long, LONG before friyay happy hour began, when i had no idea what i was doing in the kitchen, the first “cocktail” i ever made was a beer float.

now, it wasn’t necessarily the tastiest drink i ever made, but it was fun and boozy and at twenty-three, it did the trick.

fast forward through almost ten years worth of tasty cocktails, and insert the updated, much improved version of the beer float. and it just so happens to be the perfect drink to enjoy on halloween.

now, you could easily customize this hard cider float with your favorite cider or ice cream, but this combination tastes remarkably like the most delicious caramel apple, but with the benefits of a buzz.

hard cider float

serves 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minute

active time 1 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 8 oz hard cider (used one with less sugar and a higher alcohol content since they are usually light in alcohol and we are adding other sweet things to the mix). 2 oz your favorite whiskey. 2 scoops salted caramel ice cream (vanilla, pistachio or pumpkin spice could also be delicious). spoon full of whipped cream. pint or other large serving glass.

start by pouring your whiskey into your serving glass.

add your two scoops of ice cream.

pour your cider over the top.

top with a scoop of whipped cream.

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

hard cider float

serves 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minute

active time 1 minutes

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 8 oz hard cider (used one with less sugar and a higher alcohol content since they are usually light in alcohol and we are adding other sweet things to the mix). 2 oz your favorite whiskey. 2 scoops salted caramel ice cream (vanilla, pistachio or pumpkin spice could also be delicious). spoon full of whipped cream. pint or other large serving glass.

start by pouring your whiskey into your serving glass. add your two scoops of ice cream. pour your cider over the top. top with a scoop of whipped cream. serve and enjoy.

yes, you read that correctly. HAND whipped cream. no matter what tools you are working with at home, as long as you have a whisk, you can make whipped cream happen.

whipped cream is one of those REALLY simple things to make at home that elevates ANY dessert. everything from fresh berries to an olive oil cake is a little extra special with some fresh whipped cream.

now, you can definitely use any of your fancy kitchen tools like stand mixers, immersion blenders and hand blenders to make whipped cream. and yes, it saves your arm the trouble, but none of those tools are necessary.

one of the keys to making good, easy whipped cream is having an ice cold bowl and very cold cream. you want to keep your metal bowl in the fridge or preferably the freezer for at least 15 minutes before you make your whipped cream.

now homemade whipped cream CRUSHES the store bought stuff, but the added benefit is that you can make it as sweet as YOU want it. you can also add just a bit of your favorite extract or zests to make whipped cream your own.

hand whipped cream

serves: 2 cups whipped cream

inactive time: 15 minutes

active time: 10 minutes

total time: 20 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup COLD heavy whipping cream. .25 cup granulated OR powdered sugar (either will work). 1 tsp vanilla extract or orange zest optional (or one tsp of your other favorite flavoring). ice cold metal bowl. whisk.

start by pouring your cream into the bowl.

set a five minute timer and start to whip as much air as you can into your cream. as i stood there and whisked i did a little jig, did some stretching and even got in some good yoga breathing. at about that five minute mark, your cream will be like a thick soup.

pour in about 1 tbs of the sugar and set another 2 minute timer. continue whisking and in that two minutes the cream should become much more stiff.

when you have soft peaks (the cream should stick to the whisk but still lose a bit of it’s shape), pour in a little more of your sugar to taste and your flavoring option. whip the flavor in until well combined and the cream has stiffened to hold it’s shape. about 1 more minute.

serve your whipped cream or store in the fridge for up to a week.

xo, a

hand whipped cream

serves: 2 cups whipped cream

inactive time: 15 minutes

active time: 10 minutes

total time: 20 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup COLD heavy whipping cream. .25 cup granulated OR powdered sugar (either will work). 1 tsp vanilla extract or orange zest optional (or one tsp of your other favorite flavoring). ice cold metal bowl. whisk.

start by pouring your cream into the bowl. set a five minute timer and start to whip as much air as you can into your cream. as i stood there and whisked i did a little jig, did some stretching and even got in some good yoga breathing. at about that five minute mark, your cream will be like a thick soup. pour in about 1 tbs of the sugar and set another 2 minute timer. continue whisking and in that two minutes the cream should become much more stiff. when you have soft peaks (the cream should stick to the whisk but still lose a bit of it’s shape), pour in a little more of your sugar to taste and your flavoring option. whip the flavor in until well combined and the cream has stiffened to hold it’s shape. about 1 more minute. serve your whipped cream or store in the fridge for up to a week.