Browsing Tag

drinks

DIY Recipes

How to Make and Enjoy Bubble (Boba) Tea

11/27/2019

Bubble tea/boba tea, is usually a milk tea drink with tapioca pearls sitting on the bottom, waiting to be slurped up a large, colorful straw. Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, pearl milk tea is the direct translation from Chinese. Thanks to Taiwan, bubble tea is now available all over the world.

Know of a great bubble tea spot? Post it! There are three I know of in the Indy-area. Strange Brew, a cafe in Greenwood, serves bubble tea as well as a Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Indy and a fast-food Chinese stand in the Washington Square Mall. If you know of any spots in your neighborhood you should list them, bubble tea is a fun, tasty drink that should be shared with friends.

bubble tea feature

Bubbles

The ratio should be about 7:1 (water to tapioca pearls).
Boil water in a large saucepan.
Add tapioca pearls to boiling water.
The pearls should float.
Continue boiling for about 25 minutes (depending on the tapioca pearl type) covered.
Add some sugar to the water so they absorb the sweetness but make sure it doesn’t burn!
Turn off the heat and let the pearls cool.
Rinse the cooked tapioca pearls in warm water and drain out the water.
Cover with syrup and add some to your favorite drink.

Syrup

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups water

Mix sugar and water in a large pot.
Cook at medium to high heat.
Once the mixture boils remove from stove immediately.
Let cool; to be used for bubble tea and similarly sweetened drinks.

Rainbowlicious Bubble Tea

1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup rice milk
1/4 cup syrup
1 cup ice
2 cups of cooked tapioca pearls

Place all ingredients minus the tapioca pearls into a blender and blend well.
Blend it to desired consistency.
In the a glass, pour some cooled bubbles.
Pour your blended smoothie on top.
Cover the top of the smoothie with strawberry slices and pineapple chunks.

* I had this piled high like and covered in strawberries and pineapples at the E-Zone cafe in Toronto with my best friend. Too bad the cafe has since closed and I have never found anywhere even comparable!

Iced Bubble Coffee

1/4 cup non-dairy powder creamer
1/4 cup bubble tea sugar syrup
3/4 cup desired strength coffee (cool)
1 cup ice
2 cups of cooked tapioca pearls

Put coffee, creamer, and bubble tea sugar syrup in a shaker and mix well.
Add ice, cover shaker and shake until blended and frothy.
Add tapioca pearls into your desired glass, pour the coffee on top and enjoy!

➡ No bubbles? Try coconut meat or a thick-set flavored gelatin for substitutes!

Show Your Bubble Tea Love

This *LIMITED* hard enamel lapel pin is so tasty I want to eat it. It is a magical strawberry bubble milk tea fresh from Miseducated Bubble Tea Bar! My first bubble tea was in 2003 in Toronto and I immediately fell in love. When I lived in Japan I delighted in bubble shaved ice at any opportunity. It’s a texture thing! If you also love the tapioca pearl bobas and the tasty teas then you can show your love with this super kawaii tea pin!

DIY Recipes

Super Cute Party Ideas and Recipes

06/24/2009

Throwing a party always sounds like a good idea when you’ve got a great theme and apt time to invite friends! When planning an adult party with friends the most important thing to remember is keep it fun, keep it going strong (until the party ends). Sometimes when several groups of friends are invited there is an awkward time period where guests don’t feel comfortable talking, make sure to serve drinks, snacks and start a fun group game or a conversation that all parties can participate in. Even if you feel your guests aren’t the crafty type, whip out some diy stations! Have a coloring section with vintage toons to bring back fond memories or a beading station. Sometimes guests simply enjoy doing things with their hands while chatting.

Themes are commonly overlooked by today’s party throwers, after all we don’t have the time of the 50s housewife to focus on every last detail. We can however design one rad party.

Try throwing a..

Craft Party

Set up numerous types of craft stations for making worthwhile goodies. Ask party goers to bring their own doodads and knick*knacks for your stations. (Hint: vintage charm earrings, mosaic frames/mirrors, water coloring desserts)

Holiday Party

For those tapped out on ideas, you could just wait for any ole holiday to roll by and throw a party in honor of it. You can do a Valentine party with pink champagne, karaoke and heart decor; or bunny-shaped mooncakes for the Chinese New Year.

Taffy-Pulling Party

A fun retro party for adults or children. Just throw in some candy-flavored cocktails and have the taffy ready for pulling after everyone arrives and gets introduced.

Saltwater Taffy Recipe
3/4 cup water
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter
Flavoring and coloring as desired
1 teaspoon salt

Measure 2 cups sugar, l 1/4 cups corn syrup, 3/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt into a saucepan and blend well with a wooden spoon. Place over low heat until sugar has dissolved, stirring continuously. Increase the heat and do not stir during the rest of the cooking. Wash the sides of the pan with a brush or fork covered with muslin and dipped in water, using an upward motion. This will prevent the formation of crystals which might cause the candy to sugar. After the syrup boils put in the candy thermometer, and when the thermometer registers 265 degrees, remove candy from heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and stir very gently. Divide the taffy into three parts; you’ll add different flavors and coloring to each one during the pulling process.

