Long Island Ice Tea. Watch out for this tall drink. It’s more powerful than it seems. You’re all good and then wham! Long Island Ice Tea This recipe makes 2 (strong) cocktails. 1-ounce vodka 1-ounce rum 1-ounce gin 1-ounce tequila 2 ounces triple sec 2 ounces sweet & sour mix (or sour mix) 12 ounces […]
How to Make Simple Syrup How to Make Simple Syrup 1 cup water 1 cup sugar Place ingredients in a saucepan. Turn heat on to medium and cook until the sugar has dissolved. The water will be clear. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate. This is great to have on hand […]
Cherry Lime Spritzer is a perfectly refreshing summer cocktail. It’s not only refreshing but oh-so-beautiful. Cherry Lime Spritzer 2 cups fresh sweet red cherries (stemmed, halved, and pitted) 2/3 cup sugar 750L Sweet white wine (a late harvest riesling is nice) 17 ounces Sparkling Ice water lemon-lime flavor (or similar not overly sweet lemon-lime drink) […]
How to Make Acai Bowls Makes 2-4 servings. 12 ounces frozen mixed berries 2 100-gram packages of frozen acai berries, broken up 1 frozen banana 1/2-3/4 cup apple juice or almond milk 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (replace with juice or non-dairy milk for vegan option) Toppings such as drizzled honey, fresh berries, seeds, or […]
I learned how to open a wine bottle with a corkscrew before I knew how to like wine. The only wine I liked back then was so sweet it almost qualified to be Kool-Aid; but, now I like a bold cabernet sauvignon… if it brags 14.5% alcohol or above? Even better! Anyhow, if you’ve never […]
Just sharing a sweet idea with you because it’s almost Christmas and because I can’t wait and because, well, cozy. Christmas Beverage Cart Beverage carts & coffee trays all the rage. Cocoa, coffee, juice bars, and cocktails. So much fun for guests to gather around. And everyone feels more comfortable hiding behind a mug while […]
Behold Sparkling Grapefruit Ade, the most gorgeous and refreshing drink you will ever serve. Sparkling Grapefruit Ade 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups water 9 large fresh grapefruit 2 ounces fresh ginger, peeled & sliced 6 sprigs fresh basil 2 liters club soda Vodka (optional) The night before: To make simple syrup, pour sugar and […]
This Teenie Weenie Caramel Apple Martinis recipe will be a big hit! They’re so much fun with a decorative touch at a Halloween party. Caramel Apple Martinis Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce 1 cup unsalted butter 2 cups brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Melt butter over […]
There are few things on this planet as satisfying as blueberry smoothies. They’re healthy, refreshing, speedy to make, and yummy! Blueberry Smoothies Makes about four 8-ounce servings. 16 ounces frozen blueberries 1/2 banana, frozen 1 1/4 cups apple juice 1-2 tablespoon honey (optional) Place all of the ingredients in a blender. Secure the lid. Begin […]
Dark Cocoa Mix. Because sometimes while you enjoy the childlike wonder of winter, you just want your hot chocolate to be a little more grown-up. Dark Cocoa Mix 3/4 cups dark cocoa powder 3/4 cup nondairy creamer 3/4 cup powdered milk 1 pound powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Place mix ingredients in a medium […]
When one goes to a fancy schmancy place, one feels fancy schmancy… that is, unless one doesn’t realize the appropriate attire for the Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet is semi-formal and one arrives in jeans. Then one does not feel so fancy shmancy. But, that is a story for another day. Or, you know, […]
A Fuzzy Navel With Fresh Ginger is a beautiful thing. It’s also a beautiful thing when girls get together to celebrate the happy happenings of one of their own. Fuzzy Navel With Fresh Ginger 1 cup vodka 1 cup peach schnapps (the fuzzy) 4 cups fresh orange juice (the navel) About 1 tablespoon minced ginger […]
The most refreshing drink in all the cocktail kingdom is the Mint Mojito cocktail. She is light, beautiful, and more daring than she appears. If your mint has taken over your garden space as mine has, it is time to entertain your neighbors with mojitos. And fast. Mint Mojitos 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup fresh […]
Bloody Mary Cocktail. Of all the outlandish, hilarious, and awesome names of cocktails, the one that bothers me the most is my very favorite drink… the Bloody Mary. You know what. We’ll just call her Mary. After trying Marys out in various locations, I have found one common ingredient which makes or breaks my Mary. […]
White Limoncello Chocolate Cocktail. My friends on the east coast are shoveling snow while I’m over here in the Northwest with my door open to let the sunshine pour inside. This calls for a drink that brings us all together. Ahhhhh. I know, right? Winter and summer come together to create this dreamy springy cup […]
Limoncello: Sunshine in a jar. This recipe takes one afternoon to make and about four days to complete. Limoncello Makes about 32 ounces. 4 large lemons 1 1/4 cups water 1 1/2 cups sugar 8 ounces vodka Using a sharp paring knife, carefully trim peels off lemons. Set aside. When finished, place a peel with […]
Baileys Irish Cream Iced Coffee Baileys Irish Cream Iced Coffee 4 ounces Baileys Irish Cream 8 ounces quality coffee 1 ounce Irish Whiskey Ice (optional) Baileys whoop cream 2 fresh clovers Brew coffee and stir together with Irish cream & whiskey for a loverly hot drink. For a chilled coffee, place Irish cream, coffee, and whiskey in a shaker with […]
