December 5th is National Repeal Day!

A little history…

Today is the anniversary of the day that the United States repealed the 18th Amendment, restoring the right to purchase and consume alcohol. The 18th Amendment, ratified on January 16, 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor throughout the United States. Prohibition led to widespread disrespect for the law. To read more -- Click here.

At T|W Tote, we encourage all of our readers to drink responsibly. Enjoy tastes that are comforting, warm and full of flavors, such as Caramel Apple Cider Sangria, Pumpkin White Russian (see below for drink recipe), and the Bees Knees Cocktail. 

Looking to try a Pumpkin White Russian? 

• Add vodka, pumpkin spice creamer, and coffee liqueur into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 
• Shake to combine. 
• Pour the Pumpkin White Russian Cocktail into rimmed glasses, and top with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spice to serve!

Enjoy a great glass of wine. When weather permits, we enjoy visiting wineries in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area. COVID has prevented that so we stick to sipping on our favorite wines: The McBride Twins (try their “Black Girl Magic” wine), Azur (cannot go wrong with any of their wines) and basically any Spanish white wine. 

A Fun Fact!

Guinep, is a tropical fruit that grows widely in Jamaica during the summer time. A delicious drink made from the fruit can strengthen one’s immune system, lower blood pressure and is high in fiber, calcium and antioxidants that prevent inflammatory diseases.The fruit has different names depending on the region. Among them are skinip, honey berry, Kenep, mammon, mamoncillo, quenepa, and Spanish lime. It is a seasonal exotic fruit which is most abundant in the summer. A word of warning! It stains. For a change of pace, try Kenep Trempe, an old time Carribean, Haitian recipe using guineps!

INGREDIENTS for Kenep Trempe

• Kenep (i.e. Guinep)
• White Rum – about 1 cup or more
• Sugar to taste
• 1 – 2 cinnamon stick(s)
• 2 – 3 star Anise
• Lemon rind – optional
• 1 – 2 vanilla bean

Instructions:

• Wash all keneps, remove skin and place seeds in jar or bottle
• Add cinnamon stick(s), star anise, vanilla bean(s) and lemon rind if using. 
• Add white rum – enough to cover all keneps.
• Add enough sugar to taste.
•  Shake bottle or jar to mix. 
• Let keneps soak in rum for about 2 to 3 days before enjoying Kenep Trempe.

OR

Sorrel, can be Common Sorrel (an herb) or Jamaican Sorrel, which is a magenta-hued plant that falls into the same family as the hibiscus flower and will color your meal pink.

Here is one of our founders personal favorite Sorrel recipes.  

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of dried sorrel
• 10 cups of water
• white sugar
• Grated fresh ginger

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients, except the sugar, in a large pot.
• Gently simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 2 hours as it cools.  
• Strain the mixture into a pitcher. 
• Sweeten to your preference.
• Place the pitcher in the fridge to continue cooling.
• Serve over ice. 

Additives:

• For a more "adult" drink, add rum.

Between the Sorrel lunch tote and the drink it was named after we can't tell which is sweeter. Any taste-testers? If you try this recipe be sure to let us know how you like it.