there is this really beautiful plant nursery near where we live and a couple of years ago they opened a restaurant on site focused on seasonal, farm to table food. it is one of the most beautiful places to dine, not just near me, but anywhere. and the first time i went i had a tasty cocktail that had some really impressive little star flowers in it. after some research, i discovered that they are the flowers of the borage plant.

after a little digging, i discovered it is an herb often used for medicinal purposes. the flowers and leaves are used for everything from headaches to depression and its oil can be used for all types of skin conditionals as well as arthritis. AND while you probably wont be able to purchase a plant of borage at your local nursery, they are VERY easy to grow on your own. you can find seeds HERE and before you know it, you can have your own stunning star flowers.

now with all that blubbering about a less than one inch blossom out of the way, the point is they are a great compliment to this cocktail. this spring time beverage is delicious with edible flower garnish or with out. it is a little sweet, a wee bit tart, very herbaceous and the perfect way to start your passover/easter weekend.

lemon + sage sparkler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz lemon juice + small lemon wheel for garnish. 4 large sage leaves, torn and smashed to release their oils + a sprig of sage for garnish. 1 tsp sugar. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. borage flowers for garnish, optional. muddler. shaker.

start by combining the torn and smashed sage leaves, the sugar and the lemon juice together in the base of your shaker.

muddle the mixture until the sage is really smashed and the sugar is absorbed into the liquid.

add in the vodka and half the ice to the shaker and shake well till everything is combined.

strain the contents of the shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. top the drink off with the club soda and stir well.

garnish with your sage sprig, lemon wheel and edible flowers if you have them. serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lemon + sage sparkler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz lemon juice + small lemon wheel for garnish. 4 large sage leaves, torn and smashed to release their oils + a sprig of sage for garnish. 1 tsp sugar. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. borage flowers for garnish, optional. muddler. shaker.

start by combining the torn and smashed sage leaves, the sugar and the lemon juice together in the base of your shaker. muddle the mixture until the sage is really smashed and the sugar is absorbed into the liquid. add in the vodka and half the ice to the shaker and shake well till everything is combined. strain the contents of the shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. top the drink off with the club soda and stir well. garnish with your sage sprig, lemon wheel and edible flowers if you have them. serve and enjoy.

um, where did january go?

i feel like it took me much longer than usual this year to regroup after the holidays. normally, i attack a new year with extreme enthusiasm. but this year, i just couldn’t kick it into gear. but with a new month bringing a fresh perspective and one of my favorite times of the year, i’m finally feeling like i’m getting back in the swing of things. and right in time for happy hour.

citrus season is bringing its best right now. grapefruit, cara cara and blood oranges are offering up some really gorgeous flavors and colors. and nothing pairs better with citrus than herbs.

this lightly sparkling sip will brighten up a cold february day and you will want to keep this cocktail handy all the way through spring.

thyme & grapefruit spritzer

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice + grapefruit twist. .5 oz st. germain. 7 sprigs thyme. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. shaker.

start by filling the base of your shaker with half the ice, 5 of the thyme leaves roughly torn, and the vodka. give it a stir and let the thyme start to infuse into your vodka.

pour in the grapefruit juice and st. germain. cover the shaker and shake well till everything is well combined and the thyme leaves are nice and bruised up. about 30 seconds.

fill your serving glass with ice. pour the contents of your shaker into the serving glass.

top the glass with club soda.

gently stir it up with the remaining thyme sprigs and use them as a garnish. top with your grapefruit twist, serve and enjoy.

xo, a

thyme & grapefruit spritzer

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice + grapefruit twist. .5 oz st. germain. 7 sprigs thyme. 5 oz club soda. 2 cups ice. shaker.

start by filling the base of your shaker with half the ice, 5 of the thyme leaves roughly torn, and the vodka. give it a stir and let the thyme start to infuse into your vodka. pour in the grapefruit juice and st. germain. cover the shaker and shake well till everything is well combined and the thyme leaves are nice and bruised up. about 30 seconds. fill your serving glass with ice. pour the contents of your shaker into the serving glass. top the glass with club soda. gently stir it up with the remaining thyme sprigs and use them as a garnish. top with your grapefruit twist, serve and enjoy.