A Simply Delicious Summer Drink

Recipes

Even though summer months are beginning to wane, most of the tale-tell signs of a shift in seasons – namely schoolgoing back in session – doesn’t look to be happening any time soon. I don’t know about you, but I’ve decided to keep my summer cocktail game strong.

Thankfully I snagged a Skagerak Trolley to serve as our outdoor bar cart during our yard makeover and I’m definitely putting this pretty little baby to good use. I love the bar cart’s classic modern design, the use of warm (and durable!) teak mixed with powder-coated steel. This version is in this dark forest green but it also comes in white.

But my current go-to summer drink is crazy easy, refreshing, not overly strong. Most importantly it comes together in the few seconds you have before you have to chase a child around your house. If, like me, you need some fresh shelter in place inspiration I hope this helps. I’ll be diving into recipes in the next couple of weeks as well because no matter how much I love crispy rice and carmelized shallot pasta, it’s time to have some new tricks in the bag.

RECIPE: Simple Summer G&T

Ingredients:
85ml tonic
35 ml gin
raspberries
lemon slices
ice

Directions: Fill a double old fashioned or coupe glass with ice. Pour in the tonic. Top with gin, stir in 3-5 raspberries, and squeeze in a lemon slice to two. Enjoy!

Here are a few of my other go-to summer cocktails. Do you have a summer drink you’d add to the list? Share recipes in comments, please!

The Aperol Spritz

Cucumber Gin Fizz

Apartment 34 Fizz

Grapefruit Margarita

Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca (virgin)

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double old fashioned glass

photography by seth smoot / styling kendra smoot

10 Lovely Holiday Cocktails

Food

Whether it be the super early sunsets or the general madness of the season, the holidays have the tendency to make a person extra thirsty for a nice, stiff cocktail. So obviously, I’m serving up a bunch of options to quench that thirst!

For most of these holiday cocktails, I dug deep back in the Apt34 archives to bring you the best of our adult beverage selection. Some are light and fizzy while others might satisfy your desire for the once-a-year-because-it’s-kinda-heavy type of cocktail. We dare you to pick just one.

LIGHT & FIZZY

If you’re looking for a fizzy delight, you’ll want to choose one (or several – who are we to judge?) of these little darlings. They’re light, delicious and perfect for a holiday gathering or New Year’s Eve.

Find the recipe for this beauty here.

For the easiest, yet yummiest champagne cocktail recipe, click here.

Or perhaps you prefer your champagne a little spicy? This recipe adds cinnamon.

The Apartment 34 Sparkler is my signature New Year’s Eve drink!

BOOZY & WARM

If you prefer to reach for a margarita or perhaps a nice bourbon, we recommend sipping on one of the options below. Talk about warming up winter – these will definitely get the job done.

Take your Old Fashioned next level with this recipe.

The apple spice bourbon flip will definitely keep the cold at bay.

HOLIDAY SPECIALITIES

And now for what we like to consider the true holiday faves (aka those heavier options mentioned above). They’re creamy, decadent and damn delicious. Dessert in a glass if you will. Oh and we will.

Spiked hot chocolate. Need I say more?

Holiday cookie in liquid form. If you don’t chew, are calories involved??

I’d say this is like peppermint ice cream, in boozy liquid form. I approve.

What’s your poison of choice? All of the above? Yeah, same.

Check back later today for the cocktail lovers’ gift guide!

Halloween Inspired Cook Here, Eat This

Decor

I think I might be one of the only people on the planet who really isn’t into Halloween. I know, I know. Even with a kid now I’m just not that jazzed on this holiday – not feeling pumpkins, don’t enjoy faux spiderwebs, really see no need to hang a skeleton from my front door. And I certainly have NO idea what I’m going to actually be on the big day (I will dress up as this is the first year my kid really gets it, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a very 11th a hour kind of thing).

All that said, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate some good (ahem) design inspired by the season.

