Archive for the ‘Cocktails’ Category

The Valentini is a great alternative to Champagne on V-Day.  It’s sophisticated and delicious, plus it looks so pretty.  Go on and shake it up! The Valentini Ingredients 3 oz vodka 1 oz Pom pomegranate/blueberry juice 3 blueberries Preparation: Pour the vodka and juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, cold is key here. Strain liquid into a chilled cocktail glass. Skewer 3 blueberries on a cocktail pick and lie over glass or

Here is Christmas cocktail perfect for parties and toasting the New Year too.  Cheers and enjoy! Please remember to always drink responsibly.   Nielsen-Massey Peppermint Pattitini Ingredients 2 oz. Vodka 2 oz. Half & half or cream 1 heaping Tablespoon hot cocoa mix (i.e. Ghiradelli Premium Hot Cocoa) ¼ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Peppermint Extract ½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Chocolate Extract ½ teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Tahitian Extract (Madagascar or Mexican if preferred) Ice Chocolate syrup Mini

Here are two very delicious and different takes on Holiday Cocktails from Van Gogh Vodka.  One cool and refreshing and the other a spicy hot, naughty on ice party punch! It’s important to start with a great base when mixing your cocktails and Van Gogh is a great choice.  I’m a huge Mojito fan and love any spin on the original, the pink grapefruit and corriander is a really cool combo.  I also love to

Photo Credit: Susie Cushner, Recipe: Susan Branch – Country Living This weekend ( or Monday night, if you want to be official)  is the perfect time for a great Harvest Moon cocktail! On September 12th we will be able to see a Full Harvest Moon. Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September and at the peak of the harvest, farmers

Piña Coladas are a quintessential summer cocktail, but are NOT always a girl’s best friend.  For example an 8-ounce piña colada that gets served up at a poolside bar can pack 640 calories.  That’s a 100 calories more than a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Not exactly a beach-worthy accessory.  So, can you still enjoy a cocktail and have a bikini body? Of course!  Thanks to DonQ’s head mixologiest Esteban Ordoñez.  He has slimmed down the

Try this amazing cocktail from Sauza Tequila.  It’s perfect for Summer Celebrations.  We love the fresh lime and agave nectar! THE SPARKLING SAUZA ® MARGARITA You’ll need: 7.5 oz. Sauza ® Gold Tequila 2.5 oz. Dekuyper ® Triple Sec 3 oz. Fresh Lime Juice (3 wedges) 3 oz. Agave Nectar 12 oz. Prosecco or Sparkling White Wine Garnish with a lime wheel To make: Combine the ingredients (except for the Prosecco or white wine) and

WOW it’s HOT today!  NYC is in the middle of an early June heat wave!  It was 93 degrees at noon and it’s getting hotter.  Even though it’s not officially summer, it has arrived!  When the temperature rises, I start dreaming about the ocean breeze and a cold cocktail.  There is nothing like it when you need to beat the heat.  So next time you are ready to indulge, try this winner from Soy Chiever, 

In honor of National Margarita Day try our original recipe for a California Margarita.  It’s fresh and delicious and so easy to mix up!  The orange transforms the original to cali-style! CALIFORNIA MARGARITA – Makes 2 cocktails. Ingredients 2 oz. simple syrup 2 oz. fresh lime juice 3 oz. tequila 2 oz. orange juice Instructions Mix in cocktail shaker over ice. Pour into glasses and garnish with a lime wheel and orange twist.

Hot Buttered Rum is a cocktail that dates back to the time of George Washington and the birth of America.  The American Heritage Cookbook says hot buttered rum “found its way into domestic politics” –apparently the drink was used to sway constituents and influence the vote.  Not a bad idea,  but if you are looking for a tasty twist on the traditional try taking it to a new level with Ron Abuelo Añejo rum and

Eggnog has its fans and its critics.  All opinions seem to be strong and steeped in tradition, but everyone will agree, it’s the beverage that comes to mind 1st when you think of Christmas.   If you happen to be a fan, here is a homemade Eggnog recipe to try from Simply Recipes.   Mix up a batch and sip on some while wrapping gifts, enjoying one of the Holiday Specials on TV, or if

In honor of Veterans Day this past week, I bring you this very cool and classic cocktail created by Gaspare Campari in Italy.  The cocktail originally known as the “Milano-Torino”, was re-named as a compliment to the Americans who enjoyed it while overseas.  Note:  mix and serve immediately to keep the drink from becoming watered down. The Americano Ingredients 1 Part Campari 1 Part Vermouth, Sweet Soda Water 1 Twist Lemon 1 Twist Orange How

This is a sweet and simple martini from MARTHA.  Her site has of host of ‘ghoul’ cocktail and punch recipes that look and taste amazing. Make sure to check out the rest of the recipes, especially the Shruken Heads Punch at Marthastewart.com. Dawn’s Note: You can skip the vodka and make it a mocktail for Designated Drivers this weekend. Also you can find black sanding sugar in the baking aisle or Baking Specialty Store, Wilton

(Credit: Nick de la Torre/azcentral.com) Here’s a sweet treat for the grown-ups this Halloween.  I love the real thing and this cocktail doesn’t disappoint!  Cheers. Caramel Apple Martini Serves 1 1 ounce green apple-flavored vodka 1/2 ounce apple schnapps 1 ounce butterscotch liqueur 2 ounces half and half Caramel sauce for the glass Apple slice for garnish In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake vodka, apple schnapps, butterscotch liqueur and half and half. Strain into

Here is roundup of the Ghoulist Halloween Cocktail Ideas from around the Web! “Blood Drip” Vampire Martini Recipe – HostessWithTheMostess.com Pina Ghoulada Recipe – MarthaStewart.com Midori Halloween Punch Recipe – Partybluprints Blog The Black Martini Recipe – Partybluprints Blog

Photo Credit: Susie Cushner,  Recipe: Susan Branch – Country Living This weekend is the perfect time for a great Harvest Moon cocktail!  Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox.  At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. As you sip your cocktail you can just picture farmers harvesting their crops of corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and

I am re-posting this cocktail recipe in celebration of the first day of sales for our book “Plan to Party”!  It’s one of our favorites and after you try it I am sure it will be one of yours too. This weekend take a moment to celebrate that which is special in your life!   If you are looking for a great cocktail to toast with try the French 75 . Cheers to this classic

Summer is winding down and there are only a few weeks left before the kids go back to school, sports kick in and we turn our attention toward fall entertaining.  With that in mind, here is a great cocktail that keeps summer front and center.  The coconut, berry and lime are a sensational summer taste combo.  Enjoy and cheers to the weekend! Summer State of Mind 2 parts Malibu® Coconut Rum 1 part Hiram Walker®

Our garden is bursting with basil and I am looking for ways to enjoy it. So when I came across this refreshing summer cocktail from Beefeater, it made my day!  Hope you enjoy it too  and cheers to another summer weekend of fun! Beefeater Basil-Berry Gimlet Gin Cocktail Ingredients Per Cocktail 2 parts gin 1/2 part fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon simple syrup 4 basil leaves 1 large strawberry Preparation In a cocktail shaker, muddle

If you live in the NYC area, you have been melting for almost a month now.  It has been one heatwave after another and everyone is just plain tired of being hot.   After watching my 3 boys go from hot to happy after slurping on ice pops yesterday, I set out to find a version for us big kids and I found it! So in place of my usually Friday’s Featured cocktail, I am