Wine Council
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Got Rhubarb? Make a Shrub Cocktail!
When we moved into our home over twelve year ago, the prior owners had a big beautiful rhubarb plant growing in the backyard. This then 27-year old had absolutely no idea what do with rhubarb (or how to take care of it!), so most years we simply gave away the stalks. That poor same rhubarb plant has since been transplanted at least four times around our backyard. Despite the multiple moves, the plant continues to thrive. Little did I know it was a sign that I should have been making rhubarb shrub cocktails! This past spring, while taking an evening stroll through the neighborhood, we happened past the home of…
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COCOA ESPRESSO MARTINI
Apparently when Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson get together, they make cocoa espresso martinis. Prior to this week I had never had a chocolate martini, but heck, when two of the world’s most beautiful woman make a cocktail together, you have to try it, am I right? Moreover, its chocolate which is my kryptonite, and on goop, which obviously means its healthy. This cocktail is good. Terrifically good. So good, that in the name of recipe testing I have made Goop’s Cocoa Espresso Martini three nights in the row. So good that Ryan wasn’t even embarrassed drinking the martini in front of his five college fraternity brothers on a Wednesday Zoom call. So…
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Cinco De Mayo Cocktails
Happy Cinco de Mayo! We already have two great margarita recipes on the blog – Beer Margaritas and Skinny White Claw Margaritas – so normally with Cinco de Mayo falling on a Tuesday (i.e., work night/school night for our family) I would simply put these tacos in the Instant Pot and make one of these margaritas to celebrate the occasion. But this May 5th is far from typical and I need all the fun things to keep me sane and optimistic right now. So, I decided to kick it up a notch and try out some fun Mexican-themed cocktails and order in a Cinco de Mayo meal from @thepantryseattle. Here…
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“Dad Juice”
As a backstory, we started using the term “Dad Juice” this past Fall when Chris introduced Ryan to any and all forms of spiked sparkling water and it was love at first sip. Now, both of our fridges are always stocked with a variety of hard seltzer and it is solely called Dad Juice, which is fitting because they are the only ones that drink it! You will only find me sipping a Truly if I’m tailgating (because it is way better than a Bud Light) or as an ingredient in Megan’s skinny margaritas, otherwise, not my thing! As the most experienced hard seltzer drinker, I asked Chris to give…
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Easter Cocktails
What do you bring to an Easter brunch hosted by your mother who every year produces an extraordinarily elaborate array of food and numerous homemade desserts? A few years ago, I decided my answer to this question was an Easter-themed cocktail because when all else fails, booze must be the answer. Am I right? And folks, today was a doozy with my kids. Not sure if the reality of homeschool is finally hitting home for Sam and Emma, but this cocktail post could not have come soon enough for this mom! This year our Easter cocktail is spiked Carrot Limeade. Here is how I made it: Ingredients 2 cups pure…
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Drinks to Try During Quarantine
We have been experimenting with our beverages way more then ever these days; I blame quarantine. It used to be strictly wine and champs around here, with a few beers on the weekends. I have never been a big liquor fan but these Frozen Gin and Tonics (and Megan’s Skinny Margaritas) are my jam. Made with lime juice, gin, tonic, and a little cucumber, this drink isn’t too sweet, is fresh, delicious and easy to make! I don’t really even like regular Gin and Tonics – but these are amazing! Frozen Gin and Tonics Ingredients (serves 2 aka double it): 1/4 cup cucumber, about 5 slices that are cut 1/2″ thick. 4 ounces gin 2 ounces lime…
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Beer. It’s Overwhelming.
Megan and I both enjoy a good beer but the variety and crazy names can be overwhelming. My go-to is having Chris order/buy for me because he knows what I like. I usually have to text him pictures of beer cans when I’m at the grocery store to see if it is a good one or not. So, I decided it was about time I figure it out for myself – with Chris’s beer help of course. I sent him on probably his favorite errand ever, to buy beer, and now our fridge looks like this… It’s also a little tricky because everyone has different tastes. For instance, I love…
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What Are You Drinking During Social Distancing?
When my sister posed this question to me, my glib first response was EVERYTHING. This first week of social distancing has been really stressful in our household trying to meet the new homeschool requirements for our two kids while both Ryan and I continue to juggle the demands of our full-time jobs. Much less the anxiety around the largely unanswered questions of how to keep your family healthy and safe, how long is social distancing really going to last (have you seen this article?!?), and should I be stockpiling more food and household provisions. But, aside from my off-the-cuff response and the black and tan cocktail I had to celebrate…
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Ready for Rosé
Sun and Rosé go hand and hand for me. I’m ready for both. My favorite Rosé is the Tranche Pink Pape, but at $20 bottle it’s not something I am going to drink every night; it’s more of a weekend wine in this household. My favorite special occasion Rosé is the Karma Vineyards Pink bubbles. It is delicious, significant because Chris and I were married there and drank Pink on our wedding day, and sitting at Karma in the Summer and drinking their champagne tasting flight is one of my favorite things ever. So, if you are fancy, you should drink the Tranche or Karma anytime you reach for a…
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Where I like to buy wine!
On Saturday, I was in Metropolitan Market (if I’m being truthful, there are not many Saturdays when I’m not in Metropolitan Market) and noticed the store was advertising its own Red Table Wine Release No. 36 Vintage 2017. For just $10/bottle, it was worth a try. Mallory, Chris, Ryan and I decided Sunday happy hour was a good time to try the bottle (why let it age?). You can also get more info about napa valley vineyards here.Some of the tasting notes are. Mallory: Nice, easy and drinkable. Enjoyable for $10. *Coming from a less sophisticated palate. 😊 Ryan: Daily drinker. Mallory: Daily 4pm mom wine. Goes down easy, but…
