Holiday Gift Ideas for Spirits Lovers

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Looking for some great Holiday drinks or a gift for a spirits lover? Then check out this great list of spirits below!

Nocino

Nocino starts with the maceration of fresh green walnuts that are traditionally harvested on the feast of San Giovanni in June, producing a sweet cordial style liqueur with hints of cinnamon and clove.

Ballyhoo! Irish Whiskey

A 4-year old grain whiskey that is finished in port barrels is hand-bottled at Connacht’s distillery in the rugged west of Ireland, Ballyhoo Irish Whiskey (43% ABV) embodies the best of the word’s meaning: an exclamation of triumph over the rival team; a rallying cry between lifelong friends; a toast to a difficult journey or a hard-fought victory. Ballyhoo begins as a sourced Irish whiskey with a mash bill of 93% corn imported from France and 7% malted barley that we bring to our distillery to further age and finish in used port barrels from Portugal. This second step softens the grain whiskey and rounds out the flavour into an easy sipper. We do not add artificial color or caramel, so the product remains quite light in appearance, but with some reddish undertones from the port.

Brothership Irish-American Blended Whiskey

A unique blend of Irish and American whiskies created to highlight the best of both traditions as an homage to the roots of the company in Philadelphia, PA and County Mayo, Ireland. Acclaimed distiller Robert Cassell selects 10 year old Irish pot still and American whiskies and blends them to perfection. The resulting whiskey highlights the smooth warmth of the Irish whiskey tradition and the rich boldness of American whiskey.

Conncullin Gin

This gin highlights the unique terroir of Ireland’s rugged and windswept West Coast. It is named for Loch Conn and Loch Cullin, the two lakes that supply Connacht with pristine, pure water. Master distiller Robert Cassell has won numerous international gold medals for his gin, and developed this flagship gin with iconic Irish botanicals, such as elderberry flower and hawthorn berry.

Maggie’s Farm Rum Al Natural Pineapple Flavored Rum

A first for flavors, this rum is 100% all natural with no artificial colors or sweeteners. Using Maggie’s Farm “50/50″ dark rum method, blending an aged Trinidadian rum fermented and column-distilled from molasses, then blend it equally with their own pot-distilled raw cane-based rum and age for up to an additional 6-9 months. They take fresh, whole pineapples, macerate the meat in the dark rum portion for two weeks to infuse the juices and flavors then blend it with their white rum made from a distillation with pineapple meat and bark loading both a 1000 Liter Hoga copper pot still, as well as filling the still’s “gin” basket with pineapple barks for the vapors to capture additional natural fruit oils. Perfect for Tiki drinks or on its own.

This is by far my favorite spirit of the season!!!

Buy It:

You can purchase all these liquors and spirits online or at your local spirits retailer. 

Disclosure: A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

NEW @SmirnoffUS Raspberry Rosé and Margarita #BecauseSummer

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Just in time for the official start of summer, SMIRNOFF just announced this morning the launch of two new warm-weather-friendly products - SMIRNOFF Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé (yes-way!) and SMIRNOFF ICE Margarita (bring on the fiesta)!

SMIRNOFF Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé flavor is making its debut just in time for summer. You’re welcome. SMIRNOFF Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé is light, crisp and bubbly blend of raspberry and rosé flavor at only 90 calories and zero sugar. It’s perfect for those summer days when you just want to rosé all day with a low calorie, refreshing-tasting hard seltzer. SMIRNOFF’s Raspberry Rosé has zero sugar and no artificial sweeteners, obviously.

SMIRNOFF Spiked Sparkling Seltzer Raspberry Rosé, a beautiful blush pink liquid, joins a family of bubbly-delicious flavors including Berry Lemonade, Cranberry Lime and Watermelon.

Additionally, SMIRNOFF ICE Margarita is now out on shelves across the USA, available just in time for Cinco de Mayo this upcoming Saturday! With its citrusy flavor and crisp taste, it’s sure to help you turn up any fiesta – all the goodness of the America’s #1 cocktail, without the fuss of squeezing 50 limes.

All these SMIRNOFF drinks are refreshing and so perfect for a hot summer day, on the beach or at a cookout!

Buy It:

You can purchase these SMIRNOFF drinks at your local spirits retailer.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

@SmirnoffUS Sips to Sweeten Your Valentine's or Galentine's Day

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Are you looking for the perfect sweet drink to make for your Valentine or Galentine today?

Then check out the recipes below from Smirnoff that are perfect for anyone – no matter your relationship status or whether you are celebrating Valentine's or Galentine's Day!

The first is the “Hibiscus Punch”, that is bound to make any Galentine’s get-together a little less sour and a little more sweet. Made with Smirnoff No. 21, this is a quality recipe that won’t break the bank!

Hibiscus Crush 

Courtesy of Sylvia Fountaine of Feasting at Home

• 16 ounces Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka (2 cups)

• 1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers

• 1 cups water

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 ounce triple sec

• 32 ounces lemon lime soda

• 1 lemon- sliced

• 1 lime-sliced

• 1 orange- sliced

• 4 cups crushed ice

Place hibiscus, water and sugar in a small pot to simmer over the stove for 5 minutes. Once sugar is dissolved, set aside to cool. Strain. Place vodka, triple sec, soda and sliced citrus in a punch bowl or beverage container. Add hibiscus infusion. Stir. Right before quests arrive add 4 cups crushed ice.

