Scrumptious Reads

What do Englebert Humperdinck, Russian grannies, twins with troll-doll hairdos, and more costume surprises than a Gaga concert all have in common? Why, it’s that time of year again – Eurovision 2012 is underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. How will you get through all those shows over the weekend (two semis followed by a grand final) without some help? Never fear, here are a few scrumptious cocktails, just in time for your viewing parties (check your local SBS listings for times). We’ve taken the liberty of renaming each one after song titles in the contest. Have one or two of these and you’re sure to enjoy the show!
(Of course, you can substitute, combine, subtract, or alter these recipes in any way you want to come up with your own unique concoctions.)

Aphrodisiac (aka High Tea for One)
2 parts gin
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part Caraway simple syrup (place 16 oz of caraway seeds into the pot as you make a simple syrup with 1 part water to 1 part sugar and let sit for 2 hours. Strain and chill.)
½ part Clementine Juice
1 barspoon marmalade
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Caraway seeds for garnish (place seeds in a pan and heat up until roasted well. Store in a container for later use.)
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass, ice, shake and strain into a tea pot, serve into a tea cup and garnish with toasted caraway seeds atop a thin cucumber wheel.

Euphoria (aka Improved White Cargo)
5 parts gin
10 parts vanilla ice cream
1 part Maraschino Luxardo
1 part Lillet Blanc
Nutmeg

One hour before serving place ice cream, gin, maraschino, and lillet into a punchbowl.  Fold ingredients and stir constantly. Garnish each punch cup to be served with nutmeg dust.

Euro Neuro (aka Will-o’-the-Wisp)
2 parts gin
1 oz Lambic Pear Beer/Tarragon/Thyme simple syrup (1 part white sugar, 2 parts lambic pear beer, goodly sums of tarragon and thyme.  Heat until the sugar dissolves and herbs steep into the syrup (about 1 hour). Let cool and keep cold.)
¼ part Green Chartreuse
¾ parts fresh lemon juice
Soda water
Tarragon sprig

Combine first 3 ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice and shake well.  Strain into an iced long glass and top with soda water.  Garnish with a tarragon sprig.

I’m a Joker (aka But Fifteen “bob”)
20 parts gin
20 parts unfiltered apple cider with mulling spices
20 parts red apple tea
10 parts coconut juice
10 lemons
5 parts Grade B Maple Syrup
Star Anise
Cinnamon Sticks

Heat 8oz apple cider with mulling spices and apple tea bag for 5 min, discard tea bag.
Combine remaining ingredients and keep at a low rolling heat.  Garnish with star anise and cinnamon sticks.  Serve in a punch cup.

Kuula (aka Alaskan Sour)
1½ parts gin
¾ parts Yellow Chartreuse
½ part simple syrup
½ part fresh lemon juice
¼ part egg white
2 dashes orange bitters

Combine ingredients. Dry Shake. Ice and shake well.  Double Strain up with lemon twist spritz and discard before serving in martini glass.

Should’ve Known Better (aka Post In-Laws’ Visit)
1 part gin
1 part chamomile tea (steep for 1 hour)
1 part pineapple juice
½ part fresh lemon juice
½ part honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part warm water stirred well and kept cold)
1 mint tip
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
¼ part dry cognac
Lemon wheel

Combine ingredients in a punchbowl, stir well and lash with bitters.  Smack mint over bowl and discard.  Serve in martini glass, garnish with lemon wheel.

* Adapted from Edible Brooklyn