{Friday Cocktail} Arnold Palmer

Happy Friday! We made it, and I'm super excited, for no particular reason other than the fact that I get to sleep in tomorrow :)

For this edition of Friday Cocktail I'm going to step away from the alcohol. What. Shocking. I know. Who am I. But everyone needs a break from boozing every now and again. Plus, I have some readers who don't drink, so I want to teach them a tried and true southern classic.

An Arnold Palmer (in some circles called a half and half) is a deliciously light beverage and super easy to make.

1/2 Iced Tea + 1/2 Lemonade

okay you're done. See y'all Monday.

Haha, while the Arnold Palmer is that easy to concoct I of course stepped it up a notch.

Fancy Arnold Palmer

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Ingredients

• Fresh sweet tea (use a tea bag not a mix)
• Lemonade (again if you have fresh it's way better)
• Mint leaves
• Frozen Strawberries
• Simple Syrup 

Directions

• In the bottom of a mason jar (all the best southern drinks are served in a mason jar) muddle a handful of fresh mint and Simple syrup*
•  Pour tea, then lemonade into jar
• Toss in a few frozen strawberries and stir.
• The longer you let it sit the better it tastes (I normally do 30 mins in the fridge)
• Add ice and enjoy 

*use as much or as little of the simple syrup as you want depending on your desired sweetness.

OF COURSE... this recipe has plenty of room for vodka should you be so inclined.

Have a great weekend loves!

{Friday Cocktail} Black Cherry Shandy

Whose excited about the Olympics? THIS GIRL. Since we are on an official Olympic countdown (21 days as of 9 am this morning) I wanted to get you all excited with the summery British inspired cocktail. A Shandy is a beer and juice based beverage. It's light and refreshing, and perfect for relaxing at the end of a long week. I have been enjoying more than my fair share of shandies lately, but mmm... are they good in this HOT weather. 

This one was dreamed up because of an abundance of black cherries and limes (post fourth of July). It's really easy to put together, and a great sweet tart combo. I present to you the...

Black Cherry Shandy

Ingredients

• 1 light beer (I used Yueling Light)
• .5 cup sliced black cherries
• 1 small lime (zested)
• 1.5 oz Tequila
• 1 Tbsp Simple Syrup

Directions

Muddle cherries, zest and half the juice from the lime in a shaker. Add tequila and ice. Then top with beer. enjoy.

Easy right? Don't forget to enter the Rocks Paper Metal Giveaway!

{Friday Cocktail} Fourth of July Addition

It's that time of year again. As you break out your red white and blue in preparation for Wednesday's festivities consider making this festive beverage...

I mean, how perfect is that. Really. get your self some star shaped ice trays and you'll be all set. It's a spicy watermelon concoction that will be sure to please everyone. 


Ingredients
1 oz watermelon schnapps
1 big splash of cranberry juice
1 very thin sliced jalapeno (or whatever pepper you want)
1 slice lemon
1 slice lime
1.5 oz tequila
.25 oz blue curacao
.5 oz simple syrup

• watermelon wedge for garnish

Directions
combine schnapps and cranberry juice, pour over ice in a tall glass. Then muddle jalapeno, lemon, lime, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup. Shake and strain SLOWLY over the the watermelony goodness already in your glass. enjoy

have a great weekend y'all, and don't forget you still have 2 days to enter the Rouge & Co giveaway!

{Friday Cocktail} Peach Two Ways

So, I'm from Georgia. I love Peaches. I love peach cocktails. I saw this on the lovely Julie's blog and I knew I had to devote this week's cocktail to the peach. You should know something about me though, I am indecisive. oh, and I like many liquors. When making these last night, I absolutely couldn't decide so I made two versions.

They both start out the same: Peach Puree. All you need to do is slice up a perfectly ripe peach (over ripe would be even better) remove the pit, and puree in the blender/food processor. Strain if you so desire (I did not care to).

Jim (Bean) and the Giant Peach

In a shaker combine 2 Tbsp of the peach puree

1.5 oz of Bourbon

1 Tbsp Honey or Simple Syrup

add ice and strain into glass.

