So good it's scary! Witches Brew Martinis

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Temperatures are dropping. Darkness comes early. Spooky wind rustles the dry leaves. It must be Halloween!

Get your costume on. Then get your cocktail on.

I suggest warding off evil spirits with this festive twist on the cosmo - Witches Brew martinis. I mean, heck, you wear a costume for Halloween. Why shouldn't your drink? And truly, that's all this is.

Start here:

The Perfect Cosmopolitan
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec (or Cointreau when I'm feeling rich)
1 oz. cranberry juice
a dash of Rose's lime juice
juice from one fresh lime slice

Add a dash of blue food color - the trick to this treat! It turns the cosmo from pink to spooky purple.

"Haunt" your glass: I used orange sugar and plastic spiders. Pour the sugar onto a small plate and dip the lime-wiped top of the glass into it. Swirl the glass in the rimmer until you get a nice even coating. For the spiders, I used a school glue stick to attach them to the glass. It worked perfectly and cleaned up easily. Someone suggested I put dry ice in the bottom - I didn't do that, but I think it's a cool idea.

Measure: For a single martini, I use a shot glass and pour the ingredients right into the shaker. Usually, however, I am making them for a group. I measure everything into a 4-cup glass measuring cup so I can use the markings on the side for my proportions. Measure the vodka, triple sec, and cranberry first. Then add the Rose's and fresh lime. PARTY TIP: Make a pitcher before the guests arrive to save time during the party.

Shake: The shaking is key. I find it makes a big difference when I really shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. It's about more than just mixing the ingredients; it's getting them so cold and agitated that they're almost frothy and slushy.

Pour into rimmed and decorated glass.

Drink up, witches!

sip.  savor.  celebrate!

Improv Bar Part 1 - Buckets of Cosmos for Girls Weekend

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Checklist for Girls Weekend in Miami:
 - Bathing suit: check!
 - Portable plastic shaker: check!
 - Sunshine: check!
 - Fun friends ready for a good time: check!
 - Publix and a liquor store across the street: check!
 - Measuring cups and a pitcher: well...




Time for an Improv Bar! 

Using ice buckets in place of pitchers, an in-room cup to measure the proportions, and sugar packets poured onto a plastic bag to dip the glasses for the rimmer, we concocted Perfect Cosmos for 12. It was a bit of a sticky challenge, but we made it work without spilling a drop.


Here's the recipe: The Perfect Cosmo

They were delicious as always, and (bonus!) presented beautifully on the snack tray. Ta-da!



Of course, we couldn't keep the party confined to the room. I mean look at that VIEW!



Have shaker, will travel

Up to the roof top pool we went! The result?
Best. Happy hour. Ever.

Here's to us! And to girls weekends everywhere.

sip. savor. celebrate!

It's all about the cosmo

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I'm a cosmo girl. I truly would have fit right in with the Sex & The City friends, except for the wardrobe.  So before any other kind of signature drink, perfecting the cosmopolitan was my priority.

My sister makes a mean one - so I asked her secret. So does my best friend's husband - so I asked his recipe. I've ordered them all over the country, sometimes with delicious result and sometimes not so much. At last, after many tastings and much practice, here is my recipe:

The Perfect Cosmopolitan
2 oz. vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec (or Cointreau when I'm feeling rich)
1 oz. cranberry juice
a dash of Rose's lime juice
juice from one fresh lime slice


Measure: For a single cosmo, I use a shot glass and pour the ingredients right into the shaker. Usually, however, I am making them for a group.  I measure everything into a 4-cup glass measuring cup so I can use the markings on the side for my proportions. Measure the vodka, triple sec, and cranberry first. Then add the Rose's and fresh lime. PARTY TIP: Make a pitcher before the guests arrive to save time during the party.

Fair warning, these are strong. To tune them down, I add a bit more cranberry or let the ice melt in the shaker for a while, shake again, and pour.

Rim the glass (if desired): For me, the Perfect Cosmopolitan doesn't require any rimmer at all. But rimmers are pretty and add a dash more sweet to the taste. I squeeze the lime into the drink shaker (or the measuring cup) and then use the rind to wipe around the top of the glass to hold the rimmer. White sugar is standard for basic cosmos, but you can really have fun with colored sugar and other little delectables! Pour the sugar onto a small plate and dip the lime-wiped top of the glass into it. Swirl the glass in the rimmer until you get a nice even coating.

Shake: The shaking is key. I find it makes a big difference when I really shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. It's about more than just mixing the ingredients; it's getting them so cold and agitated that they're almost frothy and slushy.

Pour into rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime.

sip.  savor.  celebrate!