Top 3 Recipes 2023 - Cocktail Version

 

Looking for top views of recipe posts as I usually do to end a blogging year, I found something interesting.  I did not have very many actual recipe posts and in fact the top recipe was for How to Make Boxed Banana Bread Better.  This is indicative of my Florida life, compared to when I started this blog.  More dinner hours pool side and less cooking day to day.  It’s a lot more fun to grab a sub and watch a beach sunset at dinner time than to spend hours in the kitchen.

The top three views of fun cocktail posts are as follows.  Enjoy and Happy 2024!

Easter Cocktail - Drunk Bunny

Prosecco and Vodka Grapes

Simple Raspberry Margarita

Halloween Martini - Salted Caramel Apple Martini

 

It wouldn’t be adult Halloween for me, without a festive cocktail to sip on while handing out candy.  I will list the links to some of the fun drinks I have made in past years, but this year I have hit on a good one.

It is a Salted Caramel Apple Martini and it is delicious.  All the flavors are represented in each sip with sweetness, saltiness and especially the sour apple flavor.  It was easy to make and luckily I had everything in my liquor stash.  I think it looks especially pretty in a retro coupe martini glass too.  

Happy Halloween and enjoy!

To make one drink:

Put caramel sauce on a plate and roll rim of martini glass until edge is covered. In another plate, add sea salt and dip glass with caramel rim until covered with the salt.

To a martini shaker add ice, 2 ounces lemon vodka, 2 ounces Apple Pucker liquor and a squeeze of a lemon. Shake and pour in prepared glass.

Halloween Cocktails through the years:

All The Boos 2021

Red Wine Ice Cream Float 2020

Pumpkin Spice White Russian 2018

Apple Cider and Buttershot Cocktail 2013

Easter Cocktail - Drunk Bunny

 

This is a new to me cocktail and while it is a fun pink cocktail for Easter, I like it so much, it may become my go to pool cocktail too.

It’s the perfect cocktail to make at home, because there are only 4 ingredients that you probably have on hand or are easy to keep on hand - lemonade, frozen raspberries, Malibu Rum and Chambord  (raspberry liquor).  You could switch things up and substitute pink lemonade or raspberry vodka as well.

In a rocks size glass, place crushed ice, a handful of frozen raspberries, 2 ounces Malibu Rum and 1 ounce Chambord (gives it the pink color). Top with lemonade.  Stir and enjoy!

Have a happy and blessed Holy Weekend and Easter.

Appletini (Green Cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day)

 

St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow and we are an Irish house.  So, in addition to wearing green, it is also fun to try a green cocktail. I hosted a Euchre party at my house last night and I included a few festive green touches.

The cocktail I decided to serve was an old school martini that used to be on every drink menu, but you don’t see too often anymore.  I made a classic Sour Apple Appletini and its green color is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.  I made a pitcher in advance by using equivalent measurements, but here is the recipe for one cocktail.

2 ounces Apple Pucker liquor

1 ounce vodka (I used Tito’s)

3 ounces apple juice

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Add all ingredients to a ice filled martini shaker.  Shake well and strain into a pretty martini glass.  Enjoy!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Simple Raspberry Margarita

 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, I used the Super Bowl as an excuse to make a new cocktail.  And, like all my recipes, simple is the key.  I tweaked it a bit from the original idea, but it turned out really good, light and refreshing.  I will keep this one in my repertoire for hot pool days, but give it a try on Valentine’s Day for a lovely and special pink drink.

To make: Rim a clear glass with lime juice and salt.  Add ice.  Add 6 ounces Raspberry Lemonade, 2 ounces good quality Tequila and a splash of Triple Sec. Add a squeeze of lime juice and stir.  Garnish with fresh or frozen raspberries.  

Enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day.

Life Lately

Well, it’s been busier than I like, but all fun things, so I can’t really complain.  And, it’s the same for everyone this time of year; shopping, wrapping, organizing, entertaining and fun holiday events leading up to Christmas.  Once I ship my gifts today, the pace can be a little slower.  We have a fun night of dinner at a favorite restaurant and spectacular Christmas lights in Sarasota planned for Saturday and then the countdown to family begins.  As usual, we have a full itinerary of family events Christmas weekend (and after), but I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

Photos along the way include a golf luncheon planned by me, Christmas shopping with blue sky and palm trees and a dinner party at my house with good friends - any excuse to use all my pretty Christmas dishes and glassware.

