Orange Blossom Special

OrangeBlossome Special
Originally uploaded by Lokis world

We stumbled upon Lychee Liqueur yesterday and just had to find something to use it in. A few years back we planted a lychee tree and this year it finally bore fruit. We yeilded 15 lychee nuts. Currently we are infusing rum with it and have yet to try it.

2 oz. Gin
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Lychee Liqueur
1/3 oz. lemon

Now, I admit I broke a cardinal rule here using the little yellow lemon juice bottle, but we were in a pinch because there was not a fresh lemon to be found in the house. Thats why we keep a few of these babies in stock. Thankfully the recipe only calls for a dash.

It was a tasty drink with the unique lychee flavor and the kick from the gin made it feel like a masculine drink. The recipe book I found it in states this should be made when the orange blossoms are in bloom, but that doesnt happen until March in Florida, so a brisk (65 F)November evening was just fine with us.

Black Pearl cigar

black pearl cigar
Originally uploaded by Lokis world

The Black Pearl cigar is a Nicaraguan hand rolled cigar with Nicaragua filler and binder with Ecuador wrapper. It has a nutty flavor with hints of wood. A mild smoke with a decent burn. Cigar Aficionado rated it an 88 and the cost is around $5 USD. I prefer to punch the end rather than cut it. It makes the draw more intense and centered and you dont get the tip all sloppy. I dont normally drink a beer with a cigar, but it was a hot sunny day and it just felt right. I got mine is a bakers dozen variety pack from Thompson Cigars. I do recommend it, not the best I've ever had, but it was memorable.

Old Pal

Old Pal
Originally uploaded by Lokis world

1 oz. Rye Whiskey
3/4 oz. Dry Vermouth
3/4 Campari

Stir over cracked ice. Strain in a cocktail glass.

If you are a fan of Campari this one is for you. If Campari is a bit to harsh for you , dont worry, the Rye is the perfect additive taking some of the bitterness out of it.

Cigar time...Leprechaun

I started smoking cigars in the early 90's when the cigar craze just started. I would buy one or two at a time, smoke one with friends and I even joined a cigar bar. A Twenty dollar membership and you got to enter the back room where jazz music from John Coltrane met you in a blue cloud of cigar smoke and a purty girl tending bar and would dress your cigar dipped in brandy. My friends and I thought we were big shots. I admit it was fun. We even met a few "stars" if you can call them that (90's rock band Candlebox).

I never minded spending upwards of $10 on a nice puro. Ten bucks was a lot of money for a starving Scuba instructor at the time. Well, the cigar bar closed and the craze died down due to an influx of cigar makers taking advantage of poor scuba instructors. Over the years I continued to enjoy a stogie now and then, and even bought a humidor to keep my puro's longer. I will try and bring to light a few of the smokes I enjoy.

Todays entrant is Leprechaun. I have found the lack of time to be a major problem when the desire to smoke a cigar is in order. When time is not on your side I turn to the cigarello. Many cigarello's fall into the flavor infused category. Cherry, Rum, Vanilla, Honey Nut, etc...While they may taste nice to some, to me it just isn't the same as a classic cigar tobacco. This is where cigar companys like Leprechaun take the stage. For years the Dutch have owned the market on cigarellos in Europe, now countires like Ireland are joining the cigar market and producing wonderful bold cigar tastes packed in a 3 5/8" 23 ring guage puro. Give them a try when you seek the taste of a cigar but just dont have the time for a full size.

Tails of the Merman-Episode 3: Party Time!

Orange Revolution

Orange Revolution
Originally uploaded by Lokis world

The Orange Revolution was invented at the Pier Top Revolving Lounge at Pier 66 in Ft. Lauderdale. The Lounge was located at the top of the building and was designed to rotate 360 degrees allowing patrons to enjoy a panoramic view of the Ft. Lauderdale area and ocean. Unfortunately the Lounge is gone now, but the drink lives on.

In a blender add two cups of ice.
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1/2 oz. White or Orange Curacao
1/2 oz. Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
1 oz. Gin

Blend till smooth, garnish with orange slice.

