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