This chocolate lavender sour proves it – chocolate and lavender are secret lovers. You’d never know they meld in such a magical way since they seem so opposite. Chocolate’s earthy bitterness stands apart from the high floral notes of lavender, and you’d think they hated one another. But secretly. . . I’m telling you, they’re […]
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Hibiscus Absinthe Frappe
Let’s talk absinthe – specifically, the absinthe frappe. I’d never heard of it until I visited the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans a few years ago. And now, it’s an easy summer go-to when I want something to cool me off at the end of the day. This time, instead of using simple syrup, […]
Boulevardier of Tiki Dreams: a Tiki Boulevardier
I’m a whiskey girl through and through so when I’m called to stray into another category of cocktail, I usually translate something I love with elements of the new category, and that’s what I’m doing with this Tiki Boulevardier. The usual elements have all been transformed here – the Campari is infused with pineapple, instead […]
Who’s Your Daddy? Tiki Coffee Old Fashioned
It’s wildcard week for quarantine cocktails and I’m kicking it off with a cocktail that shouldn’t work but is one of the most amazing drinkable cocktails I’ve ever made – a Coffee Pineapple Old Fashioned. This shouldn’t work. I mean thinking about pineapple and coffee together doesn’t give you the warm and fuzzies. But. But. […]
Oleo Fashioned – Old Fashioned Amaro Riff
Since it’s been Quarantine Citrus Sipper week I’ve had more oranges and lemons around than usual, so I took the plunge, made oleo saccharum and came up with the Oleo Old Fashioned for you. What’s oleo saccharum? In short, it’s a sugar oil made from citrus zest and sugar. Much easier to make that I […]
ThRUMbelina – Rum Tiramisu Manhattan
Rum Manhattan? What? Ready for a cocktail that looks simple, but packs a punch? Let’s talk rum – pineapple – tiramisu. Hang on, I know it sounds crazy, but combining the coffee and chocolate notes of a tiramisu liqueur with a pineapple syrup and a lovely rum like Santa Teresa Rum and you’ve got a […]
Smoke and Sigh – Grapefruit Mezcal Summer Sipper
I’m slowly falling in love with mezcal and this Grapefruit Mezcal Summer Sipper is proof! I started this cocktail with a whiskey base – Old Forester 100 – and it was fantastic. Then I decided to see how it worked with mezcal and it took the drink from great to amazing. I’m continuing my Quarantine […]
Lavender Lush – Apricot Lavender Sour
How about a versatile fruity and floral sour today – the Apricot Lavender Sour? This works fantastically with rye, but also with a floral gin. So even if you’re not a whiskey lover like me you’ll have a bottle on hand you to try this out. Because my poor lavender plants didn’t make it through […]
Toes in Sand(box) – Spiced Pineapple Summer Cocktail
Spiced Pineapple Summer Cocktail on its way to you this week before Memorial Day. I’m welcoming summer with a summery citrus cocktail series and this first one is where I wish I was versus where I am: Toes in Sand(box). We’ve got mandarin, pineapple, spiced liqueur and whiskey with a smidge of coconut water to […]
Petals to the Metal – Hibiscus Highball
Our final Quarantine Highball – Hibiscus Ginger Highball is a luscious combination of peppery rye, tart hibiscus and hot ginger, all cooled off over ice. Just because a cocktail is pink doesn’t mean it’s just for women. This rye-forward hibiscus ginger highball combines the peppery spice of rye and ginger with tart notes of hibiscus […]
It Ain’t All Sunshine and Peaches – Peach Highball
Peaches are summer to me, and sipping on a peach highball in hot weather on an open porch on the weekend is pure heaven. I’m craving peaches right now as we get into warmer weather, but not just any peaches. I want those ripe Peach Truck peaches from Georgia dripping with juices. The ones that […]
We All Float Down Here – Root Beer Highball
This summer’s going to be a rough one with the coronavirus dictating a lot of our decisions, but you can decide what you want in your hand at the end of the day – how about a root beer highball? We’re still in Highball Quarantine Week, so I’m letting you all in on a little […]
That’s No Moon – Lavender Orange Highball
A blue highball, even if it is Lavender Orange? Is she insane? No, I just love colorful cocktails, even whiskey ones, and blue curacao in tiny amounts imparts a vibrant color. For a true whiskey lover a colored cocktail is a bit of heresy, but I’m not just creating cocktails for existing whiskey lovers, I […]
Highball Whiskey Spritz
Time for a highball – it’s warm enough for this Campari highball in this Highball Whiskey Spritz. It’s highball week for those of you still in quarantine with me, and what easier way to enjoy your whiskey than a build-it-in-your-glass summer cocktail with sparking water added. The classic highball is just whiskey and ginger ale […]
Apple Fritter Cocktail
For the last donut cocktail this week, I polled social media and the majority came back with a request for an apple donut, so we’re ending the week with an Apple Fritter Cocktail. I’m secretly pleased because I love fritters. Two apple donuts were mentioned the most, an apple cider donut and an apple fritter. […]
Boston Cream Donut Cocktail
It’s hard to believe, but I’m upping the decadence of Donut Quarantine Cocktails week with this Boston Cream Donut – it’s a custard-filled chocolate glazed donut and it is everything. Getting that creamy, custardy taste in a cocktail isn’t easy, and after a few unsuccessful attempts with cream cocktails and flips I decided I just […]
Blueberry Cake Donut Cocktail
Today I’m sharing with you a cocktail based on my favorite donut – the Blueberry Donut cocktail. This cocktail was always going to be one I put together for this week. It’s one I love to dunk in a cup of hot coffee and I could easily eat half a box of them in one […]
Pecan Sticky Bun Cocktail
There’s this southern tradition of donuts called sticky buns and when I opened up a new simple syrup and tasted it, I knew I would be creating a Pecan Sticky Bun cocktail with a whiskey base. If you’ve ever seen the excessiveness of a pecan sticky bun, it looks like a honey bun or cinnamon […]
Maple Caramel Long John Cocktail
How does a caramel maple long john cocktail sound right about now? Are you thinking about biting into one, tasting the sweet yeastiness of the donut bread, the sweet caramel and maple glaze, and that hint of vanilla from the icing on top? I bet you are now. This week we’re mixing up donut-inspired cocktails […]
Weep No More – Blueberry Lavender Julep
(This cocktail was featured in the May newlsetter for Wilderness Trail Distillery.) I celebrate Derby season by creating riffs off the mint julep. Every year I create a few, and this year, I wanted to play with the floral aromas of spring with this lavender julep. It’s been a hard spring for so many people, […]
Triple Crown Pie Julep – Chocolate Pecan Julep for Bourbon Women
What’s better than a julep enhanced with flavors of chocolate and pecan to build a Triple Crown Pie julep? Nothing. Nothing is better. Visit Louisville around Derby-time and you find a local specialty, chocolate-pecan pie well-infused with bourbon called the Triple Crown Pie. This take on a traditional julep matches flavors of chocolate and pecan […]