I remember when I tried my first Mojito and I thought that I had found my signature drink. Oh fickled taste buds, the love affair didn't last. Somehow I returned to my Gin and Tonic and wondered if I would find a signature drink that I wouldn't stray from. Well, this weekend, I will try to make Raspberry Mojitos which may in fact be my drink for the summer and hopefully a hit at many housewarmings, game nights and more. I am always excited to try something new and this drink recipe and many others, are available on Cocktail Times which is my go to place for the best drinks and meals that you would want to incorporate into a future function! So if this drink doesn't hit the spot, there are plenty of other ones that you will love making as you begin to play bartender! I love that this recipe is simple and that there are so many fresh ingredients as well.

Raspberry Mojito Pitcher
Ingredients:
- 6 oz Cruzan light rum
- 4 oz Rock Candy Syrup (or simple syrup)
- 6 lime halves
- handful of raspberries
- 30 - 40 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
- club soda

Build in mixing pitcher. Press 6 lime halves and simple syrup. Add rum, mint leaves, raspberries, crush, fill with ice. Stir and top with club soda.

Can you believe that June is almost over? Fourth of July is days away and so you have to think about what you're doing, what party you will plan and more. Well here is a drink that you could make for your guests during your party - American Patriotic Tea! I love that this recipe on Cocktail Times is one that you can modify with a variety of flavors! If you love this recipe, you'll have to visit the site to find a lot more that would work with a number of dinners, events and more that you'll host! For me, I would add raspberry liquer in this as well as I think that that would be a refreshing flavor. I think even adding in a molasses taste would be nice as well. So definitely try it like this and then let your creativity kick in!

AMERICAN PATRIOTIC TEA RECIPE

Ingredients:

- 4 cups water

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 8 black tea bags

- 1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges

- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

- 2 cups American Honey liqueur

In a large saucepan, boil 4 cups water. Add 1/2 cup sugar; stir to dissolve. Remove from heat; add 8 teabags of black tea. Steep 10 minutes; discard teabags. Add 4 cups cold water; transfer to pitcher and chill. Mash or muddle lemon wedges and add to pitcher. Add 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves. Using a wooden spoon, crush mint until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups of American Honey liqueur. Serve over ice.

Who doesn't like finding a place that people are not familiar with? It's so much fun to try something new and to make sure that other people know that you are so the go to person to finding the best picks in town! Today, I introduce you to - White Rabbit which is down in the LES and is known for its crisp and minimalist approach which is great to go with friends or to take a large group of people. As you flip through the website, you will see all the angles within this club which has a beautiful bamboo bar! I also love that this place was named after a child's candy which is available on the bar - white rabbit. When it comes to items to nibble on, they have amazing shrimp wontons and summer rolls as well. What a great way to take a rest and to leave all thoughts of the city behind as you go into this amazing venue. Take a trip down to the LES and invite some friends along.

White Rabbit
145 Houston St
NY, NY

I stayed at the Venetian while I was at Vegas and they had a Grand Luxe Cafe (if you love Cheesecake Factory, they own or affiliated with this as well) in our hotel. I was pleased once I knew of the connection and knew that I would find amazing things here. Being someone who doesn't eat breakfast, I found myself here on Tuesday morning since I had been out the night before and Patron and I had rekindled our relationship with one another (in addition to other drinks as well). I saw this Honey Latte Drink which looked yummie but nothing could describe how good this was! Simply put, I fell in love with a Latte and I don't think that Starbucks is going to cut it any more. I know what's in it but don't know how to make it. If there are any Baristas out there or those who know where I can get this (in NY), let me know and I will let you know how close it comes to the one I enjoyed.

Honey Vanilla Latte

Double Espresso

Honey

Vanilla

Steamed Milk

The holidays came so quickly and are leaving even faster than you could imagine! Maybe you have some friends coming over for your party or you simply want to impress people as they come over before you all head out. You'd love to have something that shows your inner mixologist is as strong as any of your other attributes. You'll need to head out and purchase Woodford Reserve Bourbon which will be a nice spicy treat for you and everyone else. At the end of the day, something simple will not only help you save time but will allow people to see how easy it is to make something so refreshing! On this evenings drink special is the Woodford Reserve Infusion Martini. All you need is to get a few candy canes and make sure that you have a container that you can use as the two flavors blend together. This is such a nice way to present a bourbon to those that are a fan and to those that may not havr considered this to be their drink of choice.

Woodford Candy Cane

1 750mL bottle of Woodford Reserve
2 Candy Canes

Empty out bottle of Woodford Reserve into a clean container.

Place Candy Canes at the bottom of the bottle (break Candy Canes into smaller piece if need be).

Pour Woodford back into the bottle and allow the concoction to infuse for 24 hours.

I love when the weather is in the beginning of making that drastic chill that will be here for months. The first few weeks, it's a novelty and that we're all frustrated and begging for spring. In the meantime, it's nice to think about having something to warm you up! I remember the first time I had an opportunity to sample Appleton Estate Rum - I love the rich flavors and after being introduced to Captain Morgan's Rum, I felt that this was a mature step for me. Rum is so much more than something to be mixed with orange juice (not to say that it isn't amazing with orange-mango juice) but there are many ways to enjoy it. Appleton Rum is the official beverage for the month of Dec and we will have a variety of ways that you can enjoy this from a tasty drink to something to serve among friends! You'll have to keep coming back to see but today, I bring you a great beverage you can enjoy after a morning of ice skating at Bryant Park with friends while you decide to go for brunch or just to stay in and tell war stories from work!

I love that this is very simple to make but that the exotic flavors will definitely remind you of every sunny vacation you have ever taken. This is such a rich and welcoming drink that I believe this will be a standby for the season! I also love that you can play around with this as I have. I love Hazlenut coffee and have added this in as to black and have enjoyed it very much so! For the coffee lovers you will enjoy all the variations that are out there!

APPLETON JAMAICAN COFFEE

1 1/2oz Appleton Estate V/X Jamaican Rum

Hot Black Coffee

Whipped Cream

* Pour the Appleton Jamaican Rum into a coffee mug, fill with hot coffee and top with whipped cream.

When it gets cooler, it's nice to have a beverage that's perfect for the weather and has a nice kick to it. Tonight I present, Voyant Chai Creme Latte:

-2 oz Voyant Chai

-4 oz Steamed Milk

Into a mug, add Voyant and then the steamed milk. For an added treat add whipped cream and then cinnamon on top. What a great drink and for more ideas of this drink and other ways that Voyant can be used within recipes, visit the site!

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to meet with innovative creator, Rob Black of Voyant Chai an amazingly fragrant and light tasting Chai Cream Liqueur. Visit the website to see an image of this bottle. This artistic bottle is painted and has the vibrant orange hues that are in keeping with their logo. Just like the name suggests, Chai is the dominate flavor that is infused within this drink; however, there are other flavors that support this rich spice - clover, nutmeg, black tea, oak aged rum. This is the world's first Chai Cream Liqueur.

This beverage was amazing during the summer months poured over ice. A very simple way of enjoying the drink while also being able to taste each element that gives this drink its full bodied taste. As we shift into the fall; however, you'll enjoy the possibilities that come along with this drink that is also perfect for this season and the holidays. I can't wait to taste it with a cider or to have it in my lattes. Not only does this drink mix well for drinking; however, there are a variety of recipes that make it perfect for cooking as well. With one taste of this drink, you'll enjoy making this a staple within liqueurs that are always on hand. Visit Voyant Chai and learn more about the beverage and find where they are available so that you can taste for yourself.