i don't know about you, but my week was full and productive. now that i'm settling into my new teaching routine, i'm finding the times in my day where i can really get things done. so this week wes and i got down to business reorganizing our tiny kitchen for mass productivity and preparing the garden and side yard for shorter days and colder weather. 

wes really put in some work the last few days in addition to working full time. so after he tilled our garden he was handsomely rewarded with a cold cocktail.

this remix on the moscow mule is a great way to change it up if vodka isn't your thing or if you are a lover of whiskey.

cucumber whiskey mule
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz whiskey (i used a rye). 1 tsp simple syrup. .25 c ginger ale. 1 inch section of a cucumber. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig for garnish. 1 cup ice. copper mug optional but advised. pint glass. muddler. 

first slice a thin piece of cucumber to garnish your mug. then peel and half your cucumber. remove the seeds and dice the cucumber into tiny pieces. about .25 inches square. roughly chop the mint.

combine the simple syrup, cucumber and mint in the bottom of a pint glass. muddle the mixture together to smash the cucumber and release the oils from the mint.

pour the whiskey into the pint glass and mix well. 

if you don't like too much mint in your drink, you can strain your cocktail over a glass of ice. otherwise, pour your whiskey mixture straight into your mug.

fill the glass to the brim with ginger ale. 

garnish with mint and cucumber slice and serve. 

xo, a

cucumber whiskey mule
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
total time: 4 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz whiskey (i used a rye). 1 tsp simple syrup. .25 c ginger ale. 1 inch section of a cucumber. 5 mint leaves + extra sprig for garnish. 1 cup ice. copper mug optional but advised. pint glass. muddler.
first slice a thin piece of cucumber to garnish your mug. then peel and half your cucumber. remove the seeds and dice the cucumber into tiny pieces. about .25 inches square. roughly chop the mint.
combine the simple syrup, cucumber and mint in the bottom of a pint glass. muddle the mixture together to smash the cucumber and release the oils from the mint.
pour the whiskey into the pint glass and mix well.
if you don't like too much mint in your drink, you can strain your cocktail over a glass of ice. otherwise, pour your whiskey mixture straight into your mug.
fill the glass to the brim with ginger ale. garnish with mint and cucumber slice and serve. 

as i'm sitting with this delightful cocktail, reflecting on the busy week now behind me, i can't help but feel like it was a monumental week.
tuesday and thursday of this week i taught my first and second indoor cycling classes. it was only two hours of work, but if i really think about it, the last thirty years lead to those moments. my earliest memories involve swimming and being active and it feels amazing to be spending time every day on my body again. it isn't about what the shell look likes, it's about what i feel like when i'm in good physical shape. i feel strong. capable. and that feels goooooooood.
the rest of my week was filled with the joys of my changed life. surfing and menu testing, dining with my family and shopping with my mom, teaching and taking plenty of yoga.
and yesterday, i capped it off with a glorious visit from my good friend nicole who lives in colorado. we spent the day at my favorite beach, talking about life and cocktails. you can go ahead and thank her now for this tasty libation. 

pomegranate + candied rosemary gin & tonic
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz gin. 1 tbs simple syrup. 1 tbs sugar. 1 tbs pomegranate seeds. tonic. small rosemary sprig. 1 cup ice. 

start by lightly brushing your rosemary sprig with simple syrup. let any excess drip off.

lightly dust your rosemary with sugar and set aside. 

in a tumbler, combine the ice and pomegranate. 

pour in the gin and lightly stir to chill. 

finish off with desired amount of tonic and garnish with reserved rosemary. 

xo, a

pomegranate + candied rosemary gin & tonic serves: 1 cocktail prep time: 5 minutes ingredients: 2 oz gin. 1 tbs simple syrup. 1 tbs sugar. 1 tbs pomegranate seeds. tonic. small rosemary sprig. 1 cup ice. start by lightly brushing your rosemary sprig with simple syrup. let any excess drip off. lightly dust your rosemary with sugar and set aside. in a tumbler, combine the ice and pomegranate. pour in the gin and lightly stir to chill. finish off with desired amount of tonic and garnish with reserved rosemary.