Almost There Thursday- World AIDS Day- (Belvedere) RED

Red Means STOP


Sometimes it’s mind boggling how quickly a week goes by. It’s like one minute, you’re fighting Monday blues, and the next minute it’s Thursday already. Add to that the fact that it’s December 1, and you have simultaneous “where did the week go?!” and “how is it already the end of the year?!” moments. It’s also World AIDS Day, which deserves a at least a pause in consideration of not only those we’ve lost to the disease, but moreso those who are surviving- no- living with it. I hope it’s also inspired you find out your status and take full responsibility of your sexual safety. There’s no shame in having an STD talk prior to getting between the sheets. If you’re uncomfortable talking about sex and its consequences, then you probably shouldn’t be having it. (OK off the soapbox and onto shoes.) As a visual observance of the day, consider wearing red pumps, like Tibi’s Firebird Pump (available at Amazon.com, where I’m an affiliate). The embroidered detailing makes it perfect for the holiday season, and the 3 1/5 inch heel makes it practical enough for the office. (You may also want to look into The Red Pump Project, which aims to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/ AIDS on women and Girls)

Earlier this year, Belvedere Vodka announced a partnership with (RED)™ to release the special edition bottle, (BELVEDERE) RED. In support of the fight against AIDS in Africa, Belvedere Vodka will donate 50% of profits from the sale of (BELVEDERE) RED to the Global Fund. They also enlisted Usher as their celebrity ambassador for the partnership in hopes that his notoriety and their contributions will get us all closer to an AIDS free generation in 2015. Do your part and sip a (BELVEDERE) RED Pom Pom today at happy hour. It’ll be a sweet, effervescent reminder that while we’re close to the end of another week and another year, we’re that much closer to accomplishing goals and new beginnings. That definitely deserves a CHEERS!
Recipe:
1.5 oz (BELVEDERE) RED
Splash lime juice
Top with Fever Tree Ginger Beer
Float grenadine on top
Build in highball and garnish with raspberry

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Booze Clues: 5 Thanksgiving Cocktails to Compliment your Turkey

 

Cheers to Being Thankful

Whether you’re traveling to see your family or hosting the big dinner at your house, you’ll probably be washing down your dinner with a cocktail or two. Here’s a handy little guide that’s sure to have the perfect drink for you.

Herradura Thanksgiving Margarita (tart, tangy)

 

1.5 oz. Herradura Reposado Tequila

2 oz. Cranberry Juice

1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz. Honey Syrup

 

 

Add all ingredients into shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass with ice. Garnish with a sprinkle of cranberries (fresh or dried)

*By Mark Drew

 

Russian Standard Thanksgiving in Russia (somewhat sweet, but nutty)

 

1 ½ oz. Russian Standard Vodka

¾ oz. Pumpkin puree

½ oz. Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur

½ oz. Lime juice

¼ oz. Agave nectar

 

 

Rim glass with graham cracker crust or top with a seasonal fruit. Shake and double strain into cocktail glass and garnish with nutmeg.

*by Duane Fernandez, Jr. of Entwine Bar in New York

 

Belvedere Smoky Martini (strong and smooth)

 

2 oz Belvedere Vodka

Dash liquorice bitters

Stir Belvedere over ice and strain into a smoked dust* coated glass. Drop a dash of the bitters into glass and serve.

To make smoked dust:
Gently toast a piece of white bread with a blow torch. Once the bread starts to go dark brown (not burnt), crumble the bread and pound with a pestle and mortar.

*By Claire Smith

 

Tequila Avion Harvest Moon (sweet, almost creamy)

 

1 ½ parts Tequila Avión Aňejo

1 part Apple Flavored Liquor

¼ part Pear Juice

Splash of Egg White

Dash of Fresh Lemon

Pinch of Ground Cinnamon

In a shaker add all ingredients over ice then shake and strain. Harvest Moon can be served either straight up or on the rocks and garnish with a thinly sliced pear.

