happy hour: ring in the new year

happy (almost) new year!  every new year's eve, my family hosts a party to ring in the new year.  fancy cocktail attire required.  it's always so much fun to get dressed up and celebrate with family & friends.  and another "must" at our party is a signature drink.



credit {here}

signature drinks are a fun & festive way to get guests in the celebratory spirit...with a celebratory spirit : )  they are simple to create and a great option if you don't want to set up a full bar or just offer wine & beer.

champagne is sort of a given for new year's, but i like to add a little twist to make it extra special.  this year, i'm offering up the "countdown cocktail" for you to enjoy with your loved ones this new year's eve.  the tart sweetness of limoncello paired with the smooth cut of vanilla vodka is sure to leave your guests feeling mighty festive.

countdown cocktail

champagne
limoncello
vanilla vodka
lemon twist

1. fill a flute 2/3 full with champagne
2. add a splash of limoncello & a splash of vodka
3. garnish with a lemon twist

credit {here}

i like to set out all the ingredients and create a recipe card so that guests can make their own.  that way, they can control how big of a "splash" they would enjoy.

cheers!

.

happy hour: i do

so, mavens!  it's finally here - WEDDING WEEKEND!!!  as you read this, i'm on my way into philly to enjoy a lovely day of final prep and pampering before our rehearsal & rehearsal dinner tonight.

tomorrow, you'll find me and my girls at a quaint french cafe for breakfast, readying ourselves (and enjoying lunch...and champagne) in my sister's suite before heading to our 4pm ceremony where i'll become a mrs.

girls' breakfast. credit {here}

 following the ceremony, our guests will enjoy a fabulous cocktail hour - replete with a live jazz and a spectacular philadelphia skyline view - while craig and i snap some photos.

the reception will begin at 6pm and continue to 10pm (and we've got a few surprises up our sleeves for our guests to enjoy).

credit {here}

and after the reception, guests have a quick 1/2 hour to change before our after-party kicks-off at a great local tavern.

needless to say, craig and i (and our families) are super excited.  and, in true celebratory form, i think it's only appropriate to crack open a bottle of bubbly!

so, while you're enjoying this first weekend of november, sit back with a bellevue bubbly and celebrate your inner maven.

bellevue bubbly - our signature wedding cocktail

champagne . splash of st. germain . splash of vodka . garnish with lemon twist
watch me make this drink {here}

credit {here}

cheers!

alright, mavens - i'll see you in two weeks!  i've lined up lots of awesome guest bloggers to delight you while we're enjoying our honeymoon in seville, spain & marrakesh, morocco : )

.

happy hour: best looking drinks

happy friday!  today, i thought we'd have some cocktail fun and enjoy these gorgeous drinks.  i firmly believe that the prettier the drink is, the better it tastes...

 

1 blue margarita / 2 pink lemonade / 3 passion fruit mojito / 4 raspberry beer cocktail / 5 kiwi colada / 6 blackberry julep recipes {here}

so, mavens, which drink gets your vote?

and, just because it's friday...here are a few more drinks for you : )

cool poster, right?!  credit {here}

enjoy your weekend!  and, wish me luck, i start yogadharma teacher training tonight!

.

happy hour: spiked shirley

i grew up on shirley temples.  whenever my family would go out to a nice restaurant, my sister and i would order them.  hannah (my sis) never liked the cherry garnish, so i would get two!

now, shirley temples would probably be a little too sweet for my palate (with the sugary lemon-lime soda and lots of grenadine), but there's something so fun about them!  that's why i was delighted when my friend (and one of my yoga teachers) introduced me to her grown-up version of this childhood favorite of mine. 

picture credit {here}

spiked shirley

1-2 shots cherry vodka over ice
topped with club soda
splash of grenadine
garnish with a cherry (or a lime wedge)

the effervescence of the club gives the effect of sprite without the sweetness or calories, and the splash of grenadine adds just enough sweetness....and pinkness....to the drink.  the cherry vodka (obviously) enhances the cherry flavor.  just perfect : )

this girly drink is completely fun, and (bonus) any bartender can easily make it!  (or, of course, you can concoct it yourself.)

have a fantastic weekend.  cheers!.