A friend told me about Herb & Lou‘s, then I read about it in O’s November edition. I placed an order to see what the hype was about. You get a dozen cubes for $17.99 with $5 flat shipping ($1.91 a cube). My verdict: they are fun, but I would NOT make them as directed. The resulting drink was very strong. These cubes contain everything you need for a perfectly-balanced cocktail, except for the liquor. Add your own liquor, shake or stir, and you end up with a fancy drink that doesn’t require any other ingredients or effort. I decided to purchase two of the three flavors (if I had a complaint and/or feedback for Herb & Lou- they should create a sample pack). The Cooper contains blood orange and ginger (I love how the ginger stood out). Paired with bourbon, you get a unique take on an Old Fashioned. I couldn’t help but think this would be an even better cocktail if I added cost plus blood orange Italian soda . The Cecile contains watermelon, cucumber, honey, and thyme. Paired with aged golden tequila the flavor of cucumber stood out. As I continued to sip, I got taste of clover and honey, which gave me happy cravings of wanting a hot toddy on these cold nights.

Abby agreed with me- she made the drink as directed and said that she and her partner almost fell over after the first sip. She mixed her Cecile cube with Patron Anejo. Abby couldn’t taste anything except the burn of tequila. She had served it up, but quickly decided to put it over rocks and fill with soda water. This calmed it down and let the other flavors shine through.

The bottom line: These would be great for entertaining, simply put out a few spirits, and mixers at your next gathering and allow your friends and family to make up their own alcoholic and nonalcoholic creations. Here’s a few I enjoyed. Cheers!

The Real Cooper
Blood orange sparkling juice
1 ½ oz. rum
1 Cooper ice cube
1 lime
1 half of orange
Methodology: Muddle together lime, orange, rum, and Cooper ice cube. Fill the glass with ice, pour in drink, and top off with Blood orange sparkling juice.

Real Cecil Hot Toddy
1 cup water
2 ounces Brown Sugar Bourbon
1 Cecil ice cube
2 teaspoons honey
3 lemon juice, to taste
1 lemon round
Methodology: In a teapot, bring the water to a boil. Pour the hot water into a mug. Add the bourbon, Cecil cube, honey, and lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Garnish with a lemon round. Enjoy!