Memorial Day Drinks & BBQ Recipes

May 21, 2017 – Break out the punch bowl, barbecue and seersucker.  We can help you with the first two but the seersucker is up to you.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day a punch bowl can save a whole lot of work for the stressed out host.  But if individual servings are the choice, the four recipes below can be made individually.

In the never-ending tsunami of advice on the absolute best and only way to barbecue success, we’ve added another.  This barbecue philosopher doesn’t mince words because that’s the way it was with Sailor Jerry.  Sailor Jerry, born in 1911, lived most of his life in Honolulu and to this day is revered as the father of tattoo art.  The hula girl was one of his trademark designs and it adorns the label of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum.

Here’s what Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum has to say about barbecuing:

1   Cut the fat.
2   To marinate, OR NOT to marinate. Marinades are great for cheaper cuts, but if you’ve got some nice steaks you want to taste the meat so skip the soak.
3   Put a lid on it. Leave the lid on for meat. This shortens cooking time.
4   Fork you. Use a good ol’ pair of metal tongs to turn your meat and it’s best to turn only once.
5   Is it done? Men don’t use anything but their sense of touch to tell if their meat is cooked.

Scroll down for a great BBQ sauce recipe as well as a recipe for Dog Bites, a quick dish to keep everyone fed while waiting for the ‘Q.

Ginger Punch

1 part Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
¼ part fresh lemon juice
¼ part homemade ginger syrup (available at supermarkets)
3 parts black tea

Method:  In a punch bowl add Sailor Jerry, lemon juice and ginger syrup to a small amount of ice and slowly stir. Add tea and continue to stir. Add more ice and dilute. Garnish with lemon and ginger peels.

Drambuie Sully House Punch

1 ½ parts Drambuie
½ part lime juice
½ part pineapple juice
½ part Monkey Shoulder Whisky
¼ part absinthe
Soda water
Cucumber Slices seasoned with salt for garnish

Method: In sparkling spring water muddle cucumber lightly. Build the first five ingredients in a punch bowl. Top with soda and garnish with cucumber slices and lime wheels.

Casino Royale (individual serve)

1 ½ parts elit Vodka
1 part Aperol
½ part St. Germain
2 parts fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a double rocks glass. Garnish with an orange slice or serve in a punch bowl with edible flowers and orange slices.

Sgroppino

This cocktail can also be served as dessert

1 ½ parts elit Vodka
1 scoop of Lemon Sorbet or another different flavor
3 parts Prosecco

Method:  Blend the elit Vodka and Prosecco together with a bit of crushed ice. Place 1 scoop of sorbet into a coupette and pour the blended liquid over. Garnish with fresh lemon zest and enjoy.

Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum BBQ Sauce

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup dark brown sugar
½ cup Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
½ cup hot sauce such as Tabasco
¼ cup ketchup
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground mustard
¼ cup soy sauce

Method: Heat oil in saucepan and add diced onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is translucent (approx. 2 minutes). Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to food processor and purée.

Dog Bites

1 lb. hot dogs, cut into bite sized pieces or small cocktail hot dogs
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon onion, diced
¾ cup Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
1 cup ketchup
¾ cup brown sugar

Method:  Melt butter in saucepan and sauté onions in butter until golden. Add the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, ketchup and brown sugar and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the hot dogs and cook for another 10-15 minutes until hot dogs are heated.

Serve with toothpicks.