 

At the dinner party I served an old favorite martini and I forgot how festive it looks and it is delicious too.  I used to hand it to people when they walked in the door on Christmas night. It brings the Christmas spirit - give it a try :-)

Candy Cane Martini

Dinner Party Prep

 

I hosted a dinner party this past week and I really think I enjoy the prep more than the actual dinner.  I love to come up with the menu, including cocktails, select the flowers for the table, set the table and get the food prepared in advance as much as possible, so I can enjoy the evening.

The cocktail prep started three days ahead with the infusion of the dried fruit kit I used for the Sangria I was making.  I was gifted the kit by my daughter from Hunt and Gather and it was some of the best Sangria I have ever made.  So easy too; you add rum or brandy to the dried oranges, lemons, cherries and flower shaped sugar cubes to infuse with flavor and when ready to serve, add red wine and orange juice.  

I set the table early in the day and since I have quite a stock of tablecloths and dishes, it’s fun to see where that leads me.  This time, I used some new blue plates from Crate and Barrel and layered a neutral tablecloth with a print table runner to pick up the blue..  I used some pretty cream and coral roses in a new multi vase holder from The Nested Fig and loved the simplicity.  And of course candles to set the mood.

The menu consisted of Blue Cheese Wedge Salad, Brown Sugar Chili Baked Salmon with Pineapple Chutney, Parsley Buttered New Potatoes, Garlic Roasted Broccolini and dinner rolls.  The appetizers (pool side) and dessert were brought by my guests.  

I love fun dishes and glasses, so I brought out my pretty silver banded cordial glasses for some after dinner drinks too.  

It was a lovely evening and I look forward to the next time.  Because of the day long prep, I was pouring myself a glass of Sangria, just before the doorbell rang and ready to enjoy night.

Happy weekend!

Halloween Cocktail - All the Boos

 

My Halloween tradition has always been to make a fun cocktail to enjoy while passing out candy to the trick or treaters.  Halloween in my neighborhood has evolved into truck or treat activities and while I won’t be participating in that, I still plan to enjoy my cocktail and have some candy available in case my doorbell does ring.  I do hope to see at least a few cuties in costumes, because it brings back so many wonderful memories of Halloween nights past, my girls and their excitement. 

Now for the cocktail.  This year I chose an espresso type martini, but since I don’t do caffeine at all, I just used decaf coffee.  It was delicious and while I normally don’t do sugar rims, this cinnamon and sugar rim was just the right touch for this coffee flavored drink.  Its not a typical martini and mostly alcohol, so really is more of a dessert cocktail and perfect for an after dinner treat.  

Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

All the Boos

Brew some strong coffee (I used decaf) ahead of time and chill until ready to use.

Rub the rim of a martini glass with a few drops of maple syrup then dip in a cinnamon and sugar mixture on a plate.

In a martini shaker filled with ice add 3 ounces chilled strong coffee, 1 ounce rum, 1 ounce Kaluha, 1 ounce maple syrup, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup half and half.  Shake well and then strain into the prepared martini glass. 

Makes 2 martini sized cocktails.

Red Wine Float (Halloween Cocktail)

 

There is a gelato store in my cute Florida downtown that serves wine floats and it is something I have been meaning to try.  I always like to come up with a fun adult cocktail for Halloween and drawing on one of the flavors they serve, I decided to give it a try at home.  The red wine makes it sufficiently spooky and the chocolate ice cream is a good substitute for Halloween candy.

Here is how I made it.

In a stemless wine glass, place 2 small scoops of chocolate ice cream.  Fill about 3/4 full with red wine.  I used a Cabernet Sauvignon, but a Pinot Noir would be delicious as well.  Top with club soda for a bit of fizz.  As the ice cream melts, like with any good ice cream float, the flavors compliment each other and become creamy and rich.  Treat yourself tomorrow to a grown up halloween treat with this deliciousness.

