as promised, i’m putting all the recipes from our holiday event (intoxicated zodiac, susan miller & todd english) online. so now all you zodiac junkies can drink your very own sign for some extra christmas cheer this year!

The work of Nicholas Culpeper, the father of western herbalism, serves as a guide when i create astrology-themed drinks. Culpeper’s books are still in print, 300 years after he wrote detailed descriptions of which plants belong to which signs and how to use them medicinally. In Medieval Herbal Astrology, plants have Zodiac signs, just like people. In the Medieval times only seven planets had been discovered as opposed to nine today. Therefore, since these drinks are based on Medieval Herbal Astrology, the ancient ruling planet for each sign is referenced.

“under the stars” is a NOISE 784 production. sponsored by TYKU, perrier and jim beam, the recipes call for these fine products. cheers!

Aries’ Cocktail features CRANBERRY as its star ingredient! Aries is ruled by Mars: The scarlet, fiery, hot planet. Flavors that are very spicy or very tart are often ruled by Mars. The cranberry’s bright crimson color, underscored by its tangy flavor certainly betrays its allegiance to the red planet, and is hence an Aries.

ARIES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 2 oz cranberry syrup, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, perrier
(shake over ice and strain pour into an ice packed collins glass. Top with Perrier. Garnish with a floating fresh cranberry)

CRANBERRY SPICE SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 1 c fresh cranberries, peel of half a small orange
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Taurus’ Cocktail features PEPPERMINT as its star ingredient! If its divinely fragrant and tantalizingly tasty, you can bet its ruled by Venus. This beautiful planet rules all fruit, herbs and flowers that are particularly fragrant. Hence, mint falls under the dominion of Venus and may be identified as a Taurus.

TAURUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz peppermint syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(served up with a mini candy cane garnish)

PEPPERMINT MINT SYRUP:
3 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 tsp peppermint extract
(heat until dissolved)

Gemini’s Cocktail features HAZELNUT as its star ingredient! Culpeper lists the hazelnut under Mercury. The tree’s delicate leaves & flowers are indicative of this planet’s fleeting & wispy qualities. After all, Mercury is the fastest orbiting planet in our solar system. hazelnut is a Gemini.

GEMINI XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz hazelnut cocoa syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a few pcs of floating chopped hazelnut garnish)

HAZELNUT COCOA SYRUP:
1 c “NUTELLA” spread,2 c water
(heat lightly and whisk until blended)

Cancer’s Cocktail features EGG as its star ingredient! The egg is ruled by the Moon, as is Cancer. They share the traits of a hard outer shell and a soft, pale, fleshy inside. Cancer is known for its innate creativity, along with a desire to “nest.” What symbolizes those two qualities more than the egg?

CANCER XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz ‘nog anise syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a floating star anise)

‘NOG ANISE SYRUP:
1 c brown sugar, 1 ½ c water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 5 star anise, 4 tsp chopped, fresh ginger, 3 tsp vanilla extract, 10 cardamom pods
(toast spices over medium low in pan first. then simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Leo’s Cocktail features CLEMENTINE as its star ingredient! The bright, round, orange-colored, life-giving star of our solar system, the Sun, rules over Leo. Because the clementine bears a heavy physical resemblance to the sun, it is given ruler ship under it. The clementine is a Leo.

LEO XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz sochu, 1 oz clementine rosemary syrup, 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
(served over ice topped with Perrier. Garnish with a slice of clementine)

CLEMENTINE ROSEMARY SYRUP:
2 chopped clementines, ¼ c chopped fresh rosemary, 2 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Virgo’s Cocktail features POMEGRANATE as its star ingredient! The pomegranate is ruled by Mercury due to its astringent qualities. Mercury is the fleet-footed planet and therefore holds ownership over anything that is fast-binding and drying in nature. That is why the pomegranate is a Virgo.

VIRGO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 1/2 oz pomegranate grenadine, 1/2 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with 3 floating pomegranate seeds)

POMEGRANATE GRENADINE:
Equal parts 100% pomegranate juice and water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes)

Libra’s Cocktail features SUGAR PLUM as its star ingredient! Libra is ruled by the Venus, the beautiful planet. Venus holds dominion over things that are sugary sweet, succulent, attractive and delectable in nature. A perfectly ripe, juicy plum would certainly fall under ruler ship of Venus, and may be called a Libra.

LIBRA XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz tyku liqueur, 1 oz plum syrup, 1 oz lemon juice
(serve up and garnish with a sugar rim)

SUGAR PLUM SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 chopped fresh plums
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Scorpio’s Cocktail features CLOVE as its star ingredient! The incredibly pungent and powerful clove is ruled by none other than what many refer to as the planet of war, Mars. Really, it is the planet of passion and the strength to defend and protect. In fact, clove is so strong it can be used to defeat Cancer. Today, Scorpio is considered co-ruled by Mars and Pluto.

