Hopscotch Festival

http://www.hopscotchfestival.com/vancouver

This event is awesome! Beer and Whiskey! 6 days of beer and whiskey tastings, seminars, and great venues!

HOPSCOTCH 2012

Last year's Festival was the best that ever was.

Was ... best that ever was.

Now in our sixteenth year, Hopscotch 2012 will be showcasing world class products including Scotch and other Whiskies; Premium and Craft Beer from around the globe; ultra premium spirits including Tequila, Vodka, Rum; and so much more.

As is the case year after year, in 2012, Foodconnect.com's Hopscotch Festival will be bigger and better than any year prior. Over the years, it has distinguished itself as a world class whisky, beer, and spirit festival and continuously attracts attention from top international industry professionals.

Thanks to overwhelming demand from connoisseurs attending the festival, the Grand Tasting Hall will be changing locations for the first time in 7 years! MasterClasses and Satellite Events are being planned to be the best in festival history. This year will showcase more brands, more speakers, and more events, so get ready!

A new Hard Iced Tea!! Ymmy!

Best Pumpkin Beers

Searching wide I found these awesome websites.... Check em out!!!!!



http://www.beerinfo.com/index.php/pages/bestpumpkinbeers.html

http://www.samueladams.com/age-gate.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fenjoy-our-beer%2fbeer-detail.aspx%3fname%3dharvest-pumpkin-ale&name=harvest-pumpkin-ale

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/72

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/blogs/99bottles/2012/10/review_12_pumpkin_beers.html

http://smuttynose.com/beers/seasonal_beers/smuttynose_pumpkin_ale.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-pumpkin-beer-2012-10

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/10/pumpkin-beer-taste-test-winners-revealed/

Hope you enjoy these sites....Lots to see and much to taste!!!

New Wine Law allows you to BYOB for dinner!

SO......What do you think?

What happens if a server or bartender tries to cut you off? From your own booze!!

What will happen if the guest drinks and drives because they drank too much of their own wine?

So many questions but no straight answers, leave guests and service staff in a grey area!

According to CTV:

VICTORIA – The Province is popping the cork on new legislation that will allow you to bring your own wine to restaurants.

The government says loosening up liquor laws is one way to help restaurants boost business in a fragile economy and that the “bring your own wine program” will encourage more people to dine out.

The new law comes in today. Restaurants will have the option of participating and setting a corkage fee for diners to pay to bring their own bottle in.

Average corkage is expected to run around $15 a bottle.

The restaurant industry is raising a glass to the new law, hoping it will pour money into struggling businesses.

*People can now bring their own wine to participating restaurants in BC as part of the new Bring Your Own Wine program. The wine people bring to restaurants will be served the same way as wine on the menu -- with a possible "corking fee." Diners can, however, bring home what they don't finish.

According to Corkage Toronto, a website aggregating corkage fees in Toronto, fees range from $0 to $50. What will Vancouver Charge?

So whats next? We bring our own food?

Let's see how long this lasts!! What incident will it take for them to pull this back?

Questions worth asking!

Legacy Liquor Store Events June

June 2012

STRONGBOW TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 1, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Strongbow  is a crisp, premium imported cider from the U.K. which delivers maximum refreshment in an authentic, traditional English recipe.

WHISTLER BREWING MONSOON TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 2, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

A downpour of refreshment!  Tropical island vodka coolers...splash down in the moment!

PARALLEL 49 WATERMELON WIT TASTING
Sunday, 2-6 pm   Jun 3, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

A brand new brewery in East Van brewing up quality craft beers that will inspire the craft enthusiast in all of us. Come sample our the new Watermelon Wit.

THE PRODUCT SALON AND SHOWCASE WITH CPBA
Tuesday, 2 to 5 pm   Jun 5, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Sample products from the following producers alongside some of the city's best bartenders from the Canadian Professional Bartenders Association:

Havana Club Rum
St Germain Elderflower
Hendrick's Gin
Hornitos Tequila
Flor de Cana Rum
Whistler Beer
Beefeater 24
Campari & Aperol
Jack Daniel's Portfolio
Giffard
Mott's Clamato & tasty Caesar samples!
Fentiman's
On the Rocks ICE
Wine & Spirit Educational Trust (WSET)
Cocktail Kingdom

Plus, an exclusive sample from Crush Imports, and several restricted listing rums!
Ron Millonario (Peru)
- Solera 15 Reserva Especial
- XO Reserva Especial
Rum Nation (Latin America)
- Barbados 10 y.o.
- Demerara Solera No. 14 (Guyana
- Martinique "Hors d'Age"
- Panama 18 y.o.
- Martinique 12 y.o. Anniversary Decanter
- Demerara 23 y.o. 1985-08 Ltd. Ed. 1,896 bottles (Guyana)
- Jamaica 25 y.o. 1985 Supreme Lord V Ltd. Ed.
and enjoy a Zero-Proof cocktail competition, sponsored by Giffard and Nons-Drinks!
 

