today is the first day of autumn and it blows my mind how quickly the seasons change. just two weeks ago it was too hot in my apartment to turn on my oven and yesterday we had our first southern california rain. basically our socal equivalent to the first snow in cooler places. but the softer light and cooling temps (i actually had to put a sweatshirt on this week, gasp) have me embracing fall and all its flavors. and boots of course. 

i've had some sparkling apple cider in the fridge left over from a catering job that i've been dying to bust open. and no flavors say fall to me more than apples and cinnamon. and whiskey.

when i whipped up this easy to make cocktail, wes was very skeptical. and then he had me make another. so you know it is a winner. 

spiced whiskey cider
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes
ingredients: 5 oz sparkling apple cider. 2 oz irish whiskey (i used jameson). 1 oz lemon juice. 1 pinch cinnamon (about 1/8th tsp for those not comfortable with their pinch size). two sprigs rosemary. large ice cube or cup of ice. 

in a small glass, combine the cinnamon, jameson and lemon juice. 

stir well to combine. 

smash one of the rosemary sprigs between your palms to release the oils and place it in the bottom of your glass. fill the glass with your ice. 

pour the whiskey mixture over the ice and rosemary. 

pour in the apple cider to top off the glass. 

garnish with the second rosemary sprig and enjoy. 

xo, a 

spiced whiskey cider
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes
ingredients: 5 oz sparkling apple cider. 2 oz irish whiskey (i used jameson). 1 oz lemon juice. 1 pinch cinnamon (about 1/8th tsp for those not comfortable with their pinch size). two sprigs rosemary. large ice cube or cup of ice.
in a small glass, combine the cinnamon, jameson and lemon juice. stir well to combine. smash one of the rosemary sprigs between your palms to release the oils and place it in the bottom of your glass. fill the glass with your ice. pour the whiskey mixture over the ice and rosemary. pour in the apple cider to top off the glass. garnish with the second rosemary sprig and enjoy. 

today is st. patrick's day. one of those holidays that pretty much means nothing to you unless you are... 

a. irish
b. a child in school
c. a college student (or those who still drink like college students) who wants an excuse to drink at six in the morning. 

but hey, i'm down for a reason to drink. and i'm definitely down for some jameson in a pretty cocktail glass. not much of a weekend going on over here this week... or the next... or the next... so i'll be getting my sips in where i can fit them in. and i'm starting with an hour or two in the garden tonight with one of my old favorites. 

whiskey smash
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2.5 oz whiskey. two small lemon wedges, plus small slice of lemon for garnish. 1 tsp simple syrup. 1 mint sprig. 2 cups crushed ice. serving glass of your choice. strainer. shaker. muddler.

start by dividing your ice between the shaker and the serving glass. set the serving glass aside. 

in the shaker, combine the simple syrup and the juice of the lemons. 

throw the lemon wedges into the glass as well. 

then, pluck all but the pretty top leaves of the mint sprig and add them to the shaker.

muddle the lemon, syrup, ice and mint together. 

then pour in your whiskey. 

shake until well combined. 

strain into your serving glass. 

garnish with small lemon wedge and the mint sprig and serve. 

xo, a

whiskey smash
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 3 minutes ingredients: 2.5 oz whiskey. two small lemon wedges, plus small slice of lemon for garnish. 1 tsp simple syrup. 1 mint sprig. 2 cups crushed ice. serving glass of your choice. strainer. shaker. muddler.
start by dividing your ice between the shaker and the serving glass. set the serving glass aside. in the shaker, combine the simple syrup and the juice of the lemons. throw the lemon wedges into the glass as well. then, pluck all but the pretty top leaves of the mint sprig and add them to the shaker. muddle the lemon, syrup, ice and mint together. then pour in your whiskey. shake until well combined. strain into your serving glass. garnish with small lemon wedge and the mint sprig and serve.