The Spirit World

For me, Super Bowl Weekend means one thing. What can I do to avoid the Super Bowl chaos? Many of my friends get quite excited about the game, and often there is little I can do to steer clear. But, a few of my friends have the right idea. Super Bowl weekend for them means one thing: Girls’ Ski Trip. It’s time to pack up the gear and head to the slopes, which will be very empty with all the rest of the folks sitting on a tailgate somewhere or otherwise glued to the tube.

Girls’ Super Bowl Ski Weekend means lots of opportunity for apres, and I happen to have a few favorites that I like to whip up when relaxing at the cabin. I’m a huge fan of this blood orange cocktail which uses seasonal fresh fruit. Perhaps it seems silly to travel with five pounds of fruit, but it’s all worth it when you take your first sip. This year the recent ice storms may make finding blood oranges may be a bit tricky even at home, and of course, it’s perfectly acceptable to substitute with some other citrus type. But the blood oranges have such a fantastic sweetness and bold color, it’s best to use them if you can.

Blood Orange Cocktail

For one cocktail:

• 1 to 2 blood oranges
• 2 T fresh mint
• 1 t raw sugar
• 1 shot dark rum
• Champagne or soda water to top
• ice

Juice 3/4 of an orange, reserving 1/4 for muddling. Muddle 1/4 of the orange in a cocktail shaker along with the mint and the sugar. Shake with the rum, juice and some ice.

Strain into a champagne glass, with more ice if desired. Top with champagne or the soda water. Garnish with mint or a slice of orange.