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Here’s the recent cocktail lineup—mostly excel

Here’s the recent cocktail lineup—mostly excellent, with one dud at the end. Let’s break it down:

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – Gin, lemon, pineapple, orgeat, and Peychaud’s. Bright, nutty, and just a little bit exotic—like a tropical getaway with a botanical twist. Named after Hawaii’s state fish, which is just as fun to drink as it is to say.

Pagan Holiday – Three rums, basil honey syrup, lemon, and pineapple. Smooth, layered, and just the right amount of chaos—like a beach bonfire where someone brought a conch shell.

Margarita Del Diablo – Tequila, lime, chili liqueur, and a float of red wine. A margarita with a spicy attitude and a dramatic red cape.

Sleeping Lotus – Like an Army & Navy but with extra orgeat and orange bitters, served over crushed ice. Nutty, citrusy, and just tiki enough to make you rethink what a gin drink can be.

Ankle Breaker – Overproof rum, Cherry Heering, and lime. Strong, dark, and slightly dangerous—exactly what you want from something named after a serious injury.

Shark’s Tooth – Sharp, citrusy, and refreshing. Like a rogue wave, but the kind you don’t mind getting hit by.

Tommy’s Margarita – Simple, strong, and perfect. Tequila, lime, and agave syrup keeping it smooth and clean—no frills, all thrills.

Prime Minister Cocktail – Rum, Lillet Blanc, and Cherry Heering, stirred. It sounded promising, but something about it just didn’t work for me. Maybe I expected more authority from a drink with this name.

#cocktailsondeck #weeklyroundup #go_with_the_flow

The Sleeping Lotus from @punch_drink —think Army

The Sleeping Lotus from @punch_drink —think Army & Navy with extra orgeat, added mint, and a swap to orange bitters. A little sweeter, but that just makes it go down easier. Stirred up with my new swizzle from @jeffgranitodesigns and sipped through a bamboo glass straw from @surfsidesips. Want your own cool straw? Get 20% off at Surfside Sips with code SHAKENUP! #cocktailsondeck #sweetsippin #sleepinglotus

The Shark’s Tooth—dangerously delicious but no

The Shark’s Tooth—dangerously delicious but not too sweet, and just the right amount of pineapple. Legend has it, this tiki classic surfaced in the ‘70s, proving that even sharks appreciate a good drink. No actual teeth involved, just a killer cocktail. #sharktale #tikipatrol #cocktailsondeck

Shook up a Pagan Holiday (@rumdood) today—becaus

Shook up a Pagan Holiday (@rumdood) today—because every day deserves a little ritual. This one’s a little sweet, a little herbal (thanks to a hint of basil), and full of character with Jamaican, Demerara, and pineapple rum all in the mix.

And making it even better? My @surfsidesips straw, featuring the most relaxed sloth around. If this drink had a spirit animal, it’d be this little guy—chill, effortless, and exactly where it wants to be.

Want a cool @surfsidesips straw? Snag one at @surfsidesips and take 20% off with code SHAKENUP.

#shakenandsipping #slothapproved #rumsquad #paganholiday #cocktailsondeck

Last week’s cocktail lineup, ranked from “pour

Last week’s cocktail lineup, ranked from “pour me another” to “once was enough”:

1️⃣ Tijuana Brass
Smooth, bold, and downright delicious. Herb Alpert would approve.

2️⃣ ’44 Mai Tai
A tiki legend for a reason—no shortcuts, just pure tropical perfection.

3️⃣ JFK Harris
A modern classic from Dutch Kills in Long Island. White rum, lemon, mint, and a red wine float? Surprisingly good.

4️⃣ Cosmopolitan
Bright, tangy, and a little too easy to drink. I get why it had its moment.

5️⃣ Dry Margarita
A different spec than my usual, but still a solid, no-frills tequila-lime fix.

6️⃣ Hurricane
Big, bold, and full of passion(fruit). I see the appeal.

7️⃣ Across the Pond
A stunning shade of blue… but beauty is only sip-deep.

