Who doesn’t love a delicious drink? Whether it’s a cocktail or a refresher or a wake-up, drinking is a huge part of our lives. Enter Pink House Alchemy, creators of sensational botanical based syrups. I had a to-die for lavender lemonade at the farmer’s market last year and had been thinking about it non-stop. When I had the same deliciousness at the Little Craft Show this winter, I quickly decided I had to try this at home. I bought the herb, lavender & rosemary syrups. They were divine the few times I used them before they were relegated to the back of my home bar for two months. I re-found them and began to wonder, should they be refrigerated? I emailed Emily Lawson, the alchemist (or owner) herself. She was incredibly kind and directed me to Ross, PH chef/alchemist, who had recently made the syrups shelf-stable. Ross replaced my syrups with bigger bottles, he also gave me three new ones to try! Wasn’t that just so lovely of them? I decided to utilize my new additions and organized a little happy hour with my gal-pal Mallory Berry of MGB Photo. 
The PH folks had given me a pineapple rosemary shrub (a “sipping vinegar”) and I saw a lovely little margarita recipe (below) on their facebook. Let me tell you, this is the real deal. It was so incredibly yummy that things got a little out of hand. Go get you some.
Pineapple Rosemary Margarita | Mix the following:
2 oz silver tequila 1 oz Pink House Alchemy Pineapple Rosemary shrub (a shrub is a “sipping” vinegar that takes your cocktail to the next level) 3/4 oz Pink House Alchemy Herb simple syrup Juice from 1/2 a lime
(for our version, we used grapefruit flavored sparkling water)
Photo Credit: MGB Photo
More about PH, via PINKHOUSEALCHEMY.COM: Pink house alchemy is a company dedicated to taste experiences. Inspired by complementary patterns in roots, barks, fruits, herbs, and botanicals. pH works every day to find new and perfect connections between ingredients. Who knew carrot, rice vinegar; sugar and toasted coriander seeds are a dreamy sweet treat? Simple syrups, bitters, shrubs and timeless classics such as falernum, are where the alchemists put these discoveries to the test!
Purchase syrups & shrubs from Pink House at Arsagas, ONF or on their website.
More recipe suggestions from Pink House:
Blueberry Thyme Gin Fizz: 2 oz. Hendricks Gin 1 oz. pH Alchemy Blueberry Thyme Simple Syrup 1/2 juiced lemon 1 egg white. Shake with ice. Pour. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with sprig of thyme. Enjoy.
Rosemary Rhubarb Flip: 1.5 oz. Hendrick’s Gin 1 oz. pH Rosemary Rhubarb simple syrup .75 oz. fresh lime juice 1 egg white Add all ingredients into a shaker and dry shake for 30 seconds. Add ice and continue shaking until frothy. Strain and garnish with a fresh rosemary spring.
Pink House Cooler: 2 oz vodka 1 oz Pink House Alchemy Strawberry Basil simple syrup juice from 1/2 a lime top with sparkling water and garnish with fresh basil
Lavender Hummingbird: In a pint glass: Ice 1 oz pH Alchemy Lavender Simple Syrup 1 squeezed lemon Sparkling water
French Lavender 75: In a shaker: 2 oz gin (the alchemist prefers Hendricks) 1 oz Lavender One half squeezed lemon Shake with ice, pour in martini glass Float champagne on top Garnish with lemon twist
ahhh isn’t it fun to have talented friends?
In 2006, Dr. Allyson Mertins opened Mertins Eye Care & Optical. She recognized a need in NWA for a combination of well-appointed, unique eyewear & exceptional eye care. The store expanded to a second location in September of 2011 in the Garland Center on the University of Arkansas campus. Dr. Mertins values impeccable service and has quite a loyal clientele. Her patients constantly compliment her on the eye exam, which is thorough and rather detailed. She stays up to date on the latest research and findings in the optometric industry.
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