drinks

Elevate your cocktail experience with the exquisite saketini, a harmonious blend of Japanese tradition and modern mixology. This cocktail features sake as its star and is a unique twist on the classic martini. I fell in love with the vast variety of sakes when traveling in Japan last summer. The best advice I got from […]

As the days grow shorter and the air turns brisk, there’s nothing quite like a bourbon maple smash to warm the soul. This delightful cocktail marries the rich, caramel notes of bourbon with the velvety sweetness of pure maple syrup, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. What is a Smash? Smashes […]

Have you heard of mezcal?  Mezcal was predicted to be one of the biggest food trends of 2018, yet despite its popularity, many still have not tried it.  Mezcal, which means “oven-cooked agave“, is known for its distinct smoky flavor, which is unlike any other spirit, but mezcal is much more than just that.  Often […]

This beauty is a rosé wine slushy, a social media darling known more playfully as a “Frosé“. This fun, prep-ahead wine cocktail is made by blending and freezing fresh fruit, rosé wine, and sweetener and is an absolute winner. These refreshing grown-up slushies come together in minutes and are perfect for warm summer days. There […]

For as much as I love fruit, I have never loved grapefruit.  I’ve always wanted to, but it’s been a struggle.  When I was a little kid I thought that eating a halved, sectioned grapefruit, lightly sprinkled with sugar and topped with a maraschino cherry served with breakfast was considered an elegant side.  I never […]

It’s believed that the Blue Lagoon cocktail was created by Andy MacElhone, the son of famed bartender Harry MacElhone, at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in the 1960s or early 1970s. So, despite what most think, the drink predates the 1980 coming-of-age film, starring Brook Shields, of the same name. Retro cocktails, as they’re […]

I remember when smoothie bowls became a thing. And I’ll admit it, I didn’t fully get them at first, but now I do. Smoothie bowls are often confused with açaí bowls, but they are not the same they are completely different in origin. And to clarify, traditional smoothies, made of pureed fruit mixtures (the ones […]

Note: “By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Walnuts and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.” Here is a new summer smoothie I can’t seem to get enough of these days. This is my strawberry-plum walnut smoothie and it is […]

It sure feels like summer takes forever to arrive. The tease of spring can be overwhelming. But then, one day, before you know it, it’s in full force. The sun is bright, the trees lush and the air is warm and encompassing. For me, summer brings a sense of calmness. Life is slower, easier, and […]

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 […]

Put down the pumpkin and back away. The Fall season offers so much more than pumpkin bread and Halloween jack-o-lanterns. The cooler months bring lovely changing colors, shorter days, cozy nights and rich flavorful cocktails that warm your body from the toes up. While I lean slightly toward the lighter, fruity, less sweet cocktails generally, […]

Sometimes you just need something different. Meet different. It’s called a Mezcal smash and this beauty is a lightly adapted cocktail from Half Baked Harvests’ Black Widow Smash. Like Tieghan said (and I agree) fresh blackberries muddled with herbs, citrus, and mezcal are the perfect cocktail for Halloween and all the many cool nights before […]

Sometimes you just need something that’s uncomplicated. This is that. But don’t get me wrong, there is no sacrifice to flavor just because it’s simple. This gin + grapefruit cocktail is simple and straightforward in method, but vibrant and memorable in taste. Absent of any soda, this pint-size beverage is fruity and spicy with just […]