KALE & NORI: BITTERED SLING BISTRO
Wednesday, 7 to 9:30 pm   Jun 6, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

PURCHASE TICKETS $60, includes HST and gratuity - Click Here to See Menu

The featured spirit for this month is Jack Daniels Whiskey and the feature bartender for this night is Robyn Gray of, Hotel Georgia & Reflections.

Welcome to Season Two! After the overwhelming success of Season One, Bittered Sling Bistro is back! This season, we intend to rock the boat with more spirits, more products, more bartenders and more excitement! Bittered Sling Bistro Season Two runs from May-October 2012. Don't miss out on the event that EVERYONE is talking about!
-
We are proud to introduce you to "Bittered Sling Bistro" - a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver. This event is hosted by Kale & Nori's award-winning mixologist, Lauren Mote and Chef Jonathan Chovancek. This is Vancouver's longest running and biggest cocktail and food-pairing competition, offering a high level creative event for apprentice and veteran bartenders across British Columbia. This event is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Professional Bartender's Association.
Lauren Mote starts our evening off, with a unique and palate-cleansing cocktail, with our feature spirit and Bittered Sling Extracts, accompanied by delicious and beautifully paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. Their vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this exciting and interactive event. Guests are guided though a bartender-friendly spirit tasting, led by our host bartender, offering up invaluable information about why bartenders love this particular spirit, and what it means to them. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit's wide range of notes and character, and the addition of a Bittered Sling Extract. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the host bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender's presentation and pairing skills. The top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an creative way. This is all about spirit - in both the bartender and the bottle.

DOMAINE PINNACLE ICED CIDER TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 7, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Domaine Pinnacle is a family-owned orchard and cidery, dedicated to creating the world's best Ice Cider.

JAW DROP COOLERS TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 8, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Sucking, Biting, Licking, Puckering Refreshment!  Try the Sucking Lemons and Puckering Punch.

CARLSBERG AND HOLSTEN TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 9, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

We recommend that you serve your Carlsberg slightly chilled, preferably with a friend: Sharing your Carlsberg with friends is more than sharing a great tasting beer. It’s about friendship, old memories, and memories to come.

LEFT FIELD CIDER COMPANY
Sunday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 10, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Established in the heart BC's interior, Left Field Cider Co. is a family owned business, making traditional cider in small batches.

A TOUR OF TIKI COCKTAILS
Wednesday, 7 to 8:30 pm   Jun 13, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

Do you know your Mai Tai's from your Zombies?  Need a refreshing on what Falarnium is?  Then this seminar is for you!  Join Donnie Wheeler, resident "Tiki Cocktail Tour Guide" at the Clough Club and past apprentice of Tales of the Cocktail Vancouver as he demonstrates how to perfect your Tiki cocktails.  After this seminar, you'll have all the tools necessary to throw a serious Tiki bash of your own!

$35/ticket, 36 tickets available PURCHASE HERE

CARLSBERG AND SOMERSBY CIDER TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 14, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Available in four delicious variants Somersby cider has obtained a reputation for spreading joy and sunny togetherness where ever it is served and attracting curious and open-minded people from all over the world.

OKANAGAN SPRINGS SUMMER WEIZEN TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 15, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Inspired by the bountiful orchards of BC’s Southern Interior, our Brewmaster has created this deliciously original recipe. An unfiltered wheat ale with the subtle flavour of apricot, it pairs well with all things summer.

OKANAGAN CIDERS TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 16, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Okanagan Premium Cider takes care to live up to the quality and tradition of the family recipe, using outstanding fruit from their Okanagan Valley farm. 

SAPPORO TASTING
Sunday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 17, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Sapporo is one of Japan's oldest beers with a brewing tradition that dates back to 1876.

