Autumn in a Glass

Happy Friday and the First Official Day of Fall! I can't believe it's already fall, but here in Kansas City, it feels like we're in the middle of July! It's hot, ya'll! 

Regardless of the heat, I'm embracing fall and all that comes with it. And when I think of fall, I think of apple picking, apple pies, making homemade apple butter, and making candy apples. You can see that apples are a fall favorite over here. And because it's Friday, why not celebrate with an apple inspired cocktail that I'm calling Autumn in a Glass! Want one? Then keep reading!

Here's what you'll need:

You're favorite Brandy, Vanilla Vodka, Simple Syrup with apple pie spice, Sweetened Condensed Milk, and Whipped Cream

In a glass filled with ice, add a shot of Brandy.

Then add a shot of Vanilla Vodka.

Into the that, add two large spoonfuls of the simple syrup with apple pie spice and a tablespoon of the sweetened condensed milk. Stir. 

Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of apple pie spice on top!

Isn't it so pretty? And it's so good! Nothing like a little autumn in a glass over ice to help combat the heat! 

Cheers!!

XO,

Andrea

Mama Drinks: The Bloody Eyeball

With Halloween right around the corner, I started thinking about fun and spirited cocktails. While browsing through my parents liquor cabinet, I found orange liqueur and vanilla vodka. Blood orange came to mind and then I took it a step further.....Bloody Eyeball. Gross right? But tasty at the same time!

Here is what you'll need:

Orange Liqueur, Vanilla Vodka, Simple Syrup, Peeled Grapes, Red Food Color, Club Soda (not pictured)

Add one shot of orange liqueur and another shot of vanilla vodka to a glass filled with ice. Add a splash or two of the simple syrup.

Add several drops of red food color to the drink and watch it swirl around the drink. So cool!! 

Peel grapes to resemble an eyeball. Poke a small hole in the center of the grape and add a drop of red food color to the hole. Watch it spread..... Plop it into the glass!

I added a little cupcake pick to the grape for a little added decoration. Such a cute, eerie drink!

 

Just look at that "eyeball" floating around in your drink. If you want to make it even more realistic, purchase a bag of fake eyeballs. Just wash them before adding them to your drink. Totally gross!

Side Ingredient: Upon tasting the cocktail, it was a little sweet. We added club soda to cut the sweetness and it was perfect! 

I have another concoction up my sleeve for next week! We need to get our spells ready for the big night, right?

Cheers!

XO, 

Andrea

Mama Drinks: Chilled Tiramisu

It was a typical Tuesday morning, I woke up before the sun, although it's not really rising until roughly 7:00 these days, so that's not hard to do. I was lounging in bed, browsing through Facebook, taking it easy while taking my time getting out of bed. McKinley rose around 6:30 and woke up in a mood. My easy morning immediately came to a hault. Cue the screeching sound of brakes! Good Morning!

From there it went downhill. He lost TV privileges last night after crying and gagging over eating cooked carrots, and this morning he lost video privileges for the rest of the day. And when I say he lost videos, this is huge! He loves to watch the Zamboni song video, Axel and Daddy YouTube videos, and TwentyTrucks, so this is big! So what prompted me taking away such privileges first thing this morning? Well let me tell you. Do you have your coffee in hand? Settle in.....

He has started the sing song phase of "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo" and he sings it for everything. I took away PJ Masks on Disney because I think that started the whole thing. But now he's taken it to a whole different level. "Nanny nanny boo boo. It's all because of you." That's sung to me often when he gets mad about something I've told him to/asked him to do. And I've tried to brush it off, but it's gone too far. Then there's the blowing raspberry sound! Again, when he's mad, he makes that awful noise. I have put him on the stairs for it numerous times, but only when it's used in anger. But today was the breaking point. After he decided to blow a raspberry, on my way out of his room this morning (for something I can't even remember now), I broke. I went back in his room, spoke sternly (with a slightly raised voice), and proceeded to take away videos. And I told him that for every raspberry he blows from this point forward, videos will be gone another day. I will not be disrespected, especially at 6:30 in the morning!

So now it's 8:45, he's happy as a lark at school, and I'm drained! And I'm currently dreaming of this Chilled Tiramisu drink I made last week! I think I've earned it after the morning I endured! I'm thinking I will make a pot of coffee later this afternoon, let it come to room temp, and get ready for this drink around 5:00! In the meantime, let's talk about it.

Here's What You Need:

Coffee (cold or hot), Kahlua Coffee Liqueur, Vanilla Vodka, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Syrup

Add coffee to a glass filled with ice. If you're making this hot, which I know will be amazing, add your hot coffee to a mug.

