Welcome March

Happy first day of March!!

I couldn't be more excited to welcome spring...flowers in bloom, the smell of fresh cut grass and the start of lots of fun colorful posts!!

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Apricot Julep

• 3 to 5 sprigs of mint leaves, torn into small pieces
• 2 oz. apricot puree or nectar
• 1 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1½ oz. bourbon
• ½ oz. apricot brandy
• ½ oz. simple syrup
• Club soda
Combine all ingredients except the club soda in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, strain into a cocktail glass, and top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with another sprig of mint.
Makes 1 cocktail

Buena Vista Margarita

• 4 medium dried chipotle peppers
• 4 T grenadine syrup
• ¾ cup sugar
• Zest of 1 lime, finely chopped
• 6 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 8 oz. reposado tequila
• 4 oz. Cointreau
• 4 oz. strawberry puree
• 2 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
Combine the peppers, grenadine syrup, and ½ cup sugar with 1 cup water and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, let cool, and then strain the chipotle syrup. Mix together the remaining sugar and lime zest. Rub the rims of 4 chilled cocktail glasses with lime, then dip them into the sugar/lime zest mixture. Combine the remaining ingredients with 2 ounces of chipotle syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the prepared glasses. Makes 4 cocktails