THE TWINK + SIS MARGARITA

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Last year we made a delish Blood Orange, Basil & Jalapeño Margarita for National Margarita Day! We thought we'd share it again today in case you were so inclined to celebrate with this organic cocktail that packs a major punch! xx

This Sunday is not only The Academy Awards, but it's National Margarita Day! Now that we are pro-mixologists (see yesterday's post), we concocted the most delicious (if I do say so myself) margarita for you to enjoy on this special holiday.  And it's the perfect drink to serve your guests while watching The Oscars. I used pure, organic silver tequila with fresh squeezed lime juice, muddled basil and jalapeño and made my own blood orange simple syrup. Here's how it's done - 

For ONE serving you will need:

2 oz. Silver Tequila (I am really digging IXÁ, an organic, small batch tequila)

1 oz. Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

1 oz. Blood Orange Simple Syrup (recipe below)

3 - 5 Basil Leaves

2 Thin Jalapeño Slices

Ice

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First, make the simple syrup. If you don't own an electric citrus juicer I highly recommend this one from Breville. I love it. 

Blood Orange Simple Syrup Ingredients:

3/4 Cup Fresh Blood Orange Juice (about 8 blood oranges), strained through a sieve

3/4 Cup Organic Sugar

1-1/2 Cups Water

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

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To make the drink:

Muddle jalapeño and basil until fairly broken down.

Add tequila, lime juice and blood orange simple syrup. Add several ice cubes and shake vigorously for about a minute.

Pour the liquid through the strainer over ice. If you like my large spherical ice cubes, you can get the molds at Williams-Sonoma.

Cheers to the greatest National Margarita Day ever!!

LUNCH + DINNER AT WEHO'S GRACIAS MADRE

I was so curious about West Hollywood's Gracias Madre, that I took one for the team and ate both lunch and dinner there, so I could really scope the (plant-based) place out. Despite the fact that I am proud meat-eater, I was very interested in the fact that they serve organic, locally sourced, farm fresh food AND superb, out-of-this-world drinks -- my two favorite things, really. The decor is on point and the staff, on both visits, were warm and welcoming. I found myself forgetting, at many points throughout these meals, that this is in fact a 100% vegan restaurant. Take me here everyday, and I just might convert.

Lunching on a lovely marble-top table: (organic, non-gmo) Tortilla Chips, Fresh Guacamole and a mini-smorgasbord of drinks.

We mixed it up with two cocktails and two non-alcoholic drinks. From left: Mezcal Mule, Madre Green Smoothie, La Quinceañera (snow cone for grown-ups!) and Horchata.

Fried Cauliflower and Nacho Cheese.

Kale and Roasted Root Vegetable Salad (Warning: Spicey!)

Sweet Potato Flautas and a Guatemalan Style Tamal.

Pretty and serene outdoor seating.

Back for a candlelit dinner and ready to party.

Starting the evening off with the beautiful Sorry Ms. Jamson cocktail.

More amazing craft cocktails. From left to right: Purista Margarita, La Quinceañera, The Three Miracles, Seasonal Sangria, La Belleza, The Dude Abides.

Quinoa and Black Eyed Pea Salad.

Crabcakes

Brussles Sprouts topped with a Cilantro Almond Pesto

Gorditas, next to Enchiladas Con Mole

Fudge Brownie and Pumpkin Spice Cake for dessert. 

Gracias Madre, the verdict is in: I'd skip meat for you. xoxo.

MIXOLOGY 101 WITH PHARMACIE + 5 FABULOUS COCKTAIL SHAKERS

Recently, I had the privilege of taking a mixology workshop with Pharmacie founder, Talmadge Lowe. Starting out as an underground speakeasy, Pharmacie is now the go-to party "cocktail caterer," if you will. If you want to have the hottest, and classiest, party in town, you call Talmagdge and his crew to create the most delicious and inventive, craft cocktails, using the freshest of ingredients, to wow even your most discerning party guest. When I discovered that Pharmacie and The Unique Space had teamed up to deliver this workshop, I jumped right in. I have always fancied myself a "natural-born mixologist" but I have to admit I never really went beyond the "vodka cocktail/white rum mojitos comfort zone." And though my friends have given me much praise and elect me the cocktail creator for our dinner parties, I knew I could reach for higher heights and do better! My two hours with Talmadge got me there. I'm no longer afraid of scotch! I can make my husband a whiskey cocktail anytime! Tequila and I are now BFFs! I am more ready to party than ever! Here's a peek into what the class had to offer.

The Unique Space, all set up for class. 

Long tables set with bar tools and fresh fruit and herbs for muddling.

Each student was given their own bar set and Pharmacie simple syrup to use during the class and to take home.

The array of spirits we were able to experiment with during the class.

My favorite part: Freshly made citrus juices and simple syrups ranging from pineapple to cilantro.

A couple of our delicious finished products using scotch and whiskey, respectively. 

Now that you are amped to get mixing, here are my Top 5 Cocktail Shaker Picks to make your drink-making even more enjoyable.

The Harrison Cocktail Shaker from Pottery Barn is a beautiful classic, with monogramming available.

This gorgeous 24K Gold-Plated Shaker from Dwell will add tons of glamour and luxury to your cocktail crafting.

Probably the coolest, most Batman-esque cocktail shaker I've seen - The Black Nuance from Williams-Sonoma.

This stunning piece by Tom Dixon, via ABC Carpet & Home, takes bartending to a whole new, breathtaking level. 

The sleekest of the sleek, Shelton Cocktail Shaker, via Bloomingdales, was created by design icon Arne Jacobsen in 1969 and is made in Denmark.

HAPPY MIXING!