KALE & NORI: BITTERED SLING BISTRO
Tuesday, 7 to 930 pm   Jun 19, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

*NOTE DATE CHANGE* TUESDAY INSTEAD OF WEDNESDAY

PURCHASE TICKETS $60, includes HST and gratuity, 36 seats available. - Click Here to See Menu

The featured spirit for this month is Jack Daniels Whiskey and the feature bartender for this night is Trevor Kallies, Donnelly Hospitality Group (including New Oxford, Granville Room, Clough Club, Hooker's Green)

Welcome to Season Two! After the overwhelming success of Season One, Bittered Sling Bistro is back! This season, we intend to rock the boat with more spirits, more products, more bartenders and more excitement! Bittered Sling Bistro Season Two runs from May-October 2012. Don't miss out on the event that EVERYONE is talking about!
-
We are proud to introduce you to "Bittered Sling Bistro" - a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver. This event is hosted by Kale & Nori's award-winning mixologist, Lauren Mote and Chef Jonathan Chovancek. This is Vancouver's longest running and biggest cocktail and food-pairing competition, offering a high level creative event for apprentice and veteran bartenders across British Columbia. This event is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Professional Bartender's Association.
Lauren Mote starts our evening off, with a unique and palate-cleansing cocktail, with our feature spirit and Bittered Sling Extracts, accompanied by delicious and beautifully paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. Their vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this exciting and interactive event. Guests are guided though a bartender-friendly spirit tasting, led by our host bartender, offering up invaluable information about why bartenders love this particular spirit, and what it means to them. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit's wide range of notes and character, and the addition of a Bittered Sling Extract. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the host bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender's presentation and pairing skills. The top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an creative way. This is all about spirit - in both the bartender and the bottle.

SKINNERS BEER TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 21, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Skinner's is an independent family owned and run brewery founded in July 1997. You can find them by the river in the picturesque cathedral city of Truro, the capital of Cornwall.

HOUSE WINE: PINOT AROUND THE WORLD
Friday, 6 to 8 pm   Jun 22, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

From the heartbreak grape’s birthplace of Burgundy to its more recent success stories in Oregon, New Zealand and California, Pinot Noir has captured the hearts of winemakers and seduced numerous wine drinkers. Join the girls in a comparative tasting of Pinot Noir across the globe and discover this grape’s special charms. Besides visiting more established areas we will pour examples from newer dwellings of BC, Chile and Argentina. Be prepared to fall in love!

$75/ticket - PURCHASE HERE

BUD LIGHT LIME MOJITO TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 23, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

authentic mojito flavor with a unique twist of Bud Light Lime!

POLAR ICE CUBE TASTING
Sunday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 24, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Try the new raspberry lemonade punch from Polar Ice vodka.  This is a premixed cocktail in a easy 1.75 L format  that serves 10 cocktails in one package!

TASTE OF AFRICA PART 3!
Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30 pm   Jun 27, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

Join the lovely Isaac and Becky from Taste of Africa restaurant for our third dinner!  Authentic African food paired with delicious South African wines.  Entertainment this evening includes a 30 minute dance display by Afro Beat Daners, a new multicultural dance group from Surrey, BC.

Menu:

Jollof Rice with Jerk-honey Chicken

Curried Goat with Rice Pillof

Salmon Filets and Fried Plantains

(VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE)

$45/ticket, 36 tickets available PURCHASE HERE

ONILIKAN COCKTAIL TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 28, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Taste a selection of cocktails from Onilikan, an artisanal distiller of agave and fruit spirits from Mazatlan, Mexico.

OLE SANGRITA TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Jun 29, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

A light wine-based beverage with a fruity twist. This sangria strikes the perfect balance between wine and fruit.

LONETREE CIDER TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Jun 30, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

The apples in Lonetree are sourced from an old-growth orchard rooted deep in the Okanagan Valley. These trees have been producing crisp, fresh, healthy apples for generations.

How to make a Scooby Snack Cocktail - Drink recipes from Bartending Boot...

June Bug Cocktail Recipe - BartenderOne Toronto Bartending School

Legacy Liquor Store offers a good reason to visit!

These are public events (except where noted). Everyone is welcome!

March 2012

BLIND TASTING VODKA SEMINAR
Thursday, 7 to 8:30 pm   Mar 8, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Are all vodkas really alike?  In this blind tasting seminar, sample 10 different vodkas that will challenge your pre-conceived notions of what vodka truly is.  Can you tell the difference between a rye based vodka and a wheat one?  What about a potato vodka?  Join us at the harvest table where your palate and your idea of what vodka truly is will be challenged!

$25/person 34 tickets available.  PURCHASE HERE

SNOW QUEEN VODKA TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Mar 8, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

This organic vodka is from Kazakhstan and is made from wheat.

