25 Days of Cocktails | Day 7: Sweet Tea Smash

It has been a day. Not all bad, but when you commute to work, in a northern climate, winters can be cruel.

Home is a warm, inviting place. I needed a warm, inviting drink. Bourbons and whiskeys are always good for that. Sometimes with a really, really good bourbon, I feel guilty for using it in a mixed drink. However, Jack Rudy's Sweet Tea Syrup is worthy of the best liquors.

Here is a Sweet Tea Smash.

2 1/2 oz Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
1 1/2 oz Jack Rudy's Sweet Tea Syrup
2 tsp Your favorite fruit puree
Lime wheels
Cocktail cherries

Muddle lime wheels in a mixing glass. Add bourbon, Sweet Tea Syrup and fruit puree. I used a strawberry, but peach is superb. Add ice and shake, shake and shake some more. Strain into a drinking glass with lime wheels and crushed ice and top with cocktail cherries. Sip and dream about the day when you can sit outside again.

cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 6: Apple Cider Mimosa

I absolutely love it when my friends tag me in photos of cool cocktails. It lets me know they are certain I will try just about anything!

A dear friend tagged me in a recipe that was sure to draw my attention. I vowed to make that cocktail and maybe even invite him over for a drink.

As you can imagine, days turned into weeks and it might even be months by now. I was thinking of him, so I decided I wouldn't let any more time pass. Life is too short to not make a delicious drink.

To that very strong and courageous friend... you are inspirational.

He and I give you a recreation, the Apple Cider Mimosa.

1 oz of Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka
2 oz of apple cider
Champagne
Caramel Sauce
Sugar for rimming the glass

Dip your flute into caramel sauce and then into sugar. Pour in the vodka, cider and top with champagne. Serve, drink and be prepared to make many many more. They are delicious!

cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 5: The Magarian

Carson Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas is easily my favorite restaurant, for the last year. On December 5, 2015, wanting to celebrate Repeal Day, I asked the bartender for a drink. Even though I didn't like gin, she assured me, I would enjoy this drink. She was not wrong.

I have recreated the drink on many occasions, and encourage you to try variations to suit your tastes.

I give you, my recreation of, The Magarian

Over ice
2 oz Aviation Gin
1 oz Thyme & Honey Syrup (steep a few sprigs of thyme in water, remove from heat; stir in honey until a syrup is achieved)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Top off with Mr. Q Cumber soda
Garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of thyme

 
Happy Repeal Day!
cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 4: Andrea's White Russian

Once a year, a local downtown favorite opens for brunch. There is always a wait, you will always see friends and the food is always amazing. Today was that day.

After stuffing my face with an Herb Goat Cheese omelet,  I met up with a few more friends to sample and buy wine at another local favorite. I found the perfect champagne for New Years Eve and my friend found the perfect, 'I am having foot surgery so I will be bed ridden for a month' wine. If you can't find me, I will be sitting in her room with my feet up too!

Walking back to my loft, full and happy, I needed one more thing. Cookies. Oreo Thins to be exact. As soon as I hit the door, three crispy wafer cookies made it into my mouth. Needing to wash the delightful chocolate taste down, I knew exactly what I had to do.

I give you, Andrea's White Russian:

1 1/2 oz Smirnoff Cinna-Sugar Twist Vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua
4 oz Almond Milk
2 oz Cream Soda

Place a small handful of ice cubes in a blending glass. Add vodka, then Kahlua, almond milk and finally cream soda. Blend, I use a stick blender, until satisfied and pour into your favorite glass. Top with a few dashes of cinnamon. Drink up!

It really was the perfect cap to my day, even though it is only 3 pm! I Think I'm going to grab a few more cookies!

cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 3: Apple Hotness

After an INCREDIBLY long work week, my dear husband came home with an unfortunate cold. The temperatures, and not to mention, the leaves have fallen in my part of the world, so staying warm isn't always easy.

He is a trooper, and not at all a drinker, so I set out to make him a concoction to knock the cold right outta him. Well, at least for me to drink and stay warm.

I give you, Apple Hotness

2 oz of Crown Royal Apple
4 oz of Apple Cider or Apple Juice (I like Simply Apple)
Pinch of sugar
Dash of cinnamon

Warm the apple juice to your liking. (I like the beverage setting on my microwave.)
Add in the Crown Royal Apple, sugar and dash of cinnamon. Stir and enjoy.

Even he liked the sip he had. Perfectly suited for a winter evening.

cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 2: Wild Orange Honey

After a recent trip to a Nevada border town, Dear Husband and I stopped to pick up a number of contraband bottles. This Wild Honey Smirnoff was one of them.

