{friday cocktail: blood sugar sex magic}

Typically, I don't like whiskey drinks (I am trying to though!) and this was the first whiskey drink that I was not only willing to drink, but absolutely love and make often. Created by Julian Cox for Rivera restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. Rivera is one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles and my visit there was one of the most outstanding meals I have had since moving here. They also have a separate bar menu so you can go there just for the cocktails! Our recipe differs slightly from the original which you can see here along with two other amazing Rivera cocktails.

{apothecary jars}

{apothecary jars from Michael's}

If Chris would allow me to, I would probably have about twelve more apothecary jars, but we aren't operating a candy store out of our loft so I guess three is okay for now. I am sad to see the conversation hearts go because the colors are so fun and they are dirt cheap (this is probably the same reason why conversation hearts don't taste very good). Good thing Easter candy also comes in pretty pastel colors and tastes good.

{credenza makeover: part two - fully stocked}

Setting up the bar was my favorite part of the entire unpacking process after we moved into the loft. The new credenza has more than enough room for our everyday bar needs plus space for additional glassware and less used spirits/liqueurs. The staples we always make sure to have stocked are:

• Hendrick's gin
• Rittenhouse 100 rye
• Buffalo Trace bourbon
• Milagro Silver tequila
• Sagatiba Velha cachaca
• St. Germain elderflower liqueur
• Kubler absinthe
• Luxardo maraschino liqueur

{tray from Ikea}

{martha stewart cake stand and Chronicle Book's The Ultimate Bar Book}

We also like to use a variety of bitters, our mainstays are Agnostura, Orange, Peychaud's and Lavender. The smaller bitters bottles were part of a gift set by Scrappy's bitters and I highly recommend these smaller sizes if you are interested in trying out different flavors without committing to the 10 ounce bottle.

 

{Alessi juicer}

We get most of our barware and glassware from restaurant supply stores.  Most often we will find what we need at Bargain Fair in Los Angeles or Chef's Toys in Orange County.

{appetizer plates & glasses from Bargain Fair}

{Ikea champagne flutes}

{left to right: Ikea old fashioned glass, Bargain Fair brandy glass, Barkeeper coupes, Bargain Fair stemless wine glass}

{Party People drink markers and Jonathan Adler drink stoppers}

These Jonathan Adler drink stoppers were given to us as a housewarming gift and I think they make wonderful hostess gifts or a nice addition to a gifted bottle of wine. Vacu Vin makes these awesome suction cup drink markers which we use for our stemless wine glasses.

I don't think it takes much to create and maintain a bar that can serve a variety of drinks for any occasion. We always like to be able to make our friends exactly which drink they prefer and with 4 to 5 different types of glassware and a small variety of spirits, we are usually able to accomplish that easily.

Cheers!