Mixed Drinks: Carnival Breeze.

Who doesn't like a good mixed drink in the summer? Living in the city far away from my favorite beaches in the Caribbean means that I don't have many beach days. Today I just wanted to feel like I was back in Trinidad for carnival surrounded by sweet music, great friends, ridiculous antics, never ending parties, and sunshine. There was only one...well two problems, carnival is almost six months away and I am no mixologist. I did some research on existing drinks around how I wanted mine to look and I got to work. This drink uses the special edition Angostura Single Barrel rum that came out for carnival but any TRINIDAD rum will do. Don't let me hear you using wray and nephew or bacardi...it just wont do!! We also used the famous Angostura bitters in this as well. As soon as I finished mixing I took a towel up to the rooftop and took in some sunshine. Its no beach but it gave me a lil time to reminisce. Mix this this up quick and take a mind trip to the sun and soca.

Carnival Cooler

Makes 1 drink

1 1/2 shots Single Barrel Rum (or other trinidad dark rum)

1 dash Angostura bitters

dash of lime juice

4 shots pineapple orange juice (can use plain orange juice)

Crushed ice

Grenadine Syrup

1 Maraschino cherry

Lime wedge

- Mix rum, bitters, lime juice, and orange pineapple juice together.

- Pour mixture into tall glass over crushed ice.

- Pour grenadine syrup into the glass slowly it will sink to the bottom. DONT MIX.

- Garish with lime wedge and maraschino cherry.

- Serve immediately.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Summertime conjures up several things in my head, along with longer days, picnics, and abundant fresh produce..lemonade happens to be one of those things. The association with lemonade and summer may be from one to many cartoons as a kid where every child on TV raised money for toys by setting up lemonade stands in the summertime. Growing up my favorite was pink country time lemonade but as a adult I need my pink lemonade to be preservative free.  I decided to experiment with some extra strawberries and lemons that were in the house. I thought that it couldn't be a complete waste since the ingredients were so simple...it just had to work. The lemonade came out deliciously refreshing with just the perfect amount of sweet strawberry to compliment the tart lemons. Whip this up quick, put some ice in a glass and enjoy!

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

makes 1 gallon

1 pint fresh strawberries, washed and hulled (frozen berries can be used)

1 cup fresh lemon juice (I used 2 limes extra to contrast)

honey or sugar to taste

4 cups hot water

cold water

- Place strawberries in blender along with 1/2 cup of the lemon juice and process on liquefy.

- Strain strawberry liquid into a fine mesh colander over a gallon pitcher. Discard the seeds and pulp.

- Mix the remaining lemon juice into strawberry liquid along with hot water.

- Let that mixture sit for 10-20 minutes and then add in cold water to fill the rest of the pitcher.

- Sweeten lemonade with sugar or honey to taste.

- Serve ice cold with a lemon wedge!

**This recipe can also be made with essentialy any fruit you desire, fresh or frozen.

**You can also use sparkling water to make this extra refreshing and festive.

Punche Creme

December automatically means we are getting into the holiday spirit all around the world. My family celebrates Christmas and not just any Christmas but a Trini Style Christmas. That means sorrel, pastelles, black cake, homemade wine, ginger beer,  massive amounts of food, and punche creme. I never spent an actually Christmas in Trinidad but I always spent Christmas with my Caribbean family in NY.  I don't think I missed too much not being in Trinidad because ex patriots have a way of hanging on to traditions with a tight grip. Growing up my Christmas was always a Caribbean mix of traditions from Barbados and Trinidad. As a kid I was a picky eater and more focused on my new toys than sampling the array of goodies at the table. Now that I'm older I truly appreciate the rich  traditions of a Caribbean Christmas which focuses and food, drinks, and the warmth that close friends and family brings. Now back to the drink...I don't like punche creme personally since I don't like milk based drinks but its a staple in any Trinidadian house during the holidays. This famous concoction is  sometimes called ponche de creme or punch de creme. Most recipes call for eggs but my mom doesn't fancy that and uses coconut milk instead which makes for a drink where you don't have to worry about icky pieces chalazae (what trini people call the eye) in your cup or ecoli. When making punche creme most people I know sterilize old glass bottles such as those from wine but you can use a Rubbermaid pitcher. Also ideally punche creme should be made at least a day ahead and left to sit so the flavors can really combine, I promise you wouldn't be disappointed if you use this method. Also punche creme can be made virgin but you definitely don't get the same effect and it will definitely have to be refrigerated.  To go the no fail traditional route use rum such as Bacardi which is widely available. I am happy to be sending this recipe from my table to yours and it would be a great addition to any holiday table so I hope you enjoy.

Punche Creme

- 1 13.5oz can of coconut milk

- 2 14oz can of condensed milk

- 2 14oz cans of evaporated milk

- rind of one lime

- 1/4 tsp nutmeg

- 2 dash of angostura bitters

- 2 tbsp vanilla extract

- 2 cups of your favorite rum

- Combine all of the milk together

- Grate rind of lime and add to mixture

- Add rum to mixture and mix vigorously with a whisk or swizzle stick.

- Strain lime out of the milk

- Add bitters, vanilla,  and nutmeg

 - pour into clean glass bottles or covered pitcher.