drinks and cocktails

The Best Bloody Mary Recipe (+ Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar)

This Bloody Mary recipe makes a spicy, flavorful vodka cocktail. Add as many toppings as you’d like to get your drink just right!

Give me a loaded Bloody Mary or give me a chardonnay. Because when it comes to brunch, I want more, more, more.

You might say this cocktail looks like a salad in a glass. I definitely wouldn’t disagree.

A loaded Bloody Mary is my dream. Snacking on all of the extra trimmings while I wait for my actual meal to arrive is kind of a necessity. I mean, it’s almost lunch. I didn’t eat breakfast. And this girl is hungry.

Like everything else I eat, I love nothing more than a bite of this and a taste of that.

Bloody Marys are a favorite of most every cocktail imbiber since it’s totally acceptable to sip one or two before noon — just think of the powerhouse of vitamins you’re getting in each fortified sip!

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How to Set Up a DIY Mimosa Bar

These tips for setting up your own DIY mimosa bar make it easy for the hostess to relax as guests help themselves at your weekend brunch, wedding, bridal shower, or other reason to celebrate.

Unlike cocktail party martinis or game-day beer busts, mimosa brunches aren’t intended to get anyone hammered or be the stepping stone to the dance floor and get the party started. Instead, they’re for those of us who appreciate a barely buzzed, lazy day, bubbly champagne sipper.

I recently hosted my niece’s bridal shower and like any good hostess, my first goal of the party was to keep things easy on myself. I set up a DIY bagel brunch bar with a few salads and desserts so the guests could help themselves.

For drinks, I thought abut setting up another on of my famous DIY Bloody Mary Bars, but feeling the need for something more refined, I made a DIY mimosa bar with all the makings for the perfect mimosa recipe instead.

Stocked with plenty of chilled and bubbly sparkling wine, fresh juices, and fun fruits to add to the champagne flutes, a DIY mimosa bar for baby showers, Mother’s Day, Easter, or just about any excuse for a holiday is just the right recipe for adding a little fizz to the day’s festivity.continue to the recipe… about How to Set Up a DIY Mimosa Bar

How to Make the Perfect Mimosa

Mimosas made with bubbly sparkling wine instead of expensive champagne adds one more reason to toast “cheers” to lazy weekend brunches or any special occasion.

My best friend Kim is the queen of mimosas. Whether it’s going out for a weekend’s bottomless mimosas brunch, a lazy summer bring-your-own-mimosa-to-the-beach day, or just the ticket for getting though a long flight on an airplane, her recipe for a good time always starts and ends with mimosas.

Bubbly and fizzy, light and bright, mimosas are the perfect champagne cocktail for adding a festive flair to any occasion that’s fit for bubbly. Or basically, Tuesday :).

Mimosas are an essential for bridal or wedding showers, baby showers, Mother’s Day, Easter, Groundhog’s Day…just about any holiday you can make an excuse to celebrate. Lest we forget New Years Day, where they are the best easy eye-opening hair-of-the-dog-sipper that won’t take your breath away.

In my humble opinion, there’s no better way to set up a cheers than with a little bubbly spiked with a little something sweet. That’s why today I’m sharing the perfect recipe for the best mimosas, made with bubbly sparkling wine instead of expensive champagne, making the cha-ching of dollars dropping into your hand just one more reason to toast “cheers” to all the celebrating we’re about to begin.

My little family and I recently visited where legend has it the mimosa was created, at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, so naturally I imbibed. I also took notes on how to make the perfect mimosa, so here we go.continue to the recipe… about How to Make the Perfect Mimosa

30+ Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Recipes

Sometimes hearty, sometimes boozy, whipping up St. Patrick’s Day recipes is the perfect excuse to gather friends for a potluck, brunch, and yes, even if you’re in the mood for easy green food ideas.

There are many reasons traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipes are so beloved. If you’re wondering what to serve or how the Irish actually celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, this list of recipes has you clovered. (See what I did there?)

