Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy: My Latest Sip of the Week!

Posted on October 2, 2019October 2, 2019 by caitlin

Summer is gone and Fall has officially arrived. That means its time for all the spice-filled, warm, cozy, autumn-y things! First up: my new Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy.

Crystal glass with a pumpkin spice hot toddy surrounded by decorative pumpkins, a bottle of whiskey, and a jar of honey. — This cozy fall cocktail is hard to put down once you take your first sip. It’s a perfect balance of pumpkin spice and everything nice!

Fall is my favorite season of the year. California finally starts cooling off and the weather turns to partly-cloudy with a cool breeze instead of burning hot. For many of us California locals, the biggest sign of the season changing is the influx of pumpkin spice everything in the grocery stores (I see you, Trader Joe’s). This is the time of year where I officially lose all self-control while shopping and feel a need to indulge in all the spice-filled things.

Ariel view of pumpkin spice hot toddies and ingredients. — Actual image of my favorite type of pumpkin patch. Cocktails included!

I thought I would kick off this Fall season with a cozy drink for any occasion. And when I say any occasion, I mean ANY occasion!

Entertaining? A post-dinner Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy nightcap is perfect. Under the weather? Waste no time in making yourself a Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy! (Seriously, rumor has it that Hot Toddy’s were “prescribed” by doctors to heal ailments starting centuries ago. This must mean it’s healthy, right? Doctor’s orders!)

Close up of pumpkin spice hot toddies with ingredients — Lemon, tea, and honey? That sounds like the perfect medical remedy to me. Adding a little bourbon just makes it even better!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy (makes two portions):

1 Pumpkin Spice Tea bag (Trader Joe’s carries a delicious Rooibos Pumpkin Spice tea)

8 ounces hot water

3 ounces bourbon

2 tablespoons honey (I used Bee Ladies Meyer Lemon-infused honey for an extra citrus kick!)

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Lemon slices, whole cloves, or cinnamon sticks for garnish

pumpkin spice hot toddy with reflection on table — You can mix up your glassware for this cocktail to match your occasion. Crystal glasses make the Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy perfect for a fancy holiday cocktail. Make it more casual by serving the Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy in glass mugs. Make this sip more modern by pouring it into copper glasses.

Directions:

Steep Pumpkin Spice Tea bag in hot water for at least 5 minutes. Try to use a good quality tea…it will make your Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy much richer if you do. After the tea has steeped, add bourbon, honey, and lemon juice. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Conduct a taste test and adjust proportions to your preferences if needed! Then, sit back, relax, and sip away.

pumpkin spice hot toddy surrounded by decorative pumpkins — I won’t judge if you are a little generous with your pour of bourbon in your Hot Toddy…that’s a perfect way to warm up on a chilly fall night!

My Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy takes no more than 10 minutes to put together and is a perfect way to warm up on a chilly autumn evening. This cocktail gives other nightcaps some serious competition! Give it a try to see for yourself. Cheers, friends!

Did you enjoy this Sip of the Week? Share on social media to show your support!

Pumpkin Spice Hot Toddy

Print Recipe

Total Time 10

Course Drinks

Servings 2 drinks

Ingredients

8 ounces hot water
1 teabag of good quality Pumpkin Spice Tea (I use the Rooibos Pumpkin Spice Tea from Trader Joe's)
3 ounces bourbon (Maker's Mark is a great go-to if you're looking for something tasty and affordable.)
2 tbsp honey (I used Bee Ladies Meyer Lemon-infused honey for an extra citrus kick!)
4 tsp fresh lemon juice
Lemon slices, whole cloves, or cinnamon sticks for garnish!

Instructions

Steep Pumpkin Spice Tea bag in hot water for at least 5 minutes.
After tea has steeped, add bourbon, honey, and lemon juice.
Stir until all ingredients are combined. Conduct a taste test and adjust proportions
to your preferences if needed!
Sit back, relax, and sip away.

Looking for more fall “Sips”?

Warm up with my Spiced Whiskey Ginger recipe!

Get in the Halloween spirit with this “Blood” Orange Margarita!

For a refreshing twist on some classic holiday flavors, try my Cranberry Orange Spritz!

