How you doin’? Is it true, blondes have more fun?  Did you know only about 2 percent of the world’s population is naturally blonde? Yet somehow, blonde hair has historically dominated the beauty industry.
 
Transformations have been framed as brighter, bolder and, according to a phrase that refuses to die, a lot more fun.
 
Most women (and some men) enjoy the experience of a cape clasped around their neck, a comfortable chair, and soft music playing. You snag one last peek at your reflection, knowing it won’t be the same when you return.
 
Maybe today is the time to go blonde. Whether it’s the promise of a summer glow-up or the idea of ultimate reinvention, it seems that blondness has always captivated our attention.
 
When asked about the “fun blonde” cliché (I think it’s mostly a myth) we’d be lying if we said there wasn’t a little something to it. Color brands have turned blonde hair into a persona embodying confident, carefree femininity. And you could be her, too, with just a little color!
 
This can largely be traced back to Marilyn Monroe, whose platinum locks helped define the “blonde bombshell” image in the 1950s. Even now, in 2026, blonde is still seen as a form of reinvention, and the allure of going blonde lingers.
 
But outside of media and marketing, the decision to go blonde is much more personal. Sometimes it’s about reinvention—leaving the salon (or the bathroom) looking nothing like you did when you walked in. Sometimes it’s tied to life changes: a breakup, a new job, or simply wanting something different and craving a change.
 
Personally, I don’t think blondes are inherently more fun—but in a lot of cases, it boosts people’s confidence, especially since blonde is still seen as the beauty standard by many. It is the perception of confidence is reinforced by what we see online. Around 90 percent of those who go blonde choose to stick with it.
 
So why not go for a French Blonde?... cocktail, that is. Actually, it’s more of a pale pink cocktail in coupe glass with grapefruit slice on rim. The French Blonde Cocktail is a modern spring classic that leans into citrus and soft florals. The French Blonde Cocktail appears to be composed yet it’s easy to execute at home.

Prep time:  3 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1 ounce gin (in this cocktail I prefer Bombay Sapphire Gin)
3/4 ounce St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc Aperitif
1-1/2 ounces fresh strained grapefruit juice
1 dash lemon bitters
Grapefruit slice or twist for garnish
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Pour all ingredients (except the garnish) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit slice or twist.

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ChefSecret:  While I usually favor Hendrick’s Gin, with the mixture of florals and botanicals, this cocktail is best suited with Bombay Safire Gin.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. Why did the blonde nurse bring a red marker to work?  A. In case she had to draw blood.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and be kind. No matter which side of the aisle you reside, please say a prayer for the U.S. men and women in uniform who protect this nation every day. And if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #Cocktail #Gin #StGermain #ElderflowerLiqeuer #FrenchBlondeCocktail #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                            ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? It’s coming up to Easter Sunday, and you still have time to go to the store and pick up a chocolate bunny. It’s difficult to make this drink properly any other time of year other than Easter season, when chocolate bunnies are available in every grocery store. But if you have an unseasonal craving for the drink, it is acceptable to pour it into a regular glass. Just be sure to have some grated chocolate to dust the top.
 
When we first bought our hollow chocolate spinner at Choclatique I started playing with hollow bunnies… fruit salad, candy bar salad (a blog into the future) and whatever else I could use the little critters for. I soon discovered it was a bunny body filled with hot chocolate—that was a disaster! Okay, here’s the truth of the matter, some cocktails are sophisticated, combining rare spirits, bitters and liqueurs all served in elegant glasses. My Easter Bunny Shot is not!
 
Instead, the Easter Bunny Shot is a fun “grown up” take on the childhood pastime of nibbling the ears off a chocolate Easter bunny. Essentially boozy strawberry milk using real strawberries, the drink also includes vanilla vodka, Irish cream and heavy cream, all served in a chocolate Easter bunny—without the  ears. It is the ideal drink to be sipped while the younger generation hunts for Easter eggs. Or, better yet, mix a round of them for friends to accompany an adult boozy Easter egg hunt. A little advice, stick to only one of these shots considering the sugar in it, especially if you choose to eat the whole rabbit when you are finished with the drink. And doing that is definitely the right move.

NOTE: these little bunnies are so tempting, be sure to keep them from the kiddos, or it won't be their sugar rush you'll be dealing with!
 
This Easter cocktail starts with fresh muddled strawberries (they are already in season—red, sweet and delicious) they add some tartness and juiciness to the mix of vanilla vodka, Irish cream and heavy cream.
 
