Booze Clues: What to Drink on Cinco de Mayo

 

Raise your hand if you think Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day. Put it back down. QUICKLY before anyone sees you. Seriously, though, don’t feel bad because lots of other people are also misinformed. May 5 commemorates the 1862 Battle of the Puebla, in which the Mexican army achieved an unlikely victory over French forces. (Think of the movie 300, but in Mexico with the underdog winning and without the ab-bearing war capes.) This year is the 150th celebration. We Americans like any excuse for a good, boozy party, though. Here are cinco choice concoctions to sip after shouting ‘Salud’ (because maybe you don’t want a regular margarita today).

 

El Jimador Cinco Punch

If you happen to be hosting a party for Cinco de Mayo instead of participating in a bar crawl or bottomless cocktail brunch, this is the drink for you. It’s got plenty of alcohol (sure to make the piñata dangerously fun), but it also has a fresh, bittersweet flavor.

Recipe:

• 1 Bottle El Jimador Blanco
• 1 Bottle Prosecco
• 4 oz Aperol (if you can’t find Aperol, Campari is a good substitute)
• 1.5 Liters Pink Grapefruit Juice
• 750ml Honey Syrup

Garnish: Pommegrante seeds, raspberries lime and pink grapefruit discs for garnish

Glass: Punch bowl + serving Glasses

Preparation:

1. Place Ice carefully into the punch bowl

2. Add all liquid ingredients and stir gently but thoroughly

3. Garnish with raspberries, pommegrante seeds, lime discs,  pink grapefruit discs

*Photo credit: El Jimador

 

Voli Light Low-Cal Latin Lover

Watching your weight (while praying to Chalchiuhtlicue, the Aztec goddess of love for a bit of romance) tonight? This 144 calorie cocktail is for you. Ordering it at the bar just might catch the ear of a handsome reveler. It’s sweet and doesn’t have the kick of tequila, so be extra careful not to drink it too quickly or drink too many.

• 1.5 oz Voli Orange Vanilla
• 2 oz Lemonade
• .5 oz Agave Nectar
• .5 oz Pineapple Juice

Glass: Rocks

Garnish: Orange Twist (or a little umbrella for a tropical flair!)

Preparation:

1. In a mixing tin, add ice, Voli Orange Vanilla, Lemonade, Agave Nectar and Pineapple Juice.
2. Shake and strain into a rocks glass

*Photo credit: Voli Light Vodka

 

VnC Cucumber Margarita

Have you and your crew decided to make Cinco de Mayo a girls’ night in? (I’m not judging. Sometimes all you need is cocktails and your favorite chicas.) Opting for a ready-to-serve cocktail will keep things super simple. All you have to do is pour VnC Margarita into your glass and garnish with a cucumber slice. (I haven’t had a chance to sample VnC yet, but the concept seems cool.) It’s made with 100% natural fruit juice and no artificial preservatives, additives or colors. It’s also 13.9% premium tequila (about 28 proof) and 150 calories or less per serving.

*Photo Credit: VnC

 

Drambuie Cactus Bite

Whiskey drinkers, fret not. Drambuie’s brand ambassador, Anthony Caporale conceived a cocktail that gives you the bite of tequila with the kick of whiskey.

Recipe:

• 1 oz. DRAMBUIE®
• 2 oz. Reposado Tequila
• Juice of ½ Lemon
• ½ tsp. Sugar
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters

Glass: Highball

Garnish: Lemon wedge

Preparation:

1. Fill mixing tin halfway with ice and add all ingredients.
2. Shake until tin is frosted and then strain into glass over fresh ice.
3. Garnish with lemon wedge and serve with a straw.

*Photo credit: Drambuie

 

Mexico REVOLUCION

Here’s one for the hearty drinker. It’s tart and as complex to consume as it is in flavor. I doubt I’ll have to warn you not to have too many of these, but do remember that it’s 100 proof (yes, that’s very strong).

Recipe:

• 2 oz. of Tequila REVOLUCION 100 PROOF
• 1 lime
• 1 lime supreme
• Lime zest (1/2 lime)
• Orange zest (1/4 orange)
• 1 dash of Natural Syrup
• Grain salt, Worm salt

Preparation:
Stir the lime juice in a glass with a touch of natural syrup. Then, add crushed ice and the lime and orange zest. Last, add the grain salt. The drink serves itself in complement with a shot of tequila REVOLUCION 100 PROOF. Stir the shot into the glass and observe how the elements merge while you pour it.

