On Nick…
On Caroline…
The Drink: Jamie and I launched our second Drink This Takeover with a Mint Julep, so they’re no stranger here. I (Caroline) claim it as my all time favorite cocktail, and I drink ’em like crazy during the Spring and Summer. On Sunday (Mark’s birthday!), we had a few friends over to for a back porch party, and I thought it was the perfect time to make my first Julep of the year. I figured I wouldn’t be the only one drinking them, so I wanted to prepare them ahead of time. If you make them the “right” way (muddle mint with simple syrup, crush ice, etc) they can be pretty time consuming, and I didn’t want to spend the entire party at the bar. Solution? Bottled mint juleps. Bonus? I’ve still got some in the fridge.
Your first step is to whip up a batch of mint syrup and let it cool.
For a 16 oz bottle, funnel 12.5 oz bourbon and 2.5 oz syrup*.
Cap it and mix the ingredients together (don’t shake).
To serve, pour 3 oz into Julep cup or glass and pack with ice.
If you want to serve these at a party like I did, crush up a bunch of ice in a Lewis bag and keep it in the freezer. Then, per order, all you’ve gotta do is pour the cocktail, add ice, garnish and serve! If you have leftovers, drink them within a week or so.
*If your bottle isn’t 16oz, just use a 2.5 oz bourbon and 1/2 oz syrup recipe when adjusting proportions.
The Cup: 8 oz Salisbury ‘Texas’ Pewter Cup.
Designer Adam Gatchel is the man behind Southern Lights Electric. Originally from Chicago, he moved to Nashville in 2002 to pursue a career in music. In 2011, after 7 years on the road as a drummer, he transitioned into lighting design and began the company with his wife Jamie. If you check out his gallery, you’ll realize that if you’ve been anywhere that’s somewhere in Nashville, you’ve been under his lights (i.e. Pinewood Social, Rolf and Daughters, Two Ten Jack).
Huckberry introduced us to his work by way of the Original Bell Jar Table Lamp. The wood base is manufactured in their Nashville workshop and each name plate is silk screened by hand. And c’mon. Who doesn’t love an exposed Edison bulb?
Well, we have good news for you if you want this lamp. Huckberry wants you to have this one.
For your chance to have it in your home, go to this post on Instagram and double tap that baby. That’s it. Just ‘like it’ to enter. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on March 30th!
Photographed in Orlando, FL
Raised in:
Clarksville, Maryland
Lives in:
Jasper, Georgia
Southern spot you most want to visit:
New Orleans
Photographed in Nashville, TN by Ariel Renae
Raised in:
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Lives in:
Nashville, Tennessee
Album(s) you’re listening to most this week:
Of course Kendrick’s new record, who isn’t? I think he will win a Grammy for it. J. Cole’s new record is amazing. Jose Gonzalez’s new album is the best thing to work to with headphones on. Overall, I still can’t stop listening to the New Radicals record from 1998, Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed Too. Gregg Alexander is a mad genius. I’m so sad they broke up. I need him to pull a D’Angelo ASAP.
Now would ya look at that:
If you’re in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard of Superica, Ford Fry’s new ‘Mex-Tex’ resturaunt in Krog Street Market. Everything the man touches is yummy gold, and this place is no exception, particularly to a native Texan like me. The first thing out of my mouth when we walked in was “I feel like I’m in Austin,” quickly followed by “The Yellow Rose of Texas is playing right now!”
Read the full story on StyleBlueprint (by Jess Graves) recapping our amazing first experience here. It’s quite possibly my new food home away from home.
Oh, and yes, their margaritas are Caroline approved (specifically The O.G).
Photographed in Atlanta, GA at King + Duke
Raised in:
Northern California
Lives in:
Atlanta, Georgia
Favorite items on your current menu:
Maine Lobster Pan Roast, Pork Ossobuco, Arctic Char “Lox.”
Now would ya look at that:
Meet E.J. Hodgkinson, Executive Chef at King + Duke.
Photographed in Charleston, SC
Raised in:
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Lives in:
Charleston, South Carolina
Favorite Southern based designer(s):
I’m pretty sure Billy and Sid are the correct answers. Though I respect and admire them, my sartorial heart will always belong to the Italians.
Now would ya look at that:
Meet Taylor Eubanks, store manager for Ike Behar on King St. He and his girlfriend, Alden, also run Rutdlege Social – a social media management and consulting firm.
On the first weekend of February, Mark and I headed to Charleston for a quick winter getaway. We arrived before dinner on Friday night and left early Sunday morning, making it our quickest trip there to date. Regardless, we enjoyed every minute, as one tends to do in the Holy City.
We stayed at the beautiful Belmond Charleston Place in one of their newly renovated rooms. We didn’t leave the place the night we got there. We spent a few hours at The Thoroughbread Club followed by one of the best food experiences of our lives at the Charleston Grill. Whiskey, champagne, wine, crab cakes, beef tartar, scallops, and lamb racks with a live jazz soundtrack. It’s no wonder this place is recognized as one of the best restaurants in the nation.
On Saturday, we did what any normal person visiting Charleston does: ate, and then passed the time until we could eat again. We started with cappuccinos at the newly opened Saint Alban, then walked next door to Leon’s for one of the best fried chicken sandwiches we’ve ever had.
We then drove around the neighborhoods, got some sun on our faces, then headed up to The Citadel so House of Cards obsessed Mark could see the campus for the first time. When we arrived we stumbled upon a UNC vs Citadel Rugby match and enjoyed the free entertainment (Citadel won).
Our last meal was at Edmund’s Oast, recommended by the wonderful Mickey Baskt, manager of Charleston Grill. This place was fantastic! Cured charcuterie, braised lamb meatballs (our favorite item of the night), bacon egg & cheeseburger, all paired with in house IPA’s for Mark and awesome cocktails for me. We rolled out of there fully satisfied and quick to recommend it and return.
Photographed in Nashville, TN by Jamie Clayton
Raised in:
Annapolis, Maryland
Lives in:
Nashville, Tennessee
What inspired the motorcyle purchase:
I rented a Royal Enfield during a six week trip to India. I spent four days driving in and around Leh, Kashmir through ancient villages, temples in the shadow of the Ladakh Mountains. I then spent the final day driving up to Khardung La Pass (world’s highest motorable pass, 17,852 ft) before the driving snow and ice at the top caused me to have to walk the last half mile (fairly difficult at that altitude). Following that, the Enfield wouldn’t start due to the cold so I kicked it into neutral and coasted the 40 km back to the town. Once I got back to the States, I started saving up and knew I had to get one myself.
Favorite adventure on it:
After looking for a few months, I found a great used model in Denver but after being unable to coordinate a pickup I took matters into my own hands and flew to Ft. Worth and snagged this one. From there I spent a week traveling to Austin followed by two days riding and camping in the Ozarks, a stop over in St. Louis, Land between the Lakes National Park, and Nashville before heading back down to Pensacola.
Now would ya look at that: