Calling Wildfire...

Last week, I crashed date night with Paul & Tami (Scott was working late). They mildly twisted my arm, and convinced me to go out for Japanese food. For those of you who read my sister Megan's blog, you will remember that we spent a week in Japan last month. The food was 'challenging', and I really had no intention of eating Japanese for some time. But a new restaurant is always fun, so I tagged along.

The restaurant offered a good mix of sushi, robato (small plates from the grill) and other dinner plates. We had a really nice meal - including some amazing edamame which was seasoned with some Indian spices I am going to have to try at home. One of the highlights - besides the company, of course - was the cocktail menu.

Paul ordered the 'Wildfire', which is not only the title of one my favorite 70s songs, but also a pretty great drink. [For those of you who share my love for the song, check out this link to sing along http://helloblackbird.blogspot.com/2009/10/you-can-call-me-wildfire.html].

I decided to re-create this drink at home, instead of the one I ordered, which tasted like sun tan lotion. Megan came over for dinner, so I used her as my guinea pig. Plus, I played her the song and took the opportunity to sing along, which was really fun for me, but not so fun for her.

This drink is made with fresh blood orange juice, and I was really fortunate to find a bag of these at my local farmer's market. This drink doesn't require a ton of juice, so squeezing your own isn't too hard. I invested in a small juicer when my cocktail efforts went full swing a few years ago (prompted by a lime drop cocktail at a now defunct Manhattan Beach restaurant, which I will cover in a future blog), but you don't need full scale juicing for this one.


The restaurant version of this calls for Grey Goose L'Orange, but my Vons didn't have it, so I settled for Absolut Mandarin, and I didn't notice a difference. So - here you go:

Wildfire

1 part Orange Vodka (better quality is better here, so Grey Goose, Absolut, but not Smirnoff)
1 part Blood Orange Juice
1 tsp Simple Syrup (simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, recipe further below)
Jalepeno slices (2 or so for 1 martini)

You can buy simple syrup, or you can really easily make it at home. Making your own simple syrup is key to many, many of my cocktails, so this is good to know how to do:

1 c. sugar
1 c. water

Put both ingredients in a small sauce pan on the stove. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Let boil for 5 or so minutes, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and set aside.

To make the cocktail:

Chill martini glass
Slice jalapeno (you can leave seeds in, most will get strained out when pour it into the glass)
Fill martini shaker with ice, and jalapeno slices
Add vodka, blood orange juice, and simple syrup
Shake well, and pour
Garnish with sliced jalapeno

Don't be scared by using jalapeno in a drink - it has a really mild flavor, and adds some warmth to the drink. You will taste it, but it won't be overwhelming. Of course, the more jalapeno, the more heat you will get.

It may be hard to find the blood orange juice, but if you can find it - make this cocktail! It is a great, unusual and refreshing drink, and will be great for spring cocktail hours.