Snowball anyone?

Decided to start a new little section, on cocktails, because cocktails are something that I have a fondness for (don't tell my doctor sshhh). Given the rather wintery weather we currently have I thought I'd start with the Snowball.

This was my first ever, ever cocktail, beloved of Christmas time in our house my surprisingly progressive mother was happy to let me have a Snowball, just a little one, oh yes and a Babycham of course on special occassions.

Later when I worked behind the bar at the local Working Mens club I became the queen of the Snowball as it was a drink much loved by my Bingo playing ladies so I got a lot of practice, though apparently I had a natural flair for it.

The Snowball reappeared again when I went home to break news of my engagement (or rather when Country Boy went to seek permission from my dad to marry me). We also went to see the lovely Joan & Edwin (sadly Edwin was taken from us earlier this year) and they decided a celebratory drink was in order. So guess what , even though it was only 10am wheeled out the Advocaat and whipped up some Snowballs. Not sure Country Boy would be a fan under normal circumstances but well, sort of compulsory I guess, given my dad had said yes, so he was sort of stuck with me for life. He certainly seemed pleasantly smiley happy after a rather large glass or maybe it was two, not quite sure.

I still like to ask for a Snowball whenever I can, especially if I'm in some achingly trendy bar where the clientele are sipping champagne and all act as though they are fresh from the pages of Vogue (though actually they're accountants).

It's amazing whenever I do because once one is unleashed there's often a ripple effect and suddenly everyone wants one. It's a sure fire way to find the truly nice, cool people in the place from the pretentious wannabe's who probably spend their
entire live's pretending to be someone they aren't.

So, join me people in Snowball madness as I propose a toast to being yourself, to liking things because you do not because they're cool and to health and happiness for all those I love. Oh yes and of course:

Slainte go saol agat,
Bean ar do mhian agat.
Leanbh gach blian agat,
is solas na bhflaitheas tareis antsail seo agat.


Ingredients
1 1/2 oz Advocaat

4 cubes Ice

1 slice Lemon

10 oz (Cold) Lemonade

1 splash of lime

Directions

Place one ice cube in the glass and add 1 1/2 oz of Advocaat. Add a splash of lime juice. Fill up the glass with lemonade and decorate with a slice of lime and glace cherries on a cocktail stick. Serve at once.

Translation of the Gaelic above for those who do not share my Irish blood:
Health for life to you, A wife of your choice to you, Land without rent to you, A child every year to you, And the light of heaven after this world for you.