Vodka Martini with a Twist
With my husband Robert’s unique Vodka Martini recipe, you can surprise and wow your friends and family at your next gathering. He’s become known far and wide for his super popular dry martinis, which call for a special ingredient and no vermouth. They are easy to make – and you can even whip up a… Read more »
Banana Mango Smoothie
Enjoy the fresh taste of summer all year ‘round with my tangy and smooth Banana Mango Smoothie! Quick and easy to prepare – and healthy, too. The other day, I was looking at a very ripe large mango and banana on my kitchen counter, wondering how I could quickly and easily use them up. Why… Read more »
Robert’s Perfect Manhattan
Robert’s Perfect Manhattan cocktail is smoky and full-bodied, but isn’t as sweet as most – he uses rye instead of bourbon! To celebrate our anniversary one year, Robert and I visited the Palace Arms restaurant at the Brown Palace Hotel in downtown Denver. Opting to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in their beautiful lobby, Robert noticed… Read more »
Lemon Ginger Bourbon Cocktail
Lemon Ginger Bourbon Cocktail is an elegant, flavorful drink to serve as the “featured cocktail” at your next gathering. My mom loved bourbon – it was her alcohol of choice in the fall and winter (she drank vodka during the other seasons). I’m more of a vodka girl, but I do like bourbon when it’s… Read more »
Irish Cream Liqueur
Irish Cream Liqueur, most commonly known under the brand name Baileys, is my favorite after dinner drink to pair with dessert – or just drink as dessert! Two of my favorite flavors are chocolate and caramel, and my Irish Cream Liqueur recipe combines both tastes into a delicious drink. This rich, creamy beverage is super… Read more »
Perfect Sidecar Cocktail
Sidecar Cocktails are both delicious and deceptively easy to prepare, calling for only three ingredients. There are a few tricks to preparing them properly, which come from my good friends Deborah Shaw and Joan Perlow – and I’m sharing them with you now! A Sidecar is a classic cocktail that dates back to the 1920s,… Read more »
Red Carpet Martini
My Red Carpet Martini is elegant, colorful, delicious – and perfect for Oscar night viewing! Vodka is my liquor of choice when treating myself to a cocktail. I am especially fond of a good martini, and for the most part I like my martinis very dry – just vodka and maybe a drop of Cointreau,… Read more »
Frozen Brandy Alexander
Robert and I love Frozen Brandy Alexanders – it’s like dessert in a wine (or martini) glass! In fact, we like them so much that we served them in shot glasses at our wedding reception. They are an easy, make ahead drink/dessert that is made with readily available ingredients – perfect for a special celebration…. Read more »
Snowblower Cocktail
I found this recipe for a Snowblower Cocktail in one of mom’s kitchen files, which was surprising, since she wasn’t one for serving specialty cocktails. However, I’m so happy I found it, because it’s the perfect warm pick-me-up on a cold winter evening. Cranberry juice and apple cider are steeped in cinnamon and cloves, then… Read more »
Derby Day Mint Julep
For years, we’ve been in pursuit of the perfect Mint Julep to accompany our Kentucky Derby Day festivities, which are a big deal in the Clayton household as my mom was raised in Louisville. We think this recipe is just right – not too much bourbon, not too sweet and just enough mint. Give it… Read more »
