Fall Cocktails from Skinnygirl & Sauza!

As the temperatures drop and the beach chairs get packed away, there’s still a lot to rejoice about as pumpkin everything, cute boots, snuggly sweaters and your fave TV shows make their comeback.

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean you can’t kick back and relax with a cocktail!  Celebrate the season with fall flavors like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Cider Tequila Hot Toddy

·         1 part Sauza® Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila

• ½  part JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
• 8 parts apple cider
• 2 parts cranberry juice cocktail
• Lime slice (for garnish)
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)
• Dash of nutmeg (optional)

Preparation: In a saucepan heat the apple cider and cranberry juice just until steaming hot (do not let the liquid boil) and remove it from the heat. Stir in Sauza® Blue Reposado and liqueur. You can add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg if you want a bit more spice. Serve Hot Toddies in mugs, garnished with lime slices.

Hot Pumpkin Spice Tequila

·         1 ½ parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila

·         ½ part Torani® Pumpkin Spice Syrup

·         3 parts cream

·         1 part sugar

·         ½ tsp. vanilla extract

·         ¼ tsp. cinnamon

·         ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice

·         6 parts freshly brewed hot coffee

·         Whipped Cream and additional cinnamon (for garnish)

Preparation: In a saucepan, combine cream with pumpkin syrup, sugar, vanilla, spices and coffee until hot. Pour into mug, add Sauza® Blue Silver and stir. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon. Enjoy!

Crisp Apple Cooler

• 1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
• ¾ part apple juice
• ¼ part agave syrup
• Green apple slice for garnish

Preparation: Stir agave syrup with vodka in the base of a shaker until the agave syrup dissolves. Add apple juice and shake thoroughly with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a green apple slice.

Fall Festival-tini           

• 1 part Skinnygirl® Tangerine Vodka
• 3 parts apple juice/cider
• ½ part light rum
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation: Mix ingredients in a shaker, and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

Review: Funko Pop!: Tate Langdon from 'American Horror Story'

Funko Pop! Custom: Wishverse Willow from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

Funko PR: Target Exclusive Unmasked Batman Pop!

Funko is excited to announce a Target Exclusive Unmasked Batman Pop!

The Target Exclusive Unmasked Batman Pop! is flowing into Target stores nationwide this week!

Cocktails to Impress Your Lady on National Wife Appreciation Day

While Sundays are reserved for football and hanging with the men in the man cave, this Sunday, September 21 is National Wife Appreciation Day. Hornitos® Tequila would like to remind men that a happy wife means a happy life, so take a timeout to show your significant other just how much she means to you. Express your appreciation for all that your special lady has tolerated with you by mixing up some Hornitos® Tequila drinks that will have her feeling like a queen.

Hornitos® Tequila’s mixologist, Christian Sanders of Evelyn Drinkery, has created a few cocktails that will help your audience impress their ladies and give them a chance to sit back, relax and sip on a delicious drink.

-          Cloud 9

-          Dulce y Picante

-          Sweet Amigo

Cloud 9

·         1 ½ parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila

·         ¾ part raspberry liqueur

·         ¼ part simple syrup *

·         ½ part lemon juice

·         2 dashes Angostura® Bitters

·         1 part sparkling wine

·         1 egg white

·         1 part heavy cream

*To make simple syrup, mix together 1 part sugar and 1 part water and bring to a boil (approximately 1-2 minutes). Cool before serving.

Preparation: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass, excluding sparkling wine. Shake well, without ice for approximately 10-12 seconds. Top with sparkling wine and pour into a Collins glass. Garnish with lavender.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Dulce y Picante

·         1 ½ parts Hornitos® Plata Tequila

·         ½ part Green Chartreuse® Liqueur

·         ¾ part pineapple juice

·         1 jalapeno slice

·         ¾ part simple syrup*

·         ¾ part lime

·         Handful of cilantro

*To make simple syrup, mix together 1 part sugar and 1 part water and bring to a boil (approximately 1-2 minutes). Cool before serving.

Preparation: Muddle cilantro in a mixing glass, then gently muddle jalapeño on top of cilantro, then add remaining ingredients into a mixing glass. Shake well for approximately 8-10 seconds. Double strain into a double old fashioned glass rimmed with paprika sea salt. Garnish with a cilantro leaf and/or pineapple leaf.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Sweet Amigo

·         1 ½ parts Hornitos® Reposado Tequila

·         ½ part apricot liqueur

·         ½ part honey

·         ¾ part lemon

·         ¾ part egg white

Preparation: Add all ingredients into a mixing glass. Shake without ice for approximately 10-12 seconds. Double strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cinnamon.

