The Happiest Hour {Sparkling Rosemary Gin}

Ever since I planted my herb garden last week, I've been finding ways to incorporate them into as many dishes and cocktails as possible. I've used the orange mint in a mojito, the chives atop a ricotta flatbread,  the parsley in homemade white bean dip, and now I'm using the rosemary in a sparkling gin cocktail. Artesian cocktails are making a huge comeback with the refined elegant trend. Think less pre made juice blends and more organic flavors like herbs and natural sweeteners. This sparkling rosemary gin concoction is just the ticket. It's got the perfect blend of savory and sweet with a mix of wild honey and fresh rosemary sprigs. I'll be sipping on this beauty till I run out of rosemary it's so good! Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
2 oz Gin
1 Tablespoon Wild Honey
1 Sprig Fresh Rosemary
Club Soda

:: Directions ::
In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, slightly muddle rosemary with honey. Add gin and shake. Pour over ice, top with club soda, and garnish with rosemary sprig.


Have a great weekend!

The Happiest Hour {Strawberry Mojito}

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope everyone had a very relaxing and safe holiday weekend. We spent it hanging out with Rob's family and celebrating his mom's birthday. It was such a great relaxing weekend that I'm kinda sad is over. I want to continue the party today though by sharing a cocktail recipe that surely makes me wish today was Friday once again! Through the summer months, I'm a sucker for a fruity cocktail that is full of fresh fruits and light on the artificial juices. I've had a hankering for a mojito for a while now and with a pint of fresh strawberries hanging out in my fridge, I figured what better way to enjoy both! The combo creates a light and easy drinking summer cocktail full of flavor and freshness. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
3 Strawberries, halved
5 Mint Leaves
1/4 Lime, juiced
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
2 oz White Rum
Club Soda

:: Directions ::
In a cocktail shaker, combine strawberries, mint leaves, and lime juice. Muddle until strawberries are juiced and mint leaves are bruised. Add simple syrup and rum. Shake vigorously to combine. Pour over ice and top with club soda.

The Happiest Hour {Mango Peach Sangria}

Happy Friday y'all! We're finishing out picnic week with what I consider to be the most important part of any picnic...the cocktails. The perfect picnic cocktail has to contain many qualities such as easy drinking, fruity and fresh. This mango peach sangria is just that. It's full of flavor and subtly sweet with a pop of effervescent flair. Mix it up the night before for easy packing and you can't go wrong. Even if you aren't picnicing this weekend, mix up a batch and enjoy it while soaking up the sun on your back deck. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
8 oz Mango Juice
750 ml White Wine
2 Mangos, sliced
2 Peaches, sliced
3/4 Cup Peach Schnapps
Club Soda

:: Directions ::
1. Combine mango juice, white wine, sliced mangos, sliced peaches, and Peach Schnapps in a pitcher. Let sit over night for flavors to combine.
2. Serve over ice and top with club soda. 

The Happiest Hour {Strawberry Mango Spritzer}

I think at this point I'm just trying to will the spring weather. I thought there for a bit it was here to stay. Sadly, I was mistaken. We have nothing but colder than normal temperatures forcing me to curl up inside in front of the fire. This spritzer, though, is my last attempt. It screams of warm days and outdoor brunches. Full of fresh strawberries and mango, it's light and refreshing. It's a cocktail worthy of sipping all afternoon. Here's the recipe!

:: Ingredients ::
4 Strawberries, sliced
1/4 Mango, diced
1 Cup White Wine
Club Soda
Ice

:: Directions ::
Combine wine, strawberries, and mango over ice in a wine glass. Top with club soda and sip!

The Happiest Hour {Mint Paloma}

Before my trip to the Bahamas last summer, I was completely satisfied with making cocktails from the bottle. Then, I has the most amazing fresh squeezed cocktails at this little bar on Lubbers. It changed my cocktail theory for life. Spring is the perfect time to indulge in fresh fruits and squeeze out some amazing libations. I took a trip to the farmer's market last weekend and picked up an array of seasonal fruits for beverage making. First on the list, a twist on the classic Paloma. I added a bit of fresh muddled mint to add another dimension of flavor to the favorite tequila cocktail. It's a light, refreshing sipper for those warm afternoons ahead. Here's the recipe!

:: Ingredients ::
Juice of 1/2 Grapefruit
6 Mint Leaves
1/4 Cup Tequila
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Club Soda

:: Directions ::
1. Place mint leaves in the bottom of a glass and muddle.
2. Add grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, and shake to combine.
3. Pour over ice and top with club soda.
4. Sip and enjoy!

The Happiest Hour {The Singer}

I must be honest with you. This post is a bit of a teaser. For the next issue of LPF Mag, I did an article on DIY gifts. One of the things I made, is the secret (for now) ingredient in this cocktail, but recipe I will be sharing to with the unique flavored vodka was too good to keep to myself. It's festive color will make it perfect for the holidays or any fall gathering. Not to mention, with only three ingredients, it's beyond simple to make! Here's the recipe and be sure to look out for issue 2 of LPF Mag on the how to for the secret ingredient!

:: Ingredients ::
1 part Red Zinger Vodka
2 parts Sweet & Sour Mix
1 part Club Soda

:: Directions ::
In a tall glass, combine ingredients over ice and stir. Serve with a straw and enjoy!