#JulioBlog

  1 1/2 oz vodka 4-6 cucumber slices 3-4 mint leaves 8 oz club soda or tonic water 1 T powdered sugar or Splenda Ice Muddle mint leaves and 3-4 cucumber slices in bottom of glass with sugar or Splenda.  Add ice & soda or tonic.  Garnish with cucumber and lime.     From the kitchen of Megan, Customer Service

We love shipwreck coins!  We use reproductions of coins found in the Atocha shipwreck in many of our styles.  We are constantly asked about their meaning, so here's a little history: "On September 6, 1622, the heavily laden treasure galleon of King Philip IV’s Tierra Firme Fleet struck a reef and sank in a raging storm near the Florida Keys. More than two hundred and sixty persons perished and tons of gold, silver, and other precious cargo were lost to the sea. All attempts to locate the shipwreck failed until the location of the primary cultural deposit was made by...

  16 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided use) 4 T butter 2/3 c all-purpose flour 1/2 t baking powder 1/2 t salt 2 large eggs 3/4 c packed light brown sugar 1 t Mexican vanilla Preheat oven to 350.  Melt 8 oz of the chocolate chips and the butter in the microwave stirring occasionally, do not overheat.  In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, brown sugar and vanilla on high speed until fluffy.  Reduce speed and beat in melted chocolate.  Fold in flour mixture until just combined then stir in...

  2/3 cup blueberries (divided use) 8 sprigs of lavender (divided use) 1 cup vodka 4 T sugar or Splenda 4 lime wedges Club soda Muddle 1/2 cup blueberries, sugar or Splenda and 4 lavender sprigs in a sealable plastic container.  Cover mixture with vodka and let stand overnight.  Strain.  Divide in to 4 glasses.  Add a few berries and ice, top with club soda.  Garnish with lime wedge and lavender sprig. From the kitchen of Christol, Sales Manager

For the Cupcakes: 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature 1 large egg 1 teaspoon Mexican vanilla 3/4 cup whole milk 1/4 cup peach jam Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place 12 liners in a cupcake pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together using an electric mixer until it looks creamy. Beat in the egg, vanilla until the mixture is smooth. Add...