I believe you have an inner “Cocktail Barista” who’s ready to WOW your party guests with tasty, awe-inspiring drinks.

Susan from Easy Drinks and Appetizers

Hi, I’m Susan

Do you find making cocktails intimidating? 

Have your previous forays into cocktail-making ended in disaster? 

Do you long to wow your guests with your bartending skills but can’t figure out why your drinks taste all wrong? 

If so, you’re in the right place… I can help.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to gather your favorite peopleโ€”friends, loved ones, and familyโ€”and celebrate with something delicious in hand.

Pomegranate Orange Spritz: A Sparkling Cocktail Perfect for the Holidays
Pomegranate Orange Spritz: A Sparkling Cocktail Perfect for the Holidays
The Perfect Pomegranate Martini
The Perfect Pomegranate Martini
Bubbly Gingered Pear Champagne Cocktail: Youโ€™re going to LOVE it!
Bubbly Gingered Pear Champagne Cocktail: Youโ€™re going to LOVE it!
Bring on the bubbly! Sweet, sophisticated, sassy! Frangelico Champagne
Bring on the bubbly! Sweet, sophisticated, sassy! Frangelico Champagne
Absolutely the BEST Sparkling Pear Cocktail: Champagne and Pear Liqueur
Absolutely the BEST Sparkling Pear Champagne Cocktail

Whether you’re planning a romantic evening for two or a festive get-together filled with laughter, champagne cocktails, and other irresistible drinks, instantly set the mood.

La Vie en Rouge - Crafting the Perfect Grand Mariner Cocktail
La Vie en Rouge – Crafting the Perfect Grand Mariner Cocktail
Looking for Paradise? How to Make the Perfect Passion Fruit Mimosa
Looking for Paradise? How to Make the Perfect Passion Fruit Mimosa
Champagne Sunset - Sexy, smooth, sophisticated. A remarkable new way to fix your Champagne!
Celebrate Lifeโ€™s Sparkling Moments with a Tangerine and Brandy Champagne Cocktail
Pineapple Upside Down Champagne โ€“ Happiness in a glass!
Festive Cranberry Pineapple Fizz: All the Fun of Champagne Punchโ€”No Bowl Required

From bubbly, sweet, and flirty sips to rich, indulgent favorites and elegant sparkling classics, these cocktails are made for sharing and savoring.

Simple and strawberry! See why youโ€™ll love this easy Strawberry Martini
Simple and strawberry! See why youโ€™ll love this easy Strawberry Martini
Espresso and Cream Martini Jello Shots with a cup of espresso topped with whipped cream
Espresso and Cream Martini Jello Shots pictured with a cup of espresso
Serious and sophisticated, yet bubbly and playful! The French 76
Serious and sophisticated, yet bubbly and playful! The French 76
Mango Mimosa
From Brunch to Big Moments: Celebrate with an Effortless Mango Mimosa
Hpnotiq Bliss - A Champagne cocktail that will remind you of your first kiss
The Perfect Party Pour: Hpnotiq Champagne Cocktail for Holidays & Celebrations

Pour a glass, toast to love in all its forms, and enjoy a Valentine’s Day that feels joyful, indulgent, and unforgettable.

Sparkle Your Way to Pure Delight: Champagne and Ginger Liqueur
Sparkle Your Way to Pure Delight: Ginger Champagne Cocktail
Want Something Frosty and Fabulous? Then you MUST try the Blueberry Lavender Fizz
Frosty, Fabulous, and Floral: The Delightful Blueberry Lavender Sparkler

Cheers to love in all its beautiful formsโ€”may every sparkling sip bring you closer, warmer hearts, and sweet moments worth celebrating together.

For the cocktail Barista, sleek cocktail shakers, elegant martini glasses, and handy citrus juicers make thoughtful gifts. I recommend these products because I use them myself, and they’ve become essential tools that elevate both the style and ease of crafting delicious drinks at home.

Get Your Green On: Irresistible St. Patrickโ€™s Day Cocktails

Gather your favorite people, throw on something green, and let the St. Patrick’s Day celebration begin! From festive green cocktails to Irish-inspired sips with a playful twist, these drinks are made for laughing, clinking glasses, and soaking up all the shamrock-filled cheer.

Irish Gilt: Discover this Remarkable St. Patrickโ€™s Day Cocktail
Irish Gilt: Discover this Remarkable St. Patrickโ€™s Day Cocktail
Craving a Guinness without the bite? You've absolutely got to try a Black & Black!
Craving a Guinness without the bite? You’ve absolutely got to try a Black & Black!
Irish Snowstorm Espresso Martini Garnished with a Caramel and Salted Rim
Irish Snowstorm Espresso Martini Garnished with a Caramel and Salted Rim

Whether you’re heading out for parades and pub hopping or hosting a cozy celebration at home, these St. Patrick’s Day cocktails bring the luck, the flavor, and the fun. Raise a glass, make a toast, and celebrate friendshipโ€”because every great St. Paddy’s Day deserves a delicious drink in hand.

