after finishing all my thanksgiving shopping, i'm sitting in a blanket of delicious aromas sipping on my first of many vodka sodas this weekend, i'm sure.

and lucky for you, i'm feeling extra giving. with everything going on in our lives, i've decided it is time to up my blog game. newfoodtuesdayz is quickly approaching it's sixth birthday and it's time for me to get my shit together and step it up.

so from this moment on, you can look forward to tips & tricks thursdays and friyay happy hours in additional to your regularly scheduled newfoodtuesdayz programming. so here is a sneak peak at both.

tips & tricks: easy cocktail styling

the holidays are stressful enough as it is. there is so much cooking to do that the last thing that you need to stress about is also making fancy cocktails. however, social lubrication at this time of year is a must. so instead of going out of your way to buy a ton of mixers and alcohol for cocktails people will probably never order, come up with one or two easy but pretty cocktails to have on hand for your guests to choose from. i like to go very simple and use a bubbly mixer and one alcohol. there are a bunch of great combinations. you can go classic like vodka + soda or gin + tonic. or go wild. try a sparkling wine + campari. like whiskey? how about a whiskey + ginger ale. you are really only limited by your imagination.

now to take it to the next level, add a couple of organic elements. i try to pick herbs, fruits or vegetables that go with the colors of my party. you can layer one or two organic elements to really make the cocktail pop. lavender, blood orange or pomegranate ice can always be made in advance and kept in the freezer till party time. small fruits are always beautiful on a sugared or salted rim and herbs always look stunning gently settled into a cocktail.

for the perfect thanksgiving combo, try this kumquat (in season starting in november) and rosemary vodka soda. you can't go wrong.

kumquat + rosemary vodka soda
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes ingredients: 2 oz vodka. .25 c club soda. 1 kumquat. 2 rosemary sprigs. 1 tbs sugar for the rim. 1 cup ice or large ice cube.

gently ice the edge of your glass. dip the rim of the glass into sugar until the entire rim is covered.

in your glass, combine the vodka, ice and club soda.

make a little slice in the bottom of the kumquat.

garnish with kumquat and rosemary and enjoy.

xo, a

kumquat + rosemary vodka soda
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes ingredients: 2 oz vodka. .25 c club soda. 1 kumquat. 2 rosemary sprigs. 1 tbs sugar for the rim. 1 cup ice or large ice cube.
gently ice the edge of your glass. dip the rim of the glass into sugar until the entire rim is covered.
make a little slice in the bottom of the kumquat.
in your glass, combine the vodka, ice and club soda.
garnish with kumquat and rosemary and enjoy.