A Cocktail, Food, Photography and Travel Blog
This cocktail is like summer in a glass. Bourbon mingles with lemon juice and in-season strawberries to create a bold yet refreshing punch. Fresh strawberries are only in season for a short time, but you can have that summertime feeling year-round-—purchase ripe strawberries while they’re in season, and freeze for later. Be sure to thaw […] Read more…
My hubby and I have a fun holiday tradition with our friends in Seattle—the first weekend in December, we caravan out to a Christmas tree farm, trek across fields looking for our perfect tree, and toast to our friendship over hot toddies. I’ve perfected my version of the Hot Toddy over the last few years—replacing the […] Read more…
This cocktail packs a punch in more ways than one! Vermilion is a blood-red pigment, like the color of a Moro blood orange, which lends its dramatic hue to this eye-catching punch. Mix up a single cocktail or batch it for your next gathering. Holiday parties are the perfect time for this cocktail because blood […] Read more…
The inspiration for this recipe comes from my love of sci-fi. I’m a Star Trek: The Next Generation nerd, and a big fan of Patrick Stewart. I created this cocktail with Earl Grey tea, bourbon, lavender and lemon, to celebrate the birthday of Patrick Stewart and his STTNG character, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. They were born on the […] Read more…
While most people think of gin when they order a French 75, my friend, Paul, challenged me to create the perfect French 75 with cognac. As a whiskey drinker, I prefer this version over the traditional gin-based French 75. Give both recipes a try and tell me which one has your vote. Read more…
The Toronto cocktail has very few ingredients: Rye, Fernet, Simple Syrup—and depending on who you ask, Angostura bitters. There’s not a bunch of ingredients to hide behind, so the quality and proportions count. I have a good friend who judges bars by how they execute the Toronto—he’s a smart man with impeccable taste! Read more…
This grown up hot chocolate gets a kick of orange flavor from Cointreau and orange zest. It reminds me of those Terry’s chocolate oranges that are popular as stocking stuffers. Read more…
Fall is here and the Old Fashioned is calling my name. Obviously, this classic cocktail is perfect all year round, but with the shift in seasons, it just feels like the right fit for an after work drink, or curling up on the couch with a good book. Read more…
Another great Bourbon + Campari combination, that’s basically a Negroni made with Whiskey instead of Gin. Read more…
This classic scotch cocktail has gotten a few updates over the years—just like the movie that inspired it—with the inclusion of Cherry Herring instead of brandy. You should also try a Smoke and Sand by substituting a blended scotch for a smokey single malt, like Laphroaig 10 year. Read more…
The Mint Julep is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. To ensure my party guests have a cocktail in hand upon arrival, I pre-make a batch for Derby Day. Instead of the traditional method of muddling mint leaves, my recipe calls for Mint-infused Simple Syrup. It’s more user friendly for your Derby party, and it’s […] Read more…
Right now I’m obsessed with the bitter-sweetness of Campari mixed with just about anything—Mezcal, Bourbon, Gin, bubbles—you get the point. I’ve read that in order to like Campari you need to try it three times, and then you’ll love it. So, if you’re a little skeptical, give it another try (or two) starting with this […] Read more…
Try this spin on the traditional Manhattan made with Averna, an Italian Amaro, instead of sweet vermouth. This Italian liqueur’s bittersweet and herbal notes make it perfect for sipping at happy hour or after dinner as a digestif. Read more…
Smokey. Bitter. Sweet. The Scotch Lodge should be your new go-to when you’re in the mood for a cocktail more complex than an Old Fashioned, and less sweet than a Manhattan. The cocktail created by Portland bartender, Tommy Klus, uses Combier rouge, but my version substitutes Maraschino juice instead. Try using different types of scotch […] Read more…
My friend Ben has been perfecting his egg nog recipe for years, so I was thrilled when he said I could share it with you all! When I asked for the recipe, what I actually got was a spreadsheet comparing the exact ingredients in many other recipes and how he modified and perfected his own […] Read more…
The warm flavors of this Chai Spiced Old Fashioned make a comforting seasonal drink. Along with the single serving recipe, I’ve included instructions for a batch, so you can easily make head and serve at Thanksgiving or your next holiday party. Read more…