Idle Livers are the Devil's Playground

When we last left our heroine (And who, may I ask, left heroin lying around?) she was in the midst of networking and interviewing. Which I still am, admittedly, but I've also been dodging hurricanes and inventing new cocktails. What? Idle hands are the devil's playground. Gotta stay productive.

Several years ago, DV and I were IM'ing (some things never change) and he instructed me to call him IMMEDIATELY as he had something of GREAT IMPORTANCE to discuss. I was sitting at my desk at work (ah, I remember work) and yet I dropped everything to help a friend in need. Once a voice connection was established, he said, with all the sincerity in the world, "We need to establish what my signature cocktail is going to be this summer." Clients be darned, I got right to task on this important subject. Signature cocktails, while not necessarily having to be the ONLY thing one drinks, help to indicate to friends and family what sort of hooch to stock in the house should you stop over for a nooner, and what they should buy you when they are able to wedge themselves closer to the bar when you go out on Saturday. (Note: the latter is only important if you live near an area where there are crowded bars or actually go out, neither of which apply to the authors of this blog, BUT WILL SOMEDAY SOON.)

Where were we? Oh, yes. Signature drinks.

I suggested to DV that for summer I always enjoy a nice Vodka Lemonade. He immediately retorted, "Oh, yeah. You know why I don't drink those? BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A VAGINA." (I believe I hung up on him.)

Since we've only had about 2 whole weeks of summer, it's tabula rasa time: we turn our thoughts to the beginnings of Autumn and how to make New Transitions. Not quite ready to give up my sunshine and unemployment tan, however, I am still clinging to the clear spirits and need to table the brown liquor cravings for another few weeks. That said, I added a few Autumnal elements to a vodka lemonade this past weekend, am happy with the results overall (even though my liver may not be) and share it thusly:

Step One: Make a simple syrup (1.5 cups sugar, 1 cup water, combine, boil until clear, let cool) with several sprigs of rosemary in the liquid through the cooling process. Remove the rosemary sprigs and discard.

Step two: In a pitcher, combine:

2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups rosemary simple syrup
2 cups sparkling water or seltzer

Step three: Fill glasses with ice and vodka to, um, taste. Pour lemonade mixture over and stir. Garnish with rosemary sprig and clever smile.

(Note: have pre-made or store bought lemonade on hand, as your will to freshly squeeze lemon juice will diminish after first pitcher.)

Not to be consumed prior to composing cover letters, feeding one-year-olds, or going to spin class (unless you are prepared for excitingly negative results.)