whether i like it or not, the holidays are just around the corner. our november catering and cake schedule is already looking full and december is starting to add up. so i'm starting to do little things in advance that i can keep on hand during the holiday season to make my life easier. 

first up are these beautiful frosted rosemary sticks. they are beautiful in a cocktail, they can be broken up and used for small hits of pretty green on a cake or you can use a few to style up a platter that is a little bland in color and needs some holiday cheer. plus they smell AMAZING. 

frosted rosemary
serves: 4 rosemary sprigs
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 4 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 4 sprigs rosemary. 1 tbs simple syrup. .25 cup sugar. 1 plate. 

start by pouring your the simple syrup onto your plate. gently brush your rosemary sprigs through the simple syrup one at a time. 

after the sprig gets brushed with simple syrup, gently sprinkle it with the sugar. 

i like to pour the sugar over a plate or bowl to catch any excess. once your rosemary sprig is frosted, set it aside on a platter or in a jar and finish the remaining sprigs. 

use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. 

xo, a

frosted rosemary
serves: 4 rosemary sprigs
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 4 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ngredients: 4 sprigs rosemary. 1 tbs simple syrup. .25 cup sugar. 1 plate. start by pouring your the simple syrup onto your plate. gently brush your rosemary sprigs through the simple syrup one at a time. after the sprig gets brushed with simple syrup, gently sprinkle it with the sugar. i like to pour the sugar over a plate or bowl to catch any excess. once your rosemary sprig is frosted, set it aside on a platter or in a jar and finish the remaining sprigs. use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

um... when did it become october? i'm pretty sure my head is still back in late july. in fact, it wouldn't be too terrible to go back in time a few months. think about it. let's go back to before all the crazy hurricanes (and i do mean ALL because they are still coming?!), this crazy shooting and the death of a musical legend. i'd gladly take back my sweltering summer kitchen to erase all that mess. but i digress... 

october is here. whether i like it or not. it's not that i don't care for october, it just means summer is really over, the days are getting shorter and i'm no longer playing with adorable kids in the pool every day. but you know what makes up for it? new produce in the markets. i hit the jackpot when i went to the store wednesday and found my absolute favorite, blood oranges. and what are blood oranges best for. drinking. duh.we have a dinner party coming up in a couple weeks and we needed a fun, fall cocktail to serve up. winner winner, chicken dinner. enjoy! 

blood orange + blackberry martini
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: blackberry juice (makes 4 oz) - 1 cup blackberries. 1 oz simple syrup. food processor or muddler. strainer. 

martini - 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz blackberry juice. shaker. martini glass. 1 cup of ice. blood orange slice for garnish.

start by making your blackberry juice. in the bowl of a food processor, blend the blackberries and simple syrup. 

strain the juice through the strainer and discard the seeds and any remaining pulp. fill your shaker with ice. 

add in the blackberry juice. 

add in the blood orange juice, triple sec, and vodka. shake well till everything is combined. 

pour the liquid into a martini glass. 

garnish with the blood orange slice and serve. 

xo, a

blood orange + blackberry martini
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: blackberry juice (makes 4 oz) - 1 cup blackberries. 1 oz simple syrup. food processor or muddler. strainer.
martini - 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz blackberry juice. shaker. martini glass. 1 cup of ice. blood orange slice for garnish.
start by making your blackberry juice. in the bowl of a food processor, blend the blackberries and simple syrup. strain the juice through the strainer and discard the seeds and any remaining pulp. fill your shaker with ice. add in the blackberry juice. add in the blood orange juice, triple sec, and vodka. shake well till everything is combined. pour the liquid into a martini glass. garnish with the blood orange slice and serve.