San Pellegrino Blood Orange Mojitos
I am all too familiar with the words, “Vegas baby! Woo Hoo!” which, after a two-day alcohol bingefest, usually precedes the phrase, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. This time, it’s different. An elite group of culinary students would want nothing more than their skills to leave Vegas and move on to the final competition in Napa Valley. Can I come too?
Plopped down in front of the computer before sunrise, I desperately scramble my brain for the perfect blog entry that will whisk me away from our tiny kitchen in the Big Apple to the breathtaking Napa Valley. And on the other side of the country, while most Vegas delinquents are tip-toeing down the hall of shame donning last night’s outfit, the top competitors are probably tossing and turning in their luxurious hotel room anticipating their big day.
The 8th annual “Almost Famous Chef” competition hosted by San Pellegrino celebrates the most talented culinary students as they slice, dice and saute their hopes into an apprenticeship with a nationally recognized chef. The finals will be held on March 7th with the beautiful backdrop of Napa Valley, California.
Foodbuzz has announced a competition of its own which awards two out of the thousands of featured publishers the honor of witnessing greatness in the making. One publisher has already been selected and whisked off to Sin City. Another one hangs in the balance. There’s only one golden ticket left and I hope I get it.
So what reasons can I possibly conjure up that hasn’t already been served on a plate? I love food? Duh. I love cooking competitions? I want a break from this blizzard and get my tan on? Double duh. I don’t even have a sob story where it’s so tragically deserving that you’d swear you could hear melancholy violins playing in the background.
It’s obvious that I’m an aspiring food journalist/food photographer/food stylist/gourmet chef so there’s nothing I would enjoy more than this opportunity to witness and chronicle such a climactic event that encompasses my ambition.
Aside from the sheer awesomeness of food, the culinary scene today has been heavily propelled by media attention. Food has become desirable, sexier and glamorized more than ever before. If it weren’t for Food Network, how many of us would know about Morimoto or Bobby Flay? Would we have the motivation to recreate a recipe from a magazine if it weren’t for the titillating food porn?
All around the world, foodies have been coming out of the woodworks and starting their own blogs to publicly testify their kitchen adventures. This is the media that feeds our obsession and delivers the latest and greatest flavors right into our home. So won’t you let me share the San Pellegrino “Almost Famous Chef” experience with you?
With a ratio of 1:3,207 chances of being chosen, I decided to create myself a win/win situation. If chosen to attend the final competition in Napa Valley, I win! If not, I’ll have this refreshing San Pellegrino Bloody Orange Mojito to drink myself to a drunken stupor to help me forget that I’m not rubbing elbows with top chefs and magazine food editors. See, win/win!
Cheers!
Ingredients:
| 2 1/2 | ounces light rum |
| 4 | ounces San Pellegrino Limonata |
| 1 1/2 | ounces simple syrup |
| 2 | blood oranges, cut in wedges |
| a handful of mint leaves | |
| sugar |
- In a large bowl, combine blood orange wedges, mint leaves and a light sprinkle of sugar. Muddle all the ingredients together until most of the juice is extracted and the mint leaves are bruised.
- Distribute muddled oranges and mint leaves between two glasses. Fill with ice. Add rum, simple syrup and San Pellegrino Limonata. Stir and serve immediately.
TIP:
| For fancier ice cubes, freeze 1 part San Pellegrino Limonata and 1 part orange juice. Drop one segmented wedge of blood orange in each mold. Allow freezing time before serving your cocktails. |
February 5th, 2010 at 14:27
I love it!! Great post. I hope you win.
Again, lovely photos, and those mojitos look absolutely stunning! I love blood oranges. Hey wait a minute, I have a blood orange in my fridge right now. And bottles of San Pellegrino. And rum. Now, where am I going to find some mint?
Thanks for sharing!
February 5th, 2010 at 14:39
If I were the judge I would most def send you only requiring only that you take me along! GOOD LUCK!
February 5th, 2010 at 14:40
you totally deserve to win, if we can vote, we’ll stuff those ballots! Beautiful photos and great recipe!
February 5th, 2010 at 14:41
Well, I think you should win just for these stunning pictures alone! I really like the use of the blood orange mixed with the traditional mojito ingredients. Nice one! Good luck!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:54
Well this is just clap-your-hands pretty! Love it and good luck!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:54
@Tiny Urban Kitchen: Quick! Run to the store and grab some mint before the snow storm comes! You can seek refuge in your apartment, crank up the radiator and drink mojitos all weekend
And thanks for your support
Let’s keep our fingers crossed…
February 5th, 2010 at 15:55
@Rachael J: Thanks!!! If I win, I’ll try to divert the flight to Florida and stuff you in my carry on
February 5th, 2010 at 15:56
@Ravenous Couple: Lol! Thank you very much for your vote of confidence
I’d help you stuff those ballots too! Anything to bring me back to good ol’ sunny California for a few days.
February 5th, 2010 at 16:01
@Danielle: Thank you! I was trying to come up with a San Pellegrino cocktail and I stumbled upon Martha Stewart’s recipe for a blood orange punch. That woman is so inspiring sometimes!
