McGrady's IRISH CREAM

Named in honor of my late Grandmother Mary McGrady. I do not remember her, as she died when I was very young. She immigrated here from Ireland and I am sure she would have loved to have this delicious winter warmer to sip on, while  sitting by the fire.
Add to your coffee, or drink it straight up or on rocks.
This recipe is similar to others you can find on the internet but
I have chosen to use half & half instead of whole cream to lighten it up a bit. I have also reduced the whiskey to 1-1/2 cup. This allows you to double the batch using all of the 750 ML bottle of whiskey.

Ingredients:
1 - cup half & half
1 - 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 - tsp instant coffee granules or, 2 tsp. your favorite ground coffee
    (let steep in 1/4 cup boiling water, filter and cool)
2 - Tbs. chocolate syrup
1/2 - tsp vanilla extract

1/2 - tsp almond extract ( optional)
1-1/2 cups Irish whiskey (Jameson is best)

You will need 1 clean, empty bottle that will hold 32 oz
In a 2 qt. pitcher, add half & half, then the chocolate syrup and vanilla and stir the mixture until well blended.
Add the 1/4 cup coffee that has been filtered using a coffee filter.
Now, using an immersion blender or countertop blender, add whiskey slowly to cream mixture while blending, to avoid the separation of the cream from the whiskey. Do not over blend ! Pour into your bottle using funnel. Seal and chill.
Let the flavors blend a day or two, then adjustments can be made for your own taste, if desired. Shake well before serving. Keep refrigerated.

Note: I usually like to double this recipe. If you do that, and use 3 cups of whiskey total, you will use the whole 750 ml. bottle. So buy the full Liter !

LIMONCELLO

Limoncello !  An Italian drink from the southern part of the country. Vodka, infused with fresh lemon peel. It can't get any more basic and fresh.  CHEERS ! 

INGREDIENTS:

12 - WHOLE ORGANIC LEMONS
  3 - CUPS GRANULATED SUGAR
  3 - CUPS FILTERED TAPWATER  (OR BOTTLED WATER)
  1 - 750ml  SMIRNOFF or SVEDKA 80 PROOF VODKA

  1 - LARGE COFFEE FILTER

Wash the lemons well, then zest the lemons, 

You only want the yellow part of the skin, no pith ! Use a grater or zester. 

(Juice the lemons for future use of the juice, and freeze)
You can use the original bottle of vodka, just take out an ounce or so, and mix it with the juice from the lemons, to use later.

Add all the Lemon zest to the vodka bottle, put the top back on and give it a shake.

Now, let sit in a cool, dark area for at least 7 days, up to 14. The longer it sits, the stronger the lemon flavor.

After desired amount of days, combine sugar and water and heat in a medium saucepan until dissolved. 

Cool to room temperature before you combine it with vodka mixture, in a glass container
Stir sugar mixture into vodka and lemon mixture. and let sit for 1 day, (covered).  

Makes enough for 2 - 750ml bottles.

Strain, using coffee filter, (wet the filter first) Strain into glass bottles, or mason jars. seal and let age for a couple weeks at room temperature, then put in the freezer before serving.  

My New Blog !

Welcome !

 My name is Ron. My beautiful wife and I have lived in Minnesota most of our lives, except for a 3 year stint in Arizona. Now after retirement, we live in the swamp they call Florida. 
 I enjoy cooking, making and modifying recipes and eating good food. I used to enjoy brewing my own beer, but now just enjoy trying any new IPA's I can find.

 We enjoy glamping in our travel trailer a couple of months each summer in MN and the area in, and near, Custer, SD.

 I have been adding basic, everyday recipes for food and drinks, that I think are very good and represent a mix of different regional types of cuisine. 

I hope you will enjoy,

Thanks, Ron