Drinks
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. BUT this one is a favorite ...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. ;) *************************** One of our best new finds is this Eristoff black vodka. In a word, ...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 ...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 ...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 ...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. ;) Since the sorbet was made with ...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! ;) I have ...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 ...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} St Germain & Champagne 1 ...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 ...Happy Hour Friday: Pepper Punch
I know the Olympics start in London today, and I had every intention of doing a very British drink to toast one of my favorite cities. But, as usual, I’m behind the 8 ball and not on top of things At. All. le sigh….. So instead, I’m sharing this awesome drink my sister concocted. I didn’t make ...Happy Hour Friday: Wallaby-Darned
The Wallaby-Darned is my favorite girly drink from Outback Steakhouse. With sweet peaches and champagne, what’s not to love? :) While shopping at our local Sam’s Club yesterday (stocking up on bulk staples like flour, sugar, etc…) I found the most beautiful peaches. Big, juicy, sweet and delicious–I figured this drink would be the perfect use ...Happy Hour Friday: Fleur-tini
There is a restaurant on Bourbon St in NOLA where C. and I like to eat every now and then when we’re in town. It sits just across from Galatoire’s and offers a splendid balcony view of all the crazy shenanigans that take place on the street below. If you’ve ever been on Bourbon, you know ...Happy Hour Friday: Caliente’
This week has been a blur. Whereas last week I was praying for Friday; this week it has slipped up on me, and I’m almost not ready for it! Almost. But really, who doesn’t want it to be Friday? ;) I spent last weekend in Dallas with my best friend and business partner buying for our gift ...Happy Hour Friday: The Worm Bucket
Have we made it? Is it Friday yet? Please say it’s no joke and I’m not going to realize in 2.3 seconds that it’s really only Thursday. Friday? Phew! Thank Goodness! I thought I’d never make it…. Now don’t start asking me why this drink is called “the worm bucket.” I have no idea. In fact, I’ve never ...Happy Hour Friday: Omazing Iced Tea Spritzer
I have to apologize for my extended absence. There was no “Happy Hour Friday” post last Friday for a few reasons. Work has been crazy busy plus my gardening chores have kept me outside so much in my spare time that I’ve had very little left over for blogging. But the best reason of all ...Happy Hour Friday: Basil-Orange Mojito
Happy Friday, Friends! We made it. Even though it’s been a short work week, it has felt like it would never end. I guess post-holiday work days are always like that. It’s difficult to get back into the swing of things once we’ve had some extra time off to relax. But today is Friday, and ...Happy Hour Friday: Royal Orchid
Happy THREE DAY WEEKEND! WooHooo! It’s finally here: Memorial Day weekend. School is out for summer (well, it is here, anyway); bbq grills are being uncovered as I type; and preparations for road trips, lake trips, boat trips, pool parties, backyard bbqs (or whatever your flavor) are in full frenetic swing. Summer. Our official kick-off. Here. ...Happy Hour Friday: Aqua Thunder
This is a fun summer time drink. Cool and refreshing, it’s great for poolside service (hint, hint). ;) Admittedly, there hasn’t been much (any) pool activity yet. To most of you, that’s not surprising. But for those of you who live in the Gulf Coast region, you know that we don’t often have to wait until ...Happy Hour Friday: Prickly Pear Margarita
The first time I had a prickly pear margarita (or even heard of a prickly pear) was a few years ago on a trip to Vegas. My entourage (haha) and I were waiting in the airport for our flight home, and we parked ourselves at one of the restaurants to drink away our time of ...Happy Hour Friday: Banana Monkey
Okay, I’m getting a jump on summer here; but this drink is just too good to wait until pool time! I discovered this treat at a resort in Cancun the first time C. and I vacationed there. My sister and brother-in-law have a time share at a wonderful resort in the Zona Hotelera–right on the beach ...Happy Hour Friday: Red Orange Cooler
Today is just a quick check in to let you know I am indeed still alive and to share another great drink. These past two weeks have been so hectic for me, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. My life is a whirlwind, and I am trying to regain some balance. Sadly, ...Happy Hour Friday: Strawberry Mojito
I’m finally back! It’s been a hectic two weeks with a nice little getaway tucked in over the Easter weekend. I hope each one of you enjoyed your holiday weekend as much as I did. C (Spicehubby) and I stole away to Abita Springs for a peaceful weekend in the woods. We found a ...Happy Hour Friday: Metropolitan
Happy Friday! Here we go again…. This martini is another go-to favorite from our “Martini Guide” ranking system. The recipe is basic and easy to mix, except Absolut Kurant can be difficult to come by. Our local liquor shop carries it just for us, I think! LOL I like to mix this up in larger ...Happy Hour Friday: the Mockingjay
In a nod to the Hunger Games mania sweeping the nation, today’s cocktail is the Mockingjay. Much like the story’s heroine Katniss, this drink is strong, crisp and packs a punch. It’s also mockingjay blue for full effect. If you haven’t read these books by Suzanne Collins, you may be wondering what all the big-time fuss ...Happy Hour Friday: Skittles Margarita
So, as I mentioned last Friday, my friend Cindy S. was concocting a margarita to enter into a cooking competition last weekend. Well, I’m happy to announce that her margarita took 4th place overall! WooHooo! You go, Girl! You’re a Supa-Star And to top it all off, she has been ever so sweet enough to ...Happy Hour Friday: Purple Haze Margarita
Since my Abita Strawberry Beeramisu has had such a wide and positive reception, I thought I’d feature another favorite Abita brew for this week’s Happy Hour Friday post. Purple Haze, if you haven’t had it before, is a raspberry-flavored lager. It’s one of my favorites; and luckily, since this is a local brewery, it’s pretty ...Happy Hour Friday: Skittles Vodka
I mentioned a few weeks ago that Spicehubby and I attended a Mardi Gras ball. Well, it was my krewe’s formal ball; and we had such a great time! A friend and krewe sister–Cindy S– served up skittles shots somewhere in the midst of all the fun, and no one could believe how wonderful they ...Happy Hour Fat Tuesday: Hurricane
It’s a special edition of Happy Hour Friday! I really should have posted this last Friday, but I was actually recovering from some of the Mardi Gras festivities in N’Awlins. {That’s how we pronounce New Orleans around these parts where I’m from} Spicehubby and I went down to the Crescent City last week for a ...Happy Hour Friday: Viagra Martini and Link Up
I have to admit, this wasn’t the drink I planned on sharing today. A couple of ingredients slipped my chaotic mind at the grocery store, so I had to fall back on a regular favorite. Despair not! This is one of the BEST! The backstory: A few years ago someone gave us a martini bar book. ...Happy Hour Friday: Twist ‘n Sparkle & Link Up Party!
