Cocktail Friday: Boozy Creamsicle Shake

It has been incredibly hot here this week. And dry. There are fires raging already here in Colorado and it is still very early in the season. The most destructive fire in Colorado's history, the Black Forest fire near Colorado Springs, has forced many to leave their homes, burned over 350 homes to the ground, and killed 2 people. I know how it feels to have to leave your home without much warning. The feelings of uncertainty and fear are not easy to cope with. My prayers are with all who have been affected by the fires and my hope is that this is not setting the scene for what we will experience throughout the rest of the summer.

Spiked Creamsicle Shake

I don't want to dwell on things that are sad. But they should be acknowledged. Take a moment to be thankful for your home, your safety, your family, and appreciate the good things. This creamsicle shake is a good thing. The classic flavors of orange and vanilla create a refreshing yet indulgently creamy treat with a little added heat from a healthy dose of vodka makes this a perfect adult version of a childhood favorite. It's quite possibly the perfect way to welcome the weekend.

Boozy Creamsicle Shake

I didn't add any milk to this milkshake because of how hot it is here, making the ice cream softer and easier to blend. Plus, the vodka provided enough extra liquid. However, you can certainly add milk if you like it a little thinner.

Boozy Orange Creamsicle Shake

Here's hoping you have a happy, safe weekend filled with love and laughter. No matter where you are or what challenges you have faced this week.

Cheers, friends!

Boozy Creamsicle Shake

•  
• 1/2 orange sherbet
• 1/2 cup vanilla bean ice cream
• 2 oz vodka
• 1/4 cup milk, if needed
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Combine all ingredients except the whipping cream in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. In a small bowl, use an electric mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks form. I didn't add sugar to my whipped cream because it was quite nice as is with the sweet shake.
3. Pour the shake into a glass and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
4. Serve and enjoy!

Grown-Up Ice Cream Sundaes {3 Ways}

Do you ever have one of those days that just feels difficult? The kind of day that, by the end of it, leaves you feeling completely deflated and exhausted? It doesn't happen too often, but when it does, it's quite the brick wall that smacks me in the face. I think part of the process of moving from Japan to Colorado must be learning to bottle up my emotions associated with missing/letting go of our former home while beginning to love our new one. Does that make sense? Then, it just all comes out at once and I begin to realize how much I miss the familiar streets, sounds, and routines of Tokyo. It's funny that a place that started out being so strange and different became so normal to me.

None of my problems are really that bad. But I think we all have times when the problems we do have become just a little too much. And we need a good cry. Am I right?

After an emotionally draining day, I seem to want something decadent and comforting to enjoy while I pick up the pieces of myself that have been scattered willy nilly on the floor. Ice cream usually does the trick. And it is especially appropriate with all the crazy heat we have been having here in Denver this week. Nearly 100 degrees, lots of sun, zero rain, and gusty wind. Not a great combination for our drought-stricken part of the country.

OK- enough of all that serious stuff. Let's talk about these sundaes.

First, we have a salted caramel macchiato sundae made with coffee ice cream, salted caramel and fresh whipped cream. Holy Hannah, that's delicious.

Salted Caramel Macchiato Sundae

Then, there is a classic sundae made boozy, with chocolate syrup, whipped cream, a cute little cherry on top and a splash of Cointreau. Can't go wrong with a combination that has stood the test of time, can you? And a little bit of boozy flavor makes it just right for adults. I also added some toasted pine nuts in place of peanuts. Yum.

Boozy Classic Sundae

And now, the best for last is this sundae made with chocolate ice cream, covered in both chocolate sauce and caramel, then sprinkled with buttery, salty popcorn and chopped pecans. I'm playing favorites and this is it.

I'm not really endorsing eating your sorrows away (or am I?), but I am saying that ice cream sundaes can have a fun, grown up twist that will brighten any day.

