I was looking at my last cocktail post and realized it was nearly a month ago! Surely you all need something new to drink by now. I also realized that I had created another cocktail that same day and it’s just been hanging out, unedited on my laptop for the last month. I’m going to go ahead and blame myself for volunteering for a 55 hour work week that left… Keep Reading
The other day I tried to make it into work during a blizzard and realized very quickly that I was more likely to wind up flipped over in a ditch than I would be making it to work. After watching everyone else quickly exit off the highway to turn around and head back home, I decided it was safest to do the same. I didn’t want my day to be… Keep Reading
Every holiday season I look forward to making Hot Apple Jerrys to enjoy with friends and family after our big Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. This year I was craving a bit of a twist on my classic and made a big batch of Spiced Slow Cooker Pear Cider to use instead. In addition to the cider and rum I added a splash of sparkling pomegranate juice, an orange wedge, and pomegranate… Keep Reading
The last few days I’ve had a craving for a hot mug of cider and some much needed time at home and I was lucky enough to make both happen. I had several recipes I wanted to create so to make it easy on myself I made my cider in a crock pot while I worked on everything else. I threw some fresh pears, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, and a… Keep Reading
If you’re looking for a Halloween sangria as black as your soul then you’ve come to the right place. This potent mixture calls for only the darkest fruits and spirits. Fresh blackberries, plums, grapes, dark rum, and Apothic Dark wine. This full bodied sangria is the perfect libation to enjoy while conjuring the dark forces… or just having a Halloween movie marathon at home if that’s more up your alley.
I imagine that if the Evil Queen ran into Snow White at a cocktail party she would serve up one of these instead of handing over a plain old apple in the woods. The difference with mine is that I chose vodka as my “poison” and unless you take down too many, you won’t slip into a magical sleeping spell. They’re seductively sweet, crisp, and smooth with not a trace… Keep Reading
When September hits, we all lose our minds over Halloween decorations, scary movie marathons, and of course PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING. I fall into the hysteria just as much as the next person, but where I really go ham on pumpkin flavored goods is in the beer aisle. I love trying all the new pumpkin ales and Octoberfest beers that hit the shelves this time of year and finding new favorites,… Keep Reading
Last month I shared a recipe for some basil simple syrup on my Instagram and now I’m sharing the perfect cocktail for you to use it in! Freshly juiced watermelon, citrusy lime, and the fragrant and sweet flavors of basil blend together in one delicious thirst quenching summer drink. And for my non-drinkers or soon-to-be-moms.. I’ve got you covered with tips on how to make a booze-free version as well!
Maybe I’m a bit of a plant nerd, but I think one of the coolest things is to pluck ingredients straight out of nature and use them in your every day meals. Tomatoes from the vine in a homemade red sauce, fresh salad greens snipped right from the ground, and mulberries plucked from the trees to make anything from jam to martinis. And as you can see, I chose the… Keep Reading
Garden Party may be in the title, but it’s not the fancy garden party you may be thinking of nor is this cocktail. We’re literally talking about Bloody Mary’s in shot glasses and it can be a store bought mix that you add vodka to or you can use one of the awesome recipes I’ve got on my blog! It’s the extreme garnishing and vessel it’s in that makes this… Keep Reading
While grocery shopping the other day I realized two things: 1. I needed a drink. 2. I needed a vacation. Seeing as that a vacation requires a bit more planning and money, I opted for the drink instead. I was torn between making a mojito or a moscow mule, so I sort of combined the two! I started by infusing the silver rum with a habanero for some heat and… Keep Reading
Throughout 2016 there were times where I could barely keep up with the days and at other times it felt like this year would just never end. We’ve finally made it through though and whether you’re celebrating the phenomenal year you just had or looking forward to starting anew with 2017, I’ve got a delicious Pomegranate Citrus Champagne Cocktail for you to toast with! Fresh squeezed orange juice and pomegranate… Keep Reading
