Occasionally we are lucky enough to cross paths with someone who will leave a lasting mark in our minds, our hearts, and our souls. And perhaps, we are even lucky enough to be that person to someone else. ​What follows is the story of how 10 minutes and $12 changed my life.

...Emergency Ice is becoming a regular stop for me. And frankly, it's a welcome break from my hectic day. The front desk lady is always super nice (although she's often crazy busy). The guys in the back are extra helpful, and I'm even to the point where I can just walk into the back with my coolers and chat with the staff while I wait for my order.
It's not uncommon to see people waiting by the front desk with coolers, some in uniform, some not. The occasional small child or two while mom picks up ice for a party. 
I was surprised when there was only one man with one large cooler standing in the usually cramped waiting area. He had a very large, very clean cooler, with some kind of label on it which I couldn't read. He looked like he really knew what he was doing and I was in a bit of a hurry so I quickly explained what I needed to the front desk lady and she told me to just go on back.
One crew member was packing up a particularly large bag of dry ice pellets. I'd never seen one so large! Humorously he jokes to my guy "There you go man, I did that one for free!" and exits the building. The bag sits on the scale.
Now, my guy and I are hemming and hawing over quantities and what will fit into what cooler. Eventually, I fill my regular ice coolers while he works on the dry ice and as I run those coolers to the car, I see that same guy just standing in the waiting area. Perhaps this was his first time. I encourage him to just come on back as I'm quite sure the bag sitting on the scale is his for the taking. He's quick to accept my apology for "cutting" as I joke that I "simply can't afford any bad karma." 
He asks what I'm doing with the ice, and in response to his curiosity, or perhaps his disdain for awkward silence, I explain that I'm using dry ice to make cocktails more interesting. And I return the question. Without a pause, he says his wife has cancer and is having her first chemo treatment tomorrow. There is a company that makes headwraps, that when filled with very cold ice have been shown to prevent hair loss. Despite this very personal information he's told me he is quick to say they are hopeful and if he can do anything to help his wife he will!
My heart sinks. What do you say? Can you say anything? It is impossible to understand what he's feeling. He maintains this cool exterior. This positive vibe. This air of calmness in a most certain time of pain. I'm sure he's cried over this. But to me, he wishes me luck on my event and smiles as we part ways.
My stomach is in my throat. I get back to the front desk lady and remark that we are so, so lucky. I tell her his story. She says she has heard about these wraps as many people have come in before. I remark again. We are so, so lucky. I just shake my head. As I type this now, I am shaking my head. 
I am kicking myself because after I left, I think "I should have paid for the next chemo purchase." I don't think the money matters - in fact, chemo purchases get a huge discount to 30 cents per pound, and they require about 40 pounds. That's $12. Think about how the next person to walk in will feel knowing some person they don't know is in this with them. One other person is in their corner. Helping them fight the fight. 
I don't ask for much. In fact, I rarely ask for anything. But today I am asking for $12. I know you have $12. Sure, the next time I go in, I can give $12. No problem. But what if I could give $120? $240? My friends, I know you have $12. Skip an appetizer the next time you're out. Pass on Starbucks 2 days in a row. Give a bit of that fat tip you earned last night. I know you have $12.

This hand-written note will take the place of an invoice for those seeking dry ice for head wraps, also known as cold caps, to prevent hair loss during chemo.

I'd tagged 100 people, the maximum number of people Facebook will allow. I received responses from people all over the world! Who could have ever, every thought that over 100 people would have their ice paid-forward (at $24 per treatment - $12 for pebble ice & $12 for slab ice).

A Simple Smash

A Custom Smash

A Complicated Smash

Smash It Up a Notch

The possibilities are endless when you know what your guests like or have convenient access to new and exciting flavors.  Here we combined carrot juice, mango juice, grapefruit juice, mint, cinnamon, and bourbon. The earthiness of the carrot helped to calm the brightness of the grapefruit while mint and cinnamon really brought out those chilly weather feelings that we love so much!

Exotic flavors and spices never cease to amaze well seasoned tasting palettes. Cocktail consumers and creators crave ways to gain knowledge and grow their ever-expanding tasting palette.

