Jump to my Paloma Mocktail Recipe

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Virgin Paloma Ingredients

• Grapefruit Juice: The main ingredient in a Paloma, you’ll need grapefruit juice. I bought pure juice, but you can also just juice grapefruits yourself.
• Grapefruit: If you opt for the route to buy grapefruit juice, this will be for the garnish. Fresh fruit looks so pretty and helps elevate the drink.
• Lime Juice: Another key ingredient in a Paloma. It’s a small amount so I juice them myself.
• Lemon Juice: Not traditionally in a Paloma, but I like the addition. Again, small amount so I just juice fresh lemons.
• Honey: Honey adds a subtle hint of sweetness. Also helps salt stick to the rim instead of dissolving it.
• Sparkling Water: Not traditionally in a Paloma, but I love the addition of carbonation in a mocktail.
• Salt: For the rim. I used Pink Himalayan Sea Salt here.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Paloma Mocktail?

• Martini Shaker | I love this one because it gets the mocktail very cold and doesn’t leak. I’ve had it for years and it’s still as good as new!
• Citrus Juicer | This is amazing for measuring citrus! It’s a measuring cup and juicer all in one, so you don’t have to guess or make a mess anymore!

Paloma Mocktail Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 3 oz. Grapefruit Juice
• 1 oz. Lime Juice
• ½ oz. Lemon Juice
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 2 oz. Sparkling Water
• Grapefruit Wedge, optional garnish
• Honey, optional rim
• Salt, optional rim

Directions

1. Coat half of a glass rim with honey and roll rim in salt
2. Add the first four ingredients to a shaker filled halfway with ice, shake vigorously
3. Strain the mocktail into a glass with ice
4. Top with sparkling water
5. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit
6. Enjoy!

If you like this recipe, check out the mocktails below!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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The post Easy Paloma Mocktail Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Looking for other anniversary gift ideas? Check out my posts for 1st , 2nd, and 3rd wedding anniversary gift ideas!

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Traditional Gifts | Fruit/Flowers

Amazon

Bourbon Cherries

FOR THOSE THAT APPRECIATE A COCKTAIL

You can’t make an Old Fashioned without good cherries. Since these are bourbon-soaked, its kind of like having the cocktail IN the cherry!

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Malin + Goetz

Cannabis Candle

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO GARDEN

Get all the smell of THC without the smoke! Well there will be a bit of candle smoke, but you know what I mean. A candle that looks good and smells…appropriate?

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Craft Beer Club

Beer of the Month

FOR THE LIBATIONIST

Who doesn’t like a gift that keeps on giving? Choose how many months to give. Don’t forget, hops are flowers too!

Go Shopping

Caskers

Premium Cognac

FOR THOSE WITH A REFINED PALETTE

What is Cognac but Brandy? And what is Brandy made of? Grapes. And what are grapes but fruit? Need I say more?

Go Shopping

Amazon

Lego Flowers

FOR THOSE WITH A BLACK THUMB

It’s a well-known fact that plants bring a place to life, but when you have a hard time keeping them alive, what’s a person to do? Lego flowers are also fun to put together!

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Modern Gifts | Appliances

Amazon

Pizza Oven

FOR THE PIZZAIOLO

We have this, we love this, and it’s a purchase you will not regret! If you love pizza, be prepared for this to be the BEST pizza you’ve ever made at home. It’s a complete game changer! 

Go Shopping

Kitchen Aid

Stand Mixer

FOR THE BAKER

Not only is this mixer amazing for cookies, cakes, and the like, if you do decide to get the pizza oven above the Kitchen Aid mixes the dough like a dream. Pricy, but one of those items that will last decades.

Go Shopping

Nespresso

Multi-Functional Espresso Machine

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO BE CAFFEINATED

You can make coffee, espresso, lattes, cappucinos and more! It’s (pseudo) easy to use, and Nespresso is great quality. My at home latte’s rival the best coffee shops!

Go Shopping

Instant

Air Fryer

TO KEEP THINGS EASY

I never thought I would use an air fryer until we were gifted (this one)! Any frozen food is crispier and easier to make in the air fryer than the oven, and you can prepare vegetables too! I haven’t tried any raw meat (ew, not in general but in preparation) but I’ve heard great things in the air fryer.

Go Shopping

GE

Ice Machine

FOR THE ICE CONNOISSEUR

We all know that chewy ice is superior so if you love ice, there is no better at home ice than this. Does it take up a lot of counter top space? Sure, but we all have priorities.

Go Shopping

Ninja

Ice Cream Maker

FOR THOSE THAT LIKE A FROZEN TREAT

Easy and healthy ice cream? There are a lot of ways you can use the Ninja CREAMi. If you are married to an ice cream lover, how fun is this?

Go Shopping

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.

If you enjoyed this 4th Wedding Anniversary Gifts post, check out these other gift guides!

• Gifts for Wine Lovers (that aren’t wine!)
• Food Gifts to Ship Online
• Gifts for Brandy Lovers

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The post 4th Wedding Anniversary Gifts appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my Spicy Watermelon Margarita Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita Ingredients

• Tequila: Since you’ll be mixing and not sipping, you won’t need a super expensive Tequila. I prefer Blanco, which is light and unaged and won’t compete with the delicate flavor of the watermelon, but use whatever you like.
• Cointreau: Some may say Triple Sec, but when it comes to orange liqueur, I always use Cointreau.
• Watermelon Juice: I use store-bought watermelon juice to make this recipe even easier. If you want to make your own, just blend fresh watermelon and strain out the pulp. You will get a stronger watermelon flavor this way too!
• Jalapeño: I once had a bartender make spicy margaritas with jarred jalapeños and I do not recommend it. Fresh jalapeño is the only way to go!
• Lime: A well-balanced cocktail should have a hint of acid.
• Tajín: Rim half the glass with Tajìn. This way you can have some if you want, or not if you don’t.
• Watermelon: A slice of watermelon as the garnish really drives home the Summer vibe!

Recommended Tools to Make a Spicy Watermelon Margarita

• Muddler | Part of any well-stocked bar, you’ll want to muddle the jalapeños to bring the flavor out.
• Glasses | Not too big, and not too small, and easy to rim, these crackle recycled glasses are perfect for margaritas.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1 oz Blanco Tequila
• ½ oz Cointreau
• 2 oz Watermelon Juice
• 1 Jalapeño
• 1 Lime
• Tajín
• Watermelon, for garnish

Directions

1. Rub a lime wedge around the top of the glass and dip in Tajín
2. Add the juice from a quarter of a lime and two slices of jalapeno in a glass and muddle
3. Add ice and the first three ingredients, stir
4. Garnish with slice of jalapeño
5. Enjoy!

More summer cocktails to try:

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you.  I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.  And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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Jump to my Strawberry Spritz Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Strawberry Simple Syrup

Simple syrup, dissolved sugar in water, is an easy way to add sweetness to a cold drink. If you take it a step further and make an infused simple syrup, you will be surprised how much flavor you can add too! Simple syrup‘s are quick and easy to make, and can be used in cocktails, coffee, added to sparkling water, or really anywhere you want to impart natural sweetness.

This recipe will make about 8 oz, and you only need 1 for the recipe so if you have some remaining, I suggest storing it in an airtight container. It should last approximately 2 weeks, give or take.

The remaining cooked strawberry left in the strainer is perfect for making strawberry bread or adding to a bowl of oatmeal.

Strawberry Spritz Ingredients

• Fresh Strawberries: Used to make an easy strawberry simple syrup and garnish.
• Granulated Sugar: A key ingredient in every simple syrup.
• Prosecco: Any dry sparkling wine will do, but I’m partial to Prosecco in a spritz.
• Sparkling Water: I prefer Topo Chico.
• Lime: A well-balanced cocktail should have a hint of acid.
• Basil: It’s just a sprig as a garnish, but I promise you can taste a subtle hint of herb.

Recommended Tools to Make a Strawberry Spritz Cocktail

• Fine Mesh Sieve | Your kitchen may already be stocked with a strainer, but if not you’ll need a fine mesh version to strain the strawberry seeds and pulp.
• Wine Glasses | My glasses need to be multi-functional, so I use these gorgeous, European-made red wine glasses for spritz’ too.
• Glass Bottle | You will have about 8 oz. of simple syrup so store what you don’t use in the fridge.

Strawberry Spritz Cocktail Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

STRAWBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup strawberries

COCKTAIL:

• 3 oz Prosecco
• 2 oz sparkling water
• 1 lime
• Spring of basil, for garnish
• 1 strawberry, for garnish

Directions

1. Place water, strawberries, and sugar in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil
2. Simmer for 10 minutes and rough-mash strawberries with a wooden spoon or meat masher.
3. Turn off the heat and let strawberries cool to room temperature and syrup to thicken for about 25 minutes
4. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve.
5. Fill the glass ½ full with ice. Add prosecco, sparkling water, and 1 oz. of strawberry simple syrup.
6. Finish with a squeeze of lime, a sprig of basil, and a sliced strawberry.
7. Enjoy!

