finally, my MX MO XVII orange entry, a day late and a dollar short. i wanted to use a recipe from one of my all-time fave cocktail books, “The Cocktail,” by Jane Rocca with drawings by Kat Macleod. I stumbled across it’s mention in the New York Times, googled it, and shipped it over from the land down under. believe it or not, I have never seen it once here in the states, even though Penguin USA is the publisher. which I just don’t get, because girls, this book is for us! The recipes are innovative… but sometimes frustrating, as many of the ingredients simply can’t be bought on this side of the pond. but the to-die-for, cuter than cute hand renderings… well, take my word, if you’re a sucker for good design, you need to own this. (go through kittykind amazon to give them a cut)

I also wanted to use my latest find in “light green” liquors, meaning, as close to organic as possible, without actually being labelled organic. hence i used ORANGE V orange flavored vodka. not only is the grain locally grown, but their distillery just switched to a renewable energy source as well.

i chose to make the MS FANNY U BANK, from where the name was derived I have not a clue. some oz reference i guess. ORANGE V vodka is pretty strongly orange flavored, in a good way, and so I used it in place of the mandarin liqueur. Wether or not it was because of this switcheroo, I’m not sure, but I had to add maple syrup. it also helps if you actually have crushed ice. i had to use my iceberg size ice cube tray ones. and, whatever you do, please make sure to use free-range eggs! i had a pet chicken once, Martha, who was like a dog. chickens like to walk around believe it or not.

The sun rules the marigold, as you might guess from the flower’s near fluorescent orange color, and ray-like petals that protrude outwards like little sun flares from the largest star in our solar system. As with the Leo’s in our life, who need a steady stream of love and attention to show their brilliance, marigolds need a steady stream of hot sun. without this, they will wilt in the shade, unable to lift their proud little heads up off their chests – and likely even die. as did the ones on the shady side of my porch this summer, which i’m ashamed to admit.

In China, I had the pleasure of tasting marigold tea, which was delicious. I gather in India, they pop ‘em like m & m’s. Personally, I prefer m & m’s. Here in the states, rarely do I see them anywhere but gardens. They must be the #1 planted annual here in the US, as masses of them live out their short but vibrant lives in concrete planters at gas stations, curbside parking lots, suburbia’s front lawn, and many a class project. the avid gardener will also know that planting them amongst the garden vegetables keeps the buggies away. not sure why or how – but my mom swears by them.

Actually, it is the marigold’s more flavorful relative, the tagete, that is more popularly used in cuisine. but they are apparently a little harder to come by, which brings us back to the marigold! If you can score some tagetes for this recipe, using them over marigolds is advised.

If your Leo could use some sunny cheer, serve them a MARRY MI’ GOLD. But don’t dare serve it without the flamboyant marigold flower which will bring an even bigger smile to showy Leo’s lips. purrrr….

MARRY MI’ GOLD (SEE ALSO BASIL SHANDY)

Marigold lemonade *
Pale lager

* Fill glass with equal parts beer and lemonade. Garnish with a Marigold Flower.

If you don’t have any lemonade, try using UV’s new vodka LEMONADE flavor instead.

MARIGOLD LEMONADE:
In pitcher, add 1 cup raw organic sugar, 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice and three marigold flowers. stir every twenty minutes or so until sugar dissolves. be sure to stir the sugar that settles to the bottom of the pitcher. Allow to sit for at least an hour so that marigold flavor is extracted. For presentation, add fresh marigolds.

MARIGOLD ICE CUBES:
Place petals in ice cube tray and freeze. Use them at time of serving for an even grander Leoian impression!

Thanks to THE COOKING DIVA for hosting this WHB #95.

Of all the fruits, it is the orange I think, that best captures the essence of Leo. It’s bright orange color, perfectly round shape and pleasant flavour emulate it’s ruler to a T- the Sun. Often used in fruit baskets, the mere sight of one seems to lift the most dejected soul’s spirit. And lemme tell ya, our Guru Leo enjoys nothing more than elevating the dark mood of a room with her shining presence and warm aura. Who needs Prozac when you have The Cat? Get one in your life now. Or you could just drink a Creamsicle Martini instead. purrrr… pure liquid sunshine ^..^

CREAMSICLE MARTINI
2 1/2 oz fresh squeezed orange juice (organic if ya can)
2 oz vanilla infused whiskey* (or Phillips Union Vanilla Whiskey)
1 1/2 oz SILK soy creamer
1/4 oz raw sugar simple syrup*

* Vanilla infused whiskey:
Slit whole vanilla bean in half and drop both haves into a 750 ml bottle of whiskey. Allow to sit in dark location for three weeks before using.

* Simple syrup is a mixture of 50% water and 50% sugar. just place the raw, unprocessed sugar and water in a leak-proof container and shake away, every twenty minutes or so, until the sugar is dissolved. Thanks to Jared Brown and Anastasia Miller for teaching me this too-easy-to-be-true method. (created by gwen sutherland kaiser)

THANKS TO MORSELS AND MUSINGS FOR HOSTING THIS MONTH’S MIXOLOGY MONDAY!

Leo is the proud child of the Sun. Her brilliant demeanor, warm personality and unending energy all stem from the largest star in our solar system. Actually, Leos tend to think they are the biggest star on planet Earth, and would like to be worshipped as such. And actually, it really is in all of our best interests to outwardly show love and respect to the Leos in our life. For if they’re not feelin’ the love, they’re feelin’ the pain. The pain of isolation and the agony of defeat, that will impair Leo’s ability to shine. Life cannot exist without the Sun, and similarly, we NEED Leo’s shining beacon of personality in our lives! Naturally, any plant that thrives in a brightly lit area will fall under the domain of the Sun. I cannot think of a better one than that of the tomato, which of course can only mean one thing in cocktails: a Bloody Mary. This is also significant, as Leo rules the heart and life force blood that pulses through us all. Dear Leo, sip this terrific tipple and realize the Sun Goddess you truly are. All hail the BLOODY LEO.

BLOODY LEO

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 2/3 oz salad-infused vodka
- 5 oz fresh squeezed tomatoe juice (do not even THINK of using V8)
- 2/3 oz fresh lemon juice
- pinch sea salt
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- micro greens

INSTRUCTIONS:
Add all ingredients to an ice filled shaker and shake vigorously for ten seconds. Garnish with a wedge of lemon or salad greens.

If you read my post Bar Cheffing & Infusion Tasting, you’ll remember that I infused some vodka with the ingredients of a salad. Alone, not so hot. But as an ingredient to a Bloody Leo–Purrfecto!

*Add 1/4 cup of the following to 750 ml vodka: shredded carrots and lettuce (not Iceberg, which contains vitamin K to clot blood, but not the most flavor) with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. Allow to sit in dark spot for approx one month, stirring and tasting every week or so. When finished pour into final storage container.

NOTE: It is useful to serve this drink with a swizzle stick as the freshly juiced tomato will separate in the glass and hence could be stirred throughout consumption.

(Recipe created by Gwen Sutherland Kaiser)

ALSO TRY: Tomato Horseradish Butter