even ward off a cold.

An Irishman in Mexico

1 oz. Mezcal

1 oz. Ancho Reyes

Tangy, spicey, and smokey, the Irishman in Mexico.

1 oz. grapefruit juice
1/2 oz. lemon juice

1/2 oz. Suze

2 dashes of orange bitters

Shake on ice, and double strain into coupe glass, express and garnish with Grapefruit peel. I know it doesn't seem like there is anything Irish about this, but I made it for my friend who is Irish and he confessed it was his new favorite drink, so there ya go.

Snow Bird Rickey

2 oz. Tom Cat gin

1 oz. Grapefruit juice

1/2 oz. Chartreuse

3 oz. grapefruit tonic water (Bittermans)

Shake first three ingrediants on ice, strain into a tall glass over ice, top off with grapefruit tonic water.

Brown Derby

1 oz bourbon

Brown Derby proves dark liquor plays well with grapefruit too!

1 oz grapefruit juice
1 oz honey simple syrup

Shake all ingredients on ice and pour into coupe glass. By the way, I cheated on my simple by putting 1.5 teaspoon of honey in a mug and adding 1.5 teaspoon of really hot water from the tap and then stirred it up, easy peasy honey squeezy!

These are just a few options out there for grapefruit. We didn't even mention the classics like the Sea Breeze or the Greyhound.

Yes, we also drink coffee. Happy Holidays!

If Rum is your jam try the Hemingway Daiquiri. For a twist on the margarita how about the Danny Ocean. Whatever your tipple, we hope you have a happy holiday season. And cheers to a healthy 2019!

Thank you to all our readers for the support and love you've given us this past year. It's been a fun ride these first six months of our blog and we hope you'll come along with us in the new year for more fun and tasty recipes that are easy to try at home. To your health! Saluti! Na Zdrowie! Salud!
Slainte! Prost!

by Julz Vivalo