I get food or in this case drink inspiration from unlikely places. This time, from Sex and The City. It is one of my favourite shows till date, and I can never get tired of watching re runs of it. If I could choose the character closest to me, it will be difficult because I consider myself a Char-miranda-lotte. hehehe. Just because I see a bit of myself in both characters. Miranda is the driven, ambitious, independent take no prisoners kind of person, and she also has a soft spot but hides it under a thick veneer of being a kick ass woman (which is a good thing). You just have to get to know her to realise that she is sweet and vulnerable like any woman. Very like Moi. Charlotte on the other had, I also find some connection with because she is the green eyed, hopeful, trusting, hopeless romantic. A Pollyanna with her own rose tinted glass, and somewhat naive view on life, plus parts her story resonates with me in more ways than one. The other two, I have zero connection with their characters. Don’t get me started on the Carrie-Big Conundrum. Never wanted to bitch slap a person so hard in my life before. Oh, I do now, Olivia Pope is next person needing a good bitch slapping to shake her out of her love juju slumber (not my words, but my hilarious friend Funke O.) As for Samantha, I have no words. Loooool.
We all know that the cocktail The Cosmopolitan was made famous because of that show. One evening while watching the show, as the crimson drink was swirling in the martini glass, the idea popped in my head. Of course I can make Zobo into a cocktail. A Martini was the first idea, using a cue from the Martini glass, The Cosmopolitan is served in. Sure, that must be possible, I thought. As I am not that much of a drinker (party popper alert!!) I did not have a clue as to how to make a Martini, so I started researching. I remembered that the English name for Zobo is Sorrel, and Voila!!! I came across Sorrel Martini recipes. I was so tripped. Great food minds think alike. I will make a Sorreltini with my little twist and call it a Zobotini. I knew I had to be prepared to go all the way, so I bought a cocktail maker set. Using my special Zobo recipe (posted HERE), I give to you guys Dunni’s Zobotini.
You will need
1/2 cup of my Zobo drink – unsweetened
1 – 2 shots of Vodka – depending on how strong you want it
1 tablespoon of Demerera sugar syrup – to sweeten it
A squeeze of lemon
How To
First, I will like to start with how to Rim a glass. This is very important as it is part of the experience of having a cocktail. Even if it is homemade, recreate the bar/dining out experience in your home and make yourself and your guests feel special
1. Get out your cocktail glass, cut half a lemon/lime and rub it all round the edge of the glass. Make sure you give it a mild squeeze at the same time to ensure that the rim is coated in lemon juice.
2. Depending on what cocktail you are making, you can rim with sugar or salt. For a Martini, you rim with sugar. I chose to use a combination of demerera sugar and white sugar. Demerera for colour and also because I was using it as a syrup in the Zobotini. Pour the sugar onto a flat surface, like a plate or worktop. Tilt the cocktail glass at an angle and roll it around till the sugar crystals stick
start at an edge and keep rolling. You may need to do this a few times.
keep rolling till you get this
final result – place in the fridge or freezer to chill while you mix the cocktail
3. Using a cocktail shaker, add ice, about 3 or 4
measure in the rest of the ingredients
4. Cover and shake vigorously for a while. If the shaker gets too cold, simply wrap in a napkin and continue shaking
Pour out the liquid into the cocktail glass,
add a slice of lemon to the cocktail glass and Voila!!!!!! – Zobotini
You know how at a bar, you will be served a cocktail with a bowl of nuts. I thought, why not replace this with chin chin. It is brown, it is crunchy too. No? hehehehehe. Enjoy the pictures
the ultimate pairing – chin chin with a zobotini
does the colour remind you of a Cosmopolitan? Who said it was so 90’s, you can rock this drink any day
Have a girls night in or even a bridal shower and get to mixing…………..
rimming the glass with lemon and sugar makes the cocktail glass smell great, and taste great before you even take a sip of the Zobotini
Enjoy with chin chin
I will still be experimenting with more liqueur goes by, especially with party season upon us (my birthday inclusive), and hosting guests, I already have a ready supply of guinea pigs. You could also join me in my experimentation and share your results with me. Have a cocktail mix party with your girlfriends a la Sex and The City or make it unisex, all the more fun. Guys always bring an interesting spin to alcoholic drinks. Hehehehe.
P.S – If you had to choose a character in Sex and the City, who would you be and why?
sabirah says
November 16, 2013 at 7:21 amFirst timer here,loved your post on bellanaija.
I’m definitely making this zobotini this holiday season!