Here’s to more sips and adventures ahead. Cheers to the weekend!

#cocktailchronicles #sipssubjective #tikitotop #clarifiedopinions #bluebutmeh #herbalpertapproved #cocktailsondeck

Sipping on a 1944 Mai Tai in my new @jeffgranitode

Sipping on a 1944 Mai Tai in my new @jeffgranitodesigns Mai Tai glass, because some drinks deserve the VIP treatment. Trader Vic himself whipped up this classic, handing it to a friend who took one sip and declared, “Maita’i roa ae!”—Tahitian for “the best.” And just like that, a legend was born.

Naturally, I’m slurping it up with my @surfsidesips Salila the Salamander straw. This green beauty, featuring a little yellow salamander, is right at home in this tropical classic. (Want one? Snag 20% off with code SHAKENUP.)

The pool is looking crystal clear and ready to go—I just need the weather to catch up. Until then, I’ll stick to floating in spirit, preferably with a Mai Tai in hand.

#maitaistory #tikipioneer #salamandersips #cocktailclassics #bringthesun @tradervicshospitality

Happy Anniversary, Sam. I lost my husband in 2016

Happy Anniversary, Sam.

I lost my husband in 2016, and today is our wedding anniversary. So, I did what felt right—cooked a thick, reverse-seared filet to a perfect medium-rare-rare. A slow warm-up in the oven to 128°F, then a scorching-hot cast iron sear, all while blasting Rush, because obviously, that was Sam’s favorite band.

While the steak was in the oven, I sipped my favorite cocktail from @shakerandspoon —the Tijuana Brass—añejo tequila, cinnamon Demerara syrup, and two rose-shaped coconut water cubes that slowly melted, evolving the drink with every sip.

Then came the sear… and the inevitable screech of the smoke alarms. Not to be outdone, my HomePod sent me an urgent notification that my own house was full of smoke. Thanks, Apple. I took my dinner outside, let the alarms sort themselves out, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Feynman, unfortunately, has food allergies, so no filet for him. He’s still holding a grudge.

Now, I’m closing out the night with one of our favorite movies—American Psycho.

Miss you terribly, Sam.

#anniversaryfilet #yyzforever #americanpsycho #homepodishelping #cocktailsondeck #rushisaband

Still knee-deep in unpacking (will it ever end?),

Still knee-deep in unpacking (will it ever end?), and unearthed some @patobriens hurricane glasses from a trip years ago. With a red sky this morning (sailor’s warning), making hurricanes this afternoon felt like fate. This one follows the original recipe—rich and citrusy—rather than the bright red version you’ll find in the French Quarter.

Only one straw in the house is tall enough for these glasses, and it’s none other than Salila the Salamander. Want one of your own? Snag it for 20% off at @surfsidesips with code SHAKENUP!

#notquitehurricaneseason #sipinsalila #stormbrewing #smugglerscove #cocktailsondeck

Recent cocktail adventures: two winners, one disas

Recent cocktail adventures: two winners, one disaster.

The top contenders? The South Slope—light, citrusy, and refreshing—and the Gulf of Mexico Margarita, kicked up with cilantro and jalapeño. Both are definite keepers.

The clear loser? The IPA Mai Tai. Looked promising, had decent reviews… and yet, absolutely not. One sip in, and I had to cut my losses, ditch the cocktail, and finish the beer solo. Some things just weren’t meant to be.

Still, not a bad streak—until today.

#cocktailchronicles #mixologymishaps #sipandsob #winningandlosing #cocktailsondeck

First dive into Lillet Blanc, and I gotta say—th

First dive into Lillet Blanc, and I gotta say—the South Slope cocktail is a stunner. Light, citrusy, with just enough herbal intrigue to keep things interesting. It’s like a French apéritif took a stroll through a summer garden and decided to stick around for happy hour.

And let’s talk about that Tattoo coupe from @hitherlane —this beauty deserves a cocktail with some elegance, and the South Slope delivers. Smooth, balanced, and a little fancy (but not too fancy).

