Category: Cocktails

How to Make a Classic Margarita on the Rocks

Margaritas are one of my favorite things. I actually love the taste of tequila, so I always say the more the better. But not everyone agrees with me on that. They prefer a more classic margarita.

The key to making a classic margarita is striking a balance between the tequila of choice and the orange-flavored liqueur you pair with it. A strong flavored tequila needs a strong-flavored orange liqueur to stand up to it. You’ll often find margaritas made with Triple Sec, for example, unless you want to get fancier.

So use the following as more of a formula than a true recipe. Use your favorite tequila, whether that’s Jose Cuervo or Patron or whatever, and orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Adjust for flavor as needed. (Tell me what your favorite liquors are in the comments section!)

Be sure to also salt your rim before pouring the margarita into the glass. Salt adds to both the flavor and the aroma of the margarita. Try one sometime without the salt and you’ll see what I mean. 

Ingredients for a Classic Margarita

  • 1.5 oz. tequila
  • 1.5 oz. orange-flavored liqueur
  • 1.25 oz. freshly squeeze lime juice

Optional: 1-2 tablespoons simple syrup

(To make, heat 1 part white sugar with 1 part water until sugar is thoroughly dissolved).

How to make a Classic Margarita:

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker full of ice and add the tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice.
  2. Shake vigorously to combine and pour into salt-rimmed margarita glasses filled with ice.
  3. Serve with a wedge of lime, if desired.

Note: this is a strong drink when first poured, which for people like me is perfect. The flavors will mellow a bit as the ice melts, but that also may make it a bit more palatable for others. If you prefer a little sweeter drink, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of simple syrup to the cocktail shaker before mixing.

Enjoy!

Make sure you have your margarita glasses ready!

Click on any pictures below to get some of the best margarita glasses available. It’s fun to serve up those tasty tequila treats in fun glasses. They are my affiliate links, which means I’ll end up making a few pennies should you make a purchase, but it doesn’t cost you anything else. I love these!

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Sparkling Blueberry Maple Lemonade

One thing I love about the summer months is the abundance of fresh fruit. You can use it to infuse water or get creative by dressing up your favorite beverages. Take this Sparkling Blueberry Maple Lemonade, for example. I have been drinking a lot of lemon juice and freshly squeezed lemonade lately, because that is good for my kidneys. Honey is good for the immune system. And there’s nothing like fresh blueberries at the peak of berry season. Add in a few other ingredients, and you have this flavorful, refreshing beverage that is perfect to serve on a warm summer’s day.

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My Top 10 Posts of 2018

I see bloggers do this a lot, listing their top posts of the previous year or even month. I’ve never felt like I had enough regular content to do so, but this year I do. I did have some very popular giveaways go up this year, but those aren’t going to count. Instead, we have a mix of mostly author interviews and a few cocktails. So enjoy this flashback over the year. I can’t wait to see what you all love to read in 2019!

#10 ~ Interview with Caiseal Mor, author of King of the Blind

Let’s kick off the countdown with an author interview. This is one of my longer interviews, but author Caiseal Mor is full of all kinds of interesting stories and has had many adventures in his life. One fascinating aspect to me is that he was diagnosed with severe autism when he was a kid. Immerse yourself in his world and his book in this Interview with Caiseal Mor, author of King of the Blind. There is a giveaway for a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card that runs until February 6, 2019.

#9 ~ Meet John Feldman, Author of Out of Hiding

If you’re a fan of mysteries and thrillers, be sure to check out Out of Hiding by John Feldman. You can get a sneak peek into it here, plus a bit of the story behind the story from the author. The giveaway ended back in May, but you’ll enjoy the rest of it. So Meet John Feldman, Author of Out of Hiding.

#8 ~ Interview with Madeleine Romeyer Dherbey, author of The Fortress

Historical fiction buffs, especially lovers of WWII history, are going to enjoy this story of the French Resistance. Author Madeleine Romeyer takes us behind the scenes of the book, plus an excerpt to enjoy. The giveaway associated with this one ended back in October, but you’ll still enjoy reading about the book. So enjoy the Interview with Madeleine Romeyer Dherbey, author of The Fortress.

#7 ~ 50 Printable Valentine’s Day Cards

Sometimes you just want to give your Valentine’s Day cards a more personal touch. Or maybe you find the ones in the stores to be a little bit corny and just not your style. Perhaps you just don’t need as many as are in the box or just don’t want extras lying around once you are done. No worries, here are 50 Printable Valentine’s Day Cards for you to make at home.

#6 ~ Meet P.D. Alleva, author of Twisted Tales of Deceit

Author P.D. Alleva is so passionate about his work. Last year I did an interview with him about his book Twisted Tales of Deceit, which is the first book in the Beyond the Chamber Door series. He dives in deep about the book, the series, and his other books and writing. Plus you can get to know a little bit more about him and what he does outside of writing. The giveaway associated with this one ended back in December 2018, but it’s still worth checking out. So Meet P.D. Alleva, author of Twisted Tales of Deceit.

