Step Up Your Garnish Game for a Bloody Mary Brunch

With a new year comes a new opportunity to elevate your cocktail-making skills. Need some help on how to do that? Pinnacle® Original Vodka has a clean, fresh taste perfect for enhancing any Bloody Mary. For additional ways to pump up your cocktail, Pinnacle has enlisted Beam Suntory Master Mixologist Bobby Gleason to provide tips on how to become “the” bartender of your social circle.

Try out Bobby’s simple tricks that will allow your friends to enjoy a Bloody Mary of their choice: 

·         Step up the garnish game – These days it’s go big or go home when it comes to garnishes. Guarantee your guests a good time by providing a variety of tasteful additions to customize their Bloody Mary. 

o   Forget about the stir stick and take a note from history where a celery stick was first used to mix in the 1950s. No need to stop with celery, feel free to use a carrot stick or cheese stick to stir before sipping.  

o   Want to take it to the next level? Add mini pancakes for a brunchy Bloody Mary.

o   Love the lunch part of brunch more? A mini grilled cheese or slider on a skewer is the best bet to enhance your Bloody Mary with a snack.  

·         Add a splash of something new – Switch up your cocktail with Bobby’s homemade Bloody Mary mix (recipe below).  Making your own adds a fresh element to your drink and gives you the power to make it how you want. A true trick to a refreshing libation is adding any combo of herbs like basil, cilantro, chives or sage. When it comes to the sauce Worchester is king! 

·         Kick it up –Turn up the heat, throw in some hot sauce or wasabi along with a delicious rimmer. Whether it’s chili pepper spice with shredded parmesan cheese or a tajin rim, you’ll add a punch of flavor. Use that lemon wedge for more than just garnish and rub it along the rim before rolling your glass in your spice of choice for a real kick.

Sunday Funday Bloody Mary 

• 1 part Pinnacle® Original Vodka
• 2 parts tomato juice
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1 dash horseradish
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• Celery

Preparation: Shake all ingredients, then add celery and other toppings. 

Bobby G’s Bloody Mary Mix * 

·         32 parts tomato juice 

·         ¼  part kosher salt

·         ¼  part fresh course ground pepper

·         1 ½  parts Worcestershire Sauce

·         ¼  part hot sauce

·         Adjust after to taste

Preparation: Combine all ingredients and adjust after taste to enjoy. 

*Mix recipe serves 14 

Bobby G’s Bloody Mary 

·         1 ½ parts Pinnacle®  Original Vodka 

·         3 parts Bobby G’s Bloody Mary Mix 

·         Garnishes of your choice 

Preparation: Fill a glass with ice and add ingredients in order. Garnish with toppings of your choice.

Inside Bethenny's Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita Launch & RHoNY Viewing Party

Last night, Bethenny Frankel hosted a rooftop party above Rockefeller Center to celebrate the release of the new Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita and to view the penultimate episode of The Real Housewives of New York City.

The original Skinnygirl, Bethenny Frankel, introduces her new Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita to fans at the “Real Housewives of New York City” viewing party, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 in New York. (Diane Bondareff/Invision for Skinnygirl Cocktails/AP Images)

The setting was unbelievably spectacular, the drinks were unbelievably tasty, and the #RHoNY drama was just plain unbelievable!

If you caught last night's episode, you know how crazy the ladies of NYC got during their Miami getaway, but the Miami heat had nothing on the hot location of last night's party ("sick," we agreed with Bethenny at one point)!

Nestled between the buildings of the Manhattan skyline was a lush rooftop bar with seating areas, a pool, and TVs to screen the latest episode of the hit Bravo series. Watching the Real Housewives with some Real Housewives was such a treat, and it was so interesting to witness Bethenny's and Carole Radziwill's reactions to what was happening on the show.

Bethenny Frankel and Carole Radziwill toast to new Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita at the “Real Housewives of New York City” viewing party, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, in New York.  (Diane Bondareff/Invision for Skinnygirl Cocktails/AP Images)

On commercial breaks, Bethenny did a Q&A, shared some cocktail recipes, and hung with her friends.