SCORPIO XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 1 oz lemon juice, 1 oz clove chili syrup, perrier
(served over ice, topped with perrier, garnished with a floating clove and straw)

CLOVE CHILI SYRUP:
1 c white sugar, 3 c water, 2-3 pinches cloves, 1 small handful or approx 20 dried chili arbols
(toast chilis and clove over medium low in pan first. simmer for 15-20 minutes and strain)

Sagittarius’ Cocktail features FIG as its star ingredient The vast number of seeds in a fig makes it a fruit ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. This huge planet is the owner of all things Ubiquitous, prolific, abundant and colossal in nature. This is why the fig is listed as a Sagittarius.

SAGITTARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 ¼ oz fig syrup, ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
(shake over ice and strain into glass. Garnish with a dried fig slice)

FIG SYRUP:
1 c fresh chopped figs, 1 c white sugar, 2 c water
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Capricorn’s Cocktail features MOLASSES as its star ingredient! Discarded as a by-product, molasses is the almost black, densely thick, mildly bittersweet syrup that is born from the dregs of the sugar cane plant. Saturn symbolizes frugality, austerity and scarcity. Molasses is ruled by Saturn due to the nature of its genesis.

CAPRICORN XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz gingerbread syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up with a slice of candied ginger garnish)

GINGERBREAD SYRUP: 2 c brown sugar, 2 c water, 1 c molasses, 5 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Aquarius’ Cocktail features CEDAR as its star ingredient! Saturn is the slowest moving planet, symbolizing longevity and resilience. Plants ruled by this constant planet are extremely hardy in nature–take for example the famously pest and weather-resistant cedar tree. Today Aquarius is considered co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus. That’s why cedar is an Aquarius.

AQUARIUS XMAS TIPPLE:
1 oz sochu, 1 oz sake, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 1 oz cedar syrup
(served up with a sugar rim)

CEDAR TIP SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c dried cedar tip needles
(toast cedar over medium low in pan first. simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

Pisces’ Cocktail features CHESTNUT as its star ingredient! The chestnut tree’s diameter can be as great as 17 feet, which epitomizes the grandiose qualities of the largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter. Today, Pisces is considered co-ruled by Jupiter and the more recently discovered Neptune. The chestnut is a Pisces and sheer size alone is what determines that.

PISCES XMAS TIPPLE:
2 oz whiskey, 1 oz chestnut syrup, 1 oz creamer
(served up a chestnut slice garnish)

CHESTNUT SYRUP:
2 c white sugar, 2 c water, 1 c chopped and peeled roasted chestnuts
(simmer for 20-30 minutes and strain)

ROAST CHESTNUT GARNISH:
Slice each nut prior to baking with a knife, but try not to penetrate flesh. Then it will be easier to slice them for garniature.

the incredibly powerful acai berry is ruled by saturn due to it’s rather dull taste and dark color. the one negative to this amazing fruit is that it is actually high in acid. cheers!

MOJITO NOIR:
2 oz spiced black rum
1 juicy lime, cubed
2 tbsp sugar (superfine)
açaí juice

Muddle 3 sprigs mint with sugar, lime. Add ice, rum. Top with açaí juice. Stir.

oh yes, those ruled by saturn are all too aware, there is no pleasure without pain. from every wrong, comes a right. so from the turmoil, chaos, and saturn’s dark days of terror will come the brightest and most euphoric light your little mind dare dream up. the light you always knew existed. the bliss you always knew was yours. it’s the getting to it that’s the hard part.

and based on the research of ancient seers, modern day astrologers, channelers, shamans, and even pundits, that day will come sometime post 2012. so until then my friends, we must all hang on to our sombreros and wait until the sun comes out. here’s a little something to make that wait easier… it’s called the CHELADA and it’s served with love at COMIDA (82nd & columbus, nyc). stop in and roll this mexican masterpiece around your mouth, and you’ll agree… lime is better when lubed with beer… cheers to the chelada.

CHELADA
fill glass with ice, add shot of fresh lime juice, fill with beer. don’t forget to rim the glass with sea salt!

don’t forget to also thank the honey bee by:

***planting a garden (yes one plant on your city rooftop does count),

***buying organic produce (and avoiding GM foods like corn, white rice, papaya. unfortunately, the only way to be sure you are avoiding GM foods is to buy organic due to the absence of government required labeling)

***minimizing your use of pesticides (rethink your lawn care and try going au natural. or practice integrated pest management)

***limiting the use of your cell phone (and all other wireless devices. FYI, these are also bad for us.)

***for the very ambitious among us, raising a hive. it’s not as hard as it sounds, and can be quite meditative.)

***taking government action: read here on how germany just outlawed several pesticides. (god forbid the US could so something as intelligent and progressive as that.)

SAVE THE BEES KNEES
2 oz organic gin
3/4 oz organic honey syrup*
1/2 oz fresh organic lemon juice

*make honey syrup by mixing equal parts hot water and honey. stir until dissolved.