Sip of the Week: The Notorious BBG (Blood Orange, Bourbon, & Ginger)

Posted on March 27, 2019April 30, 2019 by caitlin

I stumbled upon the most beautiful blood oranges during my grocery trip over the weekend, and immediately knew that a blood orange cocktail was calling my name. Not only do blood oranges make for the most beautifully colored cocktails, but the vibrant flavor of the fruit also makes them an ideal accompaniment to nearly any boozy indulgence.

Picture of two Notorious BBG cocktails with blood orange, bourbon, and ginger — Sneak peak at the finished product! Scroll down for the full recipe.

I had a hunch that I wanted to pair the blood orange with bourbon, and decided to spice up the drink with some homemade Honey Ginger Simple Syrup. Introducing: The Notorious BBG (Blood Orange, Bourbon, and Ginger). You just can’t go wrong with playing off of the bourbon’s sweet and spicy flavors! A splash of lemon juice lifts the spice of this blood orange and bourbon cocktail up and balances the sweet blood orange juice, making it a perfect springtime sip.

Close up of the cocktail and garnishes. — This beautiful cocktail is sure to catch attention with your guests!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this blood orange, bourbon, and ginger infused cocktail:

Honey Ginger Simple Syrup (makes 4-5 servings worth of simple syrup)

½ cup honey (quality matters here, I suggest using pure, local honey if you can find it!)

1 cup water

2 inch knob of ginger, peeled and thinly sliced

The Notorious BBG cocktail with flowers in the background. — The ginger goes a long way in elevating the flavor profile of this cocktail. If you aren’t a big ginger fan, just cut back on the amount that you add to your simple syrup. If you love ginger like I do, add as much as you’d like! And check out my other ginger-y cocktail here!

The Notorious BBG Cocktail (makes 2)

4 ounces bourbon

1/3 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice (approximately 2 blood oranges juiced)

1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice (approximately 1 small lemon)

2 ounces homemade Honey Ginger Simple Syrup

Candied ginger and blood orange slices (for garnish)

Directions for Making The Notorious BBG Cocktail

First, make the simple syrup. Heat the water and honey over medium heat until simmering. Add sliced ginger and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated by half and the syrup has a strong ginger flavor. Remove from heat and let cool.

Once your syrup is cooled, you can put together your cocktail!

Deep red color of the Notorious BBG cocktail and its garnishes. — Tip: if you’re concerned about your cocktail being watered down by ice cubes, opt for one giant cube (pictured here), OR, freeze some cubes of candied ginger and throw those in your cocktail to keep it chilled!

Juice approximately 2 blood oranges (1/3 cup worth of juice), and combine the with lemon juice, bourbon, and simple syrup. Mix well. For best results, chill in the freezer before serving. This really allows the flavors of the fruit, bourbon and honey ginger syrup to become one before it hits your glass. Pour the cocktail over ice and garnish with a blood orange slice and candied ginger.

Last, but not least, sip and enjoy The Notorious BBG!

This cocktail brings a punch of flavors in every sip, making it sweet, spicy, earthy, and refreshing. Better yet, it can be made for a single serving (or two), or can easily be made in bulk for your next big gathering. Pass the pitcher, please!

Caitlin holding a Notorious BBG cocktail over a bunch of flowers. — I don’t think this cocktail could be any more beautiful! Best served alongside beautiful flowers and sunny weather. Cheers!

Why not celebrate this beautiful springtime weather with The Notorious BBG this weekend? Send this recipe to a friend who you would sip this cocktail with!

Cheers, friends!

If you enjoyed this post, or want to save the recipe, please share on social media!

Sip of the Week: Will You Accept This Rosé…Cocktail?

Posted on March 13, 2019April 30, 2019 by caitlin

This week’s Sip of the Week was created in honor of the finale of The Bachelor, which aired both Monday AND Tuesday night this week! Such a momentous occasion couldn’t do with just a regular old beer or glass of wine, don’t you agree? I decided to instead throw together a simple Rosé Cocktail for the occasion involving my secret weapon: homemade rosé simple syrup!

The rosé simple syrup gives a splash of color to this cocktail.

