While it may be sunny and possibly even warm where you are, it snowed lots today here in Minnesota and the temps are set to go near-zero F before the week is out. What’s a food blogger to do? Baking seemed the natural way to warm up, but as you can see from this post’s title, that’s not how things went down.
Instead, I turned to two cocktails that have been on my to-do list for a while. The first came about when I was introduced to all things Dr. Who by my most excellent blogger friend, amb. (You’ve seen her here before.) I knew nothing, so asked her simple questions such as “what is a tardis?” and “what is a sonic screwdriver?” And while I’m now well-versed on the blue box that is the tardis, I’m still a bit unclear on sonic screwdriver. (Amb saying, “A sonic screwdriver is like … a magic wand. But science-y,” helped only a bit.) To me, a sonic screwdriver sounds like a cocktail waiting to happen.
Stumbling on this post, then, was Kismet. Inspiration kicked into high gear and I could almost taste that cosmic concoction. Today’s snow meant canceling an engagement across town, so I used the time instead to mix my Whovian adult beverage. Three parts orange juice joined one part candy corn vodka to create this day-glo cocktail.
Whovian Sonic Screwdriver, anyone?
The super-sweet vodka demanded a bit of salt for balance, so I rimmed the glass with salt. (True, rimming a glass with salt is more a margarita thing, but I’d bet Dr. Who is good with me mixing things up a bit.)
I imagine this beverage as a sort of cosmic super juice that would allow Dr. Who–in whatever form he takes–to vanquish alien enemies everywhere. The bad guy wouldn’t stand a chance.
Stranded at home with one cocktail creation down, I decided to tackle an igloo drink I joked about making when commenting over at Blog of Funny Names. I don’t remember specific circumstances, but somehow it stuck that I had challenged myself to create another adult beverage with the only parameter (besides having to taste good, of course) being that it fit the description of “igloo.”
A google search found one recipe with gin and vodka, which sounded lovely. It contained a lime though, not tracking with a winter theme, so I subbed in a peeled and sectioned clementine. Honey added sweet and I muddled it all and tasted. Whoa. It screamed for a nonalcoholic dilution and I considered the possibilities: Ice? Tonic? Soda? Glancing out the kitchen window, at heavily falling snow, gave my brain a start. A conversation I’d had months earlier with a colleague came back to me: She’d jokingly challenged me to create and “adult snow cone.” Now was my chance!
I stepped outside (brrrrr) and filled a glass with freshly fallen snow. (Freshly fallen is key here–didn’t want already-marked snow. Though I’ve heard arguments that even “clean” snow isn’t clean after falling through an atmosphere rich in pollutants. Eh…I pushed that thought aside and forged ahead.)
waiting for snow cone status
I then strained my clementine-steeped spirits over the snow and watched it quickly melt down. A sip told me I had a potent and bracing winter refresher. It seemed an apt Igloo.
The Igloo
Dedicated to the BoFN co-founder who gave me the idea, this second cocktail wraps up the first of many snow days ahead. Wishing you all warm and toasty thoughts, no matter the weather.
Arto’s Igloo
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clementine, peeled and separated into sections
- Freshly fallen snow or finely crushed ice
In tall glass, combine gin, vodka, and honey; stir to blend. Add clementine; muddle well. Fill a short glass with snow or ice. Strain gin mixture over snow.
food for fun 
I’m sitting here, freezing my tush off (and yes, its all relative!!) Wondering how in the world I can be really wishing I had one of your Arto Igloo snow day cocktails in my hand. What is wrong with me?! Liz, its brilliant!! And I am vicariously, for Amb, loving the Dr. Who reference s that seem to roll off your keyboard with no effort whatsoever! I’ll pull up a stool at your bar any dsy!!
Oh, Bonnie. -12F today at the bus stop this morning, so I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say you were freezing your tush off 😉
But to answer your Q, nothing is wrong with you. Not a thing. An Arto Igloo would be a fine drink in any weather and at any time of day.
The Dr. Who thing cracks me up as I still don’t consider myself a fan. But amb has such excellent taste (she picked us for friends, didn’t she?) and I figure it’s gotta get crazy good eventually.
You’re welcome at my bar stool as soon as it’s installed. No kidding–we’re redoing the basement and a wet bar is in our plans! You will be my first choice for bartender hire. That house across the street is still for sale. Minnesota schools are excellent 🙂 (though my opening paragraph will negate all of that for you, I know).
Thanks for being here, Bonnie 😀
This is the way to spend a snow day! Yum!
