It’s great to have a little getaway to look forward to during the Winter, even though the weather here in Pennsylvania is pretty moderate and mostly pleasant these days. I will be heading down to Marco Island Florida next week for a very brief vacation with my childhood friend Susan (who I have called Suz since I was five years old).  I’m excited for the time I’ll get to spend with Suz.  There’s nothing like hanging out with a lifelong friend, especially one with whom you still have so much in common.

The last time I was in Marco Island with Suz was 1980, soon after I graduated from high school and my family moved to Florida (no need to do the math- I am “mature”).  The most memorable part of that trip was crossing the Sunshine Skyway bridge (only a few months before its tragic collapse) on my way home to Pinellas County.  I had not one cent to my name (and no credit cards), so I had to write a check for 50 cents to pay the bridge toll.  Who drives four hours from home for a weekend getaway and doesn’t travel with at least a few dollars in her purse?!  That was me in my carefree youth.

Speaking of those carefree times, my impending girls holiday got me thinking about the cocktails we used to drink back in the day.  The times when we didn’t think about the consequences of over-doing it until we were praying to the porcelain god.  When health insurance, mortgages and 401Ks were barely on our radar.  Do you remember those days?  Or are they just a little blurry?

If you’re anywhere close to my age (again- no math required please), you might recall doing Kamikaze shots on Ladies Night.  Or enjoying Fuzzy Navels on a deck by the beach.  We all have our own unique favorites (as well as those certain liquors that we can’t even stand the smell of anymore– peppermint schnapps, anyone?)  Below is a list of five cocktails I enjoyed (and enjoyed….and enjoyed…) during my younger years.

Kamikaze

Ahhh, the kamikaze.  I bet you could tell me a story about when you had one too many of these.  On the off chance that my kids may someday read this post, I won’t tell you my story here.  It’s better in your imagination anyway.

1 oz vodka

½ oz triple sec

splash Rose’s lime juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a shot glass. If you add a little more booze, strain it into a glass like this. (picture of regular sized glass here) Garnish with a wedge of lime if desired.

Sex on the Beach– there are a few versions of this drink, so I will give you two of them (I’m so good to you!)

Version 1

1 oz Chambord

1 oz Midori melon liqueur

2 oz pineapple juice

splash cranberry juice

Version 2

1 oz vodka

1 oz peach schnapps

2 oz orange juice

2 oz cranberry juice

Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a shot glass.  Or if you prefer, either version can be served on the rocks.

Fuzzy Navel

1-2 oz peach schnapps

3-4 oz orange juice

Pour ingredients into a glass with ice.  This is also a great drink for binge-watching your favorite show- not too strong and not too heavy. If you want more kick to this drink, add 1-2 ounces of vodka. 

B-52

1/3 shot Kahlua

1/3 shot Grand Marnier (or amaretto if you prefer- I have seen both used for this drink)

1/3 shot Irish cream liqueur

Carefully layer ingredients, in order, into a shot glass; kahlua, then Irish cream, then amaretto or Grand Marnier. When adding the Irish cream, place an upside down spoon in the shot glass just above the first layer of kahlua, then pour slowly over the back of the spoon.  Then top with the Grand Marnier or amaretto.

Seabreeze/Baybreeze

1-2 oz vodka

4-5 oz cranberry juice

Pour ingredients into a glass with ice.

The Seabreeze is just these two ingredients. If you want something more fruity and tropical, add 1-2 ounces of pineapple juice and you have a Baybreeze. 

Are any of these drinks a favorite of yours?  Bring back any fun memories?  If so, or if there are other drinks you loved back in those freewheeling times, let me know.  I will post the recipes and give you credit in a future blog post.  Until then, here’s a toast to the good old days!