Sip Spotlight: Show Your Stripes

Breaking curses is never easy, and sports curses are abundant. Since 2000, we've seen the curses against the Cubs and the Red Sox broken. Finally, it was time to end the curse of Bo Jackson and the Raiders that has plagued the Cincinnati Bengals for 31 years.

The end of the Bengals' playoff drought lifted the collective spirits of the City of Cincinnati. In celebration of last week's victory, and to elevate everyone's liquid spirits, we created a festive cocktail to sip on while getting ready for and watching tomorrow's game against the Titans.

We wanted to craft something that would bring the heat and the passion that it takes to win; a drink that will help you show your stripes. So, we combined Jalapeño Citrus and Orange Blossom Passion Fruit Mixicles with vodka, and topped it off with a splash of Cincinnati Royal Orange Soda (which we found at Madison's at Findlay Market) for a touch of sweetness and vibrancy. Using Hawaiian black lava sea salt and carrot granules from Colonel De's at Findlay, we painted the glass with orange and black stripes.

We hope you enjoy this drink as much as we enjoyed concocting it, and, with every sip, #ShowYourStripes.

Orange Blossom Passion Fruit and Jalapeño Citrus Mixicles are available at area Kroger stores. Look for them in the frozen juice section of the freezer aisle. If you're down at Findlay Market to pick up the orange soda and spices for this recipe, you can also find Mixicles at ETC Produce & Provisions.

SHOW YOUR STRIPES

Ingredients:

• 1 Orange Blossom Passion Fruit Mixicles cube
• 1 Jalapeño Citrus Mixicles cube
• 2 ounces vodka
• Orange soda
• Black lava sea salt, carrot granules, and honey

How to Mix:

Set the Mixicles cubes in a shaker to melt a bit while you prepare the glass. Using a small brush and honey, paint two stripes on the outside of a rocks glass. Sprinkle the black lava sea salt on one of the stripes and the carrot granules on the other. Place the glass on its side in the fridge to set the stripes. Add the vodka to the shaker and shake until you don't hear the cubes rattling in the tin. Pour into the prepared rocks glass (over ice, if desired). For added sweetness and vibrancy, top with orange soda. Who Dey!

Jen Morales is the co-founder of Cincinnati-based Mixicles, an all-natural, frozen, non-alcoholic botanical mixer that can be popped into any liquor, wine, champagne, etc for an instant cocktail. They can even used as a natural foundation for distinctive zero-proof drinks and smoothies. Learn more at www.mixicles.com.