Holiday Winner #1: Gobbletini

The Red Hemper and I weren't particularly close friends in high school. We knew each other the way you know folks in a 250-person class. I was a bit of a goody-goody, geeking out in my AP classes, and he was hanging out with the "Hempers", folks who went to Rockville Centre's South Side High School, and lived in South Hempstead.

We recently connected at our 15-year high school reunion, and realized that though we started in different places, we both ended up at culinary school. Now I'm doing my thing, and he's running a gourmet-to-go and catering place back in RVC.

So we set to talking, then emailing, and now he's become a culinary pal. He tells me who the TV personalities he loves (Alton) and those who irritates the heck out of him (let's not beat this horse). We trade recipes, and he points out spots in Manhattan he's worked that are worthwhile, and those less so. He's shared his deep passion for cheese, and I can feel him inhaling the pungency of his Artisinal memories as he types at the keyboard.

He keeps me honest when I get high fallutin', and cheers me on in the way only someone who has toiletpapered your house and seen you in and out of braces can. Red is still tight with many of the old clan, living no more than a few miles from where he grew up, while I've worked hard to lose that Strong Island accent. This year, when a high school friend passed far too early, it was Irish Red that brought a tableful of food to shivah. The Red Hemper is a mensch.

He was one of the first submissions to The Wooden Spoon's annual holiday recipe contest. He's taken me way back with this one (Jello shots? Only if we can wash them down with a few four-packs of Bartles & Jaymes on the overpass by Hempstead Lake State Park).

Here's to you, Mr. Maher. Thanks for welcoming me home again, and being a new old friend. I raise my Gobbletini glass and wish a hearty Happy New Year's to you and yours. SoHemp #1.


CRANBERRY-ORANGE GOBBLETINI
Created by The Red Hemper

Ingredients
Triple Sec
Cranberry Juice
Lime and Orange Wedges
Cranberry Jello
Fresh Lime Juice
Vodka
Orange Juice
Apple Jack Brandy
Ice

Equipment
Shaker and Strainer
Muddle
Martini Glasses

HERE WE GO: Make the Jello one or two days before (substiute some Vodka for some of the Liquid/Jello Shots YEAH!). While still warm pour/ladle it into martini glasses about an 1/8 way up and refrigerate so it will set. This will give you a little finisher/shot at the bottom of the glass.

Here is the ratio:
(for 1 drink or 10)

25% - ORANGE JUICE
25% - CRANBERRY JUICE
25% - VODKA
15% - TRIPLE SEC
5% - FRESH LIME JUICE
5% - APPLEJACK BRANDY (RESERVE AS A FLOATER ON TOP OF DRINK)

Muddle lime and orange vigorously in shaker. Add ice until the shaker is 3/4 full. Pour beverage in until it just goes above ice and shake, shake, shake/strain & serve into martini glass.

If you are making this in a large batch (enough for the day), mix all of the ingredients together. Set aside in the refrigerator. When you need them, muddle lime and orange vigorously in the shaker. Add ice until it is 3/4 full. Pour beverage in until it just goes above ice and shake, shak, shake (just like Bond) strain and pour into martini glass.

Right before serving, float Applejack brandy on top.

NOW GO FIGURE: Want to get more creative with this? While making the jello, suspend a fresh herb/or chunks of fresh fruit inside of it for even more eye appeal. You can take this aspect into a million creative directions. Use that creative side of you!