On September 24th National Cherries Jubilee Day serves up a tasty dessert. Smitten with this simply elegant dessert, cherry lovers celebrate this sweet holiday with delight.
Auguste Escoffier receives the credit for the Cherries Jubilee recipe. Since he knew Queen Victoria’s fondness for cherries, Escoffier prepared the dish for one of her Jubilee celebrations. However, his original method didn’t include ice cream. Instead, the chef poached the cherries in a simple syrup and poured warm brandy over them. Then just before serving, dramatically set the alcohol aflame.
Later recipes added the liqueur Kirschwasser and ice cream.
The word jubilee means many things. However, in reference to the vibrant dessert featuring plump cherries, it means a celebration. As we all know, desserts often accompany celebrations. And cherries jubilee is no exception. The excitement associated with the grand presentation accentuated the event, too.
Escoffier had a knack for simplicity and elegance. He also created the Peach Melba in honor of Nellie Melba. The famous chef even named a macaron after Sarah Bernhardt. (Though there’s no day on the calendar for it, yet.)
Find a restaurant near you that serves cherries jubilee. As part of the celebration, order dessert first. Or, try making it yourself. At the same time, be sure to share a photo of your masterpiece!
Don’t forget to use #CherriesJubileeDay to post on social media.
While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration. A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch.
A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch.
The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices. It was called paantsch.
Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages. Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients.
Make some punch and make a toast! Thousands of punch recipes make the beverage versatile and easy to make. Check recipe books and online. Be sure to share your favorites, too! Use #NationalPunchDay to post on social media.
National Crème de Menthe Day on September 15th recognizes the creamy peppermint-flavored liqueur used in cocktails and desserts. Enjoy your favorite combination to celebrate!
Many of the liqueurs we enjoy today started as tonics and cure-alls. And we thank pharmacists for bringing them into existence. Crème de menthe (mint cream) is one of those liqueurs. French pharmacist, Emile Giffard, studied the cooling and digestive properties of mint. His research led him to a recipe for crème de menthe.
Crème de menthe is sweet and mint leaves (usually Corsican mint) give crème de menthe its green color. However, when extracted, the liqueur is colorless. This form of the liqueur is called white crème de menthe. Unless color is essential, both varieties have similar flavors and are interchangeable in recipes.
The traditional formula involves steeping dried peppermint or Corsican mint leaves in grain alcohol for several weeks. This method creates a natural green color. The following steps include filtration and the addition of sugar.
Several cocktails include crème de menthe as an ingredient. Two popular cocktails include Grasshopper and Stinger. Because of mint’s digestive qualities, crème de menthe makes an excellent after-dinner drink. Also popular in the kitchen, it is used in many recipes as a flavoring. To make a chilly adult milkshake mix crème de menthe with ice cream. Add chopped pecans or shaved chocolate as a garnish.
Try crème de menthe for the first time or the hundredth. Add it to a dessert or mix up a cocktail. Stir in some chocolate for a mint chocolate flair. Encourage your favorite restaurant or dessert shop to celebrate the day, too. Give them a shout out for their amazing creations, too. If you don’t have a recipe to try at home, check these out:
Share your crème de menthe recipes. Use #CremeDeMentheDay to post on social media.
National Chocolate Milkshake Day on September 12th brings chocolate and ice cream lovers together. Forget the calories for just this one day and enjoy a sweet tall, thick and delicious, chocolate milkshake!
The term milkshake first appeared in print in 1885. During this period, milkshake referred to an alcoholic beverage described as a “sturdy, healthful eggnog type of drink” blended with eggs, whiskey, and other ingredients. Pharmacies served the drink as a tonic and a treat to customers. By 1900, pharmacies offered this “wholesome drink” with either chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla syrup.
The early 1900s – People began asking for this “new treat” with a scoop of ice cream.
1911 – Hamilton Beach’s drink mixers began to be used at soda fountains.
1922 – Steven Poplawski invented the electric blender or drink mixer.
Due to the invention of the blender, the milkshake began to take a chipped, aerated, and frothy form as they are today.
By the 1920s & 1930s, milkshakes became a popular drink at malt shops everywhere.
