Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Delectable Drink Recipes for the Spring!

It's official!  Spring has sprung and the weather has been absolutely beautiful! The sun is shining and the temperature has been hovering around 70 degrees.  Not what you would expect for the middle of March in NY, but we've been loving it.  Spring fever has sprung early and Cafe Mojo is ready!

The long wait for warm weather is over and people have been making the most of it. The window of our restaurant looks out on Main St. in West Islip and we have been watching as the number of people out walking or bike riding has grown.  Of course, we welcome them into Cafe Mojo for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink and that inspired us to share some Springtime Drink recipes with you!

Nothing says warm weather on Long Island better than a perfect Long Island Iced Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz light rum
  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz sour mix
  • cola
  • lemon wedge for garnish


Preparation:
  1. Pour the spirits and sour mix into a collins glass with ice.
  2. Stir well or shake.
  3. Top the glass off with cola.
  4. Garnish with the lemon wedge.
 Tax time = stress time for most people.  Take the edge off with an Income Tax Cocktail!



  • 2 oz gin
  • 1/4 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1/4 oz dry vermouth
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • Angostura Bitters to taste
  • orange twist for garnish

Preparation:

  1. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with the orange twist.
While the children enjoy their Easter baskets, the adults can enjoy this Easter Egg!

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz blue curaçao
  • 1 oz white crème de cacao
  • half-and-half

Preparation:

  1. Pour the blue curaçao and crème de cacao over ice cubes in an old fashioned glass.
  2. Float the half-and-half on top to taste.
Everybody needs some chocolate on Easter! Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Easter Bunny


Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz dark crème de cacao
  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 tsp chocolate syrup
  • 1 tsp cherry brandy

Preparation:

  1. Pour the creme de cacao and vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well.
  3. Strain into an old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  4. Float chocolate syrup and cherry brandy on top.
Warm weather has us craving fresh fruit and tropical flavors which you will find in this Rabbit Punch

  • 1 whole orange, plus 1 orange cut into thin slices for garnish
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 (750 milliliter) bottle bourbon, at least 100 proof
  • 1 cup Champagne or sparkling wine
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from 1 orange and the lemon. Transfer to a large punch bowl and add the sugar. Muddle to release the citrus oils, then let stand 1 to 2 hours. Add the lemon and pineapple juices and the bourbon, and stir to combine. Just before serving, stir in 3 to 4 cups of ice, then top with Champagne or sparkling wine and garnish with the orange slices and pineapple chunks.

Cheers!  Enjoy the warm weather!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Get ready!  St. Patrick's Day celebrating is coming soon!  Saturday March 17th, 2012 will be a day of shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, and our favorite ..... green beer!  Are you ready for some St. Patrick's Day fun?  Let Cafe Mojo get you started!

Green beer?  Where did that come from? It's not necessarily known who first came up with green beer, but some say it was a Dr. Curtin at a social club in NY back in 1914.  We found a story which explains that Dr. Curtain put "wash blue" dye into the beer, but no mention of why he did it or if there was even any connection to Ireland or St. Patrick's Day at all.

By the 1950's, green beer really caught on.  In fact, in 1952, Miami University (in Ohio) began a tradition called "Green Beer Day."  Held every year on the Thursday before their spring break, Green Beer Day was the school's alternative to St. Patrick's Day since the holiday fell during their vacation.

So green beer is not that unusual on St. Patrick's Day.  What about a green river?  That's right!  In 1962 city workers poured green dye into the river which kept it green for a week!  Today, less dye is used and the river stays green for just a few hours.

Cafe Mojo proudly offers Beers from Around the World and will have plenty of the ever popular Guiness on hand for your celebration.  Here are some Irish toasts for you to share:

"My friends are the best friends
Loyal, willing, and able.
Now let's get to drinking!
All glasses off the table!" 

"Here's to a long life and a merry one.
A quick death and a easy one.
A pretty girl and an honest one.
A cold beer - and another one!

Here's to being single...
Drinking doubles....
And seeing triple!

Have fun and be safe!