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.

today is st. patrick's day. one of those holidays that pretty much means nothing to you unless you are... 

a. irish
b. a child in school
c. a college student (or those who still drink like college students) who wants an excuse to drink at six in the morning. 

but hey, i'm down for a reason to drink. and i'm definitely down for some jameson in a pretty cocktail glass. not much of a weekend going on over here this week... or the next... or the next... so i'll be getting my sips in where i can fit them in. and i'm starting with an hour or two in the garden tonight with one of my old favorites. 

whiskey smash
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 3 minutes
ingredients: 2.5 oz whiskey. two small lemon wedges, plus small slice of lemon for garnish. 1 tsp simple syrup. 1 mint sprig. 2 cups crushed ice. serving glass of your choice. strainer. shaker. muddler.

start by dividing your ice between the shaker and the serving glass. set the serving glass aside. 

in the shaker, combine the simple syrup and the juice of the lemons. 

throw the lemon wedges into the glass as well. 

then, pluck all but the pretty top leaves of the mint sprig and add them to the shaker.

muddle the lemon, syrup, ice and mint together. 

then pour in your whiskey. 

shake until well combined. 

strain into your serving glass. 

garnish with small lemon wedge and the mint sprig and serve. 

xo, a

whiskey smash
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 2 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 3 minutes ingredients: 2.5 oz whiskey. two small lemon wedges, plus small slice of lemon for garnish. 1 tsp simple syrup. 1 mint sprig. 2 cups crushed ice. serving glass of your choice. strainer. shaker. muddler.
start by dividing your ice between the shaker and the serving glass. set the serving glass aside. in the shaker, combine the simple syrup and the juice of the lemons. throw the lemon wedges into the glass as well. then, pluck all but the pretty top leaves of the mint sprig and add them to the shaker. muddle the lemon, syrup, ice and mint together. then pour in your whiskey. shake until well combined. strain into your serving glass. garnish with small lemon wedge and the mint sprig and serve.