Thanks, Kaela! Yum indeed. Pie, lattes, and cocktails 🙂
I don’t miss the cold weather, but it is nice to be snowed in and create some wonderful dishes or drinks in the kitchen 🙂
Your Igloo drink is so inventive! I would want to make it just to see the effects of pouring the clementine-steeped mixture over the snow 🙂
Thanks, Ada. Yes, I’ll admit to playing with my food (drink) with that snow. But was just so tempting.
As for snowed in? It’s more fun when you’re a kid, I think. Though there was a nap in it for me (and those cocktails), so I can’t come down too hard on it. It’s just that snow hangs around forever. Last year things didn’t melt until end of April 😦
Please keep sending your California sunshine this way!
Wow, April–that’s crazy! I’ve become too used to the weather in Los Angeles. I can never handle the cold when I go back to the east coast! Will do my best to send over some sunshine 😉
i love the adult sno-cone. perhaps a whole series of them? a peppermint one for christmas?
I’ll have my people call your people on this one, Beth. Brilliance 😀 We could pass out adult snow cones while watching amb’s Christmas movie fest 😉 Hope she’s saving some chocolate for us.
Like you even have to ask, ladies? 😉
yep, and i think it’s easy enough to invite the different schnapps and flavored liqueurs in to play with us and our icy delights.
A slurpee for grown ups!!! Ok, grown ups drink regular slurpees too, but still -this one would pack a punch!! I’m not much of a drinker, but I’m thinking the mix of salty and sweet in the tribute to Dr. Who might just be perfect.
Packing the punch is key here, Mimi 😉 I will gladly have the rest of your drink if you’re not finishing yours, haha. (disclaimer: I talk about drinking way more than I actually drink.)
Are you a Whovian? (is that what Dr. Who fans are called? I’m still new to this genre and not fully on board as of yet.)
Thanks for stopping over!
I’m not that much of a drinker either, so I respond totally sober…And I love Dr. Who, but don’t watch it as often as I would like..
I love this post! We are Dr Who fans here, and an alcoholic slurpee – woot!
Other than snow, I’ve heard about Minnesota as the home of Mall of America. Now it can be the home of the sonic screwdriver cocktail too. (maybe a sonic screwdriver cocktail mix should be in the official BBC merchandising…)
Thank you 🙂 And am matching your woot! and raising it to a Woot!
Yep, we have MOA, though it’s maybe a 30 min drive from where I live so don’t make a habit of heading over. My 11-year-old thinks its mecca, but would hate to be there this time of year with all of the Christmas shoppers.
Love that you’d think of Minnesota as home of the Sonic Screwdriver. You’ve officially made my day 🙂 Will start working on the mix after we throw our party!
Hurrah, look forward to both the mix and the party!
Liz, I always love your posts but this one is particularly hilarious! I enjoyed picturing you reaching outside to scoop up snow for your yummy winter cocktail. 🙂 Love the tangerine segments – very wintery-sounding, indeed. What a nice idea. 🙂
Thanks 🙂 Glad you enjoyed and you’d better bet that reaching out to scoop that snow into the glass (and staying outside for the photo) was one of my only trips outside yesterday. Appreciate your kind words much.
Despite my boyfriend being a big Dr. Who fan, I also have to admit I know very little about tardises (tardi? how do you pluralize that word?) and sonic screwdrivers. The set-up for the Whovian Sonic Screwdriver is adorable! And the use of snow for the igloo is definitely perfect for a blog called “food for fun”. 🙂
Hi, Jenny! Thanks for commenting. Your bf could fill you in more completely, but I do know that the tardis (you’ll never need to worry about plural as there’s only one as far as I know) is a big blue box that is way bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. The laws of physics rules were clearly broken here.
Am glad the “fun” of food for fun comes through. That is my reason for being here in the blogosphere 😀
I like how you think…baking or cocktails? I know which one I would choose! I have never heard of candy corn vodka. I like how you rimmed the glass with salt…good idea. The igloo drink sounds fun. We used freshly fallen snow to make “snow cream”. A recipe my dad came up with years ago. Kids love it!
lol–that’s a good way to look at it. For whatever reason, cocktails (and icy ones at that) seemed as good as an idea as baking did on a snowy winter day. ?? Bottom line was that it took less time and made less of a mess. Though a batch of cookies sounds especially good to me right now, too.
Love your snow cream story. What do you add to it? My youngest’s brownie troop added chocolate syrup and milk (and maybe vanilla?) last year and that was yummy. Though totally depended on the snow used–fluffy, not icy, worked best.
