Mush Slush

I cannot remember a time where I witnessed my mom drinking alcohol. Leading up to this post, I have been racking my brain and there is not one instance where I recall seeing her with so much as a wine cooler in her hand.

I, on the other hand, am a much different case. I do not drink much these days, but back in my day I could throw down with the best of them. The summer right after I turned 21 and interned at a local radio station is where I would point as peak hey-day.

Now, as a middle aged adult, one of my favorite ways to see a new town is to go to a local brewery and (responsibly) sample of few pours of something at the bar.

There was one time in my early/mid-20s when I was scheduled to be at my parents house for breakfast one Sunday morning. The night before I had gone out and done it up pretty big. When I finally made it to breakfast (unfashionably late) I was so hungover at breakfast that I could hardly function. I remember my mom being amused at my predicament and laughing at how terrible the bad decisions I made the night before made me feel.

(I searched and searched for an acceptable photo to put in this post to break up the wall of text. I could not find anything that was non incriminating to myself or, more importantly, my friends. Feel free to place judgement about what likely happened prior to this photo being taken.)

This “Beverages” section of her cooking binder was not something that I paid much attention to before last week. My motivation level for anything not requiring my immediate attention (which is my dog and work at this point) is still not very high. But, I am committed to trying to stay on track with this blog and was flipping through the binder trying to find something that caught my eye to make.

My surprise when I realized that damn near every recipe in the “beverages” section is alcoholic was significant. And when I ran across this “Mush Slush” where the note says, “Favorite of: Sue Wood” you could have knocked me over with a feather.

Best I can figure, this was probably a recipe that she used as a punch for parties. Likely before I was born or was still really young. The only alcohol I ever remember seeing in the house was rum (which she used to make rum cakes at Christmas), wine and beer. And, again, I never remember my mom actually partaking in any of these things.

My thoughts on this “Mush Slush” are that it was ok. It made a huge pitcher (which I still have ¾ of left in my freezer). We each enjoyed a glass during half time of the Duke/Alabama Elite 8 match up on Saturday night. The first serving that we had followed the recipe and mixed in ½ glass ginger ale with the slush. We also each enjoyed a glass after the game was over. This time neither one of us mixed the ginger ale in and, honestly, I think we both liked it more without. With no ginger ale it tasted pretty close to a whiskey sour.

I am not sure if I will make this one again or not. However, this beverage section of the cookbook is looking pretty good. Especially as the weather gets warmer and my life gets even more complicated.