Hosting a Wine Tasting with Friends
February 7, 2013 - Written by DianaOne Saturday evening this winter we decided to meet with a bunch of friends for a wine tasting. Though the wine was provided by a pr company, a wine tasting doesn’t need to be expensive or costly. It’s a great way to get to know people. We made some new friends and had time to chat and enjoy each others company and learn about our friends in a relaxing atmosphere. Our party is not the serious wine connoisseur’s party, it’s a fun gathering of friends trying out wine. Would we do it again – definitely! Here are a few suggestions for hosting a successful wine tasting party.
1. Have wine, spirits, non-alcoholic refreshment, something fun but not too much. Five or six different wines is the limit, so that you don’t overwhelm everyone with too many choices. The distinction between a big party and a wine tasting is that you aren’t going to seriously drink and forget what you’ve done, you’re there to taste the wine and talking about the wine is key to a good wine tasting. However, chatting off topic is enjoyed and encouraged; really good gossip is a plus.
2. Agree to disagree – because you are there to …
My summer drink of 2011 – Peach Mint Vodka Cocktail
August 30, 2011 - Written by Diana
I made my new favorite cocktail tonight. I’ve tried it a few times, and it always comes out tasty. It’s a refreshing summery peach drink that finishes with mint, so so good.
Upscale Your (Kiwi) Cocktails with Domaine De Canton
June 17, 2011 - Written by Diana
Wow! Domaine De Canton is something wonderful. @DebNg – this would add an asian twist to your specialty martini’s. It’s a gingery vanilla liqueur – that smells and tastes like a ginger bouquet added to your drink. It’s the perfect way to upscale your cocktail. The first time I opened the bottle, I knew I would love this liqueur. I could just sit with the bottle smelling the aroma, or maybe dousing myself in the fragrance but then adding it to lemon lime soda or ginger ale with ice, is just fantastic. It enhances whatever you drink, making it seem so much more than just liquor and soda. Adding lemon, tequila would also be great too. I came up with a kiwi cocktail that is uber delicious, so delicious that my husband begged for the dregs with all of the kiwi and ice remnants. I should have cleaned up the glass better when I was taking photos, but I kept taking sips and messing the glass up.
Alcohol content in this drink is low, so you can use some light white rum to …
Mardi Gras Cocktails
March 8, 2011 - Written by DianaToday starts Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the day before Lent is kicked off. We’re always looking to celebrate; here are a few fun drinks to start off your Mardi Gras festivities. Enjoy!
The Big Easy
Refreshing, yet potent, this simple drink has the flavors and energy of Mardi Gras.
- ½ cup ice
- 2 parts 1800 Tequila
- 2 parts Champagne
- 1 part cranberry Juice
In a shaker, combine 1800 Tequila, passion fruit syrup, and lime juice.Shake well and pour mixture into a glass of ice. Top with champagne and stir, Garnish with mint leaves.
Bourbon Street Sunrise
A New Orleans twist on a classic cocktail
- ½ cup ice
- 2 parts 1800 Tequila
- 1 part passion fruit syrup
- 1 part orange juice
- Splash lemon-lime soda
- Splash lime juice
In a shaker, combine ice, 1800 Tequila, passion fruit syrup and lime juice. Shake well and pour mixture into a glass. Add a splash of lemon-lime soda and stir. Garnish with orange wedge.
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My husband predictably liked the Barefoot Sweet Red Blend. He likes sweet wines, but Barefoot Sweet Red isn’t a dessert wine, it’s a smooth, sweet red wine a little fruity, a little sweet, nice tasting, but not too sweet. Sweet Red ($7), is a deliciously sweet blend of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Petite Sirah. I’m including a Sangria recipe below that I would be great to share with your significant other. My dad used to make Sangria for our summer gatherings, but there was never enough to go around. This wine is perfect for Sangria.
