labor day weekend is upon us. the inevitable symbol that summer is over. sure, we still have a few weeks till fall truly hits, but let's be real, people are moving into autumn mode. myself included. 

there is no denying that days are getting shorter, the light is changing, and the sun is just not as strong. but all is not lost!

you don't have to put that summer drink up on the shelf quite yet. instead of putting your aperol away till the first days of next summer, instead, swap out your vodka for bourbon. mixing in something a little darker, and a little smokier completely transforms your favorite warm day drink to your favorite drink to warm up with. 

bourbon + aperol spritz

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 1.5 oz bourbon. 1 oz aperol. .5 oz simple syrup. 3 oz club soda. smoked lavendar. 1 cup ice or 1 large ice sphere. orange twist for garnish. 

start by filling your serving glass with ice. pour in the bourbon, the aperol and the simple syrup. give everything a good stir. top the drink off with the club soda. 

add in the smoked lavender and garnish with the orange zest.

serve and enjoy. 

xo, a

bourbon + aperol spritz

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 1.5 oz bourbon. 1 oz aperol. .5 oz simple syrup. 3 oz club soda. smoked lavendar. 1 cup ice or 1 large ice sphere. orange twist for garnish. 

start by filling your serving glass with ice. pour in the bourbon, the aperol and the simple syrup. give everything a good stir. top the drink off with the club soda. add in the smoked lavender and garnish with the orange zest.serve and enjoy. 

a month ago... 

wait. how are we already a month into summer?!? and why is that winter drags on for eons and summer blinks by?! ugh. 

ok, so back to it. a month ago, i hosted a styled cocktail & charcuterie class with my friend lish and betsy, the owner of b. toffee. and if you haven't tried b. toffee, get some. they sell it in west coast whole foods & soon to be williams sonoma all over the usa. my mother who proudly proclaims that she doesn't care for toffee GOBBLES this stuff up. 

anywho. we hosted a styling class focused on some light summer cocktails and building the perfect meat & cheese board for your summer gathering. we had a BLAST and at the end of the night we were buzzing. not because of the booze, but because it was intoxicating getting together with other talented and creative women to laugh, drink and celebrate the season. below are some snaps from the amazing ashley paige who captured the evening. the stunning flowers were provided by french buckets and the cute drink menu cards were made by killer paper goods artist (and former coworker from my roxy days) darla marie designs. most importantly, below is the recipe strawberry + rosé spritz we sipped and styled. 

strawberry + rosé spritz

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 3 oz rosé. 2 oz aperol. 2 oz club soda. 1 oz fresh lime juice. 2 strawberries, hulled and sliced. 1 cup ice. glass for serving. lime wedge for garnish. 

fill your serving glass with ice. add in all but one of your strawberry slices.pour in the rosé and aperol.

add in the lime juice.

top off the drink with club soda. give everything a quick stir to combine.

garish with lime wedge and the last strawberry slice.

serve and enjoy. 

xo, a

strawberry + rosé spritz

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 3 oz rosé. 2 oz aperol. 2 oz club soda. 1 oz fresh lime juice. 2 strawberries, hulled and sliced. 1 cup ice. glass for serving. lime wedge for garnish. 

fill your serving glass with ice. add in all but one of your strawberry slices. pour in the rosé and aperol. add in the lime juice. top off the drink with club soda. give everything a quick stir to combine. garish with lime wedge and the last strawberry slice. serve and enjoy.