Category Archives: COCKTAILS

THE SLEIGH SHED and HOLIDAY COCKTAIL RECIPES

It’s as if Santa, on a pre-Christmas reconnaissance, took a rest stop at Union Station in St. Louis, wandered into The Train Shed and decided to stay. The popular restaurant renamed “The Sleigh Shed” for the holiday season, brims with spirit. Lights twinkle. Ornaments shine.  The staff radiates good will towards man and woman and […]

HOMEMADE for the HOLIDAYS

  Gift wrapped in sugar and spice and everything nice, Sweet Leisure brings you some sensational, truly terrific, and downright delicious recipes that you can make for happy holiday indulging. Click below for:   GOOD, GRAND AND GROOVY GOURMET GIFTS TO GIVE Peanut Butter cookies, Hot Cocoa Cake, Coffee Rub, Spiced Pecans, Sponge Candy and Pompelmocello. […]

SCALLOPS, LIMONCELLO, FABRIZIA

It was the worst of times, it was the best of times. Here was Covid, giving the world lemons and the Mastroianni brothers turning lemons into lemon aid—the kind of aid that helps the soul feel pampered and privileged. We’re talking heavenly booze and divine baked goods. But let me backtrack. Inspired by a family trip […]

EDOBOX MODERN JAPANESE RESTAURANT, SANTA MONICA, CA

Disclaimer: Scott Manlin is my nephew. As far as I can remember, he has always appreciated fine food and good restaurants. When he was barely an adult and living in Chicago, and I was a James Beard Foundation restaurant judge and couldn’t get to all of the nominated Chicago restaurants, I asked Scott for advice. […]

MOLLY WELLMANN, JAPP’S, HEMINGWAY DAIQUIRI

What a spark! What a charmer! What pizzazz!  Molly Wellmann is bar none the most spirited woman I know. And it’s not just because this Cincinnati local won the Nightclub and Bar Media award for Best Bartender/Owner in the Nation and that Bon Appetit magazine says her bar is the best in Cincinnati or that […]

3 BEST COCKTAILS FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

I’m getting sloshed on New Year’s Eve. It’s the only way to end the terrible, horrible, no good, really bad 2020. I’m loading up on cocktails. But not just any cocktail. My cocktails must be spunky enough to chase away doom and gloom and usher in the light and bright.  I’ve come up with three […]

TWO BUNCH PALMS SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

Time for a Covid19 break? Time for Two Bunch Palms, an oasis resort in Southern California.

GRAND RESIDENCES RIVIERA CANCUN AND COCKTAILS

Lately I’ve been dreaming of Grand Residences Riviera Cancun. It’s the 5-star resort where I would love to be confined. Beautiful suites. Lovely beach. Great pool. And best of all, unmatchable food and drink. As to cocktails, here are two recipes: the resort’s Habanero Margarita and the Almond Passion. Mmmmmm!

COCKTAIL: MARK KATZMAN’S MASTERPIECE

Not allowed to drink alcohol while recovering from a concussion, photographer Mark Katzman invents a 70-calorie Masterpiece of a cocktail.

MELROSE UMBRELLA COMPANY AND MEZCALI ME BANANA COCKTAIL

The recipe for a luscious mezcal based cocktail from the Melrose Umbrella Company cocktail bar/restaurant on Melrose Ave. In Los Angeles.