good glass...

loving the metallic gold & silver geometric glassware from dwell studios.

it's reminecent of the funky cool iconic glassware of georges briard from the 60's and 70's that made sipping on a cocktail look uber-chic.

mix and match your way to a perfect set... 

and to really W-O-W your guests, freeze up a tray full of these to chill your beverages and make them look picture perfect.

tequila love... it takes your breath away

i love random facts. i stumble upon them in the strangest of places and then file them away in the ever expanding "random facts" pocket of my noodle.
the latest of random facts came to me this past weekend at a post-outsidelands party hosted by patron.

needless to say, i was in tequila heaven and made sure i did my research on the newest funnest ways to mix up tequila based bevvies.

while in line for the restroom i started chattin' with two girls and out of the blue one girl goes, "do you know why tequila gives you that body shudder when you take a shot?" and in unison the other girl and i say, "no, why???"

well... it turns out that tequila and oxygen don't really like each other, so whether you're shooting or sipping your tequila, you're supposed to take a deep breath and then exxxxxxxxxxhale out all the air to allow the true essence of its deliciousness to take over your tastebuds.

so... there, while in line for the bathroom, we put her fact to the test and YES, there is a big difference. Tequila's sweeter, woodsy, silkier sides shows and leaves you smiling, with no body shudders and no need to have a lime chaser. good to know, right?

and... for my fellow tequila lover's, DO be sure to check out patron's XO cafe. it's their coffee liqueur made from tequila and it is deeeeeeeeeeeelicious. rest assured it won't take the place of my morning latte, but it will most definitely be mixed into my cocktail arsenal!

breath out and enjoy.

entertain-tip #7... icy, cold, deliciousness

it's july...the weather is warm... the sun is shining...and america is about to turn another year older.

this means that it's basically our duty to take the afternoon off, slip into something a little more skin-bearing, pump up the jams, and get out to enjoy the sunshine with an icy cold beverage in hand.

i swore i wouldn't do another drink post, but these two dolls are just too good not to share...plus, you can whip up a big batch of each for this weekend's festivities and smile big at the super-sized praise you get as your friends sip themselves silly.

first to the party, is miss dizzy palmer... introduced to me by the lovely lass whom i trust to cut & shape my locks. we enjoyed these on her back porch post hair-cut and could have easily stayed there until my next appointment.

she's almost too simple to make, impossible to mess up, and adds the perfect bit of sunshine and laughter to any day.

dizzy palmer:

- sweet tea flavored vodka (preferably seagram's)

- your favorite lemonade (i choose simply lemonade)

- orange or lemon slices for garnish.

- ice cubes

directions:

pour 1.5 parts vodka to 3 parts lemonade and mix gently together. pour over a glass (filled to the brim with ice). garnish with citrus wedge and serve with a straw.

...next to the party is a classic beauty from the 50's, the moscow mule. i had heard of but never tasted this delight until one of my most favorite people on this earth insisted i try it. it took just one sip and i was hooked.

she's incredibly refreshing and adds an element of surprise that will keep you coming back for more.

moscow mule

- vodka

- simple syrup

- ginger beer

- lime juice (fresh squeezed)

- lime wedges
- mint

directions:

pour 1.5 parts vodka to 4 parts ginger beer, a splash of simple syrup and lime juice to taste and mix gently together. pour over a glass (filled to the brim with ice). garnish with lime wedge, mint sprig and serve with a straw.

the key to both is a lot of ice... and that fancy straw that makes that drink ready for the sippin'

now go, grab these ingredients on your way home, and ease into your three day weekend... just be warned that these babies go down easy, so sip slowly and be safe.

entertain-tip #3... sgroppino

years ago i helped open a restaurant and was introduced to this lovely gem of a drink. we'd serve it to our most favorite customer's at the end of a meal as a way to say thanks (and please leave a good tip!).

sgroppino is a burst of slushy goodness in your mouth. it's perfect for cleansing your palate after a dinner.... or perfect, in my opinion, just about any time.

and on top of being perfect, it's suuuuuuuuuuper simple to make.

ingredients:

1 cup lemon sorbet

2 cups prosecco

a shot or two of vodka (optional)

stick all ingredients in a blender until perfectly slushed. whip them up in small batches or feel free to make a pitcher!

once you've perfected the basic recipe, feel free to get experimental. things that i may or may not have tried in my sgroppino's include:
raspberry sorbet, a hint of mint, blueberries, meyer lemon zest, the teeniest hint of rosemary

please let me know when you whip up a batch...and, i'll be right over.