February 5th, 2010 at 16:04
@Mathea: Thanks so much! Lots of luck to both of us
If neither of us get it, I’ll share my mojitos with you 
February 5th, 2010 at 19:36
These are gorgeous drinks with blood oranges! Good luck!
February 5th, 2010 at 22:44
Dhale, have I mentioned that your blog is my current favorite? Thanks for the amazing photos and brilliant recipes! Hope you win
February 6th, 2010 at 01:40
Dhale: Great post and beautiful photography! The images and recipe have me salivating for a mojito right now!
February 6th, 2010 at 01:52
I’ll drink to that!. You get my vote.
Mimi
February 6th, 2010 at 04:41
Such beautiful colours. I shall drink with you!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:27
@Lindsay: Awwwww shucks (***as I look down and make circles on the ground with my toes***). I’m extremely flattered that you give my blog such wonderful ranking! You made my day
Thank you SO much!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:28
@Teenie Cakes: Thanks T
Wish I could’ve shared the pitcher of mojitos with you!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:29
@Mimi: Wish I could share these mojitos with all of you guys. Thanks for being so supportive
February 6th, 2010 at 10:29
@Penny: Win/win situations are the best. That means everybody gets to drink. Cheers!!!
February 6th, 2010 at 13:47
I love mojitos! But these mojitos are strikingly gooohhhd! Cheers!
February 6th, 2010 at 16:47
Wow…that looks so beautiful and refreshing! I want a glass
February 7th, 2010 at 01:31
What beautiful pictures. Would love to try it.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:07
Hmmm, I think that you could probably bribe someone with that stunning mojito!! Not that you would …. but I’m just saying … if I were making the decisions I could not remain impartial in the face of that drink.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:18
Dhale! I entered too! But your entry was much better than mine hahahaha I made a poorly photoshopped image of me wearing a pellegrino bottle and holding up a sign “please take me”, I’m not sure why I thought it was a good idea at the time…but beautiful pictures you surely deserve to win!! If you do, please leave a space in your suitcase for me, I can curl up into a small enough ball I promise
February 8th, 2010 at 12:36
I want one right now! Best way to start the morning
Gorgeous, hun!
February 8th, 2010 at 13:58
@Malou: They were delicious but it could’ve been better if we were sipping them on a beach
February 8th, 2010 at 13:59
@Mary: One mojito for Mary coming right up!
February 8th, 2010 at 13:59
@Sook: Wish I could send some your way but the quality may be compromised in an envelope
February 8th, 2010 at 14:34
@Tasty Trix: Oh how I wish you were one of the judges! I’d ship you a few cases right now
February 8th, 2010 at 14:37
@Joy: Lol! I’m ridiculously computer illiterate so I don’t even know how to use photoshop so kudos on your PS skills! We have tons of competition out there so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the both of us. I have no problems leaving a small spot in my luggage for you but you may need to find a ride home because I’m planning to smuggle plenty of Napa Valley wines back to NYC!
February 8th, 2010 at 14:38
@Melody: It’s 12pm somewhere, is what I always say! Thanks Mel
February 12th, 2010 at 15:53
Good luck! You take gorgeous pictures and I can’t wait to try these mojitos. Beautiful!
February 12th, 2010 at 16:04
@Carla: Thanks so much! Unfortunately the decision has been made and it wasn’t me
The winner takes amazing photos though so she’ll definitely do justice to the beautiful event. Hope you enjoy these mojitos, I know I will 
February 12th, 2010 at 16:11
@Natasha: My comment replies have been all screwy these days and not going through.
Anyway, thanks for the well wishes. Too bad I didn’t win but the winner was well deserving of it. I’ll be drinking these mojitos this weekend
February 12th, 2010 at 16:19
Not to be nit-picky but you mention Rum in the ingredients list then in the instructions you say Vodka. Just wanted to make sure that you mean Rum as that is traditional in a Mojito.
February 12th, 2010 at 16:23
@Bill: Oh my word..I completely had a brain fart! I’ve been making so many vodka-based cocktails that I just mechanically typed vodka instead of rum. Great catch! My boyfriend and I both proof-read my entries but things still slip through the cracks. Maybe I can hire you to be my third eye?
Thanks Bill!
February 13th, 2010 at 08:24
Although a glimpse of the weather outside my window tells me to drink hot cocoa, I’d much rather make my way through the tray of your fruity, patio-weather cocktails.
February 13th, 2010 at 15:51
@Heidi: I’m with ya! I’d much rather turn up the radiator in our apartment, put on a bikini and sip on the mojitos, forgetting all about the cold wintry weather outside!
March 29th, 2010 at 17:22
I used Mount Gay light rum today with a beautiful blood orange to celebrate the gorgeous sunny weather we had today in Dallas! It was yummy!
March 30th, 2010 at 11:12
@Carla: So jealous of your sunny weather in Dallas. It’s Day After Tomorrow out here in Manhattan. And I could definitely use a little liquid sunshine too!
June 13th, 2010 at 11:20
Today is the day I become a lush!
Yum!
June 18th, 2010 at 09:10
@Crystal: Congratulations! Hope you enjoyed your cocktail-filled day
October 21st, 2011 at 18:48
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