i have said it before and i will say it again. wes is a badass.

sure, he drives me crazy like any good spouse, but he earned insane brownie (see what i did there) points this week when he pulled up all our nasty old carpet and replaced the flooring. for less than the price of a good rug, he was able to transform our living space into a lighter, brighter, cleaner space. right in time for our bun to come out of the oven.

if you ask me, he DESERVES a big, FAT cocktail for all his hard work. he loves a sweet, spicy marg, and this cocktail is exactly that.

el jefé honeydew margarita

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 1.5 oz tequila. .5 oz fresh lime juice. .5 oz triple sec. 1 cup chopped honeydew melon. 3 small slices of jalapeño. here is where you have control over the spice level. if you want it spicy, leave the membrane and seeds in. if you want it more mild, remove the seeds and membrane. 2 cups ice. blender or food processor. shaker. strainer. optional edible flowers and basil leaves for garnish.

start by making your spicy honeydew purée. in the bowl of your blender or food processor, blend up the melon and jalapeño. add half the ice to your shaker along with the tequila, lime juice and triple sec.

pour in 4 oz of your melon purée (you may or may not have a little extra purée left over). s

hake the mixture vigorously until frothy and well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. strain the contents of the shaker into your serving glass.

garnish with basil leaves and edible flowers if you are using them. serve and enjoy.

xo, a

el jefé honeydew margarita

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 1.5 oz tequila. .5 oz fresh lime juice. .5 oz triple sec. 1 cup chopped honeydew melon. 3 small slices of jalapeño. here is where you have control over the spice level. if you want it spicy, leave the membrane and seeds in. if you want it more mild, remove the seeds and membrane. 2 cups ice. blender or food processor. shaker. strainer. optional edible flowers and basil leaves for garnish.

start by making your spicy honeydew purée. in the bowl of your blender or food processor, blend up the melon and jalapeño. add half the ice to your shaker along with the tequila, lime juice and triple sec. pour in 4 oz of your melon purée (you may or may not have a little extra purée left over). shake the mixture vigorously until frothy and well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. strain the contents of the shaker into your serving glass. garnish with basil leaves and edible flowers if you are using them. serve and enjoy.

well, baby girl minichiello could arrive any day now. she is due on august 6th (naturally on a tueasday), but at this point she is considered full term any time she decides to join us. and aside from a few more things we want to complete around the house, i am ready.

i mean, i’m not totally ready to push out a watermelon, but i’m as ready as i will ever be.

and even more ready to enjoy friyay happy hour cocktails again.

it is hot hot hot all over this here country and the best way to beat the heat is with a cool drink. i imaged this cocktail up as a fresh fruit, vodka version of a daiquiri. and when i went to google how to spell daiquiri (because i am a horrible speller) i discovered that today is national daiquiri DAY! so i guess you have to make it now.

strawberry + citrus cooler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 1 oz vodka. 3 oz dry white wine. .5 cup hulled and halved strawberries. 1 oz lemon juice. 1 oz lime juice. 1 tbs sugar. 2 cups ice. shaker. strainer. blender or food processor. lime wheel for garnish.

in the food processor or blender, combine the vodka, strawberries, juices and sugar.

blend until puréed. fill your shaker with half the ice. pour the blended mixture over ice in the shaker.

add in the wine. shake well till combined. strain the contents of your shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass.

garnish with the lime wedge and serve.

xo, a

strawberry + citrus cooler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 1 oz vodka. 3 oz dry white wine. .5 cup hulled and halved strawberries. 1 oz lemon juice. 1 oz lime juice. 1 tbs sugar. 2 cups ice. shaker. strainer. blender or food processor. lime wheel for garnish.

in the food processor or blender, combine the vodka, strawberries, juices and sugar. blend until puréed. fill your shaker with half the ice. pour the blended mixture over ice in the shaker. add in the wine. shake well till combined. strain the contents of your shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. garnish with the lime wedge and serve.