In reverence of the orange, and it’s all mighty ruler, the sun, i bring you MX XVII. (I covered the whole, orange is ruled by the sun, which belongs to leo thing, in my earlier post). But first, there’s a few cocktail kitties out there I’d like to propose a birthday toast to: JAY from oh gosh, ALEXANDER from a companion for the young imbiber, BOSTON APOTHECARY from egullet and SEAMUS from bunnyhugs… Cheers Leos!

I was surprised to find a heavy concentration of guests with the same signs: Taurus, Libra & Leo leading the way, followed by Aquarius, Aries & Cancer. (There’s a token Pisces, Capricorn, Gemini and Virgo too). This makes total astrological sense. Taurus and Libra are both ruled by Venus, which gives a very definite love of food, and by extension, drink. Leo loves to put on a show, and publishing a blog is an inherently comfortable arena for them.

I know you’re on the edge of your bar stool, so without further ado, i present you with the impressive MX XVII guest list…

RICK, a TAURUS, from KAISER PENGUIN brings us the tantalizing PEARL DIVER’S PUNCH, using orange as the secret ingredient in the called-for cinnamon syrup. Yum, mouth-watering, like everything Taurus makes.

ERIK, a LIBRA, from EGULLET goes out on a limb using the color, rather than the flavor, orange! Woah… Erik, what are doin to me man? We Capricorns don’t handle surprises so well ; ) He shares with us, the apricot flavored THEORETICAL SLOPE, a rather radical blend inspired by the renowned Flatiron Lounge in NYC.

BOSTON APOTHECARY, a LEO, from EGULLET, introduces us to their old orange friend, the SUNSET GUN. who I think I’ll be getting to know in the near future…mmnnnnn. (BTW boston, cloves are ruled by Aries, an excellent match for you).

PAUL, a CANCER, from COCKTAIL CHRONICLES uses Creole Shrub for the orange flavor. He presents the creative and intricate SWORDFIGHTER SWIZZLE, which also made an appearance at the recent Tales of The Cocktail Event in New Orleans.

NATALIE, an AQUARIUS with LEO rising, from THE LIQUID MUSE, weighs in with a circa 1971 playboy recipe, the ORANGE-SHELL COOLER. Here she uses the entire shell of the orange – now that’s different, like Aquarius.

ALEXANDER, a LEO, from A COMPANION FOR THE YOUNG IMBIBER invents an interestingly complex NEMEAN PUNCH, with the story of how it came to be. Fittingly entertaining for Leo.

JEFFREY, a LIBRA, from JEFFREY MORGENTHALER unveils his BIG ORANGE RIBBON TWIST how-to vid. (needed this… I’m a twist tard). Jeffrey has quite the likeable-libra on camera presence.

ANITA & CAMERON, both AQUARIUS, from MARRIED WITH DINNER, prepare the tres seasonal PEACHES & HERB (from the must-have cocktail book, The Art of The Bar). An unusual pairing of ingredients, for an unusual pair of Aquarians.

JAY, a LEO, from OH GOSH!, makes the BLOOD & SAND and provides a nice historical background on this provacatively named tipple. Appropriately chosen, as Leo also rules blood.

PHIL, a TAURUS, from LAMB MARTINI, shakes up an EL PRESIDENTE for us, along with a thorough and interesting libational history of the drink. A FOOD and drink blog – definetely Taurus-territory.

HAALO, an ARIES, from COOK ALMOST ANYTHING, mixes up a BLOOD ORANGE MARTINI, and her LEO-taster husband gives it two paws up – meow! (Great combo: Aries & Leo).

GABRIEL, a TRIPLE AQUARIUS! (sun, rising, moon), from COCKTAIL NERD, actually remembered it was Mixology Monday. He presents the SLEEPING GIANT, with an amusing tale about wives and evil eyes.

DOUG, an ARIES, from THE PEGU BLOG, brings to the bar, the MIMOSA & RITZ-CARLTON STINGER, with thought-provoking, sybil-style conversation to boot. Yes, doug, my first was a screwdriver too.

SEAMUS, a LEO, from BUNNYHUGS, makes good use of some orange bitters in the CALVADOS COCKTAIL, and insists it’s a must-try. But Leos will say anything to impress you.

JAMIE, a CANCER, from SPIRITS AND COCKTAILS, gives us a 2 for 1 with the BLOOD ORANGE & UNION CLUB, proving just how exiting OJ can be! Two drinks from a two fisted drinker: Cancer.

SIOBHAN, a VIRGO, from IMBIBE MAGAZINE, which is a TAURUS, due to it’s launch date, wows us with the ORANGE YOU GLAD, a commemorative drink created in their famous test kitchen. (The greatest chefs in the world are Taurean).

CRAIG, an ARIES, from DR. BAMBOO managed to squeeze in a nightcap despite of the new LEO in his life: Baby Bamboo… congrats! He shares with us, the BLUE MONDAY, and his usual Arian hilarity and cocktail-appropriate art.

DARCY, a LIBRA, from THE ART OF THE DRINK in Canada, experiments with the CANADIAN COCKTAIL, and some interesting variations of it. Libra – always striving to find the perfect balance.

MICHAEL, a LIBRA, from A DASH OF BITTERS, brings us SATAN’S WHISKER, along with a brief history on the genesis of his drinking and his opinion on the importance of clear citrus, with which I couldn’t agree more.

CINDY, a LIBRA, from MY BRILLIANT MISTAKES, dives right into orange with the famous TEQUILA SUNRISE, and her own Libran perfection thereof, the MARGARITA SUNRISE.

MARLEIGH, a CANCER, from SLOSHED (how apropos), mixes up a BLUE REEF, in lieu of her carrot garnish. She’s punny.

JIMMY, a PISCES from JIMMY’S COCKTAIL HOUR, brings to us the deceptively simple CABLE CAR, making good use of Curacao. (now that’s a match made in heaven: Pisces and alcohol).

DAVID, a VIRGO from DAVE’S DRINKS, thankfully found time between a bout with the flu and a visit from the inlaws to bang out a HULA HULA COCKTAIL.

ALEX, a TAURUS, from WHERE’S THE CRISPY PIG?, invents THE LAZY MONDAY, which calls for Cointreau and a homemade fennel-infused gin, which sounds amazing. Laziness is one of Taurus’ negative traits. Culinary bliss is one of their positive.

STEVE, a GEMINI, from PROJECT COCKTAIL, whips up an ORANGE BLOSSOM for us, putting a spin on the standard screwdriver.

I (CAPRICORN), made the MS FANNY U BANK, from one of my fave books, “The Cocktail, ” by Jane Rocca, illustrated by Kat Macleod.

Sorry everyone, i forgot a guest!!!! i knew I would…. self fulfilling prophecy, yadayadaya. please accept my sincerest apoligies BLAIR, who is yet another Taurus, from TRADER TIKI’S BOOZE BLOG. He generously show his extensive stable of ORANGE flavored bar products to us… thank you Blair! It’s hard to imagine life without orange, or Leo, isn’t it? I never realized how important a cocktail ingredient it really is.

If i missed anyone or messed up any factoids, please slap me at gwen@intoxicatedzodiac.com. And thanks for coming to the party, oh happy tipplers!