"I'm just having one drink tonight."

Today we're learning how to make soup with olive croutons aka a big 'ole batch of dirty martini. So grab your largest coupe and let's do this 🍸

What if I told you this margarita was made with 100% blue Weber agave but it’s NOT with tequila? 🤔

I’ve created the perfect cocktail for your Labor Day Weekend. This recipe is a cross between a dirty martini and a margarita. It has the savory notes of the martini, but makes it more sessionable like a margarita. Weber Ranch is made with 100% Blue Weber Agave, just like premium tequilas, but thats where the similarities end. The flavor profiles produced from distilling blue weber agave produces an earthy, sweet and mellow vodka without the astringency of a traditional vodka made from potatoes. Yes, its great in a regular dirty martini too, but you definitely need to give this recipe a try this weekend.

Here for the savory martini riffs 🍸🙋🏾‍♂️

#ad 21+ I’m going to show you how to add a bit more savory olive notes into your martinis by a process known as “fat washing”. Fat washing using alcohol (in this case #FinlandiaVodka) to extract the subtle flavors out of fat soluble products. Today we’re going to be infusing our vodka with both extra virgin olive oil and bay leaf. This recipe, paired with this dry vermouth produces an exceptionally savory and delightful martini. A couple drops of EVOO to finish just gives it that silky smooth, rich mouthfeel that just puts this one over the top.

Have you ever tried fat washing? Let me know what you think!

Cheers y’all.

Elevate your at-home martini game 🍸

A martini service is my favorite way to serve up a martini for 2. It lets everyone pick and choose their own variation and everyone leaves happy. Feel free to scale this recipe into a bigger batch since this would be great as a freezer door martini as well.

Cheers y’all

If you add olive brine, does it automatically make it dirty? 🫒

For #WorldPalomaDay, we’re doing exactly that and it’s absolutely wonderful.

Check out the recipe below, cheers y’all.

This Venetian twist on a Bicicletta - The Vaporetto 🚤

It’s #spritzszn so today we’re making some with my friends at bonterra. Unlike a Bicicletta, this one will use a base of Bonterra’s Rosé, which uses 100% certified organic grapes that give this wine a dry, crisp but fruity palate with an acidic finish. The addition of Cappelletti enhances the grapefruit notes in this wine and is accentuated by the hint of Meyer lemon in the soda water.

It’s light, refreshing and very crushable.

Cheers y’all!

You’ve heard the term teeny tiny, but have you heard the term… 🍸🤏🏾

You asked for more Paloma riffs, I gotchu!

This one subs the traditional salt rim with olive brine and it works SO well with the grapefruit in this recipe. Saline and aperitivos rend to accentuate the citrus notes and in this case, it brings out some of the grapefruit in Salers. Hope yall enjoy this one, it’d be a good one to batch.

Oh the weather outside is… weather? Wait, how does it go?

I know we just did a classic martini but when it comes to martini variations, this one is my absolute favorite. This recipe is simple, elegant and perfect after a long day. Enjoy this one next to the fire and bundle up with a Christmas movie.

PS. For every “oh boo hoo, you wasted some and spilled liquor everywhere” or “what a mess” comment, I’ll be donating $5 to my kids’ college funds. I know it’s coming 😄

Ooooh… stunninnnnnn….

If you’ve never put olives in your Spritz, you’re missing out. I want to show y’all the versatility of luxardousa’s Bitter Bianco by using it in classic, aperitivo-forward cocktails such as a traditional spritz. Since the Bitter Bianco is crystal clear and free from artificial dyes/colors, it provides for a gorgeous and unique experience that you and your guests are sure to enjoy. If you’ve never had a Bianco Venetian Spritz, its has notes of bitter citrus and a bright/fruity finish, try this one out!

HandcraftAfterDark | Episode 3: White Venetian

I’m a sucker for a Negroni with a couple dashes of saline but have you ever tried it with olive brine? Its a match made in heaven.

Here’s the third episode of Handcraft After Dark. In this series, I’ll feature some of my favorite night caps and maybe even some recipes that YOU recommend. Here’s the catch: they always have to be stirred and must contain 4 or less ingredients (not including the garnish).

This video series will be no-frills, quick, easy, and straightforward recipes that you can make in less than 5 minutes. Have a favorite recipe that fits the description above? Let me know in the comments section.

MSG gets a bad rap, but don’t let it scare you from making this 🍸

MSG or Mono-sodium Glutamate has been widely used in cooking for centuries, but did you know it can be naturally derived as well? This compound is found in every day food such as mushrooms, tomatoes, meat and many other vegetables. There’s nothing scary or dangerous about this ingredient, just like anything else… when used in moderation. MSG is important in cooking since it provides that ‘5th’ flavor profile - UMAMI.

“What does umami taste like?” - you (probably)
Umami is the savory or meaty taste of foods. It comes from three compounds that are naturally found in plants and meat: glutamate, inosinate, and guanylate.

What can I say, I’m a sucker for olives in my spritz.

Here’s to my ongoing obsession with trying to make a clear Negroni using new ingredients. This is a cross between a Venetian Spritz (as seen in “Spritz!” by @taliabaiocchi / @lesliepariseau) and a traditional Negroni. Just that slight salinity from the brine really balances this cocktail out. Recipe below!

What can I say, I’m a sucker for olive brine in my bittersweet cocktails.

A home bar standard and favorite, the Dirty Martini. This recipe is perfect and provides the perfect balance.