Thanksgiving with Art in the Age

The people over at Art in the Age are much more classy than the industry standard of class. They came up with some spectacular Thanksgiving recipes and I couldn't not share them with you. (Like my double-negative there? Trying to keep you on your toes.) I'm kind of a jerk for posting all of these recipes so late (depending on how my night goes, I may be sharing even more tomorrow... whoops?) but who says that their goodness should be limited to one day a year? I say, "nay." I say "let the Pilgrim's Punch flow freely whenever it so wishes."

Pilgrim's Punch

What you'll need:

 - 1 bottle SAGE

 - 1/2 cup Cointreau 

 - 1 bottle sparkling wine 

 - 1 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice 

 - 1 1/4 cup simple syrup (1:1) 

 - 3 cups club soda 

 - 6 lemons, cut into quarter-wheels 

 - 3 limes, cut into wheels 

 - 1 pint fresh raspberries 

 - 1 pint fresh cranberries 

 - 1 pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes Ice block

Combine all the fruit in a large punch bowl. Add the gin, juice, syrups,. Refrigerate for at least 4-5 hours. Just before serving, add the sparkling wine, club soda and an ice block.

Spodee Vinaigrette

What you'll need:

 - 2 cups Spodee wine 

 - 3 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar 

 - 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard 

 - 1 Cup Olive Oil 

 - Dash Salt Dash Pepper

Combine Spodee wine, vinegar and mustard in mixing bowl. Whisk in the olive oil slowly and season with salt and pepper. Can be stored in refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Thank you folks at Art in the Age for being so much cooler than me and for sharing your deliciousness with the world. I think this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

xo,

e.m.

*Photos and recipes courtesy of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

Gingersnap Cocktail

Although my September 20th birthday qualifies me as a summer baby, I count my birthday as being the first day of Fall. For me. I've been waiting for a month to try this Snap liquor. It did not disappoint. Completely worth the wait! I can't wait to try more recipes but it'll be pretty hard to top this one.

What you'll need: 

 - Snap liquor

 - Spiced whiskey

 - Chinotto

 - Orange zest

 - Ice

 - A shaker

Begin by filling the shaker halfway with ice. Add orange zest, as little or as much as you'd like. (Tip: I like a little more!) Add equal parts whiskey to Snap liquor and shake. Fill the glass halfway with ice as well, and then halfway with Chinotto. Add in the whiskey and Snap from the shaker and enjoy!

I love this drink, it tastes just like a gingersnap cookie, just a little more "fun." Ya know?

xo,

e.m.

Peach Pie Bellini

There's nothing that bridges the gap between summer and autumn quite like peach pie. Actually, I was never a fan of pie. I am, however, a fan of the Peach Bellini. Why not add a few pie spices? Peaches are so summer, cinnamon is so fall, perfect compromise. 

What you'll need: Peach Schnapps, Prosecco, Honey, Cinnamon, and Sugar.

Begin by rimming the glass with honey, cinnamon, and sugar. I used sugar in the raw because of the texture but you can use whichever kind you see fit. Sprinkle a dab of cinnamon in the bottom of the glass along with a teeny bit of honey as well. Pour in one part peach schnapps to two parts Prosecco. Sip and enjoy!

This would be a good cocktail for your Labor Day picnics and get togethers this weekend. It's bubbly, classy, and tasty. Enjoy, and drink responsibly!

xo,

e.m.

(Vegan-friendly) Summer Soiree Ideas

The summer is quickly slipping away but there's still some time left to host a perfect little get-together while the days are still relatively long and the weather is still warm. This is actually my favorite part of summer to gather my friends for a night of fellowship because the nights have the perfect amount of chill in the air. While I was searching for recipes and ideas for a dog-days-get-together, a Google link led me here. Yes, to my own blog. Who would have thought? After doing a little bit of digging way back into the archives, I was able to pick out a few of my favorite menu ideas for a party. Let's break it down:

1. Raspberry Vodka Lemonade: This drink is a good one to start out with. It's so refreshing and fun and will get loosen up any of your more "awkward" guests. (If you're ever been to a get-together, you know that awkward people are a real threat. I would know. I'm usually that person. Or, I would be if I ever got invited to parties.) This drink is so versatile that it could be paired with any kind of appetizer. May I suggest Brussels Sprouts-artichoke-zucchini kabobs? Light, fresh, and so easy to make. Brush with some garlic and olive oil and toss 'em on the grill. 

