What an awesome weekend. Getting to bed at a reasonable hour means waking up with the sun, which really is the best way to start the day (and I’m a night owl). It’s totally life-changing. But that’s what we did both days this weekend, following it up with busy, fun and restorative days. This was a real weekend!

Saturday Dave and I went for a run together, worked on a photoshoot, went to our first Timbers game of the year together and ate a lot of good food. I love that they have food carts at the games – 808 Grinds was there on Saturday and everyone around us was turning their heads and asking where we got kahlua pork. It was so much better than a hot dog.

On Sunday after church, we accomplished SO much. I think we dirtied and then cleaned the kitchen a total of 3 times over the course of the day while baking cupcakes, bottling kombucha and making various meals. And of course, we had to get a little time in working in the yard! We are really hoping to have a wall of sunflowers – we’ll see how they turn out!

And of course, that meant that by 5 p.m. we were ready for cocktails. I get excited every time I use my homemade orange liqueur – I’ve made a lot of fun infusions, syrups, shrubs and bitters but I think that the orange liqueur has been the most used after the orange bitters.

The Sidecar is another old classic drink. It relies on the acidity to play with the cognac (or in my case, brandy, since I’m not sure I’m ready to invest in cognac).

This one’s another easy drinker – it’s middle of the road enough that I think most folks who like cocktails would like one.

Here’s what you need:

2 oz. brandy
1/2 oz. orange liqueur (such as cointreau)
3/4 oz. lemon juice
1/4 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes peach bitters (in a pinch, use orange)
Garnish with a lemon twist

Shake all ingredients over ice (except twist) and double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.