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Disclaimer: I attended a tasting of Raft Syrups and received a sampling of their syrups. This post is not sponsored by Raft. I happened to really enjoy the syrups and have created a recipe (or few!) using their syrups. Enjoy!

Lemon Ginger Drop Cocktail // A Well Crafted Party

Botanical Syrups and Kindred Spirits

A few weeks ago I was invited over to the home of the creators of Raft Botanical Cocktail and Soda Syrups with a few blogging friends for the opportunity to try some of their syrups and cocktails made with them. I was incredibly inspired by the passion and dedication of the women behind Raft Syrups. They spoke about their syrups and the process of creating and selling them with such authentic enthusiasm.

If you’ve ever read Anne of Green Gables then you’ve read the term ‘kindred spirits.” That is exactly how I felt sitting down with a few of my blogging buddies and Sook & Roslynn of Raft. I was reminded of the line:

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.

Anyways, we tried SEVERAL tasty drinks that night. (Many of which you can actually find the cocktail recipes over on the Raft website. ) Admittedly, the tasty drinks might have contributed a little to the warm fuzzy feeling that I got from the evening. However, I’m going to think now and forever that I’ve found another pair of kindred spirits out there.

Lemon Ginger Drop Cocktail // A Well Crafted Party

Lemon Ginger Drop Cocktail

Upon tasting their Lemon Ginger Syrup the first thing I thought was…. wow, this would make for an AMAZING lemon drop. And, because I like to toot my own horn, I WAS RIGHT.

The lemon drop is a funny drink for me. Typically they are too sickly sweet for me to enjoy. However, when mixed with  just the right proportions of sweet and sour, I am in love. The ginger syrup gives the lemon drop just the right mixture of sweet and sour… and, as a bonus, a fun little kick of ginger at the end. If you like a little spice in your cocktail then definitely try this drink.

Lemon Ginger Drop Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Limoncello Liquer
  • 1/2 oz Lemon Ginger Raft Syrup
  • Juice of 1 lemon, plus 1 slice of lemon for rimming your glass
  • Ice
  • Shaker
  • Martini Glass
  • Granulated Sugar mixed with lemon zest for rim
  • Candied Ginger for Garnish

Directions:

  1. Using a sliced lemon, rub lemon juice around the edge of your cocktail glass. Dip the glass onto a plate covered in granulated sugar mixed with lemon zest. Set glass aside.
  2. Pour the vodka, limoncello, lemon ginger syrup, and juice of the lemon into a cocktail shaker full of ice. SHAKE! Strain liquid into the rimmed martini glass.
  3. Garnish with a candied ginger.

Enjoy!

Lemon Ginger Drop Cocktail // A Well Crafted Party

 

More about Raft Syrups: Raft Botanical Cocktail and Soda Syrups are made in Portland, Oregon. The syrups are not only just about quality ingredients and great flavor… but, also about a healthy well-being! Check out the Raft About page to learn more about why they are creating these syrups. It is a good read, I promise! They currently stock three different syrups: Hibiscus Lavender, Lemon Ginger, and Smoked Tea Vanilla. The syrups are stocked in some stores throughout Portland and can be purchased ONLINE! These would make a fantastic gift for anyone building their bars.

Want even more recipes using Raft syrups? Check out these links:

Pairings Portland Basics Class // Reviewed on A Well Crafted Party

I’ve been to a lot of wine tastings in my day. Heck, I’ve even hosted several in my job as a trainer at an Italian restaurant. However, this was my first time ever experiencing a wine tasting quite like this… the Pairings Portland Wine Shop invited myself and my fabulous friend Bee to try out their Pairings Basics tasting class so that we could share the experience with readers. I’m so glad I got to experience it!

I’ll start by saying that there is nothing typical about the Pairings Portland Wine Shop. As soon as you walk in you get a feel for the different type of wine experience that you’ll be getting. Instead of wines categorized by variety and price point, the wines sold throughout the store are paired with moods, foods, TV shows, music, weather, and more. When signing up for the Pairings Basics class, be aware that you aren’t signing up for a typical tasting either! You’re signing up for an experience of learning a lot more about what you like about wine and why you like it. You aren’t going to sit there listening to someone talk about the things YOU should be tasting or things YOU should be smelling. Oh, and you’ll only be tasting ONE wine.

What!?

Pairings Portland Basics Class // Reviewed on A Well Crafted Party

Pairings Portland Basics Class // Reviewed on A Well Crafted Party

That is what I thought too… but, you’ll be tasting that wine over and over again and trying it with different things. Without sounding completely over-the-moon about things… this was a revelation to me! It was amazing seeing how one wine was changed between the simple change of an acid or a fat. To me, someone who throws a lot of parties that include wine and food, it made me realize how I can modify a dish that just doesn’t quite match a wine the way I want it to!

The description of this class says, “you’ll discover the magic of wine and food pairing.” I think the class totally delivers on that description.

More about the Pairings Basic Class:

  • Cost: $25/person
  • Size of class: MAX 18 people
  • You’ll try a wine to see if you like/dislike it
  • You’ll then try the wine with 7 different elements, marking the changes that it made in the wine
  • In the end, you’ll leave with a knowledge of how food and wine interact with your taste buds.

Wanna see Bee’s review of the class? Check out her thoughts on the Pairings Basic class at The Spicy Bee!

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary class in exchange for my honest opinion of the experience. All thoughts are my own. I am a big believer in trying out and supporting local businesses as I am able and I think will interest my readers.

7 Days of Sun Safe Style with Summer Skin // A Well Crafted Party

 

Right after my skin cancer diagnosis I had the opportunity to meet the owner and creator of the sun safe fashion line SummerSkinSummer Kramer (yep, that is her name!) is seriously such an inspirational powerhouse of a woman that has really made a beautiful brand of clothing that can also help protect you. I was fortunate enough to be able to sample one of her creations— the Endless Summer Scarf. The Endless Summer Scarf is just too much fun because it can be worn so many different ways. I got the scarf the week before my surgery and had fun creating 7 Different Days of SummerSkin Style for my Instagram feed. Over the next couple of Curvy Girl Style posts I’ll be sharing some of my favorite outfits from that week! Check out all the styles I did by looking up#mysummerskin on Instagram!


 

Sun Protetive Work Attire with SummerSkin // A Well Crafted Party

Last week I shared an easy, casual outfit perfect for a day by the river or out at the Farmer’s market. Today I’m sharing my favorite work outfit from the week. After reading about and seeing the image of a truck driver’s face and the way the sun damaged the side of the face with the most exposure I became much more aware of how much I drive how much sun my face and arm is getting while driving. I often don’t plan on being outside for long when I run out the door for a long day of work, so I don’t really think to put on a hat or extra sun protection. The Endless Summer Scarf has been a great accessory for me during my drives. So much so that I tend to just leave it folded up in my car when I am not incorporating it into an outfit. It covers the side of my face that the sun hits along with my shoulder. Then, when I’m done driving, I just pull it down to make a cute accessory to my work attire.

Sun Protetive Work Attire with SummerSkin // A Well Crafted Party

Sun Protetive Work Attire with SummerSkin // A Well Crafted Party

 

Outfit details: Shoes // Christian Sirano for Payless (This pump is actually on clearance RIGHT NOW– not an affiliate, just thought you might wanna know!),  Skirt // Black Pencil Skirt via Target a few years ago, Tank // Target a few years ago, Necklace // Lucky Brand last Fall, Scarf // Endless Summer Scarf 

Do you protect your skin while driving? If so, how? Comment below!