The Metropolitan Cocktail

This citrusy Metropolitan Cocktail is a sophisticated twist on the classic cosmopolitan with an Italian flair...

This post was created in partnership with Spello Restaurant.

**Please Note: Spello is now permanently closed.

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I am all about the pretty cocktails. There is just something about starting with a romantic & sexy cocktail that sets the mood for the entire evening- am I right? ;) 

I recently had the opportunity and the pleasure to dine at the newly opened Spello restaurant in Mars, Pennsylvania during their soft opening for friends & family last week. The ambiance was upscale, yet not pretentious. 

The dinner menu is inspired by Chef Melnick's travels to Italy. It is impressive, yet not overwhelming. The emphasis is on the quality of their menu selections rather than the quantity. But that cocktail menu, you all...

The sophisticated boozy concoctions being served at the restaurant come from the creative mind of mixologist & COO of the restaurant group that owns Spello, Colin Smith. Smith has been a part of the restaurant & mixology scene in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area for over 24 years . 

The cocktail menu is higher end (you will find no well liquors here, folks), but is reasonably priced. Most of Spello's libations feature Italian spirits & liqueurs.

I would be lying if I told you all that I haven't sampled just about every cocktail on their bar menu because I have. (I may or not have photographed the entire cocktail menu for the restaurant. ;) ) But my favorite of Spello's boozy offerings is their Metropolitan cocktail- a citrusy blend of vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, Aperol, & sweet Italian Vermouth...

French 7UP5 Champagne Cocktail

This French 7UP5 Champagne Cocktail is a crisp, refreshing, & bubbly champagne cocktail perfect for ringing in the New Year!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

It is hard to believe that Christmas is done and over with and New Year's Eve is just right around the corner! Where did the time go, you all? 

Just because Santa has made his annual visit here, it doesn't mean that holiday entertaining is over in this house, folks. ;) 

We often host  one or two impromptu (and sometimes planned) end of the year get-togethers with friends and family.

To make sure we are always at the ready to entertain last minute or unexpected guests, I stock up on a few of the essentials... like cheese and crackers, chocolates, and of course bubbly mixers that are perfect for festive cocktails and fun mocktails for the kiddos. ;)

The frugal hostess in me was thrilled to see our favorite 2 liter bottles of mixers- 7UP and Canada Dry Ginger Ale on sale at our local Walmart for just $1 each this past week.

Of course, I had to stock up on these entertaining essentials when I find them at such a great price! :) 

In addition to the traditional 7UP and Canada Dry Ginger Ale, I also grabbed a 2 liter of the Cranberry Canada Dry Ginger Ale for a festive touch for drinks.

Every New Year's Eve, I try to come up with a new cocktail to serve my guests. The inspiration for this French 7UP5 Champagne Cocktail actually comes from the French 75, a champagne cocktail that was created in France during World War I. This cocktail with a kick got it's name from a popular and powerful French field gun used during the war. 

The traditional cocktail is concocted using lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne, and gin. I simplified the cocktail a bit and made it a little more bubbly by using 7UP instead of the lemon juice and simple syrup...

Apple Cider Mojitos

 A classic summertime cocktail gets a delicious autumn makeover with the addition of apple cider in these crisp and refreshing Apple Cider Mojitos...

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Okay. I know, I know.... Mojitos are cocktails that are usually associated with summertime, and backyard BBQ's, and beach vacations. Not with fall time or apple season.

But hear me out, you all.... It works. The white rum with your favorite apple cider and a little fresh mint and lime really works. Even I was surprised by how delicious this autumn twist on a classic mojito turned out.

Now, I can't take all the credit for coming up with this cocktail idea. I actually tried an apple cider mojito at a local brewery a couple months ago, and I knew I had to try to recreate it at home. 

Last month, we went apple picking while my sister and my best friend from West Virginia were visiting us at our new home in Erie, Pennsylvania. When I spied the fresh pressed apple cider at the local apple orchard we stopped at, I picked up a half gallon to bring home just to test out my new fall cocktail idea. I am a firm believer that the best cocktails start with the freshest ingredients.

Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan

A classic cocktail gets a romantic and bubbly makeover in this Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan...

It is no secret that my husband and I are pretty much homebodies when it comes to popular holidays like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. We would much rather stay at home, cook a special dinner-in, and enjoy a bottle of wine or mix up a cocktail or two. 

Honestly, I would love to go out for a romantic dinner for two at a swanky restaurant, but when you factor in wait times & the bill that is guaranteed to be double the norm the romanticism kind of flies out the window for me. 

