Love thyself - and have a cocktail. Happy Valentines day!

It's Valentines day all ready down under and I'm being kind to myself by typing from the couch and doing much less than normal. Happy love myself day! Rather than pictures of fluffy bunnies or chocolate dipped hearts I thought I'd share something more practical with you today. A delicious cocktail recipe! It's red, and sweet, but not sickly - unless of course you over indulge. I guess that's the thing many people find difficult about Valentines day - it's the over indulgence in the saccharine. I mean, lets be kind to ourselves and our loved ones everyday right?!

Mr Scientist and I are celebrating by not celebrating the commercialism of it all, but by going out with other friends, eating fine food, drinking a red cocktail or two (or mocktail for me, sigh) and generally relishing how good life can be when you surround yourself with love of every kind. Friends, family, a special someone, they all have something significant to add to our lives so whether you're single or shacked up, I hope you have a great day. If you dont do the commercial aspect, pick a random stranger some flowers, or send a card to keep the international postal service alive ;-) But what ever you do I hope you have a great day and that you get a chance to be kind to yourself. Oh and read a book of course! x Michele

Pomegranate Margaritas

Ingredients:

2 ounces Grand Marnier
1 1/2 ounces Tequila
2 ounces pomegranate juice
2 ounce lime juice
1 1/2 ounces simple syrup
coarse salt for the rim
lime + pomegranate arils for garnish

Directions:

For simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water, bring to a boil and let sugar dissolve, then turn off heat and let cool completely.
Rim the ridge of your glass with a lime wedge and dip in margarita salt. Fill the glass with ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grand marnier, pom juice, simple syrup and lime juice with ice, and shake for about 30 seconds. Pour over ice and squeeze in extra lime slices. Add some pomegranate arils for decoration.
[This recipe can be easily doubled, quadrupled, etc. Since everyone’s tastes differ, add simple syrup 1/4 cup at a time and go from taste. I also suggest buying the lime juice if you plan on making a pitcher (or 2) considering you’d have to squeeze a billion limes to get enough juice.]

[adapted from my strawberry margs]