let's get real. you and your holiday guests are about to consume a ton of cocktails. and the last thing you need at this moment is a bunch more work to do. 

but let me ease your fears. simple syrup is really as easy as the name would lead you to believe. if you have sugar on hand and ten minutes to spare, you can easily throw this syrup together. it is a life savor when the moment is a little sour and you need to add a bit of sweet to the situation. once made, you can keep the syrup in the fridge for a month and i find myself using it as a light sweetener on fruit, in my tea as well as in my holiday beverages. you are really only limited by your imagination. 

if your imagination is fried, that is ok too. here are a few cocktails you could use the simple syrup for. 

pomegranate + candied rosemary gin & tonic
casco bay sweet limeade
blackberry + sage gin fizz

simple syrup
serves: 1 cup
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 10 minutes
total time: 15 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup water. 1 cups sugar. medium saucepan. 

in a medium saucepan combine the water and sugar. 

bring the mixture to a boil. let the liquid boil until the sugar has dissolved. 

once the sugar has dissolved, remove the liquid from the heat and allow it to sit for a few minutes before you bottle up the simple syrup.

store it in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to one month. 

xo, a

simple syrup
serves: 1 cup
prep time: 1 minute
active time: 10 minutes
total time: 15 minutes
ingredients: 1 cup water. 1 cups sugar. medium saucepan. 
in a medium saucepan combine the water and sugar.
bring the mixture to a boil. let the liquid boil until the sugar has dissolved.
once the sugar has dissolved, remove the liquid from the heat and allow it to sit for a few minutes before you bottle up the simple syrup.
store it in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to one month. 

with all the exciting happenings over here at nft'z, i've had to be really regimented in my schedule this week. the week was full of meal deliveries, photo shoot prep, an amazing photo shoot (photos to come) and is about to reach it's pinnacle with tomorrow's snack stand at one of my studios and our nephew spending the night to celebrate his birthday. 

whew, i'm winded just thinking about it. but this is what i wanted. to be BUSY. that means things are HAPPENING. i don't totally know what it all means yet, but i feel this buzzing around me getting louder and louder. i knew the words will all be clear soon and the plan will become more clear. but in the mean time, i'm just going to sip this delicious sangria i made for thursdays shoot. it is the perfect make ahead cocktail and is a beautiful crowd pleaser for your holiday parties. 

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.

in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option. 

serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe.

garnish with a lime wedge.

xo, a

winter sangria
serves: 12 cocktails
prep time: 20 minutes
inactive time: 1-24 hours
total time: 1:20-24:20 depending on how long you want it to soak
ingredients: 2 limes, one sliced, one wedged for garnish. 1 apple (i used macintosh), diced. 1 blood orange, sliced. 1 cup pomegranate seeds. 1.5 liters cabernet sauvignon. 1 cup rye whiskey or brandy. .25 cup sugar. 5 cloves.
in a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to combine. cover and set in the fridge for as little as 1 hour and up to 24 hours making it a great make in advance option.
serve from a large beverage dispenser or from carafe. garnish with a lime wedge.