Lemonade in the Winter – This 1800 Cool Lemonade will warm you right up on a cold wintery Friday Night Unwind. I’m going to slip under a warm blanket with a cool cocktail to relax with my husband, what about you – have some Cool Lemonade and think about spring with me. 1800® Cool Lemonade Ingredients: Muddle mint with simple syrup in a tall glass. Last weekend I was sick as a dog, so there wasn’t a Friday night cocktail. This weekend I’m starting out with a sweet spicy sparkling sugarplum cocktail to help shed all the drama of the week. I find sake to be a very mild flavored alcohol, that adds a little body, but doesn’t overpower the cocktail. Gekkeikan plum wine was different from a previous plum wine that I tried earlier in that it had less sweetness, but more flavor. It is less of a liqueur and more of a wine. I think the Zipang Sparkling Sake is better tasting than soda water or sparking water, but less sweet than soda. My only problem was it wasn’t resealable. This isn’t an overly sweet cocktail, but nicely sweet and a good way to unwind. Shake Gekkeikan Plum Wine, ginger liqueur and passion fruit nectar over ice. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with chilled Zipang Sparkling Sake and …
I think Friday’s are a great unwind time. You don’t have to get up and rush out, so sit back with a cocktail, glass of wine, nice micro-brew etc. Tonight I am bringing you cocktails for your Thanksgiving Dessert ( so you have time to get the ingredients for next week). These are a little on the sweet side, but some days a little something sweet is just what we need. Combine ingredients and shake well with ice, strain into martini glass. Garnish with an apple slice. Using a small amount of honey, rim martini glass with chocolate graham cracker crumbs. Shake milk and pumpkin puree over ice to combine. Pour in remaining ingredients and shake well. Strain into the martini glass. …
Labor Day may be here, but your fun summer evening aren’t over yet. There may be a few more warm evenings, though it might be too cool for the pool. These drinks using Don Julio Tequila, Zacapa 23 Rum, Ginger and Jalepenos will warm you up, even on a cool evening. I think there’s still time to run out and get the ingredients to make this Cocktail for your friendly gathering. One more last hurrah before you huddle under the blankets and close the windows. …
Throw everything into a blender. Whirl until slushy like. If you want wine or alcohol, stir it in. Drink. Nothing better than a cool, refreshing drink on a hot summery day. Time to sit by the pool. 
Red Wine Blends for your Valentine
February 12, 2011 - Written by Diana
My husband and I are doing you a big favor – we’re tasting wine blends so that you can get our honest opinion of what we think. It’s a tough job, but we’re doing this so you can enjoy your Valentine’s Day with your loved one. So far, I’d have to say we are enjoying them and it’s not like wine punch – a mixture of different wines just thrown together, but it does have different compatible flavors hitting your tongue in a nice way.
Cool Lemonade For Friday Night Unwind
January 15, 2011 - Written by Diana
Add tequila, lemon juice, and ice and shake vigorously.
Strain over fresh ice and garnish with lemon wheels.
Sparkling Sugarplum Cocktail for your Friday Night Unwind
December 11, 2010 - Written by Diana
Sparkling Sugarplum by Tad Carducci
Friday Night Unwind – Thanksgiving Dessert Cocktails
November 20, 2010 - Written by Diana
Caramel Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie-tini
Don Julio Tequila Cocktails With a Little Heat For Your End of Summer Party
September 6, 2010 - Written by Diana
Don Julio Hot Nantucket Night
Served at Woodward at Ames in Boston, MA
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Tequila Don Julio Blanco
1 ounce agave nectar
2 fresh cranberries
1 thin slice jalapeño pepper
1 jalapeño for garnish
1/2 ounce lime juice
Preparation:
1. Muddle jalapeño and cranberries in a highball glass.
2. Combine Tequila Don Julio Blanco, agave nectar, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into rocks glass over ice, muddled jalapeño and cranberries.
4. Garnish with jalapeño.
Ideal Serving Glass:
Highball glass
Yield:
1 drink
Melon Coolers
August 23, 2010 - Written by Diana
Today, working in the kitchen, I decided we all needed something cool and refreshing to drink. I remembered my Watermelon Limeades, and decided to make Melon Coolers. These can be alcohol free, or you can add some white wine, white rum, tequila – light alcohol to it. It’s kind of like a melon slushy, but really nice tasting. If you drink it too fast though you may end up with a cold headache like I did. This is a super simple drink, that takes no time to make.
