As summer 2011 draws to a close, I feel like capturing its most joyous moments-- moments that have reenergized me for a new year in the classroom teaching 9th grade English. Of course, many of the best memories of the summer involve gathering with friends to fellowship with food and drinks.
Having not taken a summer vacation since 2005, one of my New Year's resolutions this year was to vacation, and vacation I did! (Boy, I'd been missing out.) In the month of June, I visited my friend Jessie in Arizona. Quality "girl time" with Jessie and the majestic landscapes of Jerome, Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon renewed my spirit immeasurably.
In Flag, Jessie and I feel in love with a little coffee shop/bar in the lower level of the Hotel Monte Vista Jessie would have me pay hommage to their delicious and comforting "white elephant" chai tea latte-- it was tasty indeed. I, however, was delighted with the Monte Vista's update of the ciapirinha, the national drink of Brazil and potentially my favorite cocktail.
A traditional caipirinha is made by addling chungks of lime with cain sugar, crushed ice, and a Brazilian liquor called cachaca. At Hotel Monte Vista, your caipirinha will come pretty and sweet with the following ingredients:
The crushed red grapes add sweetness and a wonderful splash of contrasting color to this already delicious and refreshing beverage.
Look at the September edition of O: The Oprah Magazine or the following linkes for more cocktail recipe ideas involving cachaca: ToHu Swizzel, O Peixinho Morto, The Carnivale, Brazilian Tourist, Edison's Medicine.