False Spring
My allergies have returned and the cherry blossoms peak bloom is predicted, so I have declared it spring in DC. But we are in that last bit of winter where temperatures are fickle, rain is sudden and often, and trees are still bare. If you need a little pick me up or two to get you to flowers and sunshine, we have you covered.
The Drinks
Vermútino Spritzer
I recently drank this canned, vermouth-based cocktail at a cheese bar here in DC. Based off of the go to Spanish vermouth aperitivo, it’s low in alcohol, just lightly sweetened, and pairs perfectly with some green olives or sharp cheddar. Can’t find them? Make your own!
1 part sweet vermouth
2 parts club soda
Squeeze of lemon juice
Orange Wine
We said this in fall too, but it’s our favorite bumper season wine for a reason! Orange wine has the fresh, crisp flavors or white wine, with a light bump of tannins, and that funk of natural wine making. Some of our favrites:
L'un des Sens Orange Wine, France
The Puppet Orange Wine, California
Paleokerisio Domaine Glinavos, Greece
Di Giovanna Camurria Orange, Sicily
Old Westminster Winery Pet-Nat Orange, Maryland
Hillstone Crisp Martini
If you don’t love Martinis, give this one a try. It subs out vermouth for St. Germain and is topped with aromatic white wine. It has all the flavors of spring and you can drink it into the summer.
1.5 oz gin
1 oz elderflower liquor
juice of half a lemon
1 oz sauvignon blanc or similar
Add the gin, elderflower, and lemon juice into a shaker with ice, shake well until your hand is cold.
Strain into a chilled glass and top with sauvignon blanc.
The Shows
With Love, Meghan
If it’s still a little too cold to hang out outside, travel to Montecito and experience the bright and airy world of Meghan Sussex. We love pretty lifestyle content, think the Magnolia Network or Wishbone Kitchen, so naturally we loved Meghan’s West Coast Ina Garten vibes. While it’s certainly escapism, we found all of Meghan’s tips highly doable (her one pot spaghetti is already on repeat in our homes).
White Lotus
Our favorite luxury resort is back, this time in Thailand. Like the other seasons, we start with the knowledge that there’s a body and then rewind a week to watch horrible rich people be horrible. We’re only 4 episodes in but there are already so many questions and a central mystery continuing from past seasons.
The Books
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
This novel follows young women whose friends have been murdered by a notorious serial killer (not so loosely based off Ted Bundy), both dealing with the fallout of horrific loss and how the justice system treats women and victims. If might sound heavy but it’s an addicting read that will make you want to scream but also keep reading.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
We are not immune to the romantasy craze and dragons are our drug of choice. People have talked enough about this book everywhere, but we personally loved the development of the more fantasy elements.