Cocktails 101 – Aperol

Aperol

Aperol is an Italian aperitif originally produced by the Barbieri company, based in Padua. Aperol is now produced by the Campari company. While Aperol was originally created in 1919, it did not become successful until after World War II. Its ingredients are, among others, bitter orange, gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona.

Although it looks, tastes, and smells much like Campari, Aperol has an alcohol content of 11% – less than half of Campari. Aperol and Campari have the same sugar content. Campari is also slightly darker in color.

Aperol is the main ingredient in Spritz.

Check out Happy Hour @1102 on up coming Fridays for the receipe for a Spritz and my favorite European Cocktail from my trip last year.  (See my travel blog, “All Roads Lead to . . .” for more details.

Happy Hour @ 1102 – Cinnamon Mule

Cinnamon Mule

Cinnamon Mule

 

1-1/2 shots Dark Rum

1/2 shot Cinnamon-Clove Simple Syrup

Dash Angostura Bitters

1/2 cup Ginger Beer

 

We continue to work into the Fall theme, this week we a taste of cinammon.  If you liked the Moscow Mule from last week, this is a variation, a little sweeter and the distinct taste of cinnamon.  If you don’t have, Cinnamon Simple Syrup, you can use powdered cinnamon.  It’s harder to disolve, so make sure you stir it well.  Use a Cinnamon Stick as a garnish and stirrer.  Enjoy!

 

Fantasy Football

Fantasy Football has become another means for people to socialize electronically.  Though I would love to rant and rave about how we don’t get together in person anymore, that we spend so much time on the computer, our phones and in front of the TV.  But whatever brings us together, especially when we are so busy, and often live so far from our family and friends I have learned to bridge the gap through many virtual means of socializing.

Fantasy footbal is a  great way to interact with friends  or strangers in a common interest.  If you love the game, creating your own team, gives you an opportunity to compete from your armchair, and it gives me a reason to watch teams other than my beloved Buffalo Bills.

So, yes, I do have a fantasy team, which I picked through a live draft on my computer a couple weeks ago.  Today I get to see if I guessed right.  My methods have very little to do with talent, and more to do with players I know, teams I like, cute players and uniform colors that appeal to me.  lol

But don’t laugh to hard because on “Any Given Sunday” anyone can win or lose.

So enjoy the NFL Season Opener.  Root for your favorite team.  My team is the Buffalo Bills, so be ready for references, and the ups and downs of being a Bills fan,  or pick a team of your choice to cheer for, because it’s time for Football.  Plus what else are you going to talk about Monday morning at the water cooler.

Happy Hour @ 1102 – Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule

Well it’s September and the unofficial start of fall.  Labor day has passed, and we start getting serious, back to work, back to school, cooler weather, sweaters, and a change from my fruity summer drinks.

So this Friday, lets try this drink, a Moscow Mule.  It is light and crisp and simple to make, with just enough twist of the different with the taste of Ginger Beer.

1 shot vodka

1 tsp. simple syrup

Juice of a Fresh lime juice

1/2 cup ginger beer

1 sprig fresh mint

1 slice of lime for garnish

In a tall glass  drop lime wedge, then add Ice.   Pour shot of Vodka over ice, with simple syrup and the juice of 1 lime.

 Top  off glass with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig.

 

I’m keeping with the ginger  and mint theme.  Last week was Pineapple Ginger Mojitos.  Today we add the real taste of Ginger Beer.  Try and find a good Jamican Ginger Beer.  The brand you buy will effect the ginger taste.  Also if you have the Mint Ginger Simple Syrp from last week, it is a good layering of flavors for this cocktail.  ENJOY! 

Happy Labor Day

Sometimes it’s important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it’s essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.

~Douglas Pagels, These Are the Gifts I’d Like to Give to You

 

If you’re off today, and have the pleasure of being with family and friends.  Enjoy the end of the summer.  Crank up the grill, pop a cork, and share some hospitality with friends!

Good Food, Good Friends,  Good Fun!

Movie Day – Are You Ready For Some Football

I Love Movies!  I love going to the theater and watching uninterrupted, on the big screen with that all booming surround sound.  At home, I gave up my cable TV about 3 years ago (that is a rant and rave for another blog), and I subscribed to Columbia House, Netflix and Blockbuster on line.  (All 3 together were cheaper than my monthly cable bill).  Therefore I have an extensive movie collection and watch a fair amount of TV on DVD. 

