The Bee’s Knees

I’m all about classic cocktails, and I find it the easier the better when it comes to creating drinks for entertaining.  With my Meyer lemon tree in full “fruit mode”, I wanted to whip something up that I could add to my “party drink” repertoire.

A cocktail with a fun name never hurt either…

The Bee’s Knees 

• 2 oz gin (I used Hendrick’s for a cucumber infused kick!)
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 oz honey syrup (1 oz honey + 1 oz hot water)

1. Mix above ingredients in an ice filled shaker.
2. Strain into lowball glass and enjoy!
3. Garnish with an orange slice or halved kumquats.

Skinny Chi Cocktail

A Chi Chi is a popular Hawaiian cocktail… but with cream of coconut, vanilla ice cream and blue curaçao the calories really add up.  Luckily one of my favorite restaurants – Honu, has created a low calorie and equally delicious option!

Skinny Chi

• 1.5 oz coconut vodka
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 2 oz coconut water
• .5 fresh lime sour
• .5 oz Malibu Black
• fresh pineapple

1. Muddle pineapple in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add pineapple juice, coconut water, lime sour and coconut vodka to shaker.
3. Add ice and shake vigorously.
4. Strain into ice filled glass and top with Malibu Black floater.

Paloma

To kick off a festive mood of fun in the sun – there is no better mix than lime juice and tequila.  And while I don’t believe it’s possible to get “sick of” (“sick on” maybe) margaritas, it is always nice to mix it up.

Fresh Paloma

• 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• 1/4 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup club soda

1. Rim a highball glass with grapefruit juice and kosher salt.
2. Mix grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup in the glass.
3. Stir in tequila.
4. Add ice then top with club soda.

I’ll Have A…

As we all know I love a fun drink – the more involved the better.  Muddled cucumber? Check. Blood Orange Juice? Yes please. Unfortunately, my unique cocktail taste has most dive bar bartenders scratching their heads/hating me, so this drink is my go to when I am trying not to be high-maintenance.

In honor of St. Patrick’s day I want to introduce you to an easy-to-order/easy-to-drink concoction – Jameson and Ginger.

Jameson and Ginger

• 1.5 oz Jameson Whiskey
• Ginger Ale
• Wedge of Lime

1. Pour whiskey into an ice filled highball glass.
2. Top with ginger ale.
3. Finish with a squeeze of lime.
4. Stir and enjoy!

Blossom Breeze

This past weekend, I had one of the tastiest drinks of my life – the Blossom Breeze.

Considering one of my most popular posts is my Cucumber Mint Vodka Cocktail, I figured hitting up the bartender for his secret recipe was a necessity… here you go!

Blossom Breeze

• 2 oz Square One Cucumber vodka
• 3/4 oz St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• Soda Water
• Edible flower blooms

1. Shake vodka, Elderflower liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup in an ice filled shaker.
2. Strain into an ice filled glass and top with soda water.
3. Stir and garnish with edible flowers (or a slice of cucumber).