You don't really need a recipe for these, but I'll give them to you anyway. While we're at it, why don't you give me your favorite ideas for ice cream sundaes in the comments below! It's going to be hot here all week, so I'll need some more inspiration!

Salted Caramel Macchiato Sundae

• coffee ice cream
• caramel sauce
• course sea salt
• whipped cream

1. Drizzle the inside of an ice cream dish with some of the caramel sauce.
2. Sprinkle a little of the sea salt over the caramel.
3. Add two scoops of coffee ice cream and drizzle with more caramel and one more sprinkle of sea salt. Done!

Boozy Classic Sundae

• Vanilla ice cream
• 1 oz Cointreau
• Chocolate syrup
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
• freshly whipped cream
• 1 maraschino cherry

1. In an ice cream dish, add the Cointreau, then a drizzle of chocolate sauce and stir to combine. Add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce, sprinkle with pine nuts and top with a dollop of the whipped cream and a cherry. Serve immediately.

Chocolate + Popcorn Sundae

• Chocolate ice cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Caramel sauce
• buttered popcorn, popped (I used microwave popcorn and it was great)
• toasted, chopped pecans

1. In an ice cream dish, add 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup an caramel sauce. Then, top with popcorn and toasted pecans. Serve immediately.

Cocktail Friday: Sweet + Spicy Thai Cocktail

Sometimes, when I want to remind myself of all that has happened over the last few years, I look through my early posts on Tokyo Terrace. There are days when doing this makes me feel sad, mostly because I don't know when we will go back to visit and because I don't think you can ever sufficiently say goodbye to Japan once you have lived there. Despite those feelings of sadness, I also have so much love and happiness in my heart for the things that we did, the places we saw, and the people we met while living in Japan. One of the earliest experiences we had during our first year in Tokyo, which has been popping into my mind a lot lately, was making the 4 hour flight to Bangkok, Thailand. From there, we traveled north to Buriram where we worked at an orphanage for a week. It has been a few years now, but in my mind, those children will always be the sweet, young, and vibrant people we met during our time there. However, they are surely more grown up and aware of the world. I hope they are all happy and safe and well cared for.

Spicy Thai Pineapple Cocktail

We worked for long hours in stifling heat, trying to clean every nook and cranny. At lunch time, we would gather in the kitchen at several tables that had been pushed together to seat the children and our visiting group. The table was set with large platters of homemade Pad Thai and clear plastic bags filled with pineapple that were purchased at the market down the street. Along with the pineapple came packets of sugar and red pepper flakes for sprinkling on the fruit. It was simple and perfectly refreshing on those hot afternoons.

This cocktail is inspired by the pineapple we enjoyed Buriram. The combination of subtle sweetness from pineapple juice, a little tartness from lime juice, and smokey heat mixed with sweet sugar creates a beautiful summer cocktail. We always have pineapple juice in the fridge to add to smoothies, so the recipe doesn't call for fresh pineapple. However, you can make this more of a blended cocktail by putting the ingredients in a blender with fresh pineapple rather than the juice.

Thai Pineapple

However you decide to enjoy this cocktail, I know it will be a fast favorite.

If you'd rather go the mocktail route, you can simply omit the vodka and enjoy this as a lovely way to cool down on a hot day.

Sweet + Spicy Thai Pineapple Cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail

• 2 oz pineapple juice (all natural/organic, no sugar added)
• 1 1/2 oz vodka (you can also use silver tequila)
• 1 oz lime juice
• lime wedge for garnish
• club soda
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Combine the sugar and chili powder on a plate.

Using a lime wedge, line the edge of a cocktail glass with lime juice. Turn the glass upside down into the sugar/chili powder and gently turn a little to coat the rim of the glass.

Combine the pineapple juice, vodka, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, add a splash of club soda to the shaker and gently pour through the strainer into your prepared cocktail glass. (Adding the club soda after pouring the pineapple juice mixture into the glass resulted in lots and lots of foam. Adding it to the shaker then straining it into the cocktail glass worked much better- and less mess!) Garnish the glass with a lime wedge and a dried pepper (optional).

