it seems to me, that life is a series of stages. you have your childhood, your high school years, some people have college. then general young adulthood. then suddenly, everyone you know is getting married. one year i was in four weddings. i think i hit ten weddings in eighteen months at one point. my guess is some of you are nodding along by now. 

but i am in a new phase now. baby phase. all around me, friends, coworkers and clients seem to be popping up pregnant. in honor of all the lovely ladies who are walking around cooking up a little life, here is a drink that you too can enjoy. and don't worry, it is the perfect base for some vodka, or even a little gin for those of us just cooking up friday night dinner. 

basil lemonade
serves: 5 cups
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
total time: 10 minutes
ingredients: 4 cups water. 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice. .75 cups simple syrup. .25 cup fresh basil leaves. 1 cups crushed ice. ice for serving. basil sprig for garnish. strainer. muddler.

in a medium bowl, combine the ice and simple syrup. 

rip up the basil leaves and add it to the ice and syrup. 

use your muddler to smash the basil, ice and syrup mixture together. 

you are trying to bruise the basil to release it's oils into the syrup. 

after your leaves are good and bruised, pour in your lemon juice. 

mix well till everything is combined. 

strain the lemon juice mixture over a large pitcher. 

stir in your water to taste. 

serve over ice with sprig of basil. 

xo, a

basil lemonade 
serves: 5 cups 
prep time: 5 minutes 
active time: 5 minutes 
total time: 10 minutes 
ingredients: 4 cups water. 1.5 cups fresh lemon juice. .75 cups simple syrup. .25 cup fresh basil leaves. 1 cups crushed ice. ice for serving. basil sprig for garnish. strainer. muddler. 
in a medium bowl, combine the ice and simple syrup. rip up the basil leaves and add it to the ice and syrup. use your muddler to smash the basil, ice and syrup mixture together. you are trying to bruise the basil to release it's oils into the syrup. after your leaves are good and bruised, pour in your lemon juice. mix well till everything is combined. strain the lemon juice mixture over a large pitcher. stir in your water to taste. serve over ice with sprig of basil. 

if the lavender in the secret garden is any indicator, spring has arrived. which tickles me pink because i'm in LOVE with lavender. yes, that may seem dramatic. but it is true. it's a smell that i associate with so many amazing memories in my own life and has such a natural calming effect (which i often need, desperately). 

now that i'm a cook, lavender has found it's way onto my table in many more ways than just vases. i love using it for wet rubs for protein, baked into pretty much anything and in my mind it is the perfect herb for a cocktail. and those colors!!! 

in celebration of spring, and friyay i needed a bright, floral beverage. this combo delivered. and the heavy citrus flavors really mellow out a strong drink.

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. 

start by prepping your lavender sprigs.

gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. 

add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. 

add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain.

shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined.

fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass.

strain your cocktail over the ice. 

serve and enjoy.

xo, a

lavender citrus blossom
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 2 oz lemon juice. 1 oz st. germain. .5 oz simple syrup. 2 lavender sprigs, both leaves & flowers. 1 large ice cube or cup of ice for serving. 1 cup ice for shaking. tumbler glass to serve. shaker. strainer. start by prepping your lavender sprigs. gently remove all the leaves so just the flower remains at the end. reserve the flowers. add the leaves to the shaker full of 1 cup of ice. add in the vodka, juices, simple syrup and st. germain. shake well till the herbs are bruised and everything is well combined. fill your serving glass with ice. add your lavender flowers to the glass. strain your cocktail over the ice. serve and enjoy.