Yes Way Vodka Rosé!

Yes, you read the title correctly.  Rosé vodka is a thing, or at least we are making it one!  Rosé wine is not only one of our favorite wines to drink (all year long!) but it is also one of the hottest summer trends thanks to the lovely ladies from Yes Way Rosé.  Their blush hued Instagram couldn't be any prettier and adding a clever accent aigu to their captions makes me want to pack up my things and move to Provence.  

Now while there is no real rosé in our pretty cocktail I promise wine drinkers and rosé lovers will not be disappointed!  Our quick infusion includes strawberries and cucumbers making it fruit forward, aromatic and fresh much like our beloved rosé wine.  It's delightful and smooth enough to sip on alone over ice and is the perfect compliment to a summer brunch on the patio mixed with sparkling wine.  You really can't go wrong however you choose to enjoy it.  Cheers!

Rosé Vodka

Ingredients
20 fresh very ripe strawberries, hulled and cut in half
1/2 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
2 cups vodka

In a quart size jar place all ingredients.  Stir to combine and refrigerate for 1-2 days, tasting after 1 day to ensure likeness of flavor.  If you infuse too long your cucumbers will turn to pickles which is super gross so be sure to check it after a day.  When infused to desired taste, strain vodka and discard the strawberries and cucumbers.  Store in an airtight jar for up to 1 month.

Rosé Vodka Cocktail

Ingredients
2 ounces rosé vodka
2 ounces sparkling wine
1/2 ounce simple syrup or St. Germaine (optional for those who like sweeter drinks)

In an ice filled glass pour in the vodka and top with the sparkling wine.  Add simple syrup or St. Germaine if desired.  Stir gently to combine.  Makes 1 cocktail.

Sip Bourbon...Always.

My sister recently asked me if I put bourbon in everything.  My reply was, "Yes, and you don't?"  I've been a whiskey/bourbon lover for as long as I can remember.  I eased into it slow with whiskey sours and now it's a staple in our household.  I've sipped on some really great complex ones and added our everyday favorite to just about everything from beer cocktails to barbecue sauce.  I often feel a bit of nostalgia when I'm enjoying a great bourbon.  It takes me back to some of the best memories with my hometown girlfriends and night caps with my husband.

For all of you whiskey skeptics, I assure you this cocktail is totally approachable and while it looks fancy it took me less than five minutes to make.  I promise you will feel like you just sat down at a super swanky bar where a mixologist wowed you with their flare.  However, in reality YOU are the swanky mixologist who just whipped up an impressive cocktail for either yourself after putting your kids to bed or for an impromptu summer gathering.  Either way I say it's a win and come on, strawberries are looking amazing right now so why not put them to good use.  Happy Sipping!

Strawberry Sage Bourbon Cocktail

Ingredients
3 ounces bourbon
2 fresh strawberries chopped
2 sage leaves

In a cocktail shaker add the strawberries and sage leaves and muddle.  Add the bourbon and fill with ice.  Shake vigorously.  Strain into a coupe or and ice filled glass.  Garnish with sage leaf if desired. Makes 1 cocktail.

Summer Bourbon Sangria

I know it's been months since we've posted but we are finally back with a summer cocktail that you can make in under two minutes!  This past spring was packed full of travels including work, a family reunion, a wedding, and an unforgettable girls trip.  While I loved every minute of being busy I was super thankful for having the past three weeks off to get back to the kitchen and be creative.  

I am a true summer lover.  It's a time for me to slow down, reset and relax.  The days are longer and I enjoy nothing more than sipping on an uncomplicated yet beautiful cocktail while soaking in the few extra hours of sunlight.

This sangria was created with leftover wine.  I know, I can barely believe I just said that and I feel weird about it, but I'm so glad that it happened.  Most sangria recipes require time, chopping lots of fruit and refrigerating overnight.   This one however requires about two minutes of your time, packs a punch and if you don't have fruit you'll be fine without it.  Besides, wine is made from grapes and that's a fruit right?  So go make sangria, enjoy the sun setting after 8pm, take a deep breath and relax a little.  We all deserve it.  Cheers!

Summer Bourbon Sangria

Ingredients
2 ounces bourbon 
4 ounces red wine (we prefer Tempranillo or Garnacha)
Fruit (strawberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries...whatever you have)
Lime (optional)

In an ice filled glass pour in the bourbon and red wine.  Stir to combine and garnish with fruit and lime if desired.  Makes 1 cocktail.

Winter is (NOT) Coming

If you live in California you know summer is not over and "Winter is (not) coming."  Thanks to the people over at the 21st Amendment Brewery we were inspired to make this never ending summer cocktail.

Their watermelon wheat beer is refreshing with subtle sweet fruity notes. It's summer in a glass. Combined with vodka and Grand Marnier, you get a drink that is extremely easy (maybe too easy) to drink making all of Kings Landing thankful Winter has not come.



Watermelon Beer Cocktail

Ingredients
3/4 ounce vodka
3/4 ounce Grand Marnier
Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer
Orange peel for garnish

In a tall glass filled with ice, pour in the vodka and Grand Marnier.  Top with the watermelon beer and garnish with an orange peel.  Makes one cocktail.

The ImPaler - A Beer Cocktail

We're back!  Sorry for the long break, but not to worry we've got some great cocktails and food recipes coming your way!  We couldn't think of a better way to begin than with this refreshing summer beer cocktail!

