Improv Bar Part 2 - Lemon Blueberry Smash

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Girls weekend, Day 2.

The cosmos were a huge hit, but a couple of us wanted a change of pace. Plus, I still had one hold out of the group who wasn't dazzled by The Martini Lady's mad skills. Cosmos were too sweet for her.

So back to the drawing board I went, or should I say the desk in our hotel room. Rooting around to see what we had, I came up with this refreshing drink. Perfect for the Miami sunshine. And best of all, my hold out loved it!

Lemon Blueberry Smash
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. lemonade
a dollop of Rose's Lime (probably about 1/2 t. but I didn't have my measuring spoons!)
a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (from one lemon slice)

Muddle 8-10 blueberries in the bottom of the glass. Of course I didn't bring a muddler, so I used the bottom of a smaller cup from the room to smash the berries into service.

Add ice, the squeeze of lemon, and Rose's lime.

Pour vodka over ice until the glass is about half full.

Fill the rest of the glass with lemonade.

Stir.

I'd elaborate, but there's a beautiful beach and some wonderful friends waiting for me.

This one's for you, Shelayne!

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!

Fruited Old Fashioneds - the Martini Lady breaks new ground!

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What was I to do? We were celebrating a guy friend's birthday, and he's a big bourbon fan. I couldn't do my normal birthday-tinis. I had to break out of my comfort zone, and move more into a "Southern Comfort" zone!

Here's what I came up with - to rave reviews... and refills.

Fruited Old Fashioneds
(sorry this one has already
sipped!)

Fruited Old Fashioned
4 oz. Bourbon
1 oz. Herring Cherry Liqueur
3 Maraschino cherries
3 Orange slices (3/8" inch thick semi-circles)
2 sugar cubes
2-3 dashes of bitters










Start at the bottom and work your way up: 

1. Saturate one of the sugar cubes with the bitters. Place it and the plain cube at the bottom of an old-fashioned highball glass (a new experience for me!) 
2. Wipe the rim of the glass with an orange slice then add two of the orange slices to the bottom of the glass.
3. Add two maraschino cherries and a bit of the juice from the jar.

Muddle: Lightly mash the fruit and sugar cubes to get the juice out of the fruit, crush and dissolve the sugar cubes, and get a nice base of syrupy sweetness!

Add the cherry liqueur and stir.

Fill the glass with ice.

Pour the bourbon over the ice. 

Stir to get the syrup "all up in that bourbon" and some of the fruit off the bottom. 

Garnish with another cherry and orange slice.

Happy Birthday, Brian!

sip. savor. celebrate!