Master Mixologist

I know, I know... I say this about most every single card I make, but this one definitely makes the top of my list of favorites. I love how the theme and the colors are so festive.
Hard lemonade? Martini? Mojito? None of these can beat my friend Sam's masterful concoctions, but it was my attempt to salute his knowledge and expertise in mixology on his birthday. I clearly remember the first drink he ever made for me, the Aviation. I'm terrible at remembering the names of things, but that... I remember.

Made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette and lemon juice, it was a violet-scented, pastel purple-hued work of wonder. I was enthralled, all the more so when Sam told me that the tasty brandy-soaked cherries that served as a garnish (and that I wanted to eat by the bowlful) were of his own making, right down to pitting fresh sour cherries.

I used double-sided sticky foam squares on the backs of the drink pieces to create height. I think the dimension added interest to the card.We made our very own grenadine recently! (Well, when I say "we" made grenadine, I really meant that I tagged along while Sam bought pomegranate juice and hung around - repeatedly clamoring to sniff the bottle with orange blossom water - when he made a syrup of it.) Sam was kind enough to share, and tonight, I very gleefully made myself a Monkey Gland with it (go on, read the macabre history of the name of the drink in the embedded link!), substituting raspberry syrup with the homemade grenadine and absinthe with some ouzo I had on hand.