Elliot and I couldn’t be further apart when it comes to cocktails. I’ll take a margarita or cosmo any day, while he picks anything with gin or whiskey. So, once in awhile, I feel like it’s best to come up with a cocktail that fits his fancy more than mine (which means leaving out the vodka or tequilla.) I really wish I liked whiskey, but I just don’t think I’m cut out for it. However, if you do enjoy a good bourbon cocktail, this one is definitely a must try. It’s Elliot’s favorite drink that we’ve made at home so far, so it’s been officially approved by a bourbon-lover. I figured a spin on an old fashioned might be interesting, and this one was definitely fun to make.The berries and lemon lighten up the drink a bit, making it a tad more summery.

One note on the tart cherry grenadine… if you don’t have the Quince & Apple brand syrup, you can make your own grenadine at home. If you use the regular kind, it will be much too sweet and maraschino cherry-tasting. To make the syrup, just combine 1 cup of dark cherry juice and 1/4 cup sugar in a pan, and bring to a boil. Let the sauce simmer until it reduces to a thick syrup (about 15 minutes). Otherwise, you can omit the grenadine from the recipe all together, and you’ll still have a yummy drink!

For those non-whiskey lovers out there, this recipe can also be converted to a vodka cocktail. Just replace the bourbon with a shot and a half of vodka, and top it off with club soda. Cheers!

Berry Old Fashioned (serves 1)

4 Raspberries

5-7 Blueberries

1 Sugar cube

2 Dashes of bitters

1/2 oz. Lemon juice

1/2 oz. Tart cherry grenadine

2 Shots bourbon

Ice

Muddle berries, sugar cube, and bitters in a glass. Add lemon juice, grenadine, bourbon, and ice. Stir well.

xx

 

 

 

There’s so many things to be happy about today.. It’s finally May, its Cocktail Friday, AND it’s almost Cinco de Mayo! For those of you throwing a “Dos de Mayo” party this weekend, I wanted to give you a little fiesta inspiration. I had so much fun with the cocktail this week (as you can probably tell). I am absolutely in love with these “Hola” & “Fiesta” stir sticks, too! The Roc Shop has amazing cocktail/party ware, so head over to her site for some colorful happy hour accessories. I can’t WAIT for her new summer collection to come out… I already know it will be inspiring some summer cocktail posts!

As for this week’s cocktail, this Jalapeño + Strawberry Margarita is so much fun. It has a little sweet and spicy going on, which is perfect to pair with some yummy Mexican food. Speaking of food, in case you need some Cinco menu help, I figured I would share some of my go-to recipes. I make these all the time, but they are extra special on the holiday!

Ina Garten’s Guacamole Salad is one of my all time favorite dishes. It’s basically deconstructed guacamole, so it’s healthy and delicious. I am also a huge fan of salsa, so what better day than Cinco de Mayo to whip up some fresh Pico de Gallo?! I love making my own because I can customize it a little bit, and then keep it in the fridge to use whenever I want! Finally, the day wouldn’t be complete without Chicken Enchiladas. The recipe I use comes from the Trader Joe’s cookbook, but I change it up a bit by cooking my own chicken and using authentic enchilada sauce. If you don’t have the cookbook, you can find the recipe posted here.

So grab yourself a margarita (and maybe a mini piñata) and have yourself a little fiesta this weekend!

Jalapeño Strawberry Margaritas (serves 2)

10-12 strawberries (I used slightly defrosted frozen ones to make it colder)

2 Limes

2 Lime wedges

2 Slices of Jalapeño

1.5 oz. Agave nectar or simple syrup

2 oz. Triple Sec

4 oz. Tequilla

Muddle the strawberries, juice of 2 limes, lime wedges, agave, and jalapeño slices (deseed if you want less spice). Add triple sec and tequilla. Strain into two glasses filled with ice.

Cheers!

xx