The Happiest Hour {Honey Rosemary Ginger Gin Fizz}

Given that it's the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving, I'm sure you all are deep in menu planning and grocery shopping. But, I bet there is one thing most of you forgot…the signature cocktail. No need to worry though. I'm here to bring you a savory, sweet and flavorful cocktail perfect for acompanying the delicious meal you have planned. After making an easy honey rosemary simple syrup, all you have to do is mix with gin and ginger ale for a delicious libation you can sip on throughout the day. Here's the recipe…

:: Honey Rosemary Simple Syrup Ingredients ::
1/2 Cup Water
1 Cup White Sugar
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Sprig Rosemary

:: Honey Rosemary Simple Syrup Directions ::
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Stir continuously over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Let Cool.

:: Honey Rosemary Ginger Gin Fizz Ingredients ::
2 Tablespoons Honey Rosemary Simple Syrup
1/2 Cup Gin
3/4 Cup Ginger Ale

:: Honey Rosemary Ginger Gin Fizz Directions ::
Combine ingredients in a glass over ice. Stir to combine and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

The Happiest Hour {Salty Breeze}

Hi and happy Tuesday! If there is something I love more than special events, it's got to be mixing up tasty, seasonal cocktails. Sun shiny days are on there way and it's time to store the bourbon and break out the juicer. Fresh squeezed cocktails always seem to taste better, and using summer citrus will make the perfect seasonal sipper. This one is a combo of lemon and lime juice with a touch of honey, a bit of vanilla, a splash of gin and a sprinkle of sea salt. The subtle salty flavor give a nice balance to the sweet and tart. This very well may be my new spring cocktail. Here's the recipe.

:: Ingredients ::
2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 Tablespoon Honey
1 Lime, juiced
1/2 Lemon, juiced
3 oz Gin
1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt

:: Directions ::
1. In a small saucepan, combine simple syrup, vanilla extract and honey. Heat and stir till honey is melted.
2. Combine the simple syrup mixture with remaining ingredients and shake to combine. Strain over ice, garnish with lime, and enjoy!

The Happiest Hour {Honey Lemon Vodka}

Serving up a fabulous cocktail is all about using what you have and combining it in a new way. The staple cocktails are great to have, but every event should have a new cocktail creation that sparks guests interest and gets them trying new things.

Trying to think of a new cocktail to make up a lazy Sunday afternoon can get a bit difficult when you are working with what you have. But, it's all about thinking outside the box. During the summer months, I love using lemon whenever possible. It's so light and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. But during the fall, nothing beats mixing fresh lemon in a glass of hot tea with some honey. So why not combine the two in an icy summer treat that's full of sweetness and a bit of tang. Here' the mix up...

:: Ingredients ::
2 oz. Vodka
3 oz. San Pelligrino Limonata
2 Tablespoons Honey, plus more for rimming glasses
Ice

:: Directions ::
1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Mix.
2. Pour honey on a plate and rim each glass.
3. Pour each drink over ice in honey rimmed glass and serve.

Dining Uncorked {Yummy Granola}

My stepmom has been making granola for years and it's delicious. But, I've always felt I didn't have the time, or really know how, to make granola. I've found these recipes and as amazing as they look, there are just too many ingredients or too many steps. Until I found this recipe on The Gracious Pantry. It's a clean eating granola and only contains 5 ingredients! Seriously it's amazing. All you need to make it is mixed grains, walnuts, unsweetened applesauce, honey or agave, and cinnamon. It's the perfect amount of sweetness and crunchiness. My new favorite way to eat it, besides on its own, is by putting peanut butter on an apple and dipping it in the granola. It's sweet, crunchy, healthy, and delicious. Here is the recipe so you can see what I'm talking about!

Clean Eating Granola
(Makes approximately 3 1/2 cups)

Ingredients
3 cups mixed grains (rolled oats will work fine as well)
1/2 cup walnuts – chopped
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup agave or honey
2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Step 1 – Put your grains and walnuts in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2 – In a separate bowl, mix all remaining ingredients with a whisk.

Step 3 – Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the grains and blend well. At first, it will seem as though there isn’t enough wet stuff, but keep mixing. It will eventually blend well and coat evenly.

Step 4 – Spread over a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Step 5 – Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes so it doesn’t burn. It’s done when it feels dry and has a nice golden brown color.

Allow to cool before serving.

Enjoy!