{fill the glass} cider & spice martini

A quick post. We had a very hectic week. Basketball games, practices, volleyball, homework, holiday shopping, a workout or two etc...... You all know how it goes. It think it is time for a fun pretty drink and some relaxation this weekend. I might fix one of these when we trim our tree. enjoy!

cider & spice martini by ann west

2 parts chilled vodka

1 to 2 parts cider

squeeze of fresh orange juice

pinch of nutmeg

pinch of cinnamon

shake with ice

garnish with an orange twist and a cinnamon stick

pour in a pretty glass sit down and relax!

pair with some of shari's ginger snaps!

{fill the glass} fresh texas lemonade

photo by amy twomey


So it is getting cold(barely) in the evenings here... but living in Texas we still have what I like to call our lemonade-hot-afternoons. We drink lemonade all year in this house, and there is nothin' better then fresh squeezed lemonade. This is an easy recipe that the kids love helping with. I love taking a trip to our local farmers market and stocking up on fresh lemons.

fresh texas lemonade by amy twomey


ingredients
2 cup sugar
2 cup water (for the simple syrup)
2 cup lemon juice
8 cups cold water (to dilute)

heat the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.
squeeze the juice from 4 to 6 lemons, about one cup of juice.
add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher.
add 8 cups of cold water, more or less to the desired strength.
refrigerate for about an hour.
if the lemonade is too sweet just add a little more straight lemon juice.

serve over ice with sliced lemons.