Okay, if you don’t make it to the store before Easter, go to your local drug store and get the chocolate bunnies half price on the bargain table and save them until next year—only kidding. Make your kids’ chocolate milk really special after Easter.
 
Prep Time: 5-10 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1 6-inch+ hollow chocolate bunny
2 fresh ripe strawberries
1-1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce Baileys Irish cream
1/2 ounce heavy cream
1/4 ounce simple syrup (1 part granulated sugar / 1 part water)
Garnish: 1 teaspoon chocolate shavings
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. In a mixing tin, muddle the strawberries.
3. Add the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, heavy cream, simple syrup and ice, and shake it like you mean it until well-chilled.
4. Strain the cocktail into the chocolate bunny sans ears.
5. Garnish with shavings from the amputated bunny ears.
6. Eat the rest of the chocolate bunny ears at your leisure.
7. Bottoms up!

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ChefSecret:  Muddling is the act of smashing the strawberries against the mixing tin to release both the flavor and the color of fresh berries.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. What do you call an Easter Bunny that can’t remember anything?  A. A hare-brain.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and be kind. No matter which side of the aisle you reside, please say a prayer for the U.S. men and women in uniform who protect this nation every day, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #EasterBunnyCocktailShot #ChocolateBunny #Baileys #Vodka #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                       ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? Can you believe it—It’s Spring! It’s been a rough winter for over 200 million people this year and in some areas the foul weather is still hanging on. I saw one weather report where, in one day, they had rain, hail and snow. Then in Oahu, Hawaii, my old beach house was all but washed away with 13-1/2-inches of rain in just over 2 days.
 
Here in Las Vegas, the temperatures went from the high 50s to 98 degrees last week. I watched most of the trees and shrubs burst into bloom seemingly overnight. And then there are the birds; I don’t know where they all came back from overnight, but they like to “sing” very early each morning. The whole neighborhood is in song with sounds of so many species I can’t begin to count them—nature is amazing! The block’s hummingbirds have returned along with nesting quail and the one ominous turkey vulture who keeps guard in our back yard—he is one ugly son-of-a-bitch.
 
So, with all the spring excitement, it’s time for a spring cocktail. It must be so… all the fast food joints are already selling their summertime lemonades. Burger King introduced a strawberry lemonade along with their frozen pink lemonade. McDonald’s brought back frozen lemonade, too. So, here’s my spring beverage they can’t hold a candle to—My Blackberry Whisky Lemonade.

​Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail

Ingredients 
2 ounces Blackberry Whiskey
1/2 ounce Blackberry Liqueur
3 ounces lemonade
1 squeeze fresh lime juice
Garnish: fresh blackberries and mint sprig
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Add the blackberry whisky and liqueur to a double Old Fashioned glass
3. Add ice, leaving room for the lemonade, and stir.
4. Float the lemonade over the top and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
5. Garnish with a blackberry and a mint spring.
6. Imbibe with the freshness of spring in your heart.

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ChefSecret: For a really great start on a chilled cocktail, store the raspberry whisky in the freezer.
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Quip of the Day:  I told my drink a joke—it cracked up. Now it’s on the rocks!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and be kind. No matter which side of the aisle you reside, please say a prayer for the U.S. men and women in uniform who protect this nation every day.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #BlackberryWhiskyLemonade #Blackberries #Lemonade #Whisky #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                         ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? We’re just passed St. Paddy’s Day, and Easter is early this year—in fact it’s right around the corner –April 5th. Do you know where your bunny is? 
 
Here’s my Bunny Hop Punch, a bright pitcher cocktail that fits perfectly with Easter celebrations and spring gatherings. Instead of individual drinks, this recipe brings together vodka, peach schnapps, raspberry lemonade, citrus slices, and sparkling soda in one easy pitcher. The result is a fruity, refreshing punch that feels light, colorful, and perfect for sharing with guests.
 
The Bunny Hop Punch was first introduced for Easter brunch at my Fanny’s Fish Market restaurant. I wanted something festive yet simple so I could spend more time talking with our guests. We served a pitcher for each table. When the pitcher came to the table filled with lemon slices and fresh raspberries, it quickly became the center of attention. Bunny Hop Punch is easy to prepare and ideal for brunch tables, garden parties, and relaxed Easter celebrations.
 