Top with cranberry juice (but next time I would probably cut it with club soda)

or if gin is more your style (as it is mine) you should definitely try...

The Gin-ger Peach

In a shaker combine 2 Tbsp of peach puree

1 Tbsp Honey or Simple Syrup

Add ice and shake. 

Strain into glass. Top with Gingerale.

Can you tell I love peaches? mmhmm. Both are delicious (I had to down sample both of them for y'all ), but the gin-ger peach is much lighter, perfect for summer time. 

Hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend!

{Friday Cocktail} Relax and Sparkle

I've been all about champagne cocktails as of late. This is something I tested out last night, and I have to tell y'all it's SO good. I love the aromatics of the lavender and the sweetness of the blueberries. Plus its sparkly and slightly purple. Oh, and really easy. What's not to love. 

Really all you need to do is heat up 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar until the sugar dissolves. 

Continue to heat it at a medium-low temperature for about 8 minutes (so the syrup will set). 

Be careful not to burn the sugar. You aren't making caramel here people. 

After you think the syrup is sufficiently thick take off the heat. 

Throw in lavender (with flowers) and blueberries and let that steep for about 10 minutes. 

strain.

Keep the simple syrup in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Now just add 1 Tbsp to a champagne glass then top with champagne. 

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Enjoy.

 Have a great weekend ladies!

Thursday Randoms

I'm slightly lacking in motivation/ I don't really have anything to talk about today so I'm doing another Thursday randoms post. enjoy!

• I'm loving this slightly cooler weather (72 degrees in June? love it). I've been doing far too much front porch sittin and sippin this week, if you follow me on instagram you already know. oh well. 

peach mash | peach juice | champagne = Bellini ? sure

• I'm haven't been able to drink a hot cup of coffee all week, which is very strange for the girl who normally drinks 2-3 by 10 am. It's something about pouring hot liquid down my throat in all this humidity, I just can't do it. 
• I got my hair cut and colored this weekend (still haven't taken an after picture) and I got suckered in to buying products. Does this ever happen to y'all? 

• I've been spending WAY too much $ lately, and I don't even know on what. oh wait... now I remember this and a trip to target, and my grocery bills have been OUT OF CONTROL lately. I really need to work on #8 from my 25 before 25
• Do y'all ever get the itch for change? I think I've gotten so used to constant moving over the last 6 years or so, that I get anxious when I stay in one place for too long. I need something new to happen. shake up the routine. I'm bored.
• I'm debating about finding a new hobby? Any suggestions? I'm so inspired by the art that Pawleys Island Posh does, and I feel like it wouldn't be that hard to re-create or do something similar? I've never really been an artist, but I think it would be nice to have a creative outlet like painting. 
• Do you ever "un-follow" blogs? I have SO many in my Google reader, but I only really invest my time in a few (okay more than a few, but you know what I mean). While I love reading some mommy blogs, I don't really relate when all you do is talk about what your baby is doing now. Am I alone in that? maybe, but that's okay with me. I'm sure you're a wonderful person, and you have beautiful children, but I'd rather spend my time making "friends" with ladies who have lives more similar to my own. 
• I'm seriously LOVING my birchbox this month! I even tweeted them about it (and they responded!) also please ignore my misspellings. I was so excited I hastily tweeted with out proof reading. 

• I promise I'll do a full review of my June Box soon.
• I need a new book to read. Does anyone have any fun, easy fiction books they recommend? Also does anyone know of any book swaps? I have so many books that I'm never going to read again... I guess I could donate them, but I'd love to swap for ones I haven't read yet.
• My fake tan is wearing off very oddly. I feel like I have spots. HELP!!!
• I need something fun to do this weekend? Anyone know of a wine festival or anything happening in the DMV?
• Also. To my dc ladies, blogger brunch on Sunday?
• Did y'all see the TANK made out of cupcakes? Georgetown cupcake you never disappoint. I can't find a picture, but I'll post one soon. 

Okay. I guess that's all I've got. Off to work. Have a great Thursday y'all!

{Friday Cocktail} Skinny Pina Colada

I mean really? What else did you expect? I'm in Puerto Rico!!!

