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.

Guava mimosas in stemless flutes decorated with gold stars.
Featured Post

are these the best brunch beverages? πŸ₯‡

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Forget breakfast β€” brunch is the most important meal of the day (at least on the weekends). Why do I love brunch? Let me count the ways. It allows for a chance to sleep in, pets permitting. The food definitely tops my usual smoothie or overnight oats. And, the drinks. Whether you want something boozy, something bubbly or something with both, brunch bevvies do it all. Here are some of my favorites for hosting as the weather warm up that would be great...

Honey citrus mint tea in a glass mug on a marble countertop.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! May showers bring more than just flowers! These cozy, yet refreshing drinks are the perfect sips for cool, wet days. The key to this seemingly contradictory combo is the flavors. Warm notes of ginger, cooling mint, zesty citrus... On dreary days, this is what you should pour: pineapple whiskey cocktail This simple cocktail is a combo of single malt whiskey, pineapple juice, honey syrup and bitters for a tasty and cozy cocktail all year long. Curl up...

A pink grapefruit cocktail with sugar on the rim garnished with mint leaves and a grapefruit slice.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! When it comes to Cinco de Mayo, it has all the makings of a perfect celebration. The weather is idyllic and one of my favorite spirits (tequila) takes a starring role. It's not actually Mexico's Independence Day (that's Sept. 16) β€” instead, it commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1862. While it’s a minor holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become an observance of Mexican heritage...

A bright pink drink sits near half a lemon and a gold bowl of blackberries.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Big hats and bourbon are both staples of the Kentucky Derby, almost as important as the horses themselves! Now, the mint julep is the official beverage of the Kentucky Derby, but why stop there? There are plenty of fun β€” and tasty β€” sippers that will satisfy as you cheer on the field. Beyond Derby Day, these drinks are oh so refreshing all summer long. If you're planning to watch the Derby this weekend, here are some bourbon drinks I know you'll love:...

Purple flowers frozen in ice cubes.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! Floral cocktails are some of my favorite spring recipes. I love the way they play into your senses, bringing a fragrant twist to drinks so they just feel like spring. I've always enjoyed seeing the blossoms emerge after winter, but when I realized you can actually incorporate flowers into your drinks? That was pure magic. Here are the recipes you need to know to help your season bloom: flower ice cubes While this may not be an actual cocktail, flower...

A close up of a lime and mint sprig on the rim of a cocktail.

easy, elegant entertaining This email contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Hey, Reader! Like many children of the 1990s, I watched lots of Captain Planet* cartoons, so now the words "reduce, reuse, recycle" are practically seared into my brain. Now that I'm a grown-up who is a cocktail content creator, I am keenly aware of how much waste I produce in the kitchen. As often as I can, I try to reduce my...

Two shot glasses filled with creamy white drinks sit on a pale pink plate next to a slice of carrot cake.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! ICYMI, Easter is just around the corner. Since the date changes year-to-year, I find it's easy to lose track of the celebration. Even if it sneaks up on me, one thing I won't let fall to the wayside is the drinks. As a spring celebration filled with flavor and color, there are a bevy of pretty, pastel-colored drinks you can make for brunch and beyond. Here are a few of my favorites that every-bunny 🐰 will enjoy: chocolate bunny cocktails You can bet...

A red strawberry mimosa near a gold bowl of strawberries.

easy, elegant entertaining Hey, Reader! The temperatures are rising, the grass is getting greener, the daffodils are blooming and we've finally adjusted to the time change. It is *checks calendar* officially spring and it certainly already feels like it! While it can feel like the countdown to summer is now on, it's worth slowing down to savor a bit of spring. How? With these drinks that capture the essence of the season in a cup! strawberry mimosas Not much says spring quite like strawberry...

A beer bloody mary surrounded by its ingredients.

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 β€” AKA favorite colors and mascots β€” 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....