this past holiday i created the cocktails for UNDER THE STARS, an astrology-themed event with famed astrologer SUSAN MILLER and celebrity chef TODD ENGLISH. both of whom, seem to be nice people, which i am glad to report : ) Todd’s head chef was even nice… he shared this culinary tip with me: “gwen, you should toast your spices to bring out the flavor before cooking with them!” oh, says me. DUH, thanks mike the scorpio : ) i have tested this since, and it really does help immensely. SUSAN gave a speech on what 2012 will bring (awesomeness for every sign) and TODD served 4 element-inspired apps, while promoting his latest book. there was a pop-up zodiac shop too, in which IZ glassware was featured. it was a fun night, and hey, now i can say that i’ve been interviewed by the wall street journal. that was cool! read all about it on heydoyou.com.

as promised, i’m putting all the recipes from UNDER THE STARS online, so now all you zodiac junkies can drink your very own sign for some extra christmas cheer this year!

check out IZ the pop-up shop: WHAT’S YOUR SIGN WINES and BAROSCOPE SHOTS and MARRIAGE SIGN SHOTS and BACHELORETTE SHOTS below.

The work of Nicholas Culpeper, the father of western herbalism, serves as a guide when i create astrology-themed drinks. His work may still be referred to in online classes at culinary arts schools today. 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” was 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.

That’s why we invented…. the MOCKTAIL. Because, admit it: Unless you’re a natural alcoholic–of which i know seven intimately–your thoughts won’t process clearly under the influence. As i said, i seem to attract drunks like i do cats. So, i know quite a bit about them. And i find that until you know the person intimately, it’s near impossible to know when they’ve been drinking. They’ve learned to continue processing their thoughts on a level that most would perceive as normal. Only those who know them well enough to detect the subtle indicators, do. So when presence of mind is a priority… this zingy, tangy tipple needs to be, too. Certainly if you’re playing blackjack games i recommend a Caipirinha Virginal. And while we’re speaking presence of mind… a specific sign comes to mind. Gemini is a thinker, and ironically enough most of them are also quite the drinker. Rapid-fire thought processes belong to the fleet-footed, and two-fisted planet: Mercury.

CAIPIRINHA VIRGINAL
½ Lime, quartered
2-4 tsp superfine Sugar
10 leaves cilantro
muddle all with a short pour of soda, shake over ice, pour into collins glass, top with soda, Stir.

Tipsy or not, the sign of the Twins will out-think, out-maneuver, and generally out-do the best of us when it comes to action-orientated tasks. And that’s why we love you, Dear Gemini. The Cilantro Caipirinha is best suited to those events you don’t need–or want–to be 100% present for. Such as the Office party, the Obgyn appointment, Holiday with the inlaws, Speed Dating. If you can’t go out-of-body, you can at least go fill up your glass. Have fun! And if video poker is your game, pour heavy. after all, how badly can you screw up pulling a lever? In summation, this variation on the classic is for those of you who do so love the sauce, myself included. May i offer you an even zingier, tangier tipple than the one above? From Brazil with love… enjoy losing your presence of mind:

CILANTRO CAIPIRINHA.
2 oz cachaca
½ lime, quartered
2-4 tps superfine sugar
10 leaves cilantro
muddle sugar, cilantro, lime. Add cachaca. Shake over ice. Pour all into collins glass. Top with soda. Stir.

i was perusing my natal birth chart yesterday, when i came upon my SATURN QUINCUNX URANUS position… apparently meaning that yours truly has a “disobedient spirit.” IE: chronic irritability, nervous energy, refusal to accept authority, and a resistance to living a “normal life”– (these were some of the nicer traits). so, awesome! however, there was some hope for me… yes, i went on to read, it is possible for those with my astrological affliction to harmonize their inner tension and live a peaceful life. well, i think i found a way to help me harmonize, and i called it the DISOBEDIENT SPIRIT.

the hazelnut is ruled by mercury–so says nicholas culpeper–in his seventeenth-century book: heal thyself. mercury happens to rule gemini, and such a naughty name deserves an equally heady sign to go with it. oh gemini, gemini, wherefore art thou cocktail? the unscrupulous twins are the tricksters of the zodiac, and if any sign is going to be referred to as disobedient, let it be gemini!

DISOBEDIENT SPIRIT:
1 part vodka
1 part melted nutella*
1 part coconut creamer*

shake HARD over ice and strain into glass. harmonize your ass off.