Hot Toddies are always a go-to when temperatures drop or you find yourself with a terrible cold that only spices, citrus, and a wee bit of bourbon can cure. With the weather feeling quite arctic here in the Midwest, I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to make one and Maker’s Mark must have read my mind when they asked me to participate in this year’s #MakeItTealicious Hot Tea-Toddy… Keep Reading
I know it’s only Wednesday, but I felt the need for a mid-week cocktail! Life has been throwing some stressful curve-balls my way and with the gloomy weather, it’s left me in a pre-holiday funk. I figured a strong margarita with some bright citrusy flavors would be in order to change things up. A spicy chili rim, fresh squeezed citrus, and a cilantro-mint simple syrup make for a beautifully bold… Keep Reading
With temperatures dropping this weekend here in the Midwest, I find myself already layered in sweaters, burrowed under blankets, and drinking all the tea and hot chocolate that I can. I know this is only the beginning and it’s going to get MUCH colder, so I’m stock piling on ingredients to make all of my favorite warm boozy drinks through those extra chilly winter days. Luckily this Spiked S’mores Hot… Keep Reading
With Halloween just a week away I couldn’t resist putting together another spooky cocktail using the Blackberry Infused Vodka I made last week. A little bit sweet and a little bit tart, this bubbly and blood red concoction is perfect for sipping graveside or making a big batch for your upcoming Halloween party!
There’s nothing I love more than homemade liquor infusions. They’re easy and far more delicious than the fake-flavored store bought stuff. I polled some of you guys on Instagram after sharing a photo of this Blackberry Infused Vodka that was in the works and you had some great flavor combinations and ideas that I’m looking forward to making in the future! This is just a really simple blackberry infusion that… Keep Reading
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I typically start my decorating for it in August.. that’s how much I love it! That also means I start watching all of the classics like Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas, and of course: Hocus Pocus! I channeled my inner Sanderson sister and brewed up a sweet and potent concoction I dubbed the Hocus Pocus Rum Cocktail that’s perfect for a… Keep Reading
It’s only September 2nd (Happy Birthday Tracy!) but I’m already seeing the early signs of fall and couldn’t be more excited! It’s been gloomy and rainy the past several days which just makes me want to snuggle into one of my crazy cat lady/grandma sweaters, grab a book, and sip on a glass of this sangria. Fresh red apples, plums, and pears makes this as sweet and crisp as an… Keep Reading
It’s the most wonderful time of year… National Rum Day! If you’ve been a reader for awhile, then you know I’ve got no shortage of rum recipes and cocktails for you to choose from, but I thought I would share a few of my favorites to spark your appetites and help you celebrate! Rum Spiked Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes A prime example of it never being too early to crack… Keep Reading
One of my favorite spots in Portland serves up this Hot Fuzz cocktail using vodka, fresh jalapeño, peach bitters, & lemon juice that I can never get enough of, so I thought I would make my own version right at home! The jalapeño I chose was packing some major heat, because all it took was an hour to create some of the spiciest jalapeño infused vodka I’ve ever made. I… Keep Reading
I’ve had one of the limited edition Sailor Jerry bottles sitting underneath my bar for weeks just begging to be cracked open and after picking up a bag of these juicy cherries, I knew I had the perfect excuse to do so. I tossed a handful into a glass and took out the week’s frustrations by smashing them to bits. All that deliciously sweet cherry juice mixed with a healthy… Keep Reading
I typically use rosemary in a lot of recipes and cocktails throughout the winter, but never thought to incorporate it into my spring and summer dishes. Using a homemade rosemary simple syrup, I mixed up a a sweet and smooth Rosemary Lemonade Gin Fizz! The rosemary flavor is subtle, but provides an invigorating aromatic element to the drink. My favorite part of this is that you don’t have to make… Keep Reading
Mojitos have come to be my favorite summer drink for many reasons. They’re sweet, citrusy, and bubbly making them incredibly enticing when you need relief from the unrelenting summer heat. You typically have most of the ingredients on hand already and there’s endless variations of this classic cocktail, so you can make something unique to your taste buds. I chose blackberries since their flavor is usually best this time of… Keep Reading