The Baby Guinness โ€“ A Popular Irish Shooter Resembling the Iconic Irish Stout
The Baby Guinness โ€“ A Popular Irish Shooter Resembling the Iconic Irish Stout
Espresso and Cream Martini Jello Shots with a cup of espresso topped with whipped cream
Espresso and Cream Martini Jello Shots – The ‘look a like’ Baby Guinness
Irish Car Bomb, drink up!
Irish Car Bomb, Drink Up!

Cheers to friendship and the luck of the Irish!

Powerful Party Cocktails That Will Dazzle Every Guest

Want something pretty in pink? The pink glitter Gin Martini โ€“ I Glitterally Canโ€™t
Want something pretty in pink? The pink glitter Gin Martini โ€“ I Glitterally Canโ€™t
Peter Island Oceans 7 Bushwacker
The Bushwacker – A specialty drink from Peter Island, BVI
Can you feel it? Passion, Fright, Hypnotizing Hpnotic โ€“ the Sapphire Spell Martini!
Can you feel it? Passion, Fright, Hypnotizing Hpnotic โ€“ the Sapphire Spell Martini!

Imagine…

Wowing your friends when you hand them that perfect-looking martini. Seeing them take their first sip with wide smiles and declarations of “this is delicious!” Feeling that sense of pride and accomplishment at mixing delectable drinks!

Do you want to know the secrets to mixing the best cocktails EVER? Get my free printable guide:

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A Delightful Twist on Classic Cocktails: The Pear Martini with Ginger Liqueur
A Delightful Twist on Classic Cocktails: The Pear Martini with Ginger Liqueur
A Zesty Twist: The Best Bitter Orange Margarita You Can Make at Home
A Zesty Twist: The Best Bitter Orange Margarita You Can Make at Home
This holiday season, ditch the eggnog and delight with a Snowflake Martini
This holiday season, ditch the eggnog and delight with a Snowflake Martini

Elevate Game Day with the Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser โ€” Man Dip

Indulge your taste buds with Man Dip, an enticing appetizer featuring chiliโ€™s bold flavor. Each bite promises an irresistible combination of flavor and savory goodness. The chili, cheeses, and salsa create a flavorful blend that awakens the tastebuds. This appetizer has only four ingredients, can be made in an oven-rated serving dish, and will leave guests craving more.

Perfect for any get-together with friends and family, Man Dip is served with Tostitos Scoops (my favorite), Fritos, Blue Tortilla Chips, or French bread toast. Fire up your game day with the ultimate crowd-pleaser recipe!

College Football Jello Shots! Dozens of Flavors! Team Colors!

Are you ready for the start of College Football season? I am! How would you like to be the hit of the next tailgate party supporting your College Football Team with the best-tasting Football Jello Shots ever? These Jello Shots are what every TRUE football fan needs to try! Make them in team colors and choose from dozens of Vodkas, Rum, and Whiskey flavors! You’ll CRUSH IT!

Ohio State Buckeyes Jello Shots
Ohio State Buckeyes Jello Shots
Indiana Hoosiers Jello Shots
Indiana Hoosiers Jello Shots
Texas A&M Vodka Jello Shots
Texas A&M Jello Shots
Alabama Crimson Tide Jello Shots
Alabama Crimson Tide Jello Shots
Georgia Bulldogs Jello Shots
Georgia Bulldogs Jello Shots
Ole Miss Rebels Jello Shots
Ole Miss Rebels Jello Shots

Mistletoe kisses and candy cane wishes make for a joyous holiday season. These Peppermint Bark Jello Shots will chill you like the winds from the North Pole, but have a kick thatโ€™ll make you feel like Blitzen after Santaโ€™s Christmas party.

Looking for a fun and festive way to bring holiday cheer to your next party? These shots are creamy, minty, and full of Christmas spirit. Made with Peppermint Bark RumChata and whipped cream vodka, they taste just like your favorite peppermint bark candyโ€”but with a playful boozy twist. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie swaps, or Christmas Eve celebrations.

More AMAZING Jello Shot Recipes – Your Family & Friends will LOVE them!


3 Reasons This is the Best Pimento Cheese Appetizer Youโ€™ll EVER Make
3 Reasons This is the Best Pimento Cheese Appetizer Youโ€™ll EVER Make

As a former-Northeasterner-turned Southerner, I wanted to create a fabulous appetizer for a party but hadnโ€™t a clue what might be a party-pleaser. Enter: Pimento cheese! Everyone loves it, but I never tried this creamy and slightly spicy delicacy till I moved Southโ€“and then I became a believer!