More pretty cocktails to try:

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you.  I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own.  And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save for later!

The post Strawberry Spritz Cocktail Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Looking for other anniversary gift ideas? Check out my post for 1st wedding anniversary and 2nd anniversary gift ideas!

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Traditional Gifts | Leather

Leatherology

Wallet

MONOGRAMMED!

Name something else made from leather that gets used more than a wallet. High-quality, supple leather is a great gift, and the option to get it debossed makes it extra special!

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Pottery Barn

Pillow

FOR RELAXING

A leather sofa might be a lot, but adding a touch of leather to the sofa is a nice touch. If this is for your spouse’s office or private space, even better!

Go Shopping

Barnes & Noble

Leather Journal

FOR THOSE THAT WRITE

I’m not one to journal, but if I were this beautiful leather-bound option looks like something I would want to write in. I imagine someone’s great great grandkids finding it a hundred years from now and learning all about their ancestors. Seems like something straight out of a novel.

Go Shopping

Leatherology

Duffle

FOR THE TRAVELER

A quality carry-on is worth its weight in gold! How beautiful is this piece with debossed initials monogrammed? Imagine gifting this right before an anniversary trip. I swoon.

Go Shopping

Aspinal of London

Passport Cover

FOR THE WORLD TRAVELLER

Do I have a passport cover? No, no I don’t. Is it probably only because I’ve never been gifted one? Yeah, probably. Gifts are great for items you wouldn’t typically buy yourself!

Go Shopping

Amazon

Book Set

FOR THE BOOKWORM

Regardless if they’ve read the series, are planning on reading it, or just love the TV series, this leather-bound book set would look great on a bookcase!  

Go Shopping

Modern Gifts | Crystal/Glass

Waterford

Decanter

FOR THE BAR

The cut crystal on Waterford glass can’t be matched. It’s got a hefty weight and is gorgeous. Fill it with your favorite dark booze and keep it on display on the bar.

Go Shopping

Shinola

Watch

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO BE ON TIME

Technically, this gift fits leather and glass, but any watch would be great! This one just happens to be v cool.

Go Shopping

Fine Art America

Framed Art

FOR THOSE THAT APPRECIATE BEAUTY

Art doesn’t need to be expensive to be great! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Fine something personal that means something to the two of you. I couldn’t pass up this art of Chicago!

Go Shopping

Samsung

Frame TV

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TV

A TV that doesn’t look like a TV when you aren’t watching it? This takes the above art idea up a step. Everyone I know who has a Frame TV loves it!

Go Shopping

Hibiki

Japanese Whiskey

FOR THOSE THAT LIKE THE BURN

A bougie bottle of booze makes a great gift! Something they might not buy themselves, but you know they will really enjoy. This bottle is very pretty, but I’ve been told the booze inside is also excellent!

Go Shopping

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.

If you enjoyed this 3rd Wedding Anniversary Gifts post, check out these other gift guides!

• Gifts for Wine Lovers (that aren’t wine!)
• Food Gifts to Ship Online
• Gifts for Brandy Lovers

Pin this post to save for later!

The post 3rd Wedding Anniversary Gifts appeared first on Very Obsessed.

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

What is Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is essentially liquid sugar, and the recipe could not be easier. Take equal parts water and granulated sugar (you can also substitute brown sugar for a variation), boil, and let cool. That’s it. It stores in the fridge for about a month in its purest form.

Where the real fun begins is with infused simple syrups. My go-to is all different types of fruit, but tea flavored is also excellent. While I make them generally for cocktail recipes, simple syrup is great added to anything you want to sweeten and add flavor to. Have fun trying these with coffee, tea, oatmeal, smoothies, and sparkling water (the list could go on and on).

Below I have two recipes written out, but I’ve included simple syrup in so many cocktail recipes I’ve included those as well. If you only want to make the simple syrup, follow the first few steps. You never know, you could be inspired to make the full cocktail! Enjoy!

What Tools Do You Need to Make Simple Syrup?

