today is the first day of autumn and it blows my mind how quickly the seasons change. just two weeks ago it was too hot in my apartment to turn on my oven and yesterday we had our first southern california rain. basically our socal equivalent to the first snow in cooler places. but the softer light and cooling temps (i actually had to put a sweatshirt on this week, gasp) have me embracing fall and all its flavors. and boots of course. 

i've had some sparkling apple cider in the fridge left over from a catering job that i've been dying to bust open. and no flavors say fall to me more than apples and cinnamon. and whiskey.

when i whipped up this easy to make cocktail, wes was very skeptical. and then he had me make another. so you know it is a winner. 

spiced whiskey cider
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes
ingredients: 5 oz sparkling apple cider. 2 oz irish whiskey (i used jameson). 1 oz lemon juice. 1 pinch cinnamon (about 1/8th tsp for those not comfortable with their pinch size). two sprigs rosemary. large ice cube or cup of ice. 

in a small glass, combine the cinnamon, jameson and lemon juice. 

stir well to combine. 

smash one of the rosemary sprigs between your palms to release the oils and place it in the bottom of your glass. fill the glass with your ice. 

pour the whiskey mixture over the ice and rosemary. 

pour in the apple cider to top off the glass. 

garnish with the second rosemary sprig and enjoy. 

xo, a 

spiced whiskey cider
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 1 minute
total time: 2 minutes
ingredients: 5 oz sparkling apple cider. 2 oz irish whiskey (i used jameson). 1 oz lemon juice. 1 pinch cinnamon (about 1/8th tsp for those not comfortable with their pinch size). two sprigs rosemary. large ice cube or cup of ice.
in a small glass, combine the cinnamon, jameson and lemon juice. stir well to combine. smash one of the rosemary sprigs between your palms to release the oils and place it in the bottom of your glass. fill the glass with your ice. pour the whiskey mixture over the ice and rosemary. pour in the apple cider to top off the glass. garnish with the second rosemary sprig and enjoy. 

in my yoga classes this week, the themes have all been about inventory. and right now, i'm completely hung up on my inventory, so i'm going to just carry that theme right on over to today's blog post. 

don't worry, i don't mean the physical inventory of your pantry. this post isn't a recommendation to clean out your actual cabinets. not that that is a bad idea if you have some free time. but i digress. 

no, i'm talking about your own PERSONAL inventory. we are quickly approaching the last quarter of twenty-seventeen and how better to prep for a new year than with inventory? personal inventory doesn't just mean your personal life. it is time to take a physical inventory of your body, inventory of your relationships, your mind, your schedule and of course, your liquor cabinet. 

and i'm practicing what i preach. this week i took a serious personal inventory. for the last six months i've been spinning my wheels, trying to grow a trio of new businesses, develop a whole host of both business and personal relationships and giving of myself physically and mentally in pretty much every aspect of my life. 

now that i've taken inventory, it is time to put the stuff that is not moving on sale and reorder the good stuff. i've decided that after this margarita, i'm starting to implement some serious adjustments of my inventory. more yoga. less driving. working smarter, not harder. more family and friend time and less time spinning my wheels at jobs that aren't lucrative monetarily or mentally. 

now it is your turn. pour yourself this lilikoi (passionfruit) margarita and start to work on your inventory. having trouble finding actual inventory of lilikoi? try your produce store as they are currently in season. i've even seen them at my local vons. neither of those places worked? ask the produce guy at your local market to order you some or hit the local farmer's market. 

lilikoi margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila blanco. 2 oz lilikoi (3-5 fruits depending on the size). 1 oz grand marnier. 1 tsp honey. 1 cup ice. boston shaker. glass for serving. 

start by filling your shaker with the ice. pour in the lilikoi.

add in the tequila and grand marnier. 

pour in the honey. 

using the honey spoon, give everything a good stir and getting the last of the honey off the spoon. shake well for 30 seconds to a minute till frothy. 

pour the whole contents of the shaker into your serving glass. 

serve and enjoy! 

xo, a

lilikoi margarita
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila blanco. 2 oz lilikoi (3-5 fruits depending on the size). 1 oz grand marnier. 1 tsp honey. 1 cup ice. boston shaker. glass for serving.
start by filling your shaker with the ice. pour in the lilikoi. add in the tequila and grand marnier. pour in the honey. using the honey spoon, give everything a good stir and getting the last of the honey off the spoon. shake well for 30 seconds to a minute till frothy. pour the whole contents of the shaker into your serving glass. serve and enjoy!