30/30 - #5 The Cosmopolitan

Surprise, another cocktail! I promise I don't drink all day, every day, but I just had to include this in my Top 30 countdown. Again, another Mama Rose inspiration, The Cosmopolitan. I am not claiming that she invented this cocktail or anything, only that she perfected it! I still love to pretend like I am Carrie in New York City at the hottest new club when I am drinking it. Perfect drink for my birthday week!

Find the recipe for the Rose Cosmopolitan cocktail here.

30/30 - #12 Basil Grape Crush Cocktail

The basil in my garden is exploding right now, so I am trying to use it for every little thing in the kitchen, including cocktails. I came up with this little gem last summer, during Kettler Cuisine Cocktail Month (which also coincided with my birthday). The Basil Grape Crush is a very refreshing cocktail for the hot, hot weather that has started hovering over Raleigh. This cocktail requires a few steps more than just cracking open a beer, but the flavor is worth it.

Since I first posted the cocktail recipe, I have changed a few things - the vodka and the ginger mixer. I have recently become hooked on CIROC vodka (yes, this is Puff Daddy's vodka, stop laughing). CIROC is distilled entirely from grapes (no grain or potatoes), which gives the vodka a distinct flavor, and one that I really enjoy. This also makes CIROC perfect for the Basil Grape Crush.

Since I am not much of a soda drinker, I don't keep Ginger Ale around the house much, even for the bar. However, I recently made a ginger-flavored Water Kefir that I thought would be a decent replacement for the Ginger Ale. I was pleasantly surprised! I realize that most people don't have Water Kefir at home, so using Ginger Ale works just as well!

I personally like boozy-flavored drinks, so I like to add 2 shots of vodka into this cocktail. However, some people don't like to taste the alcohol, in which case you would only add one shot. Hopefully the idea of this cocktail gets you through your Monday!

Basil Grape Crush

Yields: 1 cocktail

2 basil leaves
4-5 red seedless grapes
2 shots ginger kefir (or ginger ale)
*1-2 shots CIROC vodka (depending on how strong you like your drinks)
Fresh lime wedge (optional)

In a large glass or cocktail shaker, muddle the basil, grapes and splash of ginger kefir/ale. Add in the vodka and squeezed lime wedge (if using), then shake vigorously. Set aside.

Fill a cocktail glass halfway with ice and pour in the strained, muddled vodka mixture (optional to add in the muddled grapes and basil leaves as well). Pour in the ginger kefir/ale and stir with a small spoon. Serve with more lime if desired. 

Sit back, put your feet up and say "Ahhhhhh!"

30/30 - #19 Martini

Monday's are usually rough at work - first day back after a nice relaxing weekend, and catching up on emails that seem to stack up and multiply over the weekend. I always go in earlier on Mondays to prepare for the week and Monday meetings, then usually stay longer since I spend most of the day in meetings.

Needless to say, a refreshing cocktail is VERY enjoyable at the end of a long work day. I am a big fan of martinis and have been for a while. Something about an ice cold, strong drink in a sculpted glass makes you feel sophisticated and mature. Considering I am counting down to my 30th birthday and getting older, a sophisticated and mature drink is very fitting.

Vodka martinis are usually my drink of choice, but recently I was introduced to a vodka and gin mixture that is a perfect pairing. This martini even has a sophisticated name, The 007, shaken, not stirred. 

As I get older, the contents of my liquor cabinet tend to get a bit better. I like nice liquor and am not ashamed of it. Since I don't drink a lot, the one drink I have tends to last the entire night, so top quality is preferred. For this martini, the best vodka is Skyy Vodka because of its slight peppery taste. Then for the gin, I prefer Hendrick's because it doesn't have as much of a bite to it like most gins can have. You combine these together with a little sweet vermouth and lemon rind in a shaker and you have yourself one fancy cocktail.

007 Martini

Yields: 1 cocktail

1.5 ounces gin
1.5 ounces vodka
1/4 ounces sweet vermouth
lemon twist

In a shaker full of ice, mix the gin, vodka and sweet vermouth and shake well. Run the lemon twist around the edge of a martini glass and then drop in the bottom. Pour in the gin mix and drink while chilled.

