People travel with different purposes. For Alie Ward and Georgia Hardstark, the L.A. cocktail duo, whether it is swimming in Miami or high-wire walking in Las Vegas, traveling is simply another way to add city flavors to their expanding cocktail list.
Their first TV series, “Tripping Out with Alie and Georgia,” is hosted by the two cocktail comedians wearing vintage dresses and creating drinks based on their adventures. They shot in Miami, Texas, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Alaska, getting inspiration for cocktails that people would not normally find on the menu but can easily make at home.
“We like to take the pretension out of cocktail making,”Hardstark says.
The theme of “Tripping Out” is creating a cocktail each episode inspired by their trips.
“I think everywhere we go and everywhere we eat is kind of inspiring for cocktails,” Ward adds. “So it make sense that if we go on a trip, we would come back with new ideas we didn’t have before we left.”
Among all the cities they visited, Miami is Hardstark’s favorite.
“There is something new around every corner,” she says.
For the Miami episode, the stars of the girls’ cocktail creation are apricot preserves and rum. “Both of [them] we had in the cocktails we drank around town,” Hardstark says. “From there, we experiment with fruit juices and liqueurs to come up with our own unique spin on the libation.”
Ward said her favorite cocktail created based on their trips is “California Desert.” “It’s got a little bite,” she says. “It’s very complex, and it’s not too sweet.” On the other hand, Georgia’s favorite drink is “Palomarfa,” which is inspired by a lavender field in Marfa, Texas.
Ward and Hardstark also took a few mixology lessons.
“I think our life has been the best trainer so far,” Hardstark says.
Palomarfa Recipe
1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila
1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2 ounce lavender simple syrup, recipe follows
Pinch salt
Ice
1 1/2 ounces light beer
Lavender sprig, for garnish
Pour the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, lavender simple syrup and salt over ice in a tall glass. Stir. Top with the light beer, stir lightly and garnish with a sprig of lavender.
Lavender simple syrup:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup dried or fresh lavender
Add the sugar, 1 cup water and the lavender to a saucepan and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Let sit overnight. Pour through a strainer into a jar, discard the lavender. Store in the refrigerator and try not to drink it alone.
