Apple Cider Hot Toddy Recipe

Fall is my favorite time of year. Is there anything better than fall foliage, pumpkin spiced everything, and finally busting out those Frye leather boots? I argue, no. I love making these each year when the weather gets below 70 degrees...this is Atlanta after all. We have been making little improvements to our home as of late because we are hosting Thanksgiving here this year! I feel so grown up! I've been working on menu ideas and decor this month for the holidays, but this beverage is a classic. I will be sharing ideas this month for healthy Thanksgiving recipes and chic decorating ideas for your own soiree. If you have any specific requests, let me know in the comments!

Ingredients: lemon, bourbon, apple cider, mulling spices, cinnamon sticks.

Put the mulling spices in a tea ball or cheese cloth.

Add the mulling spices to the cider and heat the cider over medium heat until aromatic (about 10 minutes).

Add 1-2 shots of bourbon to your mug and then top it off with the cider.

I like to garnish with apple slices because they aren't as widely used to garnish and give it an extra kick of flavor.

And there you have it! An easy fall treat that will warm you up in seconds! Enjoy fireside. :) 

Ingredients: 

Use 2 cups of cider for every 1 drink

1/4 cup mulling spices for every 2 cups of cider

I use 1-2 shots of Maker's Mark in each mug

Garnish with lemon wedge, cinnamon stick or apple slices

Best Chardonnays Under $10

Wedding planning, oh wedding planning...what can I say about planning the best night of your life? It might be one of the most time-consuming, mentally-draining, stressful things I have ever done. With that being said, my vision is finally coming to life and I celebrate the little wins each day with finding a new vendor, or a small detail that adds just the right touch to my theme. One fun yet taxing task we have added to our plate is finding our wine selection. If you have kept up with my blog, you know I am very passionate about wine. I have been to weddings where the Bride and Groom have no say over their alcohol selection other than picking a pre-flighted tier that the caterer selected. For the Bride who loves to have as little choices as possible, that is fantastic! However, because of the fact I am passionate about food & wine and consider myself to have a decent palate, I was eager to choose the wines I serve at our wedding. Therefore, I got thinking....is it possible to find wine under $10/bottle that are elegant and full-bodied that don't leave you clenching your head the next morning from a hangover?

In steps....

We have all heard of the $2 buck chuck. I was always under the impression that the more expensive the wine, the better the flavor. This is absolutely not true. The cost of wine is simply relevant to the cost to produce the wine. So I went to my local Trader Joe's because their wine selection is so inexpensive and asked the sommelier to make some recommendations. I tried all of the wines he suggested and some of the wines friends brought me for my birthday (who knew I was writing this piece) and made my selections. 

Here are the top 5 wines under $10: (in random order)

Taste notes: creamy with balanced acidity with flavors of fig, apple and butter.

Taste notes: citrus, melon & very crisp!

Taste notes: smooth finish, creamy & rich. (my favorite from this list!)

Taste notes: crisp, creamy & full-bodied.

Taste notes: pineapple, vanilla and buttery finish.

Pick up a bottle and let me know what you think in the comments!