Homemade Happy Hour

Yesterday was a relaxing, lazy Saturday.  In the morning, Willow helped me work on my blog and do a few other things on my computer.

She really had a lot of input and she made her views clear on many subjects.

Jump to late afternoon...happy hour began shortly after 5pm.  I've been dying to try to recreate a drink that I had at a bar in the West Village a couple of weeks ago when I was out with a friend.  I think we were pretty successful.  At the bar, it was called "The Ivy Leaguer"; I've decided to call our copycat cocktail "The Yellow Rose".

Here's how it went down:

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part homemade simple syrup (it's easy--1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, boil, dissolve, done)
• 1 part freshly squeezed lemon juice
• fresh mint leaves
• rosewater

Place the vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice and about 5 mint leaves per serving in a cocktail shaker with lots of ice.  Shake vigorously.  Strain into a glass (we used martini glasses).  You will notice that little flecks of the mint leaves escape the cocktail shaker and swirl down into the drink where they dance around and beckon you to try and catch them.  But wait, before you dive in--you need to add the finishing touch to this drink.  Spray a bit of rosewater around the outside of the glass and on top of the drink.  Trust me, it adds a beautiful aroma and taste to the drink.  It's amazing.  OK, now you can take a sip.  Delicious, right?  In my opinion, a perfect combination of sweet and sour with that little je ne sais quois from the rosewater.  It's summer in a glass.  You should try it.

Oh, and I am still working on my Baby Surprse Jacket.  It's the last few rows and for some reason I just don't feel like finishing it.  Here's the latest photo--I love how it kinda looks like it's floating in space.  A BSJ UFO.