Thursday, March 26, 2015

Skinnygirl Cocktails Tastemakers


Skinnygirl Cocktails has just introduced their new Tastemakers program, and I am lucky enough to be one of the first to be a part of all the excitement! 

I mean, just check out this recipe below!!! Sounds #SoGood!

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

National Cherry Blossom Festival-Inspired Cocktail from Sauza

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full bloom from March 20 – April 12, and here's a special cocktail recipe inspired by this delightful sign of spring! 



Very Cherry Smash
  • 1 part Sauza Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • 2 parts JDK & Sons 03 Premium Orange Liqueur
  • 5 cherries (pitted and stemmed)
  • 1 tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1 part fresh lime juice
  • 1 part club soda

Preparation: Muddle together cherries, lime juice and agave nectar. Strain into shaker. Add in orange liqueur, tequila, and ice and shake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Top with club soda and garnish with cherries.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

How to Host the Perfect Wine & Cheese Party



No matter what your favorite is, wine and cheese are a combination that everyone can agree on! 

Want to host a Pinterest-worthy wine and cheese party? The team at Skinnygirl® Cocktails has come up with some hosting tips and pairing suggestions to serve as inspiration and simplify the process. 

Looking for a new wine to add to your collection?  New Skinnygirl® Pinot Noir is a must-have with mouthwatering flavors of dark cherry, toasted oak and vanilla. 


Hosting Tips
1.       Cheesin’ - Estimate at least one ounce of each cheese per person. To start, 3-5 cheeses and 4-6 wines should be the perfect amount.
2.       Easy cheesy - Make a pretty display of a few different cheeses using place cards or a slate cheese tray with the names of each written in chalk. 
3.       Chalk one up - Use chalkboard paper or butcher paper to label the wines and pairings. Spread the paper on the table as a runner, and set out chalk/markers to label the wines and draw arrows to suggest pairing ideas.
4.       Glam glasses - Cut squares of chalkboard paper and stick them on wine glasses, or provide plain wine glasses and glass paint for guests to decorate their own. Now they won’t worry about which glass is theirs, plus they’ll have a fun favor to take home!
5.       Don’t break the bank - Ask each guest to bring a bottle of wine and set a price limit based on your budget.  Skinnygirl® Wines are delicious AND affordable, ranging from $11.99-14.99 each.
6.       Nosh & nibble - In addition to wine and cheese, provide other snacks for guests to enjoy alongside the wine. We like gourmet olives, figs, fresh veggies, prosciutto, spicy salami and fruits such as strawberries, grapes, blueberries, melons and apples.
7.       Keeping order - Work from dry to sweet with white wines, and from light to full-bodied with red wines. 

Wine & Cheese Pairing Ideas
·         Fresh Cheese 
o   Wine: Skinnygirl® Rose, Sauvignon Blanc
o   Cheese: Goat cheese, burrata, feta
o   Why it works: Delicate milky or tangy soft cheeses pair nicely with light-bodied wines with citrus and floral notes
·         Mild or Creamy Cheeses
o   Wine: Skinnygirl® Pinot Noir, Skinnygirl® Prosecco, Skinnygirl® Chardonnay, Beaujolais
o   Cheese: Brie, Camembert, cheddars, Havarti, jacks, double and triple crèmes
o   Why it works: Soft-ripened cheeses work great with the effervescence and fruit flavors of a Prosecco, and also pair well with the lighter-bodied style of a Pinot Noir 
·         Funky Cheeses
o   Wine: Skinnygirl® Pinot Noir, Riesling, Burgundy
o   Cheese: Muenster, Fontina, Pecorino, Asiago
o   Why it works: Pinot Noirs and Rieslings can stand up to stinky cheeses, with their fruit flavors and high/juicy acidity
·         Firmer Aged Cheeses
o   Wine: Skinnygirl® Chardonnay, Skinnygirl® Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Dry sherry
o   Cheese: Manchego, Gruyère, cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda
o   Why it works: Red wines with some tannin, full-bodied whites or sherry work well with flavorful firmer cheeses
·         Blue Cheeses
o   Wine: Skinnygirl® Moscato, Skinnygirl® Cabernet Sauvignon, California Zinfandels, dessert wines such as sweet sherry and port
o   Cheese: Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola Dolce
o   Why it works: Rich dessert wines and full-bodied, fruity California Cabernets or Zinfandels pair nicely with the strong flavor of blue cheese

Saturday, March 21, 2015

April Fools! - Confuse your taste buds with crafty cocktails from Sauza 901



A martini made with tequila? A negroni without gin? Before you freak out, remember – it’s April Fools’ Day! This April Fools’ Day, fool your taste buds in a delightfully deceptive way by reinventing classic cocktails using Sauza® 901® Tequila.

