Happy Hour: Old Fashioneds Are Back in Fashion--Just in Time for Bourbon Month

It's no secret that I am whisky drinker, and specifically, love bourbon. In fact, two of my favorite cocktails are bourbon classics: the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned. So imagine my delight when my friends at Wild Turkey sent me these recipes. Perfect for tonight's happy hour!

Did you know that September is National Bourbon Heritage Month? Seriously. It was declared an official bill by the US Senate. Which is pretty cool and all, but really, who needs an excuse to enjoy these pretty little concoctions?

The Manhattan 101
Ingredients:
1 3/4 ounces Wild Turkey Bourbon
1/3 ounce dry vermouth
1/3 ounce sweet vermouth
1 thin slice fresh ginger
3 mint leaves
1/2 tsp powdered sugar
Dash aromatic bitters

Muddle ginger, mint, powdered sugar and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add Wild Turkey Bourbon, vermouth and ice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass.

The Old Fashioned 101
Ingredients:
1 1/3 ounce Wild Turkey Bourbon
1/2 ounce apple cider
3 sage leaves
1 pinch of saffron
1 tsp brown sugar
2 orange twists
1 tsp orange zest
1 fresh cherry
1 ounce Amaretto

Slice cherry from top to bottom five times around pit, and soak in a cup of Amaretto. Muddle cider, sage, saffron, brown sugar, orange twists and zest together in glass. Add Wild Turkey Bourbon and stir. Strain and serve over ice, garnish with Amaretto-soaked cherry.

Have a lovely evening, xo!

(Photo by Wild Turkey Bourbon)

It's Bubble Tea Time!

Boy, have I been missing out. This weekend I tried Bubble Tea for the first time. How? Why did I not know about this before?! It's truly amazing.

Bubble Tea is a cold, sweetly-flavored tea which was invented in Taiwan. It's unique because it contains small tapioca balls which have a chewy, gummy consistency. It may sound a bit strange, but it's really yummy. And another unique factor is that it's served with a fat straw so that the tapioca balls don't get stuck. This drink is popular with Taiwanese school children, and will definitely make you feel like a kid again. :) And it comes in a variety of flavors.

I tried the Watermelon Bubble Tea at Banh Mi in Brooklyn, which I highly recommend, but you can also make it at home. Enjoy! xo

(Photo via Stephanie Pike)

Happy Hour: Malibu Rum To Go!

I just discovered these mini pouches of Malibu Rum. How cute are they! Looks like they come in three delicious flavors: Rum Punch, Caribbean Cosmo and Tropical Mojito. Malibu Rum Punch Cocktail is made with Malibu Coconut and a blend of pineapple, banana, passion fruit and mango flavors; Malibu Caribbean Cosmo is a blend of Malibu Coconut, lime, orange and cranberry flavors; and Malibu Tropical Mojito blends Malibu Coconut with mango, mint and kaffir lime flavors.

I would love to take these to the beach or pack them for a summer picnic. They look super tasty!

♥,
Lisa Michelle

Happy Hour Thursday: Skinny Girl Margaritas

Happy Thursday! My friend Laura introduced me to Skinny Girl Margaritas a few months ago and now I'm officially addicted. You can buy the ready-made bottles at Astor Wines or you can make them at home. I made them recently when Alex and I went to Miami for a few days (photo above). Recipe below or watch Bethenny Frankel's tutorial. Super easy and slightly guilt-free...Enjoy! xo

Ingredients

• 2 oz of Clear Premium Tequila (count 1, 2 while you pour, no need for measuring)
• Tiny splash of Orange Liquor
• Juice of 4 Fresh Lime Wedges

Preparation

• To serve on the rocks, combine all ingredients over a glass of ice and garnish with a lime wedge