CHAMBORD TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Mar 9, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Chambord, the world-renowned black raspberry liqueur, introduces a groundbreaking new taste experience in Chambord Flavored Vodka. The exquisite taste of Chambord Flavored Vodka is the result of fine ingredients and a delicate process that forms a perfect balance of premium quality French vodka and extraordinary black raspberry flavor.

MOOSEHEAD BEER TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Mar 10, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Moosehead Breweries’ flagship brand is a golden lager that is light in body and highly refreshing, offering a fine balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Made from an age-old yeast culture, Moosehead Lager is brewed longer to impart its unique flavor.

RARE DRAMS WHISKY TASTING
Sunday, 2 to 6 pm   Mar 11, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Rare Drams imports Rare and Hard to find Whiskies from Scotland - come sample a new selection of products at Legacy from Rare Drams!

KALE & NORI: BITTERED SLING BISTRO
Wednesday, 7:00 to 9:30 pm   Mar 28, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street, Harvest Table

PURCHASE TICKETS - $60 a ticket, includes HST and gratuity.

This month's featured spirit is Hendrick's Gin and the featured bartender for this evening's event is Ben de Champlain of Boneta Restaurant.

We are proud to introduce you to "Bittered Sling Bistro" - a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver.

The evening starts with a cocktail reception accompanied by paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. The vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this delicious affair. Guests are guided though an interactive tasting, led by the guest bartender, right at the harvest table. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit's wide range of notes and character. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the guest bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender's presentation and pairing skills. The top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an creative way. This is all about spirit - in both the bartender and the bottle.

VERMONT SPIRITS TASTING
Thursday, 4 to 7 pm   Mar 29, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

These vodkas are triple-distilled using only local spring water and receiving a very light charcoal filtration at the end of each cycle. Only the techniques of artisan distilling, constant vigilance and highly accurate, laboratory-quality stills would allow the fermentation of the unique characteristics of maple to come through. 

MAGIC MOMENTS VODKA TASTING
Friday, 4 to 7 pm   Mar 30, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Magic Moments Lemongrass and Ginger vodka promises everything that a great life should have - being young at heart.  It also embodies an excitement in and for life.

RED RACER BEER TASTING
Saturday, 2 to 6 pm   Mar 31, 2012 
Venue: 1633 Manitoba Street

Red Racer Beer believes in pushing the boundaries of craft brewing. From the flagship India Pale Ale to the limited release Winter Ale, every one of their beers is designed to challenge and delight even the most discerning connoisseur. The result?  Best Brewery in Canada at the 2010 Canadian Brewing Awards, one of the numerous awards won in the last seven years.

Sexy House Mix!!

Bringing Magic to Cocktailing! Just cause Valentines Day is over doesn't mean the magic has to stop.

Our friends from Baddish Group have shared a delicious little secret...



Everyday their are new products and just like anything else it has popularity for a short time and then it fizzles out!

I always love to find an ingredient that can be used for special occasions as well as be kept in the liquor cabinet and indulged upon as you wish. Since our main love is Vodka we are excited to share....

Chambord Flavored Vodka.

  "Chambord Flavored Vodka is the World's Most Romantic Vodka," said Dr. Jane. "It is perfect in so many cocktails that can add that touch of romance to any date, Valentine's Day or not."

The French Martini

Dr. Jane says: "This cocktail is so smooth and scrumptious, perfect for the

couple who likes Ballroom Dancing.  I can see something very elegant - like

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - floating across the dance floor."

1 1Ž2 oz. Chambord Flavored Vodka

1Ž2 oz. Chambord Liqueur

2 oz. Pineapple Juice

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with

raspberries.

The Parisian Cosmo

"I love this drink so much. It's light and refreshing and I can definitely

see it in a pitcher or by the beach.  Think Group Date Activity if you enjoy

this cocktail," Greer said.  Marc Snowman added: "If you are having a

Cupid's Cocktail Party, this drink is a winner."

1Ž2 oz. Chambord Flavored Vodka

2 oz. Cranberry Juice

1Ž2 oz. Sour Mix

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a

lemon twist.

French Sparkle

"This is an elegant cocktail and should be enjoyed when it's truly a date

that's a night on the town," said Greer.  Husband Marc added: "If a man

ordered this for his date, she would know how astute and intuitive he is."

1 oz. Chambord Flavored Vodka

1 oz. Champagne

2 oz. Mango Nectar

Shake vodka and mango nectar with ice and strain into a chilled martini

glass. Top with champagne.  Garnish with a mango slice and a black

raspberry.