​Learning how to prepare and preserve unusual ingredients is essential to successful execution of new recipes with out-of the-norm components. The spruce tip is one versatile flavor that will not disappoint as long as it is prepared properly.  Graspin' Aspen is a twist on an Old Fashioned that will make you question which Colorado Rocky you've just finished skiing.

Flavor Profile

Gathering & Storing

Preservation & Consumption

Fresh: Spruce tips can be served in a variety of ways from completely unaltered to totally transformed. Simply adding tips to a salad (think of the potency of arugula or basil) will have an awesome and visually stunning impact, although it might be a bit too much when consumed in one whole bite. Chopping the tips will reduce the potential to overwhelm the tastebuds, but it will also lessen the way the eyes perceive the ingredient as well.

Fresh Preparation and Storage: Remove any debris and small brown casings from the tips. Pack fresh tips in a plastic zipper bag after wrapping them in a slightly damp paper towel. Store in refrigerator up to one month, changing the paper towel every few days.

Dried: Dried tips can be stored up to six months in a cool, dry, airtight container and will last even longer when combined with traditional preservation methods such as sugar or salt. To produce either spruce sugar or spruce salt, finely chop fresh (still moist) spruce tips and mix with an equal part of raw sugar OR coarse salt. I allowed mine to macerate overnight (turning them several times) so the oils from the needles would absorb into the mixture. Note: The sugar will turn the mixture to a notably darker greenish-brown color. Then, spread the mixture onto a dry flat surface, occasionally stirring and breaking up any clumps. Once dry, it has been recommended to grind the mixture to a finer grain, but the choice is completely up to you.  Tips dried alone may be used for teas or infusions but this is not the best method of imparting flavor as after the moisture is removed from the tips they retain much less of their original flavor.

Dried Preparation and Storage: Allow tips (chopped or whole) to sit out until all moisture is removed. (Using a dehydrator is not recommended.) Pack dried tips in a plastic zipper bag or airtight glass container and store in cool, dry location. The Vesperado riffs on the classic ratio of a Vesper while imparting the high octane flavor of agave spirits. Here it's rimmed with spruce tip salt to bring out the salinity and minerality of the agave spirits.

Syrup: A simple syrup alone is a great way to add interesting flavor to things like berry pancakes or pecan pie. Syrup infusions can also be added to emphasize an already herbaceous cocktail or lend a more botanical flavor to an existing cocktail. Consider substituting spruce syrup for simple syrup in a Tom Collins.

Syrup Preparation and Storage: Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add 2 cups spruce tips and remove from heat. For more intense flavor, allow syrup to sit overnight. Double strain syrup into glass container. Store in refrigerator for up to one month. ​

So, whether you like your tip a little sweet, or a little salty, ensure its longevity by employing a preservation method; and for goodness sake, wrap that thing up!

Basil vodka, mixed citrus, and the provocative flavor of spruce tip syrup will have your tastebuds going bonkers!

The "OG" (Original Gangster)

The OG is not, in fact, a proper term for a Paloma, but it seems fitting for this most original and delicious cocktail comprised of tequila and grapefruit soda. Please hold, stop the presses; this is where things get real. Choice of grapefruit soda is key. I would say that a true, true, OG would use Jarritos. This is not up for debate. But, a sweet midwestern girl like me cannot resist any opportunity to use Squirt. Other acceptable choices are: LaCroix Pamplemousse, Fresca, or really any grapefruit seltzer you like. A squeeze of lime or grapefruit can be added, but is not necessary for this recipe.

THE OG PALOMA Build in chilled collins glass with ice 2 ounces Tequila top with Grapefruit Soda ​Squeeze or garnish lime or grapefruit wedge or wheel

The Fresh Paloma (Alternate "OG")

PRO TIP: Always compliment a naturally sweet juice like grapefruit, orange, or pineapple with a squeeze of lime for balance.

THE FRESH PALOMA Shake and Strain 2 ounces Tequila .75 ounces fresh pressed grapefruit .25 ounces fresh pressed lime juice Top with Topo Chico (or your favorite sparkling water)