Cocktails

Spiked Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

August 1, 2017

I’ve had this recipe idea on my “to-shoot and share” list on my computer all summer long, and each time I tried to make it something came up and I ended up shooting something else. Somehow Banana Pudding Cake and Breakfast Polenta Bowls just seemed like a higher priority. Then when I had given up all hope on this lemonade, and came to the conclusion that I would have to wait until next year to make it, I found a mountain of rhubarb at my local grocery store. Without even thinking about it, or looking for it. I took it as a sign from above and decided that it was either now or never. So I purchased an obscene amount of rhubarb and strawberries, and spent an even more ridiculous amount on lemons (much more than I would’ve if I just bought lemonade from the store, let’s be honest), but I told myself that it would all be worth it in the end because booze would be involved, and lemonade and booze just go so well together. Don’t let anyone tell you other wise. Am I right or am I right? Now…I’m no monster, I know that for a lot of you rhubarb might not be in season anymore, so if that’s the case, I highly recommend you make it with just strawberries because it’ll still be hands down the best lemonade you’ve ever had. Feel free to quote me on that.

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Cheers to the Weekend: Grapefruit Cucumber Gin Fizz

May 19, 2017

I haven’t posted a cocktail recipe in a very long time, so I figured I needed to fix this problem right away, because if you ask me that’s exactly what it is, a big problem. And what better time to do this than right about now, as the weather is finally turning for the better, and it’s beginning to be so nice outside. It’s also coming at the perfect time because Julian fixed up our balcony last weekend and now we can actually sit out there again and admire all the plants and strung lights. Side note: He’s tried to grow some herbs and veggies for me, but our balcony doesn’t get as much sun as I’d like it to so they’ve never lasted. We abandoned that idea and now it’s just filled with cacti and succulents. I’m not complaining though because I figure some thing green is better than nothing. Every time he fixes up the balcony, I vow to sit out there more often but somehow I forget about my promise after a week or two and I end up not enjoying it as much as I should. This time however, I really do plan on sitting out there on a weekly basis, and something tells me that this Grapefruit Cucumber Gin Fizz is going to help me keep my promise, but more importantly it’ll most definitely help me Cheers to the Weekend!

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Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonics

March 3, 2017

It’s that time again, time for another cocktail post because it’s Friday and because I’m so very much looking forward to the weekend, and something tells me you might be as well. The last cocktail I posted was this amazing Blood Orange and Rosemary Margarita, which by the way you should definitely bookmark and make sometime, once blood oranges are in season again. If you don’t want to wait that long, then check out the post because I do give out some ideas for alternative fruit to use instead of blood oranges. You can thank me later. This time around though, I’m taking things out of the box a bit, with these Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonics. I’ll have to be honest with you and tell you that I’m actually not the biggest fan of gin. Or I guess I should say that I have to be in the mood for gin, and only sometimes I’m ever in the mood for it. So that just goes to show you that I don’t drink it often. When I do, I try and look for cocktail recipes that aren’t overly gin-y. These Spicy Tomato Gin and Tonics are the perfect balance of gin, heat, tonic, and overall packed with great flavor.

This is the cocktail you make by the pool when you’re entertaining your friends and family. This is the cocktail you make on your small apartment balcony, dreaming about swimming, when you don’t have a pool. It’s great when you’re barbecuing a steak, or chicken or fish out in your backyard. At the same time though, it’s the perfect cocktail to make when you’re grilling on a small stovetop grill pan, cursing those people who have a backyard with a fancy grill. Who are those people anyhow? Don’t worry, you can make your own party at home, even if it’s just you in a tiny apartment with no pool, no balcony, and/or no grill. The important thing is that you have a great delicious cocktail in hand. The rest will take care of itself.

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Cheers to the Weekend: Blended Bellini

August 26, 2016

It’s Friday and there’s so much to celebrate. We need to celebrate that the week is finally over and it’s time for the weekend. We need to cheers that Fridays are perfect for cocktail posts, and most importantly we need to be happy with the fact that it’s time for another installment of my new favorite segment called, Cheers to the Weekend! We’re on our third installment and there’s no going back from here. I’m in this to win it. In case you need a little reminder, the first installment was a delicious Pork Schnitzel Sandwich that is the perfect lunch or dinner to make any weekend when you’re in need of a quick and easy meal. And then the second installment last Friday touched on the topic of breakfast with a Roasted Tomato Breakfast Tart that needs to be added to your weekend recipe rotation no matter what you think is right or wrong, because when it comes to savory breakfast tarts there’s only right, never wrong.

