one of the jobs that i currently have is driving two freshman girls to and from dance class. it ranks really high on my list of things i enjoy doing because the girls are awesome, it is close to my house and they keep me connected to what is going on in the community. not to mention, one of them gave me a giant bag of kumquats to play with last week. 

this week was hectic. prepping for my new october teaching schedule and the change of the season really had me craving whiskey. 

unfortunately, the southern california weather did not get the memo that summer is upon us and it's been HOT so i still wanted a crisp, bright, cooling cocktail. no clue why, but after my yoga class today i had to have a whiskey sour. 

the kumquats were the perfect substitution for the traditional lemon juice because they are sweeter and less additional sugar is needed. and after you squeeze the juice, the skins are delicious to eat. 

kumquat whiskey sour
serves: 1 tall cocktail
time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz whiskey. 4 oz water. 2 oz kumquat juice (about 1 cup kumquats, sliced and juiced). 1 oz sugar. 1 cup crushed ice. collins glass. 

in a medium bowl, whisk together the water, kumquat juice and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

pour the sour mix, whiskey and ice into the collins glass. 

stir well to combine. 

garnish with kumquat and serve. 

xo, a

kumquat whiskey sour
serves: 1 tall cocktail
time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz whiskey. 4 oz water. 2 oz kumquat juice (about 1 cup kumquats, sliced and juiced). 1 oz sugar. 1 cup crushed ice. collins glass.
in a medium bowl, whisk together the water, kumquat juice and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
pour the sour mix, whiskey and ice into the collins glass.
stir well to combine.
garnish with kumquat and serve. 

it has been a very interesting week. and i'm sure just like me, you are ready for a cocktail. 

autumn is upon us and in the spirit of the change of the seasons, i decided to mix up my life a bit. i've gotten it in my head that not only is it a good idea to pick up some classes as an indoor cycling instructor, but those classes are at 6am. 

yes, you read that correctly. 6. in the morning. like, before the sun is up. i foolishly thought this early hour was behind me when i stopped swimming competitively, but i guess i thought wrong. 

i'm a little bit nervous. i'm really excited for the new challenge and for how fit i'm going to be. but mostly, i just want to have a tasty libation as i scour music and build playlists. 

summer might be over, but i'm still dreaming of rio and my passion fruit ripened at the perfect moment. while this drink is traditionally made with brazilian cachaca, but it can also be made with a light rum or vodka. if you haven't yet noticed, i don't often differ from my vodka cocktail so that is what i used.

passion fruit caipirinha
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2.5 oz cachaca, vodka or light rum. .5 lime, sliced in half. pulp from .5 passion fruit. 1 tsp white sugar. 1 cup crushed ice (if you don't have crushed on hand, you can crush yours in a plastic bag with a muddler or rolling pin. 

in the glass you are serving in, muddle together the ice, sugar, lime and passion fruit. when the ingredients are well muddled and the sugar appears to have dissolved.

pour the liquor in, stir well and serve.

xo, a

passion fruit caipirinha
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2.5 oz cachaca, vodka or light rum. .5 lime, sliced in half. pulp from .5 passion fruit. 1 tsp white sugar. 1 cup crushed ice (if you don't have crushed on hand, you can crush yours in a plastic bag with a muddler or rolling pin.
in the glass you are serving in, muddle together the ice, sugar, lime and passion fruit. when the ingredients are well muddled and the sugar appears to have dissolved.
pour the liquor in, stir well and serve.