Cocktails

The Last Word is a cocktail, but I’m willing to bet you’ve probably never heard of it. I must admit, I love the name and I think it’s an appropriate cocktail to celebrate Mother’s Day. Truthfully speaking, as a mom, I don’t always get the last word in, but I strive for it. Although The […]

It remains unclear if a Gimlet was named after a British Admiral ship doctor named Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette or for a tool called a “gimlet” that is used to tap barrels of alcohol aboard 19th-century British naval vessels.  What is widely known is that scurvy (caused by a lack of vitamin C) could bring […]

One of Europe’s earliest distilled beverages, the first record of Irish whiskey dates back to 1405, around 90 years before it was first recorded in Scotland. That little tidbit I find fascinating. After a brief period of decline during the 20th century, Irish whiskey is now the fastest-growing spirit in the world and what makes […]

The beauty of the Screwdriver lies in its simplicity. With just two simple ingredients, this classic cocktail remains one of the most popular cocktails there are. This is my blood orange-clementine screwdriver and it’s a keeper. A modern twist on an old favorite and a cocktail I’ve been enjoying a lot recently. The history of […]

Margaritas are what you pour for life’s happiest moments, as evidenced by 6.4 million #margarita tags on Instagram. A refreshing, crisp cocktail that brings a fun and festive tone to almost any occasion. Sound like something you need right now? In this crazy COVID world, I think we are all looking for happiness, anywhere we […]

In the 50s, a gin martini was what mom and dad sipped before dinner with the family, but not a lot has changed since then. Considered an iconic cocktail, a simple gin martini is one of the world’s most famous drinks. With its clean, bracing taste, there is no mystery to the martini, and all […]

My husband says I’m wordy. And while I hate to admit it, he’s right. But in fairness to me, he’s an attorney, his life is all about words, and being concise is critical to his success. I get that. For him, words are strategically selected. Arguments are won (and lost) on word selection. But after […]

As with most classic cocktails, the origin of the mojito is widely debated but without question, its roots began in Cuba many years ago and the mojito continues to be a quintessential favorite around the globe. In the summer, truth be told, there is nothing more refreshing than a mojito. I’m a big fan of […]

This raspberry-lime vodka cooler was my first COVID holiday cocktail creation. I developed this lovely drink on Memorial Day when my family and I were stuck inside social distancing with blazing hot temperatures outside. With its fruity, tart notes and effervescent bubbles, it was the perfect warm-weather cocktail for sipping on. This simple new favorite […]

Celebrate the good right now. Cherry season is among us! I’m in California, for me that means April through June. Cherries are something I have always loved, but I’m referring to the fresh ones. In fairness to cherries, the neon ones found in your Shirley Temples as a kid don’t count. Truthfully, cherries are one […]

Tart, citrusy, and boozy is what I was going for with this gin and grapefruit cocktail. And let’s be honest, it’s needed right now. Strip it down and you have a gin and tonic base but the fresh pink grapefruit juice, lemon, and mint elevate this classic drink to a whole new playing field and […]

Winter does not have to mean boring in the cocktail department. Nor must it mean bourbon or brandy. Modern cocktails have evolved away from the more traditional brown spirit drinks paving the way for lots of other wonderful options. Meet my hibiscus rum punch; sultry, sexy, and loaded with fruity flavor. My rum hibiscus punch […]

This lovely cocktail is my pomegranate-rum punch and it may be just what you need to celebrate New Years in-style. Punch was actually invented as a beer alternative in the 17th century by men working the ships for the British East India Company. These men were serious drinkers, drinking as many as 10 pints of […]

This coquito recipe is dedicated to my sister. My sister has taught me too many things over the years. Just two years my senior, we have always been close. As a kid, I looked up to my sister in awe and worship. To me, she was perfect. Smart, witty, stylish, and thoughtful in ways that […]

An old-fashioned is one of the greatest “classic” bourbon-based cocktails around. Even through the years, this old-time favorite has rained king. Invented in Louisville, Kentucky, this simple drink contains just a few basic ingredients: whisky, sugar, bitters, and an orange twist. Sweetened traditionally with a single sugar cube, an old-fashioned falls in the “serious drink” […]