Thanksgiving libations!

Thanksgiving is here and pairing your libations throughout the day to go with your meal is a great idea to make the most of your food and taste buds.

It's a holiday, so start yourself off with a refreshing mimosa or Aperol spritz with breakfast.  You make think to yourself, I won't eat breakfast today because I'm going to eat a huge meal later.  Big mistake!  Get your body fueled up for the day with a bite to eat.  A nice hot Jameson and coffee is perfect for a holiday brunch while watching the Thanksgiving football game!

I put together a cheese platter for our Thanksgiving appetizer, which can also be used for dessert!  Perfect for a nice light wine before dinner, a rose, or a sauvignon blanc.

Now, it's time for the turkey!  A light white wine goes well with turkey.  It doesn't cover up the flavor of the bird.  Stay clear of big chardonnays.  A riesling, gewurtzraminer, or a lambrusco is great.  Pinot Noir is a great choice for red.  Serving it chilled is refreshing, and light.

Now, you are so full, you can't possibly eat another bite, and out comes dessert.  Pumpkin pie, apple pie, that cheese platter is back.  Perfect time for a digestive.  I love Fernet Branca, a nice cognac, or a port will make your Thanksgiving holiday meal complete!

Hot apple cider for fall!

A hot cup of apple cider for the colder months is perfect for the whole family.  You can warm it up for the kids and add a cinnamon sugar rim with a cinnamon stick.  For the adults just add spiced rum and a cinnamon stick.

I look forward to this time of year, when I pick up fresh apple cider from my farmer's market.  You can also find it at Trader Joes all year round.

For my evening walk with my dog, I bring a hot cup and watch our beautiful sunset at the beach or sitting by my roaring fire.  Heavenly!

Hemingway Daquiri

There are so many delicious new rums that I have tasted lately.  It reminded me of old classic drink called the Hemingway Daquiri.  You take 2oz of light rum, 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, 1/4 ounce fresh grapefruit juice a dash of simple syrup, and a teaspoon of Maraschino liqueur, and shake vigorously in a shaker.  Serve straight up or on the rocks in a cocktail glass.

Hemingway frequented the El Floridita Bar in Havana Cuba where he was served this drink and he drank if regularly.

Pumpkin Colada

Pumpkin season is back!  Finding a new twist on an old favorite just add pumpkin to a pina colada recipe.

I would use a spiced rum like Captain Morgans to give it a pumpkin pie flavor.  Just take 2 oz of cream of coconut, 2 oz pumpkin puree, 2oz of spiced rum, and 2 oz of pineapple juice and 1 cup of ice and blend together.  Garnish with pumpkin pie spice.

Here in California its still 80 degrees this time of year.  For us it's the perfect way to cool down!
Salud!

Mama's Boy Infusions

Tequila just got spicier!  Introducing Mama's Boy Infusions.  Created by Sean Conley, a local Los Angeles bartender.  Sean created this tequila by infusing blue agave, pure filtered water, exotic fruit, and Mama's exclusive chili blend.

His first bottled infusion is pineapple, mango and chili flavor.  Can you imagine these flavors infused in your favorite tequila.  It's to die for!  The sweetness of the fruit and the heat of the chili.  Hot mama!  You can drink it on the rocks, mix it in a cocktail, make a spicy margarita, the possibilities are endless.

You can find Mama's Boy tequila at Busby's West, Circle Bar, Del Friscos, Enterprise Fish Company, The Shack, Tony P's, and many other establishments.   If your local bar or restaurant doesn't carry it, ask them to carry it.  I am a big advocate on supporting local companies, and this is one tequila company I can definitely support.

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Prickly pear jalapeno margarita

The latest craze is a prickly pear jalapeno margarita!  Prickly pear comes from a cactus, and is a part of the Mexican diet for years.  Add a hint of heat from a jalapeno and the sweetness of the pear balances out perfectly.  All summer long my customers have been loving it and the gorgeous color.