Add a shot of Kahlua to the coffee.

Add a shot of the Vanilla Vodka to the Kahlua and coffee. Stir.

Add a dollop, or more, of whipped cream and then drizzle with chocolate syrup. Or, you can be super fancy and add shaved chocolate instead.

And there you have it! A Chilled Tiramisu! It's incredible and incredibly dangerous so sip responsibly. And when I say responsibly, just make sure you have no where to go later because you're going to want to just sit, sip, and enjoy!

Cheers!

XO,

Andrea

Mama Drinks: Two Ginger Beer Cocktails

With fall weather finally here, I've been thinking more and more about fall cocktails. I had apple cider on the brain and really wanted to mix it with ginger beer. Guess what? I didn't have any apple cider on hand. Apple brandy? Nope. So, my mom and I brainstormed about flavors that mixed well with ginger and it turns out most berries work. And in true research form, I made two cocktails just to make sure. That's right, it's a two for one post with one main ingredient, ginger beer.

Cherry Ginger Cocktail

Here's what you need:

Cherry Liqueur, Ginger Beer (we used Crabbie's), Club Soda 

Add a shot to an ice filled glass. Or in my case, over pour a shot and have it run all over the place!

Add the ginger beer leaving a little room at the top for the club soda.

 

Add a splash of club soda for a little extra fizz and to cut the sweetness. Stir and enjoy!!

Creme de Cassis Ginger Cocktail 

Here's what you need:

Creme de Cassis, Ginger Beer, Club Soda (optional)

Add a shot of the Cassis to an ice filled glass.

Fill with ginger beer and stir. I opted not to add the club soda to this version.

I love the color! This was our favorite, but we had my dad test both, and he sided with the Cherry Ginger Beer Cocktail. Why you ask? Because it wasn't as sweet. Turns out the club soda really does cut the sweetness, so add a splash if you want something a little more refreshing. And he was right. Once we added a splash to the Cassis version, it really did change the taste! 

Both of these drinks were delicious! If you aren't one for ginger beer, you need to give it a shot. A shot of liquor that is! I am still going to try it with apple cider because I'm thinking it would be divine. And, I'm even thinking something on the pumpkin spice wagon as well. I mean when in fall, right?

 Hope you guys enjoy them! Till next cocktail time, cheers!

XO, 

Andrea

 

 

Perfect Sweet Tea and the Adult Arnold Palmer

Sweet Tea is often referred to as the House Wine of the South. And it's so true. When we head back to East Tennessee, you never have to asked for sweet tea. You have to inform the wait staff that you want un-sweetened tea. And I love that sweet tea is making it's way to the Midwest. You still have to ask for it, but it's becoming easier to find. So happy!

My mom and I make sweet tea every time we make tea, however my dad is not a fan. My husband never touches it. That just means there's more of us! So when we started our week at the river, we kicked it off with making sweet tea for the week. But, I happened to take a bottle of Citrus Vodka on the trip. I had big plans for this special bottle. I knew there would be a time during the trip that I would be in need for a Mama Drink! What's a Mama Drink you might ask? Sometime it's something from Starbucks. Other times, it's a little bit of alcohol. At home, I find that I drink beer and wine, but I've been experimenting with mixed drinks. 

I mentioned on my previous blog, Style My Way, that I am not a typical cocktail drinker. In fact, I don't drink cocktails at all. Unless they come with a ton of fruit and an umbrella. And around this time last year, I started playing around with various forms of alcohol to make, and find, the best mixed drink for me. And I will bring you those recipes as they unfold.

But let's start with the Adult Arnold Palmer. You first have to start with the perfect sweet tea. This recipe comes from my cousin Kenneth. And it's good! Place six individual tea bags, or three family size, in a kettle with a cup of sugar. Add six cups of cold water to that and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Add six cups of cold water to a pitcher, remove the steeped tea bags, and add the tea to the cold water. Add ice and stir. 

And if that wasn't easy enough, the Arnold Palmer versions is simplistic! You fill glasses with ice, how cute are these ball jar glasses, and pour in some tea, leaving room for the vodka. Add a jigger, or cap full in our case (or more to taste) and stir. I added lemon slices for garnish and prettiness. And, they add just another hint of lemon to your drink. And that's it!! Sip and repeat!

A great place to sip tea is on the porch and that's where I sipped it several times during the week. How great does it look on my rusted out bar cart?! I can't wait to get to work on this guy. He's going to be a labor of love. I will definitely share all the progress along the way.

Let me know if you decided to try both recipes and let me know your thoughts? I love sharing tips and tricks! 

XO,

Andrea