Happy Friday, gang! The start of a new year always feels like a deep breath to me — a moment to pause, reflect, and find gratitude in the simple things. This week on Fridays with Oscar, Kelly and I are leaning into that fresh-start energy with two recipes that celebrate the best of winter: a stunning Blood Orange Whiskey Sour that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, and crispy, savory Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps that are dangerously snackable. Blood oranges are one of my favorite fleeting pleasures of the season — that ruby-red juice, the hint of berry sweetness — and they deserve to be the star of a cocktail. Paired with a two-ingredient cheese crisp that tastes like your favorite bagel in crunchy form, this is the kind of easy, elegant spread that makes a Friday evening feel special.
💫 Here’s What You’ll Find in Today’s Post
Blood Orange Whiskey Sour & Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps
January calls for bright flavors and cozy rituals. These two recipes capture that perfectly — the Blood Orange Whiskey Sour brings sunshine to the darkest days of winter with its jewel-toned color and citrus-forward taste, while the Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps satisfy that craving for something salty and crunchy without any fuss. Together, they make the perfect Friday night pairing: a drink that feels special and a snack that disappears faster than you’d expect.
🍊 Blood Orange Whiskey Sour
I wait all year for blood orange season — those few precious weeks when the produce section is suddenly full of these gorgeous, ruby-fleshed citrus fruits. They’re sweeter than regular oranges, with a subtle berry undertone that makes them absolutely perfect in cocktails. The bourbon adds warmth and depth, the fresh blood orange juice brings that stunning color and bright flavor, and a touch of lemon keeps everything balanced. I like to shake it well with ice so it gets perfectly frothy on top, then strain it into a rocks glass with a big ice cube. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself — and after the holiday rush, we all deserve a little of that.
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✨ Beth’s Tip: Blood orange season typically runs January through April. Stock up when you see them — the juice freezes beautifully in ice cube trays for year-round cocktails.
FAQ’s – Blood Orange Whiskey Sour
Cara Cara oranges are a good substitute — they have a similar pink hue and sweetness. Regular navel oranges will work too, though you’ll lose that beautiful ruby color, and the flavor will be slightly less complex. You can add a splash of pomegranate juice for color if using regular oranges.
Absolutely! Bourbon is my preference for its vanilla and caramel notes, but rye whiskey works beautifully if you like a spicier cocktail. Irish whiskey creates a smoother, mellower drink.
Combine equal parts sugar and water (1/2 cup each) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.
You can mix the blood orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup ahead of time and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add bourbon and shake with ice. Don’t pre-mix with the bourbon too far ahead, as the fresh citrus flavor is best.
A mid-range bourbon with good flavor works best — you want something smooth enough to sip but with enough character to stand up to the citrus. I like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Woodford Reserve.
Start with 1/4 oz simple syrup and taste. Blood oranges are naturally sweeter than regular oranges, so you may not need much sweetener at all. Adjust to your preference.
Blood Orange Whiskey Sour
Ingredients:
- 4 oz bourbon
- 2 oz fresh blood orange juice about 2 blood oranges
- 1.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Blood orange slice or wheel for garnish
- Optional: brandied cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Juice the citrus: Squeeze fresh blood orange juice and lemon juice. Fresh is key here — the color and flavor of fresh blood orange juice can’t be replicated.
- Combine ingredients: Add bourbon, blood orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled and slightly frothy.
- Strain: Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube or fresh ice.
- Garnish: Add a blood orange slice or wheel to the rim. A brandied cherry adds a nice touch if you have them.
- Serve immediately and enjoy that gorgeous color.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🧀 Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps
I’m going to tell you about my new favorite snack, and I need you to promise not to judge me for how many of these I’ve eaten in the past week. These Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps are exactly what they sound like — crispy, lacy rounds of melted cheese topped with everything bagel seasoning — and they’re absurdly simple. We’re talking two ingredients. You make little piles of shredded cheese on a baking sheet, sprinkle them with the seasoning, bake until golden and crispy, and that’s it. They taste like the best part of an everything bagel without any of the carbs. They’re perfect with cocktails, amazing crumbled over salads, and honestly, I’ve been known to eat them standing at the kitchen counter straight off the pan. No judgment, please.
✨ Kelly’s Tip: Trader Joe’s has excellent everything bagel seasoning, but most grocery stores carry it now. You can also make your own with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and flaky salt.
