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Bentley Old Fashioned

Last Updated October 30, 2016. Originally Posted December 4, 2014 By Kristina Sloggett 4 Comments

Bentley Old Fashioned – a chocolatey warm twist on a classic – a spirit forward favorite that everyone will cheers to!

 

Bentley Old Fashioned

Whiskey Week

Day Four of Whiskey Week!

Anyone else wanting me to extend this, even by a few days? I will see what I can do – I may have a couple more spirited recipes I can share.

Today, I have a deliciously warming cocktail, the Bentley Old Fashioned. I also want to share with you the book this recipe came from – a book that any whiskey aficionado would love!

Whiskey Week is the perfect time to share with you a great gift of a book, The North American Whiskey Guide From Behind The Bar : Real Bartenders’ Reviews of More Than 250 Whiskeys.

Who better than a bartender to know the ins and outs of all kinds of whiskeys? This is a true insiders guide, indeed:

Chad Berkey is the general manager of The Aero Club Bar in San Diego, which features over 800 different kinds of whiskey. Aero Club was named one of America’s Top Bars by Maxim and was featured in the New York Times 36 Hours in San Diego.

Jeremy LeBlanc is the senior bartender and head mixologist at ALTITUDE Sky Lounge, also in San Diego. Condé Nast names Altitude among the top ten rooftop bars in the world.

The Bentley Old Fashioned

Jason is the resident whiskey wiz in this house – he has an affinity for the old scotches and wants to visit Southwest Scotland someday – Islay is the county where many of his favorites come from (the campfire variety I mentioned the …

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Filed Under: cocktails, cookbook review, Happy Hour at Home, recipes

Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz

Last Updated December 30, 2015. Originally Posted November 12, 2014 By Kristina Sloggett 13 Comments

Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz – a bright and flavorful fruity cocktail complete with champagne and vodka – Cheers with this festive sparkler!

 

Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz @spabettie

Today is National Happy Hour Day.

I celebrated a day early.

I popped some bubbly.

I sugared some cranberries.

Sparkling Cran Raspberry Aperol Spritz @spabettie

Jason has been getting crafty with his cocktails lately – he will be sharing recipes soon – and we have Aperol on hand. I like it because it is less sweet than other orange liqueurs, I think it also has rhubarb flavor?

I like tart. Less sweet.

Instead of using simple syrup, I added …

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Filed Under: cocktails, Cooking Light, Happy Hour at Home, recipes

Valentines Day recipes

Last Updated February 8, 2013. Originally Posted February 9, 2013 By Kristina Sloggett 16 Comments

dark chocolate mint truffles

You have several more days to plan something for your Valentine – a sweet breakfast, a batch of pink cookies, a luxuriously decadent truffle.

You may know, Valentines Day is my all time favorite. I love to celebrate love, whether it be with Jason or my favorite friends!

You may know, giving gifts of food is another all time favorite. Each of these recipes is Valentine approved, vegan, gluten free, and deliciously good.

 

Baileys and black tea French toast

 

dark chocolate mint truffles

dark chocolate mint truffles

 

peanut butter cups – wasabi, ginger, or graham

 

homemade Twix – peanut butter or caramel filled

 

vibrant pistachio lime bites

vibrant pistachio-lime truffles

 

raspberry cheesecake cookies

raspberry lemon cheesecake cookies

 

saffron doughnuts with rosewater icing

 

salted caramel milkshake (with homemade Baileys)

 

strawberry lemon rice crispies

strawberry lemon rice crispies

 

raspberry cheesecake oreo bars

 

salted toffee crunch truffles

salted toffee crunch truffles

 

pink thumbprint cookies with whiskey ganache

 

Valentines spicy hot shots

 

pomegranate cranberry hearts

 

sparkly spiked cran-raspberry granita

 

Meyer lemon mousse in chocolate cups

 

…and Portlanders can visit Blossoming Lotus for their prix-fixe Valentines Dinner!

 

Happy Valentines Day!

 

Filed Under: Baking, Breakfast, cocktails, Dessert, Gluten Free, recipes, Valentines Day, Vegan

Grapefruit Ginger Vodka Toddy

Last Updated October 31, 2015. Originally Posted January 28, 2013 By Kristina Sloggett 31 Comments

Grapefruit Ginger Vodka Toddy – whether you are feeling under the weather or just craving a cozy cocktail, this warming blend infused with fresh ginger always brings cheer!

 

Grapefruit Ginger Vodka Toddy @spabettie

Ceeeellllaaaabrate good times, come on!

Sorry for putting that in your head for the rest of the day, I am just that excited about Vodka Week! I have participated in each and every letter of the #Meatless Monday alphabet, and have some definite favorites, but vodka? Yes, my most favorite.

This recipes is for those of you who might be feeling under the weather, and also for those who are in complete and utter fear of catching this SuperBug that is going around…  my version of a hot toddy, with vodka.

This is also delicious and warming on it’s own, the non spiked version. One for before work, one for …

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Filed Under: cocktails, Happy Hour at Home, Meatless Monday, recipes

Sparkly Spiked Cran Raspberry Granita

Last Updated January 5, 2018. Originally Posted November 14, 2012 By Kristina Sloggett 43 Comments

Sparkly Spiked Cran Raspberry Granita – light and refreshing, tart and sweet, this bright and colorfully cool dessert is great at any party!

