It’s been a long, cold winter and the bright yellow blossoms of our forsythia bushes are an incredibly welcome sight to see. We actually had more snow last week, but somehow new life is beginning to emerge, the first signs of Spring peeking through the gray-brown New Hampshire landscape. I’ve been really interested in wild edible plants recently, and specifically, local, New England-native edible flowers I can forage for.

I’ve been enjoying a lot more mezcal recently, and while working on some new recipes, I decided to shake up a mezcal version of one of my favorite classic cocktails in this lovely, Italian leather-wrapped cobbler shaker gifted to me by Graphic Image (isn’t it gorgeous?! ?)

Ever taste something, or smell something, that just instantly transports you to another time? I picked up some Japanese Ramune soda (strawberry flavor) the other day and the first sip was like stepping back into some long forgotten childhood memory. The hazy, hot days of a summer spent running through sprinklers, catching frogs, going to my brother’s little league practices, and guzzling those brightly colored little juice drinks that come in chintzy, barrel-shaped plastic bottles.

I’m really into making simple summery cocktails using some of my favorite bottled beverages from Whole Foods at the moment. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water is my go-to coconut water (and pretty much the ultimate hangover cure).

I’ve been taking a few days to unplug, do some spring cleaning, and find time for relaxing with the family. Even though it snowed here today, I’m winding down the weekend with a warm weather-inspired g&t featuring blueberry-infused gin and cold-pressed watermelon juice. And after clearing out my shoe collection today, and donating 50+ pairs to Goodwill, I think I’ve earned a drink!

If you love books and cocktails, the Bad People Book Club is the subscription box for you! Each month they send a beautifully curated box with a novel and a recipe + ingredients for a cocktail inspired by the book. I had so much fun creating this month’s Bad People Book Club cocktail!