10.14.2013
Apple Cider vodka Cocktail

vodka and apple cider recipe

For me, there’s something synonymous about fall and apple cider.  It reminds me of childhood apple picking days in New York with my family, and then coming home and drinking all of the amazing cider that we bought while at the apple orchid.  I like apples, sure, but apple cider is where it’s AT guys.  While home visiting my family for Christmas a few years ago, I found myself up late watching TV while everyone else was asleep…I’ve always been a night owl, so it’s not really any big surprise.  My dad ran out of wine that night and I was craving a cocktail as I watched old episodes of Law & Order: SVU, as we do.  After checking my dad’s fridge, where he keeps ALL wine (both white AND red- don’t ask), I realized he was out and my options were: water, orange juice and, wait for it, apple cider.  Instinctively I went for the OJ because lord knows I loved me a good Screwdriver in college, but then a light went off in my head about the cider.  I mean, if vodka works well with orange juice, why not fancy apple juice?  The verdict: DELICIOUS.

Apple Cider Vodka Cocktail

  • 1 shot of vodka
  • 1-2 ice cubes
  • Apple cider
  • Cinnamon Stick and/or apple slice for garnish

1.  Put ice cubes into 8 ounce glass, and add shot of vodka

2.  Fill the glass up with apple cider

3.  Stir the drink with the cinnamon stick and add apple slice, if desired

 

06.26.2013
Cocktail Alert: Azoteas Verdes Margarita

IMG_5302

This cocktail is, in one word, delicious.  Guys…it has KALE in it, and you know I’m obsessed.  Try this out and tweet me what you think!  You can follow me @ItsJamieStone.

Ingredients:

  • 2 parts Milagro Reposado Tequila
  • 1 part Fresh Lime Juice
  • 0.75 parts Agave Nectar
  • 2 strips of green Bell Peppers
  • 1 D’Avignon Radish
  • 1/5 Kale Leaf

Combine the pepper, radish and kale leaf in the mixing glass of a Boston shaker and muddle. Add remaining ingredients and ice and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass and garnish with a kale leaf and lime wheel.

06.14.2013
Cocktail Alert: Standard Watermelon Martini

watermelon martini

Watermelon is just the fruit of summer, and you know it.  I recently tested out this delicious watermelon martini recipe from Russian Standard Vodka and I’m completely obsessed.

STANDARD WATERMELON MARTINI

  • 2 oz. Russian Standard Original
  • 2 oz. fresh watermelon juice
  • ¼ oz. simple syrup
  • 1 slice of watermelon

Shake with ice and strain into chilled coupe. Garnish with fresh watermelon.

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Incredible Pursuits (the contest name) is designed to give candidates the opportunity to enter the contest by creating a profile and to garner support from their friends and local communities. The voting process begins immediately and continues through August 9th.  As home to the voting process throughout the search, users will be able to review their fellow peer’s submissions and vote up to five times per day which will give frequent voters a chance to win a set of four of the brand’s signature Moscow Mule copper mugs.  It’s good stuff, people.  Enter away!

05.26.2013
Memorial Day Cocktail: Remembrance Punch

memorial day cocktails

Ah, Memorial Day.  Everyone loves a long weekend, especially one that honors the men and women who have served our country.  I’ll be making this delish cocktail that Belvedere Vodka concocted  Remembrance Punch…check out the super easy recipe below.

RECIPE:

Remembrance Punch
  • 8.5 oz Belvedere Pink Grapefruit
  • 4 oz Lemon Juice
  • 3 oz Simple Syrup
  • 16 oz Soda Water
  • Add all ingredients into a large pitcher or punch bowl
  • Garnish with slices of lemon and mint

05.02.2013
How To Make The Best Margarita EVER

best margarita

It’s almost Cinco de Mayo, which means you have until Sunday to master this recipe.  After years of consuming margaritas (you are welcome), here’s what I consider to be the BEST margarita ever.  What are some of your favorite cocktail recipes?

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Tequila
  • 1 oz fresh lime
  • 3/4 oz Triple Sec
  • 1 tsp simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)

Directions:

  • Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously
  • Salt rims (you don’t have to, but I love a salted rim) using lime juice
  • Strain into glass over fresh ice
  • Garnish with a lime wedge or two and serve

04.25.2013
5 Best Bottles of Cheap Wine

5 best cheap wines

 

It’s not that I don’t appreciate a quality glass of vino (or champagne, for that matter), but there are just SO MANY amazing wines out there, that are cheap, so why always spend big bucks?  Am I right?

Bella Sera Pinot Grigio: I discovered this brand a few years back, in New York, basically cause  liked the name: “beautiful night.”  Since then, I’ve converted friends who even don’t really like white wine.

Cupcake Vineyards Red Velvet: I discovered this wine right here in good old California (it’s a Cali vineyard) and picked it up PURELY because it’s supposed to taste like red velvet.  I’m not a big red wine fan…I don’t hate it, but I’ll always opt for white, so I tried it 100% because it promises to taste like dessert.  And it DOES.  This wine is SO GOOD.  Hands down, one of my favorites.

SkinnyGirl California White Blend: I’m a big fan of the SkinnyGirl margarita so I assumed that I would also like Bethenny’s wines…and I was right.  It’s delish AND low-calorie.

Cavit Riesling: Aaaaah, Cavit.  My New York roomies and I would refer to this as “the big bottle.”  You know the one.  It’s the bottle that you pick up after that extra-long day at the office, or after that extra-unnecessary fight that you just had with your boyfriend.  Love it.

 

04.13.2013
Spring Break: Then & Now

Spring Break - then and now

It hit me yesterday that I haven’t been on spring break since 2005, and, quite frankly, this makes me sad.  Not to say that I haven’t been on other fun vacations since then, but there’s something so exciting and also disgusting, in a good way, about the college tradition known as “spring break.”  This got me to thinking about how much I’ve changed over the past eight years, and in many, many good ways.  For example, not that there’s anything wrong with a little Bud Light but hey, I now prefer a nice glass of wine or a delicious cocktail.  But tanning oil?  Hell no.  I don’t care if it does have SPF 15, it’s still TANNING OIL.  I’ll take my Shiseido SPF 50+, please.  I mean.  Let’s not even discuss wedge flip flops…and ladies, you can stop laughing out loud now cause I know you wore them too.  I now prefer these Loeffler Randall woven sandals, which are perfect for day to night.  What are some of the things you’ve grown out of?

P.S. check out my instagram HERE if you want to see a picture of me on spring break 2005, to which I caption “can you smell the sun damage?”