48 Hours in Las Vegas: A Birthday Experience with Holiday Sparkle

Las Vegas has always been a great place to make a quick getaway, so what better way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or girls’ weekend! With so much to see and do, we made every moment count, from staying at the opulent Venetian Hotel to experiencing the city’s seasonal charm.

Juliet Cocktail Room, a sleek and stylish bar quickly became our favorite. The moody ambiance set the tone for an unforgettable cocktail experience. The Queen’s Garden and Monkey Slide Martini were artfully crafted, showcasing unique flavor combinations that left us impressed (and maybe a little buzzed).

Discover how to make the most of a whirlwind 48-hour Vegas adventure with insider tips, must-try cocktail recipes, and stories that blend excitement with indulgence!


Espresso Martini, Ocean House 19 Willemstad, Curacao
Espresso Martini

Pigeon Forge is a fantastic place to visit because of its beautiful natural surroundings and fun attractions. Located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s an excellent spot for nature lovers. You can go hiking, see wildlife, and enjoy stunning mountain views. Each season brings something special, like colorful wildflowers in the spring and fantastic fall foliage.

Dollywood 70
Dollywood 70
View from Clingmans Dome
View from Clingmans Dome
Dollywood Umbrellas
Dollywood Umbrellas
A Zesty Twist: The Best Bitter Orange Margarita You Can Make at Home
A Zesty Twist: The Best Bitter Orange Margarita You Can Make at Home
Indulge in Decadence: The Pecan Pie Martini, You Wish You Tried Sooner
Indulge in Decadence: The Pecan Pie Martini, You Wish You Tried Sooner

Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas are a paradise for food and drink enthusiasts. The town offers a wide variety of Southern cuisine, with places like the Dancing Bear Lodge Townsend, TN, providing a fine dining experience using locally sourced ingredients in a cozy, rustic setting. 

Espresso Martini with Cold Foam Dancing Bear
Espresso Martini with Cold Foam Dancing Bear

For those with a taste for local spirits, a visit to Sugarlands Distillery is a must. Here, you can take a tour to witness the making of their award-winning moonshine and indulge in tastings of various flavors. Whether craving a hearty meal, a sweet treat, or a unique cocktail, Gatlinburg has many options to satiate your palate.

Read more about my trip and get the recipes for some of Tennessee’s best cocktails.

Headed to Charleston?

Entering my favorite Charleston restaurant feels like coming home to a cozy haven where I can leave the hectic day behind me and be replaced by the promise of a delightful evening ahead. The soft lighting casts a friendly glow, setting the stage for an energetic experience. Discover the vibrant cocktail scene in Charleston, SC, where every sip tells a story of Southern charm.

Dirty Martini Halls Chophouse
Dirty Martini Halls Chophouse
Guaranteed to find pure gold and exhilarate your senses: the Bourbon Gold Rush!
Guaranteed to find pure gold and exhilarate your senses: the Bourbon Gold Rush!
French 76
French 76 Halls Chophouse
Last Word, Felix
Last Word, Felix

Have a sweet tooth? I do. Then you’ll love Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar.

Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar, Charleston
Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar, Charleston

8 Exotic, Amazing and Effortless drinks from the British Virgin Islands

Travel and photography have always been my passion. Now I can share my travel stories and photographs with you, along with the best exotic cocktail recipes the BVIs offer. Click here to check out the videos of local Bartenders mixing some of the best exotic tropical drinks the BVIs have to offer. Enjoy!

Drinks from the Cooper Island Beach Club, BVI
Drinks from the Cooper Island Beach Club, BVI

5 Easy, Amazing and Unique Drinks from Nashville, TN

My friends and I recently traveled to Nashville for a 50th Birthday celebration. While in Nashville, I found 5 great-tasting, easy drink recipes that I know you’ll love to try. Check out the local bartenders sharing their recipes for these 5 easy drinks.

You can also read about our trip and check out the pictures of the most fun people in Nashville! Click here for the recipes and story.


Planning a trip to Cleveland, check out The Vault, and order the best tasting Chocolate Martini ever! Brooklyn shows you how to make this delicious cocktail!

Brooklyn from the Vault
Brooklyn from the Vault making a Chocolate Martini! Thank you Brooklyn!!!!

While traveling in Ireland, I learned how to make 5 Traditional Irish Drinks to serve on St Patrick’s Day

On a trip to Ireland, I learned how to make 5 Traditional Irish Drinks. I serve them on St Patrick’s Day, and any day I want to feel the luck of the Irish. Check out the story here.

Galway Ireland
Galway Ireland

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