On July 4th I was challenged to make a drink with Limca, a lemon/lime/ginger soda from India. People liked it enough I made three batches. I thought up a name tonight, and thought I should write down the...with ice. Strain mixture into glass with a very fine strainer. Taste. Top off the glass using Limca if it is too bitter or soda water if too sweet. Garnish with fresh rosemary. © 2009 Joshua Polla

I've had a love-hate relationship with the Cosmopolitan for some time now. It's quickly become a "classic" drink, and I've made variations on it many a time before, but frankly it's just never appealed...colored mix and Absolut Raspberri vodka. ETA: Having finished the drink, I'm now not quite certain whether to be amused or slightly afraid that the lime wedge I tossed in is now stained bright red..

This is a little different from my usual cocktail-recipe posts. I post recipes for drinks that I find noteworthy in some way; usually it's because it's something particularly delicious. But this one definitely...vodka 1/2 oz triple sec 1/2 oz fresh lime juice 1 oz cranberry juice Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with your favorite Cosmo garnish along with fresh raspberries.

...that people yelling and screaming at each other for no real reason gets better ratings than people debating stuff that might be important, and since then it’s all pretty much gone to hell. Mixology: I think if anyone’s been reading my blog for the last month or two they’d have guessed at this one. :) I like mixing drinks. The sheer variety of ways people have come up with to manufacture...

Actually, old drink recipe, but with new (very cool) illustration, courtesy of Brian getting creative with the camera and one of his flashlights last night. This is probably the most artificial-looking...1 part Sour Apple Schnapps 1 part sour mix Shake together and strain into a cocktail glass.  Set on lit coaster or flashlight.  Be sure to thank alien patron in his/her/its native language.

Seems like it's been a while since I did one of those random bits-of-life updates that nobody else really cares about, most people don't read, but that often grow in personal value as time goes on. I guess... So, here it is: Stygian Sunrise 1 oz vodka 1 oz pomegranate liqueur orange juice Build over ice in a short glass.  Fill with orange juice; garnish with a maraschino cherry or an orange slice.

Golden Painkiller 2 parts orange-mango juice 1 1/2 parts Oronoco rum 1/2 part pineapple juice 1/2 part coconut milk Fresh nutmeg Shake first four ingredients and pour into cocktail glass. Wait for... it may be up to personal preference. However, DO NOT use pre-ground nutmeg - the taste of the nutmeg is an integral part of the drink, and pre-ground nutmeg has no flavor compared to freshly ground

The weekend was nice and relaxing. Friday I went climbing with Monica, and afterward she and Brian and I caught a local band called Cayenne Blue that played a really nifty mix of folk/blues/rock. Lots...involved when stealing other folks' drink recipes? Do I need to give credit in the comments? Or write "inspired by" on the recipe card?) And now it's back to work for me. How was everyone else's weekend

Boy, the way I've been going on about drinks lately, you'd think I was binge-drinking every night.  I know at least one of my readers would like some reassurance that that's not the case, so let me reiterate...of the Tanqueray tends to overpower vermouth, the Sapphire complements it beautifully.  I liked martinis well enough before, but I think they just went up a few notches in my mental ranking.

Intro: Nature Boy - David Bowie I. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac Crazy - Gnarls Barkley I Don't Wanna Know - Goo Goo Dolls So Afraid (live) - Fleetwood Mac Stop the World - Goo Goo Dolls So Far...first rule of FST big time but it fits the mood I was trying to convey, and I was working with limited resources. This took the better part of two months to organize and I'm pleased with the end result :