Marvelous Margarita Perfection
February 10, 2009
Yum! So the other day we had an unexpected and delightful brunch with some friends. It kind of came together at the last minute but worked out beautifully.
It was such a gorgeous day- sunny with a nice cool breeze, the kind of weather you dream about, and we enjoyed ourselves sitting outside on the patio. We kept seeing tables nearby order these delicious looking drinks and so we could not help but also indulge. When we saw the description about it on the menu as part of a review, we were instantly sold.
“The perfect blend with the perfect ingredients, Herradura Silver, Cointreau & fresh lime juice, served straight up, or on the rocks.”
Within one taste we were in love and ordered more for the table. The balance with the lime was just perfect, especially for an early afternoon drink. It made the day even more pleasant.
They call it “The Perfect” and it is perfectly delightful. No nonsense, just yummy.
Champagne Ale, Anyone?
February 5, 2009
Or should I say Bierre Brut? Might sound a bit more glamorous, haha. What an interesting find, hope you didn’t think all beer was the same (how could you!) because you are about to be surprised.
When I first saw the bottle in the store, I thought it was on the wrong shelf. There were only two of them in all and the bottle looked like your traditional champagne bottle. Deifnitely stands out among the much smaller beer bottles.
Belgian? Ale? Champagne? YES, it definitely qualifies for a taste. Besides, I always love an extra special reason to celebrate, and what better way than with a drink. Cheers.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I must say it definitely is a balance of both. Brewed with Barley, Deus is fermented and matured in Belgium, refermented in the bottle and then is followed by the traditional “remuage” and “degorgement” in Champagne, France.
It pours with a very light golden color- has the bubbly action of a champagne and the head of a belgian beer- even breaks up in the same manner. What a marvelous thing!
It is very sweet- much sweeter than I was expecting and so makes for quite the dessert! Though it is sweeter than my usual liking, I must admit it starts to grow on you making you want more. A little is honestly all you need with with this flavorful concoction, also making it a perfect dessert for a celebration. I used my chimay chalice glasses, which I felt was appropriate for the occasion, though a flute would also be suitable. The texture is lovely and a fun experience over all. Champagne and beer- how can you not have fun?
It tastes of pears, honey, and spice most prominently for me, with hints of an apple tartness as well. I love the hint of tart in the finish, adds that bite I love to round out the sweetness.
Fun, love a new drink for a fabulous toast!
Caipirinha: Cocktail Luxury Of Brazil
January 22, 2009
caipirinha's as seen from story from LAtimes.com
I remember my first taste of a traditional caipirinha. Living in Miami, many of my friends were from Brazil and knew the drink well. I would see them drink it and it was only a matter of time before I began to indulge myself.
So what is a Caipirinha, anyway- besides a confusing to pronounce alcoholic beverage? A traditional one is quite simply:
muddled limes and sugar &..
2 oz cachaça
Cachaça is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane and is most known for its relation to Brazil. It is very much the alcohol of Brazil.
A restaurant by the name of Table8 in Miami (though originally from LA as seen from the photo above) offered a black cherry caipirinha- talk about deadly and delicious! Their twist of the drink involved muddled black cherries with cachaça. It definitely was a moment of: oh, how delicious, let me devour a couple and then discover upon my first attempt to move that the world will move around for me first. It is quite potent! so beware and take caution.
Gourmet offers a recipe for a passion fruit caipirinha, which calls for the traditional recipe with the addition of pure passion fruit juice. The drink is quite simple to start which allows itself very open to fruit inspired variations.
All are grand really, it is difficult to mess up. Oh how I do love my cocktails, and I must say I have been quite happy to see this beverage show up in more and more bars across the states. This is one to keep your eyes peeled for. Try it (in small doses to start perhaps, or at a slower pace if anything else) and enjoy its luxurious flavor.
Don’t feel as though you have to wait for your bartenders to discover this for you first- they are simple to make at home provided you find the cachaça.
Make a traditional one and then make your own lavish concoction. Its really quite fun, invite some friends and make it an occasion to remember.
Lifestyle Luxury From An At Home Income & Someone Dear To Me
January 9, 2009
How do I live such a glamorous lifestyle?
Well, in answer to the old… “So what do you *do* anyway” question. What I do has more to do with why we do anything- to achieve the luxury of a certain lifestyle.
