Happy National Margarita Day

I call them The Sisters.

And they were delicious!

Did I mention I make my own Margarita mix?

Pineapple, strawberries and papaya... Oh My!

Tequila makes the world go round!

Happy Margarita Day!

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 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

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

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

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