Happy Halloween!

Easy Summer Cocktail for One

Recently, as a fun way to unite all the guests at our half virtual and half in person bridal shower, we sent everyone invited a cocktail recipe in advance.  I made it for my Zoom session that day and found it so delicious that I have been making it as my go to pool side cocktail all month.

I did make a few tweaks of the original recipe and will give you my quick version for a single cocktail.  The biggest substitution is to use sparkling water or club soda instead of Prosecco.  It’s not really practical to open a fresh bottle of expensive Prosecco every time you want to make a cocktail for one.  Also, I regularly substitute gin for vodka depending what I am in the mood for.  The frozen blackberries turn the drink a pretty shade of pink, but you could use frozen strawberries or raspberries if thats what you have.

Here’s how I make it:

Fill a glass with ice and then fill halfway with light lemonade.  Add 1 ounce vodka (or gin) and fill remainder of glass with sparkling water (or Prosecco).  Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  Finish by adding a few frozen blackberries and a slice of lemon.

Enjoy!

Recipe Redo - Grasshopper Martini

Since it looks like we will all be staying in for St. Patrick’s Day, here is a fun martini recipe to celebrate the wearing (and drinking) of the green right at home.  This recipe for a  Grasshopper Martini was first published on this blog in 2015 and like I said then, will take you back to seeing your mother and friends enjoying a Grasshopper cocktail with their teased hair and seventies mini dresses.

It’s minty, it’s green and it’s delicious.

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I’m also making Cabbage Potato Soup in the Crockpot since we are not a fan of corned beef and cabbage. Provided my grocery store has cabbage and potatoes this morning - the new normal for a while I guess.

A Sigh of Relief and A Cosmo Recipe

Since I ship my Christmas gifts wrapped and ready to pass out, I have to be concerned that they arrive in time. So, there was a big sigh of relief for me when all was organized and ready to ship. That big pile of presents shown in the photo below managed to fit in two (large) boxes and I dropped them off at the UPS Store yesterday afternoon.  I’ll be tracking them daily, but it looks like they will arrive by the middle of next week.  It just seems like with a late Thanksgiving and next weekend cutting into shipping days, it’s been a tight timetable all around.  Now I can relax just a bit next week before the flying, driving and schedule of holiday events commence.

If you need a fun and delicious cocktail for holiday entertaining, this Cosmo version has been a big hit at the two parties I have hosted recently.  The addition of the limoncello and mango juice kick up a basic Cosmo to the next level.

I’m giving you the recipe for one serving, but my trick for entertaining is to make a pitcher in advance and you won’t be mixing and measuring drinks all night.  Just multiply the equivalent amounts of each ingredient and fill a pretty glass pitcher.  To serve, pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, then strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a thin, 1/2 lemon slice floated on top.

Cranberry, Limoncello and Mango Cosmo

3 ounces vodka (I use Tito’s)
1 ounce limoncello
1 ounce mango juice
2 ounces cranberry juice

Note: add less vodka and more cranberry juice if you like a less strong martini

Witches’ Brew Cocktail

Happy Halloween!

As is my tradition, I love to make a fun Halloween or fall themed cocktail to enjoy while the trick or treaters visit.  Many of these types of cocktails use cider, which is hard to find in Florida, so this one intrigued me with both its simplicity and the readily available ingredients.  It can also be made non alcoholic for the kiddos by using sparkling water instead of wine.

In a clear glass, add 1 cup orange soda and 3/4 cup white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc).  Add 1 scoop vanilla ice cream.  The carbonation in the soda will cause the addition of the ice cream to foam like a witches’ brew.

Simple, but delicious and perfectly themed for Halloween night.

Halloweentime

 

 

 

 

It's Halloween and while the day doesn't have the same excitement that it held when my girls were young and it was a day filled with class parties and trick or treating, I still think it's fun. It's different though and much more simple - no costumes to sew or buy and no cookies or cupcakes to make and send to school. We don't even bother carving a pumpkin anymore.