Review: Funko Pop!: 'American Horror Story: Coven'

Based on the third season of American Horror Story, Funko has released the Coven in all its glory in Pop! form!

First up, we have the HBIC, Fiona Goode.

To make her even more of a badass, Hot Topic has spattered her with blood!

Next up is her daughter and current Supreme, Cordelia Foxx.

Hot Topic has an exclusive of her, too, and it's an eyeless, eerie representation of this great character.

The sculpt on this figure is spectacular and I think she is the prettiest Pop! I've seen yet.

New Orlean's resident Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau, comes complete with her albino snake and all the attitude of her character. 

Myrtle Snow, the mousy but devious and complex head of the Witches Council is perfectly accurate to the show.

Stevie Nicks' biggest fan, Misty Day, is colorful and detailed, just like her character on the show. 

Reis O'Brien designed and sculpted  the entire AHS line. I am OBSESSED! Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ReisOBrien

The Coven plus Rubber Man (check out his review here!) on display.

Funko PR: Pop! Movies: E.T.

Pop! Movies: E.T.

E.T. phone home?
And they'll come?
Come? Home.

Now E.T. can come home with you!

Grab your Reese's Pieces, your red hoodies, and your bikes!
We have an adorable new series of Pop!'s inspired by the classic 1980s movie!


 

Available in September!

Raise Your Spirits with PINK Drinks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and Hard Rock’s 15^th annual PINKTOBER campaign, Hard Rock Cafe locations worldwide are “raising the bar” for a cause that affects millions of people around the globe. Throughout September and October, Hard Rock is serving up sweet support with limited-time food and beverage offerings that benefit research and awareness-driving efforts for various breast cancer charities, and we would love for you to consider sharing Hard Rock’s PINK menu items with your readers.

Giving back never tasted so good as Hard Rock offers its new “Flight for a Cure” – guests can enjoy a sampling of Hard Rock’s pink margaritas (Monin Wildberry, Finest Call Watermelon and Monin Pomegranate) accompanied by a personal sized portion of PINK tortilla chips and pico de gallo.

Whether you’re hosting a fundraising event, celebrating the completion of a support walk, or simply looking to enjoy a meal that gives back, we would love your help to continue spreading awareness of Hard Rock’s PINK menu items for PINKTOBER:

• Red Berry Press – a delicious fruit-infused cocktail pressed tableside and great for sharing! Includes homemade lemonade, SVEDKA Clementine Vodka,fresh lemons, strawberries and raspberries
• Wildberry Smoothie – a non-alcoholic blend of fresh bananas, pina colada mix, orange juice and Monin Wildberry
• Red Velvet Cake – Hard Rock’s PINKTOBER cake for the cure is a decadent red velvet cake topped with homemade vanilla cream cheese frosting and finished with a pink sprinkle ribbon

Hard Rock’s Flight For A Cure – 3 mini samplings of PINK margaritas

Ingredients:

2 oz Avion Silver Tequila

¾ oz Cointreau Orange Liqueur

3 oz HRC scratch margarita mix – (for at-home mixing pick your favorite brand)

-        ½ oz Monin Pomegranate Syrup – (for at-home mixing you can use pomegranate juice)

-        ½ oz Finest Call Watermelon Puree – (for at-home mixing you can use fresh watermelon, puree the watermelon and add simple syrup)

-        ½ oz Monin Wildberry Syrup – (for at-home mixing, you can use any berry flavored syrup)

Directions:

Shake the first three ingredients together without ice and pour into three serving glasses filled with ice and ½ salted rims.  Top each mini margarita with ½ of one of the three flavors.  Garnish each mini margarita with a lime wedge.  Serve with your favorite brand of chips & salsa

Hard Rock’s Red Berry Press

Ingredients:

3 lemon wedges

3 whole strawberries (hulled and sliced)

3 fresh raspberries

3 oz Svedka Clementine Vodka

7 oz HRC scratch lemonade – (for at-home mixing, purchase your favorite brand)

7 oz Lemon –lime soda

Directions:

For at-home mixing get a large pitcher or container that will hold 20 oz. Add the fruit to the bottom of the pitcher and muddle about 5 times enough to break the berries apart and release the juice from the lemons. Add the remaining ingredients stir and serve into iced filled rocks glasses. This can be made several hours in advance. The longer the fruit is in the mixture the more flavorful it will be.

Hard Rock’s Wildberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

3 oz Monin Wildberry Syrup – (for at-home mixing, pick your favorite berry flavored syrup)

3 oz Orange Juice

4 oz HRC Scratch Pina Colada Mix – (for at-home mixing, purchase your favorite brand -- Skinnygirl!)