Prep time: 10minutes
Yield:  6 to 8 servings
 
Ingredients
8 ounces vodka (inexpensive)
8 ounces peach schnapps
2 ounces lemon juice
8 ounces raspberry lemonade
16 ounces club soda (or lemon-lime soda for a sweeter version)
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 lemon sliced into wheels
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. In a large pitcher, combine the vodka, peach schnapps, lemon juice, and raspberry lemonade.
3. Stir well to mix everything together. If not serving immediately, place the pitcher in the refrigerator to cool.
4. Right before serving, add ice to the pitcher and top with club soda.
5. Add fresh raspberries and lemon wheels. Set some aside to garnish each glass.
6. Stir gently so you keep the bubbles.
7. Pour into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with raspberries and a lemon wheel.
8. Serve immediately and enjoy your Bunny Hop Punch!

ChefSecret: Chill the ingredients beforehand so the punch stays cold longer. Add the soda right before serving to keep the bubbles fresh and bright. Use fresh raspberries instead of frozen for the best flavor and color.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. Where does the Easter Bunny eat breakfast?  A. At IHOP!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.  We have hundreds of archived Covid Era recipes which you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #Vodka #PeachSchnapps #RaspberryLemonade #BunnyHopPunch #Raspberries #Lemons #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
                                                                      ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? Here’s a cocktail that was a winner at the Original Customs House Restaurant in Foster City, California. Our guests loved this powerful cocktail even during fair weather days in Northern California.
 
Monsoon, or the rainy season, is the seasonal wind off the Indian Ocean and Southern Asia blowing from the southwest in the summer and from the northeast in the winter (or even over the Foster City lagoon blowing northeast). We even have a monsoon season here in Las Vegas in the early fall season without the water feature.
 
Monsoons are all about a pleasant windy breeze, happy vibes and watching the weather with a cloudy mist. All you feel like doing is snuggle up in your bed and let the impression of rain showers, thunder sounds and that feeling of relief touch you while you play games or watch a movie and chill. There’s no denying that monsoons bring a chill in the weather and everyone has a different way of enjoying the monsoon season. To keep the body warm, a lot of drinks are available in this season, especially strong martinis.
 
Martinis are of various types. Some are made with gin and vermouth, others are made with vodka and tequila, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. This time, spend your monsoons refreshing yourself with an amazing Monsoon Martini to cheer you up the whole monsoon season. My Customs House Monsoon Martini uses gin, vodka and dry vermouth garnished with a couple of drops of hot sauce to keep you warm.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients
1 ounce dry gin (from the freezer)
1 ounce vodka (from the freezer)
1 ounce chilled dry vermouth
6 drops ginseng bitters
2 drops hot sauce, float garnish
1 lime wedge, garnish
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Pre-chill a martini glass.
3. Stir (do not shake) all ingredients, except hot sauce, with ice.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a float of hot sauce and a lime wedge.
6. Serve very cold.

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ChefSecret:  For a garnish you can also use a slice of red jalapeno pepper in place of the lime wedge.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. What did the bartender say after Charles Dickens ordered a martini?  A. Olive or twist?
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #MonsoonMartini #Gin #Vodka #Vermouth #GinsengBitters #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                            ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? “Baby it’s cold outside” (actually, "Tesoro, fuori fa freddo") that’s what they were singing in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, when heavy snow hit on the day before the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Now that’s the type of cold that goes right to the center of your bones. Fortunately, I have a cure for this.
 
No more chilly evenings with my Ultimate Hot Toddy—the quintessential soothing winter beverage, known for its comforting warmth and simple elegance. This warm bourbon drink is more than just a cocktail; it’s a cherished ritual for staying warm and a classic remedy for a tickly throat.
 
The magic lies in its simple composition: American Bourbon—the heart of the beverage—combined with honey for sweetness, lemon for brightness and hot water to bring it all together. Add a touch of cinnamon and you’ve got the perfect balance for a timeless and reliable body and mind warmer. A great way to enjoy the Winter Olympics Highlights (okay, this one was supposed to come out a couple of weeks ago) while keeping as warm as bug in a rug.
 
Prep time:  10 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients
1 tablespoon raw honey
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 ounces American bourbon
4-6 ounces very hot water
1 cinnamon stick (for garnish / flavor infusion)
1 lemon wheel (for garnish)
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Place the honey and lemon juice in a warm heat-proof mug.
3. Pour in the bourbon.
4. Bring water to a boil.
5. Let it cool for 30 seconds to prevent scorching the honey.
6. Pour the hot water over the mixture in the mug and stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
7. Garnish with the cinnamon stick and lemon wheel to the mug.
8. Enjoy this warm winter drink while still hot and steaming.

