We’re having some grey, dark days right now. So while I’m staying inside watching the weather, I think it’s time to brighten up the home bar with these pops of color! Sunny days ahead! At least with my drinks…
1. Underwood Sparkling Rosé 2. Yellow Cups 3. Fruit Drink Stirrers 4. Coasters 5. Pommery Brut Rosé Royal Champagne 6. St. Agrestis 7. Bottle Opener
For those of you who have been around here since the early days, you may recall that we were going to build a bar in what is now my studio area in the house. And if you’re new here, well, that bar never happened. Fast forward almost a decade later and we are now finally ready to start building out what will be our new outdoor entertaining area. And tucked away within will be the home bar we’ve been dreaming about for a long time. But before we even start, we have a lot to figure out, and one of those big decisions has to do with appliances.
The area we are allotting for entertaining space, including the indoor/outdoor bar and alcove is not huge, so we’re looking for small, compact appliances to put in. We’d really like as much bang for our buck if you will… And that’s why I’m loving this 90 Can Outdoor Beer Fridge from NewAir. Last year we worked with NewAir for holiday entertaining and have been using their countertop ice maker ever since (In case you’re wondering, we have yet to run out of ice!!). So now we’re super excited to team up again with them this year to give their new Premier Line Fridges a spin in this blazing hot Southern California sun.
We’ve had this outdoor beer fridge running for over a month now and have some pros and cons for our space. Take a look, and maybe these will help you decide too if this compact, streamlined, weatherproof fridge would work for your bar or entertaining space! (And if you scroll to the end, we’ve got a SWEET discount for you all too!)
PROS:
Currently our 90 Can Beer Fridge is hanging out amongst the patio furniture but as we build out the deck and start turning our dirt floor, unfinished ground story space into a usable entertaining area, we are considering bringing the fridge either into the indoor/outdoor counter space, or maybe giving it a home near the grill. Stay tuned this year as we look to YOU with help picking out ideas for this space! And big thanks to NewAir for letting us try out their new premium line fridge.
OH HEY WE’VE GOT A PROMO CODE!!! If you’re interested in getting your own 90 Can Beer Fridge (model #Â NOF090SS00) AND want to get $183.99 OFF the retail price, use code STIR at checkout on NewAir’s site! YAY! Would love to see where you set yours up (and what you put IN it!).
For more information on NewAir’s entire line of products, check them out here!
What you drink out of is almost as important as what you’re drinking.
So make it nice! Elevate your glasses this year with elegant coupes, gilt edges, and shiny copper. Even your water glasses could use a refresh. Maybe a statement glass or two that didn’t come from your uncle’s basement. And don’t forget the disco balls.
1. Disco Ball Tumbler 2. Tiki Coupe 3. Nick and Nora Glass 4. Persist/Resist Low Balls 5. Water/Wine Tumbler 6. Copper Coupes 7. Radiant Cut Rocks Glasses 8. Flute Glass
We put some pretty sweet stuff in your stocking this year.
This stocking is filled with wine but if it wasn’t, you could fit tiny cans of cocktails inside along with your samples of Japanese Whisky. A thimble sized cocktail shaker necklace is my idea of the perfect accessory, followed by boozy chickens, and a stylish telescoping metal straw. And don’t forget the home goods. I don’t have time for anything but fancy coasters, and excuse me, I’m taking a shower with my Negroni now.
1. Drinking with Chickens Pin 2. Whiskey Tasting Subscription 3. YAY! Stirrers 4. Cocktail Shaker Necklace 5. Negroni Soap 6. Capper 7. Lux Straw 8. Stocking Flask 9. Coasters 10. Rock and Rye Canned Cocktails
Roll on up Turkey Day with this gilded bar cart. It’s more impressive than your Granny’s stuffing.
This year I’ve decided to do away with the rustic red and brown tones of November and step it up a notch with a gilded, glittering bar cart. From golden bar tools, to shiny embroidered napkins, to 22 karat dipped tumblers, it’ll definitely add a little sparkle to your holiday table. And of course the bubbly will be golden too. Just try not to knock over the champagne tower.
1. 22 Karat Gold Dipped Tumbler 2. Liquid Gold Bitters 3. Gold Jigger 4. Gold Wine Opener 5. Gold Embroidered Napkins 6. Gold Dipped Carafe 7. Gold Rimmed Glass and Ice Set 8. Bubbly Cocktail Book 9. Gold Champagne 10. Champagne Tower Glasses 11. Gold Bar Cart
We are back this month with another fun Make or Buy project, which also just happens to be something you can shelve away for holiday presents later this year. Today, we’re talking Luxardo Cherries.
There are lots of recipes for using other liquors when it comes to preserving cherries. Brandied cherries are very popular, but I’ve also seen whiskey and rum used. And while I happen to have some other varieties of this booze soaked fruit in a my pantry (including the newest addition from Copper & Kings), the Luxardo brand has been in my house the longest. And I happen to have had a bottle of Luxardo Maraschino liqueur that needed to get used, so I thought now would be a good time for a homemade batch.
