welcome to a special new years edition of friyay happy hour.

this year has been a crazy whirlwind. cakes took off like crazy, we doubled our catering business and we had such an amazing time being a part of people’s most special days.

despite getting a bug that had me dragging to the finish line of twenty-eighteen, it was a VERY special year. after years of struggling, it felt great to finally start to see growth and development in our cooking. for so long it felt like i was faking it, and now i feel like cooking really is my job.

not to mention, today marks three years of wedded to bliss with my right hand man, wesley. it’s been a true joy being married to my best friend and business partner and i’m looking forward to what the next year brings us both.

now to the important part. there is something very special about ringing in the new year with bubbly. and a tweak or two can take your bubbles to the next level. a splash of any fresh fruit juice is delicious, but blood oranges are in season and the perfect splash.

blood orange + hibiscus bubbles

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients: 5 oz dry sparkling wine (or your favorite type of sparkling wine). 1 oz blood orange juice. .5 oz hibiscus syrup. blood orange wheel & golden sprinkles for garnish.

start by lightly rubbing the edge of your serving glass with the wheel of blood orange so it becomes slightly tacky.

dip the edge of your glass in the golden sprinkles.

pour the hibiscus syrup & blood orange juice into the bottom of your glass.

fill up the glass with bubbles.

garnish with the blood orange wheel.

serve & enjoy.

xo, a

blood orange + hibiscus bubbles

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients: 5 oz dry sparkling wine (or your favorite type of sparkling wine). 1 oz blood orange juice. .5 oz hibiscus syrup. blood orange wheel & golden sprinkles for garnish.

start by lightly rubbing the edge of your serving glass with the wheel of blood orange so it becomes slightly tacky. dip the edge of your glass in the golden sprinkles. pour the hibiscus syrup & blood orange juice into the bottom of your glass. fill up the glass with bubbles. garnish with the blood orange wheel. serve & enjoy.

there is not much in this world that says celebration like champagne. 

and today we are celebrating! 

newfoodtuesdayz started out as an outlet for a girl in her early twenties teaching herself how to cook. and somehow over the last eight years it has transformed into a full functioning website, recipe development workhorse, food styling operation, and now, a full on dessert business. 

twenty-four year old me is in shock and awe of the road newfoodtuesdayz has taken. 

the goal for me has always ultimately been a restaurant, and while that is still a ways off. today, i got one step closer. starting saturday, september 29th, you will be able to go into an actual location and purchase a slice of newfoodtuesdayz CAKE! 

by chance, the wonderful ladies at DOUGH & ARROW in costa mesa (my hood) and i were introduced. they make gorgeous cookies that are even tastier with FUN flavor combinations. not only that, they serve up delicious coffee in a relaxed environment. they are the perfect fit for newfoodtuesdayz and i can't wait to share my little slices of goodness with you and their customers. 

so let's celebrate! it's friyay, we are alive and well and pears are headed into season. 

pear + lavender mimosa

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients: 4 oz champagne. 1 oz pear puree or pear nectar (i used pear puree by blending up one pear and then straining it because i didn't want any extra sugars. if you are short for time or love something a little sweeter, you can find a lot of options for pear nectar HERE). 1 sprig lavender. 

start by filling the bottom of your serving glass with you pear puree or nectar.

top the glass off with your champagne.

smash the lavender sprig between your hands to release the oils.garnish your glass with the lavender.

serve & enjoy. 

xo, a

pear + lavender mimosa

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients: 4 oz champagne. 1 oz pear puree or pear nectar (i used pear puree by blending up one pear and then straining it because i didn't want any extra sugars. if you are short for time or love something a little sweeter, you can find a lot of options for pear nectar HERE). 1 sprig lavender. 

start by filling the bottom of your serving glass with you pear puree or nectar. top the glass off with your champagne. smash the lavender sprig between your hands to release the oils. garnish your glass with the lavender. serve & enjoy.