Drinks

Spiked Shamrock Shake + Spiked Mint Infused Whipped Cream

~ Paris
Since I tend to avoid fast food, I didn’t discover McDonald’s seasonal Shamrock Shake until a few years ago when I began seeing homemade recipes online. I decided to make the festive drink a little more Irish by spiking it with a shot of Baileys Irish Cream and a bit more mint infused by subbing the traditional vanilla ice cream + green food coloring for mint chocolate chip ice cream. Topped with a Baileys and mint infused whipped cream and garnished with a mint leaf, it created for the prettiest green milkshake in hand with the most refreshing and indulgent flavor. And the best part is, if you want to keep it from being a cocktail you can just sub fresh cream in place of the sweet, boozy cream. I hope you enjoy it as the days begin to get warmer and we get closer to Saint Patrick’s Day!

Spiked Mint Infused Whipped Cream

Ingredients:
1/8 Cup Heavy Cream
1/8 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 Ounce Baileys Irish Cream
1-2 Drops Mint Extract

Recipe:
1. Mix all ingredients together.

2. Add to the spiked milkshake.

3. Enjoy!

Spiked Shamrock Shake

Ingredients:
{Makes One Drink}
2 Scoops Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
3/4 Cup Full Fat Milk
1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
1 Ounce Baileys Irish Cream

Recipe:
1. Blend all the ingredients except the booze in a blender.

2. Add in the Baileys and stir.

3. Top with a spiked mint infused whipped cream and garnish with a mint leaf.

4. Enjoy!

x Paris

Valentine’s Day Essentials: Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Rosewater Raspberry Champagne Cocktail

~ Paris
I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day {after all, who can dislike celebrating a day that is dedicated towards love?} and it has always been my favorite holiday. As a child, I adored the simple cards and candy we’d share with our friends each year, and as I have gotten older, I enjoy doing the same thing, just with a more grown-up version: handwritten cards + baked treats and pretty drinks. This year my essentials/necessities for romantic evening consist of colorful chocolate covered strawberries and pink-colored champagne cocktails. They are a simple, decadent way to enjoy the day, whether you’re celebrating this year with your significant other, your girl friends, or simply treating yourself {which I hope you always do}. After all, February 14th is my yearly reminder to celebrate love and all things pink. And what better way to do so than with chocolate covered strawberries + sprinkles and a rosewater raspberry champagne cocktail {with or without the booze, of course}? It makes for the prettiest, pinkest, and most perfect way to celebrate love today and everyday. x
Chocolate Covered Strawberries Dipped In Sprinkles
There’s nothing quite as romantic as chocolate covered strawberries, so I decided to spice up the treat by dipping the milk & white chocolate covered berries into sprinkles, nonpareils, pink sugar, and holiday-themed hearts. It made the dessert feel just a bit more special and added a candied crunch.
To make the chocolate covered strawberries, use a double boiler to melt the chocolate. Then dip the freshly washed strawberries in the melted chocolate. Immediately dip the chocolate covered strawberry into the topping of choice, and then refrigerate until the chocolate hardens.
 
Rosewater Raspberry Champagne Cocktail
You can’t ever go wrong with a good glass of wine, but this year I am craving something a little more decadent. I decided to try adding a touch of sweetness and sourness to the champagne cocktail by adding some rosewater essence, muddling fresh raspberries, and then finishing of the drink in a champagne flute for the prettiest presentation. The crisp taste of the bubbly juxtaposed with the tartness and spice of the flavorings from the rosewater and raspberries brought this classic drink to a whole new dimension. The best part is that you can easily make this a virgin cocktail by subbing non-alcoholic champagne for the boozy bubbly.
Recipe: {For Two}
Champagne
Five to six raspberries
Two drops rosewater essence

How to Make it:
1. Muddle two to three strawberries in the champagne flute {a spoon works well in this situation}.
2. Pour about half a glass of champagne
3. Add in half a drop to a drop of rosewater essence {a little goes a very long way}.
4. Fill the champagne flute completely, and add a raspberry as a finishing garnish.
5. Repeat for the second glass.
6. Enjoy!

I hope you all have a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
x Paris