The “Secret Admirer” is the perfect cocktail to serve up for your date night, which features Smirnoff’s most popular flavor, Smirnoff Raspberry

Secret Admirer 

Courtesy of Sylvia Fountaine of Feasting at Home

• 4 ounces Smirnoff Raspberry

• 1.5 ounces Chartreuse

• 6 fresh raspberries

Place all ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into two vintage martini glasses. Garnish with fresh raspberries. You could sugar the rim for extra sweetness.

Buy It:

You can purchase Smirnoff at your local spirits retailer

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Treat Your Valentine Like Royalty with Crown Royal Drinks!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Are you looking to treat your Valentine to a royal and special drink this Valentine's Day?

Then let me recommend the Royal Dynasty recipe below made with Crown Royal Vanilla, one of my favorite liquors of all time! It tastes so amazing with everything, especially the Ginger Beer used below!

So this Valentine's Day impress your sweetheart and treat them like royalty with this Royal Dynasty recipe: 

Royal Dynasty

• 1.5 oz. Crown Royal Vanilla
• Top with Ginger Beer
• Squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice

Garnish with Lime Wedge

Buy It:

You can purchase Crown Royal Vanilla from your local retailer

* Thank you to Salba Chia for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Holiday Cocktails & Liquors

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

What would the holidays be without a fabulous cocktail??!! I got you covered this holiday season! Check out all my favorite liquors, mixed drinks and cocktail recipes below!

COURVOISIER

Consistently recognized as one of the finest XOs in the world, Courvoisier® X.O. Cognac is a very old blend of fi ne and well-matured cognacs. The blend is a selection by master blender, Patrice Pinet, of beautifully matured eaux-de-vie, aged from 11 to 25 years, to highlight the complexity and richness of cognac aromas.

(SRP $150)

The Naked Turtle White Rum 

They know that goodness starts from within. That’s why their rum is full of love, and free of gluten and preservatives. This smooth spirit is made with quality sugarcane molasses and distilled 5x with the pristine waters of St. Croix. They're bottled “naked,” which means they never touch the inside of an oak barrel, letting the crystal clear taste shine through.

When you enjoy this award winning rum, you’re actually doing good for the world! Did you know every one of their bottles saves a baby sea turtle? Drink to that!

Smirnoff Ice

If you're looking to kick up your next party platter, boozy brunch or family gathering – Smirnoff Ice has you covered. The below Smirnoff Ice cocktail AND food recipes will steal the show whether you’re hosting or just bringing a dish.

Check out these tasty recipes:

      Holiday Berry Sparkler – Courtesy of Jay and Leah from The Gastronom

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Simple Syrup

· 1/2 cup sugar

· 1/2 cup water

· 1/2 cup cranberries

For the Cocktail

· .75 oz cranberry simple syrup (recipe below)

· .50 oz triple sec

· 1.50 oz apple cider

· 1 oz original Smirnoff Ice

· 2 oz strawberry Smirnoff Ice

· Cranberries and lemon peel for garnish

The authentic flavor experience of homemade caramel complete with a hint of salt for a true flavor experience

Caramel Green Apple Cocktail – Courtesy of Jay and Leah from The Gastronom

Ingredients

• 1 oz Smirnoff Kissed Caramel vodka
• .50 oz ginger simple syrup
• 1.50 oz green apple Smirnoff Ice

And don't forget to pick up tasty mixers from Master of Mixes to make many more fabulous cocktails and mixed drinks - in minutes!!

Since the early 1970’s, Master of Mixes has scoured the earth’s premier growing regions, sourcing only renowned varieties of each fruit. Their fruit is picked at peak ripeness when it is the most plump, juicy, and fragrant. They use an exclusive “gentle processing” method that does not overcook the fruit, resulting in a fresh, true-to-fruit flavor.

In order to deliver a cocktail experience rivaling that produced by some of the world’s foremost mixologists, we combine premium fruit juice and purees, together with natural sweeteners and pure essential oils. Master of Mixes allows anyone to become a Mixology Pro and mix scratch quality, hassle-free cocktails in just a matter of seconds.

Photo credit: Fruetcake

Their passion for premium cocktails comes through in every sip of your finished drink- from the irresistible flavor to the sweet finish. Found in all 50 states and 34 countries, we are dedicated to being the Truly Premium cocktail mix you ask for.

I can't wait to use all my mixers to make tasty drinks like Mojitos, Mai Tai's, Cosmos and Red Sangria!! So easy and so tasty!!!

Purchase Master of Mixes from your local retailer. 

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Ring in the Holiday Season and New Year with Signature Cocktails!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

There is definitely stress associated with the holiday season… If you’re like me, you know the importance of every detail, including the best decorations, food and drinks to make your holiday party the best of the holiday season.

