Quick Sips: 3 Cocktails for National Rum Day

On the Rum

Happy National Rum Day! While it's easy enough to toast with a typical rum & coke at happy hour today, why not do something a little different? Today IS a celebration of one of the world's favorite cane spirits, after all. We have a few suggestions below, but before you start sipping, check out a few fun rum facts we previously posted. Now, the drinks:

Morgan Mule Gelatin Shots

6 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

8.5 oz. ginger ale

1.5 oz. fresh lime juice

2 envelops of lime gelatin (approx. 5.5 teaspoons) - If you don't eat pork, there are gelatins out there without it. You just may have to search a bit.

Naked on the Beach

1.5 oz. The Naked Turtle White Rum

3 oz. Cranberry Juice

3 oz Freshly Squeeze Orange Juice

1 Peach muddled

Fresh Cherries for Garnish

Saville Premium Rumtini

It's a pre-mixed cocktail made with premium rum and tropical fruits. Just add ice and with fresh fruit.

We hope you enjoy National Rum Day. We insist that you do so legally and responsibly. XO

*Captain Morgan Rum is a product sponsor and occasionally sends Shoes N Booze complimentary bottles.

Perfect Pairing: Captain Morgan Loco Nut & Nine West Wedges

Baywatch / Baewatch... Kinda the Same.

Baywatch hit theaters last night, and if you decided to start your Memorial Day weekend with a trip to the theaters (and then the bar), we've found you some perfectly themed footwear and frozen cocktails. (They'll actually work for your weekend boardwalk or barbecue plans, too. Score!)

On your Feet: Nine West Aprilshower Wedges

Don't worry... we're not about to suggest you wear a pair of wedges to the beach. However, the red and white stripes on these espadrille sandals—along with the thick lug soles—do make one think of those old school lifesavers on every lifeguard's chair, no? The ankle strap adds a little leg-elongating magic, too. So weather you're down by the bay or hunting for bae (or heading out with someone special), these Nine West wedges have you covered. They also have a bit of patriotic appeal. Double weekend-themed win. Get them HERE (they're less than $100).

In Your Glass (Sorta): Captain Morgan Loco Nut Red Suit Ready

We all love a good icy. These, like the shoes above, are a double score—perfect for your Baywatch-themed party or for any Memorial Day festivities. Here's how you make them:

Ingredients:

1½ oz LocoNut

1½ oz Coconut Water

¾ oz Captain Morgan White Rum

1½ oz Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

¾ oz Water

Method:
Combine LocoNut and coconut water. Stir to combine. Separately, combine Captain Morgan White Rum, strawberry daiquiri mix, and water. Stir to combine. Fill a plastic freezie sleeve halfway up with strawberry daiquiri mixture. Top with LocoNut mixture and freeze overnight before serving.

If you make a batch of Red Suit Ready pops, promise to invite us to the party? Please? Seriously, though, what's on your agenda for the weekend, and what will you have on your feet?


*Disclosure: Shoes N Booze is an Amazon affiliate and receives commission on products purchased by clicking its links. Captain Morgan is a product partner, and Shoes N Booze receives complimentary bottles.

A Quick Sip: What to Drink on National Pumpkin Day

Because the Real Great Pumpkin Contains Booze...

Today is National Pumpkin Day (yes, really), and now that you know, be sure to sip accordingly at happy hour. There are definitely a variety of options in the beer category, like pumpkin shandy and pumpkin beer. However, if you're looking for something with a bit more kick try a drink spiked with Captain Morgan Jack-O-Blast. Since it's only Wednesday-- and this weekend will likely be a cocktail-heavy one-- we think you should steer clear of full-blown cocktails until at least tomorrow. That said, for tonight, we suggest the Jack-O' Lager, whether your taking the edge off at home or at your favorite bar. Here's how it's made:

Jack-O’Lager

INGREDIENTS:

•                1 oz. Jack-O’Blast shot

•                4 oz. Lager

DIRECTIONS:

Drop shot of Captain Morgan Jack-O’Blast in a glass of lager beer and enjoy.

