The Old Ball and Chain

I made this martini for a bridal shower about a year ago and someone asked me this week for the recipe! I'm glad these adult libations do have some sort of staying power in the minds of my friends and fellow sippers... This is a fun martini for a bridal shower or bachelorette party courtesy of Sandra Lee from the Food Network!

Check it:

Ball and Chain Martini

• 3 ounces of Stoli Blu
• 1 1/2 ounces of Grand Marnier
• splash of fresh lime juice
• fresh blueberries for garnish

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka, orange liqueur, and a splash of lime juice. Shake. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with fresh blueberries. *Note* I have also added a splash of blue curacao to give a little color!

Nuts and Berries

I had this yummy shot last night at Voodoo with the ladies. After we tasted it, we all guessed at the ingredients and no one got it (at least not in full). It's a sweet little after dinner shot and tastes like a rasberry truffle or a classic childhood favorite.

Nuts and Berries:

• 1/2 ounce of Frangelico
• 1/2 ounce of Chambord
• 1/2 ounce of milk (you can use cream or half & half too)

You can shake well or simply pour into a shot glass.

*Here is a slight variation and one of the boyfriend's favorites:

Peanut Butter and Jelly (PB & J):

• 1 ounce of Frangelico
• 1 ounce of Chambord

You can shake well or siply pour into a shot glass.

It's Spring! Breakout the booty shorts!

Here in Charleston, we are famous for our good looking coeds. I think that has a lot to do with the weather. As soon as the thermometer reaches 50 degrees, the short shorts and tank tops are whipped out faster than I don't know what! It could be a balmy 55 degrees at noon and you WILL see bikinis walking around in Uggs! (no seriously, what are you thinking?) Those yankees don't know what "warm" is. Just wait until August, my pretties. But if you too want to get in on the action, buy a cute pair of jean shorts and hit the beach (or King Street). Check out these cheap and chic pairs from Forever 21. And if you need a quick confidence boost after hiding those pasty legs all winter try this yummy pre-stroll concoction. What a city...

Big Booty Shake:

• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup of chocolate ice cream
• 1 1/2 ounces of Southern Comfort

Blend all ingredients well.

*You can make this shake low fat, too by buying low or no fat milk and ice cream.

In preparing for St. Patrick's Day...

In preparing for St. Patrick's Day and a fun weekend of pre-parties, I started thinking of something a little different to prepare. I love Jameson whether its on the rocks, with ginger, coke or cranberry, etc. But I did see this fun concoction on the Jameson Irish Whiskey homepage. I think I will try this one out on of my friends and family Saturday night! I am also including a different kind of recipe, one for food. And I know what your thinking, "There are FOOD recipes?!" Well, yes, there are. You just don't find them here. And sometimes you do need something else besides deep fried egg rolls, Gilroy's pizza, and those yummy Amy's organic burritos! Try a muffin, you fool!

The Perfect Jameson and Lemonade

• 1 1/2 ounces of Jameson
• 4 ounces of soda water (approximately)
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 3 teaspoons of granulated sugar

Place the sugar and the lemon juice in a highball glass and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Then add the Jameson, stir and top with ice. Finish by topping with soda water and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Jameson Whiskey Clove Muffins

2 cups white flour
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¾ cup milk
½ cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
¼ cup Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 425 F

Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add milk, melted butter, eggs and whiskey and stir thoroughly. Add chopped nuts. Stir quickly and pour into large muffin tins lined with paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until well risen and firm to the touch. (Yield: 12 muffins)

*Note* The above picture is me at the ruins of St. Kevin's in Glendalough, Ireland in December 2008. Read the fascinating history of Glendalough at Sacred Destinations. And no, I am not hugging St. Kevin's cross due to my consumption of Jameson!

Southern Belle Hibiscus

I just bought my first round of hibiscus for the season! That being said, I actually just bought a $3 pack of 10 seeds. Well with this economic mess we are all in, I had to start small this year (literally). I have never grown hibiscus from seeds so this will be an adventure in my green-thumb-edness. They are called Southern Belle Hibiscus and are hardy perennials (we'll see, won't we?). Not only do I love hibiscus but these are actually called "southern belles" so the truth be told, the name did have a lot to do with my purchase. And I won't have to drag these in and out of the house during the cold! Speaking of cold, what's up with this weather? I'm freezing!

Here's a pink drink to go with my seedlings!

Pinky:

• 1 ounce of Limoncello


• 1 ounce of Stoli vodka


• Cranberry juice to taste

Shake Limoncello and vodka. Pour into a short (or tall) cocktail glass filled with lots of ice. Add cranberry juice to taste. Garnish with a lemon or lime for a pop of color!

Happy Birthday, Wienie!!!

Even though I am about 5 weeks older and wiser than Wienie, she taught me to drink this concoction due to her vibrant youthfulness! This is one of my favorite drinks that I can get stuck on for weeks, especially in the summer! We haven't had these in awhile...but maybe tomorrow as a pre-dinner cocktail!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Greyhound:

• 1 1/2 ounces of vodka
• 4 ounces of grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce of pineapple juice

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Pour vodka over ice and add both juices. Stir well and enjoy!

*Some greyhounds will be made with gin, so in a bar or restaurant you may want to specify!