Well you’re in luck! Below you will find three delicious holiday cocktail recipes that are incredibly easy to make, and that will be sure to make your holiday party one to remember.

The Cranberry Mule

1½ oz. Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
2 oz. Cranberry Juice
6 oz. Ginger Ale
1 Rosemary Sprig, for garnish
4-5 Fresh Cranberries, for garnish

Directions: In a glass filled with ice, combine Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, lime juice, and cranberry juice. Top with ginger ale and garnish with rosemary and cranberries. Light rosemary with a match until smoking.

Crownberry Apple

Serves 8:

· 12 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple

· 32 oz. cranberry juice

· Lime

Directions: In a pitcher filled with ice, combine 12 oz. Crown Royal Regal Apple with 32 oz. cranberry juice. Stir well and garnish with lime.

Dickel Hot Chocolate

· 1.25 oz. George Dickel Rye

· Hot chocolate

· Peppermint stick

Directions: Add George Dickel Rye to a mug of hot chocolate and garnish with a peppermint stick.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Spice Up Holiday Parties with Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

It's almost that time of the year where holiday entertaining begins and seems endless for weeks at a time! If you are looking for the perfect bottle of wine, then let me recommend Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon! It is also the perfect gift for wine lovers or for those seeking something novel - this intersection of wine and art is sure to be a conversation starter!

This bottle is so unique and special because Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrating its 13th anniversary vintage by partnering with noted graffiti artist, known only as Faust, from New York City. This limited release 2015 vintage magnum features the tag which graffiti artist Faust uses internationally.

Seamlessly blending graffiti, calligraphy, and design–Faust's unique aesthetic has appealed to a broad audience, exhibiting internationally and collaborating with prestigious brands, including Samsung and Nike. Commissioned murals by the artist have had an enduring presence in New York as well as adorning walls from Berlin to Hong Kong to Moscow. Faust has garnered a variety of accolades including the Young Guns Award from the Art Directors Club and five Type Directors Club Awards. His work is featured in the new book The Art of Writing Your Name and is currently on display in the inaugural exhibition at the Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art in Berlin.

Faust (the wine) seeks to express the complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon and the diversity of the Napa Valley by sourcing from estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford and small lots from spectacular mountain AVAs such as Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain. The culmination of these exceptional appellations results in a prodigious expression of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I really love how unique this bottle is and it is really great to spice up any holiday party or family dinner this holiday season!

Buy It:

You can purchase the Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon beginning on October 13, 2017 and can be ordered from www.Faustwine.com. The SRP is $110. 

*Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Start Celebrating the Holidays Early with this Cranberry Spice Moonshine Recipe!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

Fall is coming quickly and the holidays will be here before you know it!

In my opinion, it is never too early to start celebrating! 😉

This holiday season (and the months leading up to it) try out Homemade Cranberry Spice Moonshine!

Made with Everclear, Cranberry Spice Moonshine is a festive drink that makes for a great, sharable holiday cocktail or handmade gift – once made, simply pour into mason jars and decorate with festive ribbon and labels. With cranberries, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and cloves, it blends some of the most iconic holiday flavors to form what may become a new tradition.

Check out the recipe below and ENJOY!

CRANBERRY SPICE MOONSHINE

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries
6 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon whole cloves
½ teaspoon whole allspice berries
2 whole nutmeg, quartered
3 cups apple cider
½ gallon cranberry juice
1 (750 ml) bottle Everclear®

Instructions:
1. Roughly chop cranberries, combine with Everclear® in a large, sealable container.
2. Steep one week in the refrigerator.
3. Once steeped, combine cranberry juice, cider and spices in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and let sit another 30 minutes or until cool.
5. Strain both mixtures into a large, sealable container.
6. Gift and enjoy responsibly. May be served warm or chilled.
Tips:

Please use caution when making this delicious holiday beverage. Everclear® is highly flammable, so it and the cranberry infusion should be kept away from the stovetop or other heat sources. Once it’s been diluted with the cranberry juice and cider mixture, it can be safely heated.

If a more intense spice flavor is desired, you can increase the quantity of spices or mull time.

Buy It:

You can purchase Everclear at your local spirits store.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Cool Off This Summer with this Boozy Vanilla Shake Recipe!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

If you are a vanilla ice cream fan, maybe you celebrated a sweet holiday last month - National Vanilla Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 23rd! But if you missed it, DON'T Worry! You can celebrate vanilla ice cream every day with a delicious recipe from Crown Vanilla that pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream!

Since its launch last year, Crown Vanilla has been savored in an array of refreshments and cocktail recipes.

What better way to cool off this summer than to chill out with a delicious and boozy shake? Crown Vanilla is sure to compliment any sweet treat but tastes exquisite in the recipe below created by Mixologist Brian Floyd, The Very Vanilla Shake. All you need to do is mix the ingredients together with a blender.

It is so easy to make and SO DELICIOUS! It makes the perfect cool drink at the end of a long, hot summer day!

Check out the recipe below and let me know how you like it once you try it!

Buy It:

You can purchase Crown Vanilla at your local spