Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Thanksgiving has become a time for families and friends to get together, eat
probably too much, and give thanks...., and of course there are special drink
choices that can keep the festive mood throughout the whole day, from a morning
of parade watching and to watching the many football games or getting cozy for
a family movie.
Hot Chocolate with a dash of Grand Marnier...., nothing tops it!
From entreés and appetizers you can start with sparkling wines or champagne.
For some more safe bets for Thanksgiving wines are:
Pinot Noir - Syrah - Zinfandel.

Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!

Beaujolais Nouveau, the French red wine that's released worldwide annually
on the third Thursday of November, is ready for it's close up, as people
around the world prepare to sample the 2009 vintage.
Have a happy Beaujolais Day!

What is a cocktail weenie?

According to the Urban Dictionary;
A person obsessed with the minutiae of bartending practices and traditions,
especially regarding the preparation of mixed drinks.
I think I am a good living example.....,sometimes I exaggerate a little bit!

Brazilian Cosmopolitan

1 1/2 oz Cachaça
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz orange liqueur
1 1/2oz cranberry juice.

Shake well all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice,
and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a lime twist.

Tchin-tchin!!

A very fancy and sexy Martini

Ever heard of a Bikini Martini?
Yes...., delicious and sexy!

1 1/2 oz Cachaça
1/2 oz Limoncello liqueur
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 fresh passion fruit
1/2 oz of simple syrup

Shake well all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice
and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a passion frutit disc floating on top of drink.

Enjoy it!

Fruitty Caipirinhas

Let your imagination flow and your creativity take you beyond the classic lime
Caipirinha.
Add or replace lime with delicious tropical fruits and seasonal produce.
You can use about 2 oz (1/4 cup) of mango, passion fruit, kiwi, plum or grapes.
Add a dash of cinnamon to a strawberry Caipirinha or muddle fresh ginger with orange
if you like some spice.
Pineapple and mint...., the possibilities are endless!

What about a Caipirinha Tropical?!

2 oz of cachaça
2 wedges of limes
2 fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 fresh passion fruit
1/2 kiwi, peeled and sliced
2 tea spoons of sugar or the equivalent in sweetener

Place all the fruits in a cocktail shaker, add sugar, (or sweetener),
and muddle gently.
Add ice, cachaça and shake well.
Serve with a stirrer in an old fashioned glass.

Cheers!

Caipirinha Invention

The Caipirinha (pronounced kai-pee-reen-yah), is Brazil's signature cocktail.
More than that...., it's a national pride!
On the beach at the sunset, festive dinners, and all night dance parties.
Caipirinhas are an essential part of any Brazilian celebration.
But how do we make a perfect Caipirinha?
We need a very important ingredient; Cachaça!
Cachaça is Brazil's national spirit, distilled to perfection.
The world's first premium cachaça is multi distilled to retain distinct flavor,
characteristics with a soft aroma that's fresh, lively and delicate.
While cachaça is labeled "Brazilian Rum" in the USA, it stands apart from most rums
in both production and taste.
Sugarcane is the main ingredient in both spirits, yet rum is actually made from
molasses, (by-product) of sugar refineries.
Cachaça is distilled from fresh and pressed sugarcane juice, resulting in bright flavors and stimulating bouquet.
Now, this is the recipe for an original Caipirinha.

2 oz of Cachaça
1/2 of lime cut in wedges
2 tea spoons of sugar or the equivalent in sweetner

Place the lime and sugar in an old fashioned glass and mash gently with a muddler or
pestle - Add ice, pour the cachaça and shake well.

Serve with a stirrer in an old fashioned glass.
Garnish with a lime.

Saúde...., tchin-tchin!!