GREEN GIN INFUSION:
place one cup shredded organic spinach and 750 ml gin in a container to sit together for at least 12 hours. the longer you leave it, and the more spinach you use, the darker the green will get. strain back into original bottle (agitating expediates the process).

the intensity of the green in this G & T was weakened by the tonic water. to serve a REALLY green drink this st. paddy’s day, make a GREEN GIMLET instead…

the popeye strong spinach plant is – you guessed it – ruled by the hardiest of planets, saturn. so spinach, my friends, is a capricorn. similar to the capricornian pansy, it is supposed to be an annual plant in these parts. however, it also will survive the cold, long northeastern winter if planted at the right time of year. spinach will be the last veggie you pick before the snow completely encases you, and the first one you pick after the “tundra” melts. spinach is there for ya baby… whada capricorn! dependable, reliable, diligent, responsible… they’re a barrel of laughs. the funny thing is though, they really are. some of the greatest comedians (howard stern, Julia Louis-Dreyfus) of our day have been capricorns. so here’s to spinach, alcohol and laughter, three of the world’s best medicines…

As they say in Ireland–Sláinte!

GREEN GIMLET:
1 1/2 oz green gin*
1 oz simple syrup*
3/4 oz fresh lime juice

GREEN G & T:
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz tonic water
3 oz green gin
twist of lime for garnish

pack collins glass with ice. add tonic water, green gin, lime juice and stir. oversized twist of lime for garnish.

* simple syrup is a mixture of 50% water/50% sugar. use raw organic sugar for best flavor and most eco points. do not heat. place in container and shake until dissolved. store in fridge.

thanks to KOCHTOPF for hosting WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING #122.

Capricorn will pass us all on the road of life. Her’s is a classic tale of tortoise and hare, she being the tortoise. Aries, for one, being the hare. Slow and steady is her mantra. One foot at a time up the steep mountain of life, until she finally reaches the top, just in time to drop dead.

what i’m saying here is don’t count this girl out the race just yet. don’t throw her away before she’s done. there’s always more to capricorn than meets the eye, for the goat-fish is arguably the most complex sign of the zodiac. sorry to steal your thunder scorpio! so she looks conservative. she acts uptight. she seems boring. you think you’ve got her figured out, when you haven’t unwrapped even one full layer yet. men beware—if you let this one in, you’re beggin’ for a beatin’. and the fact that you’re gonna like it scares the shit out of you.

so let’s talk about sex, i mean molasses, and the dregs of sugar cane that it is. discarded as a by-product, molasses is the almost black, densely thick, mildly bitter sweet syrup that comes from using every part of the plant. this fact is true to capricorn’s very nature of utilizing every tool at her disposal, no matter how seemingly insignificant! “waste not, want not” was surely coined by the goat-girl. this is why my friends, molasses is ruled by saturn and is a capricorn.

BLACK MAGIC

INGREDIENTS:
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Fennel-Infused Vodka*
Espresso
Mollasses Syrup*

INSTRUCTIONS:
Add 2 oz fennel vodka, 2 oz espresso, 2 oz mollasses syrup, 1 oz orange juice, into ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with oversized orange twist.

*Mollasses Syrup: Simmer one cup mollasses, one cup water until dissolved. Add splash vodka and Store in fridge.

*Vodka Fennel Infusion: Add three cups chopped fennel bulb or leaves leaves to 750 ml bottle of vodka. Allow to sit in dark place for 3 weeks. Strain into final storage container. In lieu of fresh fennel, try using dried fennel seeds. (Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)

Tell Starbucks to go organic
See Black Gold, the Movie
Visit CAPRICORN COFFEES
Visit Solar Roast Coffee
Love Your Sugar Goat

BLACKBERRY NOIR

Yield: 2 + martinis.

*1 tsp simple sugar
*1/2 cup blackberries
*2 lemon wedges
*1/2 cup vodka (or gin) (adjust to your liking!)
*1 tablespoon Cointreau (or o.j.)
*1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.

In a small food processor, puree the berries and lemon juice.

Prepare two martini glasses: rub the rims with lemons, then pour a layer of superfine sugar on a plate and twirl the glasses in it. Place them in the freezer.

Fill a martini shaker with ice, then add the vodka (or gin), Cointreau. Add 1 tablespoons of the culled simple syrup and a bit of the berry puree–a little goes a long way. There will be more for later. Shake well for about 10 seconds and strain into the glasses. Serve.

NOTE:
Turns out, I’m a cocktal wuss. Who knew?! And… I replaced (and increased) the simple syrup with maple syrup. Also, changed the garnish. Find my twist on the Blackberry Noir below:

GWEN’S BLACKBERRY NOIR :

* 1/2 c gin
* 6 tbs blackberry puree
* 4 tbs maple syrup
* 1 tbs Cointreau
* garnish with repurposed plastic cocktail sword loaded with berries.

*** Shake it baby, for like a minute. That was a mad strong drink that needed calming down. Shake it for a minute and let it sit for a minute.

THANKS TO THE COCKTAIL CHRONICLES FOR HOSTING THIS MONTH’S MIXOLOGY MONDAY!

QUINCE WINCE

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 oz Vodka
- 1/3 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2 oz quince jam or jelly

DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice for ten seconds. Strain into a chilled (preferably) martini glass.

* Simple syrup is a mixture of 50% water and 50% sugar. just place the sugar and water in a leak-proof container and shake away, every twenty minutes or so, until the sugar is dissolved. No need for sticky saucepots and hot stoves here!

(Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)

ALSO TRY: Poached Quinces