***my latest discovery is coconut creamer. it’s amazing, and it’s GMO-free, and it doesn’t cause tumors. (soy causes tumors, rice is genetically modified, almonds have arsenic in the skin from the peeling process, dairy has RBGH3 growth hormone). to be honest i have not tried hemp milk, it just doesn’t get me exited. but coconut creamer? i just couldn’t resist! look for it in the health food store. you will so not be disappointed.

***to melt nutella, submerge the glass jar in a pan of water and simmer until nutella is melted. then just scoop it into the shaker. if the nutella is in a plastic jar it will melt just the same if you don’t mind phylates. i’d recommend scooping out the nutella and heating it in a double boiler. if you don’t have one, use a small pot inside of another slightly larger pot with water instead.

hey, how do you like that glass? it’s INTOXICATED ZODIAC’S reusable candle votive!

CELERY SIPPER:
1 oz gin
1/2 oz limoncello
1 oz fresh squeezed green apple
1 oz fresh squeezed celery
handful of juiced parsley
1 oz lime juice
1 oz agave

stir all ingredients very well and pour into ice packed glass.

THANKS TO SIDEWALK SHOES FOR HOSTING WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING.

well after this weekend i think we can all agree that summer has arrived. 100 degrees in the first week of june… hmnn… definitely not normal weather. welcome to the end times. so if we’re all going out, let’s make it as fun as we can. and if there’s one sign that knows how to do that, it’s gemini. sign of the fun-lovin twins in these fun-loving days.

gemini’s accelerated mental facilities are certainly an asset in the accelerated times which in we are now living. these chicks can multi task like nobody’s business. especially when it comes to men and drinks. no gemini can have just one, so tickle her fancy with gemini’s feathery fennel. yes, it’s time to pop a cherry fennel cocktail and deflower your mouth.

FENNEL CHERRY POPPER

5 SPRIGS FENNEL (baby fennel has more flavor)
5 cherries
1 tbsp raw sugar
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 oz mineral water
1 oz gin
1/2 oz maraschino liqueur
ice

muddle fennel and whole cherries with sugar, lemon and gin until macerated and sugar is dissolved. add gin, maraschino liqueur, mineral water and ice. stir very well and strain into martini glass. garnish with gemini’s fennel and libra’s cherry.

CHOCAMOLE

1 1/2 oz. Partida Reposado tequila
1 oz. Chocolate “molé” mixture (Recipe to Follow)
1/2 oz. agave nectar
1 dash Regan’s Orange bitters (or FEE BROTHERS BLOOD ORANGE which i used)

In a mixing glass full of ice, add all ingredients. Shake, as if being chased by seven demons, for ten seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish at will.

CHOCOLATE MOLE

Recipe will yield approx. sixteen servings

2 oz. high quality semisweet chocolate (buy pure cocao, uncut with any dairy for the healthiest chocolate. yes, i did say healthy)
5 tablespoons peanut butter (non-hydrogenated, as our bodies cannot break down hydrogenated ingredients. hence they sit in our bodies fer like evuh.)
2 cups water
1/2 cup whole milk (i used almond milk which worked fine. it’s the healthiest choice around. milk is just bad. if you must drink it, at least drink organic so you don’t ingest obscene amounts of hormones. soy is questionable. almond milk is the way to go!)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. whole black peppercorns
1 tsp. dried ground guajillo chile, or similar

Bring two cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and add peanut butter and milk. Whisk until smooth. Add spices and let simmer until mixture thickens to the consistency of a light batter. While hot, pass through a fine strainer, using the back of a ladle to push mixture through. Immediately add chocolate and stir to melt. Let “molé” cool to room temp. before using. (Recipe created by Tad Carducci )

photo UNI-GRAZ

some would say that vanilla is ruled by venus. but due to the lace-like quality of its petals, it can also be viewed as a flower of mercury–and subsequently belongs to gemini. this exotic orchid is known for being one of the most comforting scents to inhale, as gemini is one of the most comfortable sign to share company with. her upbeat attitude is addictive, kind of like vanilla tobacco sazeracs.

source: HO-TINURSERY & orchids and tropicals

WICKED WAY:

2 oz vanilla infused rye whiskey*
1 tsp tobacco syrup*
2 dashes peychaud’s bitters
1/4 tsp pernod

shake all ingredients over ice and strain into cocktail glass.

*simmer on stove top for twenty minutes, 1 cup raw organic sugar, 1 cup water, 1 large tobacco leaf. strain into final storage container adding splash of vodka for preservative.

