I am a big fat weenie when it comes to cold weather. I would never survive a winter in the north. I barely survive the two months out of the year here in Louisiana that get cold. And this week has been one of those dreary and cold weeks. The sky is grey, the air is damp, and I'm under a blanket with not so attractive house shoes on while I sit here and write. Our house is built off the ground and it doesn't keep heat well and sometimes I feel like I can't get warm, no matter how many layers I put on. There are only two things that help that situation...a hot bath or a hot toddy. I think we'll go with a hot toddy... My kumquat hot toddy will warm you up and will also help fight off any yucky winter colds that might be trying to attack.

I love a good excuse to drink a cocktail and you can basically talk yourself into this one by justifying the fact that it truly will help kick those scratchy throats to the curb. I drink them whether I am sick or not during the winter months because there is something so soothing about drinking this warm mug full of goodness.

PostedJanuary 15, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagshot toddy recipe, kumquat recipes, kumquat cocktails, cocktails, Thirsty Thursday, Cheers, Gluten Free, Warm Drinks, Winter Cocktails, Spiced Cocktails, Kumquat Hot Toddy

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This is it...there are only two more days left of 2014. Every year I say the same thing, but seriously I blinked and the year is over already. We have only two days to finish the year with a bang and with meaning. Two days before diets start, new year resolutions begin, and we are all a year older. And if there were ever a time for you to make a festive drink, tomorrow would be it. New Year's Eve gives us all an excuse to drink as froo froo of a drink as we want and it should definitely involve some type of sparkling wine or champagne whether you usually go for the bubbles or not. My lemon ginger twist is easy enough for a party and is perfect for watching the ball drop.

PostedDecember 30, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

TagsNew Year's Eve Cocktails, New Year's Eve, Cocktail Recipes, Lamarca Prosecco, Champagne Cocktails, Cheers, Holiday Drinks, Lemon Ginger Twist, Bubbly

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The house we live in was built in 1910 and was built off of the ground, as most houses in Louisiana are, and while it's character and charm are what we love most there is a downside. When it gets below 55ish degrees outside, you can bet that it is cold in the house and it's really hard to keep warm. The floors hold no heat so slippers are a must...and layers, lots of layers...and a glass of mulled wine helps too.

I know that I am a complete an utter sissy when it comes to being cold. I don't know if I could make it in a place that actually got cold weather. I attribute that to living in Louisiana for too long. We don't really get winters. Most Christmases are spent, if we are lucky wearing light jackets. It isn't until January that we have a smidge of winter weather.

But in my case 50 degrees in winter enough for me and plenty of reason to build a fire and make some mulled wine. This week there has been a nip in the air, enough for me to turn the heat on and cozy up with a blanket every night. Add some spiced warm wine and you almost forget that your feet are freezing.

PostedDecember 18, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagsmulled wine, mulled wine recipes, holiday cocktails, cocktail recipes, winter cocktails, Spiced wine, Cold Weather Drinks, Christmas cocktails, Thirsty Thursday, cocktails, holiday

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Bourbon Salted Caramel Mochas: My Diary of Us

Pumpkin Latte, Smumpkin Latte...give me the salted caramel mochas at Starbucks any day. I know they are horrible for me...but they only come around once a year and I can't resist a salty and sweet combo...so sue me. I get 'em every chance I can during the months of November and December and half of the time I don't even ask for skim milk (gasp). I was talking with a friend who is equally as obsessed as I am and we mentioned how some bourbon would the perfect addition for a holiday after dinner drink! Challenge accepted...and I present to you, at home bourbon salted caramel mochas!

You know how after a big holiday meal, you really want dessert but there really isn't that much room left in your belly and then you end up eating that piece of pie anyway and your stomach hates you for the next two hours and your pants feel like they might decide to pop open at any second? Yeah..I know that feeling, it happens a little too often during the holidays.

PostedDecember 11, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails, Dessert

TagsHoliday Drinks, Salted Caramel Mochas, Dessert Drinks, Thirsty Thursday, Spiked Drink Ideas, Cocktails, Chocolate Recipes, Mocha Recipes, Homemade Mochas, Cheers, cocktails, dessert, holiday

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I am getting in the holiday spirit, despite the weather being above 80 degrees since we returned home from New York. I decorated my house, put up the tree, and have been blaring Christmas music all day everyday (I'm driving Canean crazy with it), but I secretly think he likes it. My favorite thing to do every night has been cozying up on the couch with a book by the tree and perhaps a glass or two of red wine and have been thinking that maybe I should just leave a tree up all year long...that wouldn't be crazy would it? Anyway, when we were in New York I had a beet cocktail that surprised me in the all the right ways. I knew that this week I had to make a a version of it that would be perfect for the holidays! The beet twist is totally unexpected in all the right ways, and it's basically like helping your body detox as you are drinking, soooo...it's good for you.

Do you like how I did that right there? Made a cocktail good for you?

PostedDecember 4, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

TagsBeet Cocktails, The Beet Twist, Winter Cocktails, Holiday Cocktails, Seasonal Cocktails, Fresh Ingredients, Thirsty Thursday, Cheers, Anthropologie, Anthropologie Cocktail Glasses, cocktails

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Pumpkin and Apple Spice Cocktail: My Diary of Us

November has been a whirlwind and I literally cannot believe that this week is Thanksgiving! I usually already have Christmas decorations up and this year I have nothing done! I am starting to get a little anxiety about it like all the trees will sell out and I will be Christmas tree-less this year, which I know is a little dramatic... I am hoping that our trip to NYC this week will be just what I need to get myself into the holiday spirit. That, and a festive cocktail. And since Thanksgiving is on Thursday I decided you might need this week's cocktail a smidge early so that you can run out to the store and get the ingredients in time to serve it to your guests this week! This pumpkin and apple spice cocktail is super easy and delicious!

This cocktail is literally three ingredients and can be served hot or cold depending on what you are in the mood for. It kind of taste like apple cider's cocktail cousin and is a whole lot easier to make at home.

PostedNovember 25, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

TagsCheers, Thanksgiving cocktails, Cathead Vodka, Cathead Vodka Recipes, apple cider, Fall cocktails, cocktail recipes, Thanksgiving, Pumpkin Spice recipes, Apple cocktails

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