There’s always my classic slow cooker corned beef and cabbage for the main meal or 20 different stout recipes for dessert, but don’t leave out these fun Irish brunch ideas below like potato pancakes to whiskey ice cream for dessert, and find the lucky dish to make your day complete.

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The 20 Most Popular FoodieCrush Recipes of 2017

I published many recipes on FoodieCrush this year, and while I thought they were all good, this is YOUR list of readers’ top 20 favorites.

The best recipes are the ones we come back to time and time again — the ones that are the heart of of our ever-expanding repertoire and the ones that keep them asking for seconds.

This last year I tinkered and tested, made a lot of messes, and whipped up tons of winners along with a fair share of losers that you never even got to see. Hopefully I’ve inspired you to make memories in the kitchen and to make something good, because honestly, what’s better than enjoying a stellar meal with the ones you love?

I’m happy to bring you YOUR list of the 20 most popular recipes chosen by readers as your favorites. These are the recipes that were most clicked on/bookmarked/and hopefully cooked with by FoodieCrush readers in 2017. Some are new, some are favorites you obviously keep coming back to for more, but all of them were FoodieCrush favorites.

Happy eating, friends. :)
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33 Boozy Frozen Treats to Get You Through the Rest of Summer

As we start to head down the finish line to those final days of summer, we find ourselves constantly coming up with different ways to keep cool.

We crank up the AC, we become regulars at the neighborhood pool, we avoid the oven like the plague, and most importantly we make boozy frozen treats (our preferred method for beating the heat).

And while icy cocktails are definitely an excellent way to combat oppressive temps, why not take things a step further and make a grown up slushy instead?

Don’t be scared.

Add some mezcal to that luscious vanilla bean ice cream and spike that tangy sorbet with some vodka! It’s like killing two birds with one stone — cocktails and refreshing desserts were meant for each other.

You catch our drift. Boozy frozen treats > non-boozy frozen treats. So do yourself a favor and read on for some killer boozy frozen concoctions you need in your life, like, stat.

continue to the recipe… about 33 Boozy Frozen Treats to Get You Through the Rest of Summer

How to Make a Blended Iced Mocha

This decadent homemade version of everyone’s favorite blended coffee drink with mocha is made lighter with almond milk, and is so easy once you get the ratio right. Here’s how.

This year I’m partnering with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze to share healthful recipes made with almond milk, like this coffee-infused, frosty chocolate treat of a drink.

Because I may have made a mistake in my mothering tactics.

Earlier this year I introduced my Smudge to the wonderful world of ice blended mochas. Oh man, I LOVE THEM! But at almost $5 a drink, and a whole lot of calories that I we don’t need, I’m not sure what I was thinking.

And so, now, just every single time we get into the car, she smiles that million-watt-just-got-the-braces-off-smile and as sweet as sugar asks me, “Can we go get a MO-KA?”

And then she winks. And then I cave.

I’m such a sucker. I fall for it just about every time. But now, I’ve come up with a solution that’s going to be a lot easier on the old wallet (this ones my fave because it’s so small), and still serve her craving.

AND! My “borrowed” sips are lower in calories, too. Score one for misfired mothering tactics!

continue to the recipe… about How to Make a Blended Iced Mocha

Immune Booster Sweet Green Smoothie

This healthy and creamy immune-boosting green smoothie made with Almondmilk, is naturally sweetened with frozen fruit and packed with vitamins and antioxidants to help keep colds at bay.

I’m happy to share that I’m partnering with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze to share healthful recipes made with almond milk, like this immune booster solution that’ll keep everyone in tip top form.

Because every year, like clockwork, it’s the same dang thing.

The weather warms up. The trees send out their leafy starts and flowering buds. We shed our coats too quickly because, hey! It’s sunny out. Summer is practically here (even if it is only 43 degrees.)

And every year, as the seasons change, that’s when the whole family comes down with one ailment or another. Whhhhhyyy now? We made it through the whole winter with nary a chill. Now we have sneezing. Aches. And pains. And heads that just might explode if one were to lift their gaze just a little too quickly. Just let me lay in bed and bring me another blanket please?

