Raspberry Bounce

From www.cottagesmallholder.com: "Fiona’s Patent Raspberry Vodka Recipe"

I didn't think we'd have the patience for this one, but we made it. Three-plus months of waiting from the day we made this to actually be able to try it. Worth it! 

Joef got the idea from family members who made cherry bounce, and, as he is wont to do, decided to improvise. Not only does this make a sweet, yummy liqueur, it also is just fun to watch the process and have something in the cupboard you can check in on every month or so. The change in the color of the vodka is, as one might imagine, particularly dramatic.

Here's the recipe we used (can you tell it's British?):

300g of unfrozen raspberries
350g of white granulated sugar
1.5 liters (or more) of medium quality vodka (don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest)
Sterilized 2-liter bottle

Wash raspberries and discard any bruised/bad fruit. Place raspberries in the large, sterilized bottle, squeezing the berries through the neck of the bottle.

Using a funnel, add the sugar and top up with vodka to 2-3cm from the top.

The fun part: shake every day until the sugar is dissolved and then store in a cool, dark place until you can resist it no longer - at least three months. Then, enjoy the fruits - HAR! - of your labor!

Habanero Pina Coladas

Remember Joef's spicy birthday dinner over a month ago? Remember my mention of habanero pina coladas? Yeah, that's how behind I am on my posts. Well, there's nothing wrong with pina coladas in the middle of December, is there?

I know what you're thinking. Joef's penchant for spice has gone too far. There's no way this could be good. But let me tell you, this kid knows how to make a mixed drink, and he gets full credit for this one. And the citrus-y heat of the habanero is a great complement to pineapple and coconut.

It's a little deceptive at first - you expect sweet, and get heat. And believe me, it's hot. But it's also unique, creative, and really good.

The first step is to infuse rum with habaneros, which takes about two days. So plan ahead!

HABANERO RUM
750mL-1L Cachaca (type of Brazilian rum)
4 habaneros, tops cut off

Drop the habaneros into the bottle of rum. Let sit for 2 days. Remove the habaneros.

PINA COLADA
For one drink: in a cocktail shaker, mix two parts rum with 3 parts pineapple juice. Add about 2 tbsp cream of coconut, or to taste. Shake with ice and pour into a small glass. Enjoy!