In an attempt to not seem like a total Drunky McDrunkster I'd like to start by saying, please drink responsibly.

NOW ON TO THE BOOZE!!!!

 

I'm the type of drinker that loves the taste of alcohol, all thanks for my Russian heritage and parentals, which got me hooked on the good stuff by using it to help me fall sleep as a developing fetus. I was a kicker.

Now I'm an avid drinker of cocktails, especially ones made with great vodka. Mix Belvedere into anything, and I'll be the first one at the party.

Below, a few of my go to cocktails, liquid libations to liquor you up. Remember ladies, drunk boys are easy.

 

The Dirty Pickle

I like my dirties mixed with pickled tomato juice instead of olive juice, a drink I first tried at NYC hot spot The Smith.  It's simple enough to make yourself, with only two ingredients, juice and vodka, and garnished with a slice of the tomato, this cocktail is heaven after a long day.  The main ingredient can be found at a local jewish deli (my fave can be found in most grocery stores) and if you're really adventurous, you can make your own, great recipe here.

 

The Blow Off Work and Have a Spa Day Martini 

Made with Belvedere Citrus, this cocktail is refreshing enough to have daily with lunch on a sunny Spring day. Yes, I'm a lunchtime drinker, and you should be too Debbie Downer.  I drink green tea almost 3 times a day, so no wonder I'm drawn to this drink. The recipe is below, the ingredients are extensive, but the outcome is fabulous:

2 oz Belvedere Citrus Vodka 2 inch Piece of cucumber Dash simple syrup Dash lemon juice 25ml/ 0.75 oz Green tea Piece of fresh ginger 2 Basil leaves Small pinch of Maldon Sea Salt

Muddle cucumber and ginger with a pinch of salt and simple syrup. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with cubed ice. Finely strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a thin slice of cucumber.

 

 

Russian Mudslide

The Russian Mudslide is similar to a White Russian, but not at all related to the Tan Puerto Rican which lives in my house. It's a cocktail I was addicted to in my early drinking days, as the sweetness overshadowed the taste of the alcohol.

Drink this instead of desert and the suger high might be enough to get you through a love making session with an equally bloated husband. Also a good drink on days when PiMS is beating the crap out of your babymaker.

1 1/2 oz Belvedere Vodka 1 1/2 oz Bailey's® Irish cream 1 1/2 oz Kahlua® coffee liqueur 1 more shot of Belvedere for good measure 8 ice cubes 1 1/2 oz cream

 

Like I Give a Fig 

This cocktail mixes my two fave fruits, pomegranates and figs, both of which I could not get enough of as a child. My mom used to come home with one pomegranate, she would peel it and spoon feed the seeds to my sister and I, and one fig, which again my sister and I would split. #thursdaythrowback

2 oz Belvedere Vodka a dash of crushed ginger 1 Whole pomegranate 25ml/ ¾ oz Fig puree 10ml/ ¼ oz Lime juice 10ml/ ¼ oz Vanilla sugar

Muddle pomegranate with sugar. Add rest of ingredients and shake with cubed ice. Double strain into rocks glass and garnish with a split fig.

 

The Best Bloody Mary Out of a Jar

If I could drink only one liquid for the rest of my life, it would be a Bloody Mary. But not just any Bloody, one made with my fave mix from McClure's, the people who make the best pickles in the world.

Another simple cocktail, if you're a connoisseur of Bloody Mary's, I promise that this will be the best drink you've ever tasted. Mix as little or as much of the spicy concoction as you like with your Belvedere Vodka, and you'll be happy as a clam!