This year I’m sick and tired of everyone else being sick and tired. So this sheriff is enforcing some new rules in this here neck of the woods.

And it starts with nourishing and protecting from the inside out. It starts with this immune boosting green smoothie made with Almond Breeze for some good old fashioned preventive medicine.

continue to the recipe… about Immune Booster Sweet Green Smoothie

A Healthier Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail

The warm floral notes of elderflower liqueur pair with sparkling juices to create a lower-calorie but perfectly sweetened bubbly cocktail.

This post is brought to you by KeVita, because healthful changes aren’t made only by what you eat, but also what you drink.

It’s the subtle shifts that make all the difference.

Parking in the farther spot instead of circling the lot five times for the closer one will add another 100 steps to your Fitbit. A little less makeup makes you look younger. Simplifying your wardrobe and paring down what’s in your closet takes the guesswork out of what in the heck are you going to wear today and why doesn’t anything fit?

These little changes all add up to a cause for celebration rather than deprivation.

In 2016 I’m making changes in my life, health, and purpose but with thoughtful intention rather than total deprivation. After all these years, I’ve learned I can still be healthy without skipping special dinners, dessert, or drinks, and that as long as I alter my indulgences, there’s still room to enjoy them.

continue to the recipe… about A Healthier Sparkling Elderflower Fizz Cocktail

Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

This festive and fruity punch with bubbly champagne and DIY frozen ice cubes is a crowd favorite that can easily be made non-alcoholic.

We’ve done it for the past 20+ years and I expect we’ll be doing it for the next 20+ years, too.

As the year starts to wane, and now that we’ve given thanks and counted our blessings with turkey, pie and our family’s love, and are beginning to think of what might lie ahead in the sunshine and sparkles of what we hope the new year will bring, my friends and I gather together to celebrate our long time friendship by doing what we did best in college.

Jello shots? Wellllll…sometimes. But not this time around.

Instead, we head back to our sorority roots and plan a philanthropy to give to others who don’t have it as good as we are so fortunate to have it.

continue to the recipe… about Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

Tequila Sunrise Cocktail and Crushing On Latin Twist Cookbook

The vibrant color of this classic Mexican cocktail made with tequila, fresh OJ and grenadine makes for an impressive brunch or evening cocktail.

We’d be lying if we said we weren’t crazy about bloggers’ Vianney Rodriguez and Yvette Marquez’s new book Latin Twist: Traditional and Modern Cocktails. After all, Vianney who blogs at Sweet Life Bakes and Yvette who blogs at Muy Bueno Cooking have devoted entire book devoted to cocktails.

But the love for this book gets personal on my part and goes a few steps deeper than just flipping through it’s pages, because I (Heidi) designed their cookbook.

Latin Twist follows Yvette’s first cookbook collaboration with her mother and sister, Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor, in which Yvette designed each page and created every graphic element of the cookbook. Realizing the amount of work that goes into the process, she was ready to have someone take that part over this time around.

That’s when Yvette asked me to design the book for them.

To say I was honored to be considered is an understatement. With Yvette’s keen eye for design and Vianney’s superb flair, I was a little apprehensive about whether I would meet their expectations. But I think I did. And in the end, it was a super fun collaboration to be a part of.

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Peach Pie Smoothie + $100 VISA Gift Card Giveaway

The flavors of fresh peach pie is made into a creamy, sippable smoothie made with almond milk, that’s perfect for healthy breakfast, dessert or snack.

This year I’m partnering with AlmondBreeze to create and share recipes using almond milk. We’ve traversed the course of sweet to savory and we’re finishing things off with a classic reason to use almond milk: it’s smoothie time folks!

But let’s be clear, smoothies aren’t just for breakfast anymore. Especially when you have the flavors of homemade peach pie in the mix.

We’ve been hitting the farmers market hard these days. It’s seems like it’s always that way thanks to our short growing season and the realization that before long our mountain air will be throwing down blizzards of snow instead of sweltering rays of sunshine. At least that’s what I’m counting on thanks to the good old Farmer’s Almanac. Make it so!

