26 in 2026 -- Try at least one new beer, cider, or cocktail -- First Base-Fizz

 The Timber Rattlers always have specialty cocktails for their games. I try to get at least one a year. Heather mentioned it was definitely a day-drinking kind of game. We decided to head to Leinie's Lodge for some cocktails.

Today's drink of the game was The Buzzer Beater. The grape vodka and cranberry juice were a turn off. However, they had other vodka flavored drinks. One of them was First Pitch Fizz which Heather and I got.

First Pitch Fizz has Cotton Candy Vodka by Game On Spirits, Lemonade, and Starry. It sounded perfect for me. It was $8 in a plastic cup or $12 in a souvenir cup which is reasonable for a baseball game. 

The First Pitch Fizz was perfect. It was sweet, but not too sweet, and refreshing. I just wish there was some cotton candy add to the top. That would be so much fun. 

I hope we can indulge in another specialty cocktail before the season is over. Stay tuned to what else we may drink this year. 

25 in 2025 -- Try at least one new beer, cider, or cocktail -- Frozen Venom-Ade

 Last week at the T-Rats game, I saw a pink slushy drink that looked really good. Heather and I decided we wanted to try it. When we got to the game today, we headed to Carbliss Bar figuring that is where it would be as that's what has the drink of the game. 

We tell the guy that working we wanted the pink slushy drink in a mason jar and he knew what we were talking about. He told us to go to Leinie Lodge. They have the slushy drinks. Off to the Lodge we went.

It turns out there are two slushy drinks -- one pink and one blue. The blue one was a margarita and the pink one was a vodka lemonade. I'm not a huge Margarita fan and Vodka makes me loopy quick. Since I was not driving for a while, I opted for the pink one -- Frozen Venom-Ade. 

The Frozen Venom-Ade was Vodka, Passion Fruit Liqueur, and Lemonade. It cost me $12 but refills in the mason jar were only $10. Not bad for a game day drink.

The Venom-Ade was quite delicious. It was fruity but not overly sweet. Vodka really does make everything better. I liked that it quickly melted and wasn't so slushy. Slushies tend to give me brain freeze. 

We all agreed that we would get them again. I may try the margarita just to see how it is. I do want to try one of the special game day cocktails in the future. They all have fun names. Stay tuned to see what game day cocktail I try next at the T-Rats

25 in 2025 -- Try at least one new beer, cider, or cocktail -- Lavender Mule

 We were meeting the hubby's basketball partners for dinner at Good Company. We were the last ones there. Everyone else already had their drinks so I went to the bar to order ours. I was planning on having an old fashion but something caught my eye.

It was a Lavender Mule. I have taken a liking to mules lately so I was excited to try a Lavender one.

A Lavender Mule is Vodka, Lavender Syrup, and Ginger Beer. 

The lavender was a bit strong initially but after a few stirs, it was much better. It was definitely different. I'm not sure I would get it again.

I did notice they had a raspberry mule on the menu. That has to be pretty good. Maybe next time. 

I have now tried a new beer and now a new cocktail this year. Hopefully I will be able to try a new cider yet this year. 

7460. Have a Moscow mule

 I've always been interested in trying a Moscow Mule even before having a Kentucky Mule. I just didn't have any ginger beer. I had a bottle of apple pie vodka that I was dying to use. So I said we were having Moscow Mules for our October Gathering.

A Moscow Mule is vodka, ginger beer, and a twist of lime. I figured for fall the apple pie vodka would be perfect.

So when we were at Twiggs in May, I picked up a couple bottles of Ginger Beer with the intent of doing Moscow Mules. 

The Twigs, Apple Pie Vodka, and lime was really good... even when I put too much vodka in it. 

I also had a can of sparkling ginger beer from one of my book boxes. That one didn't work as well. I don't know if the extra carbonation threw the flavor off or if it Twigs was just that much better. Other comments from the book group had similar feelings about the sparking ginger beer so maybe it was just the type of ginger beer.

I have a bottle of ginger beer so we can have Moscow Mules at another gathering. I will have to find other uses for the Apple Pie Vodka as well. Stay tuned for other creative cocktails with the apple pie vodka.  

24 in 2024 -- Try a new cocktail -- Kentucky Mule

 I have always wanted to try a Moscow Mule mainly because I think the copper mugs are cute. Okay so probably not the best reason to try a drink. Apparently I'm more interested in the glass than the actual drink This has back fired on me. Alas.. I digress. 

We met the hubby's buddy for dinner at Stone Yard. It was Derby Saturday and they were having a drink special called a Kentucky Mule. Sounds like a Moscow Mule so it probably comes in the copper mug. I order it not even knowing or caring what it was in it. 

It turns out a Kentucky Mule is just a Moscow with Bourbon instead of Vodka. According to Liquor.com it is Bourbon, Ginger Beer, and Lime Juice. Bourbon probably is better for me anyways, since Vodka makes me loopy. 

The Kentucky Mule was good but not worth the $7.50 price tag. This is why I don't normally order drinks when I go out because I think anything over $5 is expensive. I could barely taste the bourbon which made it nice and smooth going down. 

It was actually the perfect drink to sip while watching the photo finish of the Kentucky Derby.

A Kentucky Mule sounds easy enough to make. I may have to pick up some ginger beer when we go to Twiggs next time.  I definitely would make one a home or for girl's night. 

5082. Go to Hatch Distilling Co in Egg Harbor

 I am not one for distilleries since I don't like alcohol straight up but I did want to Hatch Distilling Company in Egg Harbor since I heard good things about them. Since they did not open until noon, our wine trolley was not able go to Hatch Distilling Company as part of our tour. However, my cousins and I opted to stop for a drink before I had to head home.

Hatch Distilling Company distills their own vodka, gin, apple brandy, bourbon, and limoncello. We could have done a flight of .5 oz neat pours but opted for cocktails instead. They have nine original cocktails  and three simple classic cocktails along with a slush of the day on their menu currently. 

I opted for the Supper Club Old Fashioned. It is made with their apple brandy and bitters. I opted for sweet just like I always do.

Jeanne went with the Hibisky Old Fashioned which is an old fashioned made with bourbon and hibiscus syrup. She got hers pressed. She is not a brandy drinker so this was perfect for her. 

Cindy chose the Cherry Smash which was bourbon, cherry, lemon, and bitters so similar to an old fashioned but not quite. 

I did sample the others and they were good. I am in love with Apple Brandy Old Fashioneds now. 

Besides their cocktails, they also sell various cocktail mixers and simple syrups to make your own cocktails at home. 

I would come back to Hatch Distilling Co, get a Supper Club Old Fashioned at the end of the day and chill on the patio with my cousins, friends, or even the hubby. The drinks and atmosphere is a great day to wind down after a day of exploring Door County. They were only open to 6 pm when I was there so a perfect spot for an pre-dinner cocktail before hitting a supper club or fish boil later. The only downside, there is no water view on the patio.