Spring is here, finally and awfully

Spring is a major event for me. I appear out of my hermit hole and see the world again. I definitely get a sunburn or melt immediately upon coming outside. But I still come out in my all black outfit and see the other people in the world. People lighten up as spring comes around.

Tis the Season

Blackberry Gin Sour

One of my favorite things about spring is the produce changes. Gone are the blood oranges and dark fruit and hello fresh new flavors and berries. It's like one step to a bright day. Usually in the Spring, I use a lot of lemon flavors and go for tart. It pairs well with cheeses and other light snacks so you can enjoy it outside in the sunshine. This cocktail is representation of that: the sweetness of the blackberry balances the tart lemon making for a great pairing in the cocktail and then also with whatever snacks I have on hand. It's great with almonds or cheese (preferably a manchego or a sharp cheddar). It's also a good cocktail to pair with a tea party vibe. You can have little sandwiches and feel like you are set up in Alice in Wonderland.

Ingredients

2 oz Gin

1 oz Blackberry liqueur

1 oz lemon juice

1/2 oz simple syrup

Recipe: In a shaker with ice, pour gin, blackberry liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake until cold (about twenty seconds). Pour into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Always a good time for Champagne

Champagne Cocktail

Like any good spring day, there should be champagne. It's the perfect wine for celebration and what is there to celebrate more than the end of winter. When I think of champagne cocktails, I usually think about a dark New Orleans bar that I have my date order for me a champagne cocktail so that it's there when I get there. Champagne cocktails were my go-to drink for dates so that I would look fancy and sophisticated and also a little sexy. Since I was single for most of my twenties, you could say I missed the mark on it. But I still love champagne cocktails, I love to mix champagne with dark flavors to bring an edge to the fanciness. Blackberry, black currant, and black raspberry give champagne an edge of darkness but still sweet.

Ingredients

Blanc de Noir

1 1/2 oz Gin

1 oz Lemon juice

3/4 oz Blackcurrant liqueur

1 Sugar Cube

Garnish: Lemon Peel

Recipe: In a shaker with ice, pour gin, lemon juice, and blackcurrant liqueur. Shake until cold. In a flute glass, place one sugar cube. Pour from shaker. Top with champagne and enjoy!

Roses are pink in the spring

Rose infused vodka cocktail

When I think of spring, I think of being outside and enjoying the smell of grass and slow afternoons. This cocktail is inspired by the outside afternoon breaks that you take when you have all spring afternoon to watch the world grow colorful around you. It's a great sweet cocktail to make you feel a little special and see the world a little differently.

Ingredients

2 oz Rose infused vodka

1 oz Ginger Liqueur

1 oz Lime Juice

1/2 oz Creme de Fraise (Strawberry liqueur)

Garnish: Lime wedge or strawberry slice

Recipe: In a shaker with ice, pour rose infused vodka, ginger liqueur, lime juice, and creme de fraise. Shake until cold. Pour into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wedge or strawberry slice.