Oyster Shooter

We love our family get togethers. They usually involve great food, a lot of laughter and some pretty delicious booze. One of our go-to special occasion drinks is an Oyster Shooter. If you are a Hegele, then skip to the next paragraph because you know what this is. For all those other folks out there, an Oyster Shooter is my second favorite way to eat a raw oyster (the first being just plain). There are four simple components:

1. Raw oyster
2. Vodka (optional, but highly suggested)
3. Bloody Mary mix (Zing Zang is the best store bought)
4. Salt and/or hot sauce

The Oyster Shooter is one that I obviously didn't try until later in my life (after 21), but one that I look forward to on holidays or family special occasions. I realize that many people don't like oysters, that they are an acquired taste, that they are an aphrodisiac....blah blah blah! That's all ok with me, but I will tell you that if you like Bloody Mary's and you like oysters, then try this combination - you will love it.

I am partial to fresh oysters, but sometimes Whole Foods has some decent ones in a jar at the seafood counter. However, there is nothing like a fresh oyster pried open with your own hands.

I know it might be random to post this drink at the end of February, but I just couldn't help myself, especially as oyster season comes to an end. I love them, my family eats (and drinks) a lot of them. They are little treasures from the sea. So enjoy this little treasure, from my family to yours! Bottoms up!

Oyster Shooter

Yields: 1 shot

Prep Time: 2 minutes

1 raw oyster (cut in half if large)

1 ounce Bloody Mary mix or tomato juice

1/2 ounce chilled Vodka

salt to taste
hot sauce to taste

In a large or tall shot glass, place the oyster at the bottom, pour in the vodka gently, then top with the Bloody Mary mix and sprinkle of salt. Cheers with the person next to you and take it down! (Remember to chew the oyster)

Dolores Dirty Hippie Martini

My girl, Jess loves her some dirty martinis! Who can blame her? There is something sophisticated and refreshing about sipping on a fancy martini.

A drink like this is a Friday afternoon thing for me...after a long, hard week of work. There is nothing like that first sip that helps you dive right into a relaxing weekend. Many times during the weekend, I find myself dreading Monday morning. But Friday afternoons, you don't think about this. There is an infinity of time ahead of you until Monday. It is the perfect time for a dirty martini, or what we are calling in this post for Jess, a "Dolores Dirty Hippie."

One could consider this sort of an add-on from the last post about San Francisco and our favorite part, the Mission. In the center of the Mission is Dolores Park, a great spot for people watching. In an extremely liberal town, this park is about as liberal as it gets. A hot bed of hippies and hippie activities.

In the early days, a martini was made of equal parts gin and dry vermouth. However, over the years, the amount of vermouth has decreased, the gin increased, and in many cases changed to vodka. This is how we like it, mostly vodka, a little dry vermouth and either olive juice (Hubby) or a twist of lemon (Me).

Everyone prefers different types of vodka, here are our favs:

Top Shelf - Belvedere

Mid Shelf - Stolichnaya (Stoli)

Bottom Shelf - Pinnacle

Since it is Friday, and my dear friends birthday month, we here at Kettler Cuisine present the Dolores Dirty Hippie...Cheers!

Drawing by GreenGirlCanvas on Etsy

Dolores Dirty Hippie Martini

Yields: 1 cocktail

3 ounces top shelf vodka

splash dry vermouth (coat the glass) + 1/2 ounce

1/2 ounce olive juice (or more)

2-3 Queen green olives stuffed with pimentos

Place the martini glass in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Fill a martini shaker with ice and pour in the vodka, vermouth and olive juice. Add a splash of vermouth to the chilled glass and coat the glass. Shake the vodka mixture vigorously and pour into the prepared glass. Spear olives on a pick and enjoy!

Cocktail Month: Vodka Root Beer Floats

I thought about how I should wrap up cocktail month here on Kettler Cuisine and then it hit me, end the month like you end a meal...with dessert! For the final installment of Cocktail Month, I present the Vodka Root Beer Float! It's a nightcap and dessert in one!