 

 

Even the trick or treating is not quite the same. In our old neighborhood, we would easily have close to 200 trick or treaters. Here in Florida, I live in a new development, so last year, with a lot of construction on my street still happening, we had no children stop buy. This year, things are a little more finished and organized. There is a system set up where all the houses that are passing out candy have an orange ribbon on the lightpost. We are told to expect around 20 trick or treaters (it's Florida after all and while not a retirement community, we don't have very many kids in the neighborhood). But, it's going to be a beautiful night and I will be ready with my bowl of candy.

 

 

Through the years, I have always made a special cocktail on Halloween night, as well as passing out coffee with a Baily's shot or a beer to the dads on trick or treat duty. My cocktail choice this year is a Pumpkin Spice White Russian. Most fall cocktails are made with apple cider, which is hard to find in Florida, so this seemed a good choice. I made one last night to test it out and it is delicious.

To make: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add 1 ounce vodka, 2 ounces kahlua and 2 ounces Pumpkin Spice Flavored Creamer. Stir together well and enjoy.

Happy Halloween!

 

Try these other cocktails from past Halloween nights:

Apple Cider Margarita

Caramel Apple Martini

Apple Cider and Buttershot Cocktail

 

{ Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

 

Cranberry Apple Sangria

 

 

 

For me, one of the highlights of our Thanksgiving day was this sangria that my daughter Megan made. There was just enough for everyone to have a glass to start the day and it was a lovely festive touch. The glasses looked so pretty full of cranberries, apples and a cinnamon stick.

This is a red wine sangria, so perfect for fall and winter celebrations. We used a Pinot Noir, but I think it would also be good with a Merlot. The only change we made to the recipe was to use light cranberry juice, since that is what I had and to then use half the amount of simple syrup. I would also suggest using unsweetened apple juice if cider is out of season.

It's so easy to make; just pour everything in a pitcher and chop up some apples and you are done. For better flavor, it is best to make it a few hours before serving. We all thought it was delicious and perfect for any special occasion.

 

Cranberry Apple Sangria

 

1 bottle red wine

3 cups apple cider

1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice

1/2 cup triple sec

1/2 cup simple syrup ( equal parts sugar and water, cooked over low heat until sugar is dissolved)

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup diced apples

Sparkling water to finish

Cinnamon sticks for garnish

 

Pour all ingredients into a large pitcher. Add cranberries and apples. Mix well. To serve: pour in a glass, add a splash of sparkling water and spoon some of the fruit on top. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

 

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Rattlebridge Farm

 

Friday On the Patio - Raspberry Gin Fizz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have been enjoying some really nice weather so far this summer and that makes sitting on the patio very pleasant. Even with the heat of mid summer, my patio is shaded and unless the humidity is high, I love to spend time there each afternoon. Flowers are blooming all around the patio; petunias, mexican heather, lavender and hostas. It's that time of summer when blooms are in abundance and all that spring planting has taken off. It makes the perfect setting for sitting and relaxing at the end of the day, with a cool and refreshing cocktail.

My cocktail of choice this Friday will be a simple shaken drink with a lovely raspberry flavor. I simply fill a rocks glass with ice then added more ice, 1 ounce of gin, 1 ounce of Chambord (raspberry liquor), 4 ounces of club soda and 1 teaspoon powdered sugar to a cocktail shaker. Shake cocktail shaker (it will fizz) and pour over ice in glass.

Patios, summer and Fridays - the perfect combination.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

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My Side of 50

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

 

Friday on the Patio - Classic Gin Fizz

 

 

 

 

 

 

My view on most Friday afternoons during happy hour is just like these photos I took last Friday. It's very green and sun dappeled since we are surrounded by trees. The flowers in the pots are looking pretty and add a bright splash of color in the midst of all that foliage. This time of summer is the payoff for all that work, spreading wood chips and planting, that I did a few weeks ago. Now is the time to sit and enjoy that peace and quiet with a cocktail and my iPad.

