Marvelous Margarita Perfection

Yum! So the other day we had an unexpected and delightful brunch with some friends. It kind of came together at the last minute but worked out beautifully.

It was such a gorgeous day- sunny with a nice cool breeze, the kind of weather you dream about, and we enjoyed ourselves sitting outside on the patio. We kept seeing tables nearby order these delicious looking drinks and so we could not help but also indulge. When we saw the description about it on the menu as part of a review, we were instantly sold.

“The perfect blend with the perfect ingredients, Herradura Silver, Cointreau & fresh lime juice, served straight up, or on the rocks.”

Within one taste we were in love and ordered more for the table. The balance with the lime was just perfect, especially for an early afternoon drink. It made the day even more pleasant.

They call it “The Perfect” and it is perfectly delightful. No nonsense, just yummy.

IZZE, A Yummy Little Drink

I have seen the name and brightly colored box for some time now, but always avoided it thinking it to be one of the many energy drinks. After all, the can size matches them and even with its bright colors it blends in with the others.

Now I know, though! While grocery shopping, I noticed them with their own little side display and picked it up when I saw the “Clementine” flavor. It caught my curiosity, and I wanted to see what it was all about.

Looking at the ingredients, I was pleasantly surprised and had to give it a try- I love it! It is so refreshing and absolutely delicious. Simply fruit juices and sparkling water, no preservatives or other nonsense. Not to mention it is the perfect size- not too much, just a great taste.

We have since tried three other flavors from them and continue to look for more. So far the sparkling grapefruit is probably my favorite, and the sparkling clementine a close second.

I am curious to try the apple and blueberry next! I have been very pleased with all of them so far. What a delightfully unexpected treat!

On another note- I bet it would taste GREAT mixed with vodka, especially the sparkling grapefruit. Will be trying that sometime soon, too! This could definitely lead to some great cocktails. Yummy.

Kaffee gute Nacht Makes For A Good Night

The only thing that makes this a “coffee” is the splash of coffee found somewhere within this drink- absolutely delicious by the way. Hardly coffee, though- all booze, wow and yum.

The drink is prepared table-side, and what a beautiful presentation it is. The owner created the beverage himself and presents it beautifully with care. He begins with an orange wedge to the outside of the glass, then proceeds to coat the glass in sugar. He has a flame prepared and then brushes the orange-sugar coated glass to the flame.

Next is the beverage itself- mostly whiskey, kahlua, and some sort of citrus liquor- added by spoon fulls that are lit by the flame- glowing with a flame during the entire preparation. He mixes it from glass to glass and tops it off with some cream- and a final spoon of the flame-lit liquor.

Somewhere in the mix he added some coffee- it was so beautifully orchestrated that I didn’t pay enough attention to the actual coffee. To call it Kaffee gute Nacht or “coffee good night” is quite appropriate as afterwards it will be good night.

Rudi Lechner’s German restaurant was an absolute delight, and even a more welcomed surprise to have the man himself prepare for us his beverage.

Bright, Blue, & Very Betsey

The other day my best friend was visiting from out of town to celebrate another friend’s birthday. Three fashionable girls on a day out together, you can imagine what that means. Shopping, Luncheon (Dim Sum), Salon, and an exquisite birthday dinner.

Shopping was mostly for pleasure, but we did have a mission- there was that dinner we had to look forward to after all. And it being a birthday, we must dress the part. So the mission was to find a birthday/party dress for the occasion. Not just any, but something spontaneous and fun, something simply for us.

We stepped into Betsey Johnson- we were looking for a spontaneous party dress after all, and we found this insane little number. A giant ruffled collar (which can be worn up or down over and below the shoulders), an incredibly bright bold and shiny blue, a ribboned belt and an open back. Wow, this was something else- not only that, there was only one, it was in my size, and it was discounted over $265 off of the normal retail price.

For that kind of deal and chance to come across, how could I say no? It is all in the spirit of spontaneous and fashionable fun after all. I mean, this is a dress that orders the drink for you, ha ha.

Definitely a party dress. Yes.

A Different Kind Of Earring

Now, this is something I never thought I would wear let alone come across, and yet here I am and loving it. This is something very unique with just a subtle little change that makes them stand out anywhere dramatically.

A simple and classic design to start- a large pearl-like ball with a gold clasp and little flat circle attached- simple. And then one remains short while the other drops down low from a thin golden strand. Gorgeous, I love it.

I found it a bit strange at first, but the more I looked at them the more I liked them. Why not, after all? I wore them today for the first time pretty casually- you can kind of see the top, its flows and then cinches closer to the waist with an open back- wore it with some black shorts. Casual for me at least, the earrings kind of dressed it up.

I am looking forward to wearing these with a simple black cocktail dress, my hair up in a fun little do, and wearing a cocktail ring to match (I have a giant pearl cocktail ring on a gold frame similar to these). I think that will be quite fun.

Caipirinha: Cocktail Luxury Of Brazil

caipirinha's as seen from story from LAtimes.com

I remember my first taste of a traditional caipirinha. Living in Miami, many of my friends were from Brazil and knew the drink well. I would see them drink it and it was only a matter of time before I began to indulge myself.

So what is a Caipirinha, anyway- besides a confusing to pronounce alcoholic beverage? A traditional one is quite simply:

muddled limes and sugar &..

2 oz cachaça

Cachaça is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane and is most known for its relation to Brazil. It is very much the alcohol of Brazil.

A restaurant by the name of Table8 in Miami (though originally from LA as seen from the photo above) offered a black cherry caipirinha- talk about deadly and delicious! Their twist of the drink involved muddled black cherries with cachaça.  It definitely was a moment of: oh, how delicious, let me devour a couple and then discover upon my first attempt to move that the world will move around for me first. It is quite potent! so beware and take caution.

Gourmet offers a recipe for a passion fruit caipirinha, which calls for the traditional recipe with the addition of pure passion fruit juice. The drink is quite simple to start which allows itself very open to fruit inspired variations.

All are grand really, it is difficult to mess up. Oh how I do love my cocktails, and I must say I have been quite happy to see this beverage show up in more and more bars across the states. This is one to keep your eyes peeled for. Try it (in small doses to start perhaps, or at a slower pace if anything else) and enjoy its luxurious flavor.

Don’t feel as though you have to wait for your bartenders to discover this for you first- they are simple to make at home provided you find the cachaça.

Make a traditional one and then make your own lavish concoction. Its really quite fun, invite some friends and make it an occasion to remember.

Kir Royal, A Luxurious Delight

I love my cocktails- I really do. One that I particularly cherish is the Kir Royal.

That bubbly black currant combination always brings a smile to my face- how can you not be happy and relaxed?

There’s something delightful about having a late breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday and pairing it with this beautiful drink.

I love to sit at a French Bistro and watch the world go by, nibbling on some rich appetizers and sipping my Kir Royal.

Its lovely in the evenings, too- of course. Any beverage is, but there is just something special about it in the day that I cannot help but indulge in.

Prepared quite simply and not to be fussed with:

Creme de Cassis … and

Champagne

Garnished as you like, though little is needed for this delightful drink. Who needs an excuse to enjoy a little champagne anyway? Make your own little celebration for your pretty self.