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.

last night, wes left for three weeks of work. he's headed to indian wells to work at the nobu pop up restaurant they have at the big tennis tournament. the restaurant is literally on the court. it is a great opportunity and he is super excited. 

i can't lie, i'm going to miss him. when i traveled fifty percent of the time for work for a few years, we weren't married and i was far less codependent. but it has been YEARS since we have spent more than two nights apart. i'm sure i'll get plenty of work done and spend time with friends and family, but i'll miss my best buddy. my kitchen copilot. the best coffee maker in town. 

but my first and last love is me. so i'm going to indulge in my favorite things while he is gone. starting with this cocktail. i've been anxiously waiting for the lavender plants to pop up at trader joe's and they have finally arrived. i love lavender. probably because it's so calming, and i could always use a bit of that. looking for an easy drinking, relaxing cocktail to prepare for the weekend? this is your jam. be careful. it goes down nice and easy. 

lemon + lavender whiskey smash

serves: 1 cocktail 

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz rye whiskey. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. .5 oz simple syrup. 3 oz club soda. handful of lavender leaves. 1 cup crushed ice. 1 cup ice. lavender flower + lemon twist for garnish. shaker. 

start by filling your shaker with the regular ice and your serving glass with the crushed ice. in the shaker, add the whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup. smash up the lavender leaves to release their oils and add them to the shaker.

add your twist and lavender garnish to the glass. shake your cocktail till well combined. about 30 seconds.strain the cocktail into your glass.  

top off with club soda and give it a good stir. 

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lemon + lavender whiskey smash

serves: 1 cocktail 

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz rye whiskey. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. .5 oz simple syrup. 3 oz club soda. handful of lavender leaves. 1 cup crushed ice. 1 cup ice. lavender flower + lemon twist for garnish. shaker. 

start by filling your shaker with the regular ice and your serving glass with the crushed ice. in the shaker, add the whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup. smash up the lavender leaves to release their oils and add them to the shaker. add your twist and lavender garnish to the glass. shake your cocktail till well combined. about 30 seconds. strain the cocktail into your glass. top off with club soda and give it a good stir. serve and enjoy.