When I head down the path to Cocktail-Mixinville (and yes, there is such a place)  my first step is always thinking about the flavors that might be associated with that particular libation’s holiday or theme. The flavors associated with motherhood can be a rancid, revolting group. Here are a few drinks that did not make the cut:

• Stale Goldfish Crackertini
• Chunky Milkarita
• Bottom of the Lunchbox-Goo-Fizz
• Dirtysockapolitan

So I ditched that whole idea and opted for something light, refreshing and effervescent, very much like myself, (if you know me and are laughing, knock it off) combining the flavors of  the orange blossom and its fruit. Making it more about the pleasant smells of mothering rather than the crud my kids grind into the backseat of my car.

Orange blossom water is traditionally used for baking and other purposes but a tiny touch, and I do mean tiny, takes this cocktail from refreshing to heavenly.

When choosing an orange flavored liqueur there are dozens of choices. I simply love The Old Liquor Store’s Orange Liqueur. Unlike other orange flavored liqueurs, it’s 24 percent alcohol by volume where triple sec, schnapps and curacao are between 15% and 20% and are mostly sugar and water. Grand Marnier and cointreau are both 40 percent but they are rather pricey for mixed drinks where the Old Liquor Store’s version will run you about 16 clams and it’s wonderful straight up.

Winner winner—liquor for dinner!

Here is how you mix it up:
Ingredients

• Vodka or tequila
• Orange Liqueur
• Orange blossom water
• Seltzer
• A fresh orange and lemon
• Ice

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice add one shot of vodka, one shot of Orange Liqueur and shake. Pour a small amount of orange blossom water into a small cocktail glass, swirl it around the glass and pour out any excess. Pour the contents of your shaker into the glass and add about two more shots of seltzer depending on how strong you like it. Squeeze an orange quarter and a small slice of lemon into the glass. Stir and serve. Makes one cocktail

The Old Liqueur Store Orange Liqueur available at Total Wine and More
Al Wadi orange blossom water available at Whole Foods (international section)

For all of you wonderful, hard working mothers, those blessed enough to still have your mothers and for the rest of us who have lost our mothers too soon I wish you the very best Mother’s Day.

Now what shall we call this mother of a cocktail?