You may remember that I created the rosé simple syrup last spring when I collaborated with The Glorious Grape for her “May Rosé” cocktail series. My contribution was my Rosé Mojito, which is a perfect way to celebrate the beauty of cocktails and wine. You can read The Glorious Grape’s full post here, or find my Rosé Mojito recipe here!

Sneak peak of what you could be enjoying if you make my Rosé Mojito!

I’ve kept some of my rosé simple syrup on hand since creating it last May, and thought that I’d reintroduce it to the blog while we all watch The Bachelor ask the woman of his dreams, “Will you accept this rose?”. As far as I’m concerned, I’ll always say yes to that question if you replace the “rose” with rosé.

You’ll need some rosé simple syrup to make this Rosé Cocktail, so here’s the recipe for how to do it:

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of your favorite sparkling Rosé with ½ cup granulated sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and allow the syrup to simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it has reduced by about half. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool fully before mixing your mojito. You’ll be left with a rich, citrusy simple syrup to spruce up a cocktail of your choosing!

Here are the rest of your ingredients for your Rosé Cocktail:

(makes 2 servings)

Two champagne glasses with a cocktail inside. — These cocktails look fabulous in fancy champagne glasses, but you could always serve it over ice, too!

3 oz. vodka

12 oz. sparkling water of choice (either plain, or you could add in a flavored La Croix if you want a bit more flavor)

A splash of Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice

Rosé simple syrup to taste, but approximately 1 teaspoon per drink

Citrus zest for garnish

Directions:

Combine chilled vodka and sparkling water in a glass. Add in the lime juice and rosé simple syrup. Gently mix (the syrups will naturally sink to the bottom). Garnish with some citrus zest and enjoy!

Birds eye view of the cocktails — This cocktail is so simple, there’s no excuse NOT to make it. Your homemade rosé simple syrup can be made in advance, so you can throw it together at any time.

What stands out in this cocktail is the subtle flavors of the rosé simple syrup, which comes directly from the bottle of rosé you use for the simple syrup recipe. Choose wisely! I’m sure you’ve heard that you should never use cheap, bad wine for cooking. This is a perfect example of why!

Bottle of wine with other ingredients for a mojito. — La Burgondie Rosé Brut from France lined up with my Rosé Mojito ingredients. This inexpensive bottle is a great pick for your simple syrup. I picked up my bottle from Trader Joe’s.

I liked this $10.00 bottle (La Burgondie Rosé Brut from France) that I picked up from the store—it had a really nice fruity aroma, but was buttery and smooth to drink. I had a little leftover after making my mojitos, and I really enjoyed just drinking it by the glass! The simple syrup was vibrant and bright in flavor with a hint of citrus after this Rosé reduced down.

Close up view of the glasses with the cocktails. — This Rosé Cocktail looks like a million bucks!

This Rosé Cocktail a super simple way to spruce up your go-to vodka soda cocktail. I typically prefer cocktails that aren’t too sweet, so this is right up my alley. If you wanted something a little sweeter, try adding more simple syrup or replacing some (or all) of the sparkling water with 7-Up. Or, you could even add a splash of sparkling rosé!

Close up of the cocktails — Bookmark this recipe for your next spring event, or for your next reality TV binge!

So even though The Bachelor is over for now, you can still sip on this Rosé Cocktail as Spring blooms, and, better yet, as The Bachelorette premiers in May! I’m sure it will be the most dramatic season in Bachelor and Bachelorette history…looking at you, Chris Harrison.

Cheers!

Sip of the Week (Super Bowl Style): Rams vs. Patriots Cocktails!

Posted on January 30, 2019April 30, 2019 by caitlin

In honor of this upcoming Super Bowl Sunday, I thought it would be fun to dedicate this Sip of the Week to two cocktails that represent the LA Rams and New England Patriots team origins. Just in time for those of you finishing up your viewing party menus, you can get your guests in the Super Bowl spirit by serving them the cocktail that represents the team they’re rooting for!

The moscow mule and black flip cocktails, representing the Super Bowl teams LA Rams and New England Patriots — These two cocktails couldn’t be more different from one another (perhaps similar to the Rams and Patriots?). Read below to find out what they are and why they were chosen to represent their teams!

