The Perfect Pumpkin Cocktail for National Pumpkin Day

With National Pumpkin Day coming up on October 26th, Pinnacle Vodka has a great pumpkin cocktail, which they made in partnership with lifestyle influencer Courtney Whitmore.

Pumpkin White Russian

• 2 parts Pinnacle^® Original Vodka
• 1 part coffee liqueur 
• 1 part heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin puree
• 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain over ice. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice. Tip: If you want a traditional white Russian look to your cocktail, you can pour the heavy cream on at the end.

Chilling Cocktails for your Halloween Festivities

Time to eat, drink and be scary! Whether you’re preparing for a haunted Halloween party or staying in and watching scary movies, these chilling cocktail recipes from Hornitos Tequila and Pinnacle Vodka are certain to raise spirits during your Halloween festivities.  

Purple Haze Martini 

• 2 parts Pinnacle® Original Vodka
• 2 parts DeKuyper® Pucker® Grape Schnapps
• Splash Sour Mix
• Splash Lemon-Lime Soda

Preparation: Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Potion de Muerto

• 2 parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila
• ¾ part fresh orange juice
• ¾ part fresh lemon juice
• ¾ part agave
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• ½ part beet juice

Preparation: Serve in a tall glass over crushed ice with a beet juice float – the beet juice will slowly float down the glass through the crushed ice, making it look like blood dropping down. Garnish with an orange slice.

Apple Barrel

• 2 parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila
• 1 part apple cider
• ¾ part fresh lime juice
• ½ part maple syrup
• 3 dashes Angostura® bitters
• Apple slice

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an apple slice.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

Pinnacle Vodka offers tips on homemade vodka infusions

The sunshine season is in full swing and there’s nothing better than seasonal fruits, fresh vegetables and delicious herbs to create homemade cocktail infusions sure to impress and delight friends. 

Pinnacle® Vodka partnered with Spike TV’s Bar Rescue Mixology Expert, Mia Mastroianni, to arm at-home bartenders with a few tips and tricks to crafting homemade, custom infusions. 

1. Choose an Infusion – For the best infusions, start with a clean base such as award-winning Pinnacle® Original Vodka. From there, decide how you want the cocktail to taste. Ingredients such as fresh fruits and berries are a good idea for a sweet base. Peppers, herbs or spices are the perfect spicy and savory infusions 

2. Preparation is Key – Before beginning the infusion process, be sure to wash all fresh ingredients thoroughly. Remove any pits, seeds, or stems and cut any fruit into large chunks. Berries can be halved, and any herbs should be gently crushed, as it will help to release the flavor

3. Understand Proper Infusion – Mason jars work perfectly for infusions as they provide a clean, airtight container. A good rule of thumb for infusion proportions: two parts fruit or vegetable to one part spirit. Timing isn’t specific; infusions can take anywhere from three days for some small batches to three weeks for larger batches, so be sure to taste as you go

4. Ready to Serve – Once the vodka has reached a desired flavor, strain the contents through a mesh strainer and gently press on any fruit. To clarify the liquid, strain the remaining liquid a second time through the mesh strainer lined with a coffee filter

Keep these tips in mind when making your own infusion, or create Mia’s homemade infused cocktail of choice, the Cinnamon Grapefruit Gimlet.

Cinnamon Grapefruit-Infused Pinnacle® Original Vodka

·         24 parts Pinnacle^® Original Vodka

·         2 large pink grapefruits

·         2-3 cinnamon sticks

Infusion Preparation: Using a vegetable peeler, peel the outer zest off the grapefruits. Do not get any of the white pith on your peels that will add bitterness. Load a mason jar with the grapefruit zest and the cinnamon sticks and cover with vodka. Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, for three days, shaking daily. Begin to taste. Once it reaches desired flavor, strain through a mesh strainer. Strain a second time through a coffee filter. Bottle and store your infusion in a cool, dark place

Cinnamon Grapefruit Gimlet

·         2 parts Cinnamon/Grapefruit Infused Pinnacle^® Original Vodka

·         1 part Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice 

·         ½ part Simple Syrup

Preparation: In a mixing glass combine all ingredients and top with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge. 

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.

Raise a Glass of Sauza Tequila - 2016 is Almost OVER!

New Year’s Eve often leaves many scrambling – whether it’s determining last-minute details with friends, figuring out what to wear (sparkly or black?), and, for some, who qualifies for the much-anticipated New Year’s Eve kiss once the ball drops!

While those details are still TBD, Sauza Tequila is here to relieve some 2017 countdown stress with cocktails that are easy to create and worthy of a last-of-2016 Instagram moment. The Bubbles and Berries margarita is a perfect blend of fresh flavors and bubbly!