These peach pie smoothies don’t actually contain pie. Although that would be pretty darn good, but it would sort of negate the healthy aspect of this recipe. Or would it?

I’ll let you be the judge.

continue to the recipe… about Peach Pie Smoothie + $100 VISA Gift Card Giveaway

Boozy Blueberry Floats

This simple booze-infused float gets its spike from blueberry flavored vodka, which tangos with fresh blueberries and vanilla ice cream.

This post, brought to you by Pearl Vodka, is for the little kid in all of us because no matter how old you are, cool ice cream treats are always in order.

It seems like the times I most often had floats as a kid was when we’d once in a while have lunch at Hires Drive-In. Along with my cheeseburger (extra pickles please) we’d hope that mom would splurge the extra coin to spoil us with a sweet sipper of their famous frosted mug of ice cream scoops with super cold, super sweet root beer.

The famous, and iconic, root beer float.

This recipe is geared to a more adult sensibility thanks to flavored vodka, but the sentiment remains the same: Let’s sit back and enjoy a sweet treat to beat the summertime heat.

continue to the recipe… about Boozy Blueberry Floats

Acai, Pomegranate and Raspberry Smoothie

Acai juice, pomegranate juice and raspberries are full of antioxidants with all sorts of health benefits in this sweet and tart superfood packed smoothie.

Because if you’re like me and my soon to be 6th grade babe who this week declares, “School’s out for summer!” (cue Alice Cooper) you will in short order be seeking anything cool, frothy and delicious to take away the bite of summer’s heat that is about to descend upon us like a triple-woven wool blanket.

Honestly? I’m looking forward to it. Remind me of this come August when I’m walking across the hot grocery store parking lot, sweltering as I peel my tank top from my sweaty skin and seriously debate booking a flight to Alaska.

Until then, let’s just enjoy it, shall we?

One thing that will be making our summer all the more chill is this new cookbook from my friend Deborah of the blog Taste and Tell. It pretty much says it all in the title, Best 100 Smoothies for Kids. But like all good things in life, it’s truly not just for kids. Pass me a straw!

continue to the recipe… about Acai, Pomegranate and Raspberry Smoothie

Cucumber Delight Cocktail

This cucumber cocktail inspired by Washington DC’s Founding Farmers restaurant will add a bright spot to brunch or dinner, thanks to its refreshing flavors.

This post, brought to you by Pearl Vodka, is inspired by my recent adventure of heading out solo.

Traveling alone isn’t something I’ve ever been totally comfortable with. Seeing new sights but having nobody to share them with.

Being the single soul at the table built for two, head bent down in pretend immersion in that totally engrossing book you just happened to pick up last minute at the airport’s Hudson News.

Taking selfies that are the true definition of selfies. By yourself. Until a yet-to-be-discovered, wanna-be-oh-so-suave boy band photobombs your monumental selfie.

But I’ve discovered traveling solo provides a bigger opportunity to see and hear what’s going on around me.

I’m not immersed in being a tour guide making sure everyone else I’m with is happy. Instead, traveling alone is the opportunity to do exactly what I want to do with no other opinion seekers along for the ride. To see what I want to see.

I’m not absent mindedly running into others, ignoring cues, flashing lights or missing out on the subtle nuances of the heartbeat of a city. Instead I’m in tune. I’m totally aware. And I see others and hear their conversations.

Eavesdropping? I prefer to call it politely observing.

This spring I was in Washington DC where I spoke at the IACP Conference, aka International Association of Culinary Professionals. The day before the conference started I lit out on my own to explore this nation’s Capital. No family. No blogging friends. Just me and my earbuds walking around DC as I listened to the final episodes of this podcast in hopes of a chance sighting of Michelle Obama with her watering can in the garden or a presidential motorcade.

Unfamiliar with the local eats, it only took a quick web search and a survey of Yelp recommends to land me at the counter of Founding Farmers for lunch. Somehow I wiggled my way to the last seat at the counter and avoided the 1 1/2 hour wait for a table. This is one place you are willing to wait.

