Do Try This At Home: The Perfect Tailgate Toast

The Peligroso Cinnamon Score

We're pretty deep into football season, and with it comes tailgate time. Whether you're convening with friends in the parking lot of a stadium, or watching the games from home, you're likely going to be having a cocktail (or five) while you do it. With that in mind, I, created a delicious drink to enjoy at tailgate time featuring Peligroso Tequila Cinnamon. Warm, sweet and a little bit spicy, it's perfect for sipping when temperatures are chilly.

Here's the recipe:
8 oz instant hot chocolate
3 oz Peligroso Tequila Cinnamon
5 dashes orange bitter
1 pinch of sea salt
1 pinch of nutmeg

Method:
Prepare 1 packet of instant hot chocolate. Pour into your favorite thermos or portable mug. Add 3 oz Peligroso Tequila Cinnamon. Add 5 dashes of orange bitters, a pinch of sea salt and a pinch of nutmeg to taste. Then pour into small mugs or cups.

***Disclosure: I am working in partnership with thebar.com brand and I am receiving rewards for my participation in this campaign.All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own. Drink is intended for those whom alcohol is legal and appropriate. Please Drink Responsibly!

No Mess Monday: Neutral Pumps + Ayelsbury Duck Vodka

Get to the Point

It's Monday. You have a case of the blahs, and consequently, no patience for rambling or ambling. At the office, wear a pointed pump that illustrates your mood. At happy hour, order a drink that takes the edge off while maintaining an air of sophistication. 

On your Feet:

The pointed toe of Caliegh pump by Renvy (available exclisively at gilt.com on currently on sale for $95) connotes a desire to streamline efforts and cut to the chase, while the enamel block heel indicates the importance of balance. Its 4 1/2" height keeps you above any pettiness (or it should), and the neutral nude color speaks to an unbiased perspective that helps you handle matters objectively. 

In your Glass

Entertaining clients at happy hour? DO NOT order shots. Instead, opt for a smooth, strong cocktail  that eases a little of the tension in your shoulders but lets you keep your wits (because you'll sip it slowly, we hope). Yesterday was National Vodka Day, but you may have opted for brunch mimosas or game-day brews instead. With that in mind, we suggest ordering a Delancey, featuring the highly rated Aylesbury Duck Vodka from The 86 Company. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz Aylesbury Duck Vodka

1 teaspoon rich simple syrup (see note)

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 lemon twist, for garnish

METHOD:

Combine in old-fashioned glass. Add 2 ice cubes, cracked, and 2 uncracked, stir. Twist a swatch of thin-cut lemon peel over the top to garnish.

*To make rich simple syrup, stir 2 parts demerara sugar with 1 part water over low heat until sugar dissolves.

**Caveat Potor (let the drinker beware): No matter how high the quality of the spirit you sip, if you don't do it responsibly, you will not keep your wits (nor your balance in your fabulous shoes). We hope you'll refrain from overindulging. 

Editor Review: Delivery.com in Jersey City and Hoboken

The Perfect Staycation Partner

Wine ordered from delivery.com

Every now and then, it's refreshing to stay in and do nothing. We mean NOTHING... not even go out for food. Enter Delivery.com (which now services Jersey City and Hoboken YAY!). Our editor, Nafeesa, recently took a staycation to get acquainted with the online delivery service. She used her complimentary credits on Thai food and wine. Here's what you need to know:

The Good

1. You can order more than takeout.

Of course, you can still order ally types of cuisine from a number of highly-rated restaurants. You just have other options. Feel like cooking? Order groceries. Need a little something to sip while you cook? Order wine and/ or spirits. Staring at a pile of dirty clothes that you refuse to wash? They've got that covered, too.

2. It deserves to be said again: you can order BOOZE!

Here in Jersey City, order minimums are under $30 (less than a decent bottle of reposado), and delivery fees fall under $5.

3. You can see the next available delivery time without extra clicks.

Most options on the list of locations that service your area are presented with an estimate of the next available delivery time. This saves you the extra effort of clicking and making selections, only to find out that it'll be three hours before you can eat or drink.

4. Rewards points. 

The more you order, the more you earn. They can be redeemed for credits toward orders or for really handy items (like a vacuum wine stopper or multi-tool for your home bar). You can also donate them to charity. (Karma points. Woot!)

Space for Improvement

1. Wine is a bit of a challenge.

The wine and spirit stores (at least the ones that service Jersey City) provide little to no detail about the flavor profiles of the wines they offer. Though, it usually only takes a couple of seconds to google a particular wine and find out what you need to know.

2. I wish only restaurants that are currently open would be presented in my list of delivery options.

If there's nothing open in my area at 2 AM, that's fine. Just say that. I'm in lazy mode. I don't want to have to look and see that my next delivery time is 8 hours away.

The Final Verdict

Thumbs up. The delivery drivers were all polite and professional. It was easy to know exactly when the items would be delivered, and the delivery minimums and fees were all beyond reasonable. Plus... that points system is pretty cool.

4th of July Sale Scoop: Melissa Shoes

Just in time for the Fireworks

Melissa Shoes (one of our favorite brands) starts its summer sale today! That means 50% off most styles (including the collaborations with Jason Wu, Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, etc). It also means if you're in New York, you can visit Galeria Melissa and score a pair to wear while you watch the fireworks (a rare occasion when we suggest flats). If you're not in the NY area, fret not, the sale is online, too, so you can get those gladiators or criss-cross slides you've been eyeing— just not in time for tomorrow's barbecues. The sale ends August 1st. Here are a few styles we're contemplating:

Melissa x Vivienne Westwood Harmonic Gladiator 

This color not available online, but there are some pretty snazzy metallics.

Melissa x Jason Wu Jean Flat

Lana del Rey was spotted recently in the gold version of this skimmer.

Melissa x Salinas Solar Sandal

The tassel is such a great touch on this one. 

(And while you shop, we'll be trying to figure out how to get our hands on some Melissa Roller Joy skates. Sigh.)