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

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 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

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

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