1 Ripe Banana

Directions:

Blend all ingredients together and pour into serving glass. Garnish with a pineapple leaf & pineapple wedge

Cocktail & Guacamole Pairings to Celebrate National Guacamole Day

Holy guacamole!  National Guacamole Day is September 16^th and we’re giving thanks for the delightfully delicious, versatile dip/topping.

And skip the store-bought stuff -- these guac recipes from the experts at Dos Caminos are easy enough to whip up at home, even with a cocktail in hand!

Start with Chef Ivy Stark’s traditional guacamole recipe and feel free to give it a fun twist with variations like Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole or Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts.

Rock the guac and celebrate with these guacamole and margarita pairing ideas!

Pairing 1

The sweet and fruity flavors of the Marvelous Mango Margarita provide the perfect complement to the smoky heat of the Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole.

Pairing 2

Turn your cocktail up a notch this National Guacamole Day with the Spicy Sauza®-Rita.  This spicy cocktail brings the heat with red and chili pepper flavors and pairs well with the mild flavors of the Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts.

Pairing 1

Marvelous Mango Margarita

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• ½ part JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
• ½ large ripe mango
• 2 parts fresh orange juice
• ⅔ part lime juice
• ½ part simple syrup
• 4 parts ice

Preparation: Peel, seed and chop your mango. If you have time you can freeze your prepared mango at this point. Otherwise, put all ingredients except for the ice into your blender and blend until smooth. Then add the ice. Pour the margarita into a glass and enjoy!

Chipotle-Goat Cheese Guacamole

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
• 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
• ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2  large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
• 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

• 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese
• 2 tbsp. chopped canned chipotle chilies

Preparation:

1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
3. Add 4 oz. crumbled goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of chopped canned chipotle chilles.
4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips. 

**Makes 4 Servings

Pairing 2

Spicy Sauza-Rita

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• 2 parts beer
• 1 part frozen limeade concentrate
• 1 part water
• A dash of hot sauce
• Sugar (for garnish)
• Salt (for garnish)
• Red pepper (for garnish)
• Chili pepper (for garnish)

Preparation: In a glass, combine all ingredients. Chill and serve in glasses rimmed with sugar, salt and red pepper. Garnish with a chili. Enjoy!

Artichoke Guacamole with Toasted Pine Nuts

• 2 tbsp. finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 tsp. finely chopped white onion
• 2 tsp. minced jalapeño or Serrano chilies (Optional: remove seeds and membranes)
• ½ tsp. teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2  large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
• 1 small plum tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 2 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

Preparation:

1. In a medium size bowl, use the back of a spoon to mash 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, 1 teaspoon onion, 1 teaspoon of minced chile, and ½ teaspoon salt together against the bottom of the bowl.
2. Add the avocados and gently mash them with a fork until chunky-smooth.
3. Add 1 cup of marinated artichoke hearts chopped with ¼ cup of toasted pine nuts and stir.
4. Fold the remaining cilantro, onion, and chile into the mixture.
5. Stir in tomatoes and lime juice, taste to adjust the seasonings.
6. Serve with warm corn tortilla chips. 

**Makes 4 Servings

Bonus Cocktail!

Strawberry Sparkler

• 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• ½ part DeKuyper® Strawberry Liqueur
• ½ part (chilled) rose champagne
• ½ part limeade
• 3 strawberries
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 lime wedge

Preparation:  Wash, stem, quarter and freeze strawberries for at least 1 hour (can be done the day ahead). Run a wedge of lime around the rim of your champagne flute and dip in a plate of sugar to coat rim. Place 3 frozen strawberries in the bottom of the prepared flute.  Pour champagne into the glass. In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, limeade, and strawberry liqueur. Shake and pour into glass. Add a squeeze of fresh lime if desired and serve immediately.

Funko PR: Pop! Heroes: Arkham Asylum

Pop! Heroes: Arkham Asylum

From Arkham Asylum, the award winning action-adventure video game, we bring you a diabolical new Pop! series!

Picture this...
Arkham Asylum is home to Gotham's most vengeful criminals.
The Joker has trapped Batman inside while he holds Gotham hostage!
Batman has to fight his way out by facing Gotham's most dangerous psychopaths to free the city!

Batman and the villains of Arkham Asylum are coming soon!

 

 

Available in October!

Upcoming Hot Topic Exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl Figures

Blood-splattered Fiona Goode, from American Horror Story: Coven

Eye-less Cordelia Foxx from American Horror Story: Coven

Alternate-reality Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer