“Behind The Bar” with Design*Sponge

I love when I get to style and shoot fun stories for Design*Sponge, so I was thrilled when Alyssa and Ryan contacted me to do a little piece for “Behind The Bar”. If you didn’t know, Alyssa and Ryan are the owners of one of my favorite e-shops, HORNE. This place is my weakness!

I have to admit that I am not very familiar with mixology and I feel like styling drinks is a bit different than food, but I had to give it a shot.

I was thinking about what drinks would be fun to serve for friends in a hot summer night. I remembered the first time I tried homemade ginger ale and how fun it was to make it. It is fermented, fresh and spicy. Since it is the season of beautiful strawberries, I made a strawberry consomme by macerating fresh strawberries with sugar until all their juices and essence are release. The perfect pairing for an outdoor get together. Try it and let me know what you think.

Thank you Alyssa and Ryan for thinking about me. You can view more photos (including one of my little M.) and read the entire story here. Have a great weekend everyone!


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57 Responses to ““Behind The Bar” with Design*Sponge”

  1. This looks like a very refreshing spritzer!

  2. Lady Grey says:

    looks lovely and perfect for a summers day!

  3. Aniko says:

    Looks like super! And what do you think to match strawberries with ginger & honey ?

  4. m says:

    Beautiful! So fresh and such a welcoming invitation for the summer!

  5. Gorgeous shots! refreshingly delicious drinks!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  6. Junglefrog says:

    That is so gorgeous Aran! Live the photos and your styling is so beautiful!

  7. Serena says:

    wow, I can even taste summer!!! such wonderful pics!!

  8. That looks wonderful. Those strawberries are mouth watering!x

  9. cindy* says:

    love this! and little m. looks like such a happy girl! too precious. also, love finding new-to-me shopping :)

  10. laura says:

    We’ve been wanting to make homemade ginger ale for the longest time – this was perfect – It’s sitting on my countertop waiting to carbonate… I’ll leave on a note on D*S when it is done! Thank you.

  11. You did very well. The drinks look refreshing and the photos serve the theme really well.

  12. Miren B Idigoras says:

    Hola, aspaldian zure argazkiak ikusten dodaz, eta zoragarriak iruditzen jataz. Ez dakit ingeleses, eta jakin gura dot, ia euskeraz idazten dozun hain baten. Merezidu dabela pentzetan dot. Badakit Floridan bizi zarela, nire alaba be Indianan bizi da, beragatik dakit zure blogari buruz.
    Besarkada bat, Zeanuritik, Miren Bego

  13. Miren Bego- Zelako sorpresa! Itxason ama zara ezta? Ba bai, hau bai mundu txikie. Indiana urrago bago… Ez dot inon euskeraz idazten eta ez dot inoz EHtik eskaerarik euki. Pentseizu, hemen hain ezagune da nire bloga eta hor inok ezer jakin barik! Jajaja… Ia nonor laster animetan dan euskerazko liburu bet argitaratuten. Gustora eingo neuke ba! Eskerrik asko eta egunen baten Miamirantza bazatozie, gu be hemen gauz. Aititen familie Ipinaburukoa da eta! Besarkada bat!

    Thank you all!

  14. Ana Segura says:

    Me encantan las fresas y tus fotografías son lo más. A ver si mis plantas de fresas dan pronto sus frutos que estamos a la espera de comer nuestras primeras fresas plantadas por nosotros.
    Un abrazo fuerte Aran.
    Ana

  15. Sook says:

    Gorgeous photos! I do love strawberries and ginger. :)

  16. I love strawberry lemonade..I thought that was whats in the picture but homemade ginger ale… I have to try it!

    blowing peachkisses
    The Peach Kitchen
    peach and things

  17. The French says:

    It’s like summer in a glass! Yum:)

  18. I SO wish I could grow my own strawberries. However, apartment living is preventing me from doing so for now, haha! These are wonderful, inspiring photos you have here!

  19. Tara says:

    I have never been much of a ginger ale-drinker. Somehow, I think that making my own would remedy that!

    Gorgeous images, as usual!

  20. n. says:

    lovely. i really don’t think you can beat strawberries and ginger.

  21. Wow, Aran, that is beautiful!! Truly makes me anxious for warm summer nights! :)

    Those strawberries are beautiful!

  22. Nikki says:

    Your talent and gift for subtly promoting the beauty of the things we eat and drink, never cease to amaze me! You always inspire me to tackle new challenges in the kitchen and challenges behind the lens of my camera! Beautiful work, as always! I will be trying this recipe for sure!