Thanks for coming by 🙂
My goodness, doesn’t that seem fancy! I’ve got a drink named after me, that’s enough accomplishment for the year, I’d think!
I’ll be waiting a while for freshly fallen snow down here, but ice, ice I can manufacture. I will be experimenting with this as soon as I have fully recovered from this week’s illness bug thingy.
Nice job, Liz!
You’re the man, Arto! Your Igloo is as fancy as you want it to be. Could serve it from a red solo cup if you’d like 😉 But you can for sure take the rest of December off from trying to accomplish anything.
And yes, the California version will call for crushed ice. Sorry to hear about the illness bug thingy. A below-zero cold snap would kill all those bugs in your warm and temperate state.
You’re a whovian!!!! Oh my goodness I’m so excited that you’re a Whovian! I knew we got along for a reason! Just wanted to come by and say hi and that i’m back again. Big news on my end which explains my MIA-ness but enough about that. How did you like the 50th????
I hear congratulations are in order 🙂 Big news on your end, yes.
‘K, about this Whovian thing: I suggest you check out my deLizious facebook page for the link to this blog that says, “I am not a Whovian.” lol (seriously–please do find deLiz on facebook if you’re on. Always trying for more Likes. And the best part: all fun food and drink all the time 😀 ) https://www.facebook.com/deLiziousFoodCommunications
Taking baby steps here. The friend that recommended I watch was into the Matt episodes and I haven’t gotten to that dr. yet. Didn’t see the 50th, but will eventually get there I’m sure. Are you sad the Matt guy is going? amb (friend mentioned above) is crushed.
Thanks for coming by, Sassy. So glad to have you back!
I could talk about the 50th for days. SassySass, come over to my blog and we’ll compare notes. 🙂 As long as we don’t have to mention that my beloved Matt Smith will be leaving me in 19 days – not that I’m counting – once the Christmas Special has aired. Liz is right, I’m crushed!!!
I saw that blog @ I am not a whovian! DIED laughing! and all done @ follow the facebook blog page. I’m always a fan of anything to do with food and drink 🙂
I was a huge fan of the 10th doctor and matt grew on me slowly, kinda like an annoying little brother that you can’t help but love. I’m not nearly as crushed as I was about david tennant leaving BUT matt will be missed.
Thanks for the congrats *gulp* here’s hoping I don’t go crazy(er).
Thanks for coming by fb, SassySass. Thinking you should officially “meet” amb, my Dr. Who blogging friend. She’s @ http://wordsbecomesuperfluous.com/ and has a fun space. Doesn’t always talk Dr. Who, but she’s more of a fan than I am. I think I’ll get there, but haven’t met all the cool doctors yet. (only on ep 3 of the more current version. Started with the classics, so you gotta give me credit for trying, lol)
Um, about the crazy. Don’t have anything reassuring to say here. Things got nuttier after our second was born and now (they’re 7 and 11) life is total chaos and I am pretty much a basketcase. Whatttya do? They’re cute kids and they’re mine and I love them. ??? I have the feeling you are a similar spirit where crazy kinda works… keep me posted!!
This is such a fun post, Liz. I love the Arto Igloo! And you made a Sonic Screwdriver. Totally cool. (Couldn’t help the pun there.)
Looking forward to the peppermint cocktail.
Was so excited for you to see this, Tracy, as I believe you were the one who was “with” me when we first came up with the crazy idea for a cosmic cocktail. Thanks for the inspiration and coming by for the launch!
Don’t hold your breath on the peppermint cocktail as that had to go to the bottom of my To-Do list for now. Though a little bourbon over ice might go nice 🙂
I believe I was “with” you for the Sonic Screwdriver. I loved that you came up with one.
Totally get having to wait for the peppermint, however, it might be a cool summer project. 🙂
I love the igloo drink, it sounds wonderful and a great way to spend a snow day, as long as it’s toasty warm in the house. Never saw Dr. Who, I feel like I’m the only one, but I would agree with you about the sonic screwdriver sounding like a cocktail.
Will admit that it was fun to sip a chilly cocktail in the warmth of my home.
I’m new to Who and not totally sold on it yet. Maybe it would make more sense if I watched it with a Sonic Screwdriver in hand 😉
Thanks for coming by, Suzanne!
Wow! That’s incredible! Here’s a Facebook message I received this morning: “So you may end up a wealthy physician, but will you have an adult beverage named after you?”
