Happy Hour Friday

Good morning, Friends!

Today I’m sharing my Bloody Mary recipe again because this is what I’ll be serving at Southern Chic’s Holiday Open House Sunday.

Since the holiday shopping season has already begun, things are getting crazy hectic at the shop; and so I do not have a new drink to share.

Happy Halloween! Voodoo-tini

It’s All Hallows Eve, and there’s much astir.

Goblins and witches and ghouls are preparing to wreak havoc under the waning full moon!

And candy-seeking children will scour the land for treats of any kind.

Me? I’ll be sitting back, sipping one of these. ;)

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Happy Hour Friday: Resurrection Punch

This was the signature drink for our annual Halloween party last year. Honestly, it was such a haphazard concoction!

But it was a hit; and believe me, there was NOTHING of it left even before the end of the night! {I seem to recall someone using a straw to get the very last dregs from the bottom of the punchbowl!}

It was fruity, sweet, and DEADLY! The kind of drink that sneaks up on you.

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Happy Hour Friday: The St Germain Cocktail

Ahhh Friday. There’s just something about this magical day that brings out the best in all of us. ;)

I like to make the most of mine (as we all know) with a cocktail worthy of celebrating all that Friday means. Freedom–from the doldrums of the work week. Release–from the stress of the daily grind that envelopes us every morning we crawl out of bed. Promise–of a weekend full of fun or relaxation or both.

Yes, Friday. We love you!

Happy Hour Friday: Amaretto Sour

This one is for my sister-in-law. ;)

After talking bacon all week, I thought it might be time for a slight break. I considered featuring some type of bacon libation; but, honestly, the thought of infusing vodka with bacon fat was just too much even for me to take!

So, I turn to a classic instead. The amaretto sour is my sister-in-law’s favorite cocktail. I promised a few months ago that I would highlight this drink just for her.

Here it is…

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Happy Hour Friday: Champagne Float

Oh. Yum.

This is such a lovely treat and can be a really elegant, low-cal dessert for an evening soirée. ;)

Luckily, I had some of this Minty Peach Sorbet still in my freezer; and the thought of adding it to a chilled glass of champagne seemed nothing less than inspired. ;)

Happy Hour Friday: Chartres House Hurricane

Today’s drink is a break from the St Germain cocktail book I’ve been working through. This twist on a traditional hurricane comes from a favorite restaurant in NOLA’s French Quarter–the Chartres House.

Thankfully I had the presence of mind to ask and note the ingredients of this little gem as I was enjoying it! ;)

Happy Hour Friday: Traditional ElderFashioned

Wew! It’s been a jam-packed 3 weeks! While I’ve been absent from cooking, mixing and blogging, I’ve been a bit tied up with some pretty big goings-on around here.

With a 5 year anniversary party to plan, a hurricane aimed straight for us, and a trip to the beach all coming at me at once–what could possible go wrong?

HA!

Happy Hour Friday: St Germain & Champagne

Continuing to work my way through the St Germain book of cocktails, today I’m featuring a champagne drink. This second recipe is as simple as they come. But that doesn’t mean it’s not deliciously wonderful.

Simple and easy, but fancy enough for romance {or even just a girls’ night}

Happy Hour Friday: St Germain Gin & Tonic

A couple weeks ago I mentioned I would be going to New Orleans to check out the 10th annual Tales of the Cocktail. This yearly fête is all about cocktail indulgences, history, development, creative concoctions, and food pairings. There are exhibits from world-wide vendors, special dinners, seminars on specialty topics, and bartender competitions.

Sadly, I missed almost all of it. Since we stayed in Baton Rouge Friday night and spent half of Saturday participating in my very first triathlon (which I completed AND survived, btw!–right along side my two friends with C. cheering us on and snapping pics the whole way), we were a little late getting to the Big Easy. By the time we reached NOLA Saturday afternoon, the only thing left for us to do was drink up!