Mixology Monday

Happy new year, everyone — we’re gearing up for the first Mixology Monday of 2009, and while many of us have probably shaken off most of our resolutions by now, this MxMo will provide an opportunity to keep one we should all have: Broaden Your Horizons.

Hosted by the Scribe at A Mixed Dram, this round takes place Monday, January 19 (NOT January 12, as was previously noted). From the host’s announcement:

Try a new base spirit. Never mixed with Tequila? Give it a try. If you’ve never made a beer cocktail or a wine cocktail, why not give it a shot? What about something really exotic? How about aquardiente from the Caribbean or arrack from the Middle East? (Okay, so that’s basically rum and anisette, but you get the drift.)

Use a technique you’ve never used before. Ever been itching to give molecular mixology a shot? Now’s your chance. Ever been eager to infuse vodka or spice rum, or toss fruit and spices in something else? Here’s your excuse. Been reading about those really cool and wacky purees infused with spices and herbs and other flavourings, or some other cool culinary technique? I challenge you to bring it here next month.

Now some of you are saying “I already do all of that.” (Mssrs. Boudreau, Morgenthaller, and others, I’m looking squarely at you.) Well, guess what? If you you are creative enough to use every conceivable base spirit, and creative enough to use every commonly used technique, then you are creative enough to come up with something.

Plenty of room to explore, there, so break out the spirit, ingredient, recipe or technique you’ve been itching to work with but just haven’t for some reason, and put it on your blog by January 19