I thought the English name for zobo was hibiscus though?
dooneyrooney says
November 16, 2013 at 11:57 amWell it is the Carribean name if I want to be specific. A lot of Google searches even on ebay come up as Sorrel. Maybe the Hibiscus flower is another name for it. With some food components, they may have a different name based on region. I hope that clarifies it a little. Thank you for your compliment.
Traycee says
November 16, 2013 at 10:08 amNICE! I love wine and cocktails. The Zobo inspiration really cool! I attended a wine and chocolate pairing tasting session especially as we approach the festive season. Just think pairing Zobo inspiration with chocolate! Hmmm Dooney we should talk oo! In fact, I’m volunteering myself for a session! Lol
http://www.traycees.info
dooneyrooney says
November 16, 2013 at 11:58 amWine and chocolate pairing, where please. Don’t care that much for wine but the chocolate, you will see my tiny legs there. Pairing Zobo with chocolate is actually a very very very good idea you know. Especially dark Belgian chocolate. Girrrrrrrl, you are giving me IDEAS!!! Volunteer away
Hadassah says
November 16, 2013 at 6:18 pmNice you always come up with sweet recipes. Can’t wait to try that out. By the way the chin-chin looks good, a recipe or blog about how you did that would be nice. Pretty please
P.S: I think it’s sweet and nice how you take time out to respond to all comments and questions. God Bless You.
dooneyrooney says
November 16, 2013 at 6:20 pmThank you Hadisa. It is only fair if someone takes out time to drop a comment, that I should respond and I hope to keep up the tradition when this blog becomes bigger, even if it means hiring someone to do so. Lol. I bought that chin chin o. Chin chin making saps all the energy out of me. The day I have so much time on my hands maybe by xmas break I will make some. Thanks for the compliments.
naijababe says
November 16, 2013 at 10:56 pmYou have confused me mightily Dooney. Same sorrel leaves I am meant to use in Miyan taushe?! Abeg clarify because I am about start making me variations of zobotini
dooneyrooney says
November 16, 2013 at 11:11 pmSorry for the confusion. It is another specie of sorrel. If you google sorrel drink you will see that it is the same as our Zobo leaves. You can also Google Sorrel drink leaves or Jamaican sorrel, that way it will be easier to order. I hope that clarifies it.
anita says
November 17, 2013 at 1:45 pmHello dooney,u’r rilly doing a great job. God bless u. Pls what is grand mariner and where can i get one?
dooneyrooney says
November 17, 2013 at 4:31 pmGrand Marnier is Orange liqueur. You can find it in the alcohol aisle of any supermarket
Oluwatomi says
November 18, 2013 at 12:20 amThou art a food genius! *thumbs up* as usual
dooneyrooney says
November 18, 2013 at 12:24 amThanks Oluwatomi
Ekwitosi says
November 18, 2013 at 5:33 amDooney,
I am known for my chin-chin so pay me and I will make some for you ASAP! I know my sister making it is very energy sapping it is something that you do when you have time and you are in the mood! That zobo looks really good. The Northerners have a lot of drinks please look into it and feature some more. I have never thought of zobo with liquor I don’t drink alcohol but this sounds great for the drinkers. And by the way I think I am more of Carrie on Sex and the City! Hmmmmmm.. reason? Just like Carrie maybe one day I will figure out my destination because I am still on a journey I hope to stop and smell the roses sometimes and enjoy every bit of it.
dooneyrooney says
November 18, 2013 at 11:51 amI will pay o. Honestly I need to be in a speeeeeecial mood to make chin chin. Mine is also very good but it only shows its face once in a blue moon. The problem with the Northern drinks is sourcing. I researched on Fura and gave up. Kunun too, finding the right kind of millet, another wahala. The Zobo was really good. I went ahead to make a Zobo margarita and another signature cocktail which i will be posting this week. I wish you well on your journey and encourage you to remember to smell the roses. Always lovely hearing from you
Bimbo says
December 21, 2013 at 11:35 pmDooneyrooney I so luv ur blog, I just got married two weeks today, and trust me am sure gonna have a splendid time in choosing menu, not the regular everyday Nigerian food.am gonna make these zobotini by weekend will post the outcome. Also dear I like u, nd the response u give its waaaaaaooooo, am happy I found ur blog.thanks sweetie.
dooneyrooney says
December 22, 2013 at 2:37 amCongrats on the wedding and I wish you a very happy and fulfilled married life. Great time to find the blog. Your husband should be prepared to be dazzled with food. Please try the zobotini and let me know. I enjoy interacting with readers. Every comment is precious