The Perfect Patron Cosmo

This recipe was found in an ad for Patron tequila–and it’s very tasty and smooth!  Enjoy!

Patron Cosmo

• 2 oz. Patron Silver
• 3/4 oz. Patron Citronge
• Splash of cranberry juice
• Squeeze of lime
• Lime wheel for garnish

Combine all ingredients and shake well with ice.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with lime.

Valentine Alert: Veuve and Chocolate on Sale at Cost Plus World Market

Want a romantic, fancy treat for your Valentine next week? Head to Cost Plus World Market now to take advantage of their sale on chocolates and champagne. Veuve is yummy, romantic and definitely a top shelf way to impress you heart’s desire.

I personally don’t know about the chocolates that they are offering, but if one husband of mine is reading this he can just get me a big red heart full of chocolates from See’s Candies to enjoy with the Veuve. Happy Valentine’s! 

Pascual Toso Malbec: Nice Red, Nice Price at Costco

Shopping alert. If you are looking to find tasty wine at a tasty price, head to Costco and pick up a bottle of Pascual Toso Malbec. It scored 91 points and is recommended as a best buy by the Wine Enthusiast. Great wine under $10.00–go for it!

Trader Joe’s Sparkling Saki and Snacks: Instant Cocktail Party

If you ever just want to invite the gang over, here’s the perfect easy and delicious cocktail and appetizer.  Grab Trader Joe-san’s Sparkling Saki and Coconut Curry Chicken Stix or Lemongrass Chicken Stix and you are entertaining in minutes.

The sparkling saki is delicious.  It’s bubbly and refreshing with a crisp, clean taste.  I know it sounds weird, but even my husband liked it.  He’s a hard palate to please, so I was thrilled to find something that meets his approval.

Hit the freezer section of Trader Joe’s for many frozen appetizers that look and taste fancy. Coconut Curry Stix or Lemongrass Chicken Stix are the perfect pairing for the sparkling saki.  Pop them in the oven and off you go.  Have fun!

What The Heck Is VEEV?

One of the perks of writing a little cocktail blog is spending time at the local BevMo looking for new and interesting things.  When I read that inside this tall, cool looking bottle is a spirit made from the Acai berry–I had to give it a try.  VeeV claims to be a “better way to drink.”   

Acai (pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) is the Brazilian national fruit.  Loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and  E, protein and fiber, Acai is thought to be one of the healthiest fruits on the planet.  Research varies on this claim, but we are talking about an alcoholic spirit, not a diet plan. Veev is also blended with all natural ingredients like prickly pear and acerola cherry.

VeeV also gets bonus points for being active in raising awareness, resources and support for the Brazilian Rainforest and the safe harvest of Acai.  As an eco-friendly business, Veev’s production is carbon neutral and sustainable.  All of these things make the this a hip, responsible choice.

We tried Veev cocktails last weekend.  With a refreshing and light berry taste, Veev makes a fabulous afternoon cocktail for warm weather.

Veev Cocktail

• 1 oz Veev
• 1/8 of a lime squeezed
• ice ( two or three cubes)
• sparkling water, club soda or perrier

Add Veev, lime juice and ice to champagne glass.  Fill with sparkling water and stir to mix.  Garnish with a lime slice.  Easy, light and refreshing.

Drink It or Dump It? The Quest for Affordable Fine Wine.

Are you, like me, looking for affordable wine that is still a yummy treat?  I am on a quest to find some wines that can be staples on my wine rack.  Yes, I have no wine cellar, no aspirations to buy fine wines that are worth more than my mini van.  I just want to enjoy a nice glass of wine on a Friday night.

Some wines are totally drinkable and some deserve a dump down the sink.  It seems like it doesn’t matter how much you pay for a wine, sometimes it just doesn’t live up to the delight of your taste buds.  I’m not a wine snob who can taste cherry, anise, peaches, and softly worn leather on my tongue or nose.  I just know whether I can drink it or whether it’s so bad I need to make pasta sauce.

Anyone want to join me on my quest?

Easy Pomegranate Punch

Sometimes you just want to put out Grandma’s punch bowl and let the holiday crowds serve themselves. Then, you too, can enjoy the festivities. Pomegranate is the hip, happening thing to sip these days–delicious and good for you.

Pomegranate Punch

(from November’s Glamour Magazine)

• 14 oz. Pomegranate Juice
• 8 oz. Vodka
• 4 oz. Triple Sec
• 3 cups Limonata*

Combine ingredients in a pitcher filled halfway with ice, mix. Or, put it in a punch bowl with ice or an ice mold (put water in a Bundt cake pan and freeze). Serves 8 to 10.

*If you can’t find Limonata, (check for fizzy lemonade at Trader Joes) you can make your own version by using frozen lemonade concentrate and club soda. Follow directions on package.

Peppermint Patty Shots or Martinis–You Decide!

This sweet and minty shot is an excellent way to welcome guests to your holiday party. It also works well served as a martini. Either way, it’s festive, fun and delicious!

Peppermint Patty Shot or Martini

• Peppermint Schnapps
• Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
• Vodka
• Candy Canes for garnish or rimmer
• ziplock baggies
• rolling pin

1. To Rim: Put 1 or two candy canes in a ziplock bag. Roll over the candy canes with a rolling pin to crush them until fine. Use the vodka to moisten the rim of the glass and twist it in the candy.
2. Mix equal amounts of the Peppermint Schnapps, Godiva Liqueur and Vodka and shake with ice. Strain into shot glasses or martini glasses. If you are serving these as martinis, garnish with a mini candy cane.

Great Gift or Kitchen Staple: Target’s Jumbo Cocktail Shaker

Shaking martinis for a crowd?  This is the perfect solution to making cocktails for a full house during the busy holiday season:  Target’s Jumbo Cocktail Shaker!  It also makes a great holiday gift for the do it at home mixologist.  

The Target online link says it’s not available in stores, but I saw it there myself this week!

Hint…hint….I would graciously accept this as a stellar hostess gift.

Festive Cocktails for Kids–Sophisticated Enough For Grown-Ups, Too

It’s always fun for the kids to have a sophisticated ’soda’ at a party.  It’s also wise to have tasty non-alcoholic drinks as an option for your guests.  Read on for some festive, holiday thirst quenchers…

Raspberry Champagne Sparkler

• 1 oz raspberry puree
• 1 oz clear apple juice
• non-alcoholic sparkling wine (such as Martinellis)

Add raspberry puree and apple juice to a shaker filled with ice.  Strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine.  Stir and serve.

 

Christmas Cheer Cocktail

• 1 oz lychee juice
• 1 oz clear apple juice
• 1 oz cranberry juice

Shake all ingredients with ice.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.