Happy Holidays... Happy 2012!!

Hello everyone...., here I am again after a long period of time away from my own blog but just back before this year is over and I am really looking forward for a better 2012 and with everything it may have in store for all of us. Personally this year was an amazing year, some bumps and obstacles ahead but I had more ups than downs and for that I praise this a very good and amazing year! Despite a bad economy I hope everybody was able to manage somehow under tight budgets to have a good holiday. Hope you all got what you wished for and if not I do hope this new year you will be able to fulfill all of your dreams and achieve most of your goals and resolutions. With all those good wishes said and ( I really hope for the best )I think we should put all the champagnes and proseccos to chill as well all the chardonnays so we can toast at midnight and welcome 2012 with happiness, peace and much love and hope for the whole world. Have the best of the New Years...., have fun and be safe, Cheers! Champagne alone or Champagne cocktail is a must everywhere at New Year's celebrations, so be sure to pick your favorite brand and pop that cork and let the bubbly fizz up. Champagne & Chambord; It's simply a mixed drink of the two ingredients, nothing else, but it's so flavorful. Amore Frizzante; This recipe calls for a clear Vodka, Triple orange liqueur (Triple Sec) will do it, and a Prosecco - 1 oz Vodka - 1/2 oz Triple Sec - 1/2 oz peach juice - Fill all the ingredients with ice into a shaker - shake well, strain into a flute glass and top with Prosecco. Happy Holidays everyone!

4th of July, 2011.

I've been MIA for quite some time, but this mini blog lives on still, and I'm back just in time for Independence Day.
Republican presidential candidates hit the campaign trail and the rest of the smart people like me and you rather hit the beaches and all the BBQ parties, bloc parties and all the backyard picnics, with lots of burgers, hot dogs and beers and all the good times with family and friends and it's good to share a tall glass of fruit punch on a hot summer day too!
Here it is a very easy and "sparklinglicious" fruit punch!

3(11.5 oz) cans of peach nectar
1(6 oz) can of frozen orange juice concentrated
1/4 cup of lemon juice
1/2 peach schnapps or (peach brandy) your choice.
1/4 cup of grenadine syrup
1(32 fluid ouce) bottle of carbonated water
3(750 ml) bottles of champagne - brand of your choice, but does'nt have to be expensive ones.

Chill all ingredients in a large punch bowl, mixing peach nectar, concentratde orange juice, lemon juice, peach schnapps and grenadine.
Mix well for three minutes and pour the carbonated water and champagne.
Cheers everyone and have lots of fun!
Happy 4th of July..., happy suumer time!

Happy New Year!

Here we are again, December comes to an end....,one moment is celebrated all over the world; the arrival of a New Year, with something different to everyone, but new dreams and hopes we all share the same along the pledge for world peace, health, love
and joy.

One of the most important things is to decide who to spend the night with,and where and what happens at midnight? Kisses, hugs, cheering and blowing of horns and party favors, noise makers....., and of course, the clinking sound of champagne glasess!

Yes....., Happy New Year everyone, because this is one of the biggest party nights of
the year and such anuual occasion is perfect for serving exquisite drinks, champagnes and champagne cocktails.

A simple, tasty, inexpensive and nice prosecco cocktail: Amore Frizzante.

1 oz Vodka (of your choice)
1/2 oz Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur
1/2 oz Peach nectar (peach juice)
Sliced peaches and raspberry for garnises.

Just pour the champagne for last and slowly.
Cheers everyone and A Very Happy New Year.

Piña Colada Day.

Who wouldn't like some pure frozen bliss on these hot, hot,hazy and lazy summer days?
Smoothies and chillers simply wont do it!
That's why we all should celebrate National Piña Colada Day this Saturday.
Here's the recipe of the original Piña Colada:
2 oz of rum (dark or white)
1/2 cup of pineapple cubes or pineapple juice.
Blend all ingredients with 2 cups of ice.
Strain into a hurricane glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge.

With Piña Colada you can use your imagination when it comes down to the wide variation of flavors.
Cheers everyone and have yourself a Happy Piña Colada Day!

Fourth of July

For those who live in the US...., the biggest holiday of the summer is here.
Happy Fourth of July! - Let the freedom ring!
It's sizzling outside, the humidity is brutal, but we are all out enjoying a cookout, somewhere with friends lots of beers, light cocktails.
So far on the TV we are getting near the end of the World Cup of Soccer in South
Africa and the Tour de France has just started in the Netherlands, the same country
who eliminated "my Brazil"..., the power house of soccer!
I was upset for a little while, but an iced cold beer and some Cape Codders did the
trick and I just moved on.
A Cape Codder is a very American drink, and I think it can compliment the occasion.
The easiest of all cocktails;
Cape Cod:

1 oz or maybe 1 1/2 oz of vodka.....(if you want a little stronger)
Fill it up with cranberry juice
A lime wedge for garnishing.
Cheers! - Have a happy 4Th of July everyone and don't forget the fire works later on!