 

Toasty Toddy (strong, sweet)

 

1.5oz Dewar’s White Label

1oz Disaronno

1 Bar spoon of honey

.75oz Lemon Juice

3-4oz Hot Water

1 Cinnamon Stick Cracked

 

In a mixing glass add one cracked cinnamon stick, lemon juice, bar spoon of honey, Disaronno, Dewar’s White Label and 2 oz of Hot Water. Stir contents until honey has properly dissolved. Pour contents into toddy glass or wine goblet. Add 1or 2 more ounces of hot water, and garnish with a twist of lemon oil on top

*by Willy Shine of 1534 in New York

 

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Booze Clues: 4 Halloween Cocktails to Try

 

Putting the BOO in Booze

Belvedere Bloodsucker

1.5 oz Belvedere Pink Grapefruit
1/2 oz. Campari

Shake with ice and pour over cubed ice into a rocks glass. Top with 1.5 oz Tru Blood Beverage and garnish with a blood orange wedge. Just so you know, Tru Blood is a blood orange flavored carbonated beverage from HBO and doesn’t contain alcohol.

 

VuQo Black Cat

1 1/2 oz. VuQo
1 oz. black cherry schnapps
2 oz. Cola
2 oz. Cranberry Juice

FYI, VuQo Premium Vodka is actually distilled from coconut using a process based on ancient technology practiced in the Philippines.

 

 

Corpse Reviver # 2011

3/4 part Hendrick’s Gin

3/4 part Lillet Blanc

3/4 part Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur

3/4 part fresh lemon juice

2 drops absinthe

1 drop ROOT

 

Combine ingredients and shake well

Double strain into a chilled martini glass

 

White Ghost

1 oz Ole Smoky Moonshine Whight LIghtnin’ Corn Whiskey
2 oz lemon lime soda

Serve over ice. Garnish with Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries or a licorice stick.

 

 

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Booze Clues: 6 Drinks to Try on the 4th of July

 

Red, White & Booze

Fireworks, flags and fun… Independence Day is on its way, which means the smell of barbecue will fill the air. This year, instead of washing down your burgers with a cold beer, sip a patriotic-looking cocktail (or 5).

 

Voga Sparkler

No 4th of July celebration is complete without sparklers. Some prefer holding sticks with sparks flying off one end, but I’m more in favor of something sparkling in my glass. This cocktail is refreshing and slightly sweet, but not too strong for light drinkers.

 

Recipe:

2 oz. VOGA Sparkling Pino Grigio

.5 oz. vodka

.5 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

.5 oz. Soho Lychee Liqueur

 

Method:

Combine vodka, raspberry liqueur and soho lychee liqueur in the bottom of a champagne flute.Top with VOGA Sparkling Pinot Grigio

 

 

Belvedere Liberty Summer Punch

 

Perhaps you’re entertaining this weekend. You’ll be able to spend more time with your guests and less time behind the bar if you prepare a pitcher or two of punch ahead of time. This tangy, tart treat is strong enough to keep things festive but not fuel drunken fights.

 

Recipe:

10oz Belvedere Vodka

15oz cranberry juice

2.5oz lemon juice

3.5oz Aperol

5oz orange juice

Dash of bitters

Dash of simple syrup

 

Method:

Add all ingredients to a jug and stir. Garnish with orange slices and lemons.

 

Xante 4th of July Frozen Berry

A frozen treat is a great way to beat the summer heat, and it’s even better when it’s spiked with something Semi-sweet.

Recipe:

1 1/2 oz of Xanté 

1 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice

Strawberries Fresh or Frozen

Dash of sugar to taste

Blend with ice

***Photo credit: Rodrigo Londono- Catapult 13 Creative Studios

 

 

 

Sailor Jerry Back Yard Tea

 

Who doesn’t love a little sweet tea with their hot dogs and potato salad? This version gets a kick of extra flavor (and fun) with the addition of spiced rum.

 

Recipe:

2 parts Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum

1 part iced tea

2 parts lemonade

 

Method:

Add ingredients to in ice-filled highball glass and garnish with a lemon wedge

 

Flor de Cana Firecracker

If complex flavors are your forte, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this one. The slight spiciness of the rum, combined with the biters and dash of absinthe make it a prime choice for night time sipping.

Recipe:

2 oz Flor de Caña 7 Year Rum

.5 oz Simple Syrup

3 Dashes Peychaud Bitters

Dash Lucid Absinthe

Red Grapes

 

Method: Salt rim of small glass. Add Flor de Cana, simple syrup, Peychaud Bitters and Lucid to shaker with ice. Strain into glass. Garnish with red grapes.

 

 

UV Blue Bombsicle

Remember Bomb Pops… the blue raspberry, cherry and lemon icee on a stick that turned your tongue and lips blue, but tasted so good they were worth Smurf mouth? Well if you got rid of the cherry, and made it into a drink, this is what you’d have.

 

Recipe:

1 part UV Blue

3 parts lemonade

 

Method:

Combine with Ice in a highball glass. Garnish with lime or cherry.