Start by muddling four slices of jalapeno.  Fill the glass with ice, and add two ounces of tequila, an ounce of triple sec, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.  Next add the prickly pear puree, about an ounce.  Shake vigorously, and strain over fresh ice.  I like to strain the cocktail because it keeps out the jalapenos without losing the flavor.  It just looks better.  Garnish with a salted rim, a lime wedge, and one slice of jalapeno.

Have a safe, fun Labor day weekend, and enjoy a Prickly pear jalapeno margarita!
Salud!

Caipirinha Brazils most popular cocktail

Since the World Cup is being held in Brazil, I thought I would feature it's most popular cocktail, the Caipirinha.  This is made with a Brazilian liqour called Cachaca, it's very similar to rum with a strong flavor.  My recipe calls for a whole lime cut in quarters.  I put this in the bottom of the glass, I add simple syrup and I muddle it well.  Next, I add ice and I pour 2 ounces of Cachaca, and I shake vigorously.  I like to add a sprinkle of sugar in the raw on top of the drink for a nice crunch and added sweetness.  It's delicious and strong.  If you have World Cup fever like I do, try one and see for yourself how the Brazilians like to party!

National Mint Julep Day

May 30th is National Mint Julep Day, so I had to take a quick minute and feature it on my blog.  I really enjoy a mint julep since it has whiskey.  It's so simple and perfect for summer.  Take fresh mint and muddle with sugar add ice, and your favorite whiskey, stir with a bar spoon and add a splash of club soda.  So fresh, so minty, so refreshing, and can be enjoyed anytime of year, not just at the Kentucky Derby

Watermelon Margaritas

I rallied Sunday afternoon and made fresh watermelon margaritas with chips, strawberry salsa, and guacamole before we kicked off our day in sunny Venice, CA.  

I am always researching new lime juices to use at home for margaritas.  I dislike sour mixes.  I tried Califia lemon limeade juice.  It has a refreshing taste, it's local to southern California.  It's a much thinner consistency than a lime juice or sour mix, which I really liked.  You don't use that much anyway.  Next, I took a half of a mini watermelon, and juiced it.  

I just filled up my glasses with ice, added 2 ounces of white tequila, home made organic simple syrup, lemon limeade, and watermelon juice.  I shook it vigorously.  Just fantastic, delicious and fresh.  

I decorated my table, with my bar shaker, cocktail mermaids, cute bar napkins.  It's important to decorate your table for better ambiance.  

Pairing the margaritas with the salsa and guacamole was a perfect start to a perfect Sunday Funday with great friends!

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Basil vodka and strawberry lemonade

Using fresh herbs in cocktails are great for the summer.  I like to muddle fresh basil at the bottom of a shaker glass with a touch of agave syrup.  I add ice to the glass, and fill with 2 ounces of vodka.  Shake vigorously, and pour over fresh ice.  Top with fresh strawberry lemonade.  I juice the strawberries, and mix it together.  Garnish with a sprig of basil and a lemon wedge.  So refreshing!

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Paloma

My new favorite drink of summer is.........a Paloma.  I take 1 1/2 ounces of tequila, and pour it over ice, I like a salty rim, and I add fresh grapefruit juice, a splash of club soda, and a splash of fresh lime juice.
 Delicious and refreshing.  If your daring add a floater of Mezcal.  Ole!

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Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo a Mexican-American celebration to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.  Also, a day to just drink lots of tequila, Mexican beer, and Mezcal.  All, which happen to be my favorite!

In celebration of this holiday, I would like to share my cocktail Diablo with you.  Take sliced serrano chilis or jalapeno and put in a shaker glass, add fresh blackberries, a dash of agave nectar, and fresh lime juice.  Muddle these ingredients together, add ice and top off with your favorite tequila.  For this recipe I use Calavera Reposado.  Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.  The color is a deep rich berry color.  You can rim the glass with salt if you like.  The heat from the chilis is amazing!  Garnish with a blackberry.

Salud!

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