One of my favorite Christmas gifts was actually one that I gave (even though I loved all the gifts I received). I gave Spicehubby Isi’s Twist ‘n Sparkle to add to his bar gadgets. Although he liked it, I was way more excited to try it out than he was! Making your own carbonated drinks–Brilliant! No ...Happy Hour Friday: Pearl Martini
Happy Friday! It’s Happy Hour Time….well, almost The Swizzle Stick is a cocktail bar in the Loews Hotel in New Orleans. We usually make a point to stop in for a drink each time we’re in NOLA. This is where we discovered St Germaine, a lovely elder flower liqueur that is wonderful mixed with ...Happy Hour Friday Returns! Cucumber-infused Rum & Mojito
With New Year’s Eve being tomorrow, everyone is posting champagne cocktails. I opted for something a little different. Now, I love champagne just as much (if not more) than the next girl; but the truth is, I’m a purist. :) I like my champagne just as is, no mixers required. It’s hard to beat the ...Happy Hour Friday: Think Pink Drink {Melon Mojito}
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere you turn, the town is dressed in pink. Just last weekend, our little city held its 2nd annual Susan G Komen Race for the Cure and managed to get nearly 6,000 participants involved! The official fundraising numbers haven’t been released yet, but I’m pretty proud to say there ...Happy Hour Friday: Orangecello Cocktails
Last week I was so busy with our continued back yard makeover that I never got around to posting for Happy Hour Friday. ((shudder)) I know! Awful, right? Well I’m back today with 3 cocktails to share! Two weeks ago I made a batch of orangecello that has been sitting in my fridge, neglected. Apart from ...Happy Hour Friday: Giada’s Orangecello
This has been a crazy week of long days and sleepless nights. I have cooked and eaten; recipe tested and failed; photographed and trashed. Frustration and disappointments have been plentiful this week, as has the manual labor. Spicehubby and I have been working hard on “Stage 3″ of our backyard makeover. For anyone who has been ...Irish Coffee
It’s finally Friday, so you know what that means. Everyone is gearing up for the approaching weekend. Tailgating parties, fall festivals, school carnivals, and an all-around sigh of relief that the work week is finally coming to an end. It also means it is Happy Hour here in the land of spice. The celebratory cocktail ...Pumpkin Smoothie
It’s that time of year when something familiar is in the air… Confusion. Is it summer? The humidity is not quite as high as usual. There is a soft morning breeze that brings with it the smell of blooming sweet olive trees. And the light has a different quality about it. No, it isn’t really ...Homemade Irish Cream
It’s Happy Hour Friday again, and I am so excited to share this recipe with you! It’s so easy and delicious, and because it is an eggless version it will last longer in the fridge. A wonderful homemade gift idea, I have given this as dinner party favors, hostess gifts and Christmas gifts. Add ...Basil Vodka Tonics
I found this drink idea in a recent issue of “Coastal Living” magazine. I was intrigued from the beginning because I have basil growing out of my ears and am always searching for new ways to use it! The drink was very refreshing, and despite the strong smell of basil in the the vodka the ...Fresh Peach Smoothie
Happy Summer Solstice! As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been summer here pretty much since April; but today is the official first day of summer. In order to celebrate, I took a few of the fresh peaches I bought at Saturday’s farmers’ market and puréed them for a refreshing smoothie. Add to that a little fresh mint from ...Quite Possibly the Perfect Bloody Mary
So, I got to thinking… No, don’t worry! About Bloody Marys. I love a good, spicy, flavorful Bloody Mary; but it’s nearly impossible to find a mix that is all of those things without having to add a few extra ingredients. After some early experiments, I already discovered that my seasoning blend (MexiCajun) is a ...