Cocktail Friday: Homemade Lemonade 3 Ways

Lemonade has never really been my first choice. I blame that on the fact that I've had too many glasses filled with syrupy, fake-tasting imposters posing as lemonade. I remember going to restaurants and ordering lemonade on a few occasions with the expectation that it would be something ethereal and lovely. Instead, I've been disappointed time and time again. Despite my bad experiences, I've been completely obsessed with making my own lemonade lately. I'm not sure what makes it so appealing because, unlike most foods, truly good lemonade doesn't remind me of any specific time or place. Maybe it's something more along the lines of fulfilling the idea of a perfect summer day as opposed to an exact memory of one. I think we can all picture a day full of playing and working under the hot sun, interrupted by a few peaceful moments in the shade, holding a glass of lemonade and feeling the refreshing, cold condensation.

Lemonade 3 ways

As I have been experimenting with different ratios (simple syrup, water, and lemon juice), I have also been working with different cocktail and mocktail editions. It's really wonderful creating different combinations with homemade lemonade rather than store-bought because it's so simple to control the sugar. For example, one of the versions I have to share with you involves the addition of cherry juice, which is quite sweet naturally. If I were to add it to any type of lemonade from a dry mix or in a plastic bottle, I think it would be much too much sweetness. A lesson in cooking and mixology: it's easier to add more vs. take away.

Antique Glasses

Making your own lemonade is not as difficult as it may sound. Purists may disagree, but I think it is perfectly acceptable to buy a bottle of lemon juice (organic, please) rather than juicing your own. Make a little simple syrup, mix it with the lemon juice and some extra water and you're all set! Cherry-lemonade is a lovely, family-friendly twist on traditional lemonade. I use unsweetened cherry juice, which you can find in the juice aisle of most grocery stores. For more adult occasions, a little splash of vodka is nice. And for gin fans, add some Blue Sapphire and a splash of soda water. If you want to get really fancy, you can add some basil, rosemary, or lavender to your simple syrup for a pleasant, calming combination. Three easy, tasty ways to enjoy lemonade. Now you have no reason to not make your own. So hop to it!

Lemonade Tray

Announcing Set the Table Playlists!

I'm really excited about this.

To top off your Friday, here's a new feature done by my lovely sister and playlist wizard, Rebecca. She will occasionally be sharing playlists with you that are perfect for listening to while sipping away at your cocktail! Click here for playlist #1!

June Cocktail Friday Playlist

1. Dreams - Taken By Trees
2. Caught Me Thinkin - Bahamas
3. Step - Vampire Weekend
4. Here Comes the Sun - Yuna
5. The Next Time Around - Little Joy
6. You're Too Weird - Fruit Bats
7. After Hours - The Velvet Underground
8. Whole World - Esperanza Spalding, Bobby McFerrin
9. He Needs Me - Shelly Duvall
10. Daydream - The Lovin' Spoonful

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Homemade Lemonade with (or without) Vodka

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar + 1 cup water
• 4 cups water
• ice
• vodka

Begin by making simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and a few bubbles start to rise. Remove from the heat and let cool.

In a pitcher (fill with ice if the lemonade will be used immediately), combine the lemon juice, simple syrup and 4 cups water.

For a vodka lemonade, add 2 oz. vodka to a glass filled with ice. Top with lemonade and serve.

Cherry Lemonade

Follow the recipe above for homemade lemonade and add 1/2 cup cherry juice to the pitcher. Stir to combine and serve!

This also works well with vodka.

Sparkling Gin Lemonade

Follow the recipe above for homemade lemonade. In a glass filled with ice, add 2 oz. gin. Fill almost to the top with lemonade and finish with a splash of soda water.