Being Thirsty Thursday and just a smidge past noon, I promptly perused their cocktail menu and landed on the Cucumber Delight Cocktail.

You are so happy I did.

Founding Fathers totally delivered on the eats with my order of the deviled egg sampler and the most amazingly smokey shrimp and grits I’ve ever tasted. But the cucumber cocktail is what got me going.

I did indeed order all of that food for one and didn’t have to share one measly bite. That is, until I made friends with my fellow counter surfers Brian and Charmaine, a Canadian chef and his wife who were there with the plans of eating their way through DC. Hey, I couldn’t eat ALL of those eggs by myself. Or could I?

Would I have made those lunch counter friends sharing samples of one another’s lunch had I been with my own traveling companion?

If you know me, its a distinct possibility, but not a foregone conclusion.

I committed the cocktail’s bright, light, summery flavor to mouth memory (the sister to muscle memory) and brought it home with the happy anticipation of sipping it with friends as the warmth of summer days seep from our bones. And what do you know? I already have!

I’ve adapted the original recipe to create a simpler version with Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka so I could skip the muddling of cucumbers because the cucumber flavor comes ready to pour straight from the imported vodka’s bottle.

A simple syrup of equal parts super fine sugar and boiling water sweeten the cocktail to counter the punch of spice from a high quality ginger ale. If you prefer even more of a bite, ginger beer works well too. It’s just a bit more pungent.

A splash of sparkling water adds another layer of fizzy bubbles with a slice of cucumber and ball of cantaloupe that add color and a little something to much on. It’s an appetizing drink for sure. And one that’s made it’s way to my home to be shared.

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrusheats.

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Cucumber Delight Cocktail

This cucumber cocktail inspired by Washington DC's Founding Farmers restaurant, will add a bright spot to any brunch or cool off a summer evening thanks to its refreshing flavors.

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

2 ounces Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka
1 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce quality ginger ale or ginger beer
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 ounce sparkling water
1 slice cucumber
1 cantaloupe ball

Instructions

Add Pearl Cucumber Flavored Vodka, simple syrup, ginger ale and lemon juice to a shaker. Add ice cubes, cover and shake vigorously.  Strain into an old fashion glass, add ice, top with the sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber slice and cantaloupe.

This post is in partnership with Pearl Vodka. As always, thank you for reading and for supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. All opinions are always my own.

Moms Rule! The Ultimate Mother’s Day Brunch Guide

The ultimate Mother’s Day brunch guide, filled with recipes and gift ideas any mom would love!

Mother’s Day falls just once a year (don’t forget May 10!), but it’s important to remember that moms never stop being moms. They love us every day, and they never stop worrying about us, no matter how old we get.

When we stop and think about all our moms have done (and still do) for us, devoting just one day a year to show them our appreciation seems insufficient. So at least we can show them a thoughtful day that celebrates how truly incredible they are.

Making your mom feel relaxed and stress-free is crucial on this day—she shouldn’t have to lift a finger. So whether you deliver her a luxurious breakfast-in-bed or organize the brunch of her dreams, we’ve compiled the mega mother’s day guide to end all mother’s day guides.

From a full-fledged brunch menu (cocktails included), to DIY mother’s day gifts, we’ve gotcha covered.

This is to all the moms who drove us to and from sleepovers, and birthday parties, and soccer, dance, and swim practices. It’s for all the moms who are still the first person we call when we have news, both good and bad.

We love you mom, and we’ll never stop needing you.

Now let’s celebrate MOM!continue to the recipe… about Moms Rule! The Ultimate Mother’s Day Brunch Guide

Champagne Mojitos

The addition of sparkly cava and fresh basil lend a fun twist to this easy to drink, refreshing cocktail that makes enough for a crowd.

It’s hard to say goodbye.

Especially when you’re not sure that you really want to go.

Scared of the unknown. Craving the familiar. Comfortable in staying right where you are.