• Glass Bottle | These recipes will make about 8 oz of syrup. Since they are fruit-infused, they will last for about 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Small Saucepan | I prefer stainless steel because it’s non-toxic, oven-safe, and durable.
• Fine Mesh Strainer | After the syrup is cooled you’ll want to strain and separate the fruit and seeds from the syrup. I’ve used the remaining fruit in recipes like my Strawberry Bread.

Blackberry Simple Syrup Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Fresh Blackberries

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of blackberries to a saucepan and boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature to thicken (about 25 minutes).
3. Once the syrup has cooled, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the blackberry seeds.
4. Enjoy!

Raspberry Simple Syrup Recipe

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Fresh Raspberries

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of raspberries to a saucepan and boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature to thicken (about 25 minutes).
3. Once the syrup has cooled, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the raspberry seeds.
4. Enjoy!

Banana Simple Syrup

Chai Simple Syrup

Cherry Simple Syrup

Ginger Simple Syrup

Key Lime Simple Syrup

Lemon Vanilla Simple Syrup

Orange Vanilla Simple Syrup

Pumpkin Chai Simple Syrup

Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup

Strawberry Vanilla Simple Syrup

Vanilla Simple Syrup

Toasted Simple Syrup

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later!

If you like these recipes, check out some other cocktails below!

The post Easy Simple Syrup Recipes for Cocktails appeared first on Very Obsessed.

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

About Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya is a tourist region along the Carribean coast just south of Cancun Mexico. Originally the location was specific to Playa Del Carmen as the northern border and Tulum to the south, but has since expanded its reach. Unico 2087 isn’t located in a specific town, but is about 30 minutes north of Tulum, right on the ocean. Fun fact, 20 87 refers to Unicos coordinates!

The average high temperature ranges from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low range is 67-77, depending on the month. It can be very humid so the temperature may feel much warmer than it is.

Unico 2087 has a jungle ecosystem, being further south. We even saw a wild monkey on the property! Rain can sometimes be a concern, so may be important to note that February – May are the least rainy months and October is the rainiest.

I went to Unico 2087 in the middle of February and it rained only one evening. There was a wind advisory one day as well, so that’s something to think about too if you plan on participating in activities that the wind would impact.

Getting to Unico 2087

Unless you live in Mexico, you’ll fly into the Cancun International Airport (CUN) and drive 55 miles to the resort. With no traffic, this takes an hour and fifteen minutes.

Cancun has improved the customs process and it’s so simple to enter with a U.S. passport. Some lines are fully automated, just have your passport scanned, look into a camera, and call it a day. Once outside you’ll see many transportation options (and some places to grab a cocktail). I highly, and I cannot stress this enough, recommend that you pre-arrange your transportation to the hotel.

Unico offers a complimentary shared shuttle service or private service for a price. We used the shuttle on the way to the resort and sprung for a private service on the way back. You may be wondering why we decided what happened on the way there that we decided to pay on the way back. The reason is, I forgot I don’t like people. KIDDING! They inform you upfront that the shuttle may stop at other hotels and that’s exactly what happened. That and there were a LOT of kids on our shuttle to the resort. We decided it was worth the extra money to not have to leave the resort extra early on departure day and save our sanity as an hour and fifteen minutes isn’t exactly a short amount of time to be in close quarters with strangers.

The Resort

• Unico 2087 is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort that opened in 2017, so everything is relatively new.
• The resort is gated even to enter the grounds and has security guards so I never felt unsafe.
• A high percentage of the guests are couples, although I did see some parents/kids (adults, of course) and friends around the resort as well.
• There is free wifi and the signal is pretty strong throughout the resort so having access to the internet is no problem.
• As far as all-inclusives go, Unico is a boutique resort and has 5 restaurants
• You’ll want to download the UnicoRivieraMaya App from the App Store. This is where you’ll see restaurant menus, can make dinner reservations, view the daily entertainment, and more.
• You’ll also want to download WhatsApp since you will have a local host you communicate with through texting. They can arrange activities, manage dinner reservations, and bring drinks to the room.
• Tipping is optional but always appreciated. They happily accept U.S. dollars and I recommend bringing a variety of $5’s, $10’s, and $20’s depending on who you are tipping. For instance, I tip the waitstaff $20 for my first pool cocktail and am good for the day, but I tip $5 at meals. You’ll also want cash to tip the drivers.
• Last, but certainly not least, there is a timeshare offer, which they call Legendary Vacation Club, more on that below.