For the LA Rams Fans: The Moscow Mule

It may seem strange for feature a drink named after Russia as the classic LA cocktail, but the significance of this drink alongside Rams team history makes it the perfect sip for the occasion.

A moscow mule surrounded with lime wedges — The Moscow Mule, minus the copper cup! You can’t see the drink’s beautiful colors inside the copper, so we served it in a more non-traditional way this time around.

The Moscow Mule was first developed in 1941 at the Cock n’ Bull British pub in Los Angeles. The drink caught on like wildfire and quickly became the iconic “copper mug” cocktail that patrons sought out nationwide. BUT, do you know what else happened in 1941? That’s the year the Rams football team was purchased by Dan Reeves, who determined that the team would move from Cleveland to Los Angeles (the first time).

Caitlin and three colleagues visiting the Rams practice facility. — Fun fact: I work (and live) at California Lutheran University, which is where the LA Rams practice! Here’s a throwback to when I got to tour the practice facility with some colleagues. The Rams are great neighbors to us, and we love that we can support them even in our own backyard!

Now, upon their second homecoming and first trip to the Super Bowl since the move, it’s time to cheer on the Rams with a cocktail that shares just about as much history as the team does. Serve a Moscow Mule to your Rams-loving fans for Superbowl LIII!

Ingredients

6 oz. ginger beer

2 oz. vodka

Juice of ½ of a lime

Lime slice for garnish

2-3 ice cubes

a birds eye view of the moscow mule — I recommend choosing a ginger beer with lots of spice to it. It makes the flavor of the lime pop, and makes the drink much more decadent.

Directions

Squeeze lime juice into glass and add ice. Pour vodka and ginger beer, and stir to combine. Garnish with a lime slice.

For the New England Patriots Fans: The Black Flip Cocktail

What comes to mind when you think of New England? Irish heritage? Dark beer? An obsession with rum that dates back to colonial times? Those staples, combined with New England’s devout sports following, make Super Bowl LIII a perfect occasion to concoct a Black Flip for the Patriots fans out there.

The black flip cocktail in a martini glass — This ultra elegant cocktail looks like chocolate and tastes like chocolate…but doesn’t have any chocolate it! Check out the recipe to see what makes the chocolatey flavors pop in the Black Flip.

The Black Flip traditionally combines chocolate stout beer, dark rum, simple syrup, and an egg to create a creamy, frothy, chocolate and caramel infused cocktail. Garnished with freshly grated nutmeg, the Black Flip’s rich flavors will warm you up in the wake of some cold New England weather!

Ingredients

2 parts chocolate stout (I used Stone’s Xocoveza, which was a great pairing. It is widely available throughout the US, so if you don’t have another chocolate stout in mind, make this your go-to!)

1.5 parts dark rum

½ part simple syrup

1 whole egg

A birds eye view of the black flip cocktail — The flecks of nutmeg on the top make a huge different to the taste of this drink. Don’t skimp on the garnish, it really does play a big part in the flavor!

Directions

Combine ingredients and swirl to decarbonate beer. Dry shake, and then add ice to shake again. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish the top with grated nutmeg.

Note: If you like your cocktails a little sweeter, try substituting the dark rum with Malibu coconut rum. It tastes great with the stout and gives the drink a more dessert-like quality.

So, who are you rooting for this Super Bowl LIII Sunday?

A moscow mule and black flip cocktail — Rams on the left, or Pats on the right? Which Super Bowl sip would you choose??

We will be here in LA rooting for a Rams win (sorry, Pats fans) and sipping a Moscow Mule along the way. Whichever team you’re rooting for, cheers to them and whatever you’re sipping in support of them!

Looking for other “sips” related to game day? Check out my post here about the Dodgers’ Champagne Celebration!

Cheers!

Sip of the Week: The Classic Negroni Cocktail

Posted on January 16, 2019April 30, 2019 by caitlin

It’s been a rainy week in Southern California, and that got me in the mood for a soothing cocktail this week. Not overly sweet or citrusy, the Negroni was calling my name.

The best part of the Negroni is how simple it is to make. In two minutes flat, you’ll have yourself an earthy, herbaceous cocktail perfect for sipping on a rainy winter night.