The only way to face change is to face it head on. And clink “cheers” to the new adventures ahead.

continue to the recipe… about Champagne Mojitos

The Best Coconut Margarita Recipe

A refreshing combination of coconut cream and coconut milk infuse tropical flavors into my favorite reposado tequila margarita, served on the rocks.

Once upon a time I went on a train ride. Sure, I’d been on trains before, but nothing prepared me for this ride of a lifetime.

This train was owned by self-made billionaire John Paul DeJoria, founder of John Paul Mitchell and Patron Spirits, and was deemed by DeJoria as, “the favorite of my 13 homes.” But unlike those other homes from New York to Hawaii, this one just happened to be powered by an Amtrak steam engine.

How in the heck did I end up there?

Lucky me, I know people who are very generous and invited me and my husband along for the ride. It’s also where my love of tequila was cemented in stone.

On the rocks, of course.

continue to the recipe… about The Best Coconut Margarita Recipe

20 Spirited Holiday Punches

These 20 festive punch recipes are a fun way to spread holiday cheer and ring in the New Year with friends!

Single serving cocktails are standard holiday fare. They’re bubbly and colorful, and we can adorn them with festive garnishes like cranberries and sprigs of rosemary.

But it can be difficult to please the masses and can too-often blow the budget when offering a variety of alcohols and mixers. Plus, wouldn’t you rather rather be cheers-ing your guests as the hostess-with-the-mostess rather than acting as the de facto bartender behind the bar?

Making big-batch cocktails for your party crowd is the way to go, and punches in particular have made a comeback. And no, we’re not talking about the soupy, non-alcoholic sherbet punch you might’ve grown up with.

We’ve found 20 sophisticated tipples that are guaranteed to impress your party guests, and fill you with holiday cheer from head to toe!

continue to the recipe… about 20 Spirited Holiday Punches

Pomegranate Martini Recipe

This adaptation of Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini has a hint of rosemary and real pomegranate seeds for an added dose of festive flavor.

Are you a garnish-er, or a garnish-less?

I think it’s pretty evident by the looks of the recipes I post on this old bloggity blog that I’ve become a garnish-more type of gal. You may say YAY!, you may say EW!, but either way, the garnish is my go-to, and not quite shockingly, cocktails have yet to escape my embellishing.

A dip of gold sugar here, a drop or two of fresh pomegranates there and a stir stick that’s fresh and fragrant are what make my seasonal Pomegranate Martini totally festive and bright.

continue to the recipe… about Pomegranate Martini Recipe

How to Host a Wine and Cheese Pairing Party + Free Printable

I’m the first to admit it. I’m not an expert in the nuances of cheese. And I am a far, far, far cry from calling myself a wine enthusiast, let alone a sommelier. You didn’t by chance notice those ice cubes in my Chardonnay, did you? Hang my head in shame, but that’s how I roll.

But I do love cheese, and I do love wine. So throwing a casual party that marries my love of the two really isn’t that hard of a thing to fathom. Especially after I learned a thing or two to set me on my way thanks to my friends at Wisconsin Cheese.

A few weeks ago I was in Miami, Florida for the yearly Blogher Food Conference. It’s a get together where a bunch of us foodies on the web emerge from our blogging caves to network with one another, meet sponsoring brands, learn how to better our craft, and basically be forced into the open air of society—aka, a great excuse to go shopping for new clothes! You can read more about my trip here.

One of my favorite parts of the Blogher conference was going to the Wisconsin Cheese Bloggers By the Bay cocktail party. For the past two years I’ve been fortunate to work with Wisconsin Cheese in creating recipes, photography and videos, and I’ve even been a judge for their Grilled Cheese Academy Recipe Showdown. I’m a judge again this year so watch for my Instagram feed to be melting down in ooey goodness later this month. Ha. Melting down. The puns are flowing today. Brace yourself.

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Pickle Infused Vodka

I’m a self-confessed pickle head.

Kosher dill. Bread and butter. Garlic spiked. It really makes no difference to me, I love ‘em all.

Summer eats at my house are always accompanied by pickles. Sandwiches, burgers and macaroni salad all require the briny spear and are popular ways for just about everyone to partake. But pickled vodka? That might be a new one for you.

