Booze Clues: National Margarita Day- 5 Takes on the Festive Cocktail

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I bet you thought National Margarita Day was on May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!), but it's actually today, and it honors Jmmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Since it's Saturday, you'll likely indulge in a spirited beverage or two (ok, five) this evening. If margaritas weren't already on your agenda, they should be now- but PLEASE make sure there's no sour mix in them. From the classic version to more intriguing interpretations, there's a margarita for everyone.

Cointreau Classic Margarita

Cointreau's Classic Margarita
2 oz. Blanco tequila
1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Lime juice


Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice. Shake and strain into a margarita glass. Garnish with a lime wheel and salt.

Milagro Veracruzana Pineapple Margarita

The Veracruzana Pineapple Margarita

2 parts Milagro Reposado Tequila

¾ part Agave Nectar

1 part Fresh Lime Juice

4 Pineapple Chunks

2 Basil Leaves

Muddle pineapple and basil leaves in a Boston shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish cocktail with pineapple and basil.

Partida Ruby Margarita

Partida RUBY MARGARITA 

1 ½ oz Partida Reposado Tequila

1 ½ oz Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit juice

½ oz Cointreau

½ oz Fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ oz French Cassis. 

Shake the first 4 ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Dribble the ½ oz French Cassis down the inside of the glass so it will settle at the bottom.

Hearts & Tarts Margarita

Hearts & Tarts Margarita

1 Jalapeño Slice

1 1/2 oz. El Silencio Mezcal

3/4 oz. Passionfruit Syrup

3/4 oz. Orange Curaçao

3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

In a mixing glass, with a muddler press a jalapeño slice. Add rest of ingredients, add ice and shake. Strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

*Created by Marcos Tello of LA's Tart Restaurant

*If you're not into tequila AT ALL, try: 

The Camus-rita

The Camus-rita 

2 oz. CAMUS VS  Elegance cognac
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. orange juice
1 oz. triple sec

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into glass, garnish with slime of lime.

Cutesy Tuesday: Summer Solstice in Tabitha Simmons Striped Silk Sandals

 

Haute & Sweet

Today marks the official start of Summer, and far be it from you to not let your shoes reflect the occasion. Step out in something super summery, like a pair of seersucker sandals. These striped silk ones by Tabitha Simmons (available at MyTheresa.com) may feature a more luxe fabric than the southern summertime favorite, but they give off the same feeling of country club chic. The ruffle detail makes them southern belle-sweet, but the color combination and 4.5 inch heel spice them up. Wear them with khaki mid-length shorts and a white shirt for urban appeal, or pair them with a feminine frock and keep things cute.

The fact that it’s the longest day of the year gives you plenty of time for outdoor sipping. I suggest starting off with something cool, slightly sweet and somewhat spicy, like the Partida Southern Heat. All-natural and made from 100% blue agave, Partida Tequila has a smooth flavor that provides the perfect base for the other ingredients. Plus any drink containing tequila says you’re ready for lots of summer fun. The spiciness of this cocktail, though, also says you’re a tough cookie. Just remember that you want to maintain enough composure to keep your pretty shoes in good condition… and that tequila is a bit stronger than some other spirits.

Recipe:

1.5 oz Partida Blanco Tequila

¾ oz Cointeau

1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice

6 slices of cucumber skinned

2 to 3 slices of jalapeno

¼ oz simple syrup

Method:

In a mixing glass muddle the cucumber, jalapeno, lime juice and simple syrup. Add the ice, Partido Blanco Tequila and Cointreau. Shake and strain into an Old-Fashioned glass and garnish with cucumber slices.

Technorati Tags: Tabitha Simmons Shoes,Summer shoe trends,Cointreau,Partida Tequila,Tequila cocktails,cocktail recipes

Booze News: Liquor.com’s First Ever NYC Cocktail Week

 

Cocktail connoisseurs, start your engines. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the first ever New York City Cocktail Week, presented by Liquor.com. Guests at some of the city’s hottest restaurants, including Red Rooster and 1534, will be able to purchase two drinks and one dish for $20.11 (wondering if it’ll be $20.12 next year). Proceeds will benefit City Harvest and The Museum of the American Cocktail (a place I MUST visit one day).

