The Pink Llama (White Rum with Rhubarb Simple Syrup, Grapefruit, and Rosemary)

(from http://theviewfromthegreatisland.blogspot.com: It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Fridays) 

This is the drink that inspired Joef's homemade, fruit-based simple syrup craze (the originators call it a Spring Fling, but we've renamed it)! Once you start, the possibilities are endless! This one uses rhubarb for the simple syrup, and is then combined with grapefruit juice. This is maybe the best drink he's ever made - it's so refreshing, light, and, I might add, rather complex flavor-wise. Enjoy!

To make the simple syrup:
2 cups white sugar
2 cups water
2 large stalks rhubarb, chopped

Bring to a soft boil, and bLoil for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mash the rhubarb as it softens. Remove from heat and strain out the pulp, then return the liquid to a medium boil. Reduce the liquid for about 10 minutes, stirring to ensure it doesn't burn.

To make the drink:
2 oz fresh-squeezed pink grapefruit juice (1 grapefruit=about 5 oz)
1 sprig rosemary
2 oz rhubarb simple syrup

2 oz Cachaça (white rum works)

Ice

Remove the rosemary leaves from their stem and place in a cocktail shaker. Add just a splash of grapefruit juice, and muddle together. Add the remaining ingredients and shake. Pour over ice, and serve with a sprig of rosemary. Ahh!

Bourbon Old-Fashioned with Cherry-Orange Simple Syrup

It's a new twist on an Old-Fashioned! Har!

When it comes to our kitchen, Joef is our drinks, desserts, and spice guy (I really wanted that alliteration to work...). This weekend, he made two amazing drinks, experimenting with making his own naturally-flavored, fruit-based simple syrups. This one he made up on his own, after we had something similar at a restaurant in San Francisco, Agricole. The simple syrup takes a little time, but is easy...you might even call it simple...and it really gives a ton of flavor to the drink. Delicious!

To make the simple syrup (makes about 2.5 cups):
2 cups turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw)
2 cups water
15-20 pitted Rainier cherries
1 navel orange, peeled

Combine all the ingredients together in a small/medium pot, and bring to soft boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, mashing the fruit as it softens, and stirring.

Remove the mixture from the heat and strain out the fruit pulp (it's delicious, btw!). Return the remaining liquid to a medium boil for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently. (Reduce the liquid while making sure it doesn't burn.)

Remove from heat and allow to cool. (This makes much more simple syrup than you need for one drink - you can save it for a bit, and use it in other drinks, or in fizzy water to make frobscottle!)

To make the Old Fashioned:
2 parts bourbon to 1 part simple syrup (if you like it sweeter, you can do 1:1)
Ice

Stir and enjoy!