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Booze Book Review: Cosmo’s Official Cocktail Book

 

Sipping Sexy

Not long ago, I was watching Today with Kathy Lee & Hoda (as I do almost every morning), and they were sampling drinks from COSMO’S OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BOOK: The Sexiest Drinks for Every Occasion (prepared by some of the sexiest bartenders in New York- see video HERE). As I envied their morning swill, I also made a mental note to purchase the book However, I didn’t have to. I was sent a complimentary copy to review!

I often refer to Cosmopolitan Magazine’s online drink guides for cocktails to pair with the shoes you see on this blog, and this book is a compilation of  their readers’ favorites. The first thing I noticed upon opening it was the Cocktail Recipe Visual Index. If you’re planning a party with a color theme, or want to remember the name of a drink that matches your new hot pink platforms, this feature makes it easy. In addition, it’s categorized by liquor type. I wish it was also indexed by occasion/ season, but that’s just because I’m spoiled. However, the recipes are broken down into six chapters, based on whether a drink is flirty, fun, fabulous, romantic, sweetly seductive or “What A Guy Wants.” Plus, there are cool tips and trivia throughout. For instance, some cocktail recipe pages also feature “Hook Him Hints,” while others include conversation starters or cool facts.

COSMO’S OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BOOK also includes quick, fun quizzes (it wouldn’t be Cosmo without the quiz, right?). Upon taking them, you’ll find out whether you’re a “Hell Raiser” or “Party Pooper, ”Flirt Fanatic” or “Flirt Averse”, a “Way Brave Babe” or “Shrinking Violet.” If I had my druthers, each “type” would be matched with an example cocktail or two, but the quizzes were still fun to take. I’m sure everyone can guess where StyleScrybe rated.

Then there’s the “Cocktail Crash Course” toward the end of the book, which puts lots of useful information into digest form. From which glasses to use with which cocktail types, to a metric conversion chart and a Q & A with Belvedere Vodka’s head of Mixology, Claire Smith, this chapter may have your friends thinking you’ve taken a bartending course (or studied Shoes N Booze from day 1). You know how you look at drink recipes in restaurants sometimes and wonder WTH bitters are? Well the “Liquors Worth a Shot” section answers that question and more.

I’d say this book is worth its weight in rim sugar. Plus it looks great on your in-home bar. Whether you’re hosting a girls’ night in, pregaming before the club or trying to score big with a new beau, you’ll find something suitable in COSMO’S OFFICIAL COCKTAIL BOOK.

*NOTE: Photos, information and images Reprinted with permission from Cosmo’s Official Cocktail Book, by the Editors of Cosmopolitan Magazine, copyright 2011, Hearst Books.

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Booze Clues: What to Drink While Watching the Royal Wedding

 

Fairy Tales Do Come True

Will you be watching William and Catherine take their vows in real time (the televised festivities start around 4 AM Eastern) or recording them to watch later? My suggestion is a grown up fairy tale slumber party, complete with haute heels, glam hats and, of course, classy cocktails (you may want to also tell your boss you’re working from home tomorrow). I have nothing against early morning mimosas, but here’s a list of regally themed cocktails better suited for the event.

Chambord Regal CV

Ingredients: 2 oz Chambord Flavored Vodka, ¾ oz simple syrup
3 slices of cucumber (skin on), 3 fresh raspberries, ½ oz fresh lemon juice

Method: Muddle the raspberries, cucumber, and simple syrup. Add to a shaker with lemon juice and Chambord Flavored Vodka. Add ice and shake vigorously. Double stain into a martini glass or a large coupe glass and garnish with a.slice of cucumber and / or a fresh raspberry.

*From the mind of author & event expert, Colin Cowie, this sweet sipper is a great option for liquor lightweights.

Drambuie English Rose

In a Champagne flute, add: 1 Sugar Cube, 3 drops Orange Bitters, 1 oz. DRAMBUIE

Slowly top with: 4 oz. chilled Blanc de Noirs Champagne, Splash Campari, 3 drops Rosewater

Garnish with a thinly-sliced strawberry fanned and floated on top.

This cocktail tastes light and refreshing… but complex enough for discerning tastes. *If you’re not familiar with Drambuie, it’s a combination of aged Scotch whiskies, heather honey and a blend of herbs and spices.