But cozying up at home with a home cooked or take-out dinner for two and a couple of beautiful cocktails is speaking my love language. ;)

Every Valentine's Day I try to concoct a new cocktail for my husband and I to celebrate with. This year I am taking a cue from a cocktail classic, the cosmopolitan. (Just curious- am I the only one who can't drink a cosmo without thinking of reruns of Sex and the City?)

So what makes my Pomegranate Champagne Cosmopolitan special? The addition of pomegranate vodka & bubbly champagne! :) 

The color of this cocktail just screams romance and Valentine's Day. And how could you ever go wrong by adding some bubbly to the mix? (Hint- you absolutely cannot. ;) )

Cherry Limeade Mojito Floats

Meet your new go-to cocktail for summertime! Refreshing lime, fresh mint, & sweet cherry come together perfectly in these frosty Cherry Limeade Mojito Floats... 

When it comes to summertime, my cocktail of our choice is a crisp & refreshing mojito. I love the muddle of fresh lime and mint added to a little rum and finished off with some bubbly club soda. 

So when I saw this set of 4 Mojito glasses at my local thrift store for a whopping 50 cents a piece, I snatched them right up! ;) I mean, I have more cocktail and wine glasses than I know what to do with in my cupboard, but seriously. How could I resist these, folks? It was just fate that my mojito-loving self stumbled upon these a few weeks ago. Who am I to deny fate?

And while I can always go for a classic mojito, I thought my new thrift store find deserved something a little more celebratory. Something a little more summer festive, and what says summer has officially arrived better than a frosty float, right? :) 

I kept all the elements of a classic mojito with these Cherry Limeade Mojito Floats, but I added something a little extra to it- a scoop of cherry sorbet! 

Pumpkin Ginger Shandy

This quick and easy two ingredient Pumpkin Ginger Shandy is the perfect cocktail for fall or Thanksgiving entertaining...

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I was a contributor.

When it comes to Thanksgiving entertaining, I am all about keeping things easy. I have hosted dinner for my family almost every year for the past five years, so I definitely have a system down by now that keeps my Thanksgiving morning running smoothly and virtually stress free. 

The house is cleaned top to bottom by the whole family the day or two before Thanksgiving. Pies get baked the day before. I break out both of my slow cookers to prepare side dishes so I can keep the oven free for the real star of the Thanksgiving dinner table. 

The only thing I really have to worry about the day of the big dinner is roasting the turkey. Keeping our annual family Thanksgiving dinners fuss free and simple makes the turkey day more enjoyable for not only the guests, but for the dinner hostess as well. ;) 

Even the cocktail I will be serving to my dinner guests this year will be quick and easy, requiring only two simple ingredients to make!

Raspberry Limeade Gin Fizz

Fresh raspberries & lime with bubbly club soda & a little gin come together in this perfect for spring Raspberry Limeade Gin Fizz...

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #showmetheshine #CollectiveBias

Do you all feel that? Spring is finally in the air! :) And with spring comes weekend brunches and lazy afternoons on the deck taking in the sunshine and warmer weather. For me, spring also means serving a refreshing, sparkling cocktail that reflects the mood of the season. When you combine fresh raspberries and lime with bubbly club soda and a little gin, you just can't go wrong. That is unless the glassware you are serving this perfectly spring cocktail in is far from sparkling.  Nothing dampens a bright & cheery cocktail quicker than dingy glassware- Am I right, folks?

That is why I was so glad to have discovered Finish® Quantum Max™ tablets at my local Target...

Lavender Tom Collins

A classic gin cocktail gets a floral, springtime twist in this bubbly Lavender Tom Collins...

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Okay, I won't lie to you all. I am pretty sure my alcohol consumption has maybe slightly increased since this who stay at home order business started. I mean, there really isn't any rules anymore for when it is acceptable or not to enjoy a little boozy concoction- am I right? 

Just like everything else in my life, I have finally accepted the fact that I am living a new "normal" for now. Like realizing that my youngest is still wearing her pajamas as dinner time is fast approaching & shrugging my shoulders because she will just be taking a shower in a few hours & changing into a new pair of PJ's. 

Or the fact that I have now become a hard core FaceTimer when I hardly ever used the app on my iPhone before. I mean, what better way is there to chat with my sister than with a unicorn or a kitty filter on? Also, how am I just now discovering how insanely fun that is?? ;)

I have also learned to appreciate the value of a well stocked fridge and liquor cabinet through all of this. Because sometimes a whiskey & ginger or a little gin and lime is just what I need at the end of the day. We have been fortunate here in West Virginia that our liquor stores have remained open throughout all of this. I can't say the same for our neighbors up north though (sorry, Pennsylvania!). 

