TAKE A SIP: CRANBERRY MOSCOW MULE

I had to squeeze in one last Christmas drink before taking next week off..so naturally I chose some thing red & green...

Cranberry Moscow Mules!

What you need to make it happen:

- 2 ounces Vodka

- Gingerbeer

- Lime Slices

- Frozen Cranberries

- Cranberry Simple Syrup 

- Ice

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Fill copper mug with ice & add  2 ounces vodka, 1 teaspoon cranberry simple syrup.

Step 2: Top with ginger beer and garnish with a few lime slices & a handful of frozen cranberrries

Step 3: Enjoy!

Fruity, tart- not at all too sweet!

What drink will you be sipping on this season?

If you'd like one of these, just come on over!

xo, lp

*psssst: let's be friends on instagram, shall we? find me here           --->@lpodlich 

*also: for more drinks recipes, go HERE!   

TAKE A SIP: BEST BLUEBERRY MOJITO

 Normally recipe days are Tuesdays...but I just couldn't hold this one back, because it's too good!

 It's been in the seventies in Wisconsin, which means optimal Mojito weather. 

I mean...I guess any weather could be optimal Mojito weather, but I'm just going to use these 70+ degree days as an excuse to share this, mmmmkay?

Here's what you'll need to make it happen:

 - Mint leaves

- Blueberries

- 2 tsps Sugar or simple syrup*

- 2 ounces White Rum

- Sprite or Soda water**

- Ice

* if ya don't have simple syrup, granulated sugar will work!

** sprite if ya like it sweet, soda water if you don't/

 How to make it happen:

Step 1: Muddle a few mint leaves + blueberries with your sugar & rum

Step 2: Add ice & top with sprite

Step 3: Garnish with mint leaves + blueberries

Step 4: ENJOY!

So yeah.

It's basically just a regular mojito but with blueberries instead of limes. But daaaaang it's good!

 What's your mid-70s summer drink?

If you don't have one yet- I highly recommend a blueberry mojito!

xo, lp

ps: for more drink recipes, go HERE!

pps: for instagram fun, go HERE!

TAKE A SIP: BOOZY CHERRY LIMEADE (a twist on the classic!)

So a while back on this here blog I shared a recipe for the Dirty Shirley (an alcoholic kiddy cocktail). People were diggin' it- so I figured, why not take another childhood classic and do what I do best:

ADD. BOOZE.

So that's just what I did, folks...that's just what I did.

Here's the Boozy Cherry Limeade:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Svedka Cherry Vodka

- Frozen Limeade Concentrate

- Water, Ice

- Sprite

- Limes/Cherries for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mix together 2 ounces of cherry vodka with a tablespoon of limeade concentrate and 1/2 cup water. 

Step 2: Stir until well mixed, then add ice & a splash of Sprite

Step 3. Garnish and enjoy!

Funny thing is, unlike kiddie cocktails, I actually didn't even grow up drinking limeade- we were a lemonade family, through and through!

I'm fully willing, however, to exploit the loving wonderful childhood memories of others- so enjoy, you limeade-families :)

 What was your favorite childhood drink?

Let me know and I'll be sure to booze-it up on the blog soon!

xo, lp

-----

psssst: for more drink recipes, go HERE

for pictures of pretty things, go HERE!

12 COCKTAILS TO GET YOU READY FOR SUMMER!

Here's 12 reasons to look forward to summer...and to buy a ton of cute paper straws!

1. Fizzy Pineapple Lemonade Punch- you'll never guess what the secret ingredient is! 

2. Raspberry Bourbon Fizz- Bourbon, but ladylike.

3. Kiwi Berry Sangria- If you're feeling a little tropical

4. Not-so-Kiddie-Cocktail- aka the Dirty Shirley

5. Orange Ginger Mojitos- doesn't get more refreshing than these!

6. The Clemetini- the best way to get your Vitamin C

7. Nectarine Basil Lemonade- with or without vodka, you choose.

8. Raspberry Lemon Maritini- a whole lot of girly in one glass.

9. Brandy Slush- hands down the best summer drink EVER.

10. Mixed Berry Mojito- In case you can't pick a favorite berry!

11. Strawberry Lemon Candy Vodka- the sweetest there is.

12. Patriotic Icee Slush- for all you who love the red,white, and blue.

If you're not quite in the summer mood yet, be sure to pin this and make 'em later!