Well played, Jaakkola, well played! 🙂 I think California will require the finely crushed ice rather than the fresh snow, but that still sounds totally awesome. I think I’ll be enjoying an Arto’s Igloo in the not too distant future. Wow. So incredible!
You invite folks into your group, you never know what you’re going to get 😉 I believe you and Arto should toast each other with an Igloo before the season is out. Invite your brother, if you’d like, but he will probably need a side of peanut butter.
Thanks Dave 🙂
Hi, Liz –
You really are a culinary superstar. Here go, taking on the craziest – but most scrumptious – cocktails. Nothing like a little spirt to warm you up on a cold winter’s day, right? 🙂 I am so intrigued by the candy corn cocktail! And “snow” in a cocktail… how appropropriate. I love that your recipes are so diverse – and always fun.
Have a great day, and stay warm.
Best,
Shanna
Thanks, Shanna. You make me blush! I do tend to go for the “crazy” in food and drink choices. Love new uses for the candy corn vodka.
You had some snow, too, yes?
Appreciate your kind words always 😀 You stay warm, too.
Yes, Liz… Snowing here for a few days now. It is quite cold. You are smart to create some cocktails – it is the perfect season. I am looking forward to your holiday cocktails. I saw a Moscow Mule adaptation/ recipe that is quite intriguing:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/moscow-mule-cocktail-recipe/index.html
Take good care,
Shanna
love the Moscow Mule! And Giada’s drink looks yum. Another favorite spin on that is Kentucky Mule with bourbon as the base spirit.
Liz,
Kentucky Mule = Yes. Yes. Yes. I am a bourbon girl myself. NOTHING better than a Kentucky whisky in a flavorful cocktail. OH, and speaking of Kentucky girls… have you seen Demaris Phillips’ new show on FN? She is such a rock star.
Warm regards,
Shanna
P.S. I made your Oatmeal Bread last night. 🙂
While it not cold here I feel your pain. I grew up in Wisconsin and the winters can indeed be brutal. My winter go to drink is usually hot, like coffee with Bailey’s. These cocktails look good right about now though since it is 80 degrees here in South Carolina today!
A fellow Midwesterner 🙂 Hot coffee with Bailey’s sounds lovely. Appreciate you stopping by and am loving your blog! I want to make everything I see.
I quite enjoy your blog too. I may be from the Midwest, but I’ve lived in the Southeast for some time now. My blood has thinned and I can’t stand the cold! Graduate school in Arizona sped up that process! Another good winter drink is hot chocolate with Bailey’s or Frangelico…so many choices. Have a great weekend.
Liz !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, Liz. My little Whovian heart is so full right now I can hardly type. Arto can keep his Igloo – I got my Sonic Screwdriver !!! Will have to make sure I have the ingredients on hand for the Christmas Special airing in a couple weeks! Goodness knows I’ll be in need of a little liquid courage to get through the day, as it will be Matt Smith’s final outing as The Doctor. (*sniffle, snuffle, sob*)
Moving on from my own personal tragedies, I loved this whole entire post to bits! (I was just kidding about your Igloo, Arto – it looks delicious, too). It was such an entertaining read and everything flowed together so well! Geronimo !!! (As Matt would say).
Hey, amb. I should have dedicated the first half of this post to you and Tracy! I’m still laughing that you’re a bonafied Whovian and can’t exactly describe a Sonic Screwdriver. Because I am so handy with google, I will look it up now: “a multifunctional tool used by The Doctor. Its most common function is that of a lockpick, but can be used to perform other operations such as performing medical scans, remotely controlling other devices and tracking alien life. It can, with the exception of a deadlock seal or wooden lock, open any type of lock and operate many computers, whether their origin is alien or human.” lol, it’s just a fancy lock pick! though the medical scan feature sounds handy, too.
Up up and away with the Geronimo. I haven’t gotten to a show where he’s said that yet. For sure make yourself a SS or even an igloo or heck, a G&T will do when you must say goodbye to Dr. Who as Matt Smith.
Thanks for the enthusiasm and kind words, dear friend.
A cocktail to-do list — I love it. =) Also great creativity — I think the igloo cocktail poured over ice was brilliant. Sounds pretty tasty too! Hey, have you ever made snow ice cream? We used to make it all the time growing up in Alaska, been forever since I thought of it but maybe I’ll make a batch this winter. We had our first snowfall in Portland today. I’m hoping it was also the last but I’m not overly confident. At least booze is warming, right?
Hi, J! Just saw this comment–somehow got by me. lol, cocktail to-do list. You have one, too, right?