  23. SPLENDEROSA says:

    Hi Aran, popped over to DesignSponge and saw your pic with the baby…just beautiful. As always, your posts take my breath away. Happy Mother’s Day beautiful one. xx’s

  24. Claiborne says:

    Thanks! I’ve never thought of making homemade ginger ale before and am excited to give it a go. I wonder if sweetened rhubarb might somehow (if less photogenically) be substituted for strawberries, for those of us in Northern climes?

  25. Claiborne- it would be perfect actually! You could stew it and add the juices to the ginger ale. A little goes a long way. Try it and let me know.

    Thank you!

  26. Annie says:

    This is delicious and very refreshing.

  27. This looks so pretty! I want to try homemade ginger ale, can someone post a good recipe for that?

  28. Wonderful photos. Those pieces of ginger look so fresh and moist. The strawberries look pretty good too!

  29. Lynsey- the recipe is on the Design*Sponge website. http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/05/behind-the-bar-with-aran-goyoaga.html#comments

    Thanks everyone. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

  30. They picked the perfect person for the shoot! Your photographs are incredible as always:)

  31. I’m so excited to try this! Now and then I get some amazing young organic ginger and don’t know how to get the most out of it … but I love the heat and zing of ginger in fizzy drinks. Perfect.
    Thanks :)

  32. Perfect styling… such soft, yummy pics!!

  33. Jenny says:

    Wow..It looks great. Very refreshing specially this summer..I like the style, seems like very nutritious.

    Thanks!

  34. Dajda says:

    You look so lovely with your daughter, you are very much alike!

  35. Gitte says:

    Those photos are dream, thanks a lot !

    Venez-voir un peu de mon Paris :

    http://alamodedegitte.over-blog.com/

  36. Oh my gosh, I’m speechless with thirst! Full of beauty and bounty, stunning Aran.

    You two are gorgeous!

  37. Caitlin says:

    Everything looks so beautiful! I love all the tableware and cheery spring colors. Always something to look forward to on this page.

    http://amusebouche-caitlin.blogspot.com/

  38. ibb says:

    Gustoko diat zure eta umearen azken argazkia. Itzura oso ona duzue. Patxo haundi haundi bat.

  39. I love your photographs. And the drinks. Your baby is so cute! Looks so much like you :) happy mother’s day!
    Magda

  40. lauresophie says:

    Splendid shots! Really refreshing. I really love the last pictures!

  41. gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous aran!! so great this thing you’re doing!!

  42. alison Lewis says:

    I just came across your blog. It is amazing, and your photography and content is so inspiring. So glad to subscribe. All the best, Alison

  43. Karin says:

    I just have to say: I love your blog! It’s like a dream in here. A… a chocolate dream.. Haha!

  44. Gaëlle says:

    I am discovering your photos!
    BRAVO incredible!

    bye
    Gaelle

  45. Deeba PAB says:

    Refreshing and inspiring as always; like a breath of fresh air! Gorgeous pictures Aran. Off to check baby M!

  46. Sageandstyle says:

    Amazing. Gingerale happens to be one of my favorite drinks … and a delicious alternative is to pour it over vanilla ice cream for a Boston Cooler!

  47. Sini says:

    Beautiful work, Aran (and oh do I love the picture of you and little M.!). The drink sounds like summer. Could become a summer favourite of mine.

  48. Itxaso says:

    Aupa Aran,hau probau in behot, beste errezetak kostauko jataz gehio baia honek errezagoa emoten dau. Esango dotsut ia zelan urtetan dosten.Mosu bet, ondo ibili

  49. Esti says:

    Me encanta esa foto tuya con M. Menudas chicas mas guapas!!!

  50. Hi aran – these photos are beautiful and so summery, the drink combo sounds fantastic ! and of course the pic of you and little m is too cute.
    xoxo

  51. Dig a Cherry says:

    It’s great ! I use orange blossom water and also mint with strawberries.

  52. Very beautiful, love the organic feel of this image. Blue for serenity!

  53. Gabriˇelle says:

    ~Hy, I am a huuuuge fan of Your blog!
    ~If You don’t mind I put some ” You ” on my blog :

    http://puniella.blogspot.com/2011/03/dedikacio-andrea-bernadett-veress-nek.html

    Love & peace! and a lot of beautiful food!

    Gabriella

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