Today I bring you the recipe for Pickle Infused Vodka.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my recipe for The Best Bloody Mary EVER and how to create a bloody mary bar for summer funning with friends and family.

And you can bet bacon, and Pickled Vodka, will be included.

continue to the recipe… about Pickle Infused Vodka

Friday Faves and 8 Great Mint Julep Recipes

The month of May. so. much. going. including the fact that the IRS is no longer banging on our doors! Let’s celebrate with cocktails and this week’s list of Friday Faves.

Every year, the beginning of May is packed with events to celebrate with a few clinks of the glasses and shots to be shared. Pass the lime and salt please.

Kentucky Derby = classic mint juleps paired with seriously flourishing good, and bad, hat fetishes. Whoa.

Cinco de Mayo = margaritas, Mexican food fests (like my list of 70 must try recipes) and daydreams of Tulum.

Mother’s Day = champagne bubbles, languid brunches and mama love tributes.

We may have to call Betty Ford before we’re even into mid-month. Oh but, why not enjoy? May only comes once a year.

How about some Friday Faves friends?

continue to the recipe… about Friday Faves and 8 Great Mint Julep Recipes

Mango Margarita with Chile Salt and Lime

Frozen cocktails aren’t really my thing. I save my frozen tendencies drinkable with a straw for milkshakes and smoothies.

My idea of a great margarita is to make it strong and put it on the rocks.

That is, until, it’s a Mango Margarita. Then I say make it fruity, a bit limey and add some spice and bring me another.

The first time I had a mango margarita was on a Mexican vacation in the small beach town of Todos Santos (if you haven’t been, you HAVE to go) with my little family of three and my BFF Kim and her husband. We’d rented our other friend’s vacation house (see it here) where we blew up the pool toys and made the very necessary trip to the Mexican market to stock up on essentials: Chips and salsa, Mexican pancake mix (loaded with sugar and insanely delicious,) Nutella, mangos, lime and tequila.

Bienvenidos! Let’s get this party started.

continue to the recipe… about Mango Margarita with Chile Salt and Lime

55 Lover-ly Valentine Desserts and Drinks

Valentine’s Day is upon us and love is in the air. Everywhere we look around. Every sight and every sound. Were you like me and love this song?

Whether you’ll be in the company of your best girls, celebrating Gal-entine’s Day over cocktails (thanks Leslie Knope), cooking with your sweetie, or rocking it solo, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the web for some of the sexiest, cutest, festive recipes for this holiday, and we think you’ll fall in love (or at least go a bit weak in the knees).

Thanks to my intrepid contributor Hayley, (definitely check her out over here and here) today’s post is chock-full of sweetness, bubbles and lots of pink. And THAT is what Valentine’s Day is all about.

Now, let’s get that heart going pitter-patter…

continue to the recipe… about 55 Lover-ly Valentine Desserts and Drinks

Mango Smoothie Plus 11 Favorite Smoothie Recipes

This week the internet exploded. Not because of political scandals, the return of Downtown Abby or even because some guy raised a baby duck in his beard.

No, it’s because with the new year comes new resolutions for better health and a plethora of new smoothies recipes. It’s a cool and refreshing domination of the www. and perfect timing to add mine to the pack with my mango, banana and coconut tropical smoothie.

Back in the day when I would drag myself into the office after my morning torture weight training session with my trainer, I would somehow will my legs one. step. at. a. time. to the community kitchen, meagerly toss a handful of ice into the blender, peel a banana, add a dash of milk and pour in a packet of protein powder. In my post workout trance I’d refuel with a fantastic protein-powered shake that nourished my rebuilding-muscle tissue and keep me full and satisfied til lunch.

Since I don’t work in the office anymore, I can invest a little more time and effort into my smoothie cravings. Sometimes I get a even get a little exotic. Okay maybe more tropical than exotic. Ah hell, who cares. I’m going big, and going with exotic.