Chambord Vodka and Perrier

"An active couple - one who likes date night to be bowling, paintball or

even charades - would love this," said Greer.  Added Marc: "This is the all

around winner for a man to order on any date."

1 oz. Chambord Flavored Vodka

3 oz. Perrier ®

Pour Vodka into a glass filled with ice and top with club soda.  Garnish

with a lemon wedge and a black raspberry.

For more information about Chambord Flavored Vodka, please visit

www.chambordonline.com

National Margarita Day February 22, 2012

Ahhh! National Margarita Day! We love margarita's and their delicious blend of salty, sweet and bitter! No one really knows the true inventor of the margarita but there are some great stories to be told.


Smithsonian Blog says:

As with so many popular things, more than one person has claimed to have invented the margarita. One of the most prevalent stories is that Carlos “Danny” Herrera developed the drink at his Tijuana-area restaurant, Rancho La Gloria, around 1938. As the legend goes, Herrera dreamed up the cocktail for one of his customers, an aspiring actress named Marjorie King who was allergic to all hard alcohol other than tequila. To make the liquor more palatable to his fussy client, he combined the elements of a traditional tequila shot—a lick of salt and a wedge of lime—and turned them into a refreshing drink.


Banderas News says:


My favorite story is about a Dallas socialite, named - you guessed it - Margarita Sames, whose favorite party game was to duck behind the bar and mix up all kinds of drinks for her guests with whatever was available. During a 1948 Christmas party at her vacation home in Acapulco, Mexico - must be nice - she threw together tequila, Cointreau and lime juice with great success. Her friends took the recipe stateside, and it spread like melted cheese sauce over nachos.


The third most commonly told tale comes from Tommy's Place in Juarez, Mexico. Pancho Morales was working the bar in 1942 when a woman came up to him and ordered a drink called a Magnolia. Morales could not remember what was in a Magnolia, except Cointreau. So, he decided to fake it. After mixing Cointreau with tequila, he named the new concoction after another flower, the daisy. Bet you a margarita that you can guess what "daisy" is in Spanish.


Either way does the inventor affect the flavor or it's presentation in today's world! We say NO! But with that being said we drink it anyway. Though I would prefer a margarita on a hot summer day, what better day to enjoy a libatio n than on its own "National Holiday".


Here's a basic recipe for a plain ol' margarita that you can enjoy as-is - or tailor to your heart's content (like that Dallas socialite Margarita Sames):

2 oz. tequila
2 oz. lime juice
1 oz. Triple Sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau
Salt
Garnish: lime wedge



We have had the pleasure of an industry friend pass along some delicious recipes with a tequila that he represents and we would like to pass that onto you!

If you're looking for ways to spice up the same-old margarita, try adding a splash of Tuaca, a vanilla citrus liqueur with Italian roots that date back 500 years to when Lorenzo de Medici ruled Florence. Rediscovered in 1938 and consumed by American servicemen in Italy during WWII, Tuaca is still enjoyed today either chilled as a shot, served over ice, or as a base to a wide range of cocktails, including the two margarita recipes below:

TUACArita
1 oz TUACA
1 oz Herradura® Silver Tequila
1/4 oz triple sec
3 oz sweet and sour
lemon wedge, squeezed
salt
lemon twist

Mix ingredients, including squeezed lemon wedge, in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lemon twist

Tuaca® Tropical Margarita 

2 oz Tuaca® Liqueur
1 oz part Tequila Herradura® Reposado
½ oz simple syrup (or Agave Nectar)
¼ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4 one-inch squares fresh pineapple

Muddle the pineapple squares well in a cocktail shaker (be sure to get all of the juice out) and then add the remaining ingredients and fill shaker 2/3 full with ice. Shake enthusiastically and strain over fresh ice into a pre-chilled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and (since it's a tropical drink) a neon red cherry.

Ocean Spray® Solutions - February 2012 Cocktail of the Month

ICED TEA WITH AN ADULT TWIST!! Check out these beautiful recipes!

SipSum Cocktailz is happy to share some great recipes we found on our search for amazing libations.....

Iced tea cocktails

by Michele Borboa, MS

Blending tea and spirit

Tea, particularly green tea, is the second most popular beverage in the U.S. after water. Green tea's antioxidant-rich health benefits as well as the growing cultural influence of Asia have inspired tea drinkers to experiment with new ways to sip (and cook with) their favorite steeped drink.