Drive-in Party

Bring snacks, grill-out, set out picnic blankets and lawn chairs and prepare your projector for a private, friends-only outdoor screening. Try a creepy, crawly horror film while camping!

Disco Party

Dressing the part is a must, dig out your soul train collection and project it onto the wall or play it in your tv set, think dark, lights, glitter and mirrors to create a disco fantasyland. Skates can be optional if you don’t have carpet hiding your floors. The only thing better than disco is roller disco.

Costume Party

Theme it over a certain costume, such as a Marie Antoinette Cocktail Party, or allow all costumes.

Tea Party

Have many assorted pots of tea and teacups of all shapes and sizes everywhere, guests should have the option of trying whichever tea they like! Be sure to have sugar cubes and cream available for the sweetie lovers. Scones, cupcakes, tartes and tortes are musts. Do not skimp, break out the strawberries and chocolate. Litter the table with champagne glasses and raspberries and break out the champagne and dessert wine if the tea party continues into the evening.

trois tea

Psychedelic Party

Trippy records, shag rugs, motion lamps and colorful lights. View some vintage cartoons about dreamland and take a walk outside through the neighborhood. Live near any parks or beaches? They might be fun to explore with friends.

Bring-Along-Pets Party

This could be fun or horrible! It all depends on your small ones. Make sure there is ample food and water around, keep it specific to one type of animal such as cats, small dogs or large dogs (would be best in the backyard or at a local dog park).

Funny Hats Party

For those that aren’t ready or willing to commit to a full-costume party. You can also have a 40s Hat Party, a Tacky Brooch party, etc.

Masquerade

Require masks upon entry or make masks upon entry. Use classical music and offer whimsical, fantastic foods such as magical candied apples and Absolut Raspberri Royals.

Absolut Raspberri Royal
1 Part ABSOLUT Raspberri
3 Parts Champagne
Raspberry

Add all ingredients into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with 3 whole raspberries.

Similar Hobby Bring-Along Party

Collect anything that would constitute a fun party? Think Blythe dolls, sweets and cameras!

Mod Party

Keep everything mod and chill. The recipes, music, party wear, everything.

Any theme you select simply do a bit of searching on.. say I’m going to throw a 80s party then I’m going to find a good selection of 80s toons, 80s movies, similar themed-foods, activities, decor, music, etc. Do a bit of research on the topic you chose (a Fairy Tea Party!) and find ideas for food and decor.

The possibilities are absolutely endless.

DIY Recipes

Holiday Cocktail Recipes to Warm Your Winter

11/25/2008

Isn’t it nice how a fabulous cocktail sets the entire mood of a party? After all, when you have a good-looking and great-tasting drink in your hand, your mood is generally soarin’ high!

Listed below are seven simple (and inexpensive) holiday cocktails that you can make without breaking the bank.

holiday cocktails

Cranberry Christmas

This delicious and fruity cocktail is the perfect shade of crimson. Here’s what you need:

1/2 ounce Cointreau
1/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 teaspoon lime juice (squeeze it fresh for the best taste)
1 oz vodka

Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. Serve in a frosted martini glass (just place it in the freezer for a few hours). To garnish, add a few cranberries – they’ll float!

Peppermint Delight

The holiday’s are always nicer with a hint of mint. Try this lovely and refreshing mix at your next holiday bash:

1.5 ounces creme de cacao
1 ounce half/half (try lowfat milk if you’re on a diet)
1 ounce peppermint schnapps

Place in a cocktail shaker with ice and mix well. Strain and place into a beautiful glass of your choice. To garnish, add a short peppermint stick!

Let it Snow

This intoxicating mixture is an interesting wake up call for your taste buds.

2 ounces pear Shnapps
1 ounce half/half (or milk)
a dash of cinnamon

Place the Schnapps and cream into a cocktail shaker with ice. Mix thoroughly and strain into a fabulous glass. You can also try this drink blended. Simply combine the Schnapps and cream with ice and blend until smooth. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top!

Scotch Reindeer Sour

This drink is especially fab for the gentlemen on hand. Serve this in an old fashioned, short glass and hand it over with a coy eye!

1 1/2 ounces whisky (try the Canadian kind!)
1 1/2 ounces orange juice
1 teaspoon of grenadine
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker or blender. Pour into your glass and add a lemon slice to garnish!

White Christmas

This silky drink is better than any dream you could conjure! Not to mention, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1 ounce amaretto
1 ounce half/half
1 ounce vodka

Mix this lovely trio in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry or nutmeg.

Mr. Grinch

Maybe this drink won’t steal all your presents, but it sure knows how to steal hearts!

2 ounces Midori
1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp sugar syrup (try Karo)

Mix all three ingredients into a shaker and strain into a chilled martini glass. This green drink looks fabulous with a cherry garnish!

Hot Mint Chocolate

This is my all-time favorite, so of course I’ve saved the best for last! This drink is great for low-key parties or snuggling up with your loved one(s).

5 to 6 ounces of hot chocolate (hot!)
1 ounce peppermint schnapps

Pour the schnapps into a mug or glass that is heat-safe. Add your hot chocolate and stir well. To garnish, add crushed candy cane around the rim of your glass or simply add a candy cane stick.