Spicy Bloody Mary with Blue Cheese Olives

From fancy pancakes to latte-foam works of art, it's not hard to see why brunch is the most popular meal of the weekend. But the best part about a lazy, late breakfast-lunch combo is the variety of delicious beverages that can be enjoyed along with it (especially when herbal tea just won't cut it!) This twist on a classic bloody mary is sure to hit the spot, awaken your taste buds, or help you ease into the rest of the weekend after staying up past your bedtime the night before.

Here's how to make it:

Spicy Bloody Mary with Blue Cheese Olives

Ingredients (one serving)

2 oz. vodka 

4 oz. spicy bloody mary mix (This one by Powell & Mahoney is organic & gluten free!)

Lime slices

Celery Stick

Blue cheese stuffed olives (pass on the pre-stuffed kind that come in a jar and grab a handful of  pitted green olives and a wedge of fresh blue cheese, the softer the better, and stuff your own!)

Make it:

Vigorously shake vodka, mix, and squeeze of lime. Pour over ice. Garnish with a skewer of olives, celery, and a slice of lime, and enjoy!

napkins //  marble salt & pepper cellar

What is your go-to brunch beverage? Are you more of a mimosa or a mary?

The "New" Old Fashioned Way!

I mentioned that a few weeks ago, that we attended a holiday cocktail exchange party with some of Dan's coworkers. The best part is that not only did we leave with a complete set of ingredients to make a new signature cocktail, we also were inspired by the other creative concoctions people shared. One of which was a twist on an old-fashioned known as a Ward 8 cocktail, which uses citrus and pomegranate juice. I knew right away that this would be the perfect drink to serve up on Christmas Eve, but I wanted to use ingredients that we had on hand, thus resulting in what I call the "New" Old Fashioned! The perfect drink to get you rockin' around the Christmas tree!

Ingredients: 

2 oz. Slow & Low Rye Whiskey Liquor

Juice from 1/2 each lemon, lime, and orange

1/2 oz. pomegranate syrup*

To Make:

In a shaker, combine 1/2 oz. simple syrup and 1tbsp pomegranate seeds. Muddle seeds well. Add fresh squeezed citrus. Add 2 oz. Slow & Low with ice. Sake well. Strain over ice. Pomegranate seeds to garnish.

Eat, Drink, and have a very Merry Christmas!

Hailey

Rosemary Satsuma Holiday Martini

Although we just got home from New Orleans- the land of famous cocktails- yesterday, we are serving up a drink that we were introduced to at a holiday "cocktail exchange" party a few weeks ago. This martini-style cocktail is simple and festive without being overly sweet. Super-juicy fresh satsuma oranges and sprigs of rosemary make this drink smell as pretty as it looks, an easy crowd pleaser at your holiday party this season. Enjoy!

Ingredients (makes one)

Juice from 1 satsuma orange

1 tsp honey

3 oz. citrus flavored vodka

Squeeze of lemon

Rosemary sprig

To Make:

In a shaker, combine honey, orange, vodka, and lemon juice 'til honey is dissolved. Add ice and rosemary sprig, shake to chill thoroughly. Pour into chilled glass, serve with a rosemary garnish.

Be merry & bright!

Hailey