20120529

The HONEY FITZ SPRITZ MARTINI for JFK's Birthday


Today would have been the 95th birthday of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and to commemorate the occasion I have created this HONEY FITZ SPRITZ MARTINI named after JFK's Presidential yacht!

It is well known that not only was our 63rd President a Navy man (having been disqualified for service by the Army because of his back issues), but he loved boating and sailing. While in the White House, JFK would often slip away to The Honey Fitz for a few quite hours on the Potomac. On his birthday every year the yacht was brought to the Cape and kept there until the end of September while the family used it most weekends.
Purchase the Honey Fitz Spritz Martini on a fun, mailable Postcard.

To quote another very famous personage:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. PRESIDENT"
Fair winds and following seas and long may your big jib draw.

Updated 12-2017
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20120527

ALCOHOL INFUSED ADULT GRAPE POPSICLES

GRAPE BOOZESICLES, Alcohol Infused Ice Pop Recipe

National Grape Popsicle Day is May 27th and I was asked to come up with a cocktail recipe for the occasion. Since it was already hitting summer temps across most of the country I decided to come up with an alcoholic grape popsicle instead.  They are not only cooling during hot summer days but are a fun way to put some adult fun in your next summer soiree.

Note: You want the Champagne to be flat, especially if you are using regular popsicle molds because the bubbles (carbon dioxide) could blow the top off your popsicle while freezing.

If you want to serve them in a glass, I suggest placing them upside down in Champagne flutes then topping them off fresh, chilled Champagne.

Booze Infused GRAPE BOOZESICLES with Ingredients & Directions

GRAPE
BOOZESICLES


INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Concord Grape Juice
1 Cup Champagne, allowed to go flat
1 Oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Drops Rose Water

Garnish:
 Assorted Colored Sprinkles, Sliced fruits

Tools: Popsicle Molds, Popsicle Sticks

DIRECTIONS
Add the sprinkles and fruits to the molds you're using.
Combine the grape juice, Champagne and rose water then pour into the molds.
Freeze overnight.
To release dip mold quickly in warm water to release the popsicle.

For the kids you can substitute flat grape soda or plain soda for the Champagne.

VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS: 

National Grape Popsicle Day is May 27th.

Updated May 2021
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20120526

It's NATIONAL BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE DAY - Stick that in a martini glass!




To start off your Memorial Day Weekend with a blast - how about a blast of blueberries??

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE
MARTINI

INGREDIENTS
1 Oz. Whipped Cream Vodka
1 Oz.  (Homemade) Blueberry Liqueur
1/2 Cup Fresh (or frozen) Blueberries
1 Oz. Half & Half
Juice of 1/2 a Fresh Lime

Garnish: Graham Cracker Rim. Fresh Blueberries

Tools: Cocktail Shaker, Muddler

Glass: Cocktail (Martini)

DIRECTIONS
In the bottom of the cocktail shaker muddle the blueberries with the lime juice.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the remaining ingredients and shake until chilled.
Strain into the chilled glass, garnish and serve.

May 26th is National Blueberry Cheesecake Day!


Updated 5-2019
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20120525

HAPPY NATIONAL WINE DAY - Go Retro with Wine Coolers!

May 25th is
NATIONAL WINE DAY
Grab a hold of those leisure suits, done your most dangerous platform shoes, grab that bottle of your favorite wine and get down and boogie with me, we're gonna listen to some funky tunes & DRINK WINE COOLER MARTINIS!!

Why? Because tomorrow is National Wine Day and that's just how we rolled with wine in the 70's!! Can ya dig it??? Far Out!
 

Just in case you think I don't know what I'm talking about, here I am in the late 70's hanging out at a bar in Reno with my best bud, Betty Mae - note the beaded cornrows on Betty.....
....and note that I look just a little like I had too many Wine Coolers!! Ah, Good times!




