Browsing Category

Sip

Sip

Cucumber Grapefruit Spritzer

April 25, 2014

IMG_0206

I was looking for something light, refreshing and festive for Easter brunch… here was our specialty cocktail for the day…

IMG_0218

Cucumber Grapefruit Spritzer

  • 12 oz gin (I recommend Hendrick’s)
  • 2 Persian cucumbers
  • Grapefruit soda (3 cans/bottles)
  1. Slice cucumbers (no need to peel) and muddle in a glass.
  2. Top with gin and let sit overnight (or up to 3 days).
  3. When ready to serve, fill a low-ball glass with ice, 1 1/2 oz of infused gin and top with grapefruit soda.
  4. Garnish with a cucumber slice and drink up!

IMG_9715

IMG_9717

IMG_9725

IMG_9734

 

IMG_9748

Gin Pour

 

IMG_0202

IMG_0208

Sip

April Showers

April 18, 2014

IMG_9284
Looking for a delicious drink to whip up for your next Spring Soirée? Enjoy this cucumber/lemon concoction that is sure to delight any guest!

IMG_9285

April Showers

  • 1.5 Cucumber infused vodka
  • 1 fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1/4-1/2 oz agave nectar
  • 10 mint leaves
  1. Tear mint leaves in half and place in cocktail shaker with lemon juice and agave.
  2. Muddle ingredients.
  3. Add vodka, Cointreau and ice to shaker.
  4. Shake well and strain into a low ball glass.
  5. Add 1 large ice cube and top with soda.

IMG_9287

IMG_9280

Sip

Lemon Water

April 16, 2014

IMG_8350 copy

My mom has been on my sisters and I to incorporate lemon water into our daily routine for as long as I can remember. Typically, I will try for a couple of days and then fall off the band wagon… BUT for the first time ever, I am actually trying to follow my new years resolutions and have been consistently drinking lemon water each morning.

IMG_8317

On this blog I find myself usually sharing recipes/tips I have researched and tried, but sometimes forget to share things that are part of my everyday routine… so let me begin with how I start MY morning.

IMG_8323

After doing this cleanse a few months ago, I have completely cut out caffeine.  I originally switched over to decaffeinated tea first thing in the morning, but once my Meyer lemon tree started producing more lemons than I knew what to do with, I figured it was better a time than any to start my days with lemon water.

IMG_8329

1. What is lemon water? Well, it literally is fresh squeezed lemon juice into warm water… BUT in typically Laundry in Louboutins fashion I had to mix it up.  I realized that I kept falling off the band wagon because I don’t really like the taste of lemon first thing in the morning… so I incorporated some of the Master Cleanse recipe to create my own morning elixir:

  • Hot Water
  • Juice of 1 small lemon
  • Small splash of maple syrup
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  1. Fill your mug with hot water.
  2. Add lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
  3. Stir and enjoy!

IMG_8320

Notes:

  • The key is really to enjoy purely lemon juice and water, but I wanted to share my recipe for when you need to “mix things up.” Better a little altered than not at all…right?
  • Make sure the lemon juice is freshly squeezed and that maple syrup is Grade A or B (no Aunt Jemima’s!)

IMG_8327

2. Why lemon water? Here is the main question… and here are a few important reasons to start incorporating this easy concoction into your routine:

  • Helps aid digestion
  • It is a great vitamin C source – helping to fight off colds
  • It balances maintain the pH levels in your body
  • Is great for your skin and can help prevent wrinkles and acne
  • Helps reduce mucus produced by your body
  • Freshens your breath
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Helps reduce anxiety and depression

Lemons

*Mind you I am not a nutritionist/doctor/or anyone remotely qualified in telling you what is healthy, but I just wanted to share some information that I have researched and found interesting.

IMG_8313 Does anyone else start their mornings with lemon water?  What health benefits have you discovered?

Sip

The Bee’s Knees

April 11, 2014

IMG_7790

I’m all about classic cocktails, and I find it the easier the better when it comes to creating drinks for entertaining.  With my Meyer lemon tree in full “fruit mode”, I wanted to whip something up that I could add to my “party drink” repertoire.

IMG_7800

A cocktail with a fun name never hurt either…

IMG_7758 IMG_7782 IMG_7768

The Bee’s Knees 

  • 2 oz gin (I used Hendrick’s for a cucumber infused kick!)
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz honey syrup (1 oz honey + 1 oz hot water)
  1. Mix above ingredients in an ice filled shaker.
  2. Strain into lowball glass and enjoy!
  3. Garnish with an orange slice or halved kumquats.

IMG_7760 IMG_7771 IMG_7794 IMG_7796

Sip

Skinny Chi Cocktail

April 4, 2014

IMG_8576

A Chi Chi is a popular Hawaiian cocktail… but with cream of coconut, vanilla ice cream and blue curaçao the calories really add up.  Luckily one of my favorite restaurants – Honu, has created a low calorie and equally delicious option!

IMG_8761

Skinny Chi

  • 1.5 oz coconut vodka
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 2 oz coconut water
  • .5 fresh lime sour
  • .5 oz Malibu Black
  • fresh pineapple
  1. Muddle pineapple in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add pineapple juice, coconut water, lime sour and coconut vodka to shaker.
  3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
  4. Strain into ice filled glass and top with Malibu Black floater.