James Labe is the nation's first tea sommelier whose signature tea cocktails have been featured at W Hotels and India's Taj Hotels. He says the combination of tea and spirits offers a refreshing beverage experience. "Tea and spirits have traveled along parallel roads toward our enjoyment of leisure and life's luxuries," says Labe. "Spirits have long been at home in fine dining, but only recently has that cocktail moment included tea."

ZEN Green Tea Liqueur, a unique blend of the finest Japanese green tea leaves, premium herbs and natural flavors is the first green tea liqueur to debut in America. Well-suited for today's sophisticated cocktail culture, the light, aromatic spirit is featured on the cocktail menus of the most prominent establishments in the country. ZEN is delicious chilled, on the rocks, stirred into unsweetened iced tea or mixed into a wide variety of impressive cocktails.

Iced tea cocktail recipes

Ready to enhance your iced tea drinking experience? Try one of Labe's signature iced tea cocktails featuring ZEN Green Tea Liqueur. These refreshing drinks are ideal for balmy afternoons, summer cocktail parties and poolside sipping. For more information on ZEN Green Tea Liqueur and to find a retail location near you, visit ZenLiqueur.com.

ZEN, White & Blue Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:3 parts prepared Silver Needle White Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1-1/2 parts SKYY Infusions Raspberry
3 parts fresh blueberries, muddled or pureéd
Fresh mint, for garnish

Directions:1. To prepare white tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/2 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 3 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Combine with remaining ingredients and stir. Serve on the rocks, garnished with fresh mint.

ZEN Goddess Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:3 parts prepared Iron Goddess of Mercy Oolong Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1 part passion fruit juice
1 part Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila
Grapefruit slices, for garnish

Directions:1. To prepare oolong tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 2 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Pour tea and remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Garnish with a large, thin grapefruit slice.

ZEN Blossom Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:

4 parts prepared Jasmine Pearl Green Tea 1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur
1-1/2 parts Flor de Cana White Rum
1 part coconut cream
Edible flowers, for garnish

Directions:To prepare green tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups hot water. Steep 2 minutes. Strain and chill. Pour tea and remaining ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Garnish with edible flower.

ZEN Dew Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients:4 parts prepared Gyokuro Green Tea
1-1/2 parts ZEN Green Tea Liqueur

1-1/2 parts Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
Lime zest
Lime wedge, for garnish

Directions:1. To prepare green tea, combine 1 part cold and 5 parts boiling water (water should be about 180 degrees F.). Use 1/4 cup dry tea leaves to 2 cups cold water. Steep 3 to 4 minutes. Strain and chill.

2. Combine and stir ingredients. Garnish with a lime wedge.

How To Make Chili Infused Vodka

Rockin Up Your Vodka!!!

Although Steve and I have several libations on our favorites list, it is not a big secret that our favorite is vodka. We always have a bottle on hand in case of emergencies!! LOL! With this being said the reason we love vodka  so much is it has many faces and has the ability to partner with almost and taste whether it be sweet, bitter, salty, hot 'n' spicy, zesty or any taste that tickles your tongue!



Not only can you mix this diverse spirit with any flavor but it can be presented in many forms as  well. Cocktail, Martini, Blended, Frosted, Shots, and so much more!!!

 

So with all these options available what else could one do to make it even better???? Well let me telll you what we can do!! INFUZE!

Infusing vodka has been around a long time but it is only recently that it has become more and more popular. The best part is choosing your poison! Berries, tropical fruits, vanilla, chocolate, hot peppers, candies, and coffee beans are just a few. I have even seen vodka infused with skittles!! YUMMY!

The most exciting part about this process is it is super easy. Vodka is a natural preservative so it makes our job so much easier. No rotten fruit or moldy peppers booooy! Let's take a minute to look at how easy it is and the steps to make it happen.

1. Choose your vodka
2. Choose your flavor
3. Choose your containers (preferably with a seal-able lid) or you can use the actual vodka bottle
4. Clean and cut to fit in the mouth of your container
5. Drop flavor option in the container and store in cool dark place for 5 days.


provided from strobist.blogspot.com




You can get more technical, but why would you when you don't have to. We live by the moto "work smarter, not harder"! 


After  5 days you can mix as you wish with any partner you wish or enjoy on the rocks , straight up!! 


Enjoy and Cheers
Cori and Steve
SipSum Cocktailz Event Staffing and Promotionz!


This cool little blog I found has some more detailed instructions! Check em out!
http://buildmakecraftbake.com/2009/02/diy-infused-vodka-update-and-recipes.html?showComment=1324347173576#c528005682062403345