Tax Day Celebratory Cocktails

Wahooo: Tax day is upon us! For some of you it’s good news for others it’s bad, but I think everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that it’s over. Well, unless you filed for an extension like me, but that’s another story. Everyone is rejoicing a just a little, but you know who’s throwing doing the most cartwheels? That’s right, the tax accountants. You may or may not be happy to deal with them at this time of year, but I can guarantee they’ll be more relieved than you when this thing is all over. How do I know?

I’m not an accountant myself, but there are so many in my family that I’ve lost count. It causes a little friction around this time of year, but it always pays off in the end. The day after tax day, we all get together and have a ginormous party (wahooo)!

I kind of feel like I’m cheating because I don’t do anyone’s taxes (including my own), but I go along for the ride anyway. They don’t mind, especially if I come with cocktails in tow (and you know I do).

Here are two recipes for my favorite after-tax-season cocktails:

Mind Eraser

¾ ounce Kahlua
1 ¼ ounce Vodka
1 ounce Club Soda

Fill a glass with ice. Pour the Kahlua and vodka and then top off with club soda. Stir it gently, and drink quickly (that is, if you want to erase your mind).

Income Tax

1 ounce Gin
1 spritz Dry Vermouth
1 spritz Sweet Vermouth
½ ounce O.J.
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Enjoy; you’ve earned it.

Easter Cocktails

I have to say, I’m a big fan of holidays, but Easter isn’t really at the top of that list. I’m not really sure why. I’m not religious, but that hasn’t stopped me from liking every other holiday. I think it’s because Easter comes at a time when it’s just starting to get nice out, and I have about a million other things I’d rather be doing than sitting inside and overeating. Maybe I can convince the fam to do an Easter barbeque this year, since it’ll be so nice out.

Either way, my contribution to the feast will be the cocktails. Even if I’m stuck inside, at least the cocktails will help jazz things up a bit, right? As long as I don't jazz things up enough to involve a police officer or two, I'm in the clear.

So, here are some ideas I had for Sunday. Which do you think I should make?

Chambord Spritzer:
1 oz. Chambord
1 1/2 oz. white wine

Juice from half a lime

Splash of club soda
Blue or pink marshmallow Peep (for garnish)

Pour the Chambord in a tall glass, then add white wine. Top with lime juice, then add ice and a splash of club soda. Garnish with a peep (this is a yellow drink, so the blue and pink Peeps are a great contrast.

Mimosa (a classic for Easter brunch):

4 oz. champagne
2 oz. orange juice
½ oz. Cointreau

Pour orange juice and Cointreau into chilled glass.
Top with champagne.

Blue cottontail

1 1/2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. triple sec

1/4 oz. blue Curaçao


Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a martini glass and serve.

I love the name of the blue cottontail, but the Chambord spritzer seems like it’ll be the most visually appealing. Decisions, decisions.

The Ultimate April Fool's Cocktail

Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone! I hope you’re out there planning some fun tricks on your friends. You know; being the pranker instead of the prankee. Me? I’m staying home in my safety zone today… try and get me!

April Fool’s Day is one of those weird holidays. Why on earth do we have a holiday where we make each other out to look like fools? Well, it was really eating away at me, so I looked it up. Apparently, in 1582, there was a change to the calendar and New Year’s was moved. Back then the holiday lasted a week instead of a day, but it ended up moving to the first of January, as we know it today. Before the move, it was March 25th to April 1st.

But, back then, they didn’t have cell phones – or even regular phones for that matter. So, news traveled at a snail’s pace. Many people didn’t even hear of the change for years (imagine that!). And there were others who heard of the change, but refused to accept it. So basically, anyone who didn’t celebrate the holiday on its new date was labeled as a fool. The other people would mock them and send them on “fools errands” – and there you have it. That’s why we prank each other on April Fool’s Day. Kind of a cool story, isn’t it?

Okay, so now let’s get down to business. You’ve probably got a slew of tricks up your sleeve, but have you ever heard of a cement mixer? It’s a cocktail that you can trick your friends into drinking – and it turns into a cement-like consistency in their mouths. How awesome is that?

Here’s how it’s done: Ask your victim to take a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream and hold it in his or her mouth. Then, they take a sip of lime juice. The best part is watching the look on their faces as the Bailey’s starts curdling in their mouths: priceless! They might be on the phone with their nurse before the nasty concoction even goes down. Just don’t call it a cement mixer before you get them to try this drink or they might catch on too quickly.

Mad Men Premier Party Cocktails

I thought this week was going to be a quiet one on the cocktail front. We’ve already celebrated spring, Saint Patty and all of his cocktail-loving buddies are behind us, and there’s not another major holiday until Easter. But, I was wrong. I guess it’s true what they say: Life is a party, so while we’re here we should dance – and drink cocktails! Okay, I added that last part, but you catch my drift.

You’re probably wondering the cause for celebration, right? Well, I just got myself invited to a really cool Mad Men premier party. Oh, yeah! I’ve never watched the show, but it really looks like something I would like (hence my excitement). Now I have a reason to rent the DVD box set and catch up on old episodes. I wouldn’t want to go to the party looking like a noob, now would I?

My dilemma is this: The premier is in just five days and I have a lot of catching up to do (that’s 52 episodes in less than a week – quite a marathon!) Good thing my classes are at Everest online instead of in person, so I have a little more flexibility. Still, I’m not sure I’ll get through it all before the party. But maybe if I bring some really cool 50s cocktails, no one will notice. Here are the ones I’m considering:

Cuba Libre – Also known as a rum and Coke.

