A Cocktail, Food, Photography and Travel Blog
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…
I come from generations of margarita drinkers. My palette has been honed from a young age—when I was a little girl I stole salt off the rim of my grandma’s cocktail (I may have stolen a drink when no one was looking). Let’s skip over the tragedy of the 80s—when you could buy a tub of mix, […] Read more…
The end of summer is the perfect time to throw together an easy-drinking wine cocktail. Perfect for your Labor Day party, the white wine sangria with peaches, nectarines, and strawberries, and the classic red wine sangria with apples, oranges and limes will be a hit with all your guests! Read more…
This cocktail remind me of a summer evening stroll through my neighborhood with the sweet smell of blooming Jasmine hanging in the air. Jasmine tea simple syrup lends floral notes to this refreshing summer cocktail. Read more…
“Tiki the Snow Away” was a cocktail bloggers’ challenge on Instagram in January. It presented Kim and I with a new creative problem—photographing flaming tiki drinks! Not the mention the fun styling and unique glassware that we would be using for the flamboyant drinks. For the tiki series we decided on a darker palette, using […] Read more…
I recently had the privilege of learning from Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a 4 day, life-changing workshop on Color Design. Our class met her family, toured her beautiful home and studio, and connected with her over a wonderful dinner in her garden. This cocktail is inspired by the colors […] Read more…
Here are a few of my favorite behind the scenes shots of Kim styling her original cocktail creation dedicated to Leatrice Eiseman. The setup used natural sunlight coming through a large window and a sheet of white foam core helping to bounce and balance the light. The Nikon D850 was using the Nikon AF-S Micro […] Read more…
The Frosé is basically an adult slushy made with inexpensive rosé wine. Check out this warm weather cocktail that’s easy to make and also a little nostalgic. INGREDIENTS 750 ml bottle rosé wine (fully bodied, and deep color) 3.5 oz Strawberry Simple Syrup 2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons) 1 cup ice DIRECTIONS STEP […] Read more…
When it’s strawberry season, it’s strawberry infused cocktail season. Grab some from your local farmer’s market or the store and celebrate summer with the Summertime Bourbon Punch and the Frosé slushy. You can also add a splash to liven up sparkling water or iced tea for a booze-free option. Read more…
Most people think of lavender as an herb used in soaps and perfumes, but I challenge you to experiment by adding it to summertime cocktails, like The Pichard and The Victoria. You can also add a splash to liven up sparkling water or iced tea for a booze-free option. Read more…
I’m known as the “Cocktail Maven” around the Zulily office, where I work as a Marketing Design Manager. So, when I was asked to create a Zulily exclusive cocktail to promote the Stash Tea sponsored sale on our website, I was beyond excited! Cocktails? Of course, I’ll do it! Plus, I’m always looking for fun, […] Read more…
Finding enough space to photograph cocktails in a small 1920s condo can be a challenge. We ideally want smooth natural light flowing in. Enough space to use large bounce or diffusion panels (like this one from Wescott). Room for surfaces and tabletops to shoot on. Plus we like to shoot tethered, meaning our camera is […] Read more…
Another great Bourbon + Campari combination, that’s basically a Negroni made with Whiskey instead of Gin. Read more…
This Grapefruit Negroni is a refreshing version of the classic cocktail. The more subtle Aperol replaces the traditional Campari, and the grapefruit plays up both the bitter and sweet ingredients. INGREDIENTS 1 oz Botanist Gin 1 oz Aperol .5 oz Punt e mes .5 Grapefruit Juice 2 Dashes Grapefruit Bitters Flame grapefruit peel, for optional […] Read more…
This is my kind of Negroni! I’m not a big fan of sweet vermouth (I know, I know, something MUST be wrong with me), so instead I’m using Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao paired with Plantation Pineapple Rum, and Campari (of course) to bring you a tiki-inspired Negroni cocktail. INGREDIENTS 1 oz Plantation Pineapple Rum 1 […] 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…
This seriously easy and refreshing cocktail is going to become a staple for me this spring and summer. With only three ingredients—Gin, Grapefruit, St-Germain—it’s incredibly easy to batch for group brunch, but it feels so fancy—especially when you add a shiny straw! 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…