Design*Sponge » behind the bar

behind the bar: annette joseph’s blood orange basil gimlet

Kristina Gill — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:00:59 +0000

February’s Behind the Bar is a mix of summer and winter. Blood oranges are available only in the coldest winter months, and basil, of course, is summery. If like me you freeze large bunches of basil during the summer months, you can dig into the freezer for this Blood Orange Basil Gimlet, provided by Atlanta-based stylist Annette Joseph. Later this month, Annette will launch a “Celebrity Cocktail of the Week” feature on her blog that promises a spectacular lineup that I can’t wait to see. In the meantime, I couldn’t resist asking Annette for her favorite cocktail. Learn more about Annette and her cocktail recipe after the jump. — Kristina

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behind the bar with: spoon fork bacon’s honey-rum fizz

Kristina Gill — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:00:09 +0000

For the last Behind the Bar of the year we couldn’t think of a more energetic team than the women behind the great food and drink site Spoon Fork Bacon. L.A.-based food and interiors photographer Teri Lyn Fisher and food stylist Jenny Park have gone all out today with their Honey-Rum Fizz, a great cocktail with a surprise ingredient. You can test while you prepare Christmas dinner and then roll it out in full force for New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking for drink ideas for your upcoming entertaining, be sure to check out our Behind the Bar archives. – Kristina

*Editor’s note: Kristina will taking the helm of our bar column while Ryan and Alyssa take a much needed break. Stay tuned for their return in 2012 :) -Grace

The full recipe is after the jump…

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behind the bar: anna baer’s whiskey cider

Ryan and Alissa Walker — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:00:48 +0000

Despite the fact that I am sitting in Mexico on a balcony overlooking the Pacific wearing a t-shirt and bathing suit while sipping a margarita, my heart and soul are back on the East Coast, where I imagine everyone is enjoying perfectly crisp fall weather. Don’t get me wrong; I am in no way complaining about being in Mexico (I really love fish tacos), but I simply adore everything about fall and am terribly afraid I’m going to miss it in its entirety. Luckily for me (and for all of you), we have a perfect fall-time libation from the wonderfully sweet Anna Baer. We hope you enjoy! — Ryan + Alissa

Read more about the recipe and its creator after the jump!

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behind the bar: lauren fister’s melon rumballa

Ryan and Alissa Walker — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:00:04 +0000

There is something extra tasty about melon balls when you’re a child. Perhaps it’s because melon balls are only ever made from the best bits of the melon (whoever heard of a melon rind ball?), or maybe it’s because they remind us of cool, refreshing snacks on long summer days. Whatever the reason, I could never eat enough of them during the late summer months. So when I first learned of today’s featured drink, I could barely contain myself. It’s a grown-up version of a fabulous childhood snack and a cocktail to boot! The Melon Rumballa (say it out loud — totally fun, right?) is brought to us by former Martha Stewart and Food & Wine stylist, Lauren Fister. Lauren now works for the simply wonderful collaborative studio, Teroforma. You will find many of Teroforma’s beautiful objects sprinkled throughout the photos. Salud! — Alissa + Ryan

The full recipe continues after the jump . . .

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behind the bar: emily maynard’s sweet tea sipper

Ryan and Alissa Walker — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:44 +0000

We couldn’t be more excited to share this week(end)’s libation of choice for anyone seeking a little southern charm — a Sweet Tea Sipper. And speaking of southern sweetness, please allow us to introduce you to the creator of this week’s drink, Emily Maynard. Emily is the creative force behind Elva Fields, a company started in 2003 that specializes in unique, timeless jewelry designs made from antique and vintage pieces: “One might find a strand of old paste pearls with an antique carved ivory brooch as its pendant, or a 1930s Bakelite belt buckle clasping glittering chains from just a decade later.” LOVE IT! And with the “one-for-one” philosophy making us feel great about purchasing those Argentinean-styled shoes, we can proudly stand behind our purchase from Elva Fields, as Emily donates a portion of all sales to Backpack Buddies of Spencer County. Be sure to check out Emily’s blog, as well! — Alissa + Ryan

The full recipe is after the jump…

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behind the bar: jean lee’s summer picnic

Ryan and Alissa Walker — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:00:43 +0000

$35,000. This is, I discovered one afternoon in Paris, the cost of my dream picnic basket from Goyard. From time to time, I think back to this beautiful piece of pure, unnecessary luxury and wonder what my picnics would be like were I able and willing to make such a glorious purchase. Would yellow flowers spring to life around the basket as I placed it on the now-perfect grass? Would Alissa’s head miraculously be adorned with the perfect summertime hat? Would a tuxedoed waiter appear with a slightly chilled bottle of vintage champagne (perhaps Bollinger Grande Annee 1997)?

So maybe I will never have my magic picnic basket, but at least I can get into the summer picnic spirit with a little help from Jean Lee’s Summer Picnic Cucumber Lemon Vodka (I love how explanatory the name is). I am not only excited to share this week’s post with everyone because Jean’s drink sounds amazing, but Jean also happens to be the designer behind one of our favorite summertime products at HORNE! Now, on to Jean . . . — Alissa + Ryan

Read on for the full recipe after the jump . . .

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