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Risa | Cocktail Photographer

@risajamesphotography

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I help spirits brands stand out with stunning imagery & I teach people to create tasty cocktails via my book and home bartending course ⬇️

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It’s official! My book, Cocktails for Everyday Drinking, is available for purchase! Read all the way through for a very special offer, just for my IG community.

There are still a few kinks being worked out - self-publishing is hella hard, fam - but I wanted to get this announcement out into the world as everyone’s thoughts turn to holiday shopping!

The book is available in three formats: hard cover, soft cover, and e-book. It’s available at Amazon, as well as online at your retailer of choice. Because I self-published my book, it’s available under what’s called “print on demand.” Instead of just walking into a bookstore and seeing it on the shelf, it has to be ordered. Then it will be printed and shipped as orders come in.

The book contains 50 drink recipes, each accompanied by a beautiful photo, plus tips on glassware, ice, techniques, and more. It’s 152 pages of full color delight.

Now here’s the special offer, just for my U.S. & Canada Instafam: if you want a SIGNED COPY of the book, I’m offering them on a pre-order basis for the next two weeks! The deadline to pre-order and pay is midnight on December 10. I will then place one large order, sign and personalize your copy, and then mail it directly to you. Because of the time it takes Amazon to send me copies, plus the mailing time, this is not the fastest way to get the book, lol. But it’s the only way to get a signed copy.

The price for signed hard cover copies is $45, and for signed soft cover copies, it’s $40. That includes the shipping fee. Obviously I can’t sign your e-book. If you want a signed copy, here’s what you do:

1. DM me your name and address.
2. Tell me whether you want hard cover or soft cover.
3. Tell me to whom I should inscribe the book.
4. Pay me either via DM if you have that set up or via Venmo @risa-weaver.

Questions? Comment below or DM me! I’m super excited to share the book with you all, regardless of how you choose to purchase it!

#risajamesphotography #cocktailphotography #cocktailphotographer #cocktailbook #cocktailrecipes #cocktailrecipebook #cocktailgift #giftideas #drinkstagram #cocktailoftheday #cocktailsofinstagram #cybermondaysale #sacramentophotographer by @risajamesphotography

Side-by-side taste test of real mezcal and a non-alcoholic mezcal. Spoiler alert: real mezcal is better. But you knew that already, right? by @risajamesphotography

Non-Alcoholic Paloma (approx. 46 calories)

If you saw my post over the weekend, you know I’m taking a step back from drinking spirits because of a heart condition that makes drinking alcohol high-risk for me. So when @undone.usa reached out and asked if I wanted to try their non-alcoholic Paloma kit, it was an easy yes.

World Paloma Day was May 22, but we’re celebrating all month long! Undone sent me a bottle of their dealcoholized mezcal, a quartet of Thomas Henry sparkling grapefruit, and this adorable parrot tiki mug.

I made the NA version for myself and made a regular Paloma with regular mezcal for Rhead. Not gonna lie: the real mezcal is better. But Undone’s NA version is good in its own way. It doesn’t have the smokiness of the Ilegal mezcal that I used in Rhead’s drink. I personally love smoky spirits, but not everyone does. So if you’re one of those people, this NA mezcal could be a good fit for you.

One of the biggest advantages to NA spirits for those of us who are trying to keep our weight in check in middle age is that they have WAY fewer calories than alcoholic spirits. One ounce of mezcal has about 64 calories. The NA Undone version has 1.8. That’s a big difference!

So, to sum up, if you’re interested in exploring NA spirits, this is a good item to have in your collection. But don’t expect it to taste just like regular mezcal.

UNDONE NA PALOMA

2 oz. Undone non-alcoholic mezcal
1/4 oz. fresh lime juice
3ish oz. Thomas Henry sparkling grapefruit

Build in glass over ice. Garnish with lime or grapefruit.

#risajamesphotography #zeroproof #noABV #paloma #cocktailphotographer by @risajamesphotography

A brief explanation of where I’ve been for the past five months. Long story, short: I found out in February that I have a heart condition called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Sadly, it makes drinking alcohol a high-risk activity, along with long-haul flights and vigorous exercise.

Basically my risk of stroke is much greater than people without this condition. I can’t get in to see a cardiologist until August. In the meantime, I’ve mostly stopped drinking spirits. I still drink wine a few days a week, and I’ve been experimenting with non-alcoholic spirits and canned cocktails. More on that soon.

If you have questions, I’m happy to answer them. The video explains what the hell a PFO is, so start there.

I hope to show up a little more often than I have been. Cheers! by @risajamesphotography

#ad Happy New Year! The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean we have to leave behind decadent dessert drinks! This cocktail uses not one, but two versions of @mozartchocolateusa cream liqueurs: the chocolate and the white chocolate.

You’ll see how dreamy and thick the chocolate cream liqueur is in the pour shot 😍

With your favorite brandy or Cognac, this is perfect for cozy nights next to the fireplace, cuddled up with your favorite person or animal 🐶🐱

FIRESIDE TRUFFLE

1 oz. brandy or Cognac
1 oz. Mozart Chocolate Cream Liqueur
1 oz. Mozart White Chocolate Cream Liqueur

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for about 15 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg.

Must be 21+. Please enjoy responsibly. 15-17% ABV. Imported by @marussiabeveragesusa

#mozartchocolateliqueur #mozartchocolatecream #mozartwhitechocolate #chocolatelovers @savona_communications by @risajamesphotography

Happy New Year, friends! You’ll probably see less of me in 2026, because I’m really wrapped up in my newest endeavor: podcasting!

If you don’t already know, I launched a podcast in July. It has nothing to do with cocktails or photography. It’s about history! American history to be specific. The First Ladies of America, to be even more specific.