It's summer 2010!

It's summer and it's hot and it's fun to enjoy the outdoors activities, BBQs, and besides an air conditioning...., a cold and refreshing drink is a must, especially frozen drinks and blended cocktails.
Peach Daiquiri:
1 oz Rum
1 oz Triple Sec
1 oz Lime Juice
1 tsp. Sugar
1/2 Peach sliced
Blend it!

World Cocktail Day

Cheers to world cocktail day!
The right definition of the cocktail;
is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.

Mother's Day

The elegance of any martini is sure to tell your mother that you appreciate everything she's done for you....., and simply say Happy Mother's Day!
My suggestion; Blushing Lady.
1 oz Pama (pomegranate liqueur)
2 oz Vodka
1 oz Pink Grapefruit juice

Start rubbing a wedge of lemon around the rim of a martini glass and dip the glass
into a plate of sugar.
Pour the remaining ingredients into a a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake well and strain into the garnish martini glass.

Valentine's Day.

We all should plan a romantic dinner this Valentine's Day, with great meals
and champagne to impress, lots of chocolates and strawberries - (love foods)
and red roses of course!
Have fun with cocktails like Agave Kiss:
Raspberry and chocolate liqueur, tequila, creme de cacao and Chambord.
Just pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake for 15 seconds
and then pour into a chilled cocktail glass, rimmed with chocolate and all
garnished with raspberries.(2oz tequila silver, 1/2oz of Chambord, and the
rest of the ingredients pour 1oz only).

My favorite? - Brazilian Rose.
Even cupid would like a shot!
2oz Cachaça, 3oz of guava juice, splash of triple sec.
Pour the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake well for 10 seconds, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, but
make sure to garnish with a rose petal.
It's elegant and romantic and the sweet taste is just as good as the look.

New Year's celebrations.

Nothing says "celebrate" quite like a good bottle
of bubbly.
No matter what kind of champagne, sparkling wine
or prosecos, just make sure to dress your best for
the occasion and drink lots of bubbly to celebrate
new beginnings and re commitment to one another or
to yourself.
It's a time of year that many people make resolution
to make a change in their lives.
Party with friends, go out to see the ball drop in
Times Square (if you are in NYC), or just watch on
TV all the celebrations around the world the fire
works, with friends and family or just the two of
you, snuggle together, some popcorn, enjoy a movie
or two, call some other friends or family members
far away, and on the first day of the New Year, go
out to play in the snow or go ice skating.
I wish you all the best throughout this New Year
with lots of hope for a better one a more peace full
one....., and much love and faith in our hearts.
Cheers to new beginnings....,Happy New Year!

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!!

Happy 4th of July

Yes...., it's summer at last, more and more barbecues, street fairs
block parties, house parties, and did I mention roof top party?
As long you and your guests don't OD and decide to jump off the roof
everything should be fine.
Specialy tonight a roof party can be great fun and a nice spot to
see the firer works later in Manhattan. - (I mean...., if your roof
top is located on a privileged neighborhood of course)
So, here is a tip for a nice cocktail to celebrate the 4th of July
and for such occasion a Champagne cocktail would be perfect.

South Peach....,is very flavored, sparkling and easy to make.

6 oz Champagne extra dry ( Korbel)
Splash of peach schnapps
Splash of cranberry juice.

Slowly stir cranberry juice and schnapps
into a large champagne filled flute.
Cheers and have a happy 4th of July.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are the
beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
We also should observe the day as it should be, a day where
we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our
loved ones, our neighbors and friends...., and whenever we
do get together with friends and family to celebrate a holiday
such as this we cannot forget the special recipes of gram ma,
our traditional hot doggies and burgers, lots of beers because
the weather will be perfect and if you feel like having something
different, here's a little tip:
Fruit Juice Punch - fruity, sweet nonalcoholic punch suitable for
everybody and children as well.
Set on a table outside a punch bowl and glasses.
Make about 10 servings, but you can always double the ingredients!

3 bananas (sliced)
2 kiwi fruits (sliced and diced)
2 1/2 cups of banana juice
2 1/2 cups of orange juice
2 1/2 cups of pineapple juice
7 ounces of lemon juice
1 quart of sparkling mineral water

Put the fruit and fruit juices in the punch bowl, cover and
refrigerate for 1 hour.
Stir and add the mineral water.

Splash of flavor to the summer

Summer will be here pretty soon!
Whether you're sunbathing by the pool, braving the heat at a picnic
or just mingling at a backyard party, a cold cocktail is the perfect
way to go through those endless summer days.
Fine spirits, fresh fruit juices, sodas and your creativity are all
the ingredients that you need to add a splash of flavor to your
summer...., and yes it's ok to sip an Apeach Cosmopolitan under the
sun!

3 parts of Absolut Apeach
2 parts of Triple Sec
3 parts of Lime Juice
Splash of Cranberry Juice
Lemon Wedge

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.....,cheers!