Kate’s Old New Borrowed Blue

Ingredients: 2 oz. Tea-Infused Russian Standard Vodka, 0.25 oz Vermouth, 6 blueberries

Method: Rinse a chilled martini glass with vermouth. Combine tea-infused Russian Standard Vodka and ice in a shaker and strain into glass. Garnish with blueberries.

*This is a martini-lover’s cocktail, but if you’re a fan of sweet drinks, this one might not be your favorite.

Devotion Vodka Totally Devoted Mini Cran-Tini

Ingredients: 1 oz. of Devotion Vodka, .25 oz of triple sec, .25 oz of vermouth, 2 oz. cranberry juice cocktail.

Method: Pour into your cocktail shaker over rocks and shake it up before straining into adorable mini-martini glasses.

*This concoction is a great middle ground if your crowd is split between girly drinkers and those who like a bit of a kick in their drinks. Devotion Vodka is infused with casein, which is said to smooth it out.

Belvedere Earl Grey Fizz

Ingredients: 1 oz Belvedere Vodka (or Citrus), ¾ oz Earl grey tea syrup.

Method: Shake ingredients and strain into a champagne flute. Top with Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial. Garnish with a Lemon twist or redcurrants.

This sparkly libation is perfect for toasting after the Prince kisses his bride. Cheers!

Whether you’ve already found your prince, or you’re still kissing frogs, one of these cocktails will help you bring out your inner princess… just call me your cocktail fairy godmother.

Technorati Tags: Royal Wedding,Wedding cocktails,Cocktail recipes

Booze News: Belvedere Vodka x (RED)™

 

On the RED Team

Belvedere Vodka has joined forces with (RED)^TM for (BELVEDERE)^RED. Starting this coming holiday season, they’ll release a specially designed bottle, and half the proceeds from its sales will go to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The partnership will be celebrated tomorrow night with a pre-Grammys event featuring a live performance by Usher (the celebrity ambassador for the initiative) and an installation by critically acclaimed artist, Carsten Holler. (BELVEDERE)^RED will be available as of September 2011.

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Booze Clues: What to Drink on Halloween- Belvedere Bloody Mary Martinis

Boo Day Boozing

Halloween is on a Sunday this year, and those have to work on Monday probably did their partying on Saturday (or get started early on Sunday). What's a Sunday without brunch, and while you may normally sip mimosas, today, try drinking on-theme. Regular Bloody Marys are a bit harsh for some, but Belvedere's Bloody Mary Martini is easier on the palate. Instead of the thick, peppery concoction we're used to, this drink consists of muddled cherry tomatoes, Belvedere Citrus Vodka, simple syrup and Tobasco (exact recipe & instructions on Belvedere.com). That also means you're more likely to consume it more quickly, so to test your soberness try saying this cocktail's name five times in front of a mirror. If you make it all the way through, you're good. Kidding. Enjoy responsibly. 

In it to Win it: How to get a Dream Job From Belvedere

When the Lush Life Pays Off...

If you read this blog, you definitely love shoes. Chances are you're also a fan of the hooch. Those of you who love vodka- more specifically- Belvedere Vodka, and are willing to prove it via a 60 second video should enter Belvedere's Dream Job Competition. As Chelsea Handler recently announced on Chelsea Lately, the winner will become Belve's Global Brand Ambassador. Basically, you get paid $100,000 to travel around the world and spread Belve cheer for a year. You and Claire Smith, Belvedere's Head of Spirit Creation and Mixology will attend events, showing clebrities, mixologists and other liquor lovers new ways to enjoy Belvedere. To enter, just upload your video to Belvedere's Facebook Contest Page. Oh... make sure it's interesting because you'll need votes from the public for a shot at the semi-finals. Good Luck!

Almost There Thursday: Ras Sandals &

Swing Low

You're one day from a three-day weekend, and you can't wait. You're actually considering working from home tomorrow so you can get the party started tonight. Make sure you're prepared with a pair of dance-friendly shoes. A fun pair like these Ras sandals are party-perfect. The festive, vividly hued satin and bright gold cork platform and low 3-inch heel say you're ready to rock around the clock. Whether you're watching the NBA playoffs at a chic sports bar or dancing the night away, you're going to be comfy and cute.

Your drink of choice this evening should be a Citrus Blackberry Collins (recipe & image from CocktailTimes.com). It's a combination of Belvedere Cytrus, Marie Brizard Blackberry liqueur, a little lime juice, lemon juice & simple syrup and a splash of club soda. It'll be a slightly bubbly, semi-sweet treat. Just remember that drinking too many may lead to clumsiness, which tends to ruin pretty satin sandals.