#NationalPinaColadaDay Yes, please!

#NationalPinaColadaDay

All hail the drink I cannot get enough of while sitting next to the Citrus Grand Deck Pool at our favorite Vegas Hotel. Nothing beats a frosty adult beverage while on a break away for normal life.

However, the Pina Colada is underrated. Even though I think this drink is great for a random Tuesday night, I don't ever order the drink in a bar, unless it is a Tiki Night, because blended drinks can be a pain for even the best bartender. At home, where I don't have to drive anywhere, because, whew. I have to sit down.

Rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream and ice. Blend.  Enjoy.

cheers,
andrea

...Lips Taste Like Sangria...

...Lips Taste Like Sangria...

National Wine Day brings me to this very tasty wine.

I fought the Lolea Red Sangria for about a year, but when I finally tasted it the Marcellars Annual Wine Tasting Event, I could not pass it up.

At 3pm, on a day two weeks ago, I saw that Marcellars was holding a Rosé Tasting, I ran right over.

You want a lovely summer afternoon? This will get you there.

cheers,
andrea

Very Cold But Oh So Warm

There may or may not be anything added to this hot chocolate.


HAHAHAHA! Just kidding. There is something. :)

Today I could not get become anything but cold. Yes it was 20 degrees, yes I took a trip to the dog park, yes I had thin socks, but I was cold all day long!


Andrea's Simple Cold Temperature Cure

6 oz of Hot Chocolate
1.5 oz of Creme de Cacao
Whipped topping
Turn the thermostat up 2 degrees

Enjoy and pray for summer.

cheers,
andrea

Is it really #NationalMartiniDay?

I am all down for Celebrating All The Things, trust me, but I am not sure it is actually National Martini Day. But just in case it is.....

Here is, the High End Martini.

3oz of Very, Very Cold Absolut Vanilla Vodka
1oz of St.Germain
Ice to freeze your glass & ice to stir your drink

Chill your martini glass by loading up with ice water and let it sit will you prepare your cocktail. Into a stainless steel mixing glass, add a few ice cubes, your vodka and elderflower liqueur. Stir. Toss out your ice water and strain your cocktail into the glass.

Sip and admire the beautiful weather.

Until next time...

cheers,
andrea

Cinco de Just Give Me Another

Today is Cinco de Mayo!

Everyone is out drinking and having fun, but I wanted to stay home and have this drink I have been dreaming about.

What happens when you have two of my favorite things and add my newest obsession. Yes that's right, something delicious.

BRB, I am getting a refill. Talk amongst yourselves.

Ok, I am back.

I saw the Spicy Watermelon Lemonade from Minute Maid and just knew it would make the best drink. I was not wrong.

Here is the recipe for Cinco de I Don't Care, it was 80 Degrees Today, Just Give Me One More

1.5 oz of Patron Tequila
6 oz of Minute Maid Watermelon Spicy Lemonade
Twang Beer Salt for the Rim

Salt your rim....BRB....I'm back. I got another one. They are sooo good.
Pour over ice
Quick stir
Drink Up!

You can do a lime wedge or even a Jalapeno on a pick, but this is just too good to waste time.

Be safe friends. I will be here, finishing off this bottle.

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