Sip and Listen

Method:

First, make the rosemary simple syrup. Combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and add two sprigs of rosemary. Bring to a boil, and take off the heat and allow it to steep for about 10 minutes. Next, juice your lemon, and add the juice as well as the syrup over the berries. With a spoon, smash a few berries. Allow it to sit for at least an hour in the fridge to macerate. Add 8 ounces of gin, 8 ounces of club soda, and a cup of ice. Taste and adjust. If you are feeling feisty, add more gin!

There is always an exciting new band discovery at ACL, and this year was no different. Thanks to my friends, the Totahs, I was introduced to The Head and the Heart. An indie band out of Seattle, their sound is a bit folky and in the perfectly coined words on Danny Totah, “americana”. The vocals alone will make you listen to the album over and over, such talent! Oh, and this video is obscenely beautiful.

Sip and Listen

How delicious does this look? I am ready to say goodbye to summer, and hello to Fall themed cocktails! A batch of these will surely put you in the mood for the cozy months ahead.

Method:

Mix pear juice and vodka in a pitcher or shaker. Split open the vanilla bean, and scrape the seeds into the juice and vodka. Add 1 cup ice, then give it a shake. Pour into martini glasses and serve with sugared rim. Serves 4.

Oh man, the song this weekend is pure greatness. I am always apprehensive when promising new artists release their sophomore albums. It will go one of two ways, the disappointing Matchbox 20 / Wallflowers path (understand, now?) or they will release an album, that much to your surprise, is even better than their first. If this single, says anything about the rest of the new Florence + the Machine album, we all have a lot to look forward to.

Happy Image

And they just so happen to be my wedding colors…

Image via Everything Fabulous

Sip and Listen

I found this recipe on my new favorite blog, Be Better Blog. Seriously, it’s brills and I suggest you check it out. She wrote about a Blackberry Tom Collins, and I was sold at the first ingredient. Yummm!!

Image via Southern Living

Ingredients:

• Fresh Blackberries


• 1 tsp. Sugar


• 2 oz. Gin (I would sub Vodka)


• 3 - 5 oz. Soda Water


• Ice


• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Method:

Take about 3-4 blackberries, lime juice, and sugar and muddle in a glass. Add ice, then pour in your Gin and soda. Garnish with more blackberries and enjoy. Clink!

The genius that is Florence Welch, has come out with a new single. As would be expected, it’s amazing. Like really amazing and a freaking jam. The new album is coming out November 7th, CAN.NOT.WAIT!!

Sip and Listen

I am off to New York today!! We are taking our engagement pictures on Saturday and I am literally feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. To keep with the theme, the drink of the week is the Manhattan. Enjoy and sip slowly, this one will get ya.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz blended whiskey
  
  
• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  
  
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  
  
• 1 dash bitters

Preparation:

Swirl with ice to chill, pour into a cocktail glass, and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Let my introduce you to my latest obsession, La Roux. Check it below.

Sip and Listen

I LOVE grapefruit juice and when I found this picture of a grapefruit margarita I knew I had to feature and make one for myself. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty and a great addition to your memorial day weekend. Enjoy!

Image via Pinterest from jasonandshawanda

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila
• 2 oz orange liqueur
• 2 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
• 6 oz fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
• Simple syrup, to taste
• Salt, for rim (optional)
• Grapefruit wedges, for serving (optional)

Preparation:

Mix tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and grapefruit juices well. If you think you need a little more sweetness, add a splash of simple syrup.

Rub one of the used lime or grapefruit rinds around the rim of two glasses and dip in salt. Fill each with ice and pour in the margarita.

I must warn, the song of the week is a bit on the eclectic side and quite long. However, upon my first listen I noticed I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s energized, then slow, and in a very Decemberists way tells a story. Do me a favor, and give this song a full listen. Then go and buy the new Fleet Foxes album, it’s incredible.