Mojito

Few cocktails are as ubiquitous as the mojito, but for a true taste of Havana, this recipe can't be beat! Besides, you can't very well have a week of mint and not spotlight it come Friday!

Mojito 

1/2 oz cane syrup

6-8 mint leaves

1 1/2 oz white rum 

3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Angostura bitters

soda

Pour cane syrup into bottom of glass; press mint leaves with a muddler, being careful not to tear leaves. Add rum and lime juice, removing leaves for a cleaner cocktail, and stir to combine. Add crushed ice, stirring for 30 seconds, then add a dash of bitters. Top with more crushed ice, then soda to fill. Garnish with a healthy sprig of slapped mint.

Notes: The garnish ain't just for looks (and John insisted I include that)–it's an aromatic that gives the drink its "taste". He was also very specific about the construction of this cocktail–tearing the mint will make it bitter, the Angostura bitters will cut the sweetness of the rum and syrup, and under no circumstances should anything but unflavored soda or seltzer water be used to top off your mojito. It probably won't be quite as sweet as the mojito you can get at your local watering hole (you can always add a bit more syrup if you'd like), but it'll be much more refreshing–cheers!

Photo by Romulo Yanes for Gourmet.


PS–If you're in the market for save the dates or wedding invitations, you've still got a shot to win this Minted Contest! One lucky winner will be announced on April 1st!

Ringing

I don't discriminate against a jewel of any color, but I've always adored vivid green stones, thanks to my August birthstone, peridot, and the emeralds my second mother brings back from trips to see her family in Columbia.

What colored gems delight you, or would you do anything to be an April baby showered in diamond jewelry?

Image by Samantha Shay Photography.


PS–Looking for wedding invites or save the dates? You could win $100 off at Minted!

Nicky and Adam

 

 

 Inspired by this stunning bridal portrait by Inslee Haynes, I was on a mission to find the gorgeous celebration it captured–and I certainly wasn't disappointed! This May wedding on Daniel Island, South Carolina was chock full of white peonies by gathering events, one gorgeous Melissa Sweet gown and so many pretty green details, all arranged by Kristin Newman Designs.


Tell me, have you fallen in love with a fresh mint fête recently?


Images by Adrienne Page.


PS–Don't forget, brides-to-be, Minted and I have teamed up to help one lucky reader!

Iced

A slim heel, d'Orsay silhouette and mint green satin, all topped with a bejeweled brooch–that's my idea of heaven!

Image by Bryan N Miller Photography.


PS–If you're in the market for wedding invitations, take a peek at this Minted Contest!

Sweet Minted

Isn't this invitation heavenly? It certainly fits the bill for this week's shade, and it's just one of the unique wedding invitations and save the date cards I'm drooling over at Minted! And best of all? They're offering $100 off invites or save the dates to one lucky winner!

All you have to do to enter is visit Minted and leave a comment with your favorite design!
For more chances to win,
Like A Crimson Kiss on Facebook
Follow A Crimson Kiss on Twitter
Subscribe
or Follow A Crimson Kiss on Pinterest.

Just leave a comment for each entry, and I'll announce a winner, picked at random, on April 1st–bonne chance!


Chalkboard invite by Alethea and Ruth.

Goin' to the Chapel

 A mint green one, of course! Everyone's been talking about mint recently (I'm not so sure that Pantone got it right with Tangerine Tango...) and this week is inspired by the shade that's at once soothing and celebratory! Good friend and fellow blogger Kira of in stitches and I have even been using the shade as a call to calm–when you're feeling overwhelmed this week, just think mint!

John and I had been looking forward to Indian food on Friday night all week and wanted to celebrate his acceptance to the Professional Studies program at SFCM, so we headed straight there after the day was done–imagine our surprise when we learned that they'd be moving Tuesday afternoon, and that this would be our last meal there! We over-ordered and then headed home to watch The American, which put me fast asleep in under 30 minutes.

After a very long night's sleep, I dove into my latest read with a cup of tea and a slice of brioche toast before heading to lunch with a girlfriend. Cocoa and grilled cheeses at The Grove turned into a glass of wine at Arlequin as the puddles grew deeper; I headed home to curl up with John while the rain lashed against our windows, and spicy stir-fried green beans kept us warm as the storm raged on. 