Recipes
All recipes were created by Sauza® 901® mixologist, Eddy Buckingham.

Tequiliano:
We’re not kidding, there’s no gin in this recipe.
·         2 parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
·         1 part Campari® Liqueur
·         1 part sweet vermouth
·         ½ part agave syrup

Preparation: Combine all ingredients. Stir well. Pour over ice in a double rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

El Bombin:
April Fools! This tasty martini doesn’t include vodka or gin.
·         2 parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
·         1 part fresh grapefruit juice
·         ½ part honey syrup
·         Orange peel for garnish

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.  Shake well for 10 seconds.  Serve in a martini glass.  Garnish with orange peel.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Skinnygirl Cocktails to Toast to the 'Dancing With The Stars' Premiere


On March 16th, the all new celebrity cast hits the ballroom floor and you can join Skinnygirl® Cocktails as we toast to the 10th Anniversary of Dancing with the Stars!  

Whether you’re cheering for the “bachelor,” the Olympic gymnast, the football star, or the model, prep for the first dance and kickoff Season 20 with a little help from Skinnygirl® Cocktails. 



A Perfect 10 
·         2 parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
·         Splash of dry vermouth
·         Fresh olives to garnish

Preparation: Combine all ingredients and pour into a martini glass. 

Mirror Ball Bliss   
·         2 parts Skinnygirl® Tangerine Vodka
·         2 parts soda water
·         Splash of grenadine 
·         Fresh cherries for garnish
·         Lime wheel for garnish

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a chilled glass with ice. Garnish with fresh cherries and lime wheel. 

Dancing Queen 
·         1 part Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
·         3 parts cranberry juice
·         1 part grapefruit juice
·         1 grapefruit slice for garnish 

Preparation: Pour ingredients over ice and garnish with grapefruit slice.

Friday, March 13, 2015

SXSW Sips - Festival-Inspired Cocktails from Sauza

For nearly three decades, South by Southwest (SXSW) has been a gathering of the who’s who of movies, music, and groundbreaking technology. It’s a celebration of what’s big, buzz worthy, and up-and-coming; from hot new talent to historic performances, surprise appearances, secret concerts, app launches, and movie premieres. 

SXSW is here, and Sauza® Tequila is prepared with cocktails to toast to the latest and greatest in film, interactive, and music.  We’re paying homage to Austin, SXSW’s birthplace and home since it was first held in 1987. 

The eclectic music scene and buzzing social setting are the perfect breeding ground for creativity and these drink recipes are no exception.



Keep Austin Weird 
  • ¾ part tamarind concentrate
  • 2 parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • 1 ¼ parts freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ part simple syrup
  • ½ part freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec
  • ice
  • 1 stick cinnamon ( for garnish)

For the rim 
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp cayenne
  • ½  tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Preparation: Mix sugar, salt, cayenne, and cinnamon in a small bowl, then pour onto a saucer. Pour 2 tablespoons lime juice onto a second saucer. Turn serving glass (martini glass or old fashioned) in lime juice to coat the outer rim. Then spin glass in cayenne mixture, rotating slowly to coat.

Add tamarind concentrate, tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, lemon juice, and Cointreau to mixing glass. Fill with ice and shake well, about 30 seconds. Strain into serving glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick if desired.

*We used tamarind concentrate, which comes as a thick liquid in a plastic jar. If you can only find tamarind blocks, don't worry. Submerge an inch or so of the block in a few tablespoons of hot water for fifteen minutes. Mash to loosen, and discard any seeds or undissolved solids.

Silicon Hills 
  • 2 parts of Sauza® Blue Reposado 100% Agave Tequila
  • 1 part DeKuyper® Apricot Brandy
  • 6 parts Apricot Nectar
  • 2 parts Orange Juice
  • 1 Orange cut into wedge (for garnish)

Preparation:  Combine all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl or container you can freeze. Place in the freezer for at least two hours or until it is softly frozen. Remove from freezer and spoon into blender and blend until smooth. Serve garnished with an orange slice. If you like, rim your glass with sugar/salt. Salud!

