Springtime in Chicago is delightful.
If you’re delusional.
Because, as any native knows, April in the city of wind is about as predictable as the wind itself. Today it is a gloomy and overcast 41 degrees in my neck of the woods, which is doing wonders for my self-diagnosed seasonal depression.
Not.
So what’s a Chicagoan to do on a day like today, when it’s no fun to be had outdoors?
Why, you get crafty and make some indoor fun.
Don’t look at me that way, friends. I’m craftier than I look. As long as I have Pinterest at my fingertips.
And the only thing better than springtime Pinterest goodness?
Is edible springtime Pinterest goodness.
Or drinkable, edible springtime Pinterest goodness.
Or…
{drum roll}
Why the Peeptini hadn’t crossed my radar until last year, I’ll never know. It combines two essential components of springime. And that would be vodka and Peeps.
Aw, heck…who am I kidding? They make Peeps year round. And they make vodka year-round, too. Thank goodness.
Anyway.
I make Peeptinis each {okay, this and last} spring as a way of ushering in the season of new life and new beginnings and hayfever. Here’s how I do it:
*Buy a package or sixty of Peeps. Slit the package open and leave the Peeps in the pantry to age like a fine wine until they are of just the right hardness, somewhere between a chewy crunch and “Oy vey, I’ve cracked a tooth.”
*Garnish your Peeptini glasses with a sugar/sprinkle rim, if desired.
*Make this lemon drop martini recipe that I found on allrecipes.com.
*Retrieve your Peeps from the pantry and float them in the glasses. Marvel at the buoyancy that their hardness affords.
*I highly recommend letting the Peeps swim around in the glass for as long as possible. Save those vodka-soaked babies for last.
*Clink and drink, friends. Enjoy.
Inspired by a prompt from Mama Kat’s Writers’ Workshop.
I just knew those Peeps could party! I’m kind of afraid to make them, though – they’re so pretty, and I might have trouble drinking the most decorative thing in the house.
Who am I kidding? I never have trouble drinking anything.
Love partying with my Peeps. Holla!
Very creative. I don’t drink, but that’s clever. I may have to go to the store for peeps.
Put ‘em in your lemonade, Maggie! Same dif.
OMG, I think I just found my first real reason to look forward to easter lol
WHAT? I love me some Easter anyway…the Peeptinis just crank it up a notch.
I am so on this. You have no idea. Now, if Kansas will finally move into springtime.
You doing any conferences this season, Paige? We could hit the local taverns after hours with fistfuls of Peeps and spread sunshine all over the place.
This one already has been forwarded to my “Peep Freak” friends! Too funny.
We had spring for about 15 seconds followed immediately by SUMMER. You think Chicago Land is bad? Try living in DC – they can’t even predict the weather here.
Back to Peeps – did you know the Washington Post has a Peeps diorama contest every year? This year’s winner was “Rest in Peeps” – a memorial service for the Hostess Twinkie – hysterical. Just Google Washington Post Peeps Contest and you’ll find it.
Cheers dear!
Oooh…I’m on it. Thanks, Abi! xoxo
I am anxious to try it! I want to call mine “The Drunken Peep,” though. Is that ok?
That’s an improvement, Hillary. Love it! *clink*
What a hoot!!! Please start a peeps board on Pinterest to collect all this goodness.
Yup. That’s on my to-do list. Along with “buy more Peeps and vodka.”
I never in a million years would have thought to mix Peeps and alcohol together…that’s just genius. And spring in Minnesota is sucking so far.
xo
I know, right? Yum-O.
Too Cute! I lived in Chicago for 2 years before relocating to Boston and guess what!? Their weather is shockingly (or not) the same pretty much! I love love love Chicago though. It has a special place in my heart! So does vodka
Awww….a former Windy City gal. Love it!
I have never met a Peep that I liked. But I have a feeling that might change. I’m feeling a bit thirsty.
Seiously.
Spirits and Peeps…what a lovely combo!
I just knew you’d like it, Alisha.
Omg awesomeness in a glass!
Yup. Wish I could say that I invented it. Enjoy!