well, baby girl minichiello could arrive any day now. she is due on august 6th (naturally on a tueasday), but at this point she is considered full term any time she decides to join us. and aside from a few more things we want to complete around the house, i am ready.

i mean, i’m not totally ready to push out a watermelon, but i’m as ready as i will ever be.

and even more ready to enjoy friyay happy hour cocktails again.

it is hot hot hot all over this here country and the best way to beat the heat is with a cool drink. i imaged this cocktail up as a fresh fruit, vodka version of a daiquiri. and when i went to google how to spell daiquiri (because i am a horrible speller) i discovered that today is national daiquiri DAY! so i guess you have to make it now.

strawberry + citrus cooler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 1 oz vodka. 3 oz dry white wine. .5 cup hulled and halved strawberries. 1 oz lemon juice. 1 oz lime juice. 1 tbs sugar. 2 cups ice. shaker. strainer. blender or food processor. lime wheel for garnish.

in the food processor or blender, combine the vodka, strawberries, juices and sugar.

blend until puréed. fill your shaker with half the ice. pour the blended mixture over ice in the shaker.

add in the wine. shake well till combined. strain the contents of your shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass.

garnish with the lime wedge and serve.

xo, a

strawberry + citrus cooler

serves: 1 cocktail

prep time: 3 minutes

active time: 1 minute

total time: 4 minutes

ingredients: 1 oz vodka. 3 oz dry white wine. .5 cup hulled and halved strawberries. 1 oz lemon juice. 1 oz lime juice. 1 tbs sugar. 2 cups ice. shaker. strainer. blender or food processor. lime wheel for garnish.

in the food processor or blender, combine the vodka, strawberries, juices and sugar. blend until puréed. fill your shaker with half the ice. pour the blended mixture over ice in the shaker. add in the wine. shake well till combined. strain the contents of your shaker over the remaining ice in your serving glass. garnish with the lime wedge and serve.

well, i blinked and june is pretty much over. the fourth of july (one of the best boozing days of the year) is upon us and i may have just created my most delicious margarita EVER. i know that is a bold statement, but it is THAT good. perfect for your independence  day bash or right here, right now. 

blueberry margarita

serves: 1 cocktail  

prep time: 2 minutes  

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 1 oz fresh lime juice. .5 oz hibiscus syrup. .25 cup fresh blueberries. 2 drops grapefruit or orange bitters. 1 tsp sea salt. muddler. shaker. strainer. 2 cups ice. optional: skewer + edible flowers for garnish.  

start by making your blueberry garnish if you are using it but skewering 3 blueberries and your edible flowers if you are using them. then lightly brush the rim of your serving glass with a little bit of the lime juice. dip your glass in the salt till you have your desired salt rim.

fill the base of your shaker with the remaining blueberries and smash them till they are pretty much just a juice.

pour in the hibiscus syrup, tequila and the bitters.

add in half the ice. shake well till combined. fill your serving glass with the remaining ice.

strain the contents of your shaker into your serving glass.

garnish with your blueberry skewer.

serve and enjoy. 

xo, a

blueberry margarita

serves: 1 cocktail  

prep time: 2 minutes  

active time: 1 minute

total time: 3 minutes

ingredients: 2 oz tequila. 1 oz fresh lime juice. .5 oz hibiscus syrup. .25 cup fresh blueberries. 2 drops grapefruit or orange bitters. 1 tsp sea salt. muddler. shaker. strainer. 2 cups ice. optional: skewer + edible flowers for garnish.  

start by making your blueberry garnish if you are using it but skewering 3 blueberries and your edible flowers if you are using them. then lightly brush the rim of your serving glass with a little bit of the lime juice. dip your glass in the salt till you have your desired salt rim. fill the base of your shaker with the remaining blueberries and smash them till they are pretty much just a juice. pour in the hibiscus syrup, tequila and the bitters. add in half the ice. shake well till combined. fill your serving glass with the remaining ice. strain the contents of your shaker into your serving glass. garnish with your blueberry skewer. serve and enjoy.