um... when did it become october? i'm pretty sure my head is still back in late july. in fact, it wouldn't be too terrible to go back in time a few months. think about it. let's go back to before all the crazy hurricanes (and i do mean ALL because they are still coming?!), this crazy shooting and the death of a musical legend. i'd gladly take back my sweltering summer kitchen to erase all that mess. but i digress... 

october is here. whether i like it or not. it's not that i don't care for october, it just means summer is really over, the days are getting shorter and i'm no longer playing with adorable kids in the pool every day. but you know what makes up for it? new produce in the markets. i hit the jackpot when i went to the store wednesday and found my absolute favorite, blood oranges. and what are blood oranges best for. drinking. duh.we have a dinner party coming up in a couple weeks and we needed a fun, fall cocktail to serve up. winner winner, chicken dinner. enjoy! 

blood orange + blackberry martini
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: blackberry juice (makes 4 oz) - 1 cup blackberries. 1 oz simple syrup. food processor or muddler. strainer. 

martini - 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz blackberry juice. shaker. martini glass. 1 cup of ice. blood orange slice for garnish.

start by making your blackberry juice. in the bowl of a food processor, blend the blackberries and simple syrup. 

strain the juice through the strainer and discard the seeds and any remaining pulp. fill your shaker with ice. 

add in the blackberry juice. 

add in the blood orange juice, triple sec, and vodka. shake well till everything is combined. 

pour the liquid into a martini glass. 

garnish with the blood orange slice and serve. 

xo, a

blood orange + blackberry martini
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 5 minutes
active time: 1 minute
total time: 6 minutes
ingredients: blackberry juice (makes 4 oz) - 1 cup blackberries. 1 oz simple syrup. food processor or muddler. strainer.
martini - 2 oz vodka. 2 oz blood orange juice. 1 oz triple sec. 1 oz blackberry juice. shaker. martini glass. 1 cup of ice. blood orange slice for garnish.
start by making your blackberry juice. in the bowl of a food processor, blend the blackberries and simple syrup. strain the juice through the strainer and discard the seeds and any remaining pulp. fill your shaker with ice. add in the blackberry juice. add in the blood orange juice, triple sec, and vodka. shake well till everything is combined. pour the liquid into a martini glass. garnish with the blood orange slice and serve. 

i'm melting. last friday i mentioned a heat wave was upon us here in california and today is the hottest day yet. as i type, sweat is dripping from my brow, i'm laying in a slip dress directly in front of our only fan and i'm pretty sure in about twenty minutes the only thing left of me will be a puddle on the floor. 

the only thing saving me in the 95 degree heat + humidity + zero air conditioner is this cocktail. keep. them. coming.

i'm keeping it short and sweet today because the computer on my lap has already melted away my lower half and if i don't pop my head in the freezer soon, i may pass out. hop in your air conditioned car, run to the air conditioned market and pick up some in season peaches, beautiful basil and PLENTY OF ICE. then park yourself somewhere cool and enjoy this delicious libation. 

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler. 

start by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. 

once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. 

pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. 

add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. 

strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. 

top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. 

garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!

xo, a

peach + basil sparkler
serves: 1 cocktail
prep time: 3 minutes
active time 2 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
ingredients: 2 oz vodka. 1 oz fresh lemon juice. 1 tsp grand marnier. 2 tbs chopped yellow peaches + 1 peach wedge for garnish. 10 basil leaves, torn up + a few leaves for garnish. 3-5 oz club soda. 1 cup ice. shaker. muddler.
tart by combining the chopped peaches, vodka and basil in the bottom of the shaker. use the muddler to smash up the basil and peaches, infusing your vodka. once the basil is smashed to smithereens and the peaches are basically pureed. pour in the lemon juice and grand marnier. add a couple ice cubes and shake well till everything is combined. strain the beverage into a glass with the rest of the ice. top your glass off with club soda to taste and stir well to combine. garnish with peach wedge and basil. enjoy!