What's your favorite summery drink?

Bonus points if it's one of these!

xo, lp

KIWI BERRY SANGRIA

I know what you're probably thinking: 

"Sangria is a summer drink, Laura! It's winter! Time for spiked cocoa and hot cider!"

Well, I mean...you're right... but.. that doesn't mean those are the only drinks to be had! What's more festive for Christmas than a red and green drink?

Thus, I give to you:

 What you'll need to make it happen (serves 4):

- 2.5 ounces vodka

- 1 ounce triple sec

- 2 kiwi

- 1/2 cup raspberries

- 8-10 strawberries

- 12 ounces sweet white wine (sauv blanc will work)

- 1/2 cup Sprite

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Cut up your kiwi and strawberries and add to a glass container with your vodka, triple sec, raspberries, and wine.

Step 2: Let those berries soak up that booze in the fridge for 2-3 hours before you're ready to serve.

Step 3: When you're ready to serve, pour sangria into glasses, scooping in some fruit to make it festive. 

Step 4: Top with Sprite, garnish with an extra kiwi- and enjoy!

Festive- right? 

And- if you're a hot-drink purist for the season, feel free to Pin it for a summer party- it'll still be great then too :)

What seasonal drink will you be serving this Christmas?

Feel free to share- I'm always up for new ideas!

xo, lp

TEA- LESS HOT TODDY

The other day it turned chilly and I decided it was time to make a hot toddy. 

Correction: I had a cold, and medicine wasn't making me feel better, so I decided it was time to make a hot toddy.

Rather than using the power of the ol' internet to make sure I had the recipe right, I thought I'd just wing it from my bartending days. 

Wellllll turns out my memory wasn't as awesome as I thought, because once I made it I thought it tasted delicious, but not quite right. After looking it up, I realized I missed the key ingredient - TEA!

So, thus came into play the tea-less hot toddy. It's still delicious and fully warms you, it's just not the traditional toddy!

What you'll need to make it happen:

- 2 ounces bourbon or whiskey (I choose Bulleit)

- 2 Tbsps honey

- 2 lemon wedges

- Cinnamon stick

- Hot Water

How to make it happen:

Brace yourselves, this is about to really difficult ;) 

Step 1: Throw your honey, 1/2 stick cinnamon, bourbon, and the juice of 1 lemon wedge in your glass.

Step 2: Fill with hot water, stir.

Step 3: Garnish with lemon & cinnamon and enjoy!

This drink is super simple (and tastes great without the tea!) and I'm not gonna lie, I not longer have that nagging cold, so we'll chalk this guy up to a win. For those of you looking for a classic Hot Toddy, here's a recipe to follow! 

What's your go-to winter drink?

I'm telling you, if you can't get rid of a cold, try bourbon!

xo, lp

(pssst! If you're looking for some cool glass mugs, I love these and these!)

TAKE A SIP: RASPBERRY BOURBON FIZZ

Summer is officially done, which means this will probably be one of the last fruity-refreshing drinks I get to share on here for a while. Sad day!

-----

A while back on a good old fashioned date night with Michael, I ordered the most delicious blackberry bourbon drink. It was the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and bitter- with a hint of lemon and seltzer in it.

I didn't have blackberries on hand, but I did my best to recreate it with some raspberries:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Handful of raspberries

- 2 ounces bourbon (I love Bulleit)

- 1/2 ounce of triple sec

- ginger ale

- ice & cute straws

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Pour your bourbon over your raspberries in the bottom of the glass you're choosing to use & mash 'em up.

Step 2: Add your ice and triple sec & stir!

Step 3: Fill glass with ginger ale, garnish with raspberries, and sip through a lovely straw.

