The Little Miracle That Helps You Power Through a Long Day

When I first learned about Little Miracles at Food Fete, I was drawn in by the bold packaging and innovative spin of combining energizing tea with antioxidant-loaded juice. Also worth noting: They clock in at 90 calories a bottle, are certified organic and have no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. So yes, perhaps the headline is a bit of a trap--we all know there's no "miracle" that can replace a healthy lifestyle and clean eating--but come 3:00pm slump time, these "little miracles" sure as heck hit the spot.

For a quick afternoon refresher, I combined the following: Little Miracles White Tea & Cherry, one ice cube (I got fancy and used a circular one, but any will do), three frozen raspberries and a quick spritz of seltzer to top it off (Oh and, I hear vodka muddles really well with the aforementioned...). Voila! Afternoon sipping never tasted better. Serve in fancy class for maximum....je ne sais quoi.

The Perfect Monday Night Pick Me Upper: Somtum Der's Loi Krathong Cocktail

There's something I've always found very attractive about drinking on a Monday night. Ditto for Sunday evenings. It almost feels a little illicit. I mean, you know you shouldn't be having this much fun on the aforementioned evenings. But you are. and I DARE YOU TO STOP ME. And for the love of the lord folks, can we stop with the #MondayBlues hashtags. There's this thing that fixes that. It's called, good friends, a strong drink and maybe 32 minutes on the elliptical or something. Not rocket science, people.



And when said cocktail is wrapped in a banana leaf? Well, I dare you to stop me after three. So yes, tomorrow may suck. Your productivity may be shot. That cute girl may never be at that bar again (though chances are, if she's drinking on a Monday, she will. Or she just really likes football Or you..)

The Thai cocktail courtesy of the lauded Somtum Der in the east village  packs an exotic punch but is still simple enough to assemble that you can dazzle house guests without even trying.

Vodka 2 oz
Pandan leaf juice 1.5 oz
Lemongrass juice 1  oz
Honey 0.5 teaspoon
Triple sec 0.25 oz
Lime juice  0.25 oz

Mix over ice and serve with a wedge of lime or garnish of choice. I don't know how they say cheers in Thai, but cheers. Here's to hoping Tuesday sucks a little less!

Fall Sips: Because It's Still Summer...Somewhere?

...which means it's totally acceptable to drink on a Monday night, right? Right! (or Tuesday, or Wednesday, and goes-without-saying Thursday)

If you've spoken to me in the past, uh, month, you've probably heard me complain about (among many, many other things) the lack of seasonal sense you get living in Manhattan. Though I wouldn't trade my home sweet home for anything (well, excepts Nashville...), you really can't appreciate the gorgeous fall foliage and shift in the seasons here in NYC. You can however, sip it. And sip I did when mixing up these killer cocktails from Jay Zimmerman of the Sekend Sun. You'll be in safe hands at a bar helmed by Mr.Zimmerman, industry vet, come early November when this gem of a cocktail bar opens up, and best of all, you'll have another reason to beat yourself up for not heading to Astoria more often.

Black Baby Grand by Jay Zimmerman of Sekend Sun

1 1/2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey

3/4 oz China China Amer

2 drops orange flower water

2 dash barrel aged angostura bitters

Sugar cube

In a rocks glass muddle sugar cube, bitters and orange flower water. 

Add Whiskey, Amer and ice cubes. 

Stir 20-30 times. 

Garnish with grapefruit twist.

Remember Dead River by Jay Zimmerman of Sekend Sun

2 oz Old Overholt rye whiskey

3/4 oz Cocchi Di Torino sweet vermouth

1/4 oz Lapsang Souchong Cherry Heering

Dash absinthe

2 dash Angostura bitters

Add all ingredients to mixing glass with ice and stir 20-30 times.

Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with lemon twist.