My favorite movies, I can watch over and over and over again.  I love to jot down movie quotes, or reference them in day to day life where situations present themselves.  On my days off I require non-stop TV to keep me company, and can watch whole TV series in a day or a complete movie saga in an afternoon.   Certain times of the year, special events or holidays get me in the theme mood, and that is where I am today. . . .sooooooo

“Are You Ready for Some Football?”

Well, I am!  As the NFL season gets ready to kick off this Thursday, I realized last night that today (my day off) needed to be a foolbal movie day.  I pulled out my favorites from my shelf and I am just waiting to get started.  One of my all time favorite football movies is “Any Given Sunday” with Al Pacino.  My second themed movie for today is the more recent “Blind Side” with Sandra Bullock.  I will also be squeezing in “Remember the Titans” with Denzel Washington.

So, as I watch today, I am trying out a new featured blog subject for LOST – Movie Day, and I am going to try an work out a simple format for this lastest addition to the The LOST Art of Socializing – which as you can see doesn’t have to always be with friends.  Sometimes just a good old fashion Movie Day, with yourself!

ANY GIVEN SUNDAY

Any Given Sunday

 

 In addition to this being a great football movie, with lots of action on the field, it also has a great story line, that gets into some of the politics and behind the scene aspects of owning, running and coaching a football team.

 

This all star cast of actors, musicians and real NFL greats, is a must see for any home pre-game  hype you are planning.

 

It stars one of my favorite Actors, Al Pacino, as well as actor/musician Jamie Foxx, and the oh sooo cute and sexy, L L Cool J.   

 

My Favorite scene in the movie is the inch speech.  It has so many things that can be applied to every day life.  “. . .Life is just a game of inches. The inches we need are everywhere around us.  On this team, we fight for that inch. . . when we add up all those inches that’s going to make the fucking difference. . . between Living and Dying. 

 

 THE BLIND SIDE

The Blind Side

I love the opening description of a QB’s blind side, and a good Left Tackles ability to reek havoc on it. 

 

“The ideal Left Tackle is Big, but alot of people are big.  He’s wide in the butt, and massive in the thighs.  He has long arms, giant hands, and feet as quick as a hiccup.  This is a rare and expensive combination.”        

 

This is a feel good movie.  There are not a lot of football scenes shown, but it still has what all good sports movies have. . .  A struggle, the understanding of teamwork, and a victory at the end.

 

REMEMBER THE TITANS

Remember the Titans

 A Movie of a team divided from the start.  Coach against coach, player against player, teammate against teammate – and of course the obvious racial struggle in a divided American – Black against White. 

 

How this team comes together, and watching the players, learn to trust each other and become friends, is the marvel of the movie.  To see a town, drop their prejudices around the struggles and triumphs of a high school football team – is truly great theater to watch. 

 

Then to realize it is all based on a ture story. . . A must see for my football movie day.

 

Go to the links for clips, trailers and scences.  Let me know what your favorite football movies are.  If nothing else, watch one of them this week, as we “Get Ready for Some Football”

Happy Hour @ 1102 – Pineapple Ginger Mojito

Pineapple Ginger Mojito

 

1 1/2 shots of Pineapple Rum

6-8 Mint leaves                                                                                          

Pineapple Chucks

Juice of 1 small Lime                                                                              

1 shot Ginger Simple Syrup

Splash Soda Water

Garnish  —   Pineapple Spear   –   Mint Sprig   –   Lime

Muddle mint, lime juice an a pineapple chuck with simple syrup in a 14 oz glass. 

Fill glass with crushed iced.  Stir drink to incorporate the flavors and coat the ice. 

Then refill the glass with more crushed ice.  Pour the rum, add the splash of Soda water.  Stir Once.

Garnish with either a Pineapple Spear or a Mint Spring & Lime Wheel

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Ginger Simple Syrup – Boil 1 cup water,  add 1 cup sugar, add ginger root, peeled and sliced to pot.  Let cool – Strain simple syrup into bottle, refrigerate.

You can make your own pineapple rum, by filling empty bottle with pineapple, cover with rum.  Let sit overnite.

ENJOY