I've partaken in several sugary guilt filled delicious pina coladas since we arrived 4 days ago. When I get home though, I'm definitely breaking out the magic bullet to make a few of these.

In a blender combine

• 3 oz coconut rum
• 10 oz coconut water
• .5 cup frozen pineapple chucks (try Trader Joes)

Blend and enjoy! I love coconut water, but rarely buy it anymore. I will definitely pick some up when I get home though. Hope y'all have a great weekend. I'm some what reluctantly headed home on Sunday, but as soon as I arrive we'll be celebrating KJ's 25th! 

See y'all Monday!

{Friday Cocktail} Skinny Southern Sweet Tea

Happy Friday from Little Rock, Arkansas! I am VERY happy to be back home in the south. Warm weather, some pool time, BBQ and real sweet tea. I am a true southerner that's for sure. 

With that in mind I wanted to tell you about my newest discovery. 

Skinny Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka.

Bam. 

You're welcome. 

I know. This is an amazing discovery, that I found via my new blogging idol Kelly. I may or may not mix my firefly with water and sip on it as if it was regular tea. Don't judge me. I love that stuff. Do you know what's even better than that? If you mix it with lemonade. Shut up, I know. 

Today let me tell you about the cocktail we are sipping on poolside today. Make it in a pitcher, because you'll want to share and sip on this for hours. 

• 1 cup Firefly Skinny Tea
• 1 cup low cal lemonade (aka crystal light)
• handful of mint, divided
• 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• Lemon slices

In the bottom of the pitcher muddle about half the mint with brown sugar and water. Let that stand for 5 minutes for the mint to release its flavor, why don't you mix up the lemonade while you wait. 

Add the Firefly and Lemonade. 

Serve over a glass full of ice. 

1 batch should serve 4-6 (depending on how big your glasses are)

I'm home for my sister's college graduation/Mother's day. On Monday we are off to Puerto Rico to celebrate my Mom's 60th birthday!

Have a great weekend lovelies. 

Weekend, Where did you go?

I mean really, that weekend came and went in a blink. We had so much fun, but it's Monday morning again and  my tequila haze is finally catching up to me. Get ready for an intense amount of photos. Two of our Favorite People in the WHOLE WORLD came to visit this weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Lawfully Wedded Wife! They were fresh off their law school exams, so we tried to treat them to a jam packed vacation where they could let loose a bit. 

Lauren, being the expert food blogger that she is, LOVES food trucks. Obviously we had to hit up food truck fest, and boy am I glad we did. Empanadas, Gyros, Popcorn, Ice Cream, Pop-cycles. I mean, wow. It was awesome. 

Then we set off to do a few of the obligatory touristy sites. Fortunately for those of us who have phobias of crowds of tourists (*cough cough, me), we got a sweet parking spot, and it wasn't too crowded! We hit up the Lincoln Memorial and checked out the new MLK memorial that opened on the tidal basin last fall. For those of you who don't live in DC there has been a bit of backlash from this new memorial. Dr. King is misquoted a few times, his statue was carved by oppressed and underpaid Chinese people, while the statue is in his likeness, he looks slightly Asian, the list goes on and on. I guess people are always going to find a reason to complain. 

I have to say, I was pretty impressed by it all. The park they build around the tidal basin in beautiful and very peaceful. While not huge, the statue definitely has a resonating presence, and the walls of water and inspirational quotes bring a sense of tranquility. It's slightly off the beaten path (if that's possible on the national mall), so it wasn't super crowded. If you haven't made it down there yet I highly recommend it. 

This is Oliver, isn't he cute? 

The Silver and Gold Cinco de Mayo party went off with out a hitch on Saturday and we all had a great time. All my pinteresting paid off, and the house looked super festive with tissue pom poms, banners, some yummy food (be on the look out for a recipe) and of course some Mexican mustaches. 

Mr. and Mrs. LWW

photos courtesy of LWW

Lots of Beer Pong was played (not very well though), new friends were made. Too many cupcakes were eaten, and a few too many margaritas were had. OH, speaking of Margaritas. I want to follow up on my last post.  So, I love me some Bethenny Frankel, but girlfriend, that skinny girl margarita is gross. I mean really. It tastes like chemicals. I thought it was supposed to be natural? hmm.... AND on top of that, my roommate KJ says she read an article about how there is some ingredient in it that, when combined with citrus (limes anyone?) becomes carcinogenic. Cancer? From a Margarita? no thank you.

