february has arrived. and i have to say, february is one of my favorites. the pink and red and hearts all over tells me two things. valentine's day is coming in hot, and the end of winter is near.

longer days and warmer temps are right around the corner. although, right now in socal, the warmer temps are already here.

so today, i'm serving up just what the name of the cocktail describes. a refreshing cocktail that is part sweet, part tart and 100% goes down easy. 

sweet tart

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz sparkling water. 1 oz blood orange simple syrup (THIS simple syrup made with the zest & juice of 1 blood orange). .5 oz blood orange juice. .5 oz lime juice, lime peels reserved. 3 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped + a sprig of basil for garnish. violas for garnish. muddler. 1 cup ice. shaker. 

start by combining the simple syrup, the juices and the basil in the base of a shaker. use the muddler to smash up all the basil and to beat up the lime peels to release all their oils. about 30 seconds.

then add in the vodka and a couple of ice cubes. reserve the rest of the ice in your serving glass. shake the shaker well till everything is well combined and the oils have fully released from the basil and lime peel. about 30 seconds.

strain the cocktail over ice. top off with sparkling water.

garnish with basil and violas and enjoy. 

xo, a

sweet tart

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 2 minutes

active time: 2 minutes

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 2 oz sparkling water. 1 oz blood orange simple syrup (THIS simple syrup made with the zest & juice of 1 blood orange). .5 oz blood orange juice. .5 oz lime juice, lime peels reserved. 3 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped + a sprig of basil for garnish. violas for garnish. muddler. 1 cup ice. shaker. 

start by combining the simple syrup, the juices and the basil in the base of a shaker. use the muddler to smash up all the basil and to beat up the lime peels to release all their oils. about 30 seconds. then add in the vodka and a couple of ice cubes. reserve the rest of the ice in your serving glass. shake the shaker well till everything is well combined and the oils have fully released from the basil and lime peel. about 30 seconds. strain the cocktail over ice. top off with sparkling water. garnish with basil and violas and enjoy. 

sometimes, you just need a stiff drink. something that tastes delicious, warms you a bit from the inside out and instantly relaxes you. you know, makes your shoulders fall aways from your ears as you breath a sigh of relief after a long day or even a long week. 

i had a VERY interesting week. and after much cooking, negotiating and planning, i have something EXCITING in the works. we are not quite at a point where all can be revealed but it is all REALLY GOOD news. but good news or not, i've been on an emotional roller coaster and i've never needed a stiff drink more. 

a TASTY stiff drink. that makes me happy when i look at it. 

vodka negroni

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients. 1 oz vodka. 1 oz campari. 1 oz dry vermouth. .5 oz simple syrup. pint glass filled with ice. spoon. stainer. lemon twist or peel for garnish. 

in your pint glass over ice, combine all your ingredients.

stir the mixture till just combined.

strain the negroni into your serving glass that contains your lemon garnish.

serve and enjoy. 

xo, a

vodka negroni

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 1 minute

active time: 1 minute

total time: 2 minutes

ingredients. 1 oz vodka. 1 oz campari. 1 oz dry vermouth. .5 oz simple syrup. pint glass filled with ice. stainer. spoon. lemon twist or peel for garnish. 

in your pint glass over ice, combine all your ingredients. stir the mixture till just combined. strain the negroni into your serving glass that contains your lemon garnish. serve and enjoy.