Several years ago, Jerry took me to Vegas for my birthday and I had my first Sinatra Smash Cocktail. Even though it’s fruity, it’s all grown up! Where can you Find a Sinatra Smash? We went to the Sinatra restaurant at the Encore Hotel & […]
No Introduction Needed This herb butter topped restaurant style filet mignon needs no introduction. It stands on it’s own. No story needed. Because there’s no need to fire up the grill, it’s perfect for any time of year, regardless of rain, shine, snow, or […]
PICK YOUR OWN When I was growing up in St. Louis, every few years we would make a trip across the Mississippi to Eckert’s Farm near Belleville, IL, go for hayrides, drink hot cider, and pick apples.. We’d bring back bags full of apples and at […]
Halloween is almost upon us! Bwahahahaha!!! In the spirit of the season, let’s explore one of my all time favorite cocktails: the Blood and Sand cocktail. Why is a Blood and Sand Cocktail perfect for Fall? You couldn’t ask for a better cocktail to […]
The Issue: Too Many Kids are Hungry 1 in 6 kids in America face hunger, all across the United States, in every community, even here in ours. That’s why Firefly Grill and John Boos & Co. have teamed up to help with No Kid Hungry. […]
Once a year in September, Mid America Motorworks puts on a huge Corvette festival aptly named… FUNFEST! It’s a Blast! Hundreds, really more like thousands, of people drive their new and vintage Corvettes from all over the country to display them at Mid America Motorworks. Aside […]
Before we jump into how to make a charcuterie board, what the heck is it? Well, it’s a fancy pants name for a meat and cheese tray… on steroids. Basically, it’s a large plate or board with little groups of olives, cheese, cured meats, crackers, […]
We have a new neighbor in town (Effingham IL intersection of Hwy. 70 & 57) and we couldn’t be happier to have them! The Boos Butcher Block Factory Showroom & Outlet is the Firefly Grill’s new next door neighbor. Over 5000 square feet of showroom floor […]
Not many things compare to a homegrown ruby red tomato at the end of summer. Although, I think fried green tomatoes might be a close second. I could make a meal out of them! Scroll down to find out how to make fried green tomatoes […]
Recently I met with Firefly’s Kristie and the marketing manager of a new kind of food coop, Liz from LEAF – Little Egypt Alliance of Farmers. LEAF was founded by seven southern Illinois farmers in 2016 who wanted to provide people easy access to organic goods. […]
I love Julia Child’s meticulous attention to detail. She writes the mother recipe first and then how to make variations from there. I love her picks for side dishes and wine. She leaves nothing uncovered. Here is her Beef Bourguignon. I hope you love it as much as my family does.
Cheers!
Madalaine @ Lakeside Table
Halloween is almost upon us! Bwahahahaha!!! In the spirit of the season, let’s explore one of my all time favorite cocktails: the Blood and Sand cocktail.
You couldn’t ask for a better cocktail to sip on a chilly autumn evening. The cherry liquor and the fresh blood orange juice are reminiscent of warm summer days, but then there’s just enough smoky Scotch with rich peaty flavor to transport you to a cool autumn evening by a roaring bonfire. Ohhhh yeah…!
The first time I had this drink was in the exclusive members only St. Louis establishment by the same name. The Blood and Sand restaurant is located in downtown St. Louis at 1500 St. Charles Street.
Fortunately when we went there for the first time, we were using Google Maps. You need to know what to look for when you go since there is no sign to herald their location. From it’s mysterious front to it’s eclectic decor, it is reminiscent of the 1920’s hidden speak easies.
The Blood and Sand cocktail was first created during the Prohibition era (1920-1933). This libation that came out around the time the 1922 Rudolph Valentino movie:
However it wasn’t until Harry Craddock included it in his famous Savoy Cocktail Book (England 1930) that the libation started to pick up steam in the American speak easies.
Using the juice of blood oranges and it’s deep color help keep it linked to it’s name. Interestingly, this is one of the few classic mixed drinks that actually includes Scotch.
So embrace your inner Valentino, grab a cozy sweater, light the fire, snuggle your sweetie and enjoy your weekend with a Blood and Sand.
Cheers & Happy Halloween!
This is the perfect drink for fall. Mainly because the cherry liquor and the fresh blood orange juice remind me of warm summer days. But then you also have the peaty smoky Scotch in there and that goes so well with cool fall days and a roaring bonfire.
If you really want to make a splash, right before serving, light the orange zest on fire. Rub it around the lip of the glass and then add a touch more orange juice on top.
Valentino movie optional. Fire in the fireplace... highly recommended.
Halloween is almost upon us! Bwahahahaha!!! In the spirit of the season, let’s explore one of my all time favorite cocktails: the Blood and Sand cocktail. Why is a Blood and Sand Cocktail perfect for Fall? You couldn’t ask for a better cocktail to […]
I don’t know about you, but I think cooking should be FUN! Making things from scratch, especially if it’s easy, is highly rewarding, but sometimes it’s just plain ol’ fun to put something together that’s “semi” homemade, easy, super tasty, and really pretty. That’s exactly […]
Jump to Recipe: Steamed Fish Bundles One of the best things about going out to eat is trying to make your own version at home. I don’t have near the culinary genius to replicate what most professional chefs procure, but it’s tons of fun to […]
Firefly Grill Field Trip Last week I took a road trip with Firefly Grill’s (owners/chef) Kristie & Niall to Greenville*, IL. This sleepy town is home to an Illinois artisanal cheese maker: Marcoot Jersey Creamery. It didn’t take us long to realize this was indeed […]
I love ceviche but I’ve always been a little scared to make it. I mean, come on… raw fish? There are some things you just don’t mess with. However when Deb and I went to Aruba we stayed at the Riu and they had a […]