I mean, easy, right?

This drink is both cool & refreshing and warming (thanks to the bourbon) - making it the perfect beginning of Fall/End of summer drink!

What drink are you sipping on these days?

If raspberry is your jam - try these too!

xo, lp

love instagram? me too! find me here!

**For all you online shoppers, don't forget to use EBATES! find out more HERE ** 

USA JELLO. AND CHEESEBOARDS. AND DRINKS.

Oh long weekends, you are too good! 

 I hope you all had a fun 4th of July! The weather has been 100% perfect lately, which has made the last week and weekend ridiculously enjoyable.

Wednesday we met up with friends for Concert on the Square- which features the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra right on the Capitol lawn. Other than a few tiny rain drops it was completely comfortable:

Sorry for the boatload of 4th of July photos on Instagram! We had a blast at our friend's house, with a marathon day of yard games, drinking, and eating. SO Amurrrrican.

This was the excuse to bust out every USA themed thing I own...including this USA cheeseboard:

....and my USA jello mold! I used 3 flavors of jello (&vodka) to make a triple layer jello shot. It was huge! We all took turns cutting out states and eating them. Because we're cool like that.

Oh, and the main event for the day? COLORSBEE! A new and improved version of Beersbee, it involved getting really messy with dyed drinks and kiddie pools full of dyed water. Dani even made shirts for us!

We didn't make any other specific plans for the weekend because we knew we'd be packing up our apartment for the upcoming move! We spent time by the pool, played darts with friends, and had a great date night on the Cap Square. If you're in Madison, you've got to try DLUX. I was skeptical-but our meal was excellent. I rarely get cocktails- but the Blvd Buzz with bourbon, blackberries, and turbinado sugar was too good to pass up! 

 (also- you can barely see it, but i'm wearing my new favorite shirt with zebras on it! it looks ridiculous how it's styled online, but i sized up so it's not a freaking belly shirt. highly recommend!)

So that was our weekend. How was yours, friends?

Anyone else eat something in the shape of the USA?

gosh I sure hope so...

xo, lp

*find me on instagram here


*Psst: if you're an online shopper, you HAVE to use Ebates. Fer real, y'all. Find out more HERE*

MIXED BERRY MOJITOS

 I know I've been on a big cocktail kick on the blog lately- but it's just because it's too dang hot to make anything else! 

Today's drink is of course- in honor of the 4th! The berries not only make it delicious- but festive too!

What you'll need:

- Handful of mint leaves

- 2 teaspoons sugar

- Handful of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries

- 1.5 ounces white rum (or sub for vodka)

- Sprite

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Throw you strawberries, raspberries, mint, splash of sprite, and sugar in the bottom of your glass. Muddle until the berries are well mashed.

Step 2: Add your other berries, rum, and mix.

Step 3: Add a bunch of ice cubes (I make mine with mint frozen in) and top with sprite!

Step 4: Garnish with some frozen berries on a skewer and enjoy!

Oh and of course- the best part is eating the fruit when you're all done. Sugary, boozy, delicious fruit!

What will you be sipping on this 4th?

I'll be having one of these for sure!

xo, lp

FIZZY (spiked) PINEAPPLE LEMON PUNCH

Two things made this post come together:

1. Michael is obsessed with pineapple, and we have had one in our fridge at all times this summer. It was begging to be used in a cocktail!

2. Back when we lived in Virginia for some reason we'd randomly get Mike's Harder Lemonade tallboys. Yeah. White trashy, I know. Legit just really strong alcoholic flavored lemonade sugar bombs. Feeling nostalgic, I got classy the other day and bought a couple of the regular lemon Mike's Hard Lemonade, and decided those were ALSO begging to be used in a cocktail.

--------

Thus, this fizzy pineapple lemon punch was born. This drink is great because it's fruity and refreshing without being cloyingly sweet. The fizz from the Mike's Hard Lemonade makes it light & lovely. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What you'll need to make it happen:

1/2 cup fresh pineapple (+extra for garnish)

1.5 ounces vodka

1/3 cup Mike's Hard Lemonade

Ice + Mint for garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Mash your 1/2 cup pineapple up. Either use a food processor- or do it in a bootleg way like I did- with a potato masher. There should be a lot of juice extracted!

