Mint Syrup

Welcome to the first episode of CHOW Happy Hour! Every Friday, shoot the breeze with world-famous bartender Martin Cate, of Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco, while he mixes you up a delicious cocktail. This week: the Max's Mistake, with gin and passion fruit syrup. Cheers!

Mark Scarbrough, coauthor of Goat: Meat, Milk, Cheese, shares an idea for a quick, delicious, simple dessert with a goaty tang—you just need goat cheese, chocolate, maple syrup, and cocoa. (Here's Mark's recipe for chèvre truffles from Goat: Meat, Milk, Cheese.)

Tame the unruly invader.

Michael Cecconi is the former mixologist at New York’s Back Forty; he's currently the head bartender at San Francisco's Two Sisters Bar and Books, and teaches at the Institute of Culinary Education. Here he shares a quick summertime drink idea, called a Scotch Blossom: 2 ounces of Scotch, 1 ounce of honey simple syrup, 1 ounce of lime juice, 4 to 8 mint leaves, and ice. Shake vigorously, add soda water, and enjoy.

A perfect healthy yet hearty breakfast, this creamy steel-cut oatmeal is made in the slow cooker, so it's ready when you wake up. You can customize your bowl with whatever toppings you like: fresh or dried fruits, cinnamon, maple syrup, nuts . . . Read more.