Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Norman Rockwell 4th of July Celebration

     When you think of the 4th of July, what comes to mind first?  Fireworks, cook outs and fantastic American fun, celebrating the day that America singed their independence.  The Annual Symphony and Fireworks celebration on the square in Sulphur Springs, is one of those fantastic American adventures that brings people together to celebrate one specific event.  A full orchestra takes the stage to play classical pieces before the fireworks show.



    Never has a more "Norman Rockwell" event taken place in small town America than the Symphony and fireworks.  Just imagine a full orchestra playing beautiful classical music, then a fireworks show right downtown, backdropped by the quintessential county court house.  



    Make your plans today to join us at The Oaks and then the square for a great All-American 4th of July celebration.  


    We hope to see you then.

Allison 


Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Mojitos - herb infused cocktail series


Some of you might know, who follow us on social media, that we are starting a veggie garden at The Oaks.  We have always grown our own herbs and had one or two veggie plants over the years, but this year we decided to make a change and really focus on trying to provide our own veggies for our guest meals.  We want to create a farm to table aspect of our bed and breakfast business. 

With that in mind, I wanted to start a monthly cocktail recipe made with items you can grow in your back yard.  This month’s recipe is Mojito.  A mojito is great drink to mix as a cocktail or a mocktail.  Make a pitcher for the whole family to enjoy while welcoming in the summer months around the fit pit. 



Our featured herb this month is mint.  There are multiple kinds of mint you can grow in your yard, but beware, mint likes to spread.  So unless you want to have it everywhere contain your mint in a pot.  If you want to have a fragrant ground cover, let it roam all over your garden bed.  It has the ability to keep coming back year after year. 

We planted the traditional mint, that you can pick up at your favorite home store or nursery and set it in a pot by the stairs, leading up to the deck.  I will eventually need to replace my pot, since it broke when switching out plants, but it should work for a while, as the mint establishes itself.  I would wait a few weeks for the roots to set in before using your mint, but as you do begin to use it, taking a few leaves here and there should help to promote growth. 

Mint can be used in a multitude of ways and we are going to start off with this simple, yet delicious method in a Mojito.  We like to use fresh ingredients when we can, so grab those limes and juicer and squeeze that nectar right out.  Since we set our establishment up with a bar we use Collins glasses for our mojitos.  They are tall and slender which gives the drink some extra pizzazz and views of the mint and lime. Of course if you want to make this into a drink for everyone or all ages, just eliminate the rum, and add a little more simple syrup.

 

Mojito

 4-5 mint leaves

2 oz. of White rum

1 oz. simple syrup

½ oz. lime juice, fresh

4 oz. club soda or sparkling water 

 

Squeeze in the fresh lime, about half a lime should do.  Add in the mint leave and muddle, break them up a bit to release their flavor.  Add rum and simple syrup.  Fill with ice cubes and top off with club soda.  Stir the flavors together.  You can garnish your drink with lime wedges or slices, and a sprig of mint at the top.  To make this a mocktail, add in another ounce to ounce and half more of simple syrup and leave out the rum. 

 You can make your own simple syrup if you plan to make pitchers full, of this delicious cocktail or if you plan to make other cocktails with simple syrup.  It is as simple as adding water to sugar and heating until the sugar has dissolved.  This is a one-to-one recipe.  Store in the fridge until ready to use.  

We hope you have enjoyed our first herb infused cocktail.  Until next time, travel safe and drink up.