Tag: Tea

Winter Warm-Ups

 So, this post is delayed by a few days.  I was going to make a nice post about some of my favorite winter warm-up drinks, like hot toddies and how they are not only delicious, but also medicinal… I made my drinks, I took my pictures, and then my throat started to hurt, I began to feel achy and chilled, and before I knew it, I was hit with a cold/flu/nastiness.  I have been sleeping as much as possible and drinking lots of hot water/lemon/honey/ginger and I’m already feeling much better. 

So, what is a hot toddy?  A mixed drink, served hot traditionally made with whiskey, lemon, and honey. 

I enjoy a traditional toddy when the weather starts getting chilly but by December, I’m ready to shake it up a little bit.  I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I love pairing blackberry and whiskey.  So, I made a Hot Blackberry Ginger Toddy… it just what I needed.  The blackberry and honey mix so well, and with the fresh lemon juice it doesn’t get too sweet.  Beam Black is my go-to for a drink like this- big enough flavors to stand up through the blackberry/ginger, but it still blends well into the cocktail.  The ginger is absolutely necessary for me, but feel free to leave it out if you don’t have any or don’t like it.  I need the bite of fresh ginger to balance the other flavors, but I understand fresh ginger is too much for many people. (ps – sorry for the not-great phots… this is all that I got before I accidentally drank it in my haze of oncoming sickness.)

  • Hot Blackberry-Ginger Toddy
  • 1oz Honey (locally sourced is best, thank you Don Popp’s Honey Farm)
  • .5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 Blackberries
  • ¼ – ½ inch piece of fresh Ginger, peeled and rough chopped
  • 1.5oz Beam Black
  • 5oz near boiling water

In a heat proof measuring glass combine Honey, Lemon Juice, Blackberries, and Ginger.  Muddle the blackberries into the honey and lemon.  Add Beam Black. Top with water and carefully stir to combine.  Cover the top of the glass and let steep for 4 minutes.  Pour through fine mesh strainer into your favorite mug and enjoy.

Do you have a favorite take on the Hot Toddy?

Up next… my Favorite White Christmas Hot Chocolate….

Research (Part 1)

research

[ˈrēˌsərCH, rəˈsərCH]

NOUN

  1. the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions

I am always looking for ideas.  I have found that some of the best sources of inspiration come from my own area.  Visiting other bars, restaurants, breweries, gives my mind a chance to rest and just enjoy what other people are creating.  Which, in turn, gets my own creative juices flowing.  My research outings are something I look forward to.  They stretch from the brewery 3 minutes down the road to a little brewery in Dublin that you may have heard of, Guinness.  A simple trip to the grocery store can be research.  Or the food network.  Or a cookbook.  Or a farmer’s market.  Or a bakery.  You can find inspiration everywhere, if you are open to it.

So, this is #research post 1.  I know there will be many, many more. 

I recently visited Locoba by Platform Beer in Cincinnati, Oh.  (Yes, I know that Platform was just acquired by InBev.  But they are still transitioning into this acquisition.  And InBev claims that they will leave these guys alone, that they just wanted a couple of recipes.  Time will tell what happens to them, but for today I really enjoyed my visit.)

Locoba by Platform

Locoba.  Bright, airy, and very open feeling, even though they don’t have a ton of space.  I’m a sucker for a living wall and they’ve got one!  They also have several plants No more than 15 seats around the bar, a couple of tables, a private room, and a patio.  It seems like they do a fair amount or takeout business- either to go coffees or folks grabbing a six pack on the way home. 

I was intrigued by a few of the hard seltzer options they had on tap, but ultimately chose the Rosellini- Peach Rose Apple Cider.  It was a delicious, crisp, not overly sweet cider.  As it warmed up more of the peach flavors shone through and I very much enjoyed it. 

My Partner in Crime went with the L.E.D. American Light Lager.  He liked it so much he had two of them!  The clean, hoppy presence perfectly complemented the rich malty notes of this beer.  Very well balanced, and as far as lagers go, this one was interesting to drink.  He liked it so much the bar (O’Neal’s Tavern) may be putting this on tap. 

Locoba by Platform

We did not have a chance to eat there, but the food offerings, while limited, looked very good (sandwiches, pretzels, chips).  I’m hoping to return soon, possibly for brunch.  Then I will be able to sample some of the coffee they brag about.  Honestly, the place smelled amazing!  Fresh ground coffee in all of its glory!  I just wasn’t in the mood for coffee (which is rare for me).  Next visit, coffee is a must. 

Ok.  I’m going to keep #research post 1 short.  Post 1 is more about explaining my research approach.  If You have any suggestions of where my research should take me, PLEASE share!