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

Drinks

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!

Having a party and don’t know what to serve? Or just looking for something marvelous to make for ‘Happy Hour’ with friends. Here you can find the best quick and easy drinks, seasonal favorites, holiday classics, and many of my favorite cocktail recipes from near and far.

College Football Jello Shots

Team colors for NCAA College Football Jello Shots
Team colors for NCAA College Football Jello Shots

Are you ready for the start of the NCAA College Football season? I am! How would you like to be the hit of the next tailgate party? These Jello Shots are what every TRUE fan needs to try! Make them in team colors and choose from 9 different flavors! You’ll ROCK!

Jello Shots

Jello Shots, Anyone? Try the slightly sweet, rich, and creamy flavor of Espresso and Cream
Jello Shots, Anyone? Try the slightly sweet, rich, and creamy flavor of Espresso and Cream

Are you looking for that perfect Jello Shot recipe? Do you need a specific color, like black for Halloween or red for Christmas, or are you having a themed party and need a unique flavor? You will find Jello Shot recipes in different flavors and colors to match any occasion.

Peanut Butter Cup Jello Shots – The perfect girl’s weekend party starter! Going away for a girl’s weekend and don’t know what to bring to get the party started? Made in advance, these Peanut Butter Cup Jello Shots can be placed in a Ziploc bag, kept chilled, and transported to your destination. Your friends will LOVE them.

Peanut Butter Cup Jello Shots - The perfect girl's weekend party starter!
Peanut Butter Cup Jello Shots – The perfect girl’s weekend party starter!

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.

6 FABULOUS & Easy Fall Cocktails

Caramel Apple Vodka Martini - The best Autumn cocktail for this enchanting season
Caramel Apple Vodka Martini – The best Autumn cocktail for this enchanting season
Make a profound presentation - the dark and lovely Espresso Martini!
Make a profound presentation – the dark and lovely Espresso Martini!
Make these Amazing Oreo Cookie shots for your next party - Watch what happens next!
Make these Amazing Oreo Cookie Shots for your next party – Watch what happens next!
Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of Pumpkin Pie Martini delight!
Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of Pumpkin Pie Martini delight!
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!
Go Shorty it’s your birthday! You must try this fluffy, nutty, white chocolate Birthday Cake Martini!
Go Shorty it’s your birthday! You must try this fluffy, nutty, white chocolate Birthday Cake Martini!

Celebrating Halloween by hosting a party? Decorating is time-consuming, so you don’t want your food and drinks to be as well.

Feeling frightful? These ghoulish Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for!
Feeling frightful? These ghoulish Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for!
Can you feel it? Passionate panic, frightful fruit, hypnotizing Hpnotic - the Blu Martini
Can you feel it? Passionate panic, frightful fruit, hypnotizing Hpnotic – the Blu Martini
How to make the best chilling hair-raising Halloween potion ever, Ghoulish Goblin Shooters!
How to make the best chilling hair-raising Halloween potion ever, Ghoulish Goblin Shooters!
Feeling frightful? These ghoulish Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for!
Feeling frightful? These ghoulish Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for!
Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of RumChata Pumpkin delight!
Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of Pumpkin Pie Martini delight!
Feeling frightful? These ghoulish Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for!
Creepy Coconut Jello Shots are to die for! Creepy Cloth can be found here. Other decorations here.
Don't be a witch this Halloween night. Cast a spell of Pumpkin RumChata Jello Shots delight!
Don’t be a witch this Halloween night. Cast a spell of Pumpkin RumChata Jello Shots delight!
Party Bar Setup
Party Bar Setup

It’s easy to set up a bar for your next party. You’ll need Vodka, Rum, Scotch, Bourbon, Tequilla, White & Red wine and an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.

Mixers should consist of cranberry juice, sour mix, club soda, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprint and tonic water.

