profile

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 beer bloody mary surrounded by its ingredients.
Featured Post

forget the bracket: these drinks are the real winner 🏀🏆

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Ah, March Madness. The magical time of year when those of us who don't closely follow college basketball use our intuition — AKA favorite colors and mascots — to predict which team will come out on top. If you're like me, the tournament isn't so much must-see TV as it is a chance to get together with friends and share some drinks as we cheer on a team. Here are the drinks I think are going to be winners while watching: sweet 16 With plenty of tournament...

Creamy Irish cream cocktail on ice with gold spoon resting inside.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Let's talk Baileys. This brand of creamy liqueur is probably the most popular, which is why you commonly hear Irish cream referred to as simply "Baileys." (And there's no apostrophe, grammar nerds.) Irish cream is basically just what it sounds like: a cream liqueur made with Irish whiskey. It adds a sweet creaminess (and a touch of booze) to cocktails, coffee and more! Dairy-free friends, fear not. Look for Baileys Almande for a non-dairy alternative....

A strawberry mocktail on a gold, round oval tray with a strawberry slice floating on the top.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Ok, it's officially starting to feel like spring to me! The birds are out and about, buds are starting to show and we're getting more and more sunshine each day. Hooray! The changing of the seasons makes me want to change up what's in my glass, too! While winter warmers have been on rotation for me, spring calls for fruity, refreshing drinks. All of these drinks are ready for spring sipping and celebrations. Since they don't have any alcohol, they'd be...

A blood orange margarita in a glass with citrus rounds.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! February 22 may not be marked on your calendar, but it should be! Why? It's National Margarita Day! As if we needed a day specifically for these citrus sippers. I mean, they pair perfectly with taco night, girls' night, really any night! But hey, who am I to argue? Instead, I'll mix up one of my favorites to celebrate: blood orange margaritas Beautifully bright with a slightly sweet twist, blood orange margaritas may just become your new favorites! Sip...

A pink cocktail garnished with raspberries on a skewer.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Happy Valentine's Day! I'm taking time today to reflect on all the love in my life, and that includes YOU! That's right, I love that you're here! It means so much to share my love of drinks with you! ❤️ While I can't share a physical drink with each of you — as much as I'd love that — I can share some of my favorite rose-hued drinks fit for Valentine's date night, Galentine's parties and every celebration in-between. clover club The clover club is...

A fork scoops up a bite of totchos covered in cheese.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! It's officially here — football's season finale and probably the only time I don't fast-forward through the commercials. If you're going to be watching, then snacks are a must. What makes a good appetizer? Obviously it needs to taste great, but there are other considerations as well. If you're hosting, you're able to do a bit more with your apps. Presentation, pairings, the whole 10 yards if you will. 🏈 Think about if your guests will be seated to eat...

Two shandy drinks in beer can glasses

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Ah, beer. There's nothing like cracking open a cold one on a hot summer day or sipping a pint as the snow falls. Basically, beer is an easy drink, anytime! But why stop with just a simple beer? Beer cocktails capitalize on the flavors and bit of fizz to make a drink that's oh so tasty. You'll love these beer cocktails because they're so easy to make. Just a few ingredients come together in an elevated cocktail. Let's hop to it! summer shandy No need to...

Jars of zero-proof spirits sit behind glasses with drinks

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! With everyone inside to escape the cold, you may be wondering what they're drinking. Well, here's some insight into what's currently trending amongst my followers. Try one of these top drinks to get out of your drink rut and perhaps find a new favorite! homemade zero-proof spirits Whether it's for Dry January or simply in an effort to consume less alcohol, so many of my followers have been trying their hand at making their own zero-proof spirits! These...

A tall glass mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Last week was a snowy one, even for places that are usually free from the white stuff! It didn't snow much here — and doesn't often — but with cooler weather comes the need to get cozy. It's hard to beat a mug of hot chocolate when it comes to warming up! Something about that first sip transports me back to the days of sledding with my best friend, warm cookies and a movie marathon. Since I've grown up, my hot chocolate has too. No more of the powdered...

A tall glass mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! ICYMI: It's still winter. ❄️ If we're getting technical, winter really just started (on December 21, if you're curious.) Even if you're not having to pull on some snow boots and shovel, the days can get a bit dreary. Enter: warm drinks! These are some of my favorite recipes to curl up with on the couch: spiked hot chocolate On it's own hot chocolate is a classic that warms you from head to toe. But when you add a bit of booze? This childhood favorite...