Howling wind, rain, hail, snow… lather, rinse, repeat.

After a relatively benign winter, March is cruel.  Mild temperatures tease us into thinking spring is here only to be followed by nasty days like today where the thought of stepping foot outdoors sends me diving for my ratty old red hoody and blankets.  The cat hasn’t budged off the couch in days; smart cat.

The following citrusy cocktail celebrates seasonal produce now in its prime.  I do love citrus.  Meyer lemons, blood oranges, sweet grapefruit — golden orbs and juicy goodness make up for the decided lack of another certain heavenly golden orb.  The warm heart of this potion is a peppery vanilla syrup packing some heat.

I was tasked with concocting a “signature cocktail” for a gathering of garden writers in town for last months Northwest Flower & Garden Show.  It’s not like Pacific Northwesterners have an actual chip on our climactic  shoulder — hunched as they might be against the chill our shoulders are damp but chip-free — but we have learned it helps to start the party and quell the inevitable if we can offer a little liquid distraction from our lousy weather. My Seattle Sunshine went down smoothly and a warm, lovely time was had by all.

Like a well-worn faded sweatshirt- or the weight of a drowsing fat cat on your lap -maybe a little warmth will help pass these last few days of winter.  CHEERS!