“A luxurious lifestyle” and “the comforts of home,” we may say the phrase casually but it does hold a meaning to us all. We all yearn for it and after all is said in done there is nothing as luxurious as having all the time you wish to spend in your very own little place. It is all about having your own quality time.
I don’t think I have formally introduced him so here he is, someone very dear to me and someone who has allowed me to live this lifestyle that I cherish.
He is my fiance, Timothy Black. Together through his experiences and knowledge we are able to live the lifestyle that we do. Oh, and by the way, neither of us work. And in case you are wondering, there was no inheritance or trust fund or anything of that sort involved! We don’t have any bosses, or schedules, or meetings.. we pretty much do whatever we want to each day, it’s really great.
Sometimes I think I take it for granted and don’t share enough about it to you, and I want to. Especially as it is something that is open to anyone who wants our lifestyle, too.
It doesn’t matter how much you earn if you work until you are so tired you have no time to yourself. There are more important things in life and nothing should keep that away from you.
Enjoying a great dinner with friends, Timothy is on the right and I am in the braids.
So we travel, and shop (he has a great eye for style, I seem to have rubbed off on him nicely), and eat, and drink wine, and spend time with family and make great new friends along the way. He is great at what he has created for the brilliant thing is that it is all from home. He shows those who want to discover an income at home how to do it and do it well, too. He is a great coach- he taught me and I couldn’t believe how easy it was, or how fun it could be especially when you are in control.
It brings me great new shoes, dresses, jewelry, spontaneous trips, and most importantly the time to do what I want when I want with the people I want.
It really rocks, lol.
For his birthday I took him skydiving in Lake Wales- what a great time. We were delayed a day though since there was a tornado warning or watch in effect- not something you want when you are jumping out of a plane! The next day was beautiful and I would do it again in an instant.
When I first met Timothy (over six years ago) and found out a bit about him, I also found out that he shouldn’t be alive by the opinions of many doctors. Getting into a relationship, that isn’t something you want to hear, let alone throwing him out of an airplane like this.
We’ve come a long way, and I wanted to share our story with you. I think it is important.
You can find out more about why he “shouldn’t be alive” and then visit http://www.concealedcash.com
And it is an amazing story, just take a look and see for yourself. You can also see how it is that we make a living at home and have the lifestyle that we do.
This is something I want available to you since it can improve your life no matter where you are.
Much Love and Best Regards,
Bombshell Kitten
Find Your Number, Imbibers One Hundred
November 28, 2008
I discovered this list first from Cigar Smoking Man and had to do the same. This is a list originally posted by ART OF DRINK and is really quite a fun little list! I encourage you to compare your own experiences to this list thus far.
This list isn’t all encompassing, nor is it a “good stuff only” list. There are a few things that may make you pause. In most cases the list is not brand specific, but for certain things it is, because of the world wide popularity. Feel free to participate, or not, but it is a good exercise to see what you are missing in life.
Remember, this is just a list of things you should try, not the “best of the world” list. The list is about contrast and variation of flavour. I’m sure a few scotch addict’s, vodkaphiles and beeroholics will recommend a particular brand, but in most cases, this list is style specific, instead of brand specific. But please feel free to make recommendations.
Instructions:
1) Copy this list into your blog, with instructions.
2) Bold all the drinks you’ve imbibed.
3) Cross out any items that you won’t touch
4) Post a comment at Art of Drink, and link to your results.
OR
If you don’t have a blog, just count the ones you’ve tried and post the number in the comments section.