I also made in advance a carafe of Blu Martinis, Ghoulish Goblin Shooters, Pumpkin Pie Martinis and Ransom Note Martinis. I placed them in 32- ounce carafes in the large beverage bucket for convenience. The Jello Shots should be kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

A cooler with ice is next to the bar. A small scoop is handy, so people don’t pick up the ice with their hands.

Other essentials are a shaker, fresh fruit (lemons, limes, and oranges), some mint, a knife, a small cutting board for slicing the fruit, glasses, straws and napkins.


Hi I’m Susan

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

Absolutely the best tasting tea around! Firefly Sweet Tea Jello Shots!
Absolutely the best tasting tea around! Firefly Sweet Tea Jello Shots!
You’ll go nuts for the creamy, sweet, tropical island flavor of these Coconut Jello shots
You’ll go nuts for the creamy, sweet, tropical island flavor of these Coconut Jello shots
Love Espresso Martinis? Then you will love these Espresso Martini Jello Shots!
Love Espresso Martinis? Then you will love these Espresso Martini Jello Shots!

Planning a Party or a Girl’s Night and don’t know what drinks to serve?

Drinks by Liquor

Want something pretty in pink? The pink glitter Gin Martini – I Glitterally Can’t
Want something pretty in pink? The pink glitter Gin Martini – I Glitterally Can’t

Drinks by Liqueur

Peter Island Oceans 7 Bushwacker
The Bushwacker – A specialty drink from Peter Island, BVI

Drinks by Color

Can you feel it? Passionate panic, frightful fruit, hypnotizing Hpnotic - the Blu Martini
Can you feel it? Passionate panic, frightful fruit, hypnotizing Hpnotic – the Blue Martini

More Popular Drink Recipes

Almond Latte made with Baileys, Godiva Chocolate and DiSaronno
Almond Latte made with Baileys, Godiva Chocolate and DiSaronno
Mead Sour Anyone? Mix up the Best, Easy and Delicious Mead Cocktail ever!
Mead Sour Anyone? Mix up the Best, Easy and Delicious Mead Cocktail ever!
Fabulous Coconut Espresso Martini – You’ll Wish You Tried this Sooner!
Fabulous Coconut Espresso Martini – You’ll Wish You Tried this Sooner!
Serious and sophisticated, yet bubbly and playful! The French 76
Serious and sophisticated, yet bubbly and playful! The French 76
Pineapple Upside Down Champagne – Happiness in a glass!
Pineapple Upside Down Champagne – Happiness in a glass!

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!

Mix, Mingle & Marvel: 5 Essential Secrets to Crafting Cocktails That Wow! This free printable guide is my gift to you; all you have to do is subscribe to my mailing list.

Headed to Charleston?

I’m a creature of habit; if I’m in town for just one night, this would be my routine: Halls Chophouse for dinner, Proof for drinks, and last but not least, Carmella’s for dessert. You can’t go wrong with any of these downtown Charleston establishments.

Dirty Martini Halls Chophouse
Dirty Martini Halls Chophouse
A Good Time Had by All - Seafood Tower Halls Chophouse
A Good Time Had by All – Seafood Tower Halls Chophouse

Halls Chophouse Charleston is my favorite location — always friendly people and staff. Even if you dine alone, the bar will entertain you, and your bar neighbors will offer you a taste of their expensive wine! Or maybe I just got lucky.

Oysters on the Half Shell - Halls Chophouse Charleston
Oysters on the Half Shell – Halls Chophouse Charleston

Proof Charleston

Marion Square Fountain
Marion Square Fountain

If walking down King Street towards Calhoun, check out the Marion Square Fountain.

BB from Proof, Charleston
BB from Proof, Charleston – Youtube
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!

Across the street from Halls is Proof, an intimate craft cocktail bar where BB will mix up one or more of the best cocktails in Charleston. Try the Bourbon Gold Rush; it’s fabulous. You won’t be disappointed.

