Love Happy Hour - Friday Night at Pasadena Happy Hour Week

Love Happy Hour - Friday Night at Pasadena Happy Hour Week

Makin' It With Maren - St. Patrick's Day - "Green Eyed Girl" Cocktail Recipe

St. Patrick's Day drink - "Green Eyed Girl" cocktail

For my latest Makin' it with Maren segment, we decided to seek out the best tasting St. Patrick's Day cocktail in Los Angeles. Many Irish inspired cocktails are made with Baileys, Bushmills or Creme de Menthe. Otherwise, it seems like everybody is drinking green beer, Guinness or Killians Irish Red Beer. Jameson is definitely Irish, but most people don't think to combine it in a specialty cockail; usually it is sipped, or on Irish holidays...shot down your throat.

But, my latest trip to The Phoenix bar in Beverly Hills changed my mind. I tasted an amazing cocktail made with green ingredients (cucumber, mint) and mixed with Jameson Irish Whiskey: Green Eyed Girl. This drink was well-balanced, refreshing and simple to make. Check out my new video to learn how to make this St. Patty's day specialty cocktail. Go Green!

 Me, and head bartender Darius at The Phoenix

Get in the spirit for St. Patrick's Day with the "Green Eyed Girl" cocktail made by head bartender Darius at The Phoenix bar in Los Angeles. This refreshing cocktail is made with green ingredients and Irish whiskey - a perfect match for St. Patty's day drinkers. Enjoy!

"Green Eyed Girl"cocktail:
2 ozs Jameson Irish Whiskey
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
Splash Lime Juice
Sliced Cucumbers
Fresh Mint Leaves
Ice

Make It:
Muddle Simple Syrup and Cucumber
Add Mint and Continue to Muddle Gently (don't mash mint leaves)
Add 2 ounces of Jameson Irish Whiskey and Splash of Fresh Lime Juice
Add to Ice and Shake
Strain into Fresh Glass of Ice and Serve
Garnish with Mint Leaf and Cucumber

My awesome crew: Tony Calle, Robert Walley and Johnny Sullivan

The Phoenix

14 N La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

(310) 289-5925

Happy Hour:

Everyday, 5pm-9pm
$3 well cocktails
$3 wine
$3 beer

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cheers,

Maren

Makin' it with Maren - St. Patrick's Day Cocktail: Green Eyed Girl

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! Learn how to make the Green Eyed Girl cocktail!

                St. Patricks Day Cocktail:           

                GREEN EYED GIRL 

Makin' it with Maren - "The Spring Break" Cocktail with Kumquats

The Spring Break Cocktail

The Spring Break Cocktail

March 8th, 2013

by Maren Swanson

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to say hello to warmer days and sunshine than toasting to a fresh cocktail made with the fruits of the season. I cannot tell a lie - this is my favorite cocktail recipe to date. "The Spring Break" is refreshing, citrusy, vibrant and…addicting. The warmer the days become, the more you'll be busting out the muddler and on a mission!

Kumquats are an Asian gem; small, flavorful fruit filled with a sour-citrus punch and encased in a sweet and succulent skin. These olive-sized orange cousins brighten up "The Spring Break" cocktail and serve as a tasty snack, too. Most people are surprised to find out that you can eat the kumquat in its entirety - just be careful of the seeds!

I found kumquats at my local Trader Joe's for around $3. Before you muddle them in the drink, slice them in half and remove the seeds with a fork. Muddle the kumquat halves with the simple syrup, and then layer the rest of the ingredients in a martini shaker. Shake vigorously and pour your drink over fresh ice (including the muddled kumquats). Top with sparkling lemon water. Garnish with fresh basil. As you are enjoying the drink, don't forget to nibble on the vodka soaked kumquat treats.

I guarantee this drink will be one of your new favorites! Plus, it's a great alternative Easter cocktail to serve instead of mimosas. Happy Spring Break!

"The Spring Break" cocktail recipe:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
1 oz Pom or Pom Lite juice
3 kumquats
1/2 oz simple syrup
lemon sparking water
ice
-------------------------------

muddle kumquats with
simple syrup
layer remainding ingredients in
a martini shaker
pour over fresh ice
top off with lemon sparkling water
garnish with fresh basil