Weekend Cheers: Christmas Coquito

Cheers, it's the weekend! Although I've been under the weather a LOT lately, I did have time to whip up this wonderfully festive cocktail last week when I was feeling a bit healthier. I discovered the coquito while searching for alternatives to traditional eggnog drinks and dare I say... I like it better than eggnog? Coconut milk, rum and spices are mixed into a creamy cocktail that would be the star of any cookie exchange or holiday party. The coquito originates from Puerto Rico and is traditionally served at the holidays. Often times it's referred to as the "Puerto Rican eggnog." Serve it cold or over ice in small cordial glasses or mason jars as an after dinner drink. Happy Holidays and Feliz Navidad!

***** Christmas Coquito ****************************************************************************

(serves 8-10)

1 can cream of coconut
6 ounces coconut milk
2 12 ounce cans evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into smaller pieces
2 cups rum

***** Instructions *************************************************************************

1. Mix all ingredients (excluding the rum) in a large bowl. Add rum to taste.
2. Transfer the mixture to a glass bottle and refrigerate for 24 hours to allow the flavors to develop. Serve chilled in small sherry glasses and garnish with fresh ground nutmeg.

Perfect Bloody Mary: Zing Zang

I love a good bloody mary.  Just the thought of it makes me weak in the knees.  I'll even settle for the virgin variety for an afternoon pick me up.  Want to know another random fact about me?  I always order a bloody mary when flying.  Sometimes with a side of vodka, sometimes not, but always with extra ice.

Bloody Mary's are kinda like grits.  Everyone likes theirs a certain way.  I like mine with a blend of additional spices and a variety of green garnishes and my husband likes his with a dab of horseradish.  I've yet to find a mix that didn't need a little something extra added.  Until now.  

My friends, I introduce you to Zing Zang bloody mary mix.  It is perfect.  Perfect in every sense of the word.  It needs nothing extra.  The celery and peppers in this photo are for aesthetic purposes only.  If you love this savory cocktail and have yet to try this mixer, you must get some Zing Zang in your life.  No, I am not getting paid to say this.  It is just that good.  

Cheers!

Simple Teacher Gifts

Last week, I made these simple gifts for my son's teachers and the staff at his preschool.  I placed a bulk order for some savory, butter roasted pecans from The Golden Kernel Pecan Co., then divided them between these smaller mason jars.  The pecans are a nice break from the excess of baked goods during the holidays plus they travel well and take no time at all to prepare. 

Trying to savor every moment this week!

Blue Mason Jars

Last weekend I finally got to slip away for an hour to go to a nearby antique market.  I was on the hunt for one thing.  Aqua blue mason jars.

Growing up, anytime I had dinner at my best friends house, we always drank from mason jars. (sweet tea of course)  It was a completely foreign tradition to me that I never quite understood but always appreciated.

John Mason, a tinsmith and inventor of the mason jar, was actually a native of Philadelphia.  I'm not for certain, but I'm guessing the mason jar was quickly accepted by southern farmers to preserve the abundance of their crops. As a natural progression, these charming and inexpensive domestic beauties became glassware for us southerners.


Well, leave it to the crafty  folks to make something out of nothing.  Check out these beautiful photos that feature simple and elegant ways to show off your pretty glass jars.  I love their casual elegance and vintage charm!

(Top to Bottom, Left to Right: 1.  Dreamy Whites  2. Elizabeth Anne Designs  3. Etsy   4.  Alyssa Ettinger  5. House of Turquoise  6.  Craft Gossip7. Thrifty Fun  8.  Country Living)

Your Southern Peach

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