The Happiest Hour {Spiked Meyer Lemonade}

I remember as a kid setting up many less than successful lemonade stands on the side of the road. Maybe my recipe just wasn't right or maybe people just didn't care enough. Either way, it was enough to bring tears to this little girl face. However, I'm willing to bet these people would want every last bit of my lemonade stand now. Not only have I perfected the lemonade recipe but made it really appealing by adding a splash (or two) of vodka. Here's my recipe for this easy and delicious summer sipper.

:: Ingredients ::
1 Meyer Lemon, juiced
2 Tablespoons Simple Syrup
2 oz Vodka
Water

:: Directions ::
Combine the first 3 ingredients in an glass over ice. Top with water, shake, sip, and enjoy!

The Happiest Hour {Vodka Limeade}

I'm happy as happy can be. The groundhogs told me last week that spring is quickly approaching and I'm preparing already. Trying to think of fun cocktails, spring parties, bright decor, and more has consumed my thoughts for the past couple days. I'm full of ideas and can't wait to share them as the warmer weather gets closer. I want to start the spring season off right with one of my favorite warm weather cocktails, limeade. When mixed with a shot of vodka, it's wonderful to serve at afternoon garden parties or sip on the beach. Light and refreshing, it won't make you feel to full on a hot afternoon. Here's the recipe.

:: Ingredients ::
1.5 Limes, Juiced
1/4 Cup Simple Syrup
2 oz Vodka
2/3 Cup Water

:: Directions ::
Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Strain over ice and serve with a lime wedge garnish.

The Happiest Hour {Clementine Martini}

Ever since Rob came home last week and announced that he had a sore throat, I've been incorporating enormous amounts of Vitamin C into my diet wherever I can. One way I've been doing this is by eating tons of clementines. However, the problem with clementines is they come in such a large box inspiring me to find different ways to use them. My new favorite way is the clementine martini. A combination of fresh squeezed clementine juice, blood orange juice, vodka and simple syrup, this martini is a fun way to incorporate a bit of Vitamin C and serve up a fresh, seasonal libation. Here's my recipe.

:: Ingredients ::
3 Clementines, juiced
1 oz Blood Orange Juice
1.5 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Simple Syrup

:: Directions ::
Combine ingredients and shake to mix. Strain over ice and serve.

Stock the Holiday Bar

Tis the season for holiday parties! They can be such fun to attend, but if you are hosting your own it, like any other party, can get a bit overwhelming. You want to make sure all guests are pleased and have something there they enjoy, but can't tailor a menu to everybody's taste. The same goes for the bar. Some people prefer vodka over gin, whisky over scotch, craft beer over commercial styles, and champagne over wine. Either way, you want to make sure there is something there for everybody but don't want to break the bank buying everything in the liquor store. Fear no more! Here is the guide to stocking the perfect holiday bar. You won't break the bank and everybody is sure to be pleased. With these staple items guests can make the cocktail of their choosing. Happy Holiday bar stocking!

Liquors:
1 Vodka
1 Rum
1 Whisky
1 Tequila

Wines:
1 Red
1 White
1 Sparkling (Champagne, Prosecco, etc.)

Mixers:
Coke
Sprite
Sweet n' Sour
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice

Additions:
Limes
Cherries

The Happiest Hour {Candy Cane Cocktail}

No holiday party is complete without a signature holiday cocktail. Cranberry, chocolate, and gingerbread are all excellent choices, but for this gathering, I opting for something a little fresher and mintier, candy cane. The minty freshness and bright red color are ideal for any gathering. To make this holiday libation, I combined crushed candy cane's and vodka. After the candy cane's dissolved, mix with a bit of grenadine and a splash of soda water for a party worthy sipper. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients for Vodka ::
12 Full Size Candy Canes
750 ml Vodka

:: Directions for Vodka ::
1. Crush candy canes to a fine powder and pour into vodka.
2. Shake to mix and let sit until candy canes dissolve, about 30 minutes.

:: Ingredients for Cocktail ::
1 part Candy Cane Vodka
1 part Grenadine
1 part Soda Water

:: Directions for Cocktail ::
Combine ingredients, garnish with candy cane, sip and celebrate!

The Happiest Hour {Apple Pie Vodka}

Everything is set and ready to go for Thanksgiving tomorrow. We are off today to Rob's parents to spend the holiday enjoying mother nature and good company. I wanted to take today to focus on my favorite part of the holidays, cheerful cocktails. My new obsession is to turn decadent holiday treats into drinks filled with holiday spirit.

Last week we were visiting my sister on our way up to Tennessee for a wedding. After dinner she pulled out a mason jar of something divine smelling. It was apple pie liquor. Made in large quantities, I figured out this was the perfect thing to make and give to friends over the holidays or serve up at parties with a splash of club soda. Here's the recipe...

:: Ingredients ::
1 Gallon Apple Cider
1/2 Gallon Apple Juice
3 Cups Sugar
8 Cinnamon Sticks
1 Liters Vodka (The higher the proof the better. 190 proof is suggested, however a lesser proof can be used.)

:: Directions ::
1. Combine apple cider, apple juice, sugar, and cinnamon sticks in a large pot. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
2. Once completely cooled, strain to remove sediment. Add vodka and portion into mason jars. Secure lids tightly 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.

All Mixed Up {Vanilla Pear Drop}

There is nothing I love better than creating a new delicious cocktail! And, boy do I have a treat for you, a Vanilla Pear Drop. Interesting right? Well here it is. Pear nectar, vanilla vodka, and a vanilla sugar rim. That's it and it's the perfect fall treat. It's utterly delicious and full of hints of fall flavor.  Here's what you'll need...

{1} 2 oz. Vanilla Vodka (I use Cupcake)
{2} 4 oz. Pear Nectar
{3} Vanilla Extract
{4} Sugar

{Step 1} Dip the rim of your glass in vanilla extract then roll it in the sugar.
{Step 2} Combine the vodka and pear nectar in a shaker and mix.
{Step 3} Pour over ice and enjoy!

What's your favorite fall cocktail?