cocktail hour {tropical martini}

The Cheesecake Factory's Tropical Martini

- 2 oz vodka

- 2 oz passion fruit juice

- 1 oz mango juice

- 1 oz pineapple juice

- splash of grenadine

- 1/2 oz simple syrup (optional)

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass (with sugared rim). YUM!

recipe via.

vacation week!

The winter weather rages on in the northeast and my seasonal depression has reached an all time high. Since I can't afford a real vacation right now I'm designating this week as a little virtual vacation from reality. Tropical inspired interiors (and exteriors), fashion and accessories here we come!

Lanikai beach on Oahu (would give anything to be back here right now...)

cocktail hour {hawaiian inspired}

I know I did tropical drinks last week, but we went to the UMass Club tonight for an open house and the theme was Hawaii. It reminded me of the booze cruise we used to go on when I lived in Oahu so I had to share a drink similar to what they served (and a picture too - Waikiki beach and Diamondhead in the background). The U Club called it the "Tiki Tiki Cocktail" and since I love bubbles I had them top mine off to create a "sparkling" version.

sparkling tiki tiki cocktail

- 1 oz coconut rum

- 1 oz vodka

- 1 oz pineapple juice

- 1/2 oz cranberry juice

- soda water and ice

Combine all in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a large glass over ice and top with soda water. Serve with a pretty little umbrella and pineapple slice.

Oh how I miss Hawaii...

happy earth day!

Please do your part to protect our earth today - and everyday forward!

east coast of Oahu, Hawaii.... what I wouldn't give to live here again!

cocktail hour {pineapple}

Is 11 am too early for cocktail hour? At this time three years ago I was living in Honolulu and eating fresh pineapple every single day. So yesterday when I was cutting into one I got to thinking about pineapple drinks... not really the flavor of the moment in New England but we could all use a little vacation, right? As promised, here's two cocktail recipes to try.

pineapple mango mojito

- 2 1/2 oz pineapple flavored rum (or light rum mixed with some fresh pineapple puree)

- 1 1/2 oz fresh lime juice

- 1 1/2 oz simple syrup

- 6 mint leaves

- mango puree

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice for thirty seconds. Strain into {pretty} glasses filled with ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

pineapple fizz

- 1 1/2 oz light rum

- 2 oz pineapple juice

- 1/2 tsp superfine sugar
- club soda

Shake all ingredients (minus the club soda) in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into tall glasses filled with ice. Top with club soda and a pineapple wedge.

Recipes via Cocktail Times.