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.

t.g.i.f. this week was a doozy. i'm feeling a bit depleted after a ton of teaching over the last two weeks. i do feel really grateful to teach and move with so many amazing people, but my voice can only take so much. so after my classes tomorrow i'll be laying low and resting. 

the good news is, spring is popping up all over socal and we have done some major home improvement projects in our little side yard garden. my plan is to rest up with my main squeeze with this very tasty cocktail on our new deck. it's the perfect beverage to ring in spring.
tequila sunset
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minutes
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. 4 oz club soda. splash of grenadine. grapefruit wedge for garnish. large ice cube or cup of ice. 

start by filling your glass of choice. pour in your tequila. 

followed by the grapefruit juice, club soda and finally the grenadine.

garnish with grapefruit and serve. 

xo, a

tequila sunset
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minutes
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 2 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice. 4 oz club soda. splash of grenadine. grapefruit wedge for garnish. large ice cube or cup of ice.
start by filling your glass of choice. pour in your tequila. followed by the grapefruit juice, club soda and finally the grenadine. garnish with grapefruit and serve.