Skinny Marg 2.0

Dini, Sherry, and Chuck had an intervention with me. Message received: the Minute Marg - Skinny Edition is bad. In my defense, I always planned to tune it. Chuck rolled up his sleeves and together we reworked it. Acidity was the issue; that has been corrected. Goodbye Cointreau, hello vodka; that means even less sugar! Check it out:

• 4.5 oz tequila (I still recommend Altos Reposado)
• 4 oz water
• 1 oz vodka
• Juice of one lime
• .5 tsp Crystal Lite lemonade powder
• Salt (Chuck recommends Maldon salt)

Mix all ingredients except the salt, making sure the powdered lemonade dissolves completely. Pour into two rocks glasses full of ice and top with two shakes of salt, directly into the drink.

This is better – promise.

Minute Marg – Skinny Edition

We're all about fresh, high-quality ingredients, but there's no shame in cutting corners to match the cocktail to the moment. And speaking of...when you have only a moment and you're counting calories, let The Libationary scratch that hard-to-reach Margarita itch (makes 2 drinks):

• 4 oz Tequila (reposado, if available...I'm into Altos these days)
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 4 oz water
• 1 Crystal Light Lemonade "on-the-go" packet (about 1 teaspoon of powder)
• Small wedge of lime (1/8 - 1/4 lime; skip this if you're really in a hurry)

Stir powder, tequila, Cointreau, water until powder dissolves, pour into two rocks glasses full of ice. Top each glass with a squeeze of lime juice. Dig a salted rim but don't like the mess? Top with two shakes of table salt, directly into the drink. You're welcome.

Hangar One News

News item #1: I have been on the hunt for my favorite raspberry infused Vodka -- Hangar One Fraser River Raspberry. I have been procrastinating contacting Hangar One directly for good reason.  In my heart of hearts, I knew before they confirmed it:  Hangar One Fraser River Raspberry is no longer. The person I spoke to at Hangar One assured me that they would pass the raspberry vodka fan favorite feedback to Caley, their distiller. If it ever returns, oh joyous day.

I cried a thousand raspberry infused lemon drop tears yesterday.  Clearly, Rufus and I have a new mandate -- infuse our own raspberry vodka.

News item #2: Hangar One and St. George's Spirits are parting ways. New distillery opening with tours and tastings nearby in 2016.

Strawberry Mango Daiquiri

Dini brought this modified strawberry daiquiri close to perfection within sight of the beach in beautiful Carlsbad Village. Don't expect big Mango flavor -- it's mostly there for texture.

2 cups Frozen Strawberries
1 cup Frozen Mango Pieces

3 Tbsp Sugar

10 oz light rum

2 oz Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice

2.5 cups Ice Cubes

Put all ingredients in a blender and run it until all the ingredients are mixed and you have the desired consistency. You may need to interrupt blending to stir if you find the ingredients aren't mixing well. For a stronger drink, consider topping with a .5 oz float of dark rum. For a weaker drink, replace some of the rum with water.

The Classic Mojito

There are so many cocktails with crazy syrups as elixirs...but it's not easy to make the perfect basic mojito. I tried for years. And then a bartender gave away her secret. The trick? Dark rum. Thank you, bartender, for changing my life.

2 1/2 oz. dark rum (Cruzan is what I use)
1 3/4 oz. simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water)
2 fresh limes juiced
Fresh yerba buena mint

Tear the mint in half, combine all ingredients, put some ice in, muddle, add more ice (maybe a little rum floater?) and serve. Makes 1 serving.

Grape Devine

This one is a twist of the Melon Picante -- but it is so good it deserves a special call out. Make sure you use a ripe lemon. It makes a big difference.

4 oz. Miller's Gin
1 oz. simple syrup (2 parts sugar, 1 part water)
1 lemon, juiced
2 1/2 oz. pureed red seedless grapes

Shake hard over lots of ice and pour into two glasses. I like to finish this one with a few dashes of fine cayenne pepper.

Admire the turning leaves of fall and drink up.

"Mommy Needs a Minute"

Never underestimate the importance of getting a drink when small children -- especially your own -- are nearby. These recipes from American Drink are perfect for frantic parents on the edge of insanity.