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Feast + West: Easy Elegant Entertaining

I'm your cocktail bestie! Together we'll shake things up and make everything from classic cocktails to creative concoctions, and even mocktails from time to time. Follow me for delicious drink recipes, boozy desserts and appetizer pairings for easy, elegant entertaining.

A hot cocktail in a clear glass mug with lemon and whole spices.
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end turkey day right πŸ₯ƒ

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! So much of Thanksgiving is focused on the feast. The turkey, the potatoes, the dessert... But what happens when the leftovers are packaged and the table has been cleared? Nightcaps. A nightcap (or after-dinner drink) is a perfect way to end a meal, but it can also act as a sort of boozy hurrah just before bedtime. You decide what you need after a day filled with family and friends. πŸ˜‰ Either way, we can all agree a nightcap is the perfect way to end a...

Two creamy white cocktails with cinnamon rims and decorative evergreen tree picks as a garnish.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! I would be remiss if I let fall pass by without sharing recipes that star one of my favorite flavors β€” cinnamon! Just a sprinkle of cinnamon gives drinks (and baked goods, and breakfast, and coffee... the list goes on) a cozy element that is unmatched as the weather turns. I like to use cinnamon syrup to add a splash of cinnamon to my cocktails. Cinnamon lovers can amp up the flavor with a cinnamon sugar rim and a sprinkle of cinnamon or cinnamon stick...

A glass jar with dried fruit, spices and sweeteners.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Fall is in full swing and I can tell you're leaning into the seasonal flavors! Pumpkin tends to steal the show, but there are plenty of other tastes that embody fall. Every so often I like to share what's trending with my followers in the hopes that it will inspire you to try something new. Here's what everyone is loving right now: cocktail infusion kits So many of you are getting a jump on holiday gifting with these cocktail infusion kits! They're easy...

A fall mojito garnished with apple slices, a mint sprig and a cinnamon stick on a rattan coaster with a red apple in the background.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! With Halloween over, Thanksgiving will be here in what feels like 5 minutes and I'm getting so excited to celebrate! The food menu is always the easy part to me β€” since a lot of it is steeped in tradition, it basically plans itself. But the drinks are where I like to mix it up! There are so many fun fall recipes that can enhance every gathering, from Friendsgiving to Thanksgiving to Black Friday brunch (which should totally it's own holiday). I've...

A red cocktail garnished with a lime wedge and whole cranberries on a white surface with several whole cranberries and a whole lime.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! With Halloween over, I'm looking ahead to the holidays β€” how about you? I have so many festive recipes that I just can't wait to share! Plus a brand-new advent calendar (scroll down if you still need to sign up) to help mix up some holiday magic each day. It's going to be so much fun! We're kicking things off with cranberry cocktails! Cranberries bring notes of sweetness and tartness, along with their beautiful crimson color. I love that this flavor...

A gloss with gold stripes holds a bubbly dark brown cocktail with a black and white chevron straw. Tootsie Rolls surround the base of the cup.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Halloween is just one day away and whether you're all-in for spooky season or prefer pumpkins to poltergeists, one thing I think most of us enjoy is the candy! There's just something about the assortment of treats that takes me back to my childhood. I was clearly a future foodie in the making because I got such satisfaction out of dumping out a bag of colorful, sugary loot all over our living room floor just to see what all I picked up! But why let kids...

A pumpkin spice old fashioned garnished with a cinnamon stick sits in front of a jar of deep brown pumpkin syrup on a white background.

Hey, friends! With fall in full swing, it's hard to miss the pumpkin flavored β€” well, everything! You already know I'm team pumpkin, but I know not everyone is. If that's you, keep reading! I didn't forget you. Making pumpkin spice syrup at home is the secret to these tasty seasonal sippers, any time you get a hankering. It's made with real pumpkin puree and whole spices to give that quintessential fall flavor. If you're not big on pumpkin, this autumn spice latte is perfect for you. It's...

Syringes filled with red jello on a metal tray.

Hey, friends! I have a confession β€” Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I didn't used to enjoy it, at all. So many people love Halloween. They go all out on decorations, costumes, the whole shebang. I've come around to the celebration, using it as an excuse to make drinks that are super silly (looking at you, Scooby Snack shot) or spooky, and different from the usual stuff. With All Hallows' Eve just around the corner, I've scared up some of my favorite recipes for your monster mash: jello...

A smoking cocktail in a gold decorated rocks glass.

Hey, friends! Happy Friday! Old-fashioned cocktails are a staple on cocktail menus and bar carts. An old-fashioned is a cocktail made with whiskey, with the flavors of simple syrup, orange zest, cherry and bitters added into the mix. (My favorite part is probably the cocktail cherry.) The old-fashioned is what we call "spirit-forward," meaning it's heavy on the booze and doesn't have much added in the way of mixers. If you like whiskey on its own, you'd like an old-fashioned. Not to brag, but...

A red cocktail in a stemmed glass garnished with an apple round.

Hey, friends! I am the kind of person who doesn't have a favorite season (they're all great for different reasons!) but fall holds a special place in my heart. I'm a sucker for the chilly weather and love a cozy drink to enjoy fireside with a good Netflix marathon. Whether you prefer pumpkin, apple or a little of both, there are plenty of great drinks to enjoy this season. Here are a few of my faves: washington apple cocktail A surprising combination of ingredients (Canadian whiskey? Apple...