Legendary Vacation Club

The timeshare component is my biggest complaint with Unico 2087. Mostly because I had no idea this even existed, so hopefully by giving you some insight you can make a well-informed decision. Excellence Playa Mujeres doesn’t offer timeshares which is why I was completely caught off guard. Apparently this is a common thing at all-inclusive resorts.

Upon check-in, the person checking us in (who was not part of the front desk staff because a large party was checking in so they had this person do it instead) brought up the Legendary Vacation Club membership. After a long travel day I was exhausted and parched (no welcome drink was offered – see: large party checking in) so it took me a minute to realize the Legendary Vacation Club is a timeshare. I shut the conversation down quickly and didn’t get pulled into the presentation.

If you are open to the presentation I believe the offer was two free massages in the spa, so not nothing, but I was on vacation to relax, not to get sold too. He asked if he could come around the pool the next day to essentially continue his sales pitch to me, of which I said no, and was shocked since I told him my goal on this short trip was to relax and read with a boozy beverage.

The resort blocks off certain section for “members only”, like parts of the beach and pools

I have no idea the details of the membership, or how much it costs, this is more to inform you that this is something you will have to deal with. I know it doesn’t bother some, but without knowing it is even a thing, I found it quite jarring and unpleasant.

Rooms

I LOVE the rooms at Uncio! The vibe is like chic boutique hotel instead of a typical tropical resort. We booked it during Cyber Monday so some rooms were sold out. Since it was a last-minute(ish) trip, we just went ahead with booking the Alcoba Ocean View – King Bed Room.

Depending on what you are looking for depends on which building you should request. Some are closer to the quiet pool, some are closer to the beach. I suggest you reach out to the hotel prior to checking in and see if they can accommodate. They are very responsive via email.

• Bed | The king-size bed is SO comfortable. I got the best night’s sleep, every single night. They even offer a pillow menu if you are particular about those.
• Balcony | The balcony is huge and has a jacuzzi tub, sofa, side table, and coffee table. The lounging area is perfect for having cocktails, playing card games, reading, and relaxing. Note, the switch to turn on the lights is inside and may be hidden by the curtains. It took us a bit of time to find that.
• Bathroom | Psudo open concept but the toilet has a door, which is GREAT! Double sinks give you plenty of space to get ready and the shower is also a good size. No complaints about water pressure. The only thing I found odd was that housekeeping replenished some of the towels, but not every towel we used so I was kind of conserving near the end.
• TV | I know you are on vacation so you might not care about TV, but hear me out. We were there during the Super Bowl, plus I just love TV (as you may know from my IG) so it’s something I always look at. In fact, I travel with a Fire Stick to have all the steaming apps readily available. If you do this, do not forget the remote at home. I digress, the TV is big, new, and great!
• Mini Bar | The mini fridge is stocked with Pepsi products (no Coke which I do NOT love), beer, and water. There are also snacks. You may notice I did not include what is usually in a bar and that is alcohol and wine. Unico 2087 does not offer complimentary bottles(you can pay extra) in rooms. If you want a glass of Prosecco (Champagne is extra) you can ask your local host to bring it, along with two shots of alcohol (for a mixed drink) per person. I’m wondering if getting a bottle at Duty-Free would be a way to remedy this annoyance.

Restaurants & Food

As a boutique resort, Unico 2087 has five restaurants, which is less than most major all-inclusives. We ate at four of the five and I did not get tired of them. The food and beverages are what differentiate from all other resorts! The restaurants feel like real restaurants as opposed to some that can feel like a banquet hall. There is no dinner buffet, which some might not like, but I don’t miss at all.

I suggest making reservations on the app prior to arriving. You can always cancel if plans change, but if you know you’ll be eating at the resort, why not plan ahead?

Here’s what we had, what I recommend, and what I wouldn’t order again.