If you’re not in the New York area, but want to try a couple of the cocktails at home, take a crack at making one of these:

No Mames

Ingredients:
1½ ounces Don Julio Reposado Tequila
1 ounce Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur
3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
½ ounce Pink Grapefruit Juice
3 sprays of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram

Directions: Take chilled cocktail glass and apply the chipotle salt on half of the rim and spray the allspice dram inside. Put the rest of the ingredients into a mixing glass. Add large, cold ice and shake vigorously for 6 seconds. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass.

Pimm’s Cup

Ingredients
2 ounces Pimm’s No 1
3/4 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
3 thin cucumber wheels
6-7 fresh mint leaves
1 ounce ginger ale

Directions: Pour Pimm’s, Cointreau and lime juice into a Collins glass. Add cucumbers and mint. Fill with large cold ice and cover glass with a small shaker top. Shake briefly and top off with ginger ale.

Participating Restaurants:

1534, Death & Company, Daddy-O, Pranna, Employees Only, Fort Defiance, La Biblioteca de Tequila, Lani Kai, Macao Trading Co., Red Rooster, Respite, The Rum House, Rye, Vandaag, Pegu Club and Ward III.

For additional information, click here.

Technorati Tags: New York Cocktail Week,cocktail recipe,Pimms Cup,Liquor news

Booze Clues: What Cocktails to Serve at your Oscars Party

 

A Toast to The Stars Shining

You and your friends have seen this year’s blockbusters. You’ve debated their merits and chosen your favorites.  If you’ve decided to throw an Oscars viewing soiree, you may be wondering what to sip as the Academy makes its opinions known. Here are a few nominee-themed cocktail suggestions.

Bombay Sapphire Royal Tea (The King’s Speech)

 

2 oz. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin

1 oz. Earl Grey Tea Infused Simple Syrup

1 oz. Fresh lemon

1 oz. Egg white

¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice

½ Rock Candy

2 Dashes orange bitters

Topped with a Bitter Orange Espuma*

Combine gin, tea infused simple syrup and lemon juice in a shaker over ice, shake vigorously.  Double strain into a tea cup.  Beat espuma mix until thick and foamy, spoon into tea cup, on top of Sapphire mixture.  Put a pinch of tea leaves in center, garnish with a stick of orange bitters rock candy on the side of the tea saucer.

Black Ice (Black Swan)

3 oz. Cointreau Noir

Ice cubes

Pour over ice and enjoy

Dobel Jab (The Fighter)

 

1 1/2 oz DOBEL Tequila

1/2 oz Creme de Cassis

1 lime wedge

Ginger beer

Combine DOBEL tequila, orange curacao and vermouth with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.

Friend Me Punch (The Social Network)

2 oz. Flor De Caña 7-year Grand Reserve

4 sugar cubes

3 green cardamom pods (can be found at any spice shop)

3oz. club soda

1oz. lime juice

1 oz. grapefruit juice

1 dash of Regan's Orange bitters

Dissolve the sugar cubes in 1 oz. of soda water (this generally involves muddling to help process). Muddle the cardamom pods with the sugar cubes. After the sugar cubes and cloves are muddled/dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients one at a time and stir as added. Add ice once all of the ingredients have been added and stirred. Stir the punch until it is chilled.

Cheers!

(Stay Tuned for an upcoming Red Carpet Shoe Recap!)

 

Technorati Tags: Oscars cocktails,cocktail recipes,Flor de Cana Rum,Dobel Tequila,Bomba Sapphire Gin,Cointreau

Cutesy Tuesday: Georgina Goodman Hilda Peep Toes & Absolut Sage Lady Cocktails

Winged Wisdom

You're the one who always does the right thing. Wise beyond your years, you always know what's best. Some might even call you an angel. Well, if the goodie-two-shoes fit, it's about time you wear them. Isn't it only right that they come with wings? A pair like Georgina Goodman's Hilda Pumps will suit you perfectly. The winged detail at the back and pearly hue are nothing less than celestial, and the peep toe and slender 4 1/4 inch heel make them darling and demure.

Always the one who sets an example, show your friends something new at happy hour when you order a Sage Lady. One of Marie Claire Magazine's Chic Summer Cocktails, it blends Absolut Mango, Cointreau, simple syrup, fresh sage leaves, cucumber slices, fresh lime and a dash of Peach Bitters. It's sweet, yet refreshing and light (kinda like you), so it's perfect for a balmy night. Don't let the crisp taste fool you, though, this is still an alcoholic beverage. Drinking too many will definitely lead to actions that may tarnish that stellar reputation of yours.