i'm melting. last friday i mentioned a heat wave was upon us here in california and today is the hottest day yet. as i type, sweat is dripping from my brow, i'm laying in a slip dress directly in front of our only fan and i'm pretty sure in about twenty minutes the only thing left of me will be a puddle on the floor. 

the only thing saving me in the 95 degree heat + humidity + zero air conditioner is this cocktail. keep. them. coming.

i'm keeping it short and sweet today because the computer on my lap has already melted away my lower half and if i don't pop my head in the freezer soon, i may pass out. hop in your air conditioned car, run to the air conditioned market and pick up some in season peaches, beautiful basil and PLENTY OF ICE. then park yourself somewhere cool and enjoy this delicious libation. 

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler. 

start by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. 

once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. 

pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. 

add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. 

strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. 

top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. 

garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!

xo, a

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler.
tart by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!

the season of the fig is finally upon us. and i CAN'T GET ENOUGH of the mildly sweet fruit. 

every time i hit the produce store (you know, pretty much every day at this point) i pick up another pack. which means, i'm putting them in and on EVERYTHING these days. and cocktails are no exception. 

not going to lie. when i came up with this combo, i wasn't sure if all the ingredients would sing together as i hoped. but wow. i mean WOW. wes and i both agreed this is in the top five cocktails i've made. and i have made A LOT of cocktails. if you are looking for something that's a smokey, sweet, kick in the pants, this is your new jam. fig season is fleeting, so whip this up ASAP!

spicy figarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 3
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz mescal. 1 oz fresh lime juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 tsp sugar. 8 thin slices serrano pepper. 2 black figs, diced + 1 fig slic for garnish. 1 cup ice. shaker. strainer. muddler. 

combine the mescal, diced figs, 5 of the serrano slices and the sugar in the base of a shaker. 

muddle everything together till the figs and serranos are pretty smashed, about 30 seconds. 

pour in the triple sec and lime juice. fill the shaker with ice. 

shake till well combine, about 30 seconds. 

put a very small slice in your fig garnish and place it on the edge of your glass. place the remaining 3 peppers in the base of the cocktail glass. 

strain into the glass and served chilled.

enjoy!

xo, a

spicy figarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 3
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz mescal. 1 oz fresh lime juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 tsp sugar. 8 thin slices serrano pepper. 2 black figs, diced + 1 fig slic for garnish. 1 cup ice. shaker. strainer. muddler. combine the mescal, diced figs, 5 of the serrano slices and the sugar in the base of a shaker. muddle everything together till the figs and serranos are pretty smashed, about 30 seconds. pour in the triple sec and lime juice. fill the shaker with ice. shake till well combine, about 30 seconds. put a very small slice in your fig garnish and place it on the edge of your glass. place the remaining 3 peppers in the base of the cocktail glass. strain into the glass and served chilled.