We woke up early on Sunday morning and ran errands–soon the house was spotless, the towels freshly fluffed and breakfast on the table. John took over the study to practice scales and repertoire for his upcoming Masters recital while I happily blogged away at our kitchen table, my favorite sunny spot for weekend work. We blended up berry-coconut milk smoothies for lunch before heading to Symphony Parnassus' matinee–I'm a sucker for Strauss and John was excited to hear Clarice Assad's SCATTERED after listening in on her practice all week. We grabbed all the fixings for fish tacos on our way home, but before we got to dinner, I practiced yoga in the sunshine. After all that downward-dogging and warrior posing, the margarita John made was the perfect way to say goodbye to a wonderful weekend.


Tell me, what were you up to–picnicking in the warm grass, trying out new recipes, or doing a bit of spring cleaning?

And while it may be Monday, I have a little giveaway to announce later today that's certain to brighten the start of the work week! Check back in just a bit to see what I've got up my sleeve!

Image by Madden Photography via Life in the Super Burbs.

Blushing Bride

Audrey, our visitor last weekend, remarked on our liquor cabinet, teasing me that it was exactly what you'd all expect to see from someone who posts a weekly cocktail. Believe it or not, I try to steer clear of drinks I don't already have the ingredients for (or couldn't get with relative ease), as well as things John won't let us keep in the house, including peach schnapps, watermelon Pucker and sour mix. I usually see the Blushing Bride listed as a Champagne cocktail with forbidden peach schnapps, but this recipe, courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings, was too delicious to pass up!

Blushing Bride

2 oz passion-fruit nectar

3 oz Champagne

1/2 teaspoon grenadine

Pour chilled passion-fruit nectar in a flute. Carefully add chilled Champagne and grenadine; don't stir, but allow to blend.

Notes: As always, pick less pricey Prosecco or Cava for a Champagne cocktail; you'll never taste the difference. No need to sugar the rim, but it certainly does look pretty–cheers to a wonderful spring weekend, and a very happy birthday to Audrey!

Image by Kristen Weaver Photography.

Portrait

Peonies, roses, dusty miller and ranunculus: a beautiful bouquet and an incredible portrait.

Bouquet by Honey of a Thousand Flowers, photo by Leo Patrone.

Meg and Dan

 

 

 

 

I drool over sequins, delight in dessert displays and drink most of my liquids out of a mason jar, but there's one thing I simply can't resist, and that's a classic. Throw in a little Father of the Bride, and I'm absolutely hooked. You likely saw this gem just a few weeks ago on Style Me Pretty, but I simply couldn't resist sharing something that's so captured my attention!

Meg and Dan married in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, where they met six years earlier. The bride, who'd dreamed of a tent wedding since she was a girl, fell in love with the lawn of the Victorian Village Resort, and she and her mother, along with Laura Cooper of Cooper Consulting Events, planned a beautifully-appointed celebration with their reception's elegant vistas in mind.

Golden letterpressed invitations from Bella Figura announced the celebration's classic deportment, and perfectly matched the gauzy Vera Wang bridesmaids gowns and gold Grecian sandals. The bride chose a fit and flare Amsale gown and Vince Camuto heels, paired with a floral fascinator by Sara Gabriel and pearl J.Crew bracelet. Meg and her bridesmaids all wore earrings from Anthropologie and carried lush white rose bouquets rimmed with dusty miller by florist Silvana Cassia of Twig Flowers, while Dan and his groomsmen wore classic tuxedos from Men's Wearhouse, ties from Brooks Brothers and simple freesia boutonnieres. 

After a familial first look, where Dan was joined by Meg's father and her brothers, and a traditional ceremony accompanied by the Jubilate String Quartet at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, where Meg's family priest gave a touching homily, guests enjoyed vodka lemonades and Wisconsin cheese and meatballs while the newlyweds took photos on a friend's lovely property. Under the warmly lit tent, provided by Canopies Events, guests found tables covered in roses, hydrangeas and candles; an oversized slate from an antique shop and framed chalkboards from Her Majesty's Pug's Etsy shop served as dinner and cocktail menus, and a classic black and white checkered dance floor was the perfect finishing touch. 

Following her mother's advice–that booze and a band will make a great party–Meg and Dan hired a Beatles cover band called the Cavern Beat, who all the guests adored. Meg's mom also baked the molasses, snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookies served for dessert, alongside the stunning buttercream wedding cake by Natalie's Pastries, chocolate ganache cake from the local Piggly Wiggly, and an ice cream bar from Scoops Ice Cream Parlor.

Of course, we can't enjoy a wedding without the work of talented photographers–in this case Anna and Jonathan Wheeler of Anna Page Photography, and Matt Buckman and Élan Villamor of I Do Films–if you're in the mood for a truly gorgeous video, look no further!