A negroni cocktail with glassware in the background. — The vibrant Negroni…a beautiful drink to serve to guests or to enjoy on your own. You can garnish it with herbs and fruit of your choice, although orange slices or orange zest are most common.

The Negroni ingredients:

Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. And an orange for garnish. That’s it!

How to make a Negroni:

In a chilled glass, combine equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. Mix to combine and add one large oversized ice cube (too many small ice cubes will dilute the cocktail faster). Garnish with an orange slice and serve. Sip immediately!

Negroni’s flavor:

While the vermouth brings a touch of sweetness to the mix, you’ll be left with herbal flavors from the Campari and vermouth on your tongue as you take each sip. This may sound strange for a cocktail, but I find it to be a very comforting sensation that warms you up from the inside out. Serve a Negroni to a sipper with a mature palate, or one that prefers their drinks with more savory characteristics.

A glass with a red Negroni cocktail garnished with an orange slice. — A close up of the Negroni cocktail, orange slice and all.

Fun facts!

As I mentioned, the Campari is a characteristically herbal aperitif due to the infusion of fruits and herbs during the distillation process. Rumor has it that only one single person—the Campari factory director—knows what combination of herbs goes into making Campari! If you’re looking for other ways to incorporate Campari into your cocktails, check out my post about the Italian Spritz cocktail here!

Vermouth is a type of fortified wine, and comes in two versions: sweet or dry. Each have different uses for cocktails. Sweet vermouth is attributed to Italian tradition, and dry vermouth is said to be of French origin (despite the fact that it is often made elsewhere). The name “vermouth”, however, is derived from the German word “Wermut”, meaning “wormwood”. I guess you could call this aperitif an international one!

Tried the Negroni? Let me know what you think in the comments below! Happy sipping!

Spiced Whiskey Ginger: Recipe for a Boozy Fall Cocktail

Posted on November 2, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

Move over Pumpkin Spice Lattes, this Spiced Whiskey Ginger is about to take over as your new favorite fall sip!

Two glasses of Spiced Whiskey Ginger surrounded by fall leaves — This spiced drink looks perfect next to some fall leaves!

With fall in full swing and the holidays right around the corner, I was on the hunt for a boozy indulgence to commemorate the season. I knew some fall spices and whiskey would give the warm and cozy feeling I was looking for. It sings fall with every sip!

I started by making a spiced simple syrup as the base for the flavor. Here’s how you do it:

Ingredients

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar

1 cup water

2 cinnamon sticks

½ tsp. ginger

½ tsp. nutmeg

¼ tsp. ground cloves

10 black peppercorns

1 tbsp. vanilla extract (to add at the end)

Directions

Combine all sugar, spices, and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Allow sugar to fully dissolve and then remove from heat. Set aside and let cool. That’s it!

Then the real fun begins!

Birds eye view of the Spiced Whiskey Ginger — Oversized ice cubes in square glasses make for a fun play on shapes in your drink.

To make two Spiced Whiskey Gingers, you’ll need:

Ingredients

3 oz. whiskey of choice

2 tsp. spiced simple syrup (recipe above)

10 oz. ginger beer (NOT ginger ale, it’s different!)

Honey for garnish

Ice or whiskey stones (optional)

Directions

A few hours before you want to indulge, pop your glasses into the freezer to chill them. This is essential for your garnish!

Just before serving, pour a small amount of honey onto a plate or a wide bowl. Dip the rim of your chilled glasses into the honey. The cold glass will allow the honey to harden on the rim. Pop the glasses back into the freezer if you need a few minutes to prepare the rest of the drink.

In a cocktail shaker, add the whiskey and spiced simple syrup. Stir until fully mixed. Strain the spiced whiskey mixture into your chilled glasses. Top with ginger beer and enjoy!

Two glasses of Spiced Whiskey Ginger with honey dripping off the sides — Let’s just take a moment to appreciate those oh-so-perfect honey drips on the glass! This raw honey is from Primal Pastures, my favorite farm! You can read more about them in this blog post.

The honey around the rim is a perfect complement to the warm cozy flavors in the glass. You’ll be wanting another Spiced Whiskey Ginger before you even finish the first.

