Hugo Spritz

I love sipping a Hugo spritz on a hot day! Made with prosecco, elderflower liqueur, and fresh mint, this Italian cocktail is floral and refreshing.

Have you ever tried a Hugo spritz? This Italian cocktail is bubbly and bright, with floral notes from elderflower liqueur and herbal depth from fresh mint. It’s just as refreshing as an Aperol spritz, its better-known cousin, but it doesn’t have any of Aperol’s bitterness. Instead, it’s lightly sweet and delicate. It’s one of my favorite cocktails to sip on a hot summer day—always on a patio, and preferably in Italy…though more likely in my own backyard. Luckily, this Hugo spritz recipe is easy to make with 5 ingredients, so it couldn’t be simpler to mix up at home. Hugo…

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Tom Collins Cocktail

This Tom Collins recipe is easy to make with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Served over ice, this classic cocktail is bright and refreshing.

It’s probably not surprising that I love a Tom Collins cocktail. This sparkling gin drink is only one step removed from homemade lemonade, after all. Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, it’s bright, fizzy, and super refreshing. Plus, because it’s a long drink, meaning that the alcohol is mixed with a good amount of soda water, it’s not as strong as some other cocktails. This makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. If you’re new to making cocktails at home, I think this Tom Collins recipe is a great place to start. You…

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Negroni

This Negroni recipe is easy to make with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It's a delicious, classic cocktail—bitter, citrusy, and sweet.

A Negroni is one of Jack’s favorite summer cocktails. If I’m sipping an Aperol spritz or a glass of white wine (or even better, rosé), there’s a good chance he’s enjoying this classic Italian drink. He’s not the only one who’s a fan—the Negroni cocktail became a bit of a (ok, a major) trend in the last few years, so I thought it was about time we shared a recipe here, especially now that we’re heading into summer. You can find our go-to Negroni recipe below. This classic recipe is easy to make with 4 ingredients, and it has a boozy,…

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Margarita

We'll be making this classic margarita recipe all summer long. With just 5 ingredients, it’s so simple to make—break out the tequila and limes ASAP!

This classic margarita recipe is our favorite cocktail to make at home. We love it for two reasons. First, because it’s so simple. If you have tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur on hand, you can make it in under 5 minutes! Second, because it’s so delicious. The lime juice gives it a tart, refreshing kick, which the sweet orange liqueur and agave balance nicely. On a warm spring or summer evening, there’s nothing I’d rather drink. If you’re new to making cocktails, this recipe is a great place to start. Mix it up for a happy hour, Cinco de…

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Manhattan Cocktail

This classic Manhattan cocktail recipe is easy to make with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Don't skip the cocktail cherry for garnish!

A Manhattan cocktail is one of Jack’s favorite drinks. Bold and sophisticated, this classic cocktail is a simple combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. According to Jack, it’s not complete without a cocktail cherry for garnish—brandied or maraschino, take your pick. When I think of a Manhattan, I immediately picture a dark, wood-paneled cocktail bar. But lately, we’ve actually been making this classic drink at home. Easy but elevated, it’s perfect for a low key date night in. I’m sharing our go-to Manhattan recipe below. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! What’s in a Manhattan? The…

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Gimlet Cocktail

This classic gimlet recipe is easy to make with gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. It's tart and refreshing—one of my favorite cocktails!

I love a gimlet cocktail. Made with just 3 ingredients—gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup—this sour cocktail is bright, botanical, and refreshing. I often order a gimlet when I’m out, but because this drink is so simple, it’s also easy to make at home. I’m sharing a classic gin gimlet recipe below. This recipe uses ratios I like, skewing heavier on the gin to let its floral flavor shine. If you prefer a sweeter drink, or a tangier one, feel free to add an extra splash of simple syrup or lime juice. Cheers! Gimlet Cocktail Ingredients Here’s what you’ll…

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Bloody Mary

Skip the Bloody Mary mix—this Bloody Mary cocktail recipe is easy to make from scratch! Spicy and savory, this classic vodka drink is great for brunch.

Skip the Bloody Mary mix—this Bloody Mary recipe is easy to make from scratch! This classic brunch cocktail is a simple combination of tomato juice, vodka, and a few salty, spicy ingredients you likely have on hand. Fresh lime and lemon juice give it a bright, tangy kick, horseradish adds peppery flavor, and Worcestershire sauce and celery salt make it deliciously savory. I can’t promise that this Bloody Mary recipe will be an effective hangover cure, but I can tell you that it will wow guests at any brunch. Want to seal the deal? Load it up with garnishes like…

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Espresso Martini

Learn how to make an espresso martini! This caffeinated cocktail recipe is rich, foamy, smooth, and sweet. Coffee lovers, you have to try it!

Let’s make an espresso martini! This coffee cocktail has had a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. If you like coffee and you’ve never tasted one, you should definitely give this recipe a try. An espresso martini is smooth, rich, and sweet, with a delightful layer of foam on top. The coffee gives it a kick of caffeine, so it’s a fun beverage to sip at the start of a party (or with brunch!). Its luxe coffee flavor also makes it a perfect post-dinner drink. I’m sharing a classic espresso martini recipe below, along with tips for making the…

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Mulled Wine

This mulled wine recipe is perfect for the holidays! Simmered with citrus, apple cider, and warming spices, it's cozy, festive, and delicious.

Jack and I love to make this mulled wine recipe during the holiday season. Packed with notes of citrus, apple, and aromatic spices, it’s cozy, flavorful, and festive. Sipping a steaming mug of it is the best way to warm up on a cold winter night. This mulled wine is the perfect drink for holiday parties. For one, the recipe is easy to scale up or down depending on the size of your group. It also makes your kitchen smell amazing. The heady, spiced aroma on its own is reason enough to try it! Mulled Wine Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need…

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Hot Toddy

This classic hot toddy recipe is a great way to warm up on a cold night! This soothing drink is easy to make with hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon.

Learn how to make a hot toddy! Made with hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemon juice, this classic drink is a famous home remedy for a cough or a cold. When Jack has a sore throat, he always makes this hot toddy recipe to soothe it. But you don’t have to be under the weather to enjoy this simple cocktail. Though I’m typically not a whiskey drinker, I love a hot toddy on a cold fall or winter night. Garnished with a cinnamon stick and a slice of lemon, it’s such a cozy way to warm up. Cheers! What’s in…

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Spicy Margarita

Jalapeños give this spicy margarita recipe a delicious kick. Tart and refreshing, it's perfect for a happy hour or summer entertaining.

Meet my go-to spicy margarita recipe! Like a classic margarita, it’s tart and refreshing, but jalapeño peppers give it an extra kick of heat. This spicy margarita recipe is easy to make. You only need 6 simple ingredients, and it comes together quickly in a cocktail shaker. Enjoy it with tortilla chips, guacamole, and/or salsa at a happy hour, Cinco de Mayo, or summer gathering. Cheers! Spicy Margarita Ingredients To make this jalapeño margarita recipe, you need 6 simple ingredients: Tequila – Use any good-quality blanco tequila (aka silver tequila) in this recipe. We like Espolon tequila, but feel free…

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A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.