Highballs High Heels
Here on The Spirit World we like to treat our cocktails and beer with a certain level of respect. We hope we help you learn about the art of these beverages and not just how to swill them down. But being respectful doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at the same time! (In fact you’d better be having fun or why bother?)
This mixology book, Highballs High Heels, takes cocktail creation to a new level. Obviously targeted at women, this is not a book about froufrou but about making serious drinks with a twist; naming them for the ups and downs in female life; and having a great sense of humor.
The first chapter covers what it takes to be a “cocktail goddess”:
A cocktail goddess, first and foremost, is a mood-maker and spell caster. When a woman makes a drink, she becomes an epic force, a fearsome creature, with the power to dazzle and delight, command and control.
Now this is actually true of anyone who makes a great cocktail but, as with many things in life, women need to remember to embrace this concept.
The following chapter covers bar basics and then we move onto the recipes. Some chapter names (High Heel Seductions, Altered States) don’t necessarily give you an idea of what will be covered but this book is all about browsing anyway - the photos and illustrations are really great. There are many classic shots and fun and creative setups. A chapter called “Sol Sisters” covers beach type drinks, while a section called “New Girl Classics”, makes classics with a twist: gin and tonic becomes Debutonic with the addition of a splash of Campari. The aforementioned “Altered States”, has selections such as, Bad Hair Day Blaster and Minivan Mom Meltdown Mixer.
This is a really fun book and is worth its price just for the entertainment value of reading through it. But it is also a good reference for serious cocktails that haven’t forgotten that serious doesn’t have to mean somber and the best cocktails bring you a party in a glass.
Pomegranate Planet Martini
1 1/2 cups crushed ice
2 oz chilled vodka
1 - 2 tsp. pomegranate concentrate juice or Grenadine Pomegranate Syrup
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. simple syrupChill a cocktail glass.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously to blend and chill. Taste and adjust the amount of pomegranate flavor.
Strain into the glass and serve.