We also had this

There were some mixed review, but I have to say, I loved it! We made the crystal light as instructed (with water) then let folks add tequila to it as they desired. It was a very green color (a tad scary), but I thought it had a great flavor. 5 calories? I'm sold. 

hahahaha. 

Please have mustaches at your next party. They're so fun. Hope y'all have a great Monday!

{Friday Cocktail} 5.5.12 Double Cocktail Craziness

So tomorrow is a big day. Cinco de Mayo woohoo!!! oh yah. AND the Kentucky derby. I don't know about you, but when I think about both of these holidays two things come to mind. Margaritas and Mint Juleps. How could you pick just one? Since I'm still working working on eating well, I haven't been drinking. Okay, that's kind of a lie, I've been trying not to drink, and have for the most part been pretty successful. Still thinking about my may goals and having to be in a bathing suit in 10 days (eek) I'm going to really try to be good this weekend. It's going to be tough though. Good thing I'm the one throwing the party.

We are having a smallish Cinco de Mayo party so we'll have the traditional margarita mix, but I'm going to pick up a bottle or two of my girl Bethenny's Skinny Girl Margarita. 100 calories a serving? Sign me up.

Now I'm a southern gal, but we were never really in to the derby growing up. During college I went to a super fun Derby party, and ever since I love dressing up in a big floppy hat and sipping on some minty goodness. 

BW at last year's derby party

I'm going to attempt to make a skinny mint julep, but lets be honest, I still don't quite have the taste for bourbon, I need me some sugar.

Ingredients: 10 mint leaves, 1 Tbsp Simple Syrup, 3 oz bourbon, 1 cup crushed ice

1. Muddle 10 mint leaves with 1 Tbsp simple syrup and a tiny splash of the bourbon.
2. Let that mixture set for 3-5 minutes so the mint can release its flavor (take this opportunity to crush the ice)
3. Strain the mint mixture and pour into your julep glass and swirl it around the glass. 
4. Add the crushed ice to the top of the glass
5. Add the remainder of the the bourbon
6. Garnish with mint

Put on your finest hat (be it a big floppy one or a sombrero) and relax. I know that's what I'll be doing!

{Friday Cocktail} Cucumber Mint Gimlet

There are a few reasons I'm featuring this yummy cocktail on the blog this week. #1. I love Gin. It is my favorite liquor. I've read a few articles lately about how gin has come back in vogue in recent years. I would like to take this opportunity to take full responsibly for that. I am clearly quite the trendsetter. Ha ha. I kid. I am sure one influential factor is the rising popularity of my favorite show Mad Men. That brings me to #2. Betty Draper Francis loves her some gimlets, and who am I to knock the fabulous Mrs. Draper's drink of choice. #3. It's horse racing season. I'm not a huge mint julep fan, if it has enough sugar sure, but I'm still working on learning to love bourbon and other whiskeys. I feel that this is a gin lovers response to the mint julep. Plus who doesn't love a cucumber mint combo.

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Ingredients

• 2 oz Cucumber Gin 
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• .5 oz Mint Simple Syrup
• Cucumber peels, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
• crushed ice 

Cucumber Gin

• Steep 2.5 cups of diced peeled cucumber in 4.5 cups of gin
• Cover and chill at least 8 hours, up to four days
• Strain and Store

Mint Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• combine over medium heat until sugar dissolves
• Add 1 cup mint leaves and remove from heat
• Cover, steep for 30 minutes -1 hour, then strain and discard mint. 
• Store up to 2 months

Enjoy! I know I'm looking forward to sipping on one of these this rainy spring weekend.

{Friday Cocktail} Take me out to the ball game

I'm going to my first baseball game of the season tomorrow, so to get in the spirit I wanted to do a baseball themed cocktail. But are there baseball themed cocktails? I'm pretty sure it's just beer.