Cocktail Friday: Prosecco Sorbet Float

Cheers to Cocktail Friday and this Prosecco Sorbet Float!

Can we talk books for a minute? I've been spending more time reading lately. I feel like only recently my attention span post-baby has reached the point where I can conceivably start and finish a book in less than 6 months. The first book I read cover to cover was written by Molly of Orangette called A Homemade Life. Some of you may know her blog and may have even read her book. I'm behind the times. Her book came out quite a while ago and I just never got around to reading it. It is lovely. Next up is Ruth Reichl's book Comfort Me with Apples. Has anyone else out there read it? I loved Tender at the Bone so I have high hopes for the sequel.

There is something comforting about losing myself in pages filled with descriptions of good food sticks with us as we remember people, places, and events. I think reading about how food has helped shape the experiences of others makes me even more aware of what I serve to my family and friends. I want them to look back on their time at my table feeling loved. Feeling cared for. And especially feeling like they want to 'pay it forward' by spreading the food love.

Prosecco Float with Sorbet

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, you are no doubt looking for ways to make the weekend festive and, well, memorable. This cocktail is a great, easy way to do just that. Raspberry thyme sorbet(I posted this a couple weeks ago- no ice cream maker needed!) or your favorite store-bought sorbet and prosecco create a stunningly beautiful, refreshing drink for the holiday weekend. You can easily transform this into a mocktail by adding ginger ale instead of the prosecco.

Prosecco Float

So, make some memories worth writing about and cheers to the beginning of summer with this elegant, fun, bubbly drink. Perfect for parties or for sipping while reading a good book outside under the shade of a tree.

Happy Memorial Day!

Prosecco Float

• 1 pint raspberry thyme sorbet or your favorite flavor of store-bought sorbet
• 1 bottle Prosecco or Champagne

Place a small scoop of sorbet in coupé glasses.
Pour Prosecco over the sorbet and serve immediately.

Cocktail Friday: Cherry Vanilla Sparkler

How is it Friday already? And also, why did Friday take so long to get here?

It's been one of those weeks where time seemed to simultaneously fly by and slow down. I did manage to notice in the midst of it all that the trees have begun to take on that sort of peach-fuzz stage of green that they get in the spring. I feel like that is something I don't often take the time to notice. The branches that have been bare and gloomy looking all winter begin to look soft and just slightly green. The same way a peach is fuzzy and you can only just see the little hairs covering it's delicate skin. Even more wonderful than the soft green in the trees is that the same thing is happening to the foothills here in Colorado. From what I hear, this can be a short-lived sight so I'm going to soak it all in as much as I can.

Another part of spring and early summer that can easily pass by without proper appreciation is cherry season.

Cherries

How anyone could miss these beauties is beyond me, but I'm sure it happens. Soon enough, food blogs will be lighting up with cherry recipes, like cherry clafoutis, giving plenty of inspiration for ways to use these ruby red treats. My favorite way to enjoy their sweet, juicy flavor is to put them in a big, lovely bowl and eat them just as they are. Perfect.

Cherry Vanilla Cocktail

Still, it's fun to mix things up and I think this cocktail is a wonderful way to try something  new. Light and bubbly with the perfect combination of cherry and vanilla flavors, this saké based cocktail is sure to please. I actually pitted a few cherries and pressed them through a strainer to get my cherry juice for the cocktail pictured above, but a better way is to buy a small bottle of pure cherry juice (you can find it at most grocery stores- look for the unsweetened kind) using the garnish to showcase the fresh fruit.

If you don't have any saké on hand, you can use vodka instead.

Take a moment to enjoy spring, green leaves, and cherries! Cheers!

Cherry Vanilla Sparkler

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz unsweetened cherry juice

2 oz saké (I used Junmai Ginjo)

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

club soda

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the cherry juice, saké and vanilla extract. Shake for about 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled. Pour into a cocktail glass filled with ice and top with club soda. Stir gently to combine. Enjoy!