Yes, indeedy! My sister, Nancy, loved the kamikaze cocktail. She was also known to imbibe her fair share of kamikaze shots!
Sisterly Love
My sister Nancy, whom I talk about in this frozen mudslide post, passed away from breast cancer fourteen years ago. It’s amazing how fast time flies. Our whole family still loves to reminisce about her and some of the more memorable adventures she starred in!
When it came to cocktails, Nancy was very adventurous. She would have and enjoy a cocktail before I would even hear about it. This kamikaze cocktail was one of those drinks.
Family Dynamics
I’m sure other families have similar dynamics to mine, but let me talk about my family for a minute. My brother was the first born and since he was male, he could do as he wished. He didn’t have the same restrictions that we girls had. Truth be told, I don’t remember him being home much past a certain age.
Robyn, the next oldest, was the good girl: smart, well behaved and popular. I remember when we were little and had to go to bed early, she’d organize a ‘clean our room’ party. So, we would sneak around the room, trying not to let our parents hear our footsteps and we would fold our clothes, pick up the room and occupy ourselves until normal children our age usually went to bed.
Yes. We were in bed when the kids we used to babysit were still playing outside. This was hardest during high summer. We were thankful to have a window.
My parents were strict. And great followers of the “children should be seen and not heard” belief system. So, we were sent to bed early where we would not be seen or heard. But don’t feel sorry for me and my sisters. It made us the women we are today.
Wild one
Nancy was next oldest to Robyn. She was the typical middle child. And even though she picked on me relentlessly, I understood where she was coming from. She was considered the wild one. She was not, I repeat, NOT really that wild. Just wild by my family’s standards.
Did she party? Yes. But not in excess. And that was where she discovered and tried so many different cocktails, which she then shared with us all. The kamikaze cocktail was one of her favorites.
I was considered the ‘flighty’ one in the family, mainly because I was a theater person. I also learned to be sneaky since my folks were so strict. But I never did anything bad per se. But I did do things like occasionally skip school (I went back to bed after the house was empty) or lie by saying I was going to a youth group when I was really going to my friend Michelle’s house, one block away, just to hang out.
My sister Denise is the youngest and was sort of pushed off on my grandmother since there were four teenagers in the house and she was four years younger than me. Nana doted on Denise and gave her special privileges, but her life and story feels the saddest to me because of this separation.
What role did you play in your family dynamics? Please leave me a comment to let me know!
How to make the Kamikaze Cocktail
Only three ingredients for this delicious cocktail recipe. We have lime, vodka and Cointreau.
I’m excited so let’s get started.
So, I fill my cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice. I seem to do that a lot, don’t I? ?
I measure out 1 1/2 ounces of vodka.
Then, I pour it into the shaker.
Next, I measure 1 1/2 ounces of Cointreau. You can use triple sec if you like, but Cointreau is so superior!
I pour the Cointreau into the shaker!
Time to squeeze the lime to get 1 1/2 ounce of its delicious juice. I also slice a thin wheel of lime for the garnish. (No rickets in this household, thank you very much!)
Shake It Up
Into the shaker it goes. I cap the shaker and shake it at least 20 times. The more the better!
I get my martini glass and strain the liquid into it. I also take the lime wheel and gently float it into the kamikaze cocktail.
Bottoms Up
Mmmmmm.
Now for the vertical view.
This is so delicious! You have got to try it!
I hope you enjoyed this kamikaze cocktail recipe! Think of my sister, Nancy, when you make it. She would have loved it, too!
Please feel free to leave me a comment, if you please. And if you do, remember to rate the recipe!
Much appreciated.
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this kamikaze cocktail or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
- 1.5 ounces vodka I use Grey Goose
- 1.5 ounces Cointreau or triple sec
- 1.5 ounces lime juice freshly squeezed
- Fill cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice
- Add vodka, Cointreau and lime juice
- Cap shaker and shake at least 20 times
- Strain into martini glass
- Float lime wheel
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
I myself was my grandmother’s girl much like your youngest sister, although I was the oldest in the family.
What a lovely memory and story behind this drink! Thinking of Nancy, may she rest in peace!
Tina, you are so sweet. Thank you for those kind words! I so appreciate them.
I love the dynamics of your family! I giggled at the “cleaning the room” party haha 🙂 I was an only child, and apparently was a chatterbox which is quite strange since I am borderline mute and a HUGE introvert as an adult. Weird how we grow up to different people. This cocktail sounds wonderful and I will be cheers’ing Nancy for this lovely creation. 🙂
Aww. Joyce. Your comment made my day! (by the way, my middle name is Joyce) 😉
Great recipe, stories, photos!!
Thank you Chris!
Thank you for sharing this recipe and the memory of your sister. It looks beautiful.
Thank you Rebecca!
Thanks for sharing the memories that inspired this cocktail. This sounds like a wonderful cocktail to enjoy over weekend! Happy Friday and Cheers!
Thank you Lindsay! Cheers!
This made me sad reading it because I remember how left out of everything I felt. ?
I know. I’m sorry Denise. I feel it too. 🙁
This sounds so refrishing! Citrusy drinks are my fav. I’ll toast your sister when I try it.
Thanks Lisa! Very sweet of you!
Lovely recipe, especially for summer. Sorry to hear about your sister Nancy, she must have been very young so much time has passed already. I will think of her when I make it.
We are 4 but the other way around my brother last, and I am the third. I have always been the most independent, So while my sisters are still close to my mom, I am the only one who left Italy right after my studies (which is when my dad passed away) and live abroad since. But I do speak with her every morning via Skype.
Thank you Laura! And thank you for sharing your family dynamic. I always like hearing about others! Yes, my sister was 41 when she passed away and had two young children.
I must have been the Nancy! I was the “bad” one too! I could tell you some stories regarding kamikaze shots! No you don’t want to know!
Oh but I do, Beth! 😉
This cocktail recipe sounds great! Thanks for sharing it and your memories of your family. It is funny how siblings, having same roots and growing up together, can be so different from one another. I also have a brother (eldest) and 3 younger sisters so I can relate. Cheers to families and happy memories..and to Nancy!
Bebs, thanks so much. That was very sweet. I so appreciate your comment!
Elaine I too grew up in a family where kids were seen but not heard. I lived in a joint family as most Indians did back then. However, not complaining at all as I realise that it made us pretty level headed. That’s a ‘mean’ cocktail, would love to try it.
Thank you Mayuri! 🙂 I tell my hubby that ‘hard’ experiences build character. At least that is what my folks told me :).
Thank you so much for sharing your family stories, so sorry to hear about Nancy’s demise, she must have been such a lovely sister and friend to have. I only have one younger brother and he always was so full of all the best qualities that I could only be the wicked one, but I did all the time get in trouble too :), we get along very well and he’s the kindest brother ever. Your cocktail looks wonderful, Vodka, Cointreau and lemon, perfection for me!
Thank you Patty, you are a dear!