Here's looking at me kid

Cocktail Hour | An Icy Blonde Hitchcock-Tail

Everybody loves Hitchcock. The stories he presents have something for everyone- engaging storylines, suspenseful moments, relatable themes, stylish costumes, and, of course, beautiful blondes! Andrea, of Paper Sparrow, had a fantastic idea to host a Hitchcock Blog Party, with one day being all about cocktail themes in Hitchcock's movies. (You never knew there was so much drinking, did you?) Thanks to Andrea, I decided to create a new cocktail inspired by the most notorious of Hitchcockian themes- the icy blonde.

This was my first time combining these ingredients, and I'll warn you, I like my cocktails strong. So be wary of my notes, alright?

T H E   I C Y   B L O N D E :

• 2 parts Spiced Rum (I used Sailor Jerry, which is quite potent)
• 1 part White Chocolate Liqueur (I used Godiva, and it's not too sweet)
• 2 parts Whole Milk or Half & Half (I also enjoy using vanilla soy milk for a sweeter taste)

Combine ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker and vigorously shake. Enjoy your strong, blonde, and subtly sweet cocktail strained and served over ice in a lowball like I did, or you might try serving it in a martini glass for something more fancy and feminine. If you can't tolerate a strong drink, and like something a little sweeter, I would suggest substituting one part of spiced rum for butterscotch schnapps or remove the one part of rum altogether and try vanilla soy milk instead of regular milk. Of course, it wouldn't be the same cocktail, but I'm sure it would be delicious!

Cocktail Hour | Salted Caramel Martini

"It's like liquid Werther's Originals!" I overheard a friend announce outside of a coffee shop. Thinking it was the shop's new featured drink, I curiously asked what she was talking about. Apparently over the weekend she and her boyfriend had whipped up a delicious cocktail that tasted just like caramel candy. Hmmm... that would be so good with salt, I thought. So here it is! And it's as delicious as I suspected.

T H E   S A L T E D   C A R A M E L   M A R T I N I

1 part Butterscotch Snapps | 1 part Kahlua | 1 part vodka | 2 parts whole milk

Prepare your martini glasses by wetting the rims and dipping in crushed seasalt. Pour ingredients over ice into a cocktail shaker, shake, then strain into glasses. Be sure to drink responsibly- these are quite strong, and alarmingly delicious!

Celebrating the Season with the Perfect Cocktails

Well, yes, it is Friday. But! It's also the first day of Fall! Finally! I know, we've been talking about it for weeks. But now it's time to just settle in and enjoy it all. I say we all cut out early for the weekend and start off with one of these to set the Autumnal mood.

Click below for the recipes! (Looks like a trip to the grocery store is in order...)

• Holiday Ginger Cocktail via Nora Maynard at Apartment Therapy
• Ginger & Apple Bourbon via Cat Grishaver at The Tampopo Post
• Spiced Mulled Wine via Ainsley harriot at BBC Food
• Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail via Kazia at Big World, Small Kitchen