Now that you're a little relaxed, what are your Halloween plans? Need last-minute shoe or cocktail suggestions? Stay tuned!

*Captain Morgan is a content partner of Shoes N Booze and occasionally sends complimentary samples of products, such as Jack-O-Blast.

Booze Clues: 5 Cocktails to Serve at Your Memorial Day BBQ

To Long Weekends...

You're the one in your crew who always knows what to drink (because you read this blog, of course). That's why you're in charge of cocktails at today's barbecue. If you're still wondering what will wow the crowd, here are a few suggestions. From sweet, girly drinks to complex ones that even the guys will love, we have you covered.

Sandra Lee Cocktail Time Strawberry Lemonade (Makes 1 cocktail)

INGREDIENTS 

Ice cubes

4 ounces Sandra LeeCocktail TimeTM Key Lime Margarita

2 ounces strawberry lemonade

1 ounce ginger ale

Sliced lemons

Sliced strawberries

METHOD 

In a small mason jar, combine Sandra Lee Cocktail TimeTMKey Lime Margarita, strawberry lemonade, 1 ounce ginger ale, sliced lemons, ice, and sliced strawberries.

Basil Hayden's Spiced Blueberry Punch 

Created by Debbi Peek (Louisville, KY) (Recipe serves 4-5)

INGREDIENTS
4 parts Basil Hayden's® Bourbon
8 parts Blueberry Juice
8 parts Passion Fruit Juice
Sparkling Wine or Club Soda
15-20 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 bag Frozen Blueberries, for ice ring 

METHOD
Add Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon, blueberry juice, passion fruit juice and mint leaves to a medium sized punch bowl and stir. Add blueberry ice ring*. (See recipe below.) Serve in a cocktail glass and top with club soda or sparkling wine. 

*Blueberry Ice RingFreeze one bag of frozen blueberries with water in a bundt cake pan.Dip frozen ring into hot water for a few seconds to unmold.Place in punch bowl with blueberry side up.

Deleón Platinum Pina

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz. DeLeón Platinum tequila

1 oz. fresh pineapple juice

½ oz. fresh lime juice

1 dash of jalapeño syrup

METHOD 

Shake and strain over the rocks in a rocks glass. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño.

Knob Creek Rye Blackhawk

INGREDIENTS
2 parts Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey
1 part DeKuyper® Sloe Gin
1 maraschino cherry for garnish

METHOD
In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the whiskey and gin. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Captain Morgan Palomaloha

(serves 1)

INGREDIENTS
1.5 oz. Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum
Juice of ½ lime
Grapefruit soda to top

METHOD 
Fill tall glass with ice. Pour in Captain Morgan Grapefruit Rum, lime juice and grapefruit soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.

Booze Clues: 2 Drinks To Toast Pi Day

Happy Birthday, Einstein!

If you're a math geek, you probably already know this, and if you're a trivia enthusiast (like I am) you'll be interested to know that today is both Albert Einstein's birthday. This year is special, though, because today's date, 3/14/15 represents the first five digits in Pi, the infinitely long ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter- 3.1415. Here at Shoes N Booze, it's an excuse to toast with pie-themed cocktails. Here are a couple of recipes:

Piehole Whiskey "She's My"

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Piehole Cherry Pie

.25 oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

.25 oz. pineapple juice

Splash of sour mix

Method:

Build ingredients over ice. Strain into glass.

Basil Hayden's "Mildred's Peach Pie"

Recipe by LA Mixologist, Joel Black of Black LAB Ventures

Ingredients:
1 1⁄2 parts Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon
4 Fresh Peach Slices
2 dashes Peach Bitters
3⁄4 parts Lemon Juice
1 pinch Ground Cinnamon
3⁄4 parts Honey Syrup (see recipe below)*

Method:

1. Muddle peach slices, peach bitters, lemon juice, ground cinnamon and honey syrup in a mixing tin.

2. Add Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon and shake vigorously for 7 seconds.

3. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a peach sprinkled with cinnamon.

*Honey Syrup
1. Combine 3 parts honey with 1 part hot water.
2. Stir until completely combined.