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20120524

The Over the Cliff Margarita for Thelma & Louise Day

Over the Cliff Blackberry Margarita Cocktail Recipe

The movie Thelma & Louise was released on May 24th, 1991 and became an instant classic. It starred Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise and it was the film that introduced the movie going audience to a young Brad Pitt.

Though Thelma & Louise are drinking whiskey in the car as they head out on their road trip escape, I decided to make this a margarita because of the quote that sums up the reason for Thelma and Louise to head out on the road and away from the lives they are chained to:

We'll be drinking margaritas by the sea, mamacita ~ Louise

This Blackberry Margarita is a perfect way to celebrate the classic heroines of the movie Thelma & Louise. Filled with luscious and sweet blackberries, it's kicked into gear by a nice shot of Creme de Cassis to go with the tequila. I think Thelma and Louise would have approved.

Over the Cliff Blackberry Margarita Recipe with Ingredients

The
OVER THE CLIFF
BLACKBERRY MARGARITA

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 Oz. Tequila
1/2 Oz. Triple Sec
1/2 Oz. Crème de Cassis
1/4 C. Fresh Blackberries
1 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 Cup Crushed Ice

Garnish:  Salt & Sugar Rim, Blackberry, Lime Twist

DIRECTIONS
Rim a glass with lime then dip in a blend of sugar and salt.
Blend the ingredients until smooth, pour into your rimmed glass, garnish and serve.

VOICEOVER VIDEO WITH INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:

HAPPY THELMA & LOUISE DAY!
Stay away from those cliffs.


Updated 5-2021
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20120523

HAPPY NATIONAL TAFFY DAY - Have a Taffy Martini!



Sip a little bit of Atlantic City Boardwalk history!

The
CHOCOLATE
SALTWATER TAFFY
COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS
2 Oz. Dooley's Toffee Liqueur
1 Oz. Chocolate Whipped Vodka
1 Oz. Half & Half
Pinch of Sea Salt

Garnish: Piece of Chocolate Saltwater Taffy

DIRECTIONS
Shake ingredients in an ice filled cocktail shaker until chilled.
Strain into a chilled glass.
Garnish and serve.

May 23rd is NATIONAL TAFFY DAY


Updated 5-2019
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20120522

Happy National Vanilla Pudding Day - Drink Your Pudding!


May 22 is
NATIONAL VANILLA PUDDING DAY
so I present you vanilla lovers with my
VANILLA PUDDING MARTINI
Where's the pudding? On the rim.


Happy National Vanilla Pudding Day to You!

Updated 5-2016


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20120521

STRAWBERRIES & CREAM MARTINI

Strawberries & Cream Martini Cocktail Recipe


This Strawberries & Cream Martini is made from fresh strawberry puree, cream, Pinnacle's great Whipped Cream Vodka and Fragoli's Strawberry Liqueur.

I love this cocktail. The minute the fresh strawberries come out in spring I am all over this puppy at happy hour.

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. You do have to have a fresh strawberry for this particular garnish or you can top it off with the whipped cream and some of the adorable wild strawberries from the Fragoli.


The
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM
MARTINI

INGREDIENTS:
1 Oz. Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka
3/4 Oz. Fragoli Strawberry Liqueur
1 Oz. Heavy Cream
(yes, you can use half & half to cut calories)
5 Oz. Fresh Strawberry Puree

Garnish:
I've done a special whipped cream filled, strawberry garnish for this one:


OPTIONAL (for StrawberryCream Pie Day): Rim the glass with Crushed, Baked Pie Crust & Sugar

Tools: Cocktail shaker and cocktail pick

Glass: Cocktail or Coupe

DIRECTIONS:
Chill your glass in the freezer.
Prepare the whipped cream stuffed strawberry garnish, set aside.
Add all the ingredients to the cocktail shaker and shake until chilled.
Pour into the chilled glass, garnish and serve.


National Strawberries and Cream Day is May 21st and Strawberry Cream Pie Day is September 28th.