Time to get creative. At the Nationals stadium we have ShakeShack. If you've never had shakeshack you need to, its amazing. At the last game of the season last year I tried a peanut milkshake, and OMG let me tell you it changed my life. I LOVE peanut anything. Today's cocktail is an attempt at a alcoholic peanuty milkshake of sorts. I give you the Peanut butter Dream

• 2 oz Kahlua
• 1 oz Tequila
• 2 oz cream or milk
• 1.5 Tbsp. Creamy Peanut butter
• Ice
• Blend until frothy

I know. Amazing right. Enjoy your weekend!

{Friday Cocktail} A Peep-tini

I would like to document the fact that I LOVE peeps. They are my FAVORITE.

I can could sit and eat trays of them at a time. I don't discriminate between the bunnies or the chicks, but nothing is better than the classic yellow chic. Have you ever tried one dipped in chocolate? You need to. Have you ever put one in the microwave to watch it turn into a godzilla peep? You need to. Have you ever had a liquidfied peep in your cocktail? well... not sure you need to do that, but you can make a delicious peeptini with a peep on the side :)

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• 1.5 oz Marshmellow Vodka
• .5 oz vanilla simple syrup
• 1 oz cream
• 1 egg white (optional)*
• Peeps (for garnish or dipping... your choice)

In a shaker combine vodka, simple syrup, cream  and egg white. Shake for 1 min or until you are happy with the fluffiness of the egg white. Pour into a rimmed martini glass and top with a peep.

*Please don't be afraid of the egg white. The alcohol "cooks" it so no gross germs to worry about and it creates this yummy frothy foam on the top. You need to try it once.

This is going to be a super SWEET cocktail, which is not normally my taste, but it's easter!

Let me know what you think if you try this. Also you can try adding a little food coloring to coordinate with your peeps. Go crazy! Hope y'all have a great easter!

{Friday Cocktail} Fancy Gin Cocktail

If you read my post from earlier you know that I have been in need of several yummy cocktails lately. Last night my roommate KJ and I headed to a local bar/coffee shop/restaurant in our hipster-hood called The Big Bear Cafe. Each of us selected a yummy sounding cocktail from their list of hand crafted concoctions. I ordered what Big Bear deems the "Fancy Gin Cocktail" It was SO good. If y'all live in DC you need to seek out this joint and treat yourself. For anyone else, you need to make this at home!

In a shaker muddle 1.5 oz Genever with some orange peel and 1 tsp cane sugar. Add 3 shakes of aromatic bitters and top off with ice. Enjoy!

If you try one let me know what you think! Hope y'all have a great weekend! I'm heading to Williamsburg, VA for some much needed R and R.

{Friday Cocktail} The Cherry Blossom-tini

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom here in DC and the annual cherry blossom festival gets started this weekend!!! With the Cherry Blossom Festival starts the annual tourist season in DC. While I love living in a city where people want to come visit (only confirming how awesome DC is),  I hate all the traffic, noise and general congestion that comes with them. But I digress. It's FRIDAY!!!

I found this yummy looking cocktail over on A Glossy Life and I just HAD to share it with you. Enjoy :)

  

• 1 part cherry brandy
• 1 part triple sec
• 1/2 part grenadine
• squeeze of lemon juice
• Cherry and assorted berries for garnish

What do you have planned for the weekend? Anything exciting?

Here's to the Weekend

Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve! I want to celebrate Fridays by posting a cocktail recipe to help you get your weekend started. In honor of my favorite drinking holiday I am going to post my favorite Irish cocktail. I was doing some googling this morning to find you all some kind of green drink and stumbled upon this recipe, who knew my favorite drink (at least this week) had a name. I present to you the Irish Buck.

The Whiskey Buck

• Take 1.5 oz or 1 shot of good Irish Whiskey (I prefer Jameson, soley for the fact I toured the Jameson factory when I was in Dublin)
• Pour over ice in a Tom Collins glass
• Top with 2 oz of gingerale
• Garnish with fresh lime wedge

Enjoy! Hope you have a great St. Patty's day weekend! I will be drinking a few of these on Saturday I'm sure. Plus the Cherry Blossoms are peaking on Sunday, so you will find me on the mall with 20 million tourists!