Another addition to the milkshake was malted milk powder. Made from malted barley, wheat flour, and dehydrated whole milk, malted milk tastes a bit like toasted caramel. It made its debut around the 1870s as a shelf-stable dry milk product. Add the powder to a chocolate milkshake, and transform the creamy goodness into a malted chocolate milkshake. Along with milkshakes, malted milk milkshakes became popular drinks at soda fountains around the 1920s.
Enjoy a chocolate milkshake at your favorite restaurant or soda fountain. Or try a malted version, especially if you’ve never had a malted chocolate milkshake. It is definitely worth a try. You may want to top off your chocolate milkshake with a dollop of whipped cream! While you’re enjoying this sweet treat, don’t forget to introduce this delicious pasttime to someone else.
Do you have a favorite malt shop? Be sure to give them a shout out, too! Use #ChocolateMilkshakeDay to post on social media.
National New Hampshire Day on September 7th recognizes the 9th state to join the Union. The Granite State epitomizes New England in many ways. From its breathtaking landscapes to its fascinating history and people.
State Symbols
State Capital – Concord State Nickname – The Granite State State Motto – Live free or die State Bird – Purple Finch State Flower – Purple lilac State Animal – White – tailed deer State Folk Dance – State Fish – Brook Trout State Dessert – State Fossil – State Mineral- Beryl State Tree – White Birch State Fruit – Pumpkin State Song – State Gemstone – Smokey Quartz State Rock – Granite State Insect – Ladybug
Quotable Quotes
If you’ve ever wondered where the phrase “not yet begun to fight” originated, just look to one of New Hampshire’s notable naval officers, John Paul Jones.
“Live Free or Die” is the state’s motto. Another revoluationary hero, John Stark earns the credit for it. In a written toast in honor of the anniversary of the Battle of Bennington, Stark’s full quote reads: “Live free or die, death is not the greatest of evils.” While he may not be the first to share the sentiment to live free or die, his toast summed up the country’s dedication to independence.
Settlers
New Hampshire’s history holds more than noble quotes. Many firsts fill its timeline. In 1719, Scotch-Irish settlers brought the first potatoes to North America. The settlers planted them in the settlement of Nutfield, now known as Londonderry.
Before Paul Revere had his famous ride, he first made another all-important journey. In 1774, Revere rode the 55 miles from Boston to Portsmouth to warn the citizens of an impending seizure of Fort William and Mary. The village stormed the fort and took control of the ammunitions before the British arrived.
Politics and More
New Hampshire became the first state to established an independent government. The state also created the first written constitution.
In 1828, when ownership changed hands at the Cocheco Manufacturing Company, the new owner reduced the wages of only the femail textile mill workers. On top of already difficult work and long days, the owners placed even stricter requirements on its employees. Frustated, on December 30th, about 400 of the female workers walked out. It became the nation’s first all female strike. The strike failed and resulted in many of the striking workers returning to work at even lower wages.
The state also holds its primaries before any other state. Early on during election time, the country focuses its attention on New Hampshire. Another phrase often attributed to New Hampshire: “As New Hampshire goes, so goes the nation.”
Known for its fall foliage, New Hampshire’s impressive colors bring visitors every autumn. From mountains to the seaside, the state offers year-round adventure.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNewHampshireDay
Celebrate New Hampshire’s historic places, panoramic scenery and captivating personalities. Explore all New Hampshire offers! Use #NationalNewHampshireDay to share on social media.
NEW HAMPSHIRE FLAVOR
With apples as the leading fruit crop in the state, it should be no surprise that the people of New Hampshire specialize in baking and cooking with them. That includes their cider donuts! Not that anyone would refuse a donut, but these taste like fall!
Apple Cider, whether spiked or not, is a special treat in New Hampshire. A hot mug of autumn’s spiced orchard produce will warm you right up!
If you need a stronger drink to warm the cockles of your heart, try New Hampshire’s honey mead which is often fermented with the season’s fresh fruits. Also called honey wine, mead may be the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage.
Being a coastal state, seafood like lobster is a top choice but don’t over look fresh water favorites like fried lake bass. With the mountain hikes to take in all the scenery in New Hampshire, it’s easy to work up an appetite to sample all this goodness!
Notable People
John Langdon – Patriot – (June 26, 1741 – September 18, 1819)