Updated 5-2021
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20120518

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC MARTINI RECIPE



The STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC MARTINI


Before you shudder at vinegar in a cocktail stop and think about it.  Balsamic vinegar is not a wine vinegar at all. It is not made from wine, but from white Trebbiano grape pressings that have never been permitted to ferment into wine.  It is sweet and acidic at the same time and it works wonderfully in bringing out flavors and adding balance to a sweet ingredient.  It brings many of the same qualities of a shrub to a cocktail - tartness, sweetness and deep, rich flavor.

It was, in fact, a salad with fresh strawberries that inspired me to try making this cocktail and I'm very glad I did!  Like Mikey said in those Life Cereal ads, "try it, you'll like it!"

To Your Health!

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Updated 8-2016

20120506

CHOCOLATE BANANA MARTINI PARFAIT

Sometimes you want something fun and fancy for dessert but you don't have the time or the energy to put a lot of effort into it. For me that means some kind of a pudding parfait in a martini glass.

I always have fruit in the house, there's always some can or container of creamy topping, I keep several boxes of instant pudding on hand, as well as those little cups of ready to serve pudding and always have some form of cookie in the house.  I also have a heavily stocked bar! As long you have these ingredients you can throw together a quick and yummy parfait with very little effort!

The fancy comes from putting it in a martini glass (or any kind of stemmed glass) and in a clever garnish.  Heck, you can even put it in shooters if you have small enough little spoons for your guests to dig out the parfait, these are perfect for cocktail parties and buffets!

Here's my quick recipe for a
CHOCOLATE BANANA MARTINI PARFAIT
(serves one)

2 Jello Chocolate Pudding Cups
1 Banana
Whipped Cream
Favorite Chocolate Cookie, Crumbled
Coffee Liqueur
Chocolate Candy for Garnish

Start with a layer of banana slices, then layer on the pudding, then sprinkle on the crumbled cookies, drizzle the coffee liqueur on the cookies and add a layer of whipped cream. Repeat until the martini glass is full, usually twice.  Garnish with a few banana slices and a fun chocolate candy!

Can't get easier than that, right?



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20120504

STAR WARS COCKTAILS


For all of you Rebels and Stormtroopers out there here's four original Star Wars themed cocktails to enjoy while traveling the galaxies.

PRINCESS LEA'S STICKY BUNS (Martini)


2 Oz. Cake Vodka
1 Oz. Half & Half
1/2 Oz. Cinnamon Schnapps
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cinnamon & Sugar for Rim
Cinnamon Stick
Ice

Pipe a thin line of the cream cheese frosting on the rim of martini glass. Dip into the cinnamon/sugar mix. Chill glass in freezer. Add 1 Cup of ice to a cocktail shaker, pour in the cake vodka, half & Half and the cinnamon schnapps, shake until well blended then pour into chilled glass. Garnish with a Cinnamon Stick light saber.
-----------

HAN SOLO HAS A ROCKET IN HIS POCKET (Shooter)


LIGHTSABER COLLINS (Hi-ball)

1-1/2 Oz. Gin
1/2 Oz. Blue Curacao
1 Oz. Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Simple Syrup
Club Soda
Blue Raspberry Twizzler
Ice

Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a Collins (hi-ball) glass filled with ice cubes. Stir, then fill glass with soda. Drizzle the Blue Curacao over the top, swirl glass and garnish with the Twizzler.
-----------

DARTH VADER DAIQUIRI


2 Oz. White Rum
1 Oz. Lime Juice
1/2 Oz. Simple Syrup
1/3 C. Fresh Blackberries
2 Sprigs Fresh Tarragon
Fresh Blackberries for Garnish
Ice

Muddle the blackberries, leaves from 1 sprig of tarragon, lime juice & simple syrup in the bottom of a Boston shaker, then add the ice and rum and shake hard. Double strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with the other sprig of tarragon and the fresh blackberries.
-----------

Happy you will be at Five O'Clock
May the Fourth Be With You!

