Cocktail du jour: Champagne Cocktail

When I sip these lovely libations, I feel as if I'm whirling around the dance floor at one of Jay Gatsby's West Egg parties.  Even if I'm wearing stretchy pants and sitting on my derriere while indulging in this bubbly treat, I somehow feel instantly more glamourous. 

Cocktail du Jour: Ginger Margarita

I purchased this bottle of ginger liqueur, Domaine de Canton, after admiring its unique orientalist bottle.  I'm sure my husband loves my habit of buying fancy bottles of stuff I've never tasted (the Campari experiment being my worst decision) and taking up precious Bourbon real estate on the bar.  

Not knowing exactly what to make with such an unusual elixir, I searched for ginger-inspired cocktails.  That is how the ginger margarita was born.

Cocktail du Jour: Hot Bourbon Cider

When the January nights are cold and dark, sometimes a nice toasty and tasty beverage warms the soul.  My husband is a bourbon aficionado so we have an assortment of the Kentucky-born elixir on our bar at any one time.  A variant on the Hot Toddy or Hot Buttered Rum, this decadent cocktail is best sipped by a roaring fire (or in our case, while watching a DVD of a roaring fire).  And, if you need an excuse for consuming this treat, it also is believed to help the common cold.  I shall have one this evening, preventative medicine, you see.  Bottoms up, dearies!

Cocktail du Jour: Cava

Lately, I am pausing to realize that every day of life, every day with loved ones is to be treasured and celebrated.

Cocktail du jour: The French Fizzy

This evening I had a cocktail conundrum.  You see, my lovelies, I bought a bottle of booze based merely on the pretty label. It turns out, Lillet is a French aperitif made of white Bordeaux wines and orange liqueur.  How bad could that possibly be, right? Mixed with a little gin, a touch of citrus and a bit of bubbly tonic water, the "French Fizzy" is a most delicious late summer cocktail featuring the lovely Lillet.

Cocktail du jour: Sinful Cherry Limeade

If you have ever lived within an hour of a Sonic drive-in, you know their famous beverage the cherry limeade.  A little bit tart and a touch sweet, the cherry limeade may just be the perfect summer drink.  It is nostalgic too, reminiscent of something you'd order at an old soda fountain from a waitress named Lou. 

Cocktail du jour: Pink Paloma

Well technically, it's just a margarita made with pink grapefruit juice. But somewhere along the line, I heard this cocktail called a Paloma.  That is so much lovelier.  And when ordering cocktails, it's all in the name, right?  One could not possibly sound elegant ordering a "Sex on the Beach" or "Zombie" from the barkeep.  Let's stick to "Manhattans" and "Old Fashioneds" and now, introducing the classiest tequila-gal on the block: the "Paloma."

Nightly Rituals

Now that my sweet baby has been a part of our lives for almost a year, my husband and I find ourselves carving out time for solitude (or "coupletude") in the evening hours. Always one to embrace little rituals, our baby has made me even more devoted those moments throughout the day where I can recharge my proverbial batteries.  When I allow myself time and space to think and dream, I am a more fun and energetic mom, a more devoted wife and a more passionate teacher.  I try not to underestimate the value of an evening doing exactly what I want.

Cocktail du jour: The Classic Margarita

Confession: from time to time, I watch an episode of the Real Housewives of _______. On a recent train wreck episode (aren't they all?) of the RHONY (that'd be the Real Housewives of New York for those of you who don't rot your brains on Bravo), one of the gals mentioned that she thought "tequila was the only alcohol that was an upper."  

Well, I have found no scientific evidence to support this claim, but I have consumed a few margaritas in my day.  And, I do have scientific evidence to support the fact that: a) they are delicious & b) they make me smile.

Cocktail du jour: The Caipirinha

The warm summer sun and clear blue skies make me crave beachy cocktails.  Though I've never been to Rio, I have tasted plenty of limey and delicious caipirinhas (pronounced:kai-pee-reen-ya). Cue the bossa nova tunes, throw on your swimsuit and sarong...here's the scoop on these sweet and tart libations.  You'll be on Copacabana in no time!

Cheers: Festive Beverages

If you're throwing a holiday fête or just having a few friends over for drinks, you need not invent a new candy cane martini to offer a festive beverage to your guests.

Cocktail du Jour

Okay, I'll fess up, this is not a drink of my own invention.  In fact, quite the contrary, this is Miss Oprah's favorite cocktail du jour.  She loves this drink so much that she served it on one of her recent shows as she camped in Yosemite (yes, you read that right, Oprah camped...well, kind of).

So in addition to telling us what to read and what to buy, now I'm am letting Lady O tell me what to drink.  But, once you taste this delicious gingery and tart beverage, you'll be toasting her too!

 

Cocktail du jour

Clink, clink, clink.  Hear that?  That's the sound of melting ice cubes, making room for whiskey.  That's the sound of Sunday night.

Sunday evening used to mean Sopranos or SATC, but now Sunday nights are for Mad Men.   And, how can you possibly watch Don Draper's suave antics without a retro cocktail in hand? 

One of my favorite classic cocktails is the Whiskey Sour. 

Cocktail du jour

The Pink Lemon Drop

Cocktail du jour

After a fabulous idea from one of my readers, I would like to debut... my very own cocktail:

The Pink Frenchie!

Prosecco: For the Everyday Celebration

Americans save sparkling wine for special occasions far too often. Bring out the Champagne at Christmas or the Blanc de Noirs for a graduation or Cava to celebrate a promotion. I believe in popping out the sparklers for all the little everyday achievements!

Salut--- I just folded all seven loads of laundry in under two hours!

Cin, cin--- we're not having spaghetti for the fifth night in a row!

Bottoms-up--- we sat through an entire Ken Burns documentary!

Tapas Time

In response to a special request from a reader, I wanted to take an afternoon break and talk tapas. As the days grow warmer and the nights grow longer, tapas are the perfect mid-evening patio snack.

A Still Life from My Real Life

On the weekends, I often indulge in a little midday snacklet in the form of cheese (pictured here is the herb and garlic Boursin--yum!). A fresh crusty baguette and some Spanish olives compliment the ensemble. And du vin blanc never hurts....

Cheers, mes amis!

Cocktail du jour

The Tangerini:

• 2 parts vodka
• 1 part triple sec
• 1 part Tangerine juice
• splash of grenadine

shake vigorously with ice.
serve very cold.

Cocktail du jour

The Lemon Drop :
Tart and sweet. Zingy yet smooth.