Not too sweet at all, I added a little sweetness to make this orange-y lemonade.

Remember, fresh is best!

Here is my, Wild Orange Honey

2 oz Smirnoff Wild Honey
1 tsp Disaronno Soaked Strawberry puree
2 oz fresh pressed lemonade
2 oz fresh pressed orange juice
2-3 dashes of Orange Bitters

Shake all ingredients vigorously, with ice and strain over ice into your favorite glass. Garnish how you would like.

Sip or drink with a straw. Either way is appropriate!

cheers,
andrea

25 Days of Cocktails | Day 1: Spiced Bay-Berry

My neighbor was nice enough to introduce me to this coconut concoction. Normally, I don't gravitate to a spice rum, but the coconut made this so smooth and well worth the effort of putting this drink together.

I soaked a few fresh strawberries in a cup of Disaronno. After a day or two, I strained the liquid and used the scented infusion for this drink.

Here is my, Spiced Bay Berry

1 1/2 oz Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum
1 1/2 oz Disaronno infused with strawberries
3 oz of fresh pressed lemonade

Shake and strain into your favorite glass. Garnish as you wish. I always have limes.

Always use fresh ingredients and don't be afraid to use what you have on-hand!

cheers,
andrea

What A Crazy Summer!

Finally, a moment...

My husband and I relocated to a new place. We love it! It is beautiful and something we can't wait to share with all our friends and family.

It has been a long road and one I don't really ever want to talk about, so for now, I am going to drink this champagne, have another slice of pizza and look out of my window.

Drinks are coming.

cheers,
andrea

Downtown Parties, Gin and Lemonade

A friend of mine just moved into a beautiful downtown loft. It is just as you would expect. Stylish and perfect for a single man about town. The official house warming happened with food, music friends and neighbors. What a great night for a refreshing drink that is as stylish as the loft and the gentleman who resides there.

I give you, Tyler's Loft Lemonade.

For my batch cocktails, I use a large, recycled pickle jar. It has a lid an travels well.

The day before, I combined:
6 cups of fresh pressed lemonade (recipe to come)
1 large cucumber sliced

Right before serving:
I added 2 large sliced lemons
2 cups of Aviation Gin (the best and only gin I drink ;) )
Add a bit of Vanilla Simple Syrup if needed
Add some ice

Curl slices of cucumbers into pretty garnishes and Drink up!

So perfectly brilliant for a summer party.

Congrats on the place Tyler! Here's to many more!

cheers,
andrea

Paula's Porch Punch

A crazy, fun new friend of ours was having a milestone birthday. Her even crazier husband decided to throw a birthday celebration. Since I usually bring a batch cocktail with me, I knew this one would have to not only appeal to the masses, but satisfy on a hot summer evening.

This hostess gift did not disappoint. In fact, a few of our, 'I don't drink' friends couldn't resist this cup of cheer. In honor of Paula, I give you, Paula's Porch Punch.

For my batch cocktails, I use a large, recycled pickle jar. It has a lid and travels well.

Combine the following:
Fresh juice of 6 limes
32 oz carton of Coconut Water
1/4 cup of mint leaves

Tighten lid and shake.

1 quart of Lime Sherbet
1 bottle of champagne
2 cups of 1800® Tequila Coconut   - Whaaaaa? Yes, you heard me right. One of my favorites!

Stir until frothy and mostly melted. Taste. depending on your sweetness preference and the type of sherbet used, you may want to sweeten a bit. I dropped in 3 tablespoons of coconut syrup. Stir again, and pour over ice.

The pretty light green color was lovely and the drink was a huge hit while we sat on the porch playing card games until the sun went down. Super delicious!

Happy Birthday Paula!

Cheers,
andrea

Crushing on the Watermelon

When walking in Market Square in San Antonio, Texas, vendors are selling agua frescas. Just fresh blended fruit as a drink. Now these vendors can be found in many, many locations, but the fruit tastes sweeter in SATX. This is my ode to summer in SA.

Here is the Watermelon Crush.

In a blender or mixing glass, add:
1 cup of watermelon
2 oz of Grey Goose Vodka
1 oz of Midori

Blend until no more chunks. Some will suggest to double strain over ice however, I don't bother.
You can top off with ginger ale or lemon-lime soda, but taste first. Sometimes your watermelon will be sweet enough. Garnish with a lime wheel. Enjoy.

Tip: So once I started sipping, I realized I wanted a bit of spice. I had been drinking through a straw, but I shook a little Tajin in the top edge. Drinking with the Tajin tingle on my lip made this drink even better!

What a terrific day for a drink this refreshing!

cheers,
andrea

My Sunday Wake Up Call

What better way to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning? I give you Strawberry Sunrise.

