Wedding Cake Martini

Happy Wedding Day to my girl Megan! Today, my beautiful friend and her tall, dark and handsome man will tie the knot. Unfortunately, I cannot be there to celebrate with them. But I'm sending all of my love and very best wishes to the happy couple and their families on this wonderful day! 

I know it will be a lovely ceremony and one hell of a party. We'll be dancing the night away with you in spirit!

Ingredients

• one part vanilla vodka
• one part white crème de cacao
• one part pineapple juice

Directions

1. Chill martini glass.
2. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker half full of ice.
3. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass.
4. Serve immediately to the beaming bride. 

Congrats to Meg and Young Jedi! Wishing you all
of the happiness in the world!

The Classic Margarita

Today is one of my oldest and dearest friend's birthdays! Rachel has put up with me for around 20 years now and I love and appreciate her for that. So, I'll raise a glass in her honor, since we won't be able to celebrate the final year of our twenties together until she come to visit DC later this month.

Rach, the snake tamer, circa 1992.

Now, when Rachel actually does drink, she typically sticks to shots (to avoid the sugary-induced hangovers of most girly cocktails). BUT, she has a soft spot for margaritas. And I don't blame her one bit. They are delightful.

Here's a recipe for simple, straight-forward, no-nonsense margaritas.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 oz. Cointreau
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup (if the limes are too tart for your liking)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine one cup of sugar and one cup of water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let cool.
2. Fill serving glass with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and simple syrup (optional). 
3. Stir a few times until chilled. Serve immediately.

Happy Birthday Rachie!! Here's to even more good times! (photo =2001)

Rosemary Lemon Fizz

Happiest of birthdays to my favorite sister-in-law Lydia! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a tasty champagne cocktail. Because this girl loves her bubbly. So, here's a bit of an unexpected combination that leads to very good things.

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 4 oz. dry sparkling wine
• 1/2 oz. gin (vodka works well also)
• 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 oz. rosemary simple syrup

Rosemary Simple Syrup

• 5 (6-inch) sprigs of fresh rosemary
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions

Cocktail

1. Combine the gin, lemon juice, and rosemary simple syrup in a cocktail shaker half full of ice.
2. Shake vigorously. Strain into champagne flute. 
3. Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling wine.

Rosemary Simple Syrup

1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and rosemary.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Remove from the heat and let the rosemary infuse the syrup for at least 20 minutes.
4. Strain, discard the rosemary, and refrigerate until cold.
5. Keep leftover syrup covered and refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Cheers to another year older and wiser!

The Sidecar

Cheers to another July birthday! My lovely friend Jordan also celebrates her last 20-something birthday. Since I can't be there to help ring it in, I'll just have to raise a glass in her honor. My drink of choice? The sidecar.

This Parisian-based cocktail is an absolute favorite of mine. It's traditionally made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. The proportions vary in different regions, though. This is how I like mine. 

Ingredients

Sidecar

• 1 part Grand Marnier
• 1 part Rémy Martin VS Champagne Cognac 
• 1 part sour mix

Sour Mix

• 1 part sugar
• 1 part water
• 1 part fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 part fresh lime juice

Directions

Sidecar

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake until slightly frothy.
3. Serve in a sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with lemon or lime wedge.

Sour Mix

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a pot. Stir to dissolve sugar.
2. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
3. Strain freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice into a resealable bottle. 
4. Pour in the cooled simple syrup. 
5. Shake before use. Store in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Happy Birthday Big Hungry!

Hurricane Season

Today marks the official start of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Here's hoping that it is extremely uneventful. 

In the meantime, have a stiff cocktail to ease your mind.

Ingredients

• 1 part light rum
• 1 part dark rum
• 1 part triple sec or orange cognac
• 1 part pineapple juice
• 1 part fresh lime juice
• 1 part grenadine

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large glass, mix well.
2. Serve over ice. Garnish with sliced fruit.

Pete and Claude's Hurricane Party circa 1970. Oh yeah.