Bethenny Frankel debuts a new look and a new offering at the launch party for her Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita with an exclusive viewing of “Real Housewives of New York City,” Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, in New York.  (Diane Bondareff/Invision for Skinnygirl Cocktails/AP Images)

Being outside on a warm summer night in the city was such an incredible experience, and seeing Bethenny again was a massive highlight of my summer. The B is definitely back, and she KNOWS how to throw a party!

Raise a Glass for Bethenny's Birthday!

Bethenny Frankel’s birthday is tomorrow, November 4, so channel your inner Skinnygirl and raise a glass in her honor!

While this year’s milestones included returning to primetime, unveiling Skinnygirl® Pinot Noir and Skinnygirl® Spicy Lime Margarita and starting a new home, this birthday is sure to kick-off another adventure-filled year.  We invite you to join in the celebration with these delicious cocktail recipes.  

The B is Back 

·         2 parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         5 muddled blueberries

·         2 muddled blackberries

·         Splash of club soda

·         Lime for garnish

Preparation: Mix vodka with muddled fruit, top with club soda and garnish with lime. 

Savvy Skinnygirl

·         1 part Skinnygirl® Tangerine Vodka

·         1 part DeKuyper® Triple Sec

·         ½ lime

·         Splash of cranberry juice

·         Orange twist and pineapple for garnish 

Preparation: Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker with ice and pour over ice. Garnish with orange twist and pineapple.  

Bethenny’s Bliss 

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         ½ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec

·         ½ part fresh lime juice

·         ½ part simple syrup

·         2-4 fresh or frozen raspberries

·         Lemon wheel for garnish

Preparation: Muddle raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim.

Beat the Heat with New Summer Cocktails at Hard Rock

Hard Rock Cafe is shaking up some refreshing cocktails to help guests beat the heat. Whether enjoying poolside or at a local Hard Rock Cafe during a night out on the town, these fresh adult-only beverages are the perfect summer accessory!

Whichever way you stir it, sip on some unique mason jar mixtures from Hard Rock Cafe, including:

• Summer Splash Daiquiri – BACARDI Limón Rum, amaretto, Finest Call Mango Puree, sweet and sour mix and strawberries 
• Hard Rockin’ Mai Tai – Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, BACARDI OakHeart Spiced Rum and amaretto mixed with made-from-scratch lemonade, pineapple juice, grenadine and splash of Sierra Mist®
• Summer Fizz – BACARDI Gran Reserva Maestro Rum and Cointreau Orange Liqueur shaken together with muddled fresh raspberries, Black Cherry Reàl and lime
• Summertime Blues – fresh blueberries, mint and Blueberry Reàl muddled together with made-from-scratch lemonade and topped with Red Bull Yellow Edition
• Back Porch Tee – BACARDI Superior Rum, Bombay Sapphire Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, iced tea, made-from-scratch lemonade, muddled basil and mint with a hint of Monin Cucumber

Skinnygirl Sips for Mother's Day and the Kentucky Derby

With both the Kentucky Derby (May 2) AND Mother’s Day (May 10) coming up, you’re bound to be busy entertaining guests. 

Whether you’ll be sporting a Derby hat and cheering on the jockeys or brunching with the leading lady in your life, Skinnygirl® Cocktails has some tasty (and low-cal!) recipes, perfect for any occasion! 

Triple Crown Cooler 

·         2  parts Skinnygirl® Cucumber Vodka

·         1 tsp grated fresh ginger

·         2 parts citrus soda 

·         Lime wedge for garnish 

Preparation: Pour vodka into a glass filled with ice. Top with citrus soda. Grate ginger over the top, stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

The Mint Mare 

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Cucumber Vodka 

·         1 lime wedge 

·         2 basil leaves 

·         3 parts soda water 

·         2 mint leaves, plus more for garnish

Preparation: Squeeze lime wedge into glass. Muddle lime wedge with mint, basil, and vodka. Add ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with mint leaves. 

Galloping Gimlet 

·         1 ½  parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka 

·         1 ½  parts fresh lime juice 

Preparation: Shake with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass. 

Momma’s Day Off  

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Tangerine Vodka

·         6 parts orange juice

·         Orange slice for garnish

Preparation: Add Skinnygirl® Tangerine Vodka over ice and top with orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice. 

