Use ‘em or Lose ‘em!
We’re flexing our creative muscles in the studio this week
Working in a creative field isn’t all messy desks, goofy brainstorm sessions, and effortless like the movies make it seem. We like to compare creativity to learning a foreign language- if you don’t use it, you lose it! Without trying new techniques and allowing ourselves to run wild in the studio, we find it hard to stay inspired. That’s exactly why we decided to have some fun in the kitchen… er… behind the bar this week.
We have romance on the brain as Valentine’s Day approaches. Since many of us are still spending much of our free time at home, we wanted to create something new, unexpected, and totally different from our regular style. That’s where when we started leaning into moody, bold colors against a black backdrop. Stylist and fellow photographer, Kenzie with Hey Hillcrest joined us on this fun, after-hours shoot to tie everything together.
Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin & Tonic
One sip of this Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin & Tonic and you won’t even miss celebrating Valentine’s Day in a boogie cocktail lounge. You’ve been warned - this could easily become your new favorite! The emphasized herbal essence of gin with a rosemary-infused simple syrup and a splash of grapefruit makes a welcomed twist to the traditional G&T!
Honey-Cinnamon Manhattan
Can’t lie - we thoroughly enjoyed taste-testing this one… warming spice from the cinnamon - a bit of smokiness - light the cinnamon stick on fire (like incense) for a fun and camp-fire style evening. It’s the perfect slow sipper.
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail
Break out the bubbly! What’s more romantic than champagne with a ruby red color!? This is a seasonal twist on a mimosa. The extra sweet flavor from the blood orange pairs perfectly great with dry bubbles fizzing against your lips with each sip!
Rosemary Gin & Tonic
Makes 2 Servings
METHOD
To make the Rosemary Simple Syrup: In a 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and water. Heat to a low simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; add in the rosemary sprigs and set aside to cool, about 1 hour.
Strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer; discard solids. Pour the syrup into a glass jar. Cover the jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes about 1 cup.
To make the cocktail: Fill two high ball glasses with ice, set aside. In a mixing glass, combine ice, gin, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup, stir with a bar spoon to chill, and combine. Pour over ice in the two high ball glasses. Top off with tonic water and a rosemary sprig and grapefruit slice for garnish.
INGREDIENTS
Rosemary Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Rosemary-Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
4 ounces gin
½ ounce fresh grapefruit juice
½ ounce Rosemary Simple Syrup
12 ounces tonic water
Honey-Cinnamon Manhattan
Makes 2 Servings
INGREDIENTS
6 ounces Bourbon Whiskey
1 ounce dry vermouth
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 teaspoon honey
Pinch of ground cinnamon
2 cherries
2 cinnamon sticks
METHOD
Add the whiskey, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, honey, and cinnamon to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir with a bar spoon to chill and mix the ingredients.
Strain into two low ball glasses with large ice cubes.
Garnish each cocktail with a cherry and cinnamon stick.
Blood Orange Champagne Cocktail
Makes 2 Servings
METHOD
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine blood orange juice, and vodka. Shake vigorously for at least a minute.
Strain into two chilled coupe glasses. Top with champagne and a citrus curl.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup blood orange juice from 4 medium blood oranges (or regular oranges)
1 ounce vodka
8 ounces chilled champagne, prosecco or cava
What do you think about this type of styling? It’s totally different than a lot of the work Quincy Street Kitchen has done in the past but is a great example of how strong our creative muscles are when we’re flexin’!
Interested in bringing a moody vibe like to your brand’s content? We’d love to partner with you to bring your vision to life! Just reach out and we’ll be in touch!