Depending on where you live in the country, cherry season is any time between April and August. So technically we’re really right at the end of the season. Cherries might start to lose some of their flavor now, but fear not, they’ll still be tasty after a long bath in Luxardo.
Homemade maraschino cherries are going to look a bit different from the jarred cherries you might be used to. If I say “maraschino cherry” and you picture something bright red, well, this will be way different for you. If you’re used to Luxardo or Amarena you might be expecting a thick syrup. Well, sorry to say this, but that thick syrup is usually the result of the additive glucose into the mix. The homemade cherries here are in a much lighter syrup but I’ve given a note in the recipe if you’re looking for more viscosity.
Now, even with the note about glucose in the syrup, Luxardo cherries are still a delicious store bought brand and unless you’ve canned a bunch of jars in the summer, you’re going need to restock at the store. Luxardo cherries also feel very luxe, and quite frankly, are really easy to eat. So let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
To buy: Luxardo Cherries
To make: homemade Luxardo Cherries
Homemade Luxardo CherriesFirst, optionally remove stems if you have not so done already. Next, in a medium sized saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, lemon peel, peppercorns, nutmeg, and salt. Stir to dissolve sugar and bring to just under a boil. Lower heat to a simmer for 5 minutes and then stir in cherries. Coat cherries in the syrup and then remove from heat. Stir in the Luxardo liqueur and let mixture sit until cooled. At this point you can store the cherries in the fridge up to one month, or you can can them and store in a cool, dry place.
Note: if you would like a thicker syrup for your cherries, you can do one, two, or a combination of things. First, make a richer syrup with a 2:1 sugar to water ratio. Second, you can add in marasca cherry juice that you can reduced by half into the mix. This will some additional mouthfeel and an even more pronounced cherry flavor. Third, you can combine both the richer syrup and cherry juice and reduce to a thick syrup.
Love our serving pieces? Check out what’s happening in our Etsy shop for props, vintage pieces, tiki mugs & accessories, and assorted entertaining must haves!
There are so many events you need to buy things for during the summer. I think we covered them all here. Let’s make a drink…
You’re going to most likely be outside this summer…a lot. So take happy hour with you with an outdoor bar cart. And fill it with cans of rosé and a few summery bar tools. Need to take your cocktails to the beach, or a lake, or, I dunno, a forest? You’ll never lose your spot with a bright, sunny cooler. And if you plan to just live in the water all summer long: floating cup holders! Oh, and did you remember to buy Dad sometime for Father’s Day Sunday? Send him some socks… Negroni socks.
1. Vacation flask 2. Cooler 3. Flamingo floating cup holders 4. Drinking with Chickens cocktail stirrers 5. Negroni socks 6.Diver Shaker 7. Flamingo bottle opener 8. Outdoor Bar Cart 9. Ruza rosé
Catch up on all the gift guides here!
Sun’s out. New cocktail books are out. Everything’s fine.
Throw open the windows, grab a chair, maybe some light up ice cubes, and indulge yourself with a new cocktail book. Making drinks for a crowd? You’ll need a pitcher, and upgrade those plastic straws already. Rather get whisked away to a tropical island? Tiki it up with some new glassware and a place to put all your tiny umbrellas. You’ll find me under a giant umbrella outside, bookmarking recipes with my new to-go drink container.
1. Light up ice cubes 2. Coral flask 3. Glass straws 4. Pineapple bar spoon 5. Swan glass 6. Cactus pitcher 7. Calories container 8. Batch Cocktails book 9. Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails book
An emerald assortment of fine liquors and not a green beer in sight.
Green for St. Patrick’s Day! Green for spring! A few of our favorite green hued liquor picks just in time for the weekend.
1. Ancho Reyes Verde 2. Jägermeister 3. Ardbeg 4. Green Chartreuse 5. Grüne Fee Absinthe 6. Ford’s Gin 7. Becherovka 8. Green vintage shaker set
Sorry, we’re going full throttle hot pink and hearts this year for Valentine’s Day. Grab a bottle and hang on!
First, yes reader, you really can have a pink bar cart. And vintage ice bucket. And love glasses. And wine bottle. Too much pink? Even it out with a mirrored gold tray and some red sparkle napkins. Fill your rocks glass with giant heart ice cubes while finishing your drink with some forbidden bitters. Not in the mood for love? Then take out your frustrations on a giant piñata filled with booze.
1. LOVE rocks glasses 2. Tiki Nites candle 3. Möet & Chandon Brut Rosé 4. Miracle Mile Forbidden Bitters 5. Red Sparkle napkins 6. Gold mirrored tray 7. Pink bamboo bar cart 8. Vintage pink ice bucket 9. Heart molds 10. Lips piñata (and get $20 off!)