Brandy Alexander – Brandy crème de cacao and nutmeg… yummy!

Gibson Martini – This is essentially a regular martini with cocktail onions instead of olives. I’m not a fan of straight up martinis, but this occasion really seems to call for them.

Old Fashioned – But of course, I’ll prepare this classic cocktail. I just hope the host has the highball glasses.

Okay, that’s probably enough for a Sunday night, don’t you think? Now I’m beginning to realize how a non-Mad-Men watching gal got herself invited in the first place. ;)

Let's Toast to Spring!

Hello there, my cocktail (and mocktail) loving friends! I have to tell you, I’m super excited today. Can you guess why? Dun, dun, dun. Oops, nope. It’s not because Saint Patty’s Day is tomorrow (although I am pretty excited about that too). It’s because the first day of spring is next week (woot!)!!

I’m already really stoked about the daylight savings change that has the sun shining well into the 7-o’clock hour, but on Tuesday, the deal is sealed: it will officially be spring (can I get another woot?)! I absolutely cannot stand the cold New York winters that I’ve had to deal with for my entire life. I say, enough is enough. Actually, I shouldn’t complain too much because this winter has been pretty mild (we’ve been lucky), but I’m still sooooo glad to see it go.

In honor of the first day of spring, I wanted to highlight a few spring cocktails that I’m looking forward to sipping very soon. Possibly next week. And, yes. Maybe all of them. I’m that excited. Although, I’ll probably have to make a few of them as mocktails or it’ll be a rough week.

1. Margarita – No, it isn’t Cinco de Mayo yet, but why reserve such a great drink for just one day? I love the idea of sitting on the veranda of a Mexican cantina sipping margaritas. Who can’t get behind that? Margaritas also bring me back to a simpler time. I was in school learning how to become a nutritionist (a degree that I wouldn’t use much later in life, but that’s another story), and I lived in a tiny apartment over a Mexican restaurant. Let’s just say I had my share of this salt-rimmed beverage.

2. Cherry Blossom Tini – It’s almost time for the cherry trees to bloom, so why not celebrate the occasion with this sake-based cocktail? I’ve never tasted this one, myself, but it sounds quite yummy.

3. White Sangria – Sangria is so easy to make, and I love that it incorporates fresh fruits into the mix. What better way to ring in the spring season than with a white sangria toast?

Saint Patrick's Day Cocktails

Alright, people - the time has come. One of my favorite holidays is almost upon us. That’s right – Saint Patty’s Day! Yay! I honestly don’t even know why I like the holiday so much. I’m only half Irish, and I’m vegan (so no corned beef for this gal). I’m not even a fan of Guinness. Maybe it’s the memories of daytime drinking in my college days that gets me sentimental. Maybe it’s the tattoo I have as a reminder. I’m not sure; but I love me a good Saint Patty’s Day pub crawl. And in that spirit, I’m going to share a few of my favorite Saint Patrick’s themed drinks with you:

Irish Coffee – You can bet this will be how I’ll be starting my Saint Patrick’s Day celebration (that is, if I can find a suitable vegan alternative). Coffee, Irish cream, whiskey and a pinch of nutmeg. Yummers!

Emerald Isle Martini – Just add some blue curacao and melon liqueur to your vodka martini, and you’ve Saint Patrick-ized it! Now, you just have to imagine you’re sitting on the Emerald Isle as you sip on this tasty and festive concoction.

Irish Cactus – I love the idea of this cocktail, but sadly I cannot partake. That just means you’ll have to have one in my honor. Combine two ounces of Irish cream and tequila to make yourself an Irish cactus; just don’t forget to make two!

Green Dublin Martini – Consider this the Irish version of an apple martini. Actually, it’s pretty darn close. To make this drink, you’ll need Irish whiskey (of course), sour apple schnapps and some white cranberry juice (white grape juice will do just fine, if you can’t find white cranberry).

You may have noticed that there’s no mocktail advice this week. Here's my take on that: On Saint Patrick’s Day, you’re either drinking or you’re not. Mocktails need not apply.

Low Key Cocktails

Another week, another cocktail. It’s not such a bad life; I’ll say that much. So, last week, we had our Oscar party with plenty of martinis, Toy Story 3 mocktails and even a little absinthe for those who were feeling especially feisty. So, what’s on the menu for tonight? That’s a great question, and one I was just wondering about for dinner, too.

Tonight, I think we’ll keep things a little more low key since this week is surrounded by parties. Last week it was the Oscars and next week is one of my favorite holidays: Saint Patty’s Day. When I think of low-key cocktails I think of things that are low-maintenance, but still fun. Here are some of my favorite low-key cocktails (they’re also classics):

1. Screwdriver – Does it get any easier than vodka and orange juice? Not only is the ingredient list short, but it’s also easy to find. You probably already have the ingredients in your fridge and bar. For a mocktail, instead of just going with straight-up OJ, I’d suggest mixing in a small amount of club soda.

2. Gin and tonic – This one is as simple as the screwdriver but it has a vintage feel to me: kind of like the martini. The martini would have made this list, but when I think “low key,” I don’t think “high alcohol.” You know, it’s hard to stay low key when you’re completely wasted. A gin and tonic moctail is a little challenging, but you can make a decent one with club soda, lemon juice and a little coconut water.

3. Rum and diet Coke – This one is actually my go-to drink for times like these. I never keep soda in the house, so I have to go out for my rum and diets, but it’s an easy combo that is super casual. When you order a rum and diet Coke, you’re not trying to impress anyone; you’re just looking to sip on a zero-carb cocktail. No mocktail necessary; just drink diet Coke if you’re not looking to get drunk.