This time around however, we’re tackling a cocktail because it is Friday after all, and it wouldn’t be a proper weekend without sharing such a delicious drink recipe with you that we can sip all day long. Day drinking is always so much better than night time drinking let’s be honest. We’ve had a long week and we’ve worked so hard and we’ve waited for this moment all week long so why not celebrate with an icy cold cocktail or two? The only logical thing to do is whip up a batch of these blended bellini and forget about the long endless week we’ve just endured. Gather some friends around the table and drink and eat and have a good time. Make a roasted tomato tart for brunch perhaps and make these cocktails and above all else, I think it’s important to Cheers to the Weekend because if you and I don’t do it, then who on Earth will?

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Michelada Popsicles

February 10, 2016

It’s like Sunday Funday today but on a Wednesday because sometimes, the week is just way too much and too long for you to bear so you need a mid-week siesta. Go ahead, you know you want it. There’s nothing wrong with a drink first thing in the morning on Wednesday right before work. You can quote me on that. So rather than share a full on fancy cocktail for brunch, I thought it would be an extra great idea for us all if I were to share the next best thing. I recently went out with my good friend Nichole, and she suggested this whole michelada beer thing situation we have going on here. Apparently there’s a place in Los Angeles close by that does this with their michelafaes on the menu so I thought to myself that this was the perfect time to start experimenting in the kitchen. I wanted to challenge myself and give them a try because they sounded too good to be true.

I’m not going to lie. It took me a few times to get it right. I had to make the popsicles twice, and change the beer choices I first made because it just wasn’t working for me. I used a darker beer at first and I felt like it didn’t go with the pops. I’m not afraid to admit it because I’m not always perfect and sometimes it takes a bit to get things right. With a lot of things in life, not just cooking. I wanted to make sure I had a great recipe to share with you guys. So it took me a few tries to get here. I was supposed to share this with you guys a long time ago (a week or two). I had it sitting on my computer and I kept contemplating whether or not I should just share it. I fought through the struggle and redid it all from the beginning. After I got it just right, I’m finally able to share it and I’m so excited for you to try it. Break out those popsicle molds and let’s pretend like it’s summer. You deserve a big brunch and what’s more, you deserve a cocktail on a Wednesday.

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Blood Orange Rosemary Margaritas

January 22, 2016

It’s finally Friday and I think this calls for a cocktail or two. My number one goal in life is usually to convince someone else to Happy Hour with me, that way I won’t feel so bad wanting to drink and eat snacks at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. So let’s drink together because it’s much more fun having an adult beverage with other adults trying to forget about the long week we just endured. Shall we talk about margaritas for a bit? There’s something about margaritas that get me really excited. Maybe because it usually means that chips and salsa and guacamole will be involved, hopefully. Or maybe because it means that tacos will also be involved, that’s even better. Maybe it’s just because I happen to really like margaritas with salt, over ice. Although in the summer when it’s super hot outside and there’s a pool in sight, I have been known to get down with the blended variety.

I recently tried a great restaurant, for the first time, right around the corner from my place called Maradentro in Studio City. As a drink special that night, they were making Blood Orange Margaritas, so I decided to try it. They were awesome. Just the right amount of sweetness with just the right amount of booze. By my third one I was thinking that the cocktail could’ve really benefitted from a fresh herb of some sort to make it really pop. So this Blood Orange Rosemary Margarita was born. If you’re ever in these neck of the woods, you should give the place a try. On Mondays their happy hour goes until 10 at night and they have some great fish tacos and a guacamole topped with lobster and super crispy bacon. If that isn’t a dream come true, then I have no idea what it. None. Make sure to let me know, and I’ll go with you. If you can’t make it out, just bring the place to yourself. Booze it up in your own house. Get some chips, salsa and guacamole and make yourself a big pitcher of these margaritas. Blood oranges happen to be in season here in California, but if you’re having trouble finding them, these margaritas can easily be made with red grapefruit, blackberries or even frozen strawberries (just purée them in the blender).

This is a great cocktail to whip up in a flash on a Friday (but really any day of the week) when you’ve just had the longest day or week. If you’re in need of even more margarita inspiration, don’t forget about these Spicy Honeydew Cucumber Margaritas. They’re made with a jalapeño simple syrup that the fresh cucumber and honeydew pairs really well with. Or if margaritas and beer are more you’re thing, these Watermelon Texas Margaritas are calling your name. Also great with strawberries instead. And last but not least, if morning drinking is your game, these Good Morning Margaritas are perfect for those early morning late afternoon weekend brunches. There’s something for everyone!

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