2. Szechuan "Pad Thai": This will forever be one of my favorite meals and a crowd-pleaser for sure. (If you're not a vegetarian/vegan and you're freaked out by meat substitutes, chicken would make a good alternative.)

3. Grilled Fruit Kabobs: Who doesn't like fruit? Who doesn't like things off of the grill? I like using watermelon, pineapple and mango but peaches, pears, and strawberries work really well too. Guests can even have fun creating their own combinations... if they're into that kinda thing.

4. Fleur de Lillet Martini: As a lot of you may already know, this is my favorite cocktail creation. Fresh and perfect for a nice little after-dinner treat.

5. Banana Ice Cream: Just... banana ice cream. Need I say more? Make it interesting and include extra toppings so guests can make their own "sundaes." To keep vegan, carob chips, granola, and bing cherries are excellent options. If you're not, you have a little more freedom and can probably think of your own toppings.

I love the simplicity of all of these menu items because they're easy to create and, as the host, they won't take precious time away from catching up with friends. Bonus: They're all so delicious that I doubt anybody would miss the meat and animal by-products. Everyone wins! What do you guys think?

xo,

e.m.

Fleur de Lillet Martini

This cocktail is easily my favorite concoction thus far. It's classy, refreshing, and the prettiest shade of pink. St. Germain gets me every time and before I even tasted Lillet, I knew that I'd love it simply because James Bond does. (He has excellent taste.) Basil and mint never disappoint and watermelon is a no-brainer. Basically, I should have named this one "a chalice full of whimsy." Make this to impress your guests and show them how sophisticated you are (fancy French wines and liqueurs, does it get more sophisticated than that?) or enjoy it by yourself on the porch to unwind after a long, hot summer day. Either way, you'll probably have to make a couple of servings because, well yeah, it's that good.

What you'll need: Lillet Blanc, St. Germain, 4 1"x1" cubes of watermelon, 3 mint leaves, 2 basil leaves, edible flowers (optional, just to garnish) and ice. You'll also need a shaker and a martini glass. (Or in my case, a margarita glass.) 

Begin by placing one cube of watermelon, a mint leaf, and a flower in a glass. To me, it's just easier to make everything sit the way you want it to before adding the liquid rather than after. Muddle 3 watermelon cubes, 2 basil leaves, and 2 mint leaves in the bottom of the shaker. Add a regular kitchen glass full of crushed ice followed by two parts Lillet to one part St. Germain. I used dessert wine glasses to measure and that seemed to be the perfect amount. If you don't have dessert wine glasses, you can easily use shot glasses. Try 4 shots of Lillet and 2 shots of St. Germain. Shake and then strain into your glass. One shaker will make two drinks. 

C'est magnifique! Remember to hold your pinky out whilst sipping daintily. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend. I'll beck back on Monday, I have a double-header wedding weekend ahead of me! AAAH! (In a good way.)

xo,

e.m.

grilled fruit kabobs

Fruit is one of the few things that I can never seem to have enough of, especially in the summer. When my pal Maddie suggested that I try grilling watermelon, my crazy mind tried to think of a million ways to take her suggestion and make it even better. What resulted was nothing short of delicious. This would be an amazing appetizer for an evening party or a family barbecue.

What you'll need: bamboo skewers, 2 mangoes, 1 pineapple, 1/2 of a watermelon (depending on the size) and as much or as little basil as you wish. This was enough for twelve skewers, which fed three people.

