Hard Cherry Limeade

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

 

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Hard Cherry Limeade | The ELL Blog

Yay for Friday! So, I’m getting a little tired of these gloomy San Diego mornings we tend to be having lately. I’m in the mood for summer weather, beach picnics, and poolside cocktails, but Mother Nature doesn’t seem to be on the same page. None the less, I’m still getting in the summertime spirit with sunny cocktails.

This week, I took a fun retro classic and turned it into a yummy Hard Cherry Limeade cocktail! These maraschino cherries are such a fun addition to the drink, especially since they turn it pink! If you aren’t in the mood to squeeze your own limes for the limeade, you can definitely substitute pre-made limeade or lime juice. This tart and fresh drink will be perfect to sip in the sunshine (hopefully sometime soon!)

Cherry Limeade (serves 1)

Juice of 1 lime

1 oz. Simple syrup

1.5 oz. Vodka

3 Maraschino cherries

1/2 oz. Maraschino cherry juice (from jar)

Club Soda

Ice

Mix  lime juice, simple syrup, vodka, maraschino cherries and cherry juice  in a glass. Add ice and fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Cheers!

xx

 

 

 

Stone Fruit Spritzer

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Stone Fruit Spritzer | The ELL Blog

Happy Friday! I am so excited for summer to be here. I love the sunshine, picnics, and all of the yummy seasonal fruits. Stone fruits in particular are some of my favorites, and this week I spotted some fresh apricots on sale at my local market! This means that full blown stone fruit season is right around the corner, so this girl is pretty excited.

While at Target last week, I found a lovely little juice company called Wild Poppy, which is actually based right here in California. Their flavors are all unique and sounded like perfect cocktail starters, so I decided to give one a try. The Peach Vanilla flavor made the Stone Fruit Spritzer recipe perfect! Although this might not be a traditional spritzer, the bubbly & lightness of the drink made it  fit in the category quite well. Swap out the vodka for bourbon and you have yourself another great cocktail too. I  will definitely be making a few of these over the long weekend. You can even muddle a few for yourself at home and pack them up for a Memorial Day picnic!

Stone Fruit Spritzer (serves 1)

1/2 of an Apricot

1/2 oz. Simple syrup

1.5 oz. Vodka

3 oz. Wild Poppy Peach Vanilla

Lemon seltzer water

Ice

Muddle the apricot half and simple syrup together in a glass. Add vodka and Peach Vanilla juice, then add ice to the glass. Top off with seltzer water and stir.

Cheers!

xx

Sunday Florals

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

Sunday Florals | The ELL Blog

This is definitely one of my favorite dresses in my closet. It has florals and is feminine and flowy, which makes it easy and oh so fun to wear (and it happens to be Free People, my all time fav). I adore the back cut out too. I first saw it when I was visiting SLO and wine tasting with some friends, and a girl walked into the winery wearing it. We immediately asked where she had gotten it, and within the week two of us ordered it!

Recently, it’s been so cloudy and rainy down here in San Diego, which can be hard to handle when you’re used to 75 degrees every day! When we were taking these pictures, the sun came out for just a bit, which was such a gift. I am definitely looking forward to the sunshine and warmth of summer right about now!

xx

Cucumber Collins

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Cucumber Collins | ELL.

Happy Friday! It’s a rainy one here in San Diego, but I actually don’t mind it this time. Since it’s so gloomy out, I thought this refreshing cocktail would bring a little bit of sunshine to the weekend. This Cucumber Collins has a little twist with the edition of the elderflower flavor from the St. Germain. It’s quite delightful, and definitely a must-try for the spring & summer season! Have a lovely weekend!

 

Cucumber Collins (serves 1)

2 Slices of cucumber

1 oz. Lemon juice

1/2 oz. Simple syrup

1/2 oz. St. Germain Liqueur

2 oz. Gin

Club Soda

Ice

Muddle the cucumbers, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Add gin and St. Germain. Strain into two glasses filled with ice. Top with club soda, and enjoy!

xx

Darling Cocktail Party

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

Darling Event | ELL.

A few weekends ago, I had the privilege of assisting the amazing Jill from Layered Vintage  and Kara Dykert from Darling Events with the Darling San Diego cocktail party. Along with many other vendors and creatives, we worked to set up an fun and intimate party at Pow Wow Studios. The space was perfect for the event, since the studio is filled with aisles of vintage furniture that can be rented! I was so happy and thankful to be a part of the experience, since I was able to meet so many wonderful people in the creative SD industry. Among the wonderful vendors and helpers were Type & Title (calligraphy), Tend (plants and greenery), Kim from Dainty Lion, MIHO Catering,  and The Photo Bus. There were so many others that helped and attended as well, and it was so amazing to meet each and every one!

One of my favorite parts of the event was definitely the Floral Swag Bar that Jill and her team put together. Guests could come to the booth and pick out flowers to put in their hair! The three different cocktail bars were a hit as well, with each having a different signature themed cocktail. I can’t wait until the next Darling event!

xx