9/5/11

Mi Rosa

Mis amigos, I hope you're having a glorious, long weekend! As for me, I'm due at work in about an hour. But that doesn't mean that I don't have time to share with you the most beautiful cocktail with the most beautiful name ever. I've been trolling the old gourmet.com site recently and happened upon this beverage with the following introduction, which completely won me over:

"'To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add  another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess.' —The Life and Death of King John, William Shakespeare.

The rosebud garnish on this delicious cocktail seems a bit like painting the lily. Maybe not as bad as garnishing heaven with a taper-light, but still, probably not necessary."

For Gourmet's version, click here.
Can you tell that Matt and I got a new camera? It happened a few posts ago, and to be honest, I'm kicking myself that we didn't do this earlier. That said, fate had much to do with it. A good friend was selling her old one, and the price was too good to pass up! Anyway, part of the reason why this week is a little bon-appetempt lite is because we've been taking the camera out, learning the ropes, and even shot another fun video(!) that we hope to post soon. We hope you understand.

This week, I also sat down with the LA Times food blog and chatted about this almost three-year-old operation. You can check that out here.
So, if I had the day off, this is what I might do. Arrive at my friend's barbeque with a basket of raspberries, some tequila, orange juice, sparkling wine, and ask (quite politely): "Who is ready to gild the effing lily?"

Mi Rosa via Gourmet
1/4 cup rinsed drained picked-over fresh raspberries
1 oz (2 tablespoons) Tequila
1 teaspoon sugar
6 tablespoons fresh orange juice
6 tablespoons chilled Champagne or other sparkling wine

Garnish if desired: short-stemmed rosebud

In a blender blend raspberries, Tequila, and sugar until smooth and force through a fine sieve into a small bowl.

In a Champagne flute stir together orange juice and sparkling wine and add shaved ice to within 1/2 inch of rim. Carefully spoon raspberry mixture over ice and garnish with rosebud. Makes 1 drink.

21 comments:

Amy said...

I'm ready to guild the effing lilly! What a perfect brunch drink! (Or anytime drink, really.) Beautiful. Great photos, the new camera is working beautifully. Off to check out the Times.

Matthew said...

Wish every weekend was this long. xoxo
Oh, and these drinks were amazing!

Jessica said...

Your pictures are INSANE!! So excited for the next video, though I don't know how you'll top that pancake flip and music video. Congrats on the Los Angeles Times!!
-Jess

blue said...

YUM! Wish I was at your house. These look delightful.

Susan P. Cooper said...

That looks awesome. I love the entertainment factor as well. Keep up the great work. :D
Susan Cooper

paul said...

Delicious, but how can you go wrong with Tequila?

AmyJ said...

yyumm! love ur blog- food and pics are amazing!

sg said...

Yes to it all! and damn you for teasing us with the mention of a new video. I can hardly wait! Congratulations to a great chat with the LA Times and such an adorable picture. I hope there is still time for you to gild the effing lilly tonight.

Anonymous said...

Those beverages look mighty refreshing in this heat!

Stephanie said...

Do I ever wish I could back in time one month to raspberry season on Vancouver Island! Now you've given me a very good reason to look forward to next July . . .

Anne Zimmerman said...

Wowzers. Gilding indeed!

Colleen said...

All that can be said is "WOW"!

jeana sohn said...

i want some of that right now!!!

Heather Taylor said...

eff ya! this looks so delish! will you make for me soon, please?

Kara said...

Is it terrrrrible of me to say that Gourmet's version looks Totally 80s? Your pics, on the other hand, are fabulous.

I've been quoting When Harry Met Sally all week, however, so who am I to criticize a little 80s magic?? I see now that it was a 90s find anyway. It seems my timeline goggles are a little fogged.

Natalie (NJ in L.A.) said...

A million times yes on this one! Cannot wait to make. Congrats on the LAT write up ... I think I have another one coming your way. Will email you!

Amelia Morris said...

@sg thank you, thank you, thank you! Matt and I are very excited about the videoo!!

@Kara LOVE when Harry met Sally. let's talk about it asap.

@FashionIntel Thanks and sounds interesting! look forward to hearing more!

Megan Taylor said...

I might make this RIGHT NOW. and it's 6:49 AM on a Friday!!!

Andrea said...

These look delicious. Your new camera is awesome. Can you please come to NC and take pictures of your niece and neph with it?

Sunday Taylor said...

This looks delicious and so gorgeous! Great cocktail. I love that description from the old Gourmet. They were so poetic back in the day...I always loved reading that magazine.

Mary Anne said...

Whoaaaaa this is weird, I just had a cocktail here in Oaxaca that looked just like this! It was made with mezcal instead of tequila, and it was called something like the Donita or Donifa or something. Saw it on a couple menus-- it's a local specialty! Weeeeeird! Miss you!