EASY SUMMER COCKTAIL RECIPE: SPARKLING LEMON DROP

The Steele Maiden: Easy Summer Cocktail Recipe - Sparkling Lemon Drop

I know I keep saying it lately, but simple is really the name of the game for me amidst a busy, often stressful summer.   And this cocktail is about as simple as they come. It all started with this Spindrift sparkling water, which is flavored with real squeezed fruit. They’re SO refreshing (not sponsored.. I’m just really a fan! Plus, their packaging is pretty which always gets me) that aside form sipping them on their own I figured, why not add a little kick?

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The Steele Maiden: Easy Summer Cocktail Recipe - Sparkling Lemon Drop

To be honest, this one wasn’t a super exact recipe – just kind of to taste. I used a really tiny pinch of sugar to sweeten it up and offset the tartness of all the lemon but you could totally omit that or use more, up to you! Otherwise, a good quality vodka (Tito’s is always a hit), fresh lemon juice and this subtly flavored sparkling water – shake, shake, shake – and you’re good to go. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.

The Steele Maiden: Easy Summer Cocktail Recipe - Sparkling Lemon Drop

P.S. Spindrift sent me these sparkling waters to try, but if you’re on the hunt for them too I’ve seen them at Whole Foods or my local specialty grocery store. 

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SPRING BRUNCH COCKTAIL RECIPE: BOURBON PALOMA

The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

Without fail it happens every March – cabin fever. Adam and I spend so much of our time outside, roaming the city when the weather allows, that after a long winter I just start to go a little stir crazy in our tiny apartment. So I decided if I had to be cooped up, I may as well make the best of it and mix up a spring-inspired cocktail perfect for weekend brunch. A Paloma is usually the tequila and grapefruit version of a mimosa. But I took the mix one step further and subbed bourbon for tequila plus added blood orange and lime and finished with club soda and a dash of pink salt (have you ever used this? It’s so pretty!). The results – a burst of fresh citrus, bit of fizz and an incredibly smooth and refreshing finish. Out of all the cocktails I’ve shared on the blog so far, this may just be my favorite. Below the recipe. Cheers to the weekend friends!

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The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma The Steele Maiden: Spring Brunch Cocktail Recipe - Citrus Bourbon Paloma

*Original recipe found via Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

FALL COCKTAIL RECIPE: APPLE CIDER MOSCOW MULE

The Steele Maiden: Fall Cocktail Recipe - Apple Cider Moscow Mule

Last weekend we took a drive upstate and stopped at an apple orchard to pick up fresh pressed apple cider and – obviously – apple cider donuts. As soon as we got home I knew I wanted to find a fall cocktail recipe that could incorporate the cider. This seasonal take on traditional moscow mules was just the thing. Sweet from the cider but with a bit of zing from the lime and ginger beer and dash of spice from the cinnamon – these tasted like fall in a mug. Oh – and couldn’t be easier to make. If you’re looking for something to make at this weekend’s parties this one could be made in bigger batches is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

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The Steele Maiden: Fall Cocktail Recipe - Apple Cider Moscow Mule The Steele Maiden: Fall Cocktail Recipe - Apple Cider Moscow Mule The Steele Maiden: Fall Cocktail Recipe - Apple Cider Moscow Mule

FOURTH OF JULY COCKTAIL RECIPE

Fourth of July Summer Cocktail Recipe: Tequila Blackberry Lemonade

Not that I’m counting down the minutes or anything.. but my 4 day weekend starts today at 6:00PM. And a long holiday weekend certainly calls for something festive to bring to a beach party or backyard BBQ. This ‘Tequila Blackberry Lemonade’ summer cocktail recipe is a cinch to make (perfect for when you’ve had a long day on the water or for when you’ve already had a few!), is incredibly refreshing and has a just enough of a red, white and blue coloring that it couldn’t be more fitting for the Fourth of July. Cheers friends!

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An added bonus of Summer cocktails? The chance to drink them outside. I love these cute vintage style tumblers (plastic means they’re great for beaches/pools that don’t allow glass plus they’re really affordable) and galvanized ice bucket to keep the extra tequila or lemonade chilled. Toss down a lightweight blanket (this one is actually a cotton sarong sent to me by PopSugar in this month’s #MustHaveBox – along with lots of other cute summer goodies!)… now mix, sip, and repeat.

Fourth of July Summer Cocktail Recipe: Tequila Blackberry LemonadeFourth of July Summer Cocktail Recipe: Tequila Blackberry Lemonade

SPRING COCKTAIL RECIPE: LAVENDER COLLINS

Spring Cocktail Recipe: Lavender Collins

This past weekend, I was thrilled to be a featured blogger at the Lovely Happenings event (aka a fun day filled with bloggers and NYC local business giving their best take on fashion, beauty, food and lifestyle presentations – not to mention about 100 gorgeous guests). Although fashion is my main forté I thought it would be fun to share a spring cocktail demo that guests could learn to make themselves (and then promptly enjoy) on the spot.

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