The Trouble with Vodka; Musings on Standing Out in a Crowd
When staying true to what you are can take you off the shelf
Why the Heck Would I Compare Myself to Vodka?
So. Here’s the deal. If you’re already familiar with me and my work (hint, go to www.straighttothehipsbaby.com), you know I’ve been in the food and food photography space for almost a decade now. I came up with every other eager-beaver food blogger, back in the days where a lovely photo of what you were eating with a snappy caption was enough. No fancy props, backgrounds, or fast lenses. Dark & moody? Light & bright? What? No way were we thinking about proper lighting/ color story/ SEO and all of that other fun stuff. Just food and photos. You could find your audience, and more importantly speak to them directly without any algorithms or complicated programing. I was cool as a vodka martini, and ready to party (Honestly, I prefer a glass of whiskey, neat. But, that’s another story).
1. Why this, why now
The food world where a well intentioned classic vodka martini could stand out is gone. That bottle of adaptable no-fuss spirit that can make a whole variety of superb cocktails has to fight for space on a shelf filled with bigger and brighter packaged liquors. It needs sparkly garnishes and special lighting. Smoke machines and a mad scientist’s lab of infusions, distillations, and gimmicks. ALL the bells and whistles. It takes a lot more than just pretty photos and a talent for cooking damn delicious food to make it in front of eyeballs these days. It takes a strong voice, a whole support team, and some pretty damn good lighting. I have two out of the three, so I’m not doing badly.
2. I’m looking to connect with you over real food, cooking, and the pleasure of eating a perfectly cooked medium rare steak
My blog is filled with stories, recipes, menu plans, and photos. I love it. It’s a space to learn and take in the beauty of entertaining. This space will be a bit like that, but also a little bit different. More direct. Filled with recipes that feed your soul, planned-for-you menus so you can throw a party without working in the kitchen the entire time, and my thoughts on the food space. Also, some vodka cocktails, because they need some love too.
3. When, where, how?
I’m not going to spam you with useless posts and multiple weekly mailings. Nope. I like Fridays. They’re like that last burst of energy to cross the finish line before you can collapse into the welcoming embrace of a cold bottle of Gatorade. So, Friday morning, while you are sipping your coffee, you can see what I’m making for dinner that night. Or, the new cocktail I’m serving my friends. Maybe even the behind-the-scenes work it takes to bring a modern dinner party to the table (pssst…. I even wrote a book about it. )
4. Welcome to my Table
If you have a passion for step by step cooking, original balanced cocktail recipes, and creating food experiences for friends and family, let’s be friends. Be sure to subscribe and follow along with me here and on Instagram.
5. Looking for more?
Head to www.straighttothehipsbaby.com for more recipes and ideas. Seriously. Go. Fight the power that is the Google algorithm.
(But trust me, the food is truly good!)
Pear Vodka Martini
Ingredients
4 parts pear vodka
3 parts pear nectar
2 parts simple sugar syrup
1 part fresh lemon juice
ice
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker half way full with ice and place your martini glass in the freezer for a quick chill.
Combine all of the ingredients into the shaker and shake vigorously to combine, about 30 seconds.
Pour into your already chilled glass.
Enjoy!