O is for Old Fashioned

This delicious, classic cocktail has a twist: crisp apple cider added to the mix, creating an Apple Cider Old Fashioned.  Cheers!!

O is for Old Fashioned.......

The Rangoon Ruby and a Book Review

This iconic drink was made popular by Trader Vic's during the 1960's and is similar to the Cape Codder or the current-day Vodka and Cranberry. The Rangoon Ruby was documented in Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook.

I first heard about this cocktail while reading The Island Club by Nicola Harrison.

Celebrating our Anniversary with a Hugo Spritz #ItalianFWT

This past Saturday was our 34th Wedding Anniversary.  We were busy celebrating Frank's 75th Birthday with a Cinco de Mayo party, so Margaritas and Cervezas were the pours for the night.  The following day, we visited our niece, who is nearly 2 hours away.  We finally had a quiet night alone on the 4th, which is Frank's actual birthday.  We celebrated with a refreshing Italian Cocktail, the Hugo Spritz.

Lavender Bee's Knees Martini #BrunchWeek

The perfect spring cocktail to start off a brunch celebrating all the important women in your life this Mother's Day.  Bee's Knees is an iconic cocktail that is lightened up and made special with the addition of a lavender-infused sparkling wine.

This gorgeous color is perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, or a Kentucky Derby gathering.  Anywhere you are celebrating with a brunch, whether it's just you or a whole gang.

Maple Bourbon Smash #SundayFunday

Cheers!!!  We are celebrating the birth of our first grandson, Milan, who was born yesterday morning at 6:45 AM.  When we got back from the hospital, Frank made us each a Maple Bourbon Smash to commemorate this momentous day.

We chose this particular cocktail because the Sunday Funday Bloggers are preparing to celebrate Maple Syrup Saturday on March 21st.......

Celebrating National Mulled Wine Month French Style

March is National Mulled Wine Month.  I would have expected this delicious, aromatic delight to be celebrated in the dead of winter, perhaps January or February, but it is a delightful way to welcome in Spring while the chill remains in the air.

In France, Mulled Wine is Vin Chaud, and since it is time for the French Winophiles to gather, I asked the others to join me in celebration.  Cheers.......

Chocolate Old Fashioned Cocktail and a Book Review

Marissa's guy, Hunter, gifted Frank a bottle of Chocolate Crown Royal for Christmas.  We were telling Nicole about it, and she mentioned that it would probably make a great Old Fashioned.  She was sooooo right.

The only difference from the classic cocktail is the whiskey used. Frank adds an extra drop of bitters to mine.

St. Lucian Rum Punch #EattheWorld

We are in the middle of a deep freeze here in Michigan.  We have been below freezing for the past 23 days here in my area.  So when St. Lucia was chosen as our destination this month, my thoughts immediately went to sunshine, beaches, and cocktails......

We are Eating the World St. Lucian Style........

White Chocolate Martini #ChristmasSweetsWeek

 Finish off your Holiday Dinner with this festive and beautiful White Chocolate Martini.

Today is the Final Day of Christmas Sweets Week, an event scheduled by Christie of A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures for Monday, Wednesday, and today.

X is for Xanthia Cocktail

This cocktail was invented in the early 1920s and became popular after it was featured in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.  Depending on the source, it was either named after the Greek Goddess Xantha or the Xanthia Moth.  Both names are due to the color of the cocktail.

A Pickled Garlic Martini in honor of The Martini Club

This sounds like a strange concoction, but it is surprisingly good.  It makes a wonderful pre-dinner cocktail.

Italy-Day 14, Florence

We were up bright and early again to take the one-hour bus trip to Florence for a guided walking tour of the city.

A Mai Tai for The Women and the Weekly Menu

Created by Trader Vic Bergeron, in 1944 in Oakland, California, this iconic cocktail is a blend of two different kinds of rum, orange liqueur, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup.

Key Lime Pie Martini and the Weekly Menu #SummerCocktails

This sweet and tart cocktail is served in a glass rimmed with toasted coconut and crushed graham crackers providing all the flavors of your favorite pie in liquid form.

Cheers!!  We are sharing Summer Cocktails.......

Campari Spritz #SummerCocktails

We celebrated our friend Cathy's birthday here on Memorial Day.  The group that gathered is traveling to Italy in September so I decided to kick things off with a Campari Spritz.

Cheers.  We are celebrating Summer Cocktails.......

Orange Blossom Cocktail #Movies and Munchies

This cocktail made with freshly squeezed orange juice,  flavorful gin, and a touch of sweet grenadine syrup is the perfect way to welcome in the Spring.

I was inspired to make this cocktail after watching Wild Mountain Thyme, our Movies and Munchies film for this month.....

Celebrating the 2nd Day of Christmas with a Warm Cocktail and the Weekly Menu leading up to the New Year #MoviesandMunchies

This warm, spiced cocktail is a classic Holiday drink that dates back to the Colonial days.  There are many different versions of this cocktail but all contain rum, butter, and spices.  

The type of rum can vary but I prefer using spiced rum.  Some recipes use hot water, as mine does, others use hot cider.

Winter White Cosmopolitan #SundayFunday

Start your Holiday gathering with this delicious Winter White Cosmopolitan.  Similar to the original but using White Cranberry Juice and garnished with Candied Cranberries.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are Spreading Christmas Cheer today......

X is for Xylocarp

What is a xylocarp?  It is a fruit with a hard woody shell.  The best-known xylocarp is a coconut.  And the best way to enjoy coconut?  In a Pina Colada, of course.

With just 3 ingredients, some ice, and a heavy-duty blender you can enjoy an Xciting Xylocarp Cocktail.....

W is for Whiskey

Salted Caramel Royal Crown Whiskey hooks up with Kahlua, Creme de Banana and Espresso for a different take on an Espresso Martini.

W is for Whiskey.......