Watch BB show you how to make a Gold Rush.

Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar Charleston

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

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

Have a sweet tooth? I do. Then you’ll love Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar. Need help? Just ask Jason.

With locations on Main Street in Greenville and in the heart of downtown Charleston, Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar combines generationally tested, gourmet recipes with a regional flair. We have a vast array of continually changing desserts, gelato, and sorbet, as well as fresh, organic coffees, sandwiches, pizza, wine, beer, and cocktails.

About | Carmella’s Cafe & Dessert Bar (carmellasdessertbar.com)

Felix Cocktails Charleston

Lane from Felix
Lane from Felix

Trying a ‘Last Word’ has been on my bucket list of cocktails since my friend recommended one. I’ve also had a fascination with the purple-colored Empress Gin. Not because I’m a gin drinker but because my favorite color is purple, and purple-colored cocktails are so cool.

Last Word, Felix
Last Word, Felix

So when I stopped at Felix the last time I was in Charleston, I asked Lane to make me a Last Word, but I wanted her to use Empress Gin. Felix supports local businesses, so they had Nippitaty Aurora Gin instead of Empress.

Felix Specialty Cocktail Menu
Felix Specialty Cocktail Menu

Empress and Aurora Gins have a hint of floral, with Aurora getting the purple color from butterfly pea flowers. Floral flavored Gin is not typically used to make a Last Word, but I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor of this concoction.

Thank you Lane!


As a former-Northeasterner-turned Southerner, I wanted to create a fabulous appetizer for a party but hadn’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 South–and then I became a believer!

3 Reasons This is the Best Pimento Cheese Appetizer You’ll EVER Make
3 Reasons This is the Best Pimento Cheese Appetizer You’ll EVER Make

NCAA College Football Jello Shots! 9 Flavors! Team Colors!

Are you ready for NCAA College Football season! Now’s the time to get a head start and prepare for the new season so that you can support your favorite football team like a pro. Check out these recipes for NCAA College Football Jello Shots. There are 9 different flavors of Jello Shots to choose from, and all you have to do is use your Team colors as the food coloring in the recipe.

Team colors for NCAA College Football Jello Shots
Team colors for NCAA College Football Jello Shots

Who’s your favorite Team? Check out the NCAA College Football Jello Shots. If your Team isn’t listed, leave me a comment, and I’ll create a Jello Shot recipe just for you.

Jello Shots that every TRUE Georgia Bulldogs fan needs to try!
Jello Shots that every TRUE Georgia Bulldogs fan needs to try!
The Jello Shots that every TRUE Michigan Wolverines fan needs to try!
The Jello Shots that every TRUE Michigan Wolverines fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE Florida State Seminoles Fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE Florida State Seminoles Fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE Texas Longhorns Fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE Texas Longhorns Fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE USC Trojans fan needs to try!
Jello Shots every TRUE USC Trojans fan needs to try!
Jello Shots that every TRUE Ohio State Buckeyes fan needs to try!
Jello Shots that every TRUE Ohio State Buckeyes fan needs to try!


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!


5 Easy, Amazing and Unique Drinks from Nashville, TN

Recently my friends and I 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 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.


The Best Ever Chocolate Martini, from The Vault, Cleveland, Ohio

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 that I want to feel the luck of the Irish. If you want to read about the trip, check out the story here.

Galway Ireland
Galway Ireland

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Easy Seasonal Drink Recipes

Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of Pumpkin Pie Martini delight!
Feeling a little Halloween fright? Stir up a cauldron of Pumpkin Pie Martini delight!
Don't be a witch this Halloween night. Cast a spell of Pumpkin RumChata Jello Shots delight!
Don’t be a witch this Halloween night. Cast a spell of Pumpkin RumChata Jello Shots delight!

Santa's little helper. This quick, easy, and incredible Cranberry Mule!
Santa’s little helper. This quick, easy, and incredible Cranberry Mule!

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