a hint of summer

I was really excited to deep fry today, because this guy kept going on and on about chicken wings, and i couldn't get the idea out of my mind. Unfortunately in my house you have to reserve the right to cook a meal 24-48 hrs in advance. So when i called home and was like, "Dad do we have potatoes? I'm making fish and chips!" he was like, "Sorry toots, fajita's on the grill." (not the actual grill, he's not crazy... well). So he slotted me in for tomorrow, lunch. BLOG SPOILER ALERT!!!

Anyway, i made one of my favorite cocktails instead. It's from Smitten Kitchen. I actually had to fight my dad for this one too, because he had all the stuff set up to make "tequil-ees." My dad loves margaritas, but calls them anything other then what they are. So if he ever offers you a tequila sunrise, long island, or even a freddy fuddpucker, just know that's not what you're going to get. If you asked my dad for a tequila shot he'd probably give you a margarita back, 'cause he LOVES them.

So i manage to pull him out of the kitchen for two seconds while i made these "Porch Swings." This is the perfect summer drink, because it's refreshing and looks good in a pitcher for parties. Pimm's No.1 is an English liquor(?) that's made of gin and other stuff. This drink is kind of similar to a Pimm's Cup, which is another drink. True story.


First you have to make lemonade. I used meyer lemons, cause they're sweet and delicious.


We actually do own every accessory to the kitchen aid, in case you were wondering. So to make the lemonaid use 1 part lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup (put some sugar in hot water) and 2 parts water. Ta-da!! My syrup looks like weak tea because my dad dumped brown sugar into our container of white sugar for reasons unknown to me.

*note the Dorney Park commemorative water bottle.

To make this decadent drink put 1 1/2oz (a shot and a half) Pimm's, 1 1/2oz Gin (they suggest hendricks, which i think would be lovely, but my mom's a Tanqueray lady so that's what i used), and 4oz of lemonade into two high ball glasses.


I shake mine first cause i'm gangsta, and it chills the warm lemonade. Then top it off with some 7up and really thin cucumber slices, and delight in this:


Can't you just picture swinging on a front porch, possibly playing cards, on a warm summer's day and drinking this? I've just described my vision of heaven to you. Anyway i just emptied my glass, and it's fajita time, so i gotta run. You should go make yourself one of these right now, because they're delicious. And hey, veggies!