NOTE: teflon coatings have been found to release carcinogens when being heated. i recommend using an uncoated pot. (VIA GREEN GUIDE)

*place one vanilla bean pod, slit in half, in a 750 ml bottle rye whiskey. allow to sit in cool, dark place for 1-3 weeks. strain into final storage container.

recipe created by gwen sutherland kaiser

thanks to WHAT GEEKS EAT for hosting WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING #109.

why lemon? because this girl is lemon-scented clean by day, and dirty by night. lemon is a cutting and astringent type of fruit, and for that reason it belongs to the sharp thinking planet of mercury. those under this dominion are light on their feet, quick thinking, fast talkers… gemini IS life in the fast lane. so get cleaned up for this party girl… drink lotsa lemon.

COUCHER AVEC MOI

1 1/2 gin or vodka
1 1/2 oz raw organic simple syrup
1 oz lavender water
3/4 oz limoncello*
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2 sprigs rosemary

muddle rosemary with limoncello in mixing glass. after well-macerated, add remaining ingredients. shake with ice and strain into martini glass and garnish with rosemary or lemon slice.

*simple syrup is a mixture of sugar and water in equal parts. place both in container and shake or stir until dissolved. store in fridge.

NOTE: be sure to store flower waters in the fridge or they will go rancid.

*it’s easy to make your own LIMONCELLO. follow any of the recipes below:
HEDONIA
ITALY LOGUE
A BIG SLICE
ON MY PLATE
SPICE TART

(created by gwen sutherland kaiser)

thanks to COOK ALMOST ANYTHING for hosting WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING #103.

MULBERRY MADAME

8 oz mulberries
2 oz organic or raw sugar
6 blanched almonds (boil in water for a few minutes until skin slips off easily)
1 pint gin (can be more)

Place mulberries, sugar, almonds and gin in leak-proof container, shaking periodically to mix flavours. All though Ms. Elliot instructs the reader to leave concoction for anywhere from three months to one year, I think that might be a bit extreme. If you really can’t wait, it tastes pretty good after a few weeks. I can attest to that. Drink neat, on rocks, or in a funked up G & T.

Gemini’s mind consists of two very sharp whips. Each one as brilliantly cutting as the other. I don’t know a Gemini without two very distinct sides to their personality: Good and bad. Of course we all have a devil and an angel inside of us, but Gemini’s REALLY have the yin and yang thing down. They are a sign in constant flux. Sometimes they’ll come in for a landing, but they are usually found bounding from appointment, to party, to work, to another social gathering, to the gym, to a date… not a whole lot of time in there to stay home, cook dinner and catch American Idol. As you might guess, it’s not easy for a Gemini to stick with one idea, theme, regiment, person, or cocktail for that matter, for long. They thrive on change, movement, mental stimulation, conversation and as many different drinks as they can sample. The reason for all this is Mercury, planet of the speedy winged messenger, and ruler of Gemini. In keeping with the theme of multiple personalities, Gemini’s “Cybil-like” cocktail contains multiple ingredients. Marjorum, or oregano, is designated as a Mercurial herb in the sign of Aries by Nicholas Culpepar. He advises that “this warming plant, when taken as a decoction thereof being drunk, helps diseases of the brain, chest and stomach.” So there you have it Dear Gemini, who are you to ignore the world-renowned astro-medical physician? I’m sure you’ll have no trouble swallowing this medicine! For more info on Medical Astrology see my blog post.

GIN & JUICE

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 1/2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 oz herb infused gin*
- 1 1/2 oz ginger syrup*
- tonic water
- sprig of marjoram

DIRECTIONS:
Add fresh squeezed orange juice, herb-infused gin & ginger syrup to shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into tall glass filled with ice, leaving space enough to top with tonic water. Garnish with a sprig of marjoram.

*HERB INFUSED GIN
Add 1 cup halved fresh cranberries, sprig of rosemary, sprig of thyme, sprig of marjoram to 750 ml gin. Allow to sit in dark area from 1 week to 3 weeks. Stir and taste to liking. When satisfied with results, strain gin into final storage container.

*GINGER SYRUP
Bring to boil 1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 cups water, and 1/3 cup coarsely
chopped fresh ginger. Reduce to simmer for half an hour. Strain syrup
into final storage container, adding heavy splash of vodka as a preservative.

(Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)

ALSO TRY: Marjorum Mushroom Casserole