TAKE A SIP: THE CLEMENTINI

I figured if winter isn't going to go away, then I might as well drink my way through it.

Kidding.

But seriously.

One good thing about this season is there are clementines GALORE to eat, so I figured making a cheery cocktail with this sweet fruit would help shake the winter blues.

Thus, I give you the Clementini!

What you'll need to make it happen:

- 2 ounces vodka 

- 1 ounce triple sec

- 3 ounces fresh squeezed clemetine juice

- granulated sugar

- sliced clementines for garnish

*sparkling wine or sprite optional

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Combine juice, vodka, and triple sec into a martini shake or glass with ice. Shake until chilled.

Step 2: Run a cut clementine around the rim of your martini glass and run through granulated sugar

Step 3: Pour your drink into a glass, garnish with a slice of clementine, and enjoy!

*Optional Step 4: Top off with some Sprite or Sparkling Wine for a fizzy pop!

The sugar rim balances the tart drink- and it has just the perfect amount of bite!

 So there you have it! A little sip to brighten up even the bleakest winter day!

What cocktail is your favorite in the wintertime?

If you're a hot toddy fan- try this recipe!

xo, lp

Looking for more fruity recipes? Try this raspberry bourbon fizz or this kiwi berry sangria!

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!

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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

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PATRIOTIC FROZEN PUNCH (just 2 ingredients!)

Okay.

Soooooo this is by far the EASIEST "recipe" I've ever posted on the blog...but that doesn't mean it doesn't deserve sharing! It only takes 2 ingredients to make this sucker, and not only does it look good- but it tastes good too!

What you'll need:

- Red, Blue (+ white if you want) freezies

- Vodka

Garnishes- Paper Straws & Washi Tape

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Separate your frozen icees into bowls- Somehow I dumped a few yellow icees in the white bowl. Oops.

Step 2: Mash them up! 

Step 3: Add an EQUAL amount of vodka to each bowl. Now, it depends on the size of your icees- but I did about 1 tablespoon per 2 small icees. 

Step 4: Throw all the bowls in the freezer to harden as much as possible

Step 5: Begin to layer! Now here's the key if you want it to look really pretty: Make sure you add one color, put the glass in the freezer to freeze. THEN add your next color. If you don't do this all your colors will blend together. I learned this the hard way with the first round of red + white. Oops again. 

Step 6: Put into the freezer until you're ready to enjoy!

 If you want individual size, make these in smaller glasses. 

If you're into sharing, put in a larger glass or bowl and serve with multiple straws!

 Take pictures quickly- otherwise it'll turn into a purple mess....

 

Like this: 

Yeah, not pretty- but tastes delicious!

I fully intend to make a rainbow version of this in the future. Because it'll be lovely. Tacky, but lovely.

This isn't the only 4th of July treat I have up my sleeve...come back next week for another red/white/blue drink! 

What will you be sipping on this 4th?

I'm always game for a new cocktail recipe!

xo, lp

STRAWBERRY LEMON STARBURST VODKA.

Let's talk liquor. 

I'm mainly a whiskey girl, and in general avoid fruity drinks like the plague. 

Ever since an...eventful...night in college that involved wayyyy too many colorful, candy-like cocktails I can't quite stomach those sugarbombs like I used to. Don't get me wrong- nothing is better than a lime margarita on the rocks on a hot summer day- but not too often.

Now, all that being said you're probably wondering WHY I'm writing a post about strawberry lemon vodka. HYPOCRITE! LIAR! FRAUD! Well, sort of yes, and sort of no. 

1. I had some  really crappy vodka to get rid of.

2. I was in the mood to experiment with some leftover jellybeans from Easter.

3. I figured I'll save it for a day where I'm craving sweets or have it for fruit-lovin' guests.

So here's the deal: a few times in college my friends and I made Skittles vodka, and I figured Starburst jelly beans would work just as well! This "recipe" is crazy simple and you could do it with all different flavors- I'm thinking RAINBOW vodkas, people.

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What you'll need:

1/2 liter of vodka (any kind will do)

1/3 large bag of Starburst jellybeans.

Patience.

Sprite.

How to make it happen:

1. Choose two flavors from the Starburst jellybean bag. I went with lemon and strawberry! For the love of all that is good- don't pick two colors that will make brown. No one wants to drink brown vodka. If you choose apple & orange you deserve the nastiness that is coming your way. ::shudder::

2. Pour your jellybeans right into your vodka bottle. Enjoy watching the alcohol rip the coatings of those little guys right off!

3. Wait 4-5 days, shaking the vodka + beans once a day or so. You REALLY can't mess this up. You can leave them in longer, shake more or less. This is the beauty of booze, people.

4. Because these guys have more gelatin or faux-gelatin in them than Skittles they probably won't dissolve all the way- unless you have vodka that is borderline rubbing alcohol.  You can either strain out the mini remains of the beans or leave them in the bottom of the bottle for looks. Orrr you could eat them and get super intoxicated. Bleh.

5. Put it in a cute bottle and label it with washi tape. Then pour 2 ounces out into a glass with ice & Sprite and you have yourself one delicious, sweet treat!

Watch out, this stuff is dangerous. Sweet and a little tangy-perfect with soda water or lemon-lime soda!

Are you a fan of sweet drinks (alcoholic or not)?

You might just have to try this recipe- use those leftovers from Easter!

xo,lp

if you do, try out my grapefruit margaritas or raspberry blueberry champagne fizz recipes!