Endless* Summer Bourbon Cocktail

Lamenting back in May with my sister, we discussed our frustration with letting this joint blog fall to the wayside. It was such a great concept. We still shared food and photos and ideas back and forth. We were proud of our work so far. But we let life get in the way. Ish happens. We had valid excuses. Three really cute ones actually.

“I could write all day, I just get so frustrated by taking pictures,” I complained. “I’m never happy with my lighting, it takes forever to set up, and I hate the editing process.”

While at the same time Emily said “If only we could just have pictures for the blog. I hate all the writing stuff.”

“Really?!” We both said.

Is that what was holding us back? Emily’s pictures are stunning. They feel effortless. I know it really isn’t without effort but she seems to enjoy that part so much and it shows in her product. I feel the same for my writing. Often I know what I am going to say before I have even made the dish. I am forever crafting blog posts as I go about my day. And then I get frustrated and held back when the image to go along with that post doesn’t turn out as it did in my head.

That night, over a cocktail, after those adorable little excuses were sleeping (sort of) in their beds, we decided why couldn’t we do something different with our blog for a bit. Change things up and play on our strengths. Emily photographs as time allows in between staring at the mouths of manikins and pulling her young child out of the toilet bowl. Then I take those photos, pull together a great recipe and story, and we share this collaboration with you. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I think the saying applies to blog children as well.

Sometimes creativity takes two. Or more. Sometimes the most beautiful dishes are only amazing when the right elements are paired with one another. The rosė that perfectly compliments the sharp cheese. The sprinkle of finishing salt on the top of an apple pie to give it that unexpected bite. The twist of a lemon that perfectly matches the sweetness of a cocktail. Like in this cocktail that became a favorite of mine this summer.

All the best of an Endless* Summer. The limoncello that evokes warm summer evenings and the bourbon and maple perfect for crisp fall days. Shake them up. Serve with a twist of lemon. Celebrate your strengths.

Hey Sis, try this…

Endless* Summer Bourbon Cocktai

Adapted from A Spicy Perspective. Serves 1.

• 2 oz. good bourbon

• 1/4 oz. limoncello

• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

• 1 heaping Tb. Maple syrup

• A few sprigs of lemon thyme

• Twist of lemon

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill the shaker with ice. Cover and shake vigorously 12-15 times.

2. Fill a small tumbler with ice and double-strain into the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

*Edited September 13, 2020 The original name of this cocktail was changed from “Indian Summer” to “Endless Summer” due to the cultural insensitive untertones of the phrase “Indian Summer.” Words matter and we take our learning and changing seriously.