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ChefSecret:  For an extra layer of complexity and flavor, infuse the hot water with a slice of fresh ginger for 5 minutes before adding to the toddy. This is a technique that enhances the drink’s aromatic compounds and is excellent for keeping warm.
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Quip of the Day:  A man had a horrible stabbing pain in his eye every time he drank a hot toddy. He went to the doctor to try to find what was up. “It’s important,” his doctor told him, “Take the spoon out of the cup before you drink it.” Happy Hot Toddy Day!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #UltimateHotToddy #Bourbon #Honey #LemonJuice #Cinnamon #BabyItsColdOutside #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                           ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? It’s been a cold winter for almost two-thirds of Americans and now it’s cocktail time. I was looking to share a perfect pick-me-up with a playful twist. My Mocha Tequila Espresso Martini is a sassy cocktail blending the best of café vibes with a touch of fiesta flair. It's ready to wake up your taste buds and is sure to be a hit!
 
I realize there are a lot of flavors wrapped up in one strange cocktail but believe me (I wouldn’t steer you wrong) it all comes together and tastes great.
 
The exact origin of the martini is unclear, but it is widely believed to have evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez, which was created in the 1860s. The modern martini became popular in the early 20th century, particularly with the use of dry vermouth and gin. I developed this recipe for one of our client’s restaurants—DC-3 at the Santa Monica Airport. It was one of exotic drinks on the Martini Menu.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
2 teaspoons cinnamon-sugar (50/50)
1 part Blanco Tequila
1 part Chocolate Tequila Cream (I prefer El Padrino)
1 part Coffee Liqueur (I prefer Kahlua)
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon or shaved chocolate for garnish
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Freeze a martini or coupe glass.
3. When ready to mix the cocktail, dip the rim of the glass in a soft drink (whatever you have on hand, i.e. Coke or Sprite) and then into the cinnamon-sugar.
4. Add the remaining ingredients to a shaker tin, add ice and shake it like you mean it.
5. Strain into the well chilled, rimmed glass.
6. Dust the top of the cocktail with powdered cinnamon or shaved chocolate.

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ChefSecret:  This is a cocktail that you can serve blended with ice as a frosty.
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Quip of the Day:  A Californian, a Texan and a local are drinking at a bar in Big Sky, Montana. After a little bit, The Californian finishes his martini, turns and throws his glass against the wall.
The Bartender, shocked, asks him why the hell he did that.
Californian replies that where he's from, they make so much money they don't have to drink out of the same glass twice.

The Texan then finishes his whiskey, turns and throws his glass against the wall as well.
Bartender looks at him and asks why he did that.
Texan replies that where he's from they have so much oil they don't have to drink out of the same glass twice.

About this time the local Montanan finishes his beer, turns to the other patrons, draws his gun and shoots them both dead. Without waiting he tells the Bartender that around here there's so many Californians and Texans he doesn't have to drink with the same ones twice.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #MochaTequilaEspressoMartini #EspressoMartini #Tequila #ChocolateTequilaCream #ElPadrino #Kahlua #Chocolate #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup
 
                                                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? Joan’s Milwaukee Old Fashioned is a classic brandy cocktail built right in the glass with muddled oranges, cherries, sugar and bitters. It is finished with brandy and a splash of lemon-lime soda.
 
This cocktail is simple, somewhat nostalgic and unapologetically old-school. It is still the cocktail you’ll find at taverns, clubs, corner bars and family celebrations across Wisconsin.
 
The popular story of how making an old-fashioned cocktail with brandy instead of whiskey began attributes it to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair when the recently opened Korbel winery offered free samples of their wine and brandy. Central European immigrants from Milwaukee took a liking to the Bohemian-born Korbel Brothers' Brandy  and brought it back to their home state and began using it in cocktails.
 
In January 2020, drinks journal Drinks International reported the Old Fashioned to be the top selling classic cocktail internationally, for the 6th straight year, based on its annual, global poll of 100 bars.
 
Prep time:  5 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura bitters
2 orange slices, divided
3 maraschino cherries, divided
2 fluid ounces inexpensive brandy
2 or 3 ounces lemon lime soda, as needed
1 splash maraschino cherry juice (optional)
 
Directions

1. Place sugar cube in a rocks glass, and saturate with bitters. Add 1 orange slice and 1 cherry. Muddle gently until sugar is dissolved.
2. Fill glass with ice cubes. Add brandy, and top with lemon-lime soda and cherry juice, if using. Gently stir, then garnish with remaining orange slice and cherries.