Case in point, this stunning (almost all) black kitchen. I’m obsessed with the dramatic contrast between the black upper cabinetry, the island and lowers with the deliciously veiny marble counters and backsplash. The moody lighting in simply gorgeous. Created by one of my favorite San Francisco based interior designers, Nicole Hollis, there’s a depth to this space that could teeter on foreboding and instead is just dramatic and practically perfect in every way. That round wood topped table with a blackened base is giving me life.

I certainly think this stunningly dark kitchen pairs perfectly with one of my long running favorite cocktails. If you have a Halloween party on the books, definitely consider serving up this nearly black libation. It’s ghoulish, but also delicious. A winning combo in my book – no ghosts or skeletons actually required for enjoyment.

DRINK RECIPE: Pomegranate + Blackberry Lemondrop

Ingredients:
6 blackberries
1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1 oz. lemon juice
1.5 oz. vodka

First, muddle blackberries and place in shaker with juices, vodka and ice. Shake for 20 seconds, strain into glass and garnish with blackberries on a pick.

This drink makes you pucker, in a good way! It’s perfectly sweet at first with a punch of sour towards the end. We love the idea of blackberries as a garnish, making the dark berry drink even more moody and monochromatic.

For our Cook Here, Eat this archive CLICK HERE.

interior design by nicole hollis / original cocktail photography for apartment 34 by Aubrie Pick / original drink recipe by craft and cocktails

Six Picture Perfect Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo

Entertaining

Well hello there, May 1. And just like that, another month is upon us. Thankfully, May welcomes us with one of the very best days of the year – Cinco de Mayo – and it is just 5 days away! If you haven’t previously noticed, I thoroughly enjoy all things pertaining to tequila. I don’t think I’ve ever met a margarita that I don’t like. Ok correction – any that come out of machine are really bad. But that’s because it is SO easy to make a really good margarita at home.

To ensure you’re fully prepped for this Saturday, I’ve rounded up my favorite margaritas from over the years and a couple recipes from friends.

Most likely our most popular margarita recipe to date, the Grapefruit Margarita is as delicious as it is pretty.

If you want a margarita with a little sweet and a little spice, you’ll like the Tiki Rita. It’s got a few more ingredients than the tried and true, but it’s worth the fuss.

If you’re one of those people who only drink margaritas blended, I will forgive, but you must at least make your own. This Slushy Coconut Mint Margarita should immediately transport you to preferred tropical location.

The Coralina Margarita combines a margarita with my other favorite thing – red wine! This margarita recipe was created by Riesler Morale, a mixologist from Mexico City and offers a touch of sweetness with simple syrup and a sugared rim.

I wouldn’t think to add veggies into margaritas, but this Garden Margarita by my friend Ashley at Craft & Cocktails adds fruity and herbaceous notes with Earl Gray tea and apricot liqueur. This would be a good option for someone who thinks they don’t like tequila.

This cocktail is technically a Paloma – which mixes a larger proportion of grapefruit juice with tequila – but I’m throwing it in here just to mix things up. And this one, by Sugar & Cloth, adds a kick with jalapeno simple syrup!

As a little bonus recipe, I also wanted to share an option for the tequila averse among us. I got your back pregnant mamas (or perhaps you want a Cinco de Mayo option for the kiddos). This Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca recipe is sure to be a winner.

What are your Cinco de Mayo plans? Since it’s on a Saturday this year, we can really celebrate from sunup to sundown. Though I wouldn’t recommend starting your margaritas quite that early. But I’m all for breakfast burritos!

If you need some tacos to go with your margs, CLICK HERE for the perfect recipe.

The Perfect Spring Cocktail Recipe

Entertaining

It’s the first day of spring which means it’s time to celebrate! I might have done a little too much celebrating for my friend’s birthday last night which is why this post is coming at you at noon, but better late than never. Last week I shared my new favorite recipe, the ultimate crowd pleaser Chilaquiles Verde. If you missed it, (and the huge sneak peek of my kitchen!) click here. Today we’re back with a spring cocktail also straight from the Doña Tomas brunch menu. This one is a perfect refresher to usher in the new season, but it comes with a little kick that is guaranteed to impress your friends. But really any cocktail novice can knock this baby out. I give you the Celorita.

