Happy New Decade 01Jan20

Happy New Decade and New Year all. Kala and I were the 13% of Coloradans who stayed in and made it to mid-night! Even the elderly can party. Of course we were in the spa overlooking the Natl Forrest and of course I devised some new cocktails for the occasion.

The first taste was my Spyglass Variant; the recipe for two flutes starts by muddling 4 Luxardo cherries with juice of 1 lemon, splash of cherry bitters, 1 oz of orgeat syrup and 2 oz light rum in shaker. Add crushed ice and shake vigorously then strain into flutes evenly. Top off elixir with Champagne, Proseco or other bubbly (probably 2/5 of the flute volume) - we like the excellent but cheap Veuve du Vernay. Lightly mix then serve. Indescribably delicious.

The second cocktail was my Snailmail, an Airmail Variant. The recipe for two starts in a shaker with 1 oz of juice from fresh ripe pineapple, juice of 1 lime, a tablespoon of honey, 2 oz frozen vodka (or gin), and a splash of Angostura bitters. Shake contents well (honey will take a while to dissolve) and finish with some crushed ice and shaking again and then straining into flutes evenly. Top with bubbly and stir lightly to integrate. This one was even better.

Worthy of a new decade.