Pineapple Floats are a dreamy reminder of a tropical vacation. Pineapple Floats 1 can pineapple rings with juice 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste) 1-liter club soda 4 large scoops high-quality vanilla ice cream 2 cups rum (optional for adult drinks) 1 small jar maraschino cherries Drain the juice from cans of pineapple into a […]
Peach Bellinis. Summery goodness has arrived. We’re bringing my favorite blended cocktail home for you to enjoy on your own deck. Simply peachy. Peach Bellinis 1 1/2 cups ice cubes 1 cup water 1 sixteen-ounce bag of frozen peach slices 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup vodka 1 cup peach schnapps Grenadine (pomegranate syrup found in mixers […]
It’s strawberry season – a time for strawberry soup, strawberry tarts, and, of course, the ever-popular and completely adorable strawberry cut-out cookies. This year I thought I would jazz things up with a wee bit o’ rum for you. You’re welcome. The mojito is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful drinks. Ever. Add fresh strawberries, […]
Have you heard met Parisian Hot Chocolate (also known as Le Chocolat Chaud) yet? Well, now you have. You’re welcome. Parisian Hot Chocolate Makes about 4 six-ounce servings. 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoons vanilla 10 ounces 65-70% chocolate (I recommend Valrhona Chocolate Guanaja 70%), broken or chopped into small pieces Dash of flaky salt […]
Forty (Maybe) and Fabulous (For Sure). Gone are the days of the run-of-the-mill, over-the-hill parties. Here’s a 40th birthday party theme she will love! You know those life-long friends you couldn’t get rid of even if you tried? Yeah, I love those ones. Here are a few of ours. Taye is helping momma celebrate her […]
Summer is only one month away and if there’s something we all need to know to prepare, it is how to make awesome Butterscotch Milkshakes. A great milkshake is all about texture & flavor. And maybe a little extra butterscotch sauce at the bottom. Butterscotch Milkshakes Makes two 15-ounce shakes. 1 cup loosely packed ice […]
About a year ago I promised to share my cherry limeade recipe from Dotter’s graduation. I have no excuses for the delay. But I come bearing glad tidings of fresh limes. And cherries. And pretty straws. Cherry Limeade 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 cups fresh lime juice (from about 7-8 limes) 12 ounces […]
Two Cocktails to Welcome Summer – A guest post by the amazing Warren Bobrow. The Easter and Passover holiday weekend is now behind us. I’ve been dreaming of warmer weather and this past weekend although windy was just the taste I’ve been seeking. The lovely summer season to follow is filling my cocktail-driven wishes and […]
Layered Blueberry and Mango Smoothies. When it’s not enough to braise the roast, simply splatter some hot oil. And when polka dot burns on your face aren’t enough, grab the hot part of the pan for the win. Short story: I burned my hand today. So I decided to blog something cold. It just felt […]
I’m not sure today’s Sunrise Orange Juice post is so much a recipe as it is a cute a hostess with the mostess tip. I discovered this by mistake while making breakfast for some of my first guests and it became the norm at The Old Hen B&B. Sunrise Orange Juice 6 cups orange juice […]
If you’re looking for that special little something to welcome guests to your next party, these Mini Baileys Irish Cream Shakes are just the thing. And, if you need a good excuse to buy some of those red & white paper straws that are so very popular on Pinterest and if you happen to be […]
Blackberry Purple Cow. We’ve all been there. You go to an event, a party, or a restaurant. You eat or drink something memorable, and then many years later realize that you wish you could have that treat again. The Purple Cow is one of those memories for me. Years ago, my best friend was a […]
I’m all for convenience but is almost a sin to make some things from a can and Strawberry Lemonade is one of them. If you have ever stirred a powder and called it lemonade, you are forgiven. Turn the other way and enjoy summer the way it should be enjoyed, with sin-free strawberry lemonade made […]
Easy Fried Chicken and a Graduation. This week was Dotter’s graduation. I am excited to see the professional’s shot of this one. Finding the kids we know in my copy is like playing Where’s Waldo. Besides the graduates tossing their caps in the air to celebrate, there were grad parties throughout the town. Parents went […]
Lime Raspberry Punch About 10 cups of ice 3 liters Sprite, chilled One 12 ounce can of frozen lime juice 1 cup raspberry syrup (found in the coffee aisle at the grocery store) Stir together in a punch bowl or if you cannot find your punch bowl like me, any large & beautiful glass container […]
Merry Cherry Cocktail. I love, love, love this commercial. So much so that I may or may not have had to go purchase these little glasses. Okay. I did. I may or may not have also chanted “Party Party! Party!” to the clerk when I bought them. Merry Cherry Cocktail To make this pretty […]
Nothing says welcome to winter like a frosty Orange Creamsicle Smoothies. Okay maybe not so much, but I told a lovely guest of ours that I would be posting this recipe and I am a couple of months behind on my promise. Honestly, I’m not big on the idea of liquid pumpkin and gingerbread drinks […]