She’s the Boss Bloody Mary

·         2 parts Skinnygirl® Cucumber Vodka

·         2 parts low-sodium tomato juice

·         Splash of fresh lemon juice

·         Squeeze of fresh lime juice

·         Dash of Worcestershire sauce (to taste)

·         Dash of hot sauce

·         Sprinkle of celery salt

·         Lime for garnish

·         Cucumber for garnish

·         Celery stalk for garnish

Preparation:

Mix ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish with lime and cucumber.

Earth Day Cocktails from Sauza

We’re going green this Earth Day!  And not with envy, although we can’t promise that your friends won’t be jealous of these earthy cocktails.

These green cocktails are Mother Nature-approved with herb ingredients like fresh mint and sage leaves.

Go Minty Green

• 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 

·        Ice 

·        Salt to rim (optional) 

·        Extra mint leaves to garnish 

Preparation: In 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 glasses with salt by rubbing the rims with a lime wedge and dipping in a plate of salt. Fill each glass with club soda and garnish with an extra sprig of mint.

Earthy Essence

• 1 ½ parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila
• ½ part JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 1 ½ parts fresh lime juice
• ½ part simple syrup

Preparation: In a glass, muddle together sliced cucumber and Sauza® Blue Silver Tequila. Let sit in the refrigerator for one hour. Strain the cucumber tequila and combine with all ingredients in a glass. Stir and serve over ice. Garnish with reserved cucumber slices and a wedge of lime.

#RHoNY Signature Cocktails from Skinnygirl

Missed Tuesday’s premiere of Real Housewives Season 7? Not to worry! Shake up your cocktail party routine and serve signature sips this weekend or next week when you’re tuning in to #RHoNY!

Whether you choose Bethenny’s Pink Lemon Drop or LuAnn’s Naked Cosmo, these cocktails will be sure to please. 

I had a Pink Lemon Drop and @CountessLuann had a Naked Cosmo! #SkinnygirlCocktails #RHONY https://t.co/6CUf6NBfj6
— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) April 8, 2015

 

Looking for something simple? You can never go wrong with Bethenny’s fave: a classic martini with 3 olives! 

Pink Lemon Drop 

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         ½ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec

·         ½ part fresh lime juice

·         ½ part simple syrup

·         2-4 fresh or frozen raspberries

·         Lemon wheel, for garnish

Preparation:  Muddle the raspberries in the bottom of cocktail shaker. Add ingredients with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon wheel on the rim.

Naked Cosmo  

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         ½ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec

·         1 ½ part white cranberry juice

·         Juice of ½ lime

·         Lemon wheel, for garnish

Preparation: Combine vodka, triple sec, and juices in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain drink into glass and garnish with a lemon wheel. 

Bethenny’s Bliss

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         Splash of dry vermouth

·         Fresh olives to garnish

Preparation: Shake all ingredients with ice, pour into a martini glass and garnish with fresh olives.

Toast to Bethenny's Return to 'The Real Housewives of New York City'

Bethenny fans, rejoice! The original Skinnygirl, Bethenny Frankel, is back for the 7^th season of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City. 

What kind of adventures are on the horizon for the housewives? You’ll have to wait until April 7 at 9pm to find out, but we do know you’ll want to have a cocktail close by as you watch how this next chapter unfolds! 

Here are some delicious recipes to help toast to our favorite Skinnygirl’s return! 

No time to mix up a cocktail? Skinnygirl® Spicy Lime Margarita is perfect for the time-crunched fan looking for a little heat in their drink. Just pour and enjoy!

Skinnygirl® Big Apple

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka 

·         ¾ part apple juice 

·         ¼ part agave syrup 

·         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 and garnish with a perfectly ripe apple slice.

New York Minute

·         2 parts Skinnygirl® Cucumber Vodka

·         1 part club soda 

·         Splash cranberry juice

·         Splash ginger ale

Preparation: Pour all ingredients over ice.

Metropolitan Mixer 

·         1 ½ parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka

·         2 parts diet cranberry juice 

·         ½ part fresh lime juice

·         ½ part DeKuyper® Triple Sec

·         Lime for garnish

Preparation: Pour all ingredients over ice in a 3 piece shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lime.

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!

Can't wait to try this yummy Orange Risotto recipe featuring @Skinnygirl® Cocktails. http://t.co/65oeVedNcd #SoGood pic.twitter.com/o2QHgLL3cm

— Mike (@OhHellYes) March 27, 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!