Each season covers one First Lady. Seasons 1 (Martha Washington) and 2 (Abigail Adams) are already finished. I kick off Season 3 (Martha Jefferson) on January 16.

If you want to learn something new in 2026, check it out! Just search “America’s First Ladies” in any podcast player. The episodes are all around 30 minutes, so they’re perfect for a commute or a workout.

This podcast has turned out to be a great intersection between my degrees in history and law, and I love doing it. But it’s insanely time-consuming, which is why you’ll see less of me here. But I don’t plan to totally disappear, so don’t worry!

#americasfirstladiespodcast #happynewyear2026 #historypodcast by @risajamesphotography

Haven’t been taking a lot of photos lately because the tree takes up most of my studio space, but had to show off my newest addition: the holiday mouse mug from the Miracle pop-up Christmas bar we went to in Paso Robles. He’s just the cutest!

What’s inside, you ask? A lovely little number I saw on @cocktailgrendel’s page.

RUM BRÛLÉE

2 oz. Jamaican rum (I went with Smith & Cross)
1/4 oz. crème de cacao
1/4 oz. Banane du Brésil
2 dashes walnut bitters

Stir with ice then strain into rocks glass over ice (or festive mug, in this case. Garnish with a slice of brûléed banana (which I didn’t do because I didn’t have any bananas on hand). by @risajamesphotography

Irish Penicillin (approx. 235 calories)

When I received a new bottle of Ginger Liquer from @bigoliqueur I wanted to do something Penicillin-adjacent with it. I love Penicillins but rarely make them because I’m too busy to make honey-ginger syrup. I didn’t want the traditional Scotch base to overpower the ginger liqueur, so I used a lightly peated Irish whiskey instead. It took some experimentation with ratios, but this spec really lets the ginger shine.

IRISH PENICILLIN

2 oz. @muffliquorco Irish whiskey
1 oz. @bigoliqueur Ginger Liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/4 oz. Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5yo peated whisky

Shake first three ingredients with ice, then double-strain into festive rocks glass over clear ice (by @iceblox_ri). Float peated whisky on top. Garnish with candied ginger by @selefina.spices.

If I don’t get around to posting again before Christmas, I wish you all a delightful holiday!

#risajamesphotography #irishwhiskey #whiskycocktails #gingerliqueur #christmascocktails by @risajamesphotography

Montenegro Diabolo (approx. 198 calories)

‘Tis the season for festive cocktails, and here’s a little secret: the ingredients don’t matter if you put it in a festive glass with a seasonal garnish 😉

There’s nothing inherently wintry or Christmassy about this recipe, but it sounded good, and I wanted something with Mezcal. I found the recipe on @cocktail_keeper_1978’s page and he got it from @gintensiv so it’s another one for the #circleofcocktails

I used my trusty @dadyomezcal and I gotta say, this was downright delightful. 10/10 would make again.

MONTENEGRO DIABOLO

1 oz. Mezcal
1 oz. Montenegro
1 oz. Aperol

Stir with ice, strain into rocks glass over large ice (by @iceblox_ri). Garnish with orange wheel. Add cranberries for festive season. Enjoy!

#risajamesphotography #mezcalcocktails #dadyomezcal #festivecocktails by @risajamesphotography

Night Tripper (approx. 181 calories)

Happy Repeal of Prohibition Day! It’s the reason we’re all able to openly share our love for alcohol, lol.

I’m celebrating with this drink that I made back in April and will make again tonight. I found the recipe in the June 2020 issue of Wine Enthusiast, and it was created by Chris Hannah of Jewel of the South in New Orleans.

NIGHT TRIPPER

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
3/4 oz. Averna or Ramazzotti
1/4 oz. Strega
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters*

Stir with ice, strain into rocks glass over large ice (mine is by @iceblox_ri), garnish with orange or lemon peel twist.

Cheers!

* Are New Orleans bartenders even legally allowed to create recipes without Peychaud’s? 😂

#risajamesphotography #nationalrepealday #repealofprohibition #secretboozehoundcalendar #bourboncocktails #strega by @risajamesphotography

Daiquiri (approx. 174 calories)

Have you ever had a canelé? They are the signature dessert of Bordeaux, and we had several while there. Then, of course, we bought a canelé mold to bring home and made some ourselves.

Rum is one of the key ingredients in a canelé, so we used my new @reif_rum and I made a daiquiri to go with them. Heavenly!

REIF DAIQUIRI

2 oz. Reif rum
1 oz. fresh lime juice
3/4 oz. @bluestembotanicals Chamomile syrup

Shake then strain into chilled coupe. Lime wheel garnish.

#risajamesphotography #daiquiri #canelé #reifrum #rumcocktails by @risajamesphotography

The Risa (approx. 67 calories)

Don’t worry, I’m not such a narcissist that I named a cocktail after myself. This one was created by my friend @skigrrrl and she named it after me because she knows what a Cynar fan girl I am.

It took me months to get around to making it, but now that I have, it’s going into regular rotation. It’s f***ing amazing. (But probably only if you like Cynar, lol.)

And don’t skimp on the Topo Chico. It might seem overrated because people love it so much, but it deserves the love. The extra effervescence it brings is highly enjoyable, and its minerality complements that bitterness of the Cynar.

Don’t wait as long as I did to make this! Also, it’s low-ABV and low-cal because only the Cynar has alcohol and calories in it. Win-win!

THE RISA
Recipe by @skigrrrl

1 oz. Cynar
Squeeze of lemon
Topo Chico

Add ice to rocks glass. Fill 1/3 with Topo Chico, then add Cynar and lemon juice. Top with more Topo Chico. This way you don’t have to stir and disturb the bubbles. Garnish with lemon and cherry.

#risajamesphotography #cynar #topochico #lowabvcocktails #lowcaloriecocktails by @risajamesphotography