Fizzy Tequila Tamarind #SmoothieWorld

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces tamarind paste (from seedless pliable block), coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 5 cups water, divided
• 1 4-ounce piece fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced into rounds (scant 1 cup)
• 1 cup sugar
• 12 orange slices, divided
• 3/4 cup silver (or white) tequila
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• Ice cubes
• 3 cups chilled club soda, divided

Preparation:

(1) Bring tamarind and 2 cups water to boil in small saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer until tamarind is soft, stirring often and breaking up with wooden spoon, about 25 minutes. Transfer to strainer set over bowl. Press on tamarind to extract puree; discard solids in strainer. Cool.

(2) Bring 1 cup water, ginger, and sugar to boil in another small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Cool ginger syrup.

(3) Place 6 orange slices in bottom of large pitcher; mash with muddler or handle of wooden spoon. Strain ginger syrup into same pitcher; discard ginger. Add 1 cup tamarind puree, tequila, lime juice, salt, and 2 cups water; stir to blend. Chill until cold.

(4) Fill 6 tall glasses with ice. Divide tamarind drink among glasses. Top each with 1/2 cup chilled club soda; garnish each drink with 1 orange slice.

(5) Makes 6 glasses.

How to Make Kahlua #SmoothieWorld

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups cheap brandy or vodka
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 ounces instant coffee
• 1 vanilla bean

Instructions:

1. Boil water.

2. Mix sugar and coffee.

3. Add boiling water slowly.

4. Cool.

5. Add Brandy and vanilla bean.

6. Let stand 30 days to take on flavor of vanilla bean.