Sparkling Pomegranate Screwdriver

I'm partnering with SMIRNOFF Vodka for National Vodka Day to bring you all this Sparkling Pomegranate Screwdriver, a fall twist on a cocktail classic...

Well, Happy National Vodka Day, friends! Not that I (or you ;) ) really need a boozy holiday to enjoy a good vodka cocktail or anything. But I decided to team up with SMIRNOFF vodka and a few of my favorite cocktail bloggers to celebrate anyways! 

We were each sent a different bottle of one of SMIRNOFF's newest vodkas in perfect for fall flavors. 

I have to admit that I was little excited when I saw that they were sending me the pomegranate vodka. Mainly because pomegranate is one flavor that I have never worked with before on the blog! (I know, can you believe that??) 

After giving it a taste (or maybe two- shhhhh...), I decided that pomegranate would be the perfect way to jazz up a plain ole classic screwdriver. And for fun I decided to add a splash or two of club soda for some fizzy bubble action... 

Slow Cooker Captain & Coke Pulled Chicken

A classic cocktail is transformed into a delicious slow cooker meal that is perfect for game day (or any day!) in this Slow Cooker Captain & Coke Pulled Chicken recipe...

Post updated 9/5/18- This flavorful Slow Cooker Captain & Coke Pulled Chicken recipe deserved some updated photos just in time for college football season. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

My husband's go-to drink of choice is a good old fashioned Captain & Coke.  In fact, we always have a bottle in the freezer.  

Not that he kicks back with a cocktail every evening.  In fact, we have had the very same bottle of Captain Morgan in our freezer since we were married almost 2 years ago.  We also have a rather larger bottle of Captain in the cupboard leftover from the reception from the above mentioned wedding.  

Needless to say, I am always look for some ways to help use up a little of that rum.

You know, besides taking shots or mixing up cocktails. ;)

10 Budget Friendly & Trendy Home Bar Essentials

You can have a functional, yet stylish home bar without spending a fortune with these 10 Budget Friendly & Trendy Home Bar Essentials...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

I definitely think there is a misplaced belief out there that to have a well equipped home bar, you have to be willing to drop some cash. I am here to tell you all that notion is totally & utterly false. You can have a functional, yet trendy home bar without spending a fortune. In fact, you can purchase everything I have listed in this collection of 10 Budget Friendly & Trendy Home Bar Essentials for less than $100 with your Amazon Prime account! :)

Don't have 100 bucks to spend all at once right now? No problem! Start with the area of your home bar that will initially get the most use. If you are a cocktail lover, start with first five items I have listed below giving priority to the compact bar set with the cocktail shaker. Are you more of a wine drinker? Then skip the cocktail essentials for now and get started with the wine tool set. You can always build your home bar from there, adding on as you can afford it. 

I chose each of the bar tools & accessories I have listed below because they are A. under $20. B. available via Amazon Prime (hello, free shipping!), & C. stylish & trendy. I went with a lot of stainless steel in this collection of home bar essentials because it is always in style & holds up well to years of use. 

Now let's get your home bar equipped the budget friendly way, shall we? ;)

Blueberry Ginger Mojitos

A classic summertime cocktail gets a delicious twist with the addition of fresh blueberries & ginger ale in these refreshing Blueberry Ginger Mojitos...

Post updated 7/9/17- This tasty Blueberry Ginger Mojito post deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

Antipasto Bloody Mary

Inspired by a favorite Italian appetizer, this Antipasto Bloody Mary is a tasty twist on the classic brunch cocktail...

This post was created in partnership with Drizly as part of their Top Shelf Blogger program. All opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

When it comes to weekend brunches, I am a Bloody Mary gal all the way. Sure, I can sip on a mimosa or a screwdriver, but you put a Bloody Mary bar in front me and I am in heaven. I think that Bloody Mary bars have to be like the best ever addition to a brunch menu- am I right? 

While the bartender shakes up your Bloody Mary to your spice & heat preference, you can peruse all the delicious ways that you can top your cocktail. From the traditional olives & celery stalks, to thick cut bacon slices, pickles, cocktail onions, and more, you can create a cocktail and a snack all in one. And if you ask me those are the best Bloody Marys- the ones that come with a built-in snack. ;)

This Antipasto Bloody Mary recipe that I am sharing with you all today is inspired by my love for Bloody Mary bars and after one of my favorite Italian appetizers, an antipasto platter. 

Traditional antipasto platters are the Italian version of a charcuterie board. They are usually brimming with hard cured Italian meats like salami, pepperoni, & proscuitto, olives, various peppers, and fresh mozzarella. With this Antipasto Bloody Mary, you get the cocktail with a bonus personal sized antipasto snack skewered right on top....