Bubbles and Berries

·        1 part Sauza® Gold Tequila

·        1 part lime juice

·        1/2 parts simple syrup

·        2 parts Sparkling water

·        Splash of Dekuyper® RazzMatazz

·        Fresh raspberries

Preparation: Add Sauza Tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Dekuyper® RazzMatazz into an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into glass. Top with sparkling water. Garnish with fresh raspberries. Enjoy!

Make it a Pinnacle Party with these great tips from Mary G

November is filled with nights to cozy up by the fire with family, friends, and a good movie – or several for the ultimate movie marathon. Showing a movie alongside delicious bites and cocktails that incorporate a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist is what caterer and entertaining expert Mary Giuliani calls “party perfection.” There’s nothing like a pre-set spread so guests don’t miss one moment of the viewing fun. 

• Shaken, Not Stirred - A DIY Pinnacle martini bar is an easy way to incorporate guests into the party and allows the host to not play bartender all night. Set up toothpicks, olives, and all ingredients for guests to shake up their perfect Pinnacle Dirty Pinn-Tini ahead of time and allow them to customize their cocktail. Offer a selection of vodka including Original, which is the perfect base for a variety of garnishes or add a flavor like Pinnacle Whipped or Pinnacle Raspberry Vodka. 
• Rethink Your Drink(ware) - Don’t be afraid to serve a martini in a in a rocks glass over ice- it’s just as delicious with less opportunities for spills. Add edible gold stars frozen in ice cubes for a bright flair
• Silver Spoon Desserts - Create a delicious chocolate or vanilla pudding and fill small mason jars. Add a black bow tie to each mason jar for decor and leave in the fridge through the first half of the movie. When the movie is coming to an end, grab the mason jars from the fridge and serve in front of the TV
• Pop it Perfectly - What’s a movie night without popcorn and sweets? Set up a snack station with an assortment of delicious toppings such as chocolate sprinkles, Gummy Bears, Sea Salt, Pepper, Paprika, and Parmesan Cheese so each guest can create their own delightful concoction

Pinnacle Dirty Pinn-Tini 

• 2 parts Pinnacle Original Vodka
• 1 part olive juice
• Olives for garnish
• Toothpick for garnish

Preparation: Shake with ice and strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with olives through a toothpick.

Carve Out Time for a Sauza Harvest Cocktail on National Pumpkin Day

On Wednesday, October 26, prepare to pick, carve, and even drink all things pumpkin because it’s finally National Pumpkin Day! Complete the holiday with a well-deserved cocktail after a long day at the pumpkin patch.

The Sauza Harvest pitcher-style cocktail is packed with pumpkin puree and maple syrup – its autumn flavors will put smiles on everyone’s faces, and their jack-o-lanterns! 

The Sauza Harvest (serves 8)

·         2 cups Sauza® Signature Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila 

·         3/4 cup pumpkin puree

·         1 cup maple syrup 

·         Star anises

Preparation: Combine ingredient in pitcher and stir until thoroughly mixed. Serve over ice in brown sugar-rimmed glasses. Garnish with a star anise. Enjoy!

Five Halloween Cocktails That Are So Good, It's Scary

                   

Corazón Diablo          Bewitching Berry                 Spider’s Kiss              Jack-O-Lantern               Black Cauldron

Hosting a frightful Halloween bash? This year, “treat or treat” guests with deliciously ghoulish cocktails that are sure to spook and satisfy. 

Allow guests to pick their favorite poison with five hauntingly good cocktails from 901 Tequila, Sauza Tequila, Hornitos Tequila, Skinnygirl Cocktails, and Pinnacle Vodka – certain to raise spirits during Halloween celebrations. 

Corazón Diablo

• 2 parts 901® Tequila
• 1 part Crème de cassis
• 1 shot espresso
• 1 part coffee liqueur
• ½  part simple syrup

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in mixing glass. Shake vigorously over ice. Strain over ice into martini glass. Garnish with sliced fig to mimic an “evil heart.”

Bewitching Berry

• 2 parts Sauza® Signature Blue Silver Tequila
• 1/2 parts peach juice
• 1/2 parts blackberry puree
• 1/2 parts lemon juice
• 1 part simple syrup
• Peach slice 
• Blackberry

Preparation: Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain over ice into a coupe glass. Garnish by skewering a fresh blackberry and a slice of peach with a knot stick.

Spider’s Kiss 

• 1 part Pinnacle® Original Vodka
• 1 part Midori® Melon Liqueur
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Chocolate Syrup
• Orange Slice 

Preparation: Draw a chocolate web into a martini glass and place in the refrigerator to chill. Combine Midori®, Pinnacle® Vodka, and lemon juice in a shaker and strain into glass. Garnish with a chocolate dipped orange slice.