Sometimes I like my cocktail to be simple and classic and I am a big fan of a tall, cool gin and tonic in the summer. I recently finished reading a book set in the roaring twenties and there were a lot of references to drinks made with bathtub gin. After a little research, I found a mention of a classic Gin Fizz and it sounded light, refreshing and perfect for patio sipping.

To make: Add 2 ounces gin, 1/2,ounce lemon juice, 1 tsp powdered sugar and 4 ounces club soda to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake (it will fizz) and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slice.

Note: The book I got my gin inspiration from is The Other Typist and if you loved Gone Girl you will love this book too. However, the ending is crazy and there are many sites with opinions about what actually might have happened. If you read this book, can we please discuss :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{Linking with these friends}

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Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

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Rattlebridge Farm

 

Summer Readiness

 

 

 

Memorial Day weekend in Michigan is the official start to summer like everywhere else in the country, but it's also planting weekend. I was always taught that you could safely plant flowers and not have to worry about frost, if you waited until Memorial weekend. So, I always set aside my long holiday weekend for trips to the garden center and planting. By the time Monday comes, all my wood chips will be refreshed, all my flower beds will be edged and flowers will be planted in pots. Later today, I will make my first trip to the garden center and as any gardener knows, it's a happy day.

 

 

I will start getting my patio ready for summer afternoons and evenings. My patio set and other comfy chairs that surround the fire pit will be getting a paint touch up and all the cushions will get hosed off and plumped; ready for a new season.

 

 

I will also be mixing up my favorite summer cocktails like this Simple Cranberry Margarita. It's one of my favorite summertime things to do; sit outside, relax and enjoy the sunshine with a fun cocktail and a good book.

 

 

From now until fall, I will be cutting flowers for simple bouquets, usually in mason jars, that I love to scatter around my house. Right now, the spirea is blooming, but soon it will be my late blooming lilacs, phlox growing wild in the woods, daisies and zinnias.

There will also be barbecuing, outdoor dining, trips to the lake, Saturday farmers' markets and weekends away. So much summer goodness to look forward to.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Savvy Southern Style

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Lemon Lime Mint Margarita

 

 

 

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo next week, I created a unique and refreshing summertime margarita to add to my cocktail repertoire. We have been experiencing some really pretty days, as April turns to May; filled with sunshine and perfect for sitting on my patio with a fun drink. This margarita, made with lemonade, lime juice, fresh mint and tequila is as delicious as it is pretty and I look forward to using this recipe all summer long.

If you are a mojito fan, you will love this twist on a margarita and its delightful muddling of the fresh mint. I don't own a tool to muddle the mint in the glass, but a wooden spoon worked just fine. Grab some chips and salsa, make yourself one of these margaritas and have a mini fiesta right at home.

To prepare this cocktail: wet the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip in kosher salt. Add crushed ice, 1 ounce lime juice and 4 fresh mint leaves to the glass. Muddle the leaves until they are bruised. Add 1 ounce white tequila and 4 ounces lemonade to the glass. Mix with cocktail stirrer, garnish with additional mint leaves and enjoy.

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

{Linking with these friends}

French Country Cottage

A Stroll Thru Life

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Cozy Little House

Eclectic Red Barn

Skip To My Lou

Rooted in Thyme

Craftberry Bush

21 Rosemary Lane

New House New Home

Stonegable

Rattlebridge Farm

 

Hot Cocoa with Whipped Cream Vodka

 

 

 

The snow and cold weather has finally arrived in Michigan; typical for January, but late coming in this unusually mild winter. I try to walk with my puppy throughout the winter months, but some days, when the temperature is only in the teens, it might be pushing things a bit. I arrive home with frozen cheeks and it takes a while to warm up. Usually a hot drink does the trick and yesterday I got a bit adventurous and made my hot cocoa into a delicious adult version that warmed me right up.

To make this hot, creamy drink, simply make your favorite version of hot cocoa to start. Sometimes I make it from scratch, using milk and cocoa powder, but k cups in my Keurig work fine too. Add a shot of whipped cream flavored vodka and top with a generous amount of whipped cream. It's so rich and delicious - the very best grown up version of hot cocoa you will ever have and perfect for a cold winter night (or day).

Happy Wednesday!

 

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