Now, she’s a little herbaceous, a little spicy and most importantly, incredibly delicious. Mezcal adds an additional depth of flavor and a touch of agave offers the perfect hint of sweetness. And I think her happy green color is just perfect for spring. You could definitely pair this cocktail with food or simply enjoy one on the first semi-warm day of the season (I’m counting down, aren’t you!). No matter when or where you decide to mix up a Celorita, you’re definitely going to want to give this baby a try.

RECIPE: THE CELORITA

Ingredients
6 slices celery
2 slices cucumber
8-10 cilantro leaves
.5 oz agave
1.5 oz habanero infused vida mezcal
1 oz pineapple juice
1 oz lime juice
slice of cucumber & chile salt for garnish

Directions
Muddle the celery, cucumber, cilantro, and agave in your cocktail shaker. Put your back into it a bit. Then add the vida mezcal, the pineapple juice and the lime juice and ice. Shake it like crazy, and strain over fresh ice garnish with cucumber dipped in chile salt

Dare you to ditch mimosas and serve this baby at your upcoming Easter brunches! Don’t forget to check out why I so love Doña Tomas here.

For our entire cocktail archive CLICK HERE.

Six Fall Cocktails to Sip Now

Entertaining

Hey friends. So it’s October. OCTOBER. Feel weird to you too? I mean, where the heck did the first three quarters of 2017 go?? The world also seems to be insane right now. INSANE. Sadly, that no longer feels so weird. I haven’t gotten a chance to recap my recent trip to Kauai – both in terms of the amazing travel discoveries I made, nor in terms of the personal revelations that a week of being fully unplugged brought. A post about both is coming forthwith, but in the meantime, I won’t lie. I also cope (while calling my member of congress for the umpteenth time this year) with a stiff drink in hand. You too? Thought so. That’s why I’ve gathered six fall cocktails that, like my mood, are a bit dark, but will get us through the next week at least.

‘Tis the time of year to drink bourbon. I’ve been slow to acquire a taste for it, even as it’s become the spirit de jour, but I’ve been sampling cocktails that can help bring my palette along. Thankfully, our Apple Spice Bourbon Flip from a few years back does that quite nicely. You can find the recipe right here.

Rosé and bourbon? You had me at hello. This Rose + Rosé Bourbon cocktail puts a lighter twist on a fall drink. And I love any cocktail that includes my go – wine. Adding it to my rotation stat. The recipe is here.

But if whiskey isn’t your thing, I get it. That’s why I snuck this Mango + Black Pepper Gin & Tonic in here for you. It’s herbal, it’s spicy, but still light. Sometimes we all need a little kick to keep going right? I think this cocktail will definitely give that to ya.

Our Pomegranate & Blackberry Lemon Drop looks dramatic and tastes even more so. It’s a one-two punch of sweet and sour that I particularly love. It also just looks broody and moody. Perfect this time of year. The full recipe is right here.

You can’t really go wrong with an Old Fashioned – they’re called classic cocktails for a reason – but I’m intrigued by my girl Cassandra’s additions of Walnut Liquor. A little nutty perhaps? (heehee). But damn good nonetheless. Do give this guy a try.

This pretty number mixes blood orange, lemon and whiskey into a delicious little citrusy mixture that is the ultimate combo of sweet, savory, acidic and bitter. Though I can’t quite tell if I’m describing a drink or my inner dialogue. Regardless, I’d gladly have one of these in my hand right now.

It can be hard to know what to do when so much feels beyond our control. But I firmly believe any positive action works to counteract the negative attempting to besiege us.

Also, CLICK HERE to see how you can help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico. CLICK HERE to see how you can help shooting victims in Las Vegas. CLICK HERE to see how we can work to take our country back.

cocktails in order of appearance: apartment 34 // hello glow // sprinkles and sprouts // apartment 34 // coco kelley // holly & flora

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Margarita of the Year!

Entertaining

What’s better than tomorrow being a Friday? It being Cinco de Mayo! Only a tequila lover’s favorite day of the year. Did you catch my post about the Patrón TikiRita a couple of weeks back? It was in the running to be selected as the Margarita of the Year. Sadly, it did not win, but I’m the first to agree that the winner is indeed quite deserving. Keep scrolling for the margarita recipe that is going to take your Cinco de Mayo to the next level.

