Drunk and Done

Homemade for the holidays: Whip up a gift of sweet (alcoholic) treats

Infused liquor is delicious, quick and easy and fun to make, and is appreciatedboth at holiday parties and as gifts.
Photo by Leila Kalmbach
Just about any fruit makes for great infusions, and so do herbs and spices, suchas lavender or cinnamon sticks or mint leaves or chiles. Stronger flavors likecherry, cinnamon, coffee and orange go well with whiskey, and pretty muchanything goes with vodka.
Photo by Leila Kalmbach
Once the flavor is as strong as you’d like, or at least as strong as it’s gonnaget, slowly and carefully pour the liquid through a coffee filter into a secondspaghetti sauce/kombucha/peanut butter jar.
Photo by Leila Kalmbach
Try a sample cocktail over ice, adding a tiny bit of sugar and/or cold water ifit’s too strong, or club soda if you’re fancy like that. Then portion as much ofthe rest as you're able to part with into smaller containers, and tie prettylittle bows around them for your friends because you’re a true Martha Stewart.
Photo by Leila Kalmbach
Congratulations! You are now drunk and (arguably) done with Christmas shopping.
Photo by Leila Kalmbach

It’s getting toward the end of the year, and if your 2011 New Year’s resolution was anything like mine — more day drinking — then you’re probably realizing right about now that your best intentions quietly slipped away sometime in… well, let’s face it, early January. Damn day job.

But unlike with all your other failed resolutions, there’s still time for this one before the clock strikes 2012.

“But Leila,” I can almost hear you saying, “when will I find time for all this merrymaking? I have things to do! Presents to buy! Holiday parties to attend!”

First of all, quit your whining. Second, I have a solution to all of these problems and more, because you and I are getting ready to make infused liquor as holiday gifts for all your friends and (selected) family. Infused liquor is delicious, quick and easy and fun to make, and appreciated both at holiday parties and as gifts. And you’re pretty much forced to taste it as it infuses! So let’s Martha Stewart it up and make some homemade gifts, shall we?

Here’s what you do:

Step 1:

Go to the liquor store. See? Fun already! Vodka is the easiest spirit to infuse because it doesn’t already have much of a flavor. If you go with a darker spirit, choose a brand that isn’t overly flavorful. I use Dripping Springs Vodka, and The Dude at the Liquor Store recommended Ezra Brooks whiskey. (Pro tip: buy the biggest bottles of liquor you can find.)

Step 2:

Go to the grocery store. Wander around aimlessly in the produce section and the spice section examining your flavor options until the employees start giving you suspicious looks. (Some people might argue that you should choose your flavors before going to the store, but then, some people are just argumentative.)

Anyway, just about any fruit makes for great infusions, and so do herbs and spices, such as lavender or cinnamon sticks or mint leaves or chiles. Stronger flavors like cherry, cinnamon, coffee and orange go well with whiskey, and pretty much anything goes with vodka.

Get creative! My favorites have been blueberry and lemon zest vodka, cucumber and lemon zest vodka — I like lemon — and cinnamon and orange whiskey. (Pro tip: resist sampling the liquor before choosing flavors to prevent ending up with infusions such as jalapeño-pillbug vodka.)

Step 3:

When you get home, though, you should definitely sample the liquors to make sure they haven’t gone bad, which, as any Arrested Development fan will tell you, is a big risk. In fact, you’d better just make yourself a lemon drop martini, because if you’re anything like me, you bought like 20 lemons and are now wondering what the hell you’re going to do with them all.

Step 4:

Thoroughly wash out some empty glass spaghetti sauce, kombucha and/or peanut butter jars. Prepare your fruit — de-stone cherries, peel and scoop the seeds out of cucumbers (so the infusion doesn’t get bitter), slice strawberries in quarters — and toss it into the jars to about a quarter to half full.

I tend to err on the side of too much flavor, because you can always add more liquor at the end. If you’re using lavender, go with about a tablespoon; cinnamon, a stick or two. As you can tell, it’s a pretty exact science.

If you’re using citrus, remove the zest with a potato peeler and only use that part, as the pith is bitter and the innards can just be squeezed in later rather than letting them soak up your vodka in the infusion process. (Speaking of which, isn’t it about time for another lemon drop? Waste not, want not, etc., etc., and what the hell else are we going to do with all these naked, zestless lemons?)

Infusion time estimates range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, but no more. In general, if you’re using fruit, you’ll notice the fruit start to turn pale after a few days.