To a blender, add:

1 small banana
4 large strawberries, remove tops, quartered
1/2 orange, juice directly into glass - save a slice for garnish
1 1/2 oz of Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka
1 1/2 oz of Rumchata
Ice

Blend until smooth. Garnish with an orange slice.

Laying in a hammock...swinging in the sun...the most lovely of mornings.

cheers,
andrea

Backyard Grilling, Cocktail Chilling

My husband and I picked up a few choice steaks for dinner. The weather was beautiful, we had a cucumber onion salad marinating in the refrigerator, so the time to grill was now. I love how it feels like 6 o'clock at 8:30 pm!

Fresh pineapple, check. Fresh strawberries, check. Fresh limes, check. Fresh mint, check.

I give you, Strawberry Pineapple Mojito.

In a glass, muddle:
Pineapple chunks
2 Strawberries
Multiple mint leaves
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon of sugar

Once thoroughly smashed, add:
Ice
2 oz of light rum
Top with club soda

Stir. Garnish with mint leaves and something pretty. Sip and enjoy!

Tip: Some say to use lemon-lime soda, or even ginger ale. If you go that direction, not a problem. I suggest omitting the sugar. Some beverages will sweeten the drink too much. Take a cue from your fresh fruit. It may be all the sweetness you need.

Such a refreshing drink. Perfect for a hammock swing or a steak dinner.

Cheers,
andrea

Sometimes the question is not 'Why?' Sometimes the question is 'Why Not?'

So when you wake on a Saturday morning... of a three day weekend... with no plans... only to shop for a couch and maybe towels, and you are not driving.... Um, WHY NOT?

I give you, the Peanut Butter Kahlua Blended.

In a blender, or mixing glass add:

2 oz of Kahlua, original
1 oz of Sauza 901 Tequila, because I can't stop the feeling!
2 oz of coconut creme
1 and 1/2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
1 cup of ice

Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and I topped with crushed graham crackers.

Oh my. So good. Perfect way to get my day started!

Tip: You are going to want to stick with a really smooth tequila. Something with too much of a bite, it will leave you with a funny tickle. The peanut butter compliments the coffee flavor, so even someone who doesn't prefer coffee will enjoy this drink.

So, peanut butter is good for breakfast. I drink coffee most mornings. It's 10:30. AM. Why Not?!

cheers,
andrea

B-A-N--B-A-N-A-N-A

So, I wanted a cocktail...

Bananas were there....

Here is a Banana Daiquiri:

In a blender or large mixing glass -I use a hand mixer- add:

1.5 oz of Atlantico Platino Rum
.5 oz of Grand Marnier
1 oz of fresh pressed lime juice
1 tsp of white sugar
1/2 of a sliced banana
1 cup of ice

Blend until smooth. At the end, I added a splash of Coconut Creme Coffee-Mate Creamer. Garnish with a lime and a sunny straw.

Let me just say, this was the best drink I have had in a while. Very tasty and the perfect consistency. Very tropical and perfect for my favorite season. #ilovesummertime

Cheers,
Andrea

Late Night Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The day is coming to a close and this morning seems so long ago.

My coworker lovingly asked me this morning, "Andrea, what cocktail do you have brewing for tonight?"

I mumbled something back, simply because I was sleepy and really didn't know if I would make it home in time to have a drink before I drifted off to sleep tonight.

           Side Note: The plans are to enjoy the nightlife of our town tomorrow night.

So, with a few hours left of today, I found something I would like to try.

Lads and Lassies, here is my Melon Drop:

Vodka
Midori
Sprite

2 shots of vodka, 4 shots of Sprite

Drop a shot of Midori into the pint glass.

Drink up!

It was tasty. Perfectly green and just right for a nightcap on St. Patrick's Day.

Cheers,
drea

Margarita. Sparkling.

Oh My. This is a day built for me.

I had grand aspirations of a brilliant recipe. When I finally got around to it, I just wanted a drink.

Salt the rim of a glass. Pour Sauza Sparkling Margarita into the glass with ice. Float a shot of Grand Marnier.

Like it. Love it. Live it.

Happy National Margarita Day!

Cheers,
drea

“Keep your damn pine tree out of my cocktail.”

I was hesitant. However, not anymore.

So, the day at work was frustrating. There were many points where I wanted to through my arms up and say, "I'm out." We all have those days.

Luckily, my drive home is great meditation time, when I turn of the radio and just breathe.

Knowing I needed a cocktail, knowing I don't have to be awake early in the morning, I was ready to mix up a bit of tasty happiness.

I reached for the lone pineapple juice can I have been saving and the small Ciroc Pinapple Vodka in my party stash.

I thought to myself, 'Self, this may not be enough.'

