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 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

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