drinks

Smooth and refined deliciousness. The Sazerac, credited as being one of the first true cocktails, is a New Orleans take on a traditional rye cocktail. The Federation puts a further spin on the Sazerac.  The combination of Anejo tequila instead of rye mixed with creme de cacao leads to a sweeter, richer, cocktail with a […]

Have you ever had Lillet?  If the answer is no, you’ve been missing out. Pronounced “li’ leh” it is a French aperitif created in 1887 by Paul and Raymon Lillet from Podensac, just outside of the Bordeaux region in France.  Lillet, considered a “tonic wine” (or quinquina) is a blend of 85% Bordeaux region wines and […]

Happy New Year!  As much as I love and welcome the festive holiday season, I am always ready for January 1.  First of all, the holidays are exhausting.  Secondly, despite my best efforts, chances are I have indulged a bit more than anticipated. In fairness, we all have–and that’s ok. With the New Year comes […]

This is a cranberry-orange whisky sour and it’s a great specialty cocktail for holiday parties.  A whisky sour is a classic bourbon drink that is subtly sweet and sour at the same time.  If you ask a bartender, a traditional whisky sour is one of the simplest cocktails that you can get that is still called a […]

Sometimes you need to make a change.  A twist on the classic margarita, this pomegranate-lime margarita is divine. I am a margarita lover, so this post should come as no surprise to my friends.  A classic margarita is delicious, made with fresh lime juice, a good tequila, and nothing artificial added.  But there is lots […]

Moscow Mules have taught me I love ginger beer.  Now for something new.  The combination of fresh seasonal apple juice, lemon, and ginger beer is fantastic and one I had never tried before.  This drink is light, crisp, and refreshing, with a touch of apple essence.  Barb Kiebel, a fellow blogger, first brought this fun […]

Have you ever heard of a Madras?  This beauty is my new favorite cocktail.  Technically speaking, a Madras is similar to a Sea Breeze.  Some call them cousins.  Both are made with vodka and cranberry juice.  But where a Sea Breeze includes grapefruit juice, a Madras substitutes orange juice. As I dabble with mixology and […]

Chavela, also referred to as Cerveza Preparada, or Mexican Bloody Mary, is a drink from Mexico that dates back to the 1940s. Although there are many variations on how to make this beer-based beverage, the one I make is a traditional version made with light beer (preferably Mexican), tomato juice (although many prefer Clamato), fresh lemon […]

The Moscow Mule has been around for a long time, since 1941 to be exact, but has become increasingly trendy in recent years.  A relatively simple drink made with vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, it is garnished with a slice of lime and typically is served in a squat copper mug.  To be […]

I enjoy a good cosmopolitan.  This is my grown-up drink of choice if I order a cocktail.  So creating this recipe for a pomegranate lime cosmopolitan was especially fun for me.  I am also a big fan of pomegranates, which I think are underutilized. I have fond childhood memories of dissecting these juicy fruits, making […]

Strawberries are one of the first summer fruits to ripen. They are also my favorite. The most cultivated berry in the country, strawberries are grown in every state, with the majority coming from California and Florida.  The long growing season runs from January through November.  But peak strawberry season is April through June, so don’t […]

This is a twist on a traditional margarita and it is delicious!  The simultaneously sweet and tart freshly squeezed blood orange juice helps intensify the flavor of the fresh lime juice and eliminates the need for added sugar.  You can increase or decrease the amount of blood orange juice in this recipe to adapt it […]