#5 ~ 10 Things You Don’t Know About Author Peggy Jaeger

Contemporary romances are one of my favorite genres. Last year, Peggy Jaeger released Can’t Stand the Heat. Here she gives us 10 facts about herself, plus we get a sneak peek into the book. The associated giveaway ended back in April 2018, but it’s still an interesting read. Learn 10 Things You Don’t Know About Author Peggy Jaeger.

#4 ~ Meet Pamela Foland, author of the Megan’s World Series

I “met” Pamela Foland through the wonderful world of Fiverr when she wanted me to promote her books. We took it a step further and I later read the first books in the series, which I really liked a lot. And then I conducted an interview with her. Learn more about this series, plus some tips for petsitting at Meet Pamela Foland, author of the Megan’s World series and check them out!

#3 ~ Refresh Your Holiday Cocktails with a Peppermint Martini

The holiday season requires cocktails. Even better is when those cocktails have the flavor of the season. Peppermint martinis give a fun twist to this classic drink and actually taste pretty good. So Refresh Your Holiday Cocktails with a Peppermint Martini, or enjoy any time of year!

#2 ~ Meet Michael Jordan, author of The Company of Demons

The Company of Demons is a novel based on a true story, the unsolved Torso Murders, that even the infamous Eliot Ness couldn’t solve. Author Michael Jordan takes us into his process of writing this novel, plus gives us an excerpt to whet our appetites. I admit it also appeals to me because it takes place in my home state and the author lives not too far from where I grew up. But murder mysteries are always fascinating.

This one has a giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card associated with it that actually runs until February 27, 2019, so you can still enter it as of this writing. Check out Meet Michael Jordan, author of The Company of Demons.

#1 ~ 10 Purple Rain Cocktails – RIP Prince

2016 was a horrible year when it came to celebrity deaths. I felt like I was losing my childhood. When Prince died, I took it pretty hard and randomly decided to see if there were any Purple Rain cocktails. I wasn’t disappointed. So here is my best-performing post of 2018, and all time, 10 Purple Rain Cocktails.

What are you looking forward to reading in 2019?

Champagne Cocktail Recipes for New Year’s Eve

The earth has gone around the sun one more time and we’re getting ready to party like it’s 1999 again. Or something like that. We all know that champagne is the beverage of choice for your New Year’s Eve celebration, but can’t we do more with it? Yes, you will likely toast to Auld Lang Syne at midnight and your couple of sips of plain champagne are appropriate for that. But the holiday calls for an excuse to try something different with your bubbly, and I’m not talking about mimosas. So check out these champagne cocktails and enjoy exciting your taste buds as your nose is tickled this New Year’s Eve.

Coconut Champagne Cocktail

Coconut is a super popular flavor and maybe not one that you would think of in the middle of winter. That makes it all the more necessary to serve as something a little different as a champagne cocktail for this New Year’s Eve celebration. To make coconut champagne cocktail, you just have to mix 2 ounces of plain coconut water with 1 ounce of vodka. Toss in about 7 grapes and add about an ounce of champagne, and you’ll have a festive and light drink to enjoy. Plus the grapes are fun to snack on.

St. Germain and Orange Champagne Cocktail

St. Germain is a liquor that came out in 2007 and quickly became an outrageously popular drink with people all over the world from the moment it hit shelves. It’s an elderflower liquor that is made by Bacardi. You can use it for a flavorful champagne cocktail to serve on New Year’s. Mix 1 ounce of St. Germain, 1½ ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice, ½ ounce of vodka, and 3 ounces of champagne for a new flavor to tempt your tastebuds this holiday.

Raspberry Champagne Cocktail

Raspberries make me happy and provide a great flavor for cocktails and drinks in general. The only things you need for this champagne cocktail are 1.5 ounces of high-quality vodka, 2 ounces of pineapple juice, ½ ounce of simple syrup or any other comparable sweetener, and 2 – 4 ounces of your favorite champagne. Top it off with raspberries for a festive finish!

Berry Rose’ Cocktail

This champagne cocktail is tasty and has a romantic feel. Berry Rose’ Cocktail is made by slicing berries of your choice into attractive pieces, commonly strawberries or blueberries, and adding them to your rose’ champagne.

Which champagne cocktails are you going to try this year? What are some other combinations you have tried and enjoyed?

How to Make a Healthier Sangria

Sangria is super popular during the summer and fall months because it can be so refreshing and is so easy to prepare for all of those social functions and events. It’s so festive that in December, it has its own special food holiday on December 20 and people serve it at holiday gatherings. Unfortunately, the sugar content can be a little high. So here are some versions of sangria that are better for you because they have a lower sugar content. These are great whether you want to cut back on the sugar and calories, or you just want to offer a healthier version at your next holiday party.

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