• Cueva Siete – This is a Mexican restaurant and being in Mexico, I assumed it would be great. It is! We had dinner here our first night and our last night. The first night we ate inside and it was packed! The last night we opted for an outdoor table and the mosquitos were biting! As much as we want to enjoy the warm weather, inside is where it’s at. Here are all the things we had, both nights combined:
  • To Share: Chips, salsa, and bean dip come to the table and are so good! Sopecitos (sausage and potato sopes with pickled onion and jalapeno). Obsessed! We ordered them both nights! Blue Corn Quesadillas are pretty good. I would order them again. Spicy Chips are like lemony roasted potatoes and are so good! Another thing that was ordered both nights.
  • Meal: My husband had the Birria and loved it! We also had Mushroom Enchiladas, Fish Tacos, and Chicken with Green Pipian. Fish tacos were just ok and the enchiladas and chicken were a little bland.
  • Dessert: My husband loved the Horchata Tres Leches (another repeat order)! The Bananas and Cream were ok but the Strawberries and Meringue were very good. I’m going to include the Tableside Mayan Coffee as dessert because it is sweet but VERY strong!
• 2087 Grill – Breakfast buffet by morning, classic grill by night! Buffet is solid, pretty traditional with omlette station, fresh fruits, all the juice, etc. They offer indoor and outdoor seating in the morning, whereas the evening is indoor only. Sometimes they have live music too! In the evenings, the outdoor bar is open and its specialty is craft gin! We went to the outdoor bar a few times, and the only odd thing was that the bar is open, but no (and I mean zero) lighting by the seating. Fun anecdote, during the day we saw a wild monkey hop on the bar, knock over some glasses, and run off on a rooftop. It is the jungle!
  • To Share: Rolls – herby buttery pull-apart rolls came to the table and I don’t think I’ve ever had bread that good in Mexico! Empanada Duo – one of my favorite things I ate all trip! Not necessarily on brand with a grill, but delicious nonetheless.
  • Meal: I read Jess Keys review and I don’t think she had any salads she loved so I stayed away from those. My husband got the Onion Soup and I got the Poblano Cappucino Soup to start, both were just OK. As someone who loves risotto, but doesn’t like mushrooms, I was excited to try the Parmesan Risotto. It has a ton of flavor and I would order again! My husband wasn’t sure how the steak would be, but he got the New York Strip and said it was excellent and loved the Roquefort/Kalamata topping.
  • Dessert: Corn Cake was solid but even better were the Chocolate Whoopies which is essentially a flight of mini whoopie pies.
• Mi Carisa – Italian restaurant in the evening turns into a beautiful breakfast spot in the morning. We first went here for dinner and sat in the most random spot, next to the door to the patio, but also next to a wet floor side. Killed the vibe. The restaurant was so pretty though we decided to try it for breakfast even though we randomly heard someone say the food was the same as the buffet. Not so! I much prefer this over the buffet spot and, the crepes to share are amazing! We were also talked into getting the pastry basket, so I’ll pass that along…get it!
  • To Share: Bread Basket came out with a variety of breads and crackers and again, excellent bread!
  • Meal: Unico has updated their menu since we were there, so I don’t know the exact names of the dishes we got, but they were just OK. This was our least favorite restaurant, but if I’m comparing two resorts, this Italian restaurant was MUCH better than the Italian restaurant at Excellence. I just think I don’t go to Mexico to have Italian…I go to Italy for that.
• Everything Else – a couple of other notes about dining at Unico:
  • Pizza – there is a made-to-order coal-fired (I think) pizza spot. Pretty solid.
  • Inez Afe – Coffee house and grab-and-go spot. The coffee and pastries are great! I would usually grab something to go and sit by the pool before I was ready for cocktails.
  • Mura House – Japanese and if we knew enough people would have tried the Hibachi, but it seats 8 and I don’t like strangers.

Swimming Pools & Beach

Swimming Pools

There are three good sized swimming pools at Unico! Each pool has a hot tub, and there are lounge chairs with umbrellas as well as day beds. Food and beverage service starts around 10:00 am. The service isn’t the quickest, especially compared to Excellence, but can you really complain when you are drinking Pina Coladas while reading a book and soaking up vitamin D?

In the center of the resort is the activity pool, which includes things like volleyball and a swim-up bar. I would consider this the party pool of the resort. Directly behind it is the music pool, which has music piped throughout, but no activities in the actual pool. Both of these pools have separate sections designated for Legendary Members. I did not spend time at either of these because I’m a quiet pool kind of girl.

The third pool is off to the side and is a designated quiet pool. Great in theory, but lacks in execution. There is no music piped, which aligns with it being a quiet pool, but that leads to people bringing their own speakers, which is quite annoying. There is a sign that notes it is a quiet pool, with rules (like headphones required for music) listed, but no one enforcing them.

I don’t want anyone to not have fun on vacation, but it would be nice if the hotel staff would suggest them moving to the music pool if they want to hear music. As someone who wants to read at the pool, the music is kind of distracting. There is a swim-up bar at the quiet pool which is convenient while in the pool, but also leads to people congregating and getting a little loud…at the quiet pool. Swim-up bar is off brand for the quiet pool.