 

Iced Cran Raspberry Granita in a glass, garnished with a lime wedge

I am loving the cold smoky winter evenings, the cooler temperatures, the fact that the holidays are coming.

The one thing …

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Filed Under: cocktails, Cooking Light, Dessert, Gluten Free, Happy Hour at Home, recipes, Vegan

Salted Caramel Milkshake with Vegan Irish Creme

Last Updated August 22, 2015. Originally Posted October 19, 2012 By Kristina Sloggett 60 Comments

Salted Caramel Milkshake with Vegan Irish Creme – a sweet and salty dream of a milkshake, with homemade vegan Irish Creme – perfect for a snow day, or ANY day!

 

Salted Caramel Milkshake with Vegan Irish Creme @spabettie

A few years ago, Portland had a huge winter storm. Snowpocalypse, or something like that, according to the news. Inches and feet and piles of snow.

Back then we were at the old house, the one on a couple acres. This is two rare acres in the middle of Southwest Portland, and we were the last house on this semi private road. We were actually unincorporated, end of county service. Which meant the snowplow would come right up to the bridge right before our house, and stop. Leaving a huge pile of snow, as if we weren’t there.

We couldn’t drive anyway, the road was a sheet of ice. We were …

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Filed Under: cocktails, Gluten Free, recipes, Vegan, Vegan MoFo

girls night in

Last Updated July 27, 2020. Originally Posted September 4, 2012 By Kristina Sloggett 25 Comments


You may have heard, I love to throw a party. Big or small, formal or casual, well planned out to each and every detail or an impromptu last minute thing (my controlling nature prefers the former, of course).

sunday night dinner

In college with my own place, the hostess in me blossomed. My housemate and I would host Sunday Night Dinners each week, where a large group of friends would each contribute and we would have a great feast. A great way to both end the weekend and welcome the new week, our friends would linger into the late hours, not wanting the night to end. It was at these dinners where I also started to get creative in the kitchen, often planning my part of the menu early in the week before.

Although they were planned events, the Sunday Night Dinners were more casual get togethers with no real structure – just friends sharing a meal and socializing.

pageant nights

Later in college, I would host girls nights in a much different way – pageant nights. Each and every pageant that was televised, from Miss USA to Miss America to Miss Universe, I hosted viewing parties that began with a cocktail hour and ended with a dinner and of course, the crowning of a new pageant winner. Using a time saving hostess trick of making a signature cocktail for the evening, I would greet each guest at the door with said cocktail and choice of tiara to wear…  from my collection. Dinner would be served shortly after the pageant began – I would always plan an appetizer, salad, main entree and dessert courses. Elaborately fun evenings – I sometimes think I should start them up again!

Pageant nights revolved around the televised event and girls being girls – aside from my menu planning, the night flowed along the schedule of the pageant. Easy planning there.

modern day tupperware party

Other girls nights are easy to plan as well – a candle party, purse party, housewares party (I always ask my girlfriends ahead of time if they are interested – if I get enough positive response, I go ahead with it). These are fun events, and again the only planning involved on my end is the menu. These parties are best with several small plate options – finger foods set out where guests can nibble and graze. Cocktails or wine also make the event lively and fun.

naked lady party

Come on, minds out of the gutter. Similar to the “buying party”, another girls night in could be a Naked Lady Party – where all the girls show up with clothes, shoes, accessories they no longer want – and we swap! Everything unclaimed at the end goes to charity. These can include a potluck, to cut down on your food planning, and again don’t forget the cocktails or wine. You have a fun girls night and come away with new outfits as well!

karaoke night!

One of my favorite impromptu get togethers? Karaoke night at my house. Cocktails or wine, small plate and finger foods, and the courage to sing just for the fun of it are all required for a successful karaoke party. Such a fun time. Always.

small plate ideas for girls night in:

 

mango habanero guacamole

 

self-serve raw taco bar

 

spinach blini with pimiento spread

 

reuben rolls with homemade thousand island

 

seven layer dip with ‘noocho cheese’

 

quick and easy classic fudge

 

What is your favorite girls (or guys) night in?

 

 

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, cocktails, Happy Hour at Home

Cherry Mojito Milkshakes

Last Updated April 26, 2015. Originally Posted August 1, 2012 By Kristina Sloggett 49 Comments

Cherry Mojito Milkshakes

Cherry Mojito Milkshakes and A Shiny Chic Cocktail Party – a lightened up and creamy cool twist on the classic mojito – fresh flavor just in time for summer soiree season!

__________________________________________________________

Regular readers know I love to throw a party.

That we often have happy hour at home.

That I am distracted by shiny things.

When BACARDÍ sent me a big box filled with fabulous things for a shiny chic party, I was beyond excited. You should have seen me looking through the box – it was Christmas Morning When I Got A Baton excitement. Basil was there to give me the side eye. It was shiny and fun and filled with things from all of my favorite stores – zgallerie, West Elm, Williams Sonoma, Crate & Barrel. Squeal!

It really was like they were …

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Filed Under: cherry season, cocktails, Dessert, Gluten Free, Happy Hour at Home, recipes, Vegan

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welcome! I’m Kristina

I am a voracious reader and chickpea eater. also known as spabettie.

using my extensive culinary training and work in the industry, I have been creating vegan recipes for more than a decade.

at spabettie, you will find easy and appealing plant based recipes - vegan, gluten free, and full of vibrant flavor.
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