…

Read More

The post The High Roller Martini for National Vodka Day appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Fresh out of school and at my first job, happy hour was a regular occurrence. My colleagues and I would leave the stressful day at the office behind and head to the local posh restaurant or bar to unwind and put on our social hats. If we were lucky, our boss and owner of the company would join us and would pick up the tab.

Most often, the evening would end much later than an “hour” from when it started. Laughter, karaoke and getting to know each other past what we saw in a typical office day. In those times, my co-workers were who I spent the majority of my time with and because of that were the people I considered my greatest friends.

Happy hour has changed so much since I was a young twenty something. Working from home and being a mom means other stay at home mom’s are my colleagues. Happy hours no longer happen in posh bars and establishments… instead we greet the end of a long week surrounded by our kids laughing and playing, in lawn chairs under the big tree in our yard. There are no corporate cards, no fancy hors d’oeuvres… just me, my good friends and our kids spilling over with joy into our yard. Pizza and goldfish, juice boxes and cocktails… nothing fancy but in this life of mine, it is perfection.

Choosing my signature drink of the season is a big deal. Last year I often shared an Arnold Palmer with friends. This year, with the discovery of the selection of flavors of Pinnacle Vodka, I can guarantee you my happy hour cocktail of the season will include a concoction made with a Pinnacle Vodka flavor.

After trying the Creme Cake Cocktail last week I couldn’t help but wonder how awesome the Whipped Pinnacle Vodka would be with root beer. It took me a few days, and some seriously difficult recipe testing (insert sarcasm) to figure out what combination would work best for a creamy, cold, root beer float inspired cocktail. Friends, I think I found it… and I’m sharing the recipe below.

Here’s to the many more happy hours to come. Gathering with friends, connecting with others and celebrating together the end of another week “on the right side of the grass”.  Enjoy.

Print

Whipped Root Beer Float Cocktails

Whipped Root Beer Float Cocktails

Author Dine & Dish

Ingredients

• 2 ounces chilled Whipped flavored Pinnacle Vodka
• 1 ounce chilled Bailey's Irish Cream or heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup cold root beer
• 3 large scoops vanilla ice cream divided
• Maraschino cherries and whipped cream for garnish if desired
• For a non-alcholic version, replace the amount of vodka and Bailey's Irish Cream with heavy whipping cream

Instructions

• Place all ingredients but 2 scoops of ice cream and garnish into a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Pour blended ingredients into 2 tall milkshake glasses. Add 1 scoop of ice cream into each glass. Garnish with maraschino cherries and whipped cream, if desired. Serve cold.

The post Happy Hour {Recipe: Whipped Root Beer Float Cocktails} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Earlier this week, my husband walked in the door from a long day at work and I immediately handed him a drink. “What’s this for?”, he asked. “I needed a drink and I felt guilty drinking alone, so I’ve been waiting anxiously for you to come home so I can have my drink.”

I don’t drink often. I promise I don’t. Especially at home. But on this particular day… this day where I spent the entire day arguing and getting to the end of my rope with my 8 year old, I needed a drink. Yes, I realize how stupidly insane it is to argue with an 8 year old, but I had to. And I most likely will continue to do so. I’m not so smart when learning about things that are stupidly insane to do.

You see, my 8 year old has become a giant know-it-all, about everything. Everything. Things that he has no clue about. Things that he wasn’t involved in. Things that he wasn’t even alive for. It is starting to get a little out of control and it is continuing to drive me crazy.

Do you need an example? Yesterday while we were in the car, my daughter Kelly was talking about something that happened at camp on a tightrope. She was describing the small tightrope and how they harnessed the girls in and let them safely walk across the tightrope. Jacob’s response? “That’s impossible. They did not have a tightrope there.” Kelly and I both responded, “Yes, they did.” Jacob, “No they didn’t.” “We have pictures to prove it, Jacob.” “No, they didn’t have any kind of tightrope at Kelly’s camp” And it went on and on and on. Or he’ll make up some trivia fact that I know is not true, and when I question him and how he knew that, he argues and argues and argues.This happens all.day.long. Non-stop. These are not the best examples, but the examples that were on my mind at the moment.

So, my question to parents, aunts, uncles, caretakers, grandmas, grandpas, friends of know-it-all children… how do you deal with this? I can’t have a drink every time we argue all day (or can I? 🙂 ). I can attempt to try to stop arguing with him, but then do I just let him go around spouting things and acting like he is the gospel word when I know very well what he is saying isn’t fact? And his arguing back is relentless… he does not give up, which brings out the immature kid in me and I keep arguing and arguing and arguing.

If you have any advice as to how to deal with an 8 year old know-it-all, I’d love to hear it. Really. I need your advice, or I may have to resort to drinking alone.

Vodka and Watermelon Cooler (from epicurious.com)

This is a lovely, refreshing, tastes like summer in a glass cocktail.

Yield: Makes 6 drinks

In a blender purée the watermelon pieces and strain the purée through a very fine sieve set over a pitcher, discarding the solids. (There should be about 2-1/3 cups juice). Stir in the vodka, the Triple Sec, and the lime juice, pour the cooler into long-stemmed glasses filled with ice cubes, and garnish each drink with a watermelon slice.

The post A Little Know It All (Recipe: Epicurious Vodka and Watermelon Cooler) appeared first on Dine and Dish.