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.

Sip and Listen

Oh Labor Day, you are a glorious holiday indeed. Not only do you grace me with an extra day off work, but you symbolize the beginning of Fall, football season, and better clothes. This weekend we are in Denver for a wedding, (hello 60 degree weather, I knew you were out there!) and I discovered a drink similar to the below on the hotel's cocktail menu. Anything with blackberries and lemonade is perfection in my book, and this would be a cinch to make!

This picture reminds me of my beloved Little Branch, minus one silver stir stick.

Image via Pinterest from Entre Nous.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vodka
• 5 Blackberries
• 3 oz Lemonade

Method

Muddle (smash) four blackberries in the bottom of a glass. Add ice, vodka, and lemonade. Garnish with your extra blackberry. Cheers!

September also means, Austin City Limits is a mere two weeks away. The list of bands I am dying to see this year is abundant, as it's the 10th anniversary. At the top of the list, is the controversial yet always intriguing, Kanye West. Yes, I know, he is easy to hate but his music is too damn easy to love. Then when he collaborates on an album with another favorite, Jay-Z, well my head just explodes. One of my favorites from Watch the Throne, below.

Sip and Listen

The dog days of summer are still upon us in Texas, so we will have to stick to refreshing cocktails for now. All I can think about is Fall, but I guess that will have to wait…

Ingredients:

• 2 Strawberries, hulled, plus 1 for garnish


• 4 lemon wedges


• 2 basil leaves, plus 1 for garnish


• 1 ounce simple syrup


• 1 1/2 ounces vodka

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle 2 of the strawberries with the lemon wedges, 2 of the basil leaves, and some simple syrup. Add the vodka. Top with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with remaining strawberry and basil leave.

Getting a little dark with the music this week, but there really is no better kind. Enjoy and make sure you listen all the way through, it's worth it.

Sip and Listen

I have had a serious craving for a mojito this week, and I just learned a great trick on how to make them even better. One of our caterers at work used to bartend at Cuba Libre (may it rest in peace), and she said the trick is to use Mango Run in lieu of regular light rum...who knew? I plan on whipping up a pitcher this weekend and you should too!



Ingredients:

• Ice


• 1 1/2 ounces Mango Rum


• 10 fresh mint leaves


• 2 tablespoons sugar


• 1/2 cup Club Soda


• 1/2 lime, cut into 4 wedges

Method:
Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler (or any kitchen utensil with a rounded end) to crush the mint and lime (this is the key component, so be sure to do a thorough job). Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with Club Soda. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.

Genius song this week by Matthew's favorite band, Cold War Kids. The group has been together and producing records for nearly a decade but to be honest I have only enjoyed a few songs here and there. However, their new album Mine is Yours, is brills and has completely won me over. I suggest you DL soon.

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.