My youngest made chocolate snow “cream” last year in her scout troop and it was tasty! Though I noticed it totally depended on the type of snow used–only the fluffy stuff worked.
Hoping you’re not too snowed under and that your holidays are going well 🙂
How fun for you with the cocktail drinks! Your blog is making me cold with all the snow coming down and all. Keep it with you, please.
your comment slipped by me – 0-: Hope you’re warm and snow free. We have plenty, but have been keeping it here since you said “please” 😉 haha and Merry Christmas, Happy New Year 😀
Happy Holidays to you too!
This is great! Of course, coming from the UK, it seems weird that any adult would have to be “introduced” to Dr Who, but I’m glad that you know all about it now!
I actually parked next to the Tardis once – I was working at the University of Wales in Swansea (where they were doing some filming), and as I drove into the car park early one morning it just happened to be there. Of course I was soon asked to move, but it was still fun!
That is so cool! I am so excited to learn that you parked next to THE tardis 🙂 haha, that’s funny that you English folks are born into a world of Dr. Who. I remember an high-school boyfriend being into it, but it seemed a geeky sci fi thing and I had no interest. I owe my watching it to a friend here at WordPress. She is going to go crazy when I tell her your parking story 🙂 What a coup!
I am going crazy reading this story !!! I can’t believe you got to park next to the TARDIS !!! That is about seven kinds of awesome
Hi Georgina! I’m the friend Liz mentioned. Though I’m sure you figured that out already 🙂 Lovely to meet you!
I knew you’d flip out, amb! An amazing story, which just shows you how amazing food for fun (many of which come from your blog, btw) readers are 😀
ha!ha! It was definitely cool – and I’ve enjoyed telling the story many times over the years. It’s a shame that I never got a photo of it though.
It’s nice to meet you too. And always great to meet another fan of Dr Who!
I just love the concept of being able to whip outside and grab some ice to chill a drink….brilliant! So what is the correct attire to wear when drinking an “Igloo” (by the way, great name!). Is it a fur coat, snow suit, woollen cap or……? Just trying to understand the required clothing protocol to accompany this drinking masterpiece?
A woolen cap sounds perfect, Steven! Though I’d recommend whatever you’re most comfortable wearing. Thanks for the kind words–crediting Arto of Blog of Funny Names fame with coming up with the “Igloo” name, though I don’t remember exactly why or how he did. Just glad he did 🙂
I think the iglo drink is for me,…it has everything in it that I like,….Ooh yes. Yummm. 😊
Glad you like, Sophie! Wonder how it would all mix up in your Vitamix 😉 An Igloo smoothie?
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I can’t get over the fact that there’s candy corn vodka!!!!!! I need to find some of that, stat!
Love the igloo drink! So original!!
Also – for the DW 50th anniversary viewing party, my friend made a similar sonic screw driver drink (except ours was blue) and then this REALLY delicious one called Captain Jack’s Kiss. I’ll have to find the pics of them and send them to you. They were adorable (and tasty)!
yes please send! If you’re on fb, you can find me at https://www.facebook.com/deLiziousFoodCommunications?ref=hl or else my email is up on the contact page at http://deliziousfood.com/
I would love to drink at Cap’n Jack’s kiss 😀 How brilliant. I am still trying to catch up–soon to meet the 11th dr. Here is how I made the candy corn vodka: http://wp.me/p2dvv9-1bj
I’ve never seen more than an inch. Of snow. So how am I to make an Igloo? That was genius. And candy corn vodka?! I’ve got to step out of my grocery store wine and local beer box and make some fun cocktails (which is easier done on a bigger income, as liquor don’t come cheap). As it is, I’m drinking a smoothie right now, and i went a little overboard on the raw ginger. Now I have to go google Whovian.
Envy you your snowlessness. Too much is a very bad thing when you’re a grown-up. Messes up pretty much everything. (for as positive as I am, I am totally a Scrooge when it comes to winter)
Cocktails are good, yes. Just buy one decent bottle of something–gin, bourbon, vodka–and go from there. Don’t need a huge bar. I collect and attribute it to my business, but in reality I don’t make much of a dent in what I have on the shelf.
Raw ginger–wow. That’s powerful stuff.
Whovians would dress like a TARDIS when they go to their conventions. A bit over the top for me.
But that’s so boxy–it disguises your curves! And we DO have some liquor–Malibu, Bacardi, Amaretto, some Sailor Jerry spiced rum for the husband–but I haven’t mixed anything in a couple months. I will say it erases back pain better than Ibuprofen or Vicodin.