Just Put the Lime in the Coconut

In a completely different post than usual for me ...visitors from ICLW, don't judge me just yet.  And read yesterday's post for an intro.

I'm not exactly what you'd call a lush.

In college, while everyone else was going to frat parties, or smuggling kegs into their rooms, or whatever else people who want to get drunk do, my geeky friends and I were playing "psychologist" (this is basically a game in which one person leaves the room, the remaining people decide on rules for answering the absent person's questions, and the absent person returns to the room to figure out what the rules are by asking random questions.  Repeat ad infinitum with very geeky roommates).  At grad school parties, I wandered around with a glass of seltzer in my hand, feeling out of place while everyone else seemed to be on their third Corona.  We occasionally enjoy a glass of wine or a mixed drink around here, but it's not a regular event.

But tonight, I am sipping a cocktail. Alone.  Feeling sorry for myself.

There are two reasons for this.  One: I've been trying to recreate that drink I had at Ninety Acres since we were there two weeks ago.  Two: I'm solo parenting again, and I don't have a pint of ice cream in the house, which is my go-to consolation prize of choice.  (I continue to gain respect and admiration for those of you who do this alone all the time; I think I'd weigh nine hundred pounds.)

In some ways, I'm a better parent when I do it alone.  I have a system ... sort of, anyway.  I know what I need to get done and I become single-minded of purpose.  I can sometimes play on the sympathies of the five year old.  There is slightly less laundry.

And in other ways, I'm a much worse parent when I do it alone.  My fuse is shorter.  I become "all work and no play" mama.  No one likes this version of me.  There are more things I need to remember to do.  And there's no one to pry the clingy baby off of my hip or my leg or wherever she happens to have her death grip at the moment for JUST.  FIVE.  MINUTES.

You put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better ...

 If only it were that simple.



You're welcome.

What's your favorite adult beverage?  Or: if you don't drink, what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Curried Lime in the Coconut
My husband was nice enough to make curry simple syrup (though he also hopes to make some crazy drink with it in a month when his Royal Indian Bitters are ready ... they're apparently in the basement ... don't ask).  This still isn't exactly the same as what I had at Ninety Acres, but it's refreshing nonetheless.  If you play with it and come up with a variation you like, write and tell us so.  

2 ounces gin
4 ounces coconut water
3 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
4 t. curry simple syrup  (see below.  start with less if you like.  You may also be able to use honey with curry well mixed in, if you're opposed to simple syrup)
1 sprig mint

In a shaker filled ¾ of the way with ice, combine gin, coconut water, curry simple syrup, and lime juice.  Shake until cold, strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with sprig of mint.

Curry Simple Syrup

1 t.. high-quality curry
½ cup boiling water
A few cups of sugar (I've heard you can do this with Stevia)

Combine ingredients in a pot. Gradually add enough sugar while stirring to create 1 cup of liquid.