Though I am a die-hard Northern Californian, I grew up in southern  California -- and my girls and I have spent the last week in sunny SoCal, soaking up all the fun, family, and free babysitting we could handle.  Back home in northern Cali, we have to pay for our babysitting like all the other chumps, but every time I sip one of these perfectly sunny cocktails, it's like I'm right back in the land of no-charge-childcare.  Well, almost.  The kids may still be underfoot, but after a few sips, I really don't care.  In Santa Monica this one's called "The Third Street Promenade," but to me, it will always be known as "The Free Babysitter."

    * 1/3 oz Gin
    * 1/3 oz Triple Sec
    * 1/3 oz Tequila
    * 1/2 oz Cinnamon Schnapps (Goldschlager)
    * 6 oz Pulp-free Orange Juice


Blend with ice, or, if you’re not into slushy cocktails, shake over ice, and pour.  Remember Orange Julius?  This tastes just like that, plus booze.  What could be better?  (Other than free babysitting, I mean...)

Bottoms up!