This drink could easily be made in large quantities for your next holiday gathering, too. Did someone say a boozy Thanksgiving drink?? 😉

Give this new sip a try this fall! Let me know what you think on social media or in the comments below. Cheers!

Rosé Mojito: A Fun Twist on a Classic Cocktail

Posted on May 3, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

Warmer weather, springtime blooms, chilled Rosé wine in the fridge…it must be May!

Two tall glasses filled with a pink mojito. — Sneak peak of what you could be enjoying if you follow this recipe!

When Amanda over at The Glorious Grape let me know she was dedicating the whole month of May to the pink beauty that we know as Rosé, I knew I had to get in on the fun. Amanda asked me to create a Rosé-based recipe to celebrate the occasion, and my recipe wheels got turning!

I knew I wanted to create something refreshing that could be enjoyed at Memorial Day BBQs or on a warm day at the beach. For me, a mojito always does the trick in those moments! So, I came up with this recipe for a Rosé Mojito, complete with homemade Rosé simple syrup. Check out the recipe below!

Birds eye view of the mojitos. — Mmm…writing this makes me want another one!

Rosé Mojito

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 bottle of your favorite Rosé Brut (sparkling Rosé)

2 ounces white rum

1 bunch of fresh mint leaves

½ cup granulated sugar

2 limes

10-12 ice cubes

A bottle of wine, sliced limes, rum, sugar, and mint. — The ingredients all lined up and ready to go!

Step 1: Make the simple syrup.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of your sparkling Rosé with the sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture comes to a rolling boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and allow the syrup to simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it has reduced by about half. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool fully before mixing your mojito.

A pan on the stove with simple syrup cooking. — Making Rosé simple syrup…so easy and so delicious!

The flavor of your bottle of Rosé will greatly influence the flavor of your simple syrup. Any Rosé Brut will do for this recipe, but do make sure to choose a decent bottle that you like the flavor and aroma of. I liked this $10.00 bottle (La Burgondie Rosé Brut from France) that I picked up from the store—it had a really nice fruity aroma, but was buttery and smooth to drink. I had a little leftover after making my mojitos, and I really enjoyed just drinking it by the glass! The simple syrup was vibrant and bright in flavor with a hint of citrus after this Rosé reduced down.

Note: You will have more simple syrup than you need for two mojitos, but don’t let the leftover go to waste! Use the syrup to make a yummy Rosé dessert. Or, just make lots more Rosé Mojitos!

Step 2: Mix your mojito.

Add your mint and the juice of one and a half limes to a cocktail shaker and muddle them together. (Save the other half of a lime for garnishing.) Then, add the rum to the cocktail shaker and shake to mix.

Partially empty glasses filled with simple syrup and rum. — Simple syrup on the bottom, rum on the top. How pretty is that?!

In your favorite mojito glasses, add ice and a splash of simple syrup (to taste, if you like sweeter drinks then add a little more). Then, pour your muddled mint, lime, and rum mixture evenly between the glasses. Top each glass with your sparkling Rosé, and garnish with a sprig of mint and a wedge of lime. If you like a very minty mojito, add a little more of the muddled mint to your drink.

Two glasses of mojitos. — The finished product!

This boozy indulgence is a perfect way to relax on a weekend afternoon. It’ll have you saying, “Yes way, Rosé!” this May. Cheers!

Piña Croixlada: A Low-Cal Tropical Cocktail

Posted on February 2, 2018April 30, 2019 by caitlin

If you’re looking for a dose of summer in your winter, then look no further than the tropical Piña Croixlada (made with La Croix, get it?).

I decided to become a cocktail craftswoman this week and create a new sip. I’ll be honest, I sort of grabbed what I had around the house and mixed it together to see what would happen. Turns out, it was delish. Like, maybe the best drink I’ve created thus far!

Here’s what you’ll need to make 2 Piña Croixladas:

2 ounces vodka (I use Tito’s)

1 ounce Triple Sec

½ ounce Simple Syrup

12 ounces (1 can) Coconut La Croix (sparkling water)

2 tangerines

4 lime wedges

What to do:

Squeeze the juice of the tangerines directly into your serving glasses. Add vodka, triple sec, simple syrup and the juice of one lime wedge into each glass. Add six ounces of Coconut La Croix into each glass and mix together. Garnish with a lime wedge on each glass.