Not a bad way to kick off the Lillet adventure.

#southslope #lilletblanc #cocktailsondeck

Seventy degrees (21°C) and sunny—prime weather

Seventy degrees (21°C) and sunny—prime weather to wear whatever you want. Shorts? Sweaters? Both? No wrong answers.

It’s also the perfect excuse to break out the BumperBar (@thebumperbar )—a portable bar in a briefcase. It’s got a spot for everything: bottles, garnishes, ingredients, and tools. The textured work surface (like a built-in bar mat) keeps things steady, even if your pours get a little ambitious.

The deluxe version kicks it up a notch with a cutting board, shaker, jigger, and a separate bar mat—because why not go all in? And if you’re thinking about grabbing one, here’s a little bonus: 25% off with code PortAParty25 (for a limited time).

Perfect for outdoor hangs, boat days, or letting your guests play bartender. Cheers to good weather and better drinks!

#barencased #bumpitup #portableparty #bumperbar #cocktailsoutside #cocktailsondeck

Meet Blackbeard’s Ghost—because some spirits j

Meet Blackbeard’s Ghost—because some spirits just won’t stay buried.

This eerie elixir is decked out with The Kraken cocktail pick from @elevatedcraft and a black skull straw from @surfsidesips —because even the undead deserve a little flair. Want to add some spooky style to your sips? Use code SHAKENUP for 20% off sitewide at @surfsidesips.

#ghostlygarnish #surfandslurp #cocktailsondeck

Took a little trip to the Gulf of Mexico Margarita

Here’s a throwback to The Perfect Swiss Kiss fro

Here’s a throwback to The Perfect Swiss Kiss from @cocktailchemistry —a rich, decadent dessert cocktail from the TV show Danger 5.

Topped off with a glass bamboo straw from @surfsidesips —because every drink’s better with a slick sip (20% off with code SHAKENUP)!

#glassicsippers #cocktailsondeck

Cocktail showdown this week: Winter Daiquiri and G

Cocktail showdown this week: Winter Daiquiri and Gin Basil Smash took the crown. The Mai Tai? Total flop—my bad. Thought I could swap fresh lime for a sour lime cordial… big mistake.

Better luck next time, tiki.

#winnerwinnercocktaildinner #mixologymishaps #cocktailsondeck

Got my hands on a bunch of basil, so a Gin Basil S

Got my hands on a bunch of basil, so a Gin Basil Smash was the obvious move. Fresh, herbal, and honestly hard to beat.

Poured it into my Metropolis Deco Tumbler from @viskicraft —grab 10% off in-store with code SNAZZYSIPS10. And floating right in the middle? A crystal-clear @craftklaris cube that’s almost too perfect (get 10% off with code SHAKENUP10).

Made with @kyrodistillery gin, because why not make a good thing even better?

#finngin #basilboost #clarityiskey #shakennotstirred

Happy National Margarita Day! I’m celebrating wi

Happy National Margarita Day! I’m celebrating with a classic Tommy’s Margarita—just tequila reposado, lime juice, and agave syrup. Simple, tasty, and proof that sometimes less really is more.

I poured it over a crystal-clear @craftklaris cube because why not treat your margarita like the royalty it is? (Bonus: You can snag 10% off with code SHAKENUP10.)

I was going to tell you about their new limited edition sphere ice press, but—blink and you missed it—it’s already sold out.

#iceicebaby #tequilatime #margaritamoves #nationalmargaritaday

Snakes and margaritas at @leafandbarrelproco! @lia

Snakes and margaritas at @leafandbarrelproco! @liandroso

Oh yum! The blueberry caipirinha from @diffordsgui

Oh yum! The blueberry caipirinha from @diffordsguide. Bursting with blueberry goodness. No straw here—just a stir stick, for obvious reasons. Good thing I’ve got my glass swizzle stick from @surfsidesips to do the job right. (Psst… 20% off with code SHAKENUP.)

#muddledmoments #blueberrycaipirinha #cocktailsondeck

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