Patron tequila flight

Alright my loyal readers...all two of you. A neighbor stopped by with an assortment of Patron Tequila. We are primarily rum drinkers and the prospect of trying some high end tequilas couldnt be passed up.

The three contenders: Patron Silver (green bow), Patron Reposado (orange), and Patron Anejo (yellow).

All were served neat with a wedge of lime after the taste. Four judges. Water between each, starting lighter to darker.

First up, the Silver (Blanco) A 100% De Agave which is produced using only the sugars from the Weber blue agave. An unaged tequila and Patrons most popular. It is very smooth, no bite, little to no heat, great finish with a slight tequila taste. It is amazingly smooth. It is not cheap, but it deserves to be in your bar.

The second is the Reposado. It is a mixture of Silver and Anjeo aged 6 months and is 100% De Agave. It has a slight hint of oak flavor and it gives that classic tequila taste. It would make a great margarita. We were all a little disappointed in the taste drinking it neat as a sipper. I would have a hard time serving it in mixed drinks because its not cheap and only those with great appreciation for tequila would know the difference.

The Anejo is a 100% De Agave and aged up to 12 months. This was the stand out of the three. Extra smooth, great taste, clean finish and basically wonderful. It would be a crime if this were used to mix drinks with. A sipper only and a damn good one at that. We didnt even use the lime for this one, as you just dont need it. Around $65 USD for a .750l makes it less than cheap, but it will have a place in my bar for that special occasion or any day you feel like a quick visit to Mexico.

Tequilas have a new place in our bar and we are looking forward to trying some more premium brands out there. Patron is only the starting point as its easy to find and tastes great. The fancy hand blown glass bottles only adds to the allure of this fine libation. Of course, your mileage may vary. Goce de mis amigos.

This is Florida

THIS IS FLORIDA AND ONLY FLORIDANS KNOW THIS...

• "Down South" means Key West


• "Panhandling" means going to Pensacola.


• You think no-one over 70 should be allowed to drive.


• Flip-flops are everyday wear.


• Shoes are for business meetings and church.


• Sweet tea can be served at any meal.


• An alligator once walked through your neighborhood.


• You smirk when a game show's "Grand Prize" is a trip or cruise to Florida.


• You measure distance in minutes.


• You have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.


• You get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.


• All the local festivals are named after a fruit.


• A mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.


• You think everyone from a bigger city has a northern accent.


• You know the four seasons really are: almost summer, summer, >not summer but really hot, and Christmas.


• It's not soda, cola, or pop...its coke, regardless of > brand or flavor, "What kinda coke you want?"


• Anything under 95 is just warm.


• Anything under 70 is chilly.


• You've hosted a hurricane party.


• You go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when > to get on the best rides.


• You pass on the right and honk at the elderly.


• You understand the futility of exterminating cockroaches.


• You can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee, Withlacoochee, Okahumpka and Loxahatchee.


• You understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.


• Bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, and a confederate flag.


• You were 8 before you realized they made houses without pools.


• You were 12 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.


• You get angry when people say "Florida isn't really part of the SOUTH"


• You've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas.


• You know what the "stingray shuffle" is, and why it's > important!


• Socks are only for bowling


• Orange juice from concentrate makes you vomit


• Tap water makes you vomit


• You never use an umbrella because you know the rain > will be over in five minutes


• A good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with shade.


• You can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites.


• You've driven through Yeehaw Junction.


• You could swim before you could read.


• You have to drive north to get to The South.


• You know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.


• Every other house had blue roofs in 2004-2005.


• You know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for.


• You dread lovebug season.


• You are on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances...but Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.


• You know what a snowbird is and you hate them.


• You know why flamingos are pink.


• You think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.

Tails of the Merman-Ep. 2: Special Delivery - With Contest

Tails of the Merman-Episode 1: LuRu Prepares for a Party

Tails of the Merman...my good buddy over at http://exp33.blogspot.com/ has created one of todays greatest action heros...The Merman. Enjoy