This super simple recipe tastes like a Pina Colada and a Spritz had a baby. It is refreshing after the first sip and practically transports you to a lounging-on-a-beach mentality. Give it a shot if you’re craving that warmth or relaxation for yourself!

Happy sipping!

Cranberry Orange Spritz: A Perfect Holiday Sip

Posted on December 14, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

The holidays are a perfect time to add a new twist to your favorite sips. In this case, I took a simple glass of Prosecco and made it into a Cranberry Orange Spritz.

This easy recipe is perfect for entertaining (it can easily be made into big batches), and its festive look and flavor is perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients (makes one serving)

5 oz Prosecco

¼ of a navel orange

1/8 cup of unsweetened cranberry juice

1 sprig of rosemary

Orange zest for garnish

Squeeze the juice of the orange into your glass and add the Prosecco and cranberry juice. Stir everything together with your rosemary sprig and garnish with orange zest.

This cocktail is a perfect example of how adding herbs to your drink can really be what makes it great. In this case, smelling the aroma of the rosemary while you sip the tart Cranberry Orange Spritz gives the drink a balanced, well-rounded flavor. This is a perfect example of how aroma enhances the tasting experience! Garnishing with rosemary gives the drink a rustic, holiday look as well.

Cheers to the holiday season! Did you give this recipe a try? Let me know in the comments below!

“Blood” Orange Margarita: A Halloween Cocktail

Posted on October 31, 2017April 30, 2019 by caitlin

Trick or treating with friends is one of my favorite childhood memories, but I celebrate the holiday a bit differently now…by treating myself with a drink! So, I thought I would try my hand at a “Blood” Orange Margarita to get in the Halloween spirit this year. This fresh-fruit marg (forget that pre-made mix) is a great accompaniment to passing out candy to the Trick or Treaters (or for watching Game 6 of the World Series…your choice!).

Oh, and Halloween is on a Tuesday this year, which obviously means Taco Tuesday! And margs are perfect for that, too.

Two pink margaritas with a black salt rim — The finished product!

Full disclosure: my original plan was to actually make a blood orange margarita…the name is perfect for Halloween, and blood oranges are delish! Unfortunately, I couldn’t get my hands on any blood oranges, so I improvised and made a “blood” orange marg instead…with pomegranate seeds as an addition to the recipe. I think it turned out better than my original plan would have after all!

“Blood” Orange Margarita

4 oz. Tequila

4 oz. Triple Sec

4 large naval oranges, juiced

1 large pomegranate

2 limes, juiced

2 lime wedges and ¼ cup of pomegranate seeds for garnish

Salt for the rim

Juice the oranges and limes into the blender. Separate the pomegranate seeds from the fruit and add all but ¼ cup of them. Add tequila and triple sec and blend.

Margarita in the blender — Before the blending! It looks like a giant tequila sunrise.

Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass in salt and garnish with the lime wedge. (I used black lava salt that I found in a Trader Joe’s “Salts of the World” gift pack. The black salt was perfect for a Halloween touch, but you can use any salt you like. Salts like this one can also be found in a specialty foods store.)

Close up of the drinks — The salt makes for a perfect Halloween touch.

If you like your margarita on the rocks, strain the margarita mix (to get the pomegranate seeds out) and pour over ice. You may want to adjust the amount of alcohol (or not) if you’re pouring over ice…the recipe above will make for a couple strong drinks!

If you prefer your margs blended (pictured here), strain the mix, add it back into the blender with ice, and blend until smooth. Garnish with some fresh pomegranate seeds.

This recipe makes 4 generous portions if blended. It will make a bit less if its poured over ice!

Birds eye view of the glasses — Looks like a “bloody” good drink, don’t you agree?!

Your finished product makes for a refreshing, no-sugar-added cocktail that can be enjoyed on any occasion. I think the color, and the added touch of black sea salt, makes it a spooky Halloween treat!

Did you try this recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments below!