Love Happy Hour - Pour Play - "The Spring Break" Cocktail with Kumquats

The Spring Break Cocktail

The Spring Break Cocktail

March 8th, 2013

by Maren Swanson

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to say hello to warmer days and sunshine than toasting to a fresh cocktail made with the fruits of the season. I cannot tell a lie - this is my favorite cocktail recipe to date. "The Spring Break" is refreshing, citrusy, vibrant and…addicting. The warmer the days become, the more you'll be busting out the muddler and on a mission!

Kumquats are an Asian gem; small, flavorful fruit filled with a sour-citrus punch and encased in a sweet and succulent skin. These olive-sized orange cousins brighten up "The Spring Break" cocktail and serve as a tasty snack, too. Most people are surprised to find out that you can eat the kumquat in its entirety - just be careful of the seeds!

I found kumquats at my local Trader Joe's for around $3. Before you muddle them in the drink, slice them in half and remove the seeds with a fork. Muddle the kumquat halves with the simple syrup, and then layer the rest of the ingredients in a martini shaker. Shake vigorously and pour your drink over fresh ice (including the muddled kumquats). Top with sparkling lemon water. Garnish with fresh basil. As you are enjoying the drink, don't forget to nibble on the vodka soaked kumquat treats.

I guarantee this drink will be one of your new favorites! Plus, it's a great alternative Easter cocktail to serve instead of mimosas. Happy Spring Break!

"The Spring Break" cocktail recipe:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
1 oz Pom or Pom Lite juice
3 kumquats
1/2 oz simple syrup
lemon sparking water
ice
-------------------------------

muddle kumquats with
simple syrup
layer remainding ingredients in
a martini shaker
pour over fresh ice
top off with lemon sparkling water
garnish with fresh basil

Love Happy Hour - Pour Play - "The Spring Break" Cocktail with Kumquats

The Spring Break Cocktail

The Spring Break Cocktail

March 8th, 2013

by Maren Swanson

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to say hello to warmer days and sunshine than toasting to a fresh cocktail made with the fruits of the season. I cannot tell a lie - this is my favorite cocktail recipe to date. "The Spring Break" is refreshing, citrusy, vibrant and…addicting. The warmer the days become, the more you'll be busting out the muddler and on a mission!

Kumquats are an Asian gem; small, flavorful fruit filled with a sour-citrus punch and encased in a sweet and succulent skin. These olive-sized orange cousins brighten up "The Spring Break" cocktail and serve as a tasty snack, too. Most people are surprised to find out that you can eat the kumquat in its entirety - just be careful of the seeds!

I found kumquats at my local Trader Joe's for around $3. Before you muddle them in the drink, slice them in half and remove the seeds with a fork. Muddle the kumquat halves with the simple syrup, and then layer the rest of the ingredients in a martini shaker. Shake vigorously and pour your drink over fresh ice (including the muddled kumquats). Top with sparkling lemon water. Garnish with fresh basil. As you are enjoying the drink, don't forget to nibble on the vodka soaked kumquat treats.

I guarantee this drink will be one of your new favorites! Plus, it's a great alternative Easter cocktail to serve instead of mimosas. Happy Spring Break!

"The Spring Break" cocktail recipe:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
1 oz Pom or Pom Lite juice
3 kumquats
1/2 oz simple syrup
lemon sparking water
ice
-------------------------------

muddle kumquats with
simple syrup
layer remainding ingredients in
a martini shaker
pour over fresh ice
top off with lemon sparkling water
garnish with fresh basil

Love Happy Hour - National Margarita Day at the Bar at Cliff’s Edge - Silver Lake - "Dear Love"

Love Happy Hour - National Margarita Day at the Bar at Cliff’s Edge - Silver Lake - "Dear Love"

Ink and Vine - 3rd Annual Santa Clarita WineFest

3rd Annual Santa Clarita WineFest

February 23rd, 2013

Attention all winos! It's about that time for the 3rd Annual Santa Clarita WineFest. This Saturday, March 2nd, enjoy great wine, spirits, brews, cigars, food and music at the Bridgeport Marketplace in Santa Clarita. This Saturday will be a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy over 300 wines and spirits while mingling and tasting bites from local restaurants and food trucks.

Single tickets go for $55 each and couple tickets for $100, but since we LOVE all of you so much, go online now to purchase tickets and enter promo code LOVE to get $80.00 couple tickets! Yes, if you 2 of you attend, Lovehappyhour.com friends will recieve $20 off the original price - we thought you'd like that. Proceeds from the event go to benefit the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for children's cancer. The event goes from 2pm - 6p. See you there!

3rd Annual Santa Clarita WineFest

Bridgeport Marketplace
24045 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91354

Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (PST)

*Receive couple tickets (oringinally $100) for $80.00 when you mention the promo code: LOVE.

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Makin' It With Maren - Valentine's Day: "My Valentine" Cocktail

Makin' It With Maren

Valentine's Day Cocktail: "My Valentine"

by Maren Swanson

February 12th, 2013

Learn how to make this delicious mini martini treat for your Valentine!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and I have created a special treat for you! Whether you are single, in love for the first time, in a serious relationship or married, the "My Valentine" cocktail is the perfect love elixir to get you in the mood for V Day. I wanted to make you something that is delicious, beautiful and sexy. I chose to make this drink in a mini martini glass so you get just the right amount of tangy and sweet in one drink.

This drink isn't overly complicated. You'll just need Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka, Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka, Pineapple Juice, Lemon, Ice, Pixy Stick and Red Sugar (optional). If you really want to make an impression on your Valentine, add a rose petal garnish on top.

Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka

Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka

Pineapple Juice

Pixy Stix & Red Sugar

To make this drink, follow the steps below. I promise that this drink will be a huge hit anyone this Valentine's Day!

"My Valentine" Cocktail:

2 oz Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka
1/2 oz Hard Luck Candy "Red Fish" Vodka
1/2 oz Pineapple Juice
Squeeze of 1 Lemon Wedge
Ice

Garnishes:
Rim: Pixy Stix
Rim: Red Sugar
Rose Petals

Layer ingredients in a glass or martini shaker (not garnishes). Add ice and shake well 3 to 4 times. Re-distribute mixed ingredients to a mini martini glass or tumbler with ice. Top with garnishes. Serve. Enjoy!

Rim of glass:
1. Pour out 6 packets of red Pixy Stix and red sugar on a small plate.
2. Take your lemon wedge and run it along the rim of the mini martini or glass and then gently twist the rim or the lemon-lined glass into the plate of pixy stix and red sugar to create a flavorful and festive rim for your glass.

My Valentine Cocktail by Maren Swanson

In my opinion, this Valentine's Day cocktail tastes like a strawberry cupcake - my favorite!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers,

Maren