Jack-O-Lantern  

• 1 ½  parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
• 1 part canned unsweetened pumpkin
• ¾ part fat free sweetened condensed milk
• ¾ part unsweetened almond milk
• Pumpkin pie spice for garnish
• Club soda 

Preparation: Mix all ingredients except club soda. Pour over ice, top with club soda and garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Black Cauldron

·         1 ½ parts Hornitos® Black Barrel® Tequila

·         ¾ part fresh lemon juice

·         ¼ part agave syrup

·         ¼ part sage simple syrup

·         2 dashes Angostura® bitters*

·         1 capsule activated charcoal**

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon slice.

*All trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

**Adds a jet-black hue and a light, smoky flavor to the cocktail

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!

Make a Splash with NEW Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita

Just in time for summer, new Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita is a refreshing mix of light watermelon and cool lime. Whether you are looking for a warm weather staple or a delicious margarita without the guilt, there’s something to offer everyone! And, it’s so simple to serve – just pour over ice in a margarita glass and garnish with a watermelon and lime wedge. 

“Watermelon is one of my favorite flavors,” said Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails, natural foods chef, Real Housewives star and expert hostess. “The new Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita is BEYOND! I’m obsessed and will be enjoying it all season long while entertaining by the pool and relaxing at the beach.”

Here are the details on Skinnygirl Watermelon Lime Margarita -

·         The perfect balance of cool lime and refreshing watermelon

·         Available in June, the ready-to-serve cocktail contains a bright, fruity aroma with light tequila and citrus notes

·         Finishes with a sweet and tart melon flavor 

·         Under 100 calories per serving and 19.9 proof

·         Offered in a 750 mL bottle for $12.99

Perk Alert: New Watermelon Lime Margarita is perfect for summer entertaining. Here are a few suggestions on how to incorporate it into your warm weather soiree below: 

·         Pair new Watermelon Lime Margarita with Balsamic Caprese Skewers (recipe below) as an afternoon snack while entertaining guests. Three skewers are less than 60 calories while our ready to serve marg is less than 100! It’s the perfect combo for a hot summer day.

·         Bring your cocktail to the next level by creating a Sassy Slush! Pour Watermelon Lime Margarita over shaved ice and garnish with a watermelon wedge. 

·         Bring the heat and spice up your cocktail with a chili rim – just mix chili powder and coarse salt – or garnish with jalapeno slices. 

Balsamic Caprese Skewers  

·         Cherry tomatoes

·         Mozzarella balls, patted dry with a paper towel

·         Basil leaves

·         Pepper

·         Balsamic vinegar

Preparation: Using 6-inch bamboo skewers, first place a cherry tomato, then a large basil leaf followed by a mozzarella ball.  Continue these steps until you have the amount of skewers you desire. Arrange them on a platter and sprinkle with a bit of pepper.  Serve with balsamic vinegar or drizzle over top, just remember to drizzle right before serving so that your basil leaves don't wilt.

Greet Mom with a Margarita on Mother's Day!

This Mother’s Day, celebrate the occasion with a cocktail that is just as sweet as mom, with Sauza Tequila’s Strawberry Margarita! This fruity and delicious margarita is the perfect treat to accompany brunch festivities, or any flowers or chocolates you plan to gift mom on her special day.   

Strawberry Margarita

·         1 ½ parts Sauza® Silver Tequila

·         ½ parts DeKuyper® Triple Sec Liqueur

·         1 part Pucker® Strawberry Schnapps 

·         3 parts sour mix

·         1 strawberry slice 

Preparation: Add all ingredients to a blender, puree until smooth. Serve in glasses rimmed with salt and garnished with a strawberry slice. Salt is optional.

Join Bethenny Frankel's Birthday Celebration tonight on RHoNY

Join the original Skinnygirl Bethenny Frankel’s birthday celebration during this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of New York City tonight! Taking the party out to the Hamptons, Bethenny toasts her 45^th birthday with a backyard BBQ featuring Skinnygirl Moscow Mules for her guests. A refreshing cocktail perfect for summer, and easy to make for a crowd, the Skinnygirl Moscow Mule can be customized with seasonal berries and herbs to match any party’s theme.   

Tune in and join the party with the recipe below: 

Skinnygirl® Moscow Mule 

• 2 parts Skinnygirl® Bare Naked Vodka
• 1  part lime juice
• 4 parts ginger beer
• Lime wedge for garnish

Preparation: Fill Moscow Mule mug with ice. Add vodka and lime juice, then ginger beer. Stir to mix. Garnish with a lime wedge.