The Hubby and I have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the kitchen experimenting with different cocktails this month. But even more, we have enjoyed all the great comments and praise from our followers and friends! Thank you for all the comments and pictures sent!!

So, to recap Cocktail Month on Kettler Cuisine:

• Tuscan Sunset
• Basil Grape Crush
• Cilantro Pineapple Julep
• Cucumber Chill Martini

The days of boring vodka tonics are over! Get in the liquor cabinet and play around with flavors and combinations. It's hard to go wrong :)

Vodka Root Beer Float

Yields: 1 drink


1 shot vodka
Root beer
2 scoops vanilla gelato or ice cream
Chilled glass

For best results, start with all cold ingredients. We like to chill our glasses in the freezer for about 30 minutes before making. There are two ways to make a root beer float, either start with the ice cream or start with the root beer.

We like to start with the vodka and fill the glass 2/3 full with root beer (leaving room for ice cream), then add the ice cream scoops on top, it bubbles up and starts to blend together pretty quickly! The result is a boozy, delicious, creamy dessert beverage.

Cocktail Month: Tuscan Sunset

In the words of the semi-homemade Food Network star, “It’s cocktail time!”

It’s Cocktail Month on Kettler Cuisine. June, possibly my favorite month, is the time of year when the weather gets hotter and the drinks get cooler! What better time to share a few of our favorite drinks to cool us down when the hot weather comes. For most of June we will be sharing new drinks, to go along with some of the favs we have already shared:

-       Bloody Mary

-       Cosmopolitan

-       Clean Margarita

To kick-off Cocktail Month, we are going to share a delicious combination of pineapple and peach, we like to call the Tuscan Sunset, so aptly named from a special time in my life.

Back in college, I had the chance to study abroad in Florence, Italy. It was there that I officially grew up and became an adult. I developed a sense of independence, curiosity and culture. During my first week, fellow students and I discovered the best little café and our soon to be favorite bartender, Claudette. After dropping in several days in a row, she made us her special concoction of pineapple juice and peach vodka (vodka alla pesca) and we would drink while the sun set over the Duomo. I was hooked.

I started ordering this everywhere in Italy. I developed a signature drink at 19 years old (and yes, I was drinking under age, but hey, I was in Europe). I remember writing my parents from Florence and telling them about this drink. I now look back and think that this probably concerned them that I was so excited about a drink and not the classes I was taking.

But that was not true, I LOVED the classes. I had to take a few required history courses, but the majority of my time was spent in the studio studying oil painting. It was a blast, and I had the chance to work with some amazing professors (and create some of my best artwork). I took it all in. Everything about Italy was amazing, beautiful and interesting. I traveled to Rome, Venice, Capri, Sorrento, Cinque Terre, but spent most of my time in a little apartment in Florence, right across from the Accademia Gallery (home of Michelangelo's David).

My favorite spot was Capri….by far the most gorgeous place in Italy. You must go during the early summer so you can see the grottos (natural caves) and travel to the top of the island for the best gelato and view of the Mediterranean.

One of my paintings - Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy)

I have found a few types of peach vodkas over the years; Stoli, Pinaccle, Absolut. I think that Absolut Apeach is the best flavor though. You could also take a stab at making your own peach infused vodka.

If you have a juicer, you could also make fresh pineapple juice, but I usually don’t like to pull out my juicer to make a cocktail. I get the fresh pineapple juice from Trader Joe’s (not made from concentrate and no sugar added).

Years later, I still love to make this drink when it starts warming up. It reminds me of the wonderful memories that I made while in Europe AND the beautiful Tuscan sunsets.

Tuscan Sunset

Yields: 1 cocktail

2 tablespoon pineapple juice

1 shot peach flavored vodka

2 T cherry juice (from maraschino cherry jar)

2 cherries

Fill a cocktail glass with as much as ice as desired and transfer the ice to the shaker. Add in the pineapple juice, vodka and cherry juice and shake vigorously. 

Pour the drink with ice into the glass and add in the cherries on a toothpick or drop in the bottom of the glass. Enjoy!