Q: I had a cucumber martini on RCCL Oasis of the Seas cruise. I liked it, and received the recipe calling for Monin brand lemon grass syrup as one of the ingredients. I don’t even know what kind of store would sell it. Do you know where I can purchase it locally? Thank you. — Fern Soniker, Roswell
A: Monin makes a line of flavored syrups used for cocktails, smoothies and other cold drinks as well as flavorings for coffees. Some liquor stores carry Monin, but when I spoke to a representative in Florida, he told me that it’s in limited distribution, and that your best bet is to order the lemon grass online. You can purchase a 1-liter bottle of Monin lemon grass syrup for $11.95 through www.moninstore.com. That should keep you in refreshing cucumber martinis for quite some time.
Q: My wife and I visited relatives in Scotland last year and were served plain Nescafe Cappuccino. Before we left Glasgow, we purchased two boxes at Tesco to take home. We have looked for this brand at our local grocery stores and other outlets but have been unable to find it. We have found other brands but they are flavored, which we don’t like. I found this brand online but it’s very expensive since it’s shipped from the U.K. We hope you can help us find Nescafe in Atlanta. Thank you. — Joseph Ricchiuti, email
A: Since Nescafe Cappuccino is a British product, I’m sending you to Taste of Britain, 73 S. Peachtree St., Norcross, 770-242-8585. Here you’ll find your coffee drink without having to deal with shipping costs. A 170-gram box will cost you $7.99.
Q: I have been looking for Borden Cremora coffee creamer to no avail. Ingles was carrying it, but discontinued it. Please help. — Adrienne Williams, Lawrenceville
A: Adrienne, Some Ingles stores I check with no longer carry your powdered creamer, but I found one that still has it in stock. Check out Ingles, 1154 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, 678-985-2654. You’ll find 35.5-ounce containers of Borden Cremora for $7.28.
Q: I have found a cookie recipe called ghraybeh. The recipe calls for orange blossom water. I’ve looked at Harry’s Whole Foods in Marietta, and two major local grocery stores with no success. I love making different kinds of cookies, and this is a cookie with Lebanese flair. I hope you can help me find orange blossom water in the Atlanta area. Thanks. — Janice Killingsworth, Marietta
A: While orange blossom water has been used in Middle Eastern cooking for centuries, it also was one of Marie Antoinette’s favorite fragrances and flavorings. The delicately scented water can be used in ways that go beyond culinary boundaries. You can use it as a home fragrance ingredient or add it to your bath water. Several brands of orange blossom water (and rose water) are available at Vatan International Grocery, 2133 Roswell Road, Marietta, 770-578-4235. One of the most popular and easily found orange blossom waters is by Cortas, so if you don’t know which to choose, reach for the Cortas bottle with the blue label.