List of Drinks You Must Try Before You Expire
1. Manhattan Cocktail
2. Kopi Luwak (Weasle Coffee)
3. French / Swiss Absinthe
4. Rootbeer
5. Gin Martini
6. Sauternes
7. Whole Milk
8. Tequila (100% Agave)
9. XO Cognac
10. Espresso
11. Spring Water (directly from the spring)
12. Gin & Tonic
13. Mead
14. Westvleteren 12 (Yellow Cap) Trappist Ale (I’ve had many Trappist Ales, love them- have not had this one yet!)
15. Chateau d’Yquem
16. Budwieser
17. Maraschino Liqueur
18. Mojito
19. Orgeat
20. Grand Marnier
21. Mai Tai (original)
22. Ice Wine (Canadian) (and eiswein German)
23. Red Bull
24. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
25. Bubble Tea
26. Tokaji
27. Chicory
28. Islay Scotch
29. Pusser’s Navy Rum
30. Fernet Branca
31. Fresh Pressed Apple Cider
32. Bourbon
33. Australian Shiraz
34. Buckley’s Cough Syrup
35. Orange Bitters
36. Margarita (classic recipe)
37. Molasses & Milk
38. Chimay Blue
39. Wine of Pines (Tepache)
40. Green Tea
41. Daiginjo Sake
42. Chai Tea
43. Vodka (chilled, straight)
44. Coca-Cola
45. Zombie (Beachcomber recipe)
46. Barley Wine
47. Brewed Choclate (Xocolatl)
48. Pisco Sour
49. Lemonade
50. Speyside Single Malt
51. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
52. Champagne (Vintage)
53. Rosé (French)
54. Bellini
55. Caipirinha
56. White Zinfandel (Blush)
57. Coconut Water
58. Cerveza
59. Cafe au Lait
60. Ice Tea
61. Pedro Ximenez Sherry
62. Vintage Port
63. Hot Chocolate
64. German Riesling
65. Pina Colada
66. El Dorado 15 Year Rum
67. Chartreuse
68. Greek Wine
69. Negroni
70. Jägermeister
71. Chicha
72. Guiness
73. Rhum Agricole
74. Palm Wine
75. Soju
76. Ceylon Tea (High Grown)
77. Belgian Lambic
78. Mongolian Airag
79. Doogh, Lassi or Ayran
80. Sugarcane Juice
81. Ramos Gin Fizz
82. Singapore Sling
83. Mint Julep
84. Old Fashioned
85. Perique
86. Jenever (Holland Gin)
87. Chocolate Milkshake
88. Traditional Italian Barolo
89. Pulque
90. Natural Sparkling Water
91. Cuban Rum
92. Asti Spumante
93. Irish Whiskey
94. Château Margaux
95. Two Buck Chuck
96. Screech
97. Akvavit
98. Rye Whisky
99. German Weissbier
100. Daiquiri (classic)
Hmmm, about 70/100. There is much more to be done, how exciting!
TINI Bigs With Finlandia Love
November 19, 2008
It was our last night in Seattle and it turned out to be one of those nights that is so perfect you couldn’t have ever attempted to plan it. Just one of those, wow- really nights.
It began simple enough- we did the tourist thing and took lots of photos, eating our way throughout the city (yum yum oh incredibly yum on another note!). On a great recommendation from a particular cigar smoking man, we decided to end our visit with a night at the famous TINI BIGS Lounge.
We had a red eye to catch back home, so it would be a night at the bar, some walking around, and then on to the airport for the flight back home. We walk in to this lovely little bar fairly early at about 5:15 in the afternoon or so. It was already dark, the time change does some wonders on that doesn’t it? So we were ready for some drinks. The bartenders were very friendly and introduced themselves as they welcomed us in. One of them asked if we would like to order, but if that we decided to wait five minutes drinks would be free.
… excuse me?
That’s right… apparently, and for this evening only, they were celebrating their official sponsorship of Finlandia Vodka. The international ambassador for Finlandia had flown in for the event and everything- so from 5:30 until about 8:00 any drink with Finlandia Vodka in it in any way was complimentary. Wow, how beautiful is that!
I must admit, when I first walked in and saw the drink list there were numerous bourbon and gin based drinks that had caught my attention- but how could I refuse complimentary drinks especially when there was a celebration to be had for the bar itself? It would be just rude.
The drink above was the favorite of the evening, the Pop 5. It contains Finlandia wild berries, midori, white grape juice, sweet n’ sour, and sparkling wine. It has quite the refreshing twist and pop- lovely drink! The Grapefruit-Tini pictured just below was also quite scrumptious with Finlandia Grapefruit vodka, campari, Cointreu and orange juice. These drinks were the features of the evening and so we felt it was appropriate to order them. Yum.
I will have to venture into the other drinks the next time I visit, and there will certainly be a next time.
As for their food menu- the mac and cheese is heavenly- crisped on top and creamy in the center- cheesy perfection. Definitely a must for the evening as well!
