Smoke gets in your eyes.

Stopped into Rite Aid today and noticed the big red wall of love-Valentines day has invaded. I haven't had a single girl's Valentine's Day in 7 years, but here's to new traditions. This year I think I'm going to embrace the day and just go out with my ladies. Instead of exchanging candy we can get each other makeup and mixed Cd's a la 1990. I also plan to get dolled up and go somewhere totally inappropriate, like a strip club or a buffet. And while I can live without the chocolates, I do plan on one V-day ritual, the flirtini. Always good, and always appropriate-for the taken ladies and the single ones too!

On the 5th-Think Pink

The Los Angeles Times currently has some pretty cool recipes online right now for Cinco de Mayo. But it was this pink wonder that really spoke to me. It is just so darn pretty, and sounds like it would be refreshing too. So drink up and remember the Battle of Pueblo!

Grapefruit margarita

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Wedge of lime

2 teaspoons coarse margarita salt

14 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice, with pulp (about 3 medium grapefruits)

1 ounce lime juice

5 ounces reposado tequila

2 ounces triple sec

4 slices grapefruit or twists

1. Run a lime wedge halfway around the rims of four margarita glasses and dip into salt. Set aside.

2. Combine 7 ounces grapefruit juice, one-half ounce lime juice, 2 1/2 ounces tequila and 1 ounce triple sec in a cocktail shaker. Shake over ice until chilled. Strain into two ice-filled, salt-rimmed margarita glasses.

3. Garnish with a twist or slice of grapefruit.

Repeat to make two more cocktails.

Each serving: 174 calories; 1 gram protein; 17 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 0 fat; 0 cholesterol; 2 1/2 mg. sodium.

Recipe Courtesy of the Los Angeles Times

Cole's French Dip and Ginger Rogers

Last week my boyfriend and I went day tripping downtown and tried out Cole's....it was amazing. The ambiance was very old school and dark, which I loved.And the food was great! We don't eat meat,so I can't talk french dip, but the fries are amazing. That said, where I really fell in love was the bar. They have such an amazing bartender-he gives Max at the Cicada Club a run for his money! I ordered the Ginger Rogers, (I had to do it for so many reasons, you understand...) and it was sublime. So, if you like the Moscow Mule recipe I posted before then try this one too-it's a similar creature. Also if you ever get to Cole's, try the garlic fries and the hot mustard. Oh and the spicy pickles too-they are so good!

Ginger Rogers
8 to 12 mint leaves
1/2 ounce ginger syrup
1 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Ginger ale
Lime wedge for garnish
Put the mint in a pilsner or collins glass, cover with the syrup, and muddle lightly until the mint begins to release its aroma. Fill the glass with ice and add the gin and lime juice. Top with ginger ale. Using a bar spoon, stir the drink from the bottom up to mix. Garnish with a lime wedge

Photo courtesy of The L.A Times

Drink Recipe courtesy of Cocktailia

Moscow Mule

A few weeks ago I went to the Cicada Club (a whole different post entirely), and it was amazing. The building was beyond gorgeous, and so were the people. But where I really fell in love was at the bar. Max, the belligerent bartender is a true artist! I read the menu a few times before I settled on one of the older cocktails on the menu, The Moscow Mule. Invented in the 1930's , The Moscow Mule was the drink that got people in Los Angeles drinking vodka. A perfect combinations of ginger, mint and lime it really aims to please. Max uses fresh ginger, but you don't have to. Try it and you will see what I mean, it's my new signature cocktail that's for sure!

The Moscow Mule:

(recipe courtesy of the famed Cock n Bull in Hollywood)

1 1/2 Ounces Vodka

8 Ounces Ginger Beer

Juice of 1/2 Lime

Pour Vodka into a chilled mug. Add ginger beer to fill mug. Add lime juice. Decorate mug with a slice of lime. *Max also used a sprig of mint and a small slice of fresh ginger, it was lovely so I wanted to put it out there. However this is the original recipe, so maybe see which you prefer.