Step 5:

Fill the jars with liquor. Make sure the alcohol covers the fruit entirely (some fruit will float; that’s OK). Put the jars in a cool, dry place (vodka is OK in the fridge, but dark liquors should be kept out, according to The Dude at the Liquor Store). Shake them around a few times a day. As far as I can tell, there are two reasons for doing this: it’s fun, and it makes you feel like you’re doing something useful.

After a few days, or just a couple days for citrus infusions, start taste-testing once a day to see if the infusions are done. (Pro tip: you may need to taste-test more than one shot to really be sure.) If you’ve added more than one flavor, make sure the flavors are balanced, and add more of a flavor if necessary.

Infusion time estimates range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, but no more. In general, if you’re using fruit, you’ll notice the fruit start to turn pale after a few days. This means the flavor is probably all in the alcohol now.

This also means the fruit’s drunk — on YOUR booze, the bastard! — so if you don’t want to waste a precious drop, or a precious berry, you can make yourself an unpleasant fruit salad with the pasty remains. I do not endorse this idea, however. If I were you, I’d just make a lemon drop instead. (Good thing you bought so many lemons, am I right?)

Step 6:

Once the flavor is as strong as you’d like, or at least as strong as it’s gonna get, slowly and carefully pour the liquid through a coffee filter into a second spaghetti sauce/kombucha/peanut butter jar. Try a sample cocktail over ice, adding a tiny bit of sugar and/or cold water if it’s too strong, or club soda if you’re fancy like that.

Then, portion as much of the rest as you're able to part with into smaller containers, and tie pretty little bows around them for your friends because you’re a true ~~lush~~ Martha Stewart.

Congratulations! You are now drunk and (arguably) done with Christmas shopping.

Next week, we’ll stay sober and learn how to make soap without getting third-degree burns from the lye. Stay tuned.

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no screaming required

15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes

Alex Montoya

The Pit Room in Memorial has a build-your-own dessert bar where patrons can craft sundaes with cookies and toppings.

There’s no need to scream for ice cream when dining at the Houston restaurants listed below as they all scoop out ice cream sundaes for patrons to enjoy. The timeless frozen treat has made a delicious comeback on dessert menus, with variations — like decadent build-your-own bars — appearing all over Houston.

This list takes a broad view of what constitutes a sundae — in line with its dictionary definition of “a dish consisting of ice cream served with toppings.” With that description in mind, sundae fans will discover several iterations of the classic dessert at these local eateries.

The miso caramel sundae at Balboa Surf ClubCourtesy of Western Addition

Balboa Surf Club
Balboa Surf Club emphasizes details in its food, from the sushi rice prepared fresh every 45 minutes to the elegantly crafted miso caramel sundae. A rich housemade miso caramel sauce is drizzled on three scoops of ice cream before being crowned with shaved chocolate, whipped cream, and crushed macadamia nuts.

Buttermilk Baby
The charming burger joint in the Heights could be a Candyland palace stand-in, so it’s only right that diners can order a Carvel’s sundae dasher with Reese’s or Oreo’s (12oz/$7.50, 16oz/$8.50) with layer upon layer of ice cream, whipped cream, and crunchy candy or cookies.

The buttermilk sundae at CredenceCourtesy of Credence

Credence
The buttermilk sundae at Credence aligns with the restaurant’s dedication to preparing ingredients over an open flame in a nod to South Texas’ rugged landscape. The cold treat is served with caramel cooked in embers and toasted pecans, a fitting tribute to Texas.

Pistachio soft serve at ElRo Pizzeria and CrudoCourtesy of ElRo Pizzeria and Crudo

ElRo Pizza & Crudo
This pizzeria is based in a bungalow tucked into a spot where Montrose and Midtown converge, and its soft serve sundae is just as approachable as the locale. The pistachio soft serve ($10) is made in-house at ElRo before being covered in crumbled cannoli shells that have been dipped in chocolate.

il Braco's Italian sundae with olive oilCourtesy of Western Addition

il Bracco
The Italian sundae at il Braco is a luxurious dish with olive oil, chopped pistachios, and three scoops of vanilla ice cream resulting in a smooth, creamy dessert. Flaky sea salt adds texture while enhancing the sundae’s sweetness.

Katami's sundae is made with Japanese shaved iceCourtesy of Katami

Katami
The American dessert receives an international spin at Katami, where the restaurant substitutes ice cream with kakigori, Japanese shaved ice. The green tea ($15) is made with white chocolate cream, caramel, and condensed milk. The strawberry Nutella ($16) combines chocolate ice cream with mascarpone cream, Nutella, and strawberry compote.

