Happy Hour Friday

Welcome to Happy Hour Friday and cheers! Each week I’ll make, photograph and provide recipes for favorite cocktails I love as well as specialty drinks and foods from local establishments. Let me know if you have a favorite you would like to see included and I’ll see what I can do!

Limoncello and Prosecco Cooler with Raspberry Ice Cubes

I can’t drink Limoncello without thinking of Boston. After my daughter Emily graduated from college her first job as a teacher was at a private school in the small town of Milford, CT. The summer after her first year of teaching, I traveled from Denver to New York City, met my sister Laura there and [...]

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The BEST Fresh Margarita

When I made this blood orange margarita in February I mentioned that I normally reserve margaritas for the summer. And this cocktail is the one I save until then. The first touch of warm weather and I start to think of margaritas; there is something about warm weather, a barbecue and having friends over that [...]

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Watermelon Martini

Doesn’t this Watermelon Martini look amazing? I think it does…but I was in no mood to make it myself! No,after a torturous week of dealing with food poisoning I’m not in the mood to eat or drink…and you know I love both.

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Gin and Tonic – A Quintessentially Classic Summer Cocktail

I’ve enjoyed this venture into cocktail making but can I share something with you? I don’t drink a lot…no, really I don’t! I come from a family with a history of alcoholism and as a result I’m as cautious as any one person could be to be aware of my drinking habits. So…do I drink [...]

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Bacardi Cocktail – Another Classic for #HappyHourFriday

I might have had a moment in college when I tried an underage drinking experiment but the truth is, drinking to excess has never been my thing and worrying about getting into trouble kept me from having too many of those experiences. So turning 21 was actually a big moment; when I could order a [...]

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Pistachio & Cambozola Cheese Sables with Denver Sausage & Wine for #Baketogether and #HappyHourFriday

Pistachio and Cambozola Cheese Sables with Denver Sausage and Wine

This weeks Happy Hour Friday is a bit different and I hope you’ll enjoy it; after all, beverages are only one component of Happy Hour and we need the accompanying foods too, right? I participate in a monthly event called #Baketogether that was started by my friend Abby Dodge. Abby is a former pastry chef [...]

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Sparkling Pomegranate Margarita and Homemade Grenadine Syrup for #HappyHourFriday

I know, I know…I’m late for a very important date. I typically get my cocktail post out in the morning but I’m living by the ‘better late than never’ mantra today. I went out for cocktails last night instead of making one. Let’s call it research!

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A Classic Irish Coffee for #HappyHourFriday

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day and for many it’s a reason to drink not just beer, but green beer. I have a feeling that some of the debauchery associated with this holiday is much more American tradition than Irish! In lieu of green beer, I much prefer a familiar cocktail associated with Ireland that actually [...]

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A Classic Whiskey Sour for #HappyHourFriday

A few weeks ago I wrote about another classic cocktail, the Manhattan, and I won’t deny that experience had me start thinking about other cocktails of my parents generation and this was one that came to mind. I can see why it’s maintained it’s popularity; it’s an elegant combination of ingredients and certainly beyond simple [...]

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Denver Restaurant Olivéa’s Ophelia Cocktail – Gin, Rosemary Simple Syrup & Lemon Juice

Denver’s 5280 Magazine is a gorgeous periodical that delivers a wealth of information to readers about what’s going on the the Mile High City. Food, drink, events and personalities are highlighted each month and it’s one of those magazines I don’t have delivered but am helpless to resist when I see the latest version at [...]

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Beer Tasting at Fadó’s Irish Pub, Denver, CO and a Shepherd’s Pie

Although I’ve too often stated my longing to be Italian, the truth is I’m a mixed breed of German, Swiss, English and Irish. Even though Irish food is seldom thought of as gourmet offerings I have to tell you I love it. Fish and Chips are a favorite as is this dish, Shepherd’s Pie. Does [...]

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Blood Orange Margarita

I have a recipe I love for margaritas. It’s best when made ahead of time and all of the flavors are given a chance to meld. That wait is hard because it’s usually summer before we enjoy them. Yes…summer. I am just not a winter time margarita drinker. Something about that cold and icy drink [...]

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Aperol Spritz – Come With Me to Italy!

If you know anything about me, it’s that I fancy myself Italian. Please don’t share that with my family as they will surely have me committed but in that word ‘fancy’ lies the key. Isn’t that really ‘pretends” but knows the truth? I’ve mentioned my love of Italian food, architecture and more. And now today…a [...]

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Scharffen Berger Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini

I’ve done a lot of liqueurs lately haven’t I? Cranberry Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur for the holidays and in my case made to give to friends and family as holiday gifts. I’ve got Limoncello in my brewing facility (OK, garage) that will be ready for summer but for right now? How about Chocolate Liqueur made [...]

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A Classic Manhattan Served with Mushroom Paté

I recently started working with The Daily Basics, an online lifestyle magazine where I’ll be their cocktail/appetizer contributor each month. Either a cocktail or appetizer will be shared here on Creative Culinary and the companion will be featured on their site. This month, I was inspired to make a Classic Manhattan, which became the tale [...]

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