The Austinite 
  • 1 ½ parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila 
  • ½ parts orange liqueur 
  • 2 parts Passion Fruit Jam
  • 2 parts Club Soda
  • ½ part Agave 
  • 1 part lime juice
  • Lime wedge(for garnish)
  • Chili-salt to rim

Preparation: In a shaker filled with ice combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with ice and prepared with a chili-salt rim. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Southwest Sunset Margarita
  • 2 parts Sauza® Blue Reposado Tequila
  • 2 parts orange juice
  • 2 dashes grenadine
  • Lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation: In a glass filled with ice, stir together orange juice and tequila. Pour the two dashes of grenadine down the side so that it settles to the bottom of the glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Enjoy!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

St. Patrick's Day Sips from Sauza


You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate like a lassie on St. Patrick’s Day and Sauza® Tequila is here with some cocktail recipes to help!

Get in the St. Patty’s spirit with the cocktail recipes below perfect for raising a glass to the Emerald Isle.

Mint Margarita 
·        1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
·        2 ½ parts club soda 
·        1 part fresh lime juice
·        1 bunch of fresh mint
·        1 part sugar
·        Salt to rim (optional)
·        Extra mint leaves (for garnish)
·        Lime wedge (for garnish)
PreparationIn a glass, muddle together the mint leaves, sugar and lime juice until they start to melt together. Add tequila. Fill glass with ice and pour cocktail mixture 3/4 of the way to the top of each glass. If you want, rim your glass with salt by rubbing the rim with a lime wedge and dipping in a plate of salt. Fill glass with club soda and garnish with an extra sprig of mint and lime wedge.

Lucky Rita 
  • 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • ½ part DeKuyper® Melon Liqueur
  • 2 parts limeade
  • Sugar
  • Lemon slice ( for garnish)

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice combine all ingredients and shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice and rimmed with sugar. Garnish with a lemon slice. Enjoy!

Sour Apple Margarita 
  • 1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
  • ½ part DeKuyper® Sour Apple Pucker 
  • 2 parts frozen limeade
  • 2 parts apple juice
  • 1 Granny Smith Apple (for garnish) 

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve chilled or over ice. Garnish with apple slice. 




Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Celebrate the Luck of the Irish with Delish Skinnygirl Cocktails




You don’t have to be Irish to break out the shamrocks and celebrate with a tasty cocktail on March 17th! 

Skip the green beer this year, and show off your St. Patty’s Day spirit with delicious, festive recipes from Skinnygirl® Cocktails.

Shamrock Sipper
·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Cucumber Vodka
·         6 parts green tea (water steeped with tea bags OR diet green tea)
·         Cucumber wheel for garnish

Preparation: 
Pour ingredients over ice. Garnish with a cucumber wheel.

Lucky March Mojito
·         1 part Skinnygirl® Prosecco 
·         1 part light rum 
·         1 tsp. agave nectar 
·         3 parts lime juice 
·         Splash of lime flavored sparkling water 
·         3 sprigs of mint 

Preparation:
Shake rum, lime juice and agave nectar in cocktail shaker with ice.  Top with Skinnygirl Prosecco and sparkling water, and pour into tall Collins glass. Muddle in mint leaves and enjoy! 

Blarney Stone Brewski
·         1 part Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
·         1 part chilled light beer
·         2 parts raspberry lemonade concentrate
·         Apple slice for garnish

Preparation: 
Mix all ingredients over ice and serve. Garnish with apple slice!

Spring into a New Season with Three Unique Tequila Cocktails from Sauza 901



After a hard-hitting winter, it’s time for cocktails as light and refreshing as that first warm breeze of spring. Let's toast to the first day of spring (March 20) with three unique cocktails on behalf Sauza® 901® Tequila, founded by Justin Timberlake.

All recipes were created by Sauza® 901® mixologist, Eddy Buckingham.

Che Sauza® 901®:
·         2 parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
·         2 parts simple syrup
·         1 part fresh lime juice
·         3 mint sprigs
·         ½ lime, cut into wedges
·         Splash of soda water

Preparation: Muddle two mint sprigs and lime in a mixing glass and then combine all ingredients, excluding soda water. Shake well. Strain into a highball glass with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Nueva Yorker:
·         3 parts Sauza® 901® Tequila
·         2 parts pineapple juice
·         1 part Orange Curacao 
·         1 part grenadine
·         1 part lime juice

Preparation: Combine all ingredients. Shake well. Strain and serve over ice in a highball. Garnish with a pineapple spear and lime wheel.

Juan Collins:

·         2 parts Sauza®  901®  Tequila
·         1 part fresh lemon juice
·         1 part simple syrup
·         Splash of soda water
·         Lemon  peel for garnish
·         Cherry for garnish

Preparation: Combine all items, excluding the soda water in a mixing glass. Shake well. Serve in a highball glass over ice. Top with soda water. Garnish drink with a lemon peel and a cherry.