If you’re near a Fleming’s Steakhouse (there are locations nationwide), you can celebrate Father’s Day with Filet Mignon Eggs Benedict (photo #1).

It’s a meat-lovers riff on the classic Eggs Benedict, which is Canadian bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce on an English muffin (photo #2).

 
The original recipe from the 1860s is toasted English muffins topped with a round of cooked ham “an eighth of an inch thick and of the same diameter as the muffins one each half.” A poached egg is placed atop each muffin half, and the whole is covered with hollandaise sauce.

Here’s the history of Eggs Benedict.

Over the years, the ham was replaced with the newly-popular Canadian bacon; and since then, there has been an explosion of variations.

Just take a look at these and plan your own Signature Eggs Benedict.
 
 
VARIATIONS: MORE EGGS BENEDICT RECIPES

Here are updated versions of the Eggs Benedict recipe; but don’t forget Classic Eggs Benedict.

 
Plus A Related Recipe:

[1] Filet mignon eggs benedict, with filet mignon instead of ham/Canadian bacon and an added touch of sautéed spinach (photo courtesy Fleming’s Steakhouse).

[2] Classic Eggs Benedict: ham, poached egg and hollandaise sauce on an English Muffin, garnished with chives and paprika (photo courtesy The Incredible Egg).

National Eggs Benedict Day is April 16th.
 
Find more egg recipes on the pull-down menu at the upper right.
 
 

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

[1] Don’t let the summery flowers and lavender label give the wrong impression: This floral gin is a delight for anyone who loves gin botanicals (photo courtesy Hendrick’s Gin).

[2] These ice cube trays make jumbo ice cubes, twice the size of standard cubes (photo courtesy Eparé).

Two Father’s Day gifts we’re giving this year: Hendricks Midsummer Solstice limited release gin, and Eparé jumbo ice cube trays, for the ultimate on-the-rocks experience.
 
 
HENDRICK’S MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE LIMITED EDITION GIN

The latest expression from Hendrick’s Gin, created at the newly-opened Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Girvan, Scotland.

The new expression captures “nature’s flavors and aromas at the peak of summer,” per Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, who also created the original Hendrick’s Gin. “…For this new expression I’ve hand-selected each floral essence to capture this intensity,” she notes.

The packaging (photo #1) features a deep purple bottle with lavender labels. The gin is clear, as always.

But don’t think that summer flowers and lavender labels mean “feminine.”

This is a full-on gin that’s perfect for sippers who enjoy the botanicals in a glass of gin, straight-up or on-the-rocks.

While Hendrick’s has created special cocktails to show off the new gin, we think that the best way to enjoy the uniqueness of any particular expression of spirits is to drink it “as is,” without the layering of other flavors or aromas.

But there are plenty of recipes online, starting with this Midsummer Spritz.

Once the small batch of bottles is gone, it’s gone forever. So in addition to Father’s Day gifts, we picked up an extra couple of bottles; maybe for gifting later on, maybe to remain in our personal stock.

For more information, visit HendricksGin.com.
 
 
EPARÉ JUMBO ICE CUBES

Eparé’s Clear Ice System has created trays for jumbo ice cubes: They’re two inches square!

They’re not just eye-catching: The larger the cube, the slower it melts.

Each ice cube tray makes six cubes (as compared to the traditional dozen regular cubes), $15.99 for a set of two trays.

The ice cube trays have lids, to protect the cubes from migrating aromas and freezer detritus.

Get yours at Empare.com, or at Overstock, Target, Wayfair and other retailers.

You can also use the trays to make:

 
Here are more uses for ice cube trays.

What’s new in sangria?

This clever idea from I|O Godfrey, a rooftop lounge at The Godfrey Hotel in Chicago. (In fact, it’s Chicago’s largest indoor/outdoor rooftop.)

An array of colored ice cubes is made from fresh fruit juices.

After they’re piled high in a tall glass, a blend of Moscato and vodka is poured from a pitcher at the table. The result: food art.

If you’d like to serve it at home, here’s a guide:
 
 
COLORED ICE CUBES

 
What about blue?

For the blue ice cubes, you can use:

 
How fun is this sangria?

Just try it!
 
 
MORE SANGRIA RECIPES

 
 
THE HISTORY OF SANGRIA
 
 
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*This is actually blue simple syrup. Make it and pour it into an ice cube tray.

[1] A rainbow of fruit-flavored ice cubes contribute the fruit juice to this innovative sangria from I|O Godfrey in Chicago (photo © Godfrey Hotel).

[2] A conventional sangria adds fresh fruit to the wine mixture (photo © McCormick).

[3] Many people think of sangria as a red-wine drink, but it is made with white wine and rosé, too (photo © Dante Restaurant | New York City).