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Raise Your Glass

 Whether you're lounging around, barbecueing,  or just socializing why not have a delicious summer cocktail drink to lift your spirits.  I found these recepies in the May issue of O The Oprah Magazine.  Enjoy trying them and let me know which one you like the most.

How to Infuse Spirits
This recepie makes more than you need for the drinks below and will last for months so you can use them in other cocktails (for suggestions, see "Second Shots").


Basil Vodka                                         Habanero Tequila                         Pineapple Rum
2 cups vodka                                           2 cups silver tequila                          2 cups white rum
1 cup loosely packed basil                 2 habanero chile peppers,             1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
leaves, rinsed and dried                     washed and cut in half

Place ingredients in a mson jar or glass bottle.  Cover tightly and gently shake a few times. Store in a cool, dark place and shake the jar daily. Taste each day until infusion reaches desired intensity, 1 to 4 days for vodka, 2 to 4 days for tequila, and 7 to 10 day for rum, (if the infusion is too intense, you can dilute it to taste with the plain spirit.) Strain through a fine mesh strainer or paper coffee filter into another clean, airtight glass jar or bottle, and store in the refrigerator.

Pomegranate Margaritas with Habanero Tequila
1/2 cup habanero tequila
3/4 cup triple sec
34 cup fresh lime juice (about 2limes)
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/2 cup simple syrup
4 tsp. fresh pomegranate seeds (optional) for garnish
lime slices, for garnish

Place 4 cups ice in a large pticher. Add habanero tequila, triple sec, lime juice, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup. Stir well to combine and strain into ice filled glasses. Garnish each drink with pomegranate seeds (if using) and lime slice. 
Makes 4 servings



The simplest simple syrup - cocktail recipes often call for simple syrup, which is tradtionally made by boiling 1 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water. But here's an easier way - just shake equal parts sugar and water in a tightly sealed glass jar until the sugar dissolves. Presto: instant simple syrup.

Bloody Marys with Basil Vodka
2 1/2 cups tomato juice
1 1/4 tsp. horseradish
Zest of 1 lemon
1 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3/4 tsp. celery seed
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
3/4 cup basil vodka
4 small celry stalks with leaves for garnish

In a pitcher, whisk together all ingredients except the vodka and celery stalks. Fill 4 double rocks glasses with cracked ice.  Add to each glass 2/3 cup tomato juice mixture and 3 Tbsp. vodka. Stir and garnish with celery stalks.
Makes 4 servings

SECOND SHOTS
More ways to use your infused spirits

Tequila Melon Slushes
Fill a blender with 4 cups ice and add 3/4 cup habanero tequila, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, 1/2 cup triple sec, and 3 cups cubed watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew melon.  Blend well, pour into four lowball glasses rimmed with sugar, garnish with a melon wedge, and serve.

Basil Vodka Lemon Spritzers
Fill a pitcher with  ice and mix in basil vodka and sparkling lemonade to taste, depending on how strong you like your dink (try 1 part vodka to 5 parts lemonade). Chill and serve in champagne flutes with a lemon peel garnish.

Pineapple-Orange Rum Cocktail
Fill a shaker with  ice, 1/4 cup pineapple rum, 1 TBsp. Grand Marnier, 2 TBsp. orange juice, and a squeeze of lime juice.  Shake well, pour into a glass, and ganish with a lime wedge.