Even the best laid plans get derailed. 

You just don’t know you are gonna do until you do it. 

Sometimes weeks run right into weekends.

Cocktails like this one are made for weeks like this. 

And most of the time when ‘it’ happens–it happens in the midst of making your dinner at 9:30 at night. 

You can’t eat.

Not now. 

It took everything you had just to be able to pull a cocktail out of your…

well, you know. 

And you definitely had no idea what you’re going to make let alone write.

It just so happens that creativity + inspiration well, let’s just say they are not convenient. When they do decide to show up. 

So…the best we can do?

STOP.

Go hungry. 

and WRITE. 

Pour yourself a drink + hopefully write some more. 

Wake up t'mara and do it all over again.

It is what feeds the creative beast. 

Ginger, Bay + Black peppercorn Simple Syrup

Prep: 5 mins

Cook time: 20 mins

Yield: 1 pint 

2 ounces fresh ginger, peeled + sliced

2 firm Chilton County peaches, peeled + grated

1 ½ tsp whole black peppercorns 

1 fresh bay leaf (happen to have a bay tree in the backyard) 

lemon zest + juice from 2 lemons

1 ½ granulated sugar

1 cup water

In a one quart pot bring water to a boil.

Once water starts to boil reduce to a simmer. 

Add sugar + whisk until dissolved.

Next add in ginger, peaches, black peppercorns + lemon zest.

Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally 

Add fresh bay leaf, simmer for another 5 minutes.

Remove pot from heat. 

Disgard bay leaf. 

Allow syrup to cool 10-15 mins then strain in fine mesh strainer with a bowl underneath to reserve y'alls syrup. 

Once syrup has cooled pour into 2 half pint or 1 pint jar. 

Creative Beast Cocktail

¾ ounce Ginger simple syrup

1 ounce dry vermouth

2 ounces Laird’s Applejack

lemon twist

splash club soda (optional) 

Pour ingredients into an ice filled rocks glass. 

Stir well. 

Add splash of soda if y'all want. 

Garnish with peach slices, lemon twist + sprig of mint.

This. 

This cocktail is like drinking sweet peach iced tea.

Bound to be a (Southern) classic in this household.

Cheers! from one creative beast to another.