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Friday Faves and 10 Spirited Eggnog Recipes

Well, we’re here. The final countdown to Santa’s sleigh skidding to a stop on slippery, snow covered rooftops far and wide is mere days away. How did the arrival of Christmas and the jolly old elf happen so fast?

Am I ready? That depends on your idea of ready. Is the house all tidied up? All the presents purchased? Wrapped and under the tree? Ha! No, not yet, but I’m okay with that because this year it’s been about ‘time’. Time with my husband, time with my daughter, time to be together as our little nucleus that more often than not gets pushed to the side when deadlines loom and obligations prey.

Last weekend we scrapped our obligations and shot off to San Francisco to celebrate our wedding anniversary. With Smudge in tow. Word of wisdom: No matter how much you love Christmas, don’t get married at Christmas unless you want the holiday to completely overshadow the yearly celebration.

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Beet Lemonade and a Cheese Lover’s Giveaway Plus Friday Faves

Beets. Lemons. Sugar. Combined into one lip-smacking Beet Lemonade. Have I lost my mind? That’s entirely possible, but most likely not due to this drink.

Who came up with this root vegetable meets citrus elixir? It wasn’t me. No, It was the bunch at Wisconsin Cheese who asked me to photograph cocktails and cheese for their latest issue of Grate, Pair, Share.

You thought I just did photo shoots for my own online magazine? Nah, I spread my foodie love around.

But just to be sure, you have read the summer issue of FoodieCrush magazine, right?

I must admit I had my doubts about trying this Beet Lemonade from the get-go. Kind of like my Smudge whenever she spies some foreign looking object on her plate. That would be a new vegetable and you’re going to try it little lady.

I’m a novice juicer on a time schedule so I went the much easier and far less messy route and let my juicer languish in the pantry while I shopped for beet juice at Whole Foods. I dutifully followed their recipe, still skeptical of this unusual combo and then…I was stunned at the taste.

In a good, very, very, very, very good way. Very.

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Roasted Cherry Sangria

Red, ripe and juicy, these cherry bombs are ready to be toasted in this Roasted Cherry Sangria recipe sponsored by my friends at Harry & David.

I’ve been known to enjoy a nice, cold refreshment on a warm summer’s eve. Maybe once, probably twice. Okay, like, definitely more than that.

Back in the day I was a red wine kinda gal. Once I’d graduated from wine coolers, aka college, I discovered my happy spot when I was with friends or family with a freshly opened bottle on the table and glass of red in my hand.

As I’ve gotten older my tastes have changed, thanks mainly to the increased rate of heartburn I somehow have contracted with red wine consumption, and thus I’ve switched over from reds to whites, with a steady lean toward unoaked chardonnays or a fruity and bubblicious Prosecco.

While I certainly love a great sauvingnon blanc in summer—light, fresh and a little more like the wine version of a summertime gin and tonic—it’s not really the type of drink that calls out, “Hey, it’s time to sit by the pool and drink like we eat in the heat.” As in fresh, cold and happily.

That’s what this Roasted Cherry Sangria is for. To make me happy.

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Spring Fever and a Strawberry Banana Milkshake

Would you take a look at that? What, what? What could it be? Sun. Languishing. Full on soaking it up time.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Self…Why is Heidi posting Strawberry Banana Shakes when its not even St. Patrick’s Day? Where’s the green minty shake? The Easter Egg colored Smoothie?”

I’ll give you two reasons for this shake. Smudge and her friend K.K.’s a request for a sweet afternoon treat. See, now that the weather has finally made a turn—70 degrees is in the forecast today and I’m going skiing to celebrate—the girls decided it was high time to ditch the snowpants and break out the shorts, tanks and lounge cushions.

Shakes are a summertime staple around here but with sweet, spring strawberries hitting the stores we think it’s high time to take an early plunge into shake making. Oh, that poor dog in a dress.

One of our standing traditions after Smudge visits the dentist, and if she gets a clean bill of dental goodness—Hey mom, look! No cavities yet!—all bets are paid up and its time to get a milkshake. That’s when we head to Iceberg.

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