Begin by soaking the bamboo skewers in water so that they won't burn when you put them on the grill. This will take about 20 minutes. While the skewers are soaking, prepare the fruit by cutting it into 1"x1" pieces. Place the fruit on the skewers and toss them on the grill. For the best results, set the grill to medium and grill the skewers for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Be sure to check it often though. A good rule of thumb is to just look for the grill lines. (There's probably a proper word for them but I don't know what it is.) As for the basil, I sprinkled a few small pieces on top of the fruit before I put it on the grill and sprinkled a few fresh pieces on top before eating. I love this simple and delicious meal (or side dish) and can't wait to try grilling more fruit, maybe even with some balsamic vinegar drizzled over it? YUM!

xo,

e.m.

The Buck Slap Cocktail

In honor of Independence Day tomorrow, here's a patriotic little cocktail that I'd like to dedicate to all of my #TeamBuck pals and our fearless leader, Buck Sexton. If you don't know of him, Buck is basically the spirit of America in human form so why wouldn't this week's cocktail be inspired by him?

What you'll need: Vodka (because Commie Bear wouldn't be pleased with anything else), your choice of either Sprite or Club soda, grenadine, and blueberries and blackberries. 

Begin by muddling some blackberries and a couple of blueberries in the bottom of a glass. If you don't happen to have a muddler, no need to fear! A wooden spoon works just as well for muddling berries. On top of the berry mixture, fill the glass 3/4 of the way with ice. Depending on your preference, add one part vodka to three parts club soda or one part vodka to three parts Sprite. Add a generous dash of grenadine and add a few extra blackberries to garnish. This drink is sure to be a crowd pleaser because who doesn't love a traditional vodka club or vodka Sprite?

Wishing you all a fun and safe Independence Day! Enjoy some fireworks and picnic food with friends and loved ones but also take a couple moments to reflect on American history and maybe even learn a little something new! If you're overseas, even though you won't be celebrating July 4th, this drink will more than likely be just as tasty for you. Enjoy!

xo,

e.m.

...............................................

Mint & Honey St. Germain Cocktail.... I wish I could think of a more creative name for it but I figured I'd let this drink speak for itself. Despite being full of flowers, mint, and honey, this one packs quite a punch. If you don't have St. Germain in your collection, I highly suggest going out and grabbing a bottle right now, especially for summer. It's a liqueur made of Elderberry flowers and can transform any summer cocktail from "eh" to "AMAZING!"

What You'll Need: Honey whiskey, St. Germain liqueur, creme de menthe, and honey.

Begin by squirting some honey into the bottom of the cup and filling it with ice 3/4 of the way. Pour in equal parts honey whiskey, creme de menthe, and St. Germain. Add a straw and garnish with an edible (or silk) flower. If it's a little on the strong side for your taste, dilute it with a little club soda. If you want to make this for a little bit of a swankier soiree, mix ingredients and ice together in a shaker, shake, and pour into a martini glass.

xo,

e.m.

.....

Raspberry vodka lemonade.... where to begin. I'm not a huge fan of lemonade. Something about the gross feeling that it leaves on the teeth makes it unappealing and not worth it to me. I do love raspberries and vodka though, and two things that I like very much have the power to turn something I don't like too much into something that I can enjoy quite a bit. (Follow that? Don't blame you if you didn't.) To put it simply, I love me some raspberry vodka lemonade. This one is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for summer shindigs. It's pretty, tasty, and, (besides me) who doesn't love an ice cold lemonade on a hot day?

What you'll need: Lemonade, (you can make it yourself or be lazy and just buy it like I did here) raspberry vodka, (you all know that I'm a Stoli girl myself but any brand will do) and raspberries.

Begin by muddling the raspberries. Muddling is just a fancy word for "crushing gently with a blunt object." If you don't have a muddler, no need to fret! A small wooden spoon will do just fine. When I make this drink, I'm generous with my raspberry distribution but you can use as many/few as you'd like. Just make sure that you smoosh (muddle) them into small enough pieces that they won't get stuck in the straw. When your berries are properly muddled (try reading that without laughing) fill the glass 3/4 of the way with ice. For me, and in a glass like this, a 1/2 vodka, 1/2 lemonade mixture works. If that seems a little adventurous for you, pour in one part vodka and two parts lemonade.

My favorite part about this drink is that it looks and tastes like a million times more effort went into it than actually did. За здоровье!

xo,

e.m.