Updated  8-2021
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20120503

FLAVORED VODKAS - THERE'S NO ROOM FOR SNOBBERY IN HAPPY HOUR


There's been a lot of Twitter snarkiness, social media griping and bitchy blog posts about the new genre of flavored "vodkas" on the market today.  Cocktail "gurus" are claiming foul and screaming about the "purity" and "integrity" of the cocktail, decrying the fall of the "art of the drink".  While I won’t rush out and buy each new entry that sails into the flavored vodka market, I disagree with those who would zap all these vodkas into oblivion.

Every day it seems another distillery plops a new flavored "vodka" in our laps to tempt us to their brand. The trend started with citrus vodkas, followed closely by all the other members of the fruit family, then spread out into chocolate vodka, espresso vodka, tea vodka, herb vodkas, spice vodkas and, yes, even meat and salmon vodkas. Then things got wilder and in came the whipped cream vodkas, cake vodkas, candy vodkas and – I kid you notcritter vodka!  The latest concoctions to join the melee are Van Gogh’s PB&J Vodka and Three Olives Loopy Vodka (inspired by fruit loops cereals).

Why are we waking up to a new flavored vodka nearly every morning? Because vodka sales have reached into the billions, surpassing all other liquor sales in the United States alone, and everybody wants a piece of that pie.  It’s hard to compete with the big boys like Smirnoff (who holds the largest market share) or Absolut, Grey Goose, Belvedere and a few others who have cornered the lion's share of the unflavored vodka market. Start-up distilleries don’t have the cash to splash into the huge marketing and advertising campaigns that would be required to swim with the sharks.  In order to latch onto a small piece of the vodka buyers wallet, start-ups have to go after a niche market.

One approach to grabbing a partial share of the enormously profitable vodka market is in creating a flavored vodka brand. Pinnacle Vodka, one of the more recognizable flavored vodka brands, is currently in the process of being purchased by Beam, Inc. for $605 million dollars, if this isn’t proof enough that flavored vodkas are a proven path to vodka success then I’ll drink some of that Salmon vodka!

While I am of the opinion that a lot of the new "vodka" flavors out there can't truly be called vodka* and should be more properly called cordials or liqueurs**, or possibly even "pop vodka" as in the case of some of the more inventive flavor combinations, I will not agree that they are all the abominations some claim them to be.  Although the more complex flavor combinations do take some of the fun out of creating a cocktail, many of these spirits are quite pleasant and complex in flavor and can be used in a variety of interesting recipes.

I might not run out and buy a bottle of Van Gogh's PB&J Vodka or Three Olives Loopy – and I can guarantee I will never spend a penny on a bottle of salmon vodka - but I will be damned if I put down those who do buy them and enjoy them. Booze, like food, is enjoyed because of the flavors that come to play and flavor preferences rely heavily on the individual palate of the player. The experience is subjective much like the experience of enjoying a work of art.  Some of us like the classics, some prefer the wilder splashes of abstracts while others might lean towards the cerebral experience of surrealism.

For me the whole thing comes down to the term of "Happy Hour" where the word "happy" is prominent!  If it makes you happy, if you enjoy it, if it tastes good to you, then drink and make no excuses to anyone for your choices and let the Booze Snobs be damned!


SOME BOOZE DEFINITIONS FOR YOUR EDIFICATION:

**LIQUEURS & CORDIALS: a sweetened alcoholic liquor flavored with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds.  Typically Liqueurs are flavored with nuts, herbs, spices and/or seeds while cordials are flavored with fruits.

COCKTAIL: originally a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters, the more modern defines a cocktail as one or more spirits mixed with one or more mixers.

*VODKA: a colorless liquor of neutral spirits distilled from a mash (as of rye, wheat or potato)

LIQUOR: a usually distilled rather than fermented alcoholic beverage

MIXOLOGIST: the art or skill of preparing mixed drinks

*** http://business.highbeam.com/industry-reports/food/distilled-blended-liquors


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