I ran my finger across the Mixer Bottle Shelf - yes, I have a shelf. There it sat. The last unopened bottle from my Mantry Craft Cocktails at Home Crate. I saved it because quite frankly, it scared me. Siberian Fir. Really? Siberian Fir? Not exactly what I thought I wanted. Continuing to read, it stated organic lemon, Siberian fir and sweet orange. I said, "Yes, please." I cracked open a bottle of White Whale's Your Older Brother Vodka Mixer.

Here is my Older Pineapple

2 parts Ciroc Pineapple Vodka
2 parts pineapple juice
1 part Your Older Brother Vodka Mixer
Fresh squeeze of lemon
Lemon Wedge garnish

It was perfect.

It was the perfect addition. Even when I ran out pineapple juice and added a non flavored vodka. You will not disappointed in the Siberian Fir taste.

Talk about bold. Bold but not over powering. Just enough.

2 parts vodka
2 parts Your Older Brother Vodka Mixer
Fresh squeeze of lemon

Here's to good days, and the bad days that make the good days great.

Cheers,
drea

It's cold outside, warm up on the inside....

The ice outside is slick and thick. The snow pack in our driveway is so high, I say a little prayer while driving into the garage. Anyone know a teenager who wants to earn some money?

I was looking for a nighttime drink to relax and warm me up. Fireball Whiskey seemed to be just what I needed.

Here is the Cinna Van Hell Singer

1 1/2 oz of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
Vanilla Coke
Cherry Garnish
Ice

Well, you know, put it together.

I remembered I had a jar of Jack Rudy, Art in the Age Cherries. They were just chilling in the fridge. It was the perfect addition.

I'm going to finish this drink, add another cherry and drift off to sleep.

Cheers,
drea

Colorado Snowball

Fotosearch / Getty Images

Drink: The Snowball
Why?: The interesting combo of vodka and lemonade is also popular in the U.K., but this combo of Colorado Premium Vodka and Fresca makes this drink uniquely Coloradan.

Vincent tagged me in a FaceBook photo today.

I wasn't the only one. 

In fact, it was the entire gang from that year we spent in Colorado Springs. Baseball in CS,CO starts in April and we had our fair share of rain outs that year. As Marketing Representatives, which is code for Interns, we spent just about everyday with each other. Working for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox was an incredible opportunity and we loved it! We have all come along way from then and think about it fondly. 

Currently, the field at Security Service Field is under a beautiful layer of the white stuff. Makes this drink all the more appropriate.

Here is my Snowball, adapted from coloradovodka.com

1 1/2 oz of vodka
Fresca
Lime wedge for garnish

I used Absolut because I didn't have a Colorado, or even Idaho vodka in my arsenal tonight. Also, I had a left over can of Fresca in the refrigerator. Very convenient.

Poor your vodka in a glass, drop in a fancy ice cube and top off with the sparkling beverage. Lime wedge just makes it pretty.

Don't forget that you just drank almost two ounces of vodka before standing up quickly. Very easy to drink many of these. Why must a good can of Fresca go to waste?

Cheers,
drea

Rhode Island Red

Jack Andersen / Getty Images

Drink: Rhode Island Red
Why?: While hailing from California, this drink was created to salute the 350th anniversary of Rhode Island’s reception of a Colonial Charter.

So, I was living in Denver and had just been let go from the job, the reason I had relocated to Denver in the first place. I needed to get away, so I got on a play and traveled to Boston to visit my friend, Spencer.

'But this drink is from Rhode Island, Andrea, you just said you flew to Boston.'

Ah, yes, I did, didn't I. Spencer knew I had never visited Rhode Island, so we got into is car and he drove me to the Dave & Buster's in RI. That was my only contact and/or desire to visit RI. No offense, Rhode Island. We will always have Dave & Buster's.

Here is my Rhode Island Red, adapted from Liquor.com

2 oz of Tequila, Blanco
.5 oz of Chambord
.75 oz of Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz of Agave Nectar
Dash of Orange Bitters
Ginger Beer

Shake all ingredients, minus the ginger beer, together in ice. Strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Top with the ginger beer and garnish with lemon and lime zest.

It is actually a great drink and very simple to execute. If you are a fan of ginger beer, you will love this. If it is not your favorite, not to worry, fresh juice and the dash of bitters is super tasty!

Cheers,
drea

Silly State Cocktails and a Low Key Friday Night

Photo and Article Credit Hannah Gregg/ BuzzFeed

I BuzzFeed article popped into my Pinterest feed recently. 

'What's Your Home State's Signature Cocktail?'  

I am most definitely into this!

I found a random state picker and closed my eyes. This is going to be fun!