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ChefSecret:  Wisconsin bars like adding a splash of the maraschino cherry juice (about a bar spoon) for a little extra sweetness.
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Quip of the Day:  To relieve stress, Joan does yoga. Just kidding, Joan drinks Old-Fashioned cocktails in her yoga pants.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #OldFashionedCocktail #Brandy #Bitters #Tavern #WisconsinCocktail #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                              ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? Today is Friday the 13th! OOOOOO!!!! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to celebrate with a fabulous cocktail that helps us roll into tomorrow—Valentine’s Day. There’s just nothing better than capping off the week with a really great drink. And in the Valentine spirit, it’s the best time for something icy-creamy-cold, fruity and lovingly wonderful!
 
Most weekend brunches, you’ll find us on our patio with one of my best drink recipes. It’s not a classic margarita or even a frozen mango margarita. Sometimes we even enjoy a frozen sangria slushie. You really can’t go wrong with any of these options.
 
But lately, the strawberries have just been so amazingly sweet. I keep popping them in my mouth and right now, that craving extends all the way into what I’m drinking. So that brings us to today’s recipe! Valentine’s Day Strawberry-Vanilla Daiquiris.
 
Strawberry Daiquiris are the perfect Valentine’s cocktail. They have a vibrant color, and they’re a little sweet, a little tangy, and super refreshing. You’ll feel the sweet warmth of rum at the back of your throat, and freshly squeezed lime juice gives it a nice tangy quality. They’re a snap to make with just a few simple ingredients. So, grab your blender and mix up a big pitcher! Love you all!
 
Prep time:  7 minutes
Yield:  4 cocktails
 
Ingredients 
6 ounces white rum
4 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 cups strawberries
2 large scoops ice vanilla ice cream
 
Directions

1. Place the rum, lime juice, sugar and strawberries in the blender and puree until smooth.
2. Add the ice cream and blend until thoroughly mixed and creamy.
3. Garnish glasses with a lime wheel or a split strawberry and a sippy straw.

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ChefSecret: I also love using frozen strawberries in cocktails because it makes them thicker and colder. It’s almost like a smoothie! Frozen strawberries give a strawberry daiquiri recipe the most incredible flavor!
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Quip of the Day:  Q. What's pink, oinks and shoots arrows on Valentine's Day?   A. Cu-pig!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #ValentinesDay #StrawberryVanillaDaiquiri #Rum #Strawberries #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                                ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026

How you doin’? Well, it’s Super Bowl time. When I have a team in contention, I’m “all in” on it. But alas, not one of my teams is in it this year. The Rams, 49’ers and Chargers are long gone. Even Joan’s Packers didn’t make the cut—and some of the teams came so close—just an overtime away.
 
Oh well, I can drown my sorrows with my Super Bowl Bloody Margarita. This is a cocktail you can start at brunch as it combines the best parts of a Bloody Mary and a Margarita into one modern cocktail—perfect  for a fun Sunday brunch, special fiesta, Cinco de Mayo, and of course, Super Bowl Sunday.
 
If you feel like celebrating Super Bowl all year long or woke up this morning craving a little tequila, this is the drink for you.
 
Prep time:  10 minutes
Yield:  2 servings
 
Ingredients 
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces tomato juice
1 cup orange juice
4 ounces white tequila
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons hot sauce (I prefer Cholula)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
 
For the garnish
additional kosher salt
ice cubes
lime slices
jalapeño rings
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Prepare two (2) cocktail glasses by wetting the rims and dipping them in a combination of salt and celery salt. Make it look pretty.
3. In a cocktail shaker combine all of the ingredients except for the ice and the garnishes.
4. In a blender, crush the ice until the ice cubes become small particles.
5. Pour the liquid mixture into the blender with the crushed ice.
6. Pulse the blender 2-3 times so the mixture combines with the ice.
7. Pour into two cocktail glasses.
8. Garnish the cocktail. Cheers!

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ChefSecret:  This is a great combination of flavors. Margaritas usually include something with an orange citrus flavor, like Grand Marnier. Instead of adding more alcohol, I decided to add orange juice. This will help you stay awake until the game starts.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. What do you call 50 guys watching the Super Bowl?  A. The Green Bay Packers.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
 
We also have 1,000 archived Covid Era recipes that you can easily access using this link https://www.perspectives-la.com/Covid-19-Survival-Guide. Use the search box above our pictures to find what you’re looking for.
-------------------------------------------
To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, kind, thankful, and stay well and safe. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2026 #SuperBowlBloodyMargarita #BloodyMary #Margarita #Tequila #TomatoJuice #Worcestershire #HotSauce #Cheers2026 #Cheers #Recipes2026 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
  
                                                                              ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2026