Beach

I haven’t found Riviera Maya/Cancun beaches to be great, and I dislike sand, so I rarely spend time at them. I did check them out for you, but can’t comment on service or anything. The beach is small, and it’s publicly owned so the seating is pretty minimal.

The Entertainment

Unico doesn’t have entertainment, but rather activities. At Excellence there is a pavilion with proper shows (quality is what you would expect) and an outdoor bar that has live bands every night. Unico doesn’t have a pavilion or a central outdoor bar area. There is the Palmera Lounge which stays open late, and turns into a nightclub. It hosts activities like Bingo and Karaoke in the evening. We walked in there once during Bingo and it was a weird vibe. There is also an outdoor section to the bar but wasn’t open when we were there.

The Spa

I didn’t get a chance to visit the spa since I only do that on rainy days during vacation. If you attend a Legendary presentation you receive free spa services. The prices are kind of expensive, but I’m wondering if that’s to help incentivize sitting through a presentation.

Overall Review (TLDR)

Unico 2087 Review: The resort is easy and convenient to get to from much of the U.S. As far as luxury, adults-only, all-inclusive resorts go, there is a lot of value for the price. The vibe is wonderful, the food is great, and the service is solid. If you are a beach lover there are better places for you. If you are a ‘cocktails by the pool’ type of person, then this might just be the place. With a few caveats (knowing about the timeshare element and the bottles) I would highly suggest, and I would definitely return myself!

Loved this Unico 2087 review? Then check out these other posts!

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Blackberry Ginger Cocktail Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

BLACKBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Fresh Blackberries

COCKTAIL:

• 1 oz. Blackberry Syrup (from above)
• ½ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 oz. Gin
• 2 oz. Ginger Beer
• Fresh Blackberries for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of blackberries to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature to thicken (about 25 minutes).
3. Once the syrup has cooled, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the blackberry seeds.
4. Fill a glass halfway with ice, and add 1 oz. blackberry simple syrup and lemon juice.
5. Add 2 oz. gin and top with 2 oz. ginger beer.
6. Garnish with fresh blackberries.
7. Enjoy!

Blackberry Ginger Cocktail Ingredients

• Fresh Blackberries: Fresh blackberries will give the best flavor to the simple syrup, far better than store-bought. You’ll need extra for the garnish too!
• Granulated Sugar: I like organic, but use what you have on hand. This will be used to make the blackberry simple syrup.
• Lemon Juice: A hint of acid is necessary.
• Gin: Hendrick’s is the brand of choice for me. If you don’t think you like gin, try it and report back.
• Ginger Beer: I really like this light version. As always, this is a non-alcoholic ginger spicy beverage. This version isn’t quite as spicy, but not sweet like ginger ale.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Blackberry Ginger Cocktail?

• Glass Bottle | This recipe will make about 8 oz of syrup, enough for 8 cocktails. If you don’t use it all at once, it will last for 2-4 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Blackberry simple syrup is great in coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, and anywhere you want a little berry-infused sweetness!
• Citrus Juicer | This is my favorite way to juice a lemon since it goes into the cup and I can see the exact measurement I need.
• DOF Glasses | DOF (double old-fashioned) glasses are crucial for Old Fashioned’s, and you know I love to use glasses in multiple ways. It’s the perfect glass to dress up this cocktail.

If you like this recipe, check out the other berry cocktails below!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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There are a few requirements a bag has to have to work in all my travel scenarios. One is a laptop sleeve since sometimes I travel for work and the trip is so long I have to pack my work bag. The second is a luggage handle strap. If I’m going all over the airport with my wheeled carry-on, I don’t want to have to carry my personal item or worry about it falling off my wheeled carry-on. Lastly, it needs to be counted as a personal item. My anxiety doesn’t want to take the risk every time I board a plane that the flight attendant will make me check my wheeled carry-on because my personal item is too large.

If this sounds like you, keep reading for my complete, honest review.

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

About Everlane

You may know Everlane as the American clothing retailer that provides timeless, sustainable, and ethically sourced fashion, but do you also know they carry bags, shoes, and accessories? I’ve been shopping from them online (I don’t live near any of their 11 stores) for years and can attest that the quality is phenomenal for the very fair pricing.

Compartments in the Everlane Weekender Duffle

Aside from the padded laptop sleeve requirement I noted above, the Everlane Weekender bag has a few compartments, and they are all quite handy!