TIP: If you do not have worm salt, frost the glass with salt, mixed with ground-roasted peppers.

*Photo credit: Tequila REVOLUCION

 

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Fun Friday: Sergio Rossi Lady Jane Pumps

 

Candy Caps

 

 

Who doesn’t love Friday? Even if you have the best job in the world, things seem to look even brighter at the end of the week, and you’re the type to spread your joy. If you’re happy and you know it, then your shoes will surely show it, especially in a pair of fluorescent pumps like these Lady Jane cap toe pumps by Sergio Rossi (available at Luisa via Roma). Their color blocked candy colors and 4 inch metallic leather stiletto heel are totally festive. Their pointy cap toe also makes them demure (not to mention pointy toes AND cap toes are a HUGE trend this season).

 

Fridays and tequila are a perfect match. Tonight at happy hour, try a tequila cocktail that’s as fun and exciting as your shoes, like a Hornitos Agavoni. It’s similar to a negroni but features tequila instead of gin. Be forewarned, it has a bitter bite to it, but if you enjoy a cocktail with a complex flavor and a lot of kick, this is for you.

Recipe:

3/4 part Hornitos plata tequila
3/4 part sweet vermouth
3/4 part Campari
2 dashes orange bitters
Fill an Old Fashioned glass with ice and add ingredients. Stir briefly to mix and chill, and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Very few people can have very many of these, but just in case, remember not to overdo it. Stumbling in your stilettos is not a Shoes N Booze approved activity.

 

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Blogger Labels: Sergio Rossi Shoes,Candy colored shoes,Luisa via Roma,stiletto pumps,spring 2012 shoe trends,tequila cocktail recipes,Hornitos tequila,Campari cocktail recipe,Hot pink Shoes,Booze,cap toe pumps,tequila

Shoe Preview: Coye Nokes Fall 2012

 

When It’s Good to Play Coye…

Coye Nokes designs classic styles, often with a twist, with the modern girl on the move in mind. It’s all about the details for the New York native. As a result, her shoes often come with unexpected material combinations, treatments or embellishments. The Fall 2012 collection, inspired by baroque fashion and knights’ armor, continues the tradition. I stopped by the showroom recently. Here are my favorite styles.

 

The leather and suede detailing at the front of the Bryant pump makes them an easy transition from work (or WERK) to play. They’ll work with a suit or other professional look as easily as they will with jeans.

 

I’m a fan of pony hair, and from what I hear wine hues are going to be a must for fall 2012. Add a lizard embossed metal “armor” embellishment to the front, and this Georgina pump is the perfect compliment for a pencil skirt, no?

 

At first glance, the Darcy pump looks like a metallic lace overlay on suede. However, it’s actually laser cut pony hair! This pump works amazingly with formal looks, but I could also see in the office or at a lounge.

 

Feathers played a large part in the collection, whether they were used to embellish the shoes, or they inspired the print of the shoes, as with this Victoria T-strap sandal. From one angle, they look like a sleek black velvet sandal, but in the light, their gold feather print comes to life.

These styles will be available as of August, along with cute, comfy flats and super chic boots and booties. Shoe Fairy, I hope you were reading!

 

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Celebrity Shoe Spotting: Ashley Judd in Alexandre Birman

 

Ashley Judd, a newly recognized image issues activist, wore a pair of metallic strappy Alexandre Birman sandals to a recent screening of her new series Missing (photo via Just Jared). Though she’s been on a press tour for the series, she’s been getting more attention lately for a post on her blog entitled “The Conversation”, where she discusses the way women’s appearances are (often harmfully) discussed and verbally dissected. I think she looks pretty good in this picture, and how can you not love a classy metallic strappy sandal. She wore a gold snakeskin version of Alexandre Birman’s Mia sandal (pictured below in gold leather).

 

Want the look? Try these:

 

Badgley Mischka Wallis Platform Sandal $245, Touch Ups Jaydin Sandal $29.50, Guess Tokenique Strappy Sandal $99

 

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