I admit, I was a little nervous creating a cocktail for Amber: she used to be a bartender and is quite the wine lover! As a former chef who loves to have someone else cook for them, I should have known not to be nervous: she was thrilled with the idea of a custom cocktail just like everyone else I’ve had the pleasure to design one for. Responding to her affinity for Asian cuisine and strong flavors, I created a sake-based drink with the bite of ginger, cranberry and grapefruit.

Casey’s situation reminded me of myself, many years ago–young, divorced, and rebuilding my life after it all (only I didn’t have a young son to take care of). Back then my unofficial theme song was LeAnn Rimes’ Because I Can (aka One Way Ticket). With that song running through my mind (not to mention the art–the music notes are the opening bars to that same song) and the theme of possibilities and freedom and liberation, I created a twist on the classic Cuba Libre with a Tex-Mex vibe (she is from Texas, after all) and her favorite soda, Dr. Pepper.

An old friend, Qedrin is glamour all the way: fashion, make-up and an amazing photographer she’s a big fan of Mexican cuisine and both sweet an sour flavors. Creating her tart but sweet tequila sour with a suar OR salt rim was a perfect match for her and even came close to her favorite color: turquoise!

Charlotte is a fun-loving librarian from Louisiana who I met at a sci-fi convention. She had a bright, boisterous personality that just begged for a fun party drink. Being as she was a librarian, she requested something that could go either way–alcoholic or non–and I happily obliged with this ginger, pineapple and rum drink that could easily be made safe for sharing with the kids by just using juices and ginger ale. Her 6 kitties became the inspiration for the Second Line-style direction for the art.

For the birthday girl whose request was a cocktail where she could “taste the vodka”, I created my take on a peach salsa with Pepper Vodka. Even better? Turns out she loves a good Bloody Mary and this drink was totally up her alley.