In the interior of the bag are two water bottle pouches, one on either end of the bag. There is also an interior zipper pocket to put things you want to keep extra secure. I like putting my wallet in that pocket, along with items that normally go in my purse.

On the exterior of the bag is a rather long pocket where I put things I’ll need easy access to, like my ID, earbuds, and hand sanitizer.

Straps on the Everlane Bag

The people at Everlane have thought of everything! There are three ways to hold the bag, and then a luggage sleeve to put over the carry-on handle if you don’t want to hold it.

There are two hand straps, over-the-shoulder straps (9″), and a padded adjustable cross-body strap (51″). I probably use the over-the-shoulder straps the most but all three options have come in handy depending on the circumstance.

All of the straps are black, so depending on the color bag they are monochromatic or contrasting. I love the color combination of the light neutral warm quartz against the black straps.

Structure

Some pretty popular carry-ons are very structured, especially if they have a shoe compartment at the bottom. I love that the Everlane isn’t structured ( I mean it holds its shape but there are no hard edges) so I never have to worry if I’ll be able to squeeze it into a space.

The Everlane bag has fit as a personal item on every flight I’ve flown on last year, and I never had a flight attendant question it. I can’t say the same thing for some of the other bags I’ve seen in the airport.

The official dimensions of the bag are 14.2″ H x 7.3″ W x 19.5″ L so check if this will work with your airline, but I’ve had zero issues on United and their partner airlines.

Materials of the ReNew Transit Weekender

The main body of the bag is made of water-resistant 100% recycled polyester, and I’ve found that it holds up very well! Because it’s not leather, I’m not too worried about ruining it while traveling. Although I have a couple of marks on it, there has not been one rip, tear, or snag.

Price

At the time of publishing, the Weekender Bag is $95. I looked at a lot of bags and all of them were over $100. Free shipping doesn’t kick in until you spend $100 on the website, but at that price, I’m ok with spending on shipping. Or you can add one of their basics to your cart and get something to put inside your bag!

Colors

The bag is offered in five timeless, neutral colorways, all with black straps. I have warm quartz and it looks great dressed down or dressed up.

Final Verdict of the Everlane Weekender

I 1,000% would recommend the Everlane Weekender and would buy it again! It met all of my requirements needed for a bag, and I can’t believe the quality for the price. Honestly, there isn’t one thing I would change.

If you have any questions leave a comment down below and I’m happy to answer!

If you loved this review, check out these other travel-related posts!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. I am very obsessed with FTC compliance so check out my full disclosure for details.

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Raspberry Champagne Spritzer Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

RASPBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP:

• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 cup Fresh Raspberries

COCKTAIL:

• 1 oz. Raspberry Syrup (from above)
• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
• 4 oz. Champagne
• 1 oz. Sparkling Water
• Fresh Raspberries for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of raspberries to a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature to thicken (about 25 minutes).
3. Once the syrup has cooled, strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the raspberry seeds.
4. Fill a glass halfway with ice, and add 1 oz. raspberry syrup and lemon juice.
5. Add 4 oz Champagne and top with 1 oz. sparkling water.
6. Garnish with fresh raspberries.
7. Enjoy!

Raspberry Champagne Spritzer Ingredients

• Fresh Raspberries: I’ve tried store-bought syrups and they just don’t taste the same! Fresh raspberries will give the best flavor to the simple syrup. You’ll need extra for the garnish too!
• Granulated Sugar: I like organic, but use what you have on hand. This will be used to make the raspberry simple syrup.
• Lemon Juice: Most good cocktails need a hit of acid.
• Champagne: Feel free to use whatever dry, sparkling wine you would like. This recipe is made with Champagne (which sounds more fancy and festive, right?), but would be just as good with Prosecco.
• Sparkling Water: I’m partial to Topo Chico.

What Tools Do You Need to Make a Raspberry Spritzer?

• Glass Bottle | This recipe will make about 8 oz of syrup, enough for 8 cocktails. If you don’t use it all at once, it will last for 2-4 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Raspberry simple syrup is great in coffee, smoothies, oatmeal and anywhere you want a little berry-infused sweetness!
• Citrus Juicer | This is my favorite way to juice a lemon since it goes into the cup and I can see the exact measurement I need.
• Wine Glasses | As a former glassware buyer, I choose these for my everyday wine glasses. They are a great shape and the size is perfect for red wine or a spritz. Made in Austria, the quality if exceptional.

If you like this recipe, check out the other sparkling cocktails below!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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