FAQ’S – Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps
Parmesan is my go-to for the crispiest results — it has low moisture and high fat, which means it crisps up beautifully. Aged cheddar, Gruyère, and Asiago also work well. Avoid soft or high-moisture cheeses like mozzarella, which won’t crisp properly.
You can, but freshly shredded cheese melts and crisps better. Bagged shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that can affect the texture. If using bagged, look for one without cellulose or potato starch.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’re best fresh, but if they lose their crispness, you can re-crisp them in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes.
Yes! Air fry at 375°F for 4-5 minutes, checking frequently. They crisp up quickly in an air fryer, so watch carefully.
Get creative! Try Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, ranch seasoning, za’atar, or just cracked black pepper and herbs. The cheese is a blank canvas.
Absolutely — use 2 tablespoons of cheese for larger crisps that work great as a cracker substitute. Just increase baking time by a minute or two and watch carefully.
Yes! With just cheese and seasoning, these are very low-carb and keto-friendly. They’re a great chip or cracker substitute.
Everything Bagel Cheese Crisps
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese or a blend of Parmesan and aged cheddar
- 2-3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: Heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Form cheese mounds: Place tablespoon-sized mounds of shredded cheese on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each mound slightly with your fingers.
- Add seasoning: Sprinkle each cheese mound generously with everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and crispy. Watch carefully — they can go from perfect to burnt quickly.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes. The crisps will firm up as they cool.
- Serve: Transfer to a plate or serving board. Best enjoyed the same day for maximum crispiness.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🐾 Oscar & Ollie: Forever in Our Hearts
This column has always been called Fridays with Oscar for a reason — our sweet, gentle, ever-patient Oscar has been at the heart of these gatherings from the very beginning. With a heavy heart, I shared last week that Oscar crossed the Rainbow Bridge. You can read my Final Farewell to my Faithful Friend 🌈 🐾
In that post, I mentioned that I have decided to keep this column as Fridays with Oscar in his honor, because his spirit is woven into everything we do here. We’ll be sharing photos of Oscar as a remembrance — those golden moments in the backyard, his dignified poses, the way he looked at us like we were the center of his world (especially if we were holding cheese).
Ollie is adjusting in her own way. We’re holding each other a little closer these days.
Thank you for loving Oscar alongside us. 🐾
A Fresh Start: What We’re Wearing
Beth’s Look
There’s something about a really good turtleneck that just makes everything feel polished — and this Chocolate Brown Turtleneck Sweater has become one of my winter staples. The rich, warm color feels sophisticated without being fussy, and the relaxed fit makes it comfortable enough to actually live in. I’ve paired it with Wide Leg Black Denim, which I love for how they balance out the sweater on top while still looking pulled together.
On my feet, a pair of Patent Croc-Embossed Flats add just a hint of texture and shine — because even on a casual Friday, a little polish goes a long way. It’s the kind of outfit that says “I put myself together” without looking like I tried too hard.
Kelly’s Look
January calls for cozy, and this outfit delivers. I’m wearing my Perfect Cashmere Crewneck Sweater in black — it’s the kind of piece that earns its name because it really is perfect: soft, easy, and goes with everything. I’ve paired it with my Barrel Leg Corduroy Pants in a warm brown that feels very “winter walk through the woods” to me. The relaxed, tapered silhouette is incredibly flattering. These corduroys are from last year, so this color is not available, but the olive color version from Madewell is perfect!
My Loraine Bit Loafers in black add a classic touch, and a simple Black Buckle Belt ties the whole look together. It’s an outfit that works for cooking in the kitchen, sipping cocktails on the porch, or curling up with a good dog, which is exactly what we needed.
🍊 Cheers to Fresh Starts
As January unfolds with its quiet, unhurried days, Kelly and I are grateful for the simple pleasures — a beautiful cocktail that celebrates the season’s best citrus, a snack that’s crispy and satisfying, and the warmth of this community we’ve built together. These recipes are our invitation to slow down, savor the moment, and find joy in the little things.
So shake up that whiskey sour, bake a batch of cheese crisps, and raise a glass to fresh starts, cherished memories, and the love that stays with us always.
🐾 Have a wonderful weekend and Happy New Year! XO – Beth, Kelly, Ollie, and always, Oscar.
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