Holiday Cocktail Ideas for any Occasion

The holiday season is a great time to try new cocktail recipes, whether you are hosting or taking to the host, below are some holiday cocktails that are good for any gathering this season. Each recipe is quite simple, and the punches are great for sharing.

I personally love the St-Germain recipe below. I mentioned St-Germain as being a great ingredient for spring cocktails, however, it is great year round. As a side note, if you do not love cocktails, try adding a splash of St-Germain to a simple glass of champagne... you will not regret it!

The Carlyle Punch is one of the acclaimed beverages served at the New York Carlyle Hotel's iconic bar,  Bemelmans Bar. The cocktail is available on location through the festive season, but enjoy the recipe for the punch below at your holiday gatherings this year.

Grab the bottles, mix up, and enjoy!

The Carlyle Punch (pictured above)
1 ounce Southern Comfort
1 1/2 ounces Raspberry Vodka
1 1/2 ounces Cranberry Juice
1 ounce Orange Juice 1 ounce ST-GERMAIN
1 ounce Simple Syrup 1 to 3 dashes of Bitters
Splash of Champagne

 Method | In a shaker, combine ice with the Southern Comfort, Stolichnaya Raspberry, St. Germain liqueur, simple syrup, orange juice, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice. Pour in a cognac glass over-ice and finish with 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of Champagne. Garnish with blueberries and raspberries.

Winter Flowers Punch
 1 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 cup Superfine Sugar ½ cup ST-GERMAIN
¼ cup Honey
½ cup Cognac, Tequila. Bourbon or Gin
16oz Chilled Brewed Chamomile Tea
2 bottles of MARTINI Prosecco
Orange or Lemon Slices

 Method | Combine the lemon juice, sugar, St-Germain, honey, spirit, and tea in a non-reactive bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the prosecco and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Pour into a decorative bowl or pitcher. Garnish with orange or lemon slices and fresh strawberries, if desired. Serve in champagne flutes, wine glasses or punch cups.

St-Germain Cocktail

2 parts MARTINI Prosecco
1 ½ parts ST-GERMAIN
2 parts Sparkling Water

Method | Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add MARTINI Prosecco first, then ST-GERMAIN, then sparkling water. Stir completely and garnish with a lemon twist.

Photos: St-Germain, Martini

4th of July Cocktail Ideas

Since we are heading into a great summer, holiday weekend, what better way to prepare than with some great cocktail ideas? Below are 2 rum based cocktails (whenever I think of rum I think of tropical and summer- what about you?) that are something to consider for your weekend party.


Perfect for Sharing:

Hemingway Daiquiri Punch
15 oz Caliche Rum
5 oz maraschino liqueur
8 oz fresh grapefruit juice
6 oz lime juice

build with ice in punch bowl and stir. Serves 5-7 people




Individual Sips:

Cali Daiquiri
2 oz Caliche Rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz cane syrup or simple syrup
1 fresh strawberry

combine all ingredients, lightly muddle the strawberry. In an ice shaker, shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass.

Happy Sipping!

Springtime St Germain Cocktails

One of my favorite things about the warmer weather, longer days, and spring season is enjoying refreshing cocktails on the patio in the sun or next to the fire bowl during warm evenings. St. Germain, the artisanal French liqueur, is a great way to elevate cocktails for the spring season. I love the refreshing flavor it brings to any recipe to which it is added.

One of my favorite, and easy, springtime cocktails to make is the classic "Signature St Germain." This drink is super easy and is great for serving to a crowd as it is simple enough to serve in a carafe or pitcher. Not to mention I simply love the flavor of St Germain and their slogan says it all "La Vie Parisienne en Bouteille"....who could want more?

St-Germain Cocktail

1 1⁄2 parts St-Germain
2 parts Champagne or dry white wine
2 parts club soda or sparkling water

Stir ingredients in a tall, ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Garnish with a lemon twist. If necessary, substitute sparkling wine, Prosecco or Cava for Champagne. For the dry white wine, Sauvingon Blanc works best.

*I like to add my own personal touch and add a few fresh seasonal berries. This particular time, strawberries fit the bill!

Looking for  more great ways to incorporate St Germain into your springtime sips? Try these additional recipes below!

Springtime Punch
14oz Bombay Sapphire gin
7 oz St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
1 spring of sage
6 oz Fresh guava juice
6 oz Lemon juice
Black peppercorn

Sangria Flora 
3 Cups Sauvignon Blanc or Dry white wine
¾ Cups St-Germain artisanal French elderflower liqueur
5 Fresh Strawberries (halved)
5 Fresh Raspberries
5 Fresh Blackberries
10 Fresh Grapes

Stir ingredients in a carafe. Let the mixture soak for 15 minutes (or longer if desired), then pour into ice-filled glasses. *The fruits listed are merely suggestions. Many combinations of local, seasonal fruit will work nicely with St-Germain. Be creative! Serves 4-6 people.

Go-To Winter Cocktails

I am always on the hunt for new cocktail recipes to add to my already seemingly large collection. As we head in to the weekend, what better way to start than a great cocktail? The craft cocktail trend has become very popular, with craft cocktail bars popping up in major cities all around the world. While I love going out for a good drink (or a few) some times my wallet begs to differ!

I was recently exposed to Rokz, a brand that brings ingredients and recipes to your home to make the perfect craft cocktail. The brand specializes in innovative and beautifully designed products that include infusions, cocktail sugars and margarita salts for the craft cocktail. Below are two new recipes from Rokz to try and  add to your collection.

Spiced Up Cider Cocktail:
- 2 ounces rokz cinnamon spice infused whiskey
-3 ounces apple cider Infuse your favorite whiskey with rokz cinnamon spice infusion.

Fill a glass (highball glass or white wine glass) 1/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in the infused whiskey and top with apple cider. Stir gently until mixed. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

One Incredible Mary Cocktail:

-1.5 ounces rokz fiery pepper infused vodka 

-4 ounces tomato juice 

-A squeeze of lime juice 

-1/2 tsp worcestershire Salt and pepper to taste 

-Garnish: rokz bloody mary salt rim, wedge of lime 

 Infuse your favorite vodka with rokz fiery pepper infusion. Rim a glass with rokz bloody mary salt. Combine ingredients and ice in a glass, stir and enjoy.

I don't know about you, but these concoctions definitely sound like they would warm up the body on a cold winter afternoon or evening! Rokz products are available at department stores like Nordstrom and retailers such as Whole Foods as well as online.

Images: Rokz

New Years Champagne Cocktail

2013 is coming to a rapid close. Looking back it was a year filled with a lot- new jobs, internships, relationships, and travel. I soaked up the sun in the French Riviera and indulged in fashion in Milan. In between was filled with lots of cashmere cable knits and chinos, of course. Here's to making 2014 even better!

As we raise our glasses for the last time in 2013, I recommend the below cocktail I found from the "Kitchn". It is a spiced citrus champagne. A twist on my personal favorite, champagne. It is a simple recipe blending a spiced simple syrup, orange juice, and champagne. I know I will be filling my glass with Moet and adding in a spice this evening!

Cheers to 2014!

Spiced Citrus Champagne
1 cup water
1/2 cup honey
Zest of 2 lemons, cut into long strips
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 whole star anise
4 cinnamon sticks
12 whole cloves
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
Champagne, or dry sparkling white wine

 Bring water, honey, lemon zest and juice, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Cool syrup. Serve each glass of champagne with 1 tablespoon spiced syrup and a splash of orange juice, to taste. Garnish with a slice of star fruit or a lemon twist.

P.S. Check out the Kitchn for even more great champagne cocktails perfect for the occasion!