Los Angeles has been sticky, humid and as my husband puts it, "uncomfortable and just too hot!"  So to make things a little more bearable he created the ImPaler.  It's the perfect balance of sweet, tart and hoppy goodness.  This simple to make beer cocktail is meant to be enjoyed by the pool, on the beach, or on the porch during a summer rain shower, which we need desperately.  It screams summer in a glass so get mixing and start sipping!

The ImPaler Beer Cocktail

Ingredients:
2 ounces Vodka (we use Tito's Handmade Vodka)
3/4 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce honey simple syrup
1 ounce pale ale beer for float (we use Element 29 Pale Ale by Epic Brewing Co.)
1 sprig of thyme (optional)

In an ice filled rocks glass, pour in the vodka, grapefruit juice and honey simple syrup.  Stir to combine.  Pour the beer on top to float and garnish with the sprig of thyme.  Makes 1 cocktail.

Last Call For Summer Melons: Watermelon Dill Martini

Yes, you read that right. Dill in your martini!  Don't worry I promise you won't feel like you are drinking your garden or an over complicated craft cocktail.  This martini is super simple to make and can be made in a big batch for your Labor Day beach or backyard party.  The fresh watermelon juice is this cucumber dill infused vodka's prefect juicy, sweet companion.

Watermelon juice is a natural anti-inflammatory and great for sore muscles.  It is also super hydrating, full of antioxidants and helps with detoxing your kidneys.  So you see it's a detox on it's own and well, with my infused vodka, a retox!  Simple, fresh and  delicious!

I admit I'm trying to savor summer for as long as I can with this martini.  Don't get me wrong, I am a true pumpkin lover, forever a scarf wearer and love the warm aromas of a savory fall dish in my kitchen.  However, summer is where my heart belongs with the vibrant colors of it's fresh fruits and veggies.  Besides it's 95 degrees here and I don't see any signs of cooler weather coming our way soon.  So run and get the last of those watermelons, juice them up, and amp them up, with some lime, mint or infused vodka!


Watermelon Dill Martini

Ingredients:
6 ounces watermelon juice (see recipe below)
2 ounces cucumber dill infused vodka (see recipe below)
1/2 small lime, juiced 
Fresh dill sprig for garnish (optional)

Pour the watermelon juice, cucumber dill infused vodka and lime juice into an ice filled shaker.  Shake vigorously until chilled.  Pour the cocktail into a martini glass. Garnish with dill sprig if desired.  Makes 1 serving.

Watermelon Juice

Ingredients:
1 small seedless watermelon

Cut the watermelon in half and then each half into quarters.  Using a spoon scrape 4 of the 8 quarters into a blender.  Blend until liquefied.  Pour the watermelon juice into a large jar through a fine mesh sieve.  Repeat with the other 4 quarters of the watermelon.  Store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to one week.  Makes about 4 cups.

Cucumber Dill Infused Vodka

Ingredients:

1/2 large cucumber, sliced
2-3 sprigs of fresh dill (you can substitute mint here)
3 cups vodka

Place all the ingredients into an airtight jar.  Seal tight and store at room temperature for 3 days.  Remove the cucumber and dill and discard.  Store the infused vodka in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.  

NOTE:  The cucumber dill infused vodka can also be used for a number of other cocktail including; a Bloody Mary, a straight up martini, or just add soda water and lemon! 

Summer Sipping Made Simple

While you can most often find me with a bottle of good wine I am definitely a lover of a simple yet strong, well made cocktail.  And when I say simple I really do mean no more than 4-5 ingredients; one kind of booze, fresh fruit, herb/citrus and a mixer such as soda water.  I don't know about you but I would much rather be spending more time on my patio sipping my cocktails than in my kitchen making them.  My #happyhour obsession I have going on in my Instagram is what inspired these cocktails below.  

As America's favorite holiday, July 4th, approaching this weekend I think we can all agree that simple and fresh cocktails will be the perfect companion to our backyard barbecues before we all head off to see the fireworks.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.  Cheers!

Pineapple Mint Mule

Ingredients
2/3 cups pineapple, cubed
8 mint leaves, slapped and torn in half
4 ounces vodka (I use Tito's Homemade Vodka)
Ginger beer (I use Reed's Ginger Beer)
Ice

In a cocktail shaker add the pineapple, mint leaves and vodka.  Muddle until the pineapple is broken up.  Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until chilled.  Pour the cocktail into two glasses and top with the ginger beer.  Add more ice if needed.  Makes 2 servings.










Boozy Blackberry Vanilla Milkshake


Ingredients
20 fresh blackberries, plus 2-4 for garnish
4 scoops vanilla ice cream
4 ounces vodka (I use Tito's Homemade Vodka)

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour the milkshake into two glasses and garnish with fresh blackberries if desired.  Makes 2 servings.

Watermelon Coconut Lime Spritzer

Ingredients

1 cup watermelon, cubed
1 ounce lime juice
8 ounces coconut water
4 ounces vodka (I use Tito's Homemade Vodka)
soda water
2 lime wedges
Ice

Place the watermelon, lime juice, coconut water and vodka into a blender.  Blend until liquefied.   Fill two glasses with ice and pour cocktails in, divided evenly.  Top with soda water and a lime wedge.  Makes 2 servings.




Mango Mint Vodka Mojito

Ingredients
2/3 cups mango
2 ounce lime juice
10 mint leaves, slapped and torn in half
1-2 teaspoon agave nectar
4 ounces vodka (I use Tito's Homemade Vodka)
soda water
2 lime wedges
Ice

In a cocktail shaker add the mango, lime juice, mint leaves, agave nectar and vodka.  Muddle until the mango has broken up a bit.  Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until chilled.  Pour the cocktail, divided evenly into two glasses.  Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.  Makes 2 servings.