La Lucha's soft serve sundaeCourtesy of La Lucha

La Lucha
After slurping down oysters at this stylish spot on Shepherd, it’s time for soft serve. Diners can build their own soft serve sundae ($7) with Nutella or vanilla ice cream. Then come the toppings and there are plenty to choose from, with pecans, Maldon sea salt, Fruity Pebbles, and mini M&Ms, to name a few.

Little Rey
Houston native Ford Fry brought his Atlanta-based chain, Little Rey, to the city this summer with street tacos and other northern Mexico-inspired fare. The eatery’s soft serve machine is getting lots of love from patrons, with a range of flavors and toppings. The newest soft serve “sundae” is a Mexican spiced chocolate concoction with peppermint bark and sea salt.

The Marigold Club's sundae cartPhoto by Zach Horst

The Marigold Club
The classic sundae experience is elevated with the upscale restaurant's sundae cart ($22). A server navigates the elegant walnut cart through the Marigold Club's dining room, laden with housemade chai tea, clotted cream, and chocolate ice creams. Patrons can craft their ideal sundae without leaving their seats thanks to an array of toppings from sprinkles and candied hazelnuts to rum-infused banana jam and vanilla chantilly.

Medium Rare's hot fudge sundaePhoto by Alex Staniloff

Medium Rare
Dessert isn’t included in Medium Rare’s, two-course, $33 dinner of steak frites and salad, but the hot fudge sundae ($12) is worth the order. Also known as le sundae maison with sauce au chocolat chaud, the classic creation’s vanilla ice cream is smothered in hot fudge, with sprinkles scattered over a tower of whipped cream with a cherry on top.

Relish Restaurant & Bar
Relish's Town & Country location may have only recently opened its doors, but it's already dishing out a housemade vanilla soft serve sundae ($6). Relish's take on the dessert is adorned with Luxardo cherries, candied pistachios, and shaved dark chocolate. At the original River Heights address, diners will find the sundae with sweet cream ice cream.

the annie cafe's sundae The Annie sundae at The Annie Cafe and BarPhoto Kirsten Gilliam

The Annie Cafe and Bar
This Uptown cafe delivers a sophisticated interpretation of Texas-American cuisine and the Lone Star State inspiration is evident with the Annie sundae ($12). Vanilla and chocolate ice cream are smothered in chewy brownie bites, pralines, and marshmallow fluff, before being stacked with churros.

The Pit Room has a dessert bar for guests to create sundaes. The Pit Room's Memorial location has a dessert bar to create sundaes. Photo by Alex Montoya

The Pit Room
Diners can step up to The Pit Room’s dessert bar at its Memorial location to customize a sundae by mixing and matching ice cream flavors, such as sweet cream, pistachio, and birthday cake, with fresh baked cookies like chocolate chip and red velvet white chocolate. Garnishments such as sprinkles, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream are on hand to complete the masterpiece.

The coffee ice cream sundae at Tiny ChampionsCourtesy of Tiny Champions

Tiny Champions
The coffee ice cream sundae ($12) is the perfect way to end a meal at this pizzeria from the team behind Nancy's Hustle. At Tiny Champions, coffee beans are cold-steeped in housemade ice cream for 48 hours, infusing it with rich flavor. The sundae is then topped with hot fudge and pillowy, freshly fried donut holes.

The turtle brownie sundae at Turner'sPhoto by Brian Kennedy

Turner's
The fine dining establishment’s turtle brownie sundae ($17) is a recent addition to the menu. “We wanted to create an elevated take on the beloved, classic dessert by adding refined ingredients, including candied pecans and bourbon whipped cream,” restaurateur Ben Berg told CultureMap. “It’s the sundae you loved as a child, with the elegance you expect when dining at Turner’s.”

ice cream desserts lists news-you-can-eat ice cream sundae

Drunk and Done

Homemade for the holidays: Whip up a gift of sweet (alcoholic) treats

Bank of America closes branches across U.S., including 1 in Houston

Esquire names Houston's Afro-Mexican eatery to best new restaurants list

These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters

no screaming required

15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes

Drunk and Done

Homemade for the holidays: Whip up a gift of sweet (alcoholic) treats

Bank of America closes branches across U.S., including 1 in Houston

Esquire names Houston's Afro-Mexican eatery to best new restaurants list

These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters

no screaming required

15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes

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