Cilantro Margarita

Oh my god, finals week is killing me.  Technically, I take finals for two weeks because it would be cruel and unusual punishment to make law students take 4 hour finals every single day for one week.  I come home exhausted every time I take a final and, let’s be honest, all I want is a drink.  Here’s a perfect drink for Cinco de Mayo, or for any time after taking a four hour final.

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Ingredients

• salt
• 2 ounces tequila
• 2 ounces triple sec
• 1 tablespoons sugar
• 1 lime, juiced
• 3 sprigs cilantro
• 2 lime wedges

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Directions

• Throw some salt on a plate. Dip the rim of your glass in water and dip in the salt to create a salt rim
• Slightly bruise the cilantro to bring out the flavor
• Put the tequila, triple sec, sugar and cilantro in a margarita shaker
• Add in ice, top the shaker, and shake for about a minute until sugar is dissolved
• When ready, pour into the glass, and garnish with lime wedge and more cilantro

Mint Julep

Happy Derby Day!  I’m gonna make this a quick post because I’ve got more studying to do (yay, Constitutional Law), but know that I will be taking time out of my day to make a Mint Julep.

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Ingredients

• For mint simple syrup
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 bunch mint
• For actual drink
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 2 ounces bourbon (sorry Jack, but actual bourbon. Not the rye or blend whiskey)
  • Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

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Preparation

• For mint simple syrup
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water and sugar and stir together until sugar dissolves.
  • Let mixture simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally
  • Take the pan off heat, and add mint leaves.  Let it steep for five minutes
  •  Strain, and refrigerate until cold. Usually takes about three hours
• For actual drink
  • In a highball glass or silver Julep cup (which are awesome, by the way), add mint simple syrup, 1 cup crushed ice, bourbon and a splash of water. Just a splash because you don’t want to ruin your alcohol with water
  • Add enough of the remaining ice to almost fill up the glass
  • Stir and garnish with mint spring.

Happy horse racing!

Whiskey Tea

Two of my favorite things in the world are tea and whiskey.  Especially since I just finished a horrendous four hour Criminal Law final, I might need a little bit of both to get me through the rest of the day.

Here’s a perfect recipe for those useless hours between “coffee” and “wine.”

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Ingredients

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tea bag (best with a black tea)
• 2 shots of whiskey (or more, if you feel like it. No judgment here!)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon white sugar

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Directions

1. Boil some water. Pour it in a fancy pants mug.
2. Throw in the tea bag to steep for as long as the tea needs. Usually around 3-5 minutes. Remove and discard.
3. Put one shot of whiskey in the tea.  Take the other one because you deserve it.
4. Add milk and sugar to your pleasing.
5. Stir, drink, forget your problems.