Step 2: Pour your vodka, pineapple smash, and Mike's into a shaker with ice. Shake well!

Step 3: Pour into a lovely glass- garnish with pineapple chunks, mint, and a fun straw!

 (if you're looking for fun paper straws, I buy mine from an Etsy shop called Loollipop. Find them here!)

Simple, right? 

I think a GREAT way to serve this to a big group would be in a huge punch bowl- with plenty of pineapple chunks and ice!

Or, if you're going small scale there's something about serving a cocktail in a pretty glass .... and these fleur-de-lys juice glasses from Anthro are my favorite. Sorry in advance if you see a bunch of them in cocktail posts this summer:)

Any great fresh fruit cocktails up your sleeve?

Share them with me- or leave your Pinterest handle in the comments so I can see what summer drinks are inspiring you these days!

xo, lp

Looking for another yummy cocktail recipes? Try my Orange Ginger Mojitos!

(this post in NO way was sponsored by Mike's. I just figured it would be a good cocktail base. Yup.)

GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITA

We have been having a heat wave here in Wisconsin. 

All I want is fall to come, and all the Midwest wants is more 90 degree days. 

Fine. Be that way. What do you do when you're cranky about it being hot out? You make margaritas, my friends. 

Now, before we go forward let me say this:

I'm not claiming this to be some ground-breaking, crazy new, insanely wild margarita recipe. It's just a basic, delicious, grapefruit margarita.So no sass about that, okay? Good.

What you'll need to make it happen:

3.5 ounces fresh ruby red grapefruit juice

1.5 ounces silver tequila

1 ounce triple sec

squeeze of fresh lime juice

splash of lemon-lime soda

lots o' ice

salt or sugar rim: optional

lime & grapefruit to garnish

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Um, mix it all together, duh.

 Michael and I enjoyed these the other night on our  tiny balcony. Of course, let's be real: we upgraded from the low-ball glasses to these:

Are you a margarita fan? Have a fancy recipe I should try?

Do share, friends!

xo, lp

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Wow. Summer has officially hit in Virginia.

I thought I knew humidity in the Midwest....I was wrong. My hair frizz is practically completely horizontal people, it's ridiculous. I figured it was time to start coming up with some ideas for refreshing summer drinks- since I am not a fan of sweet tea [which is blasphemy here in the South]. Thus, I came up with my version of a Strawberry Basil Lemonade: Cool, refreshing, sweet.

Let me make one thing clear: this recipe does NOT make your every day lemonade. This lemonade is not cloyingly sweet or overly sour- mainly because it's all fresh ingredients, and isn't just pure sugar & citric acid. If you love really sweet or sour lemonade- feel free to adjust the sugar & juice levels.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED (serves 1):

- 2 strawberries

- 3 large basil leaves 

- 2  teaspoons white sugar

- 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice (cut a ring of the lemon beforehand for garnish!)

- 1 1/2 cups water

HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN:

1. Dice up your strawberries and rip up your basil leaves.

2. Muddle your berries and basil with your lemon juice.

3. Add a little water and mix in your sugar until pretty well dissolved. 

4. Pour mixture over glass of ice, and pour in remaining water.

5. Stir well, garnish, and enjoy!

*as you'd probably imagine, the flavor gets strong if you let it sit- but if it's not enough for you add more sugar/juice!

Garnishes always make everything look that much better, don't they? 

At about 60 calories, I'd take this over a sugary sweet tea any day! If you're looking for a drink with a little more...shall we say...fun...to it- I'm sure vodka or gin would taste great in this!

If you're looking for more of an intense basil taste- adding a basil simple syrup will do the trick! (If you've never made simple syrup before- it's super easy, check out this recipe)

What's your favorite summer drink?

(send them to me-I love new recipes! beautyandbeard@gmail.com)

xo,lp