The winning Margarita of the Year, the Coralina, was created by Riesler Morale, a mixologist from Mexico City. The recipe combines two of my favorite things: tequila and….wait for it….wine! Yes, I realize it sounds a touch crazy, but the result is stunning.

For this Cinco de Mayo party, I combined the Coralina with a tasty elevated version of the street taco. I snagged the recipe from the Bay Area grocery delivery service Good Eggs. I had the Mushroom & Potato Adobe Tacos in one of Good Egg’s new dinner kits and even though the taco is vegetarian, it makes a hearty meal. The spiciness of the adobo sauce also pairs perfectly with the salty-sweetness of the Coralina. They’re both total crowd pleasers.

So tomorrow, ditch the pitchers and chips and sip a margarita that has some serious style.

Patrón Margarita of the Year Recipe: the Coralina

Ingredients

1.75 oz Patrón Reposado
.75 oz Patrón Citrónge Orange
1 oz Fresh lime juice
.75 oz Simple syrup
.5 oz Red Wine (Mexican, or other. I used a red blend by Tank called All or Nothing)
+ Sugar-salt rim*

Method

1. Combine Patrón Reposado, Patrón Citrónge Orange, simple syrup and lime juice in a shaker tin; add ice and shake vigorously.

2. Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe rimmed with sugar-salt rim.*

3. Carefully float red wine on the surface of the cocktail. Note: floating the wine into the margarita isn’t the easiest of things. Google searches say slowly pouring the wine over the back of a cocktail spoon will help keep the liquors from combining. You also want your wine to be nice and chilled. But should they happen to mix, no worries. The drink tastes just as good!

* Sugar-salt rim:
Pulverize .25 cup dried hibiscus in a spice grinder. Add .25 cup sugar and .25 cup kosher salt and pulse until combined.

And Patrón is offering an awesome way to elevate your Cinco de Mayo celebrations tomorrow. Tweet #PatronMyCinco to purchase a bottle of Patrón Silver delivered within an hour. Added bonus: readers in Chicago and New York City (21+) who tweet #PatronMyCinco can purchase a Patrón Party in A Box for delivery within 1 hour as part of their new on-demand delivery. The box will include all the ingredients for the Margarita of the Year (the Coralina Margarita) along with some Cinco deMayo swag. Consider your Cinco de Mayo taken care of!

Salud!

For all of my favorite margarita recipes, CLICK HERE

original photography for apartment 34 by andrea posadas / food styling by tracy shutterbean / tableware c/o elsie green

This post is in partnership with Patrón. The perfect way to enjoy Patrón is responsibly. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep our doors open.

Margarita of the Year: Tiki Rita

Entertaining

Who else is feeling pumped about all things Spring right now? Fresh colors, new styles, lighter flavors – I don’t know what it was about this winter, but the hibernation was legit. But the new season is working it’s magic. I’m finally feeling ready to break out of the doldrums. It’s time to be social again! I’ve never properly broken in our house so I think it’s high time. It’s the perfect excuse to break back into the bar cart and put some of that spring energy into a fresh cocktail idea.

Now, my love of margaritas is well-documented. Margaritas just equal fun. And when made right, they’re absolutely delicious. It’s no wonder they’re most popular cocktail in the US (interesting, right?!).

I’ve become a bit of a margarita connoisseur over the years and have figured out the formula to a stellar drink. The number one rule? Top shelf ingredients. Your margarita is only as good as what you put in it. Obviously that starts with great tequila. The first time you have truly good tequila, I promise your mind will be blown. My choice for top shelf tequila is Patrón. The second secret? Fresh everything else. We served margaritas at my wedding (it was in Mexico after all – you can see a glimpse here) and my dear father-in-law juiced over 50 limes by hand! But you know what they say. A little hard work makes the reward so much sweeter.

To celebrate the most popular cocktail nationwide, Patrón has crafted 7 artisanal recipes that showcase the versatility of the margarita and its endless variations in flavor profiles—from spice-infused to classic citrus. I got to put their “Tiki Rita” recipe to the test.

A Hawaiian-inspired version of the classic, this margarita is still light and refreshing but with a distinct spicy note – as in from your spice cabinet – not hot. It combines both fresh lime and fresh grapefruit juice as well as a spice-infused liquor call Allspice Dram. Thankfully, you can pick up all the ingredients at most liquor stores or your favorite bottle shop. I found everything for this cocktail at BevMo. And while I don’t normally rock the kitsch that tends to accompany all things tiki, I did find these adorable tiki shot glasses! I think they’re the perfect way to pay homage to the drink’s inspiration. And isn’t the color just gorgeous? Scroll down to get the entire recipe!

RECIPE: PATRÓN TIKI RITA

Ingredients

2oz Patrón Reposda
.5oz Patrón Citrónge Orange
.5oz Fresh lime juice
.5oz Fresh grapefruit juice
.25oz Vanilla syrup
.25oz Allspice Dram
Grated nutmeg
Lime wheels
Hawaiian sea salt rim

Directions

1. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill.
2. Strain onto fresh crushed ice in a high ball (or tiki!) glass that has been rimmed with Hawaiian sea salt.
3. Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg, a lime wheel and fresh cloves.

Check out all of the “Margarita of the Year” recipes by visiting patrontequila.com and casting your vote for your favorite on Twitter and Facebook for a chance to help name the #MargaritaOfTheYear. Of course, I’d love to see the #TikiRita trend! Vote for your favorite Margarita by doing one of the below:
1. Using the recipe Hashtag – #TikiRita – on Twitter/Facebook
2. Vote on the Patrón Margarita of the Year website by clicking RIGHT HERE

photography for apartment 34 by michelle drewes

This post is in partnership with Patrón. The perfect way to enjoy Patrón is responsibly. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep our doors open.

A Refreshing Twist on the Margarita

Entertaining

While winter isn’t usually associated with margarita season, I’m excited to put a new twist on a classic. Absolut just launched Absolut Lime – the newest, most refreshingly versatile addition to your bar. Since I got to spend last weekend poolside in Las Vegas, when Absolut asked if I’d like to put their newest flavor to the test, I gladly accepted.

Absolut Lime has a full-bodied citrus flavor with a refreshingly light finish that works perfectly in a variety of cocktail recipes, but I’m particularly loving a twist on one of my favorite drinks – the margarita.

The switch is easy. By substituting Absolut Lime for your tequila, mixing in some fresh lime juice and adding agave, you get a lighter, brighter, slightly less in-your-face version of the standard. It was the perfect thing for everyone to sip around the pool (including my in-laws!). With awards season upon us, it’s also the perfect opportunity to kick traditional awards-watching treats like bubbly to the curb. In fact, Absolut is the official partner of the GRAMMY Awards coming up on Feb. 12. Is everyone as excited as I am to get together and watch James Corden host this year’s show? His segment, Carpool Karaoke, makes me forget about the world’s problems and Corden was amazing at hosting the Tonys (hi, awards show geek here). I know he’s going to be super entertaining.

At this year’s GRAMMY Awards, Absolut also wants to refresh what women are asked on the red carpet. While the dresses are certainly important in the world of fashion, there are a lot more pressing things to talk about. This year’s GRAMMY’s Absolut is launching the #RefreshTheTalk campaign. Turning the question from “what are you wearing” to “what causes do you care about” is a brilliant idea. I’m certainly excited to get my girls together to tune in and see what everyone has to say when the script gets flipped. And I’ll be serving a round of Vodkaritas of course! We also might have to try our hand at Camille’s game of Award Show Bingo. It’s seriously genius.

The recipe to make Vodkaritas for your crew is below. Even if you don’t consider yourself a mixologist, you can definitely pull this off.

RECIPE: Absolut Lime Vodkarita
2 parts Absolut Lime
1 part fresh Lime Juice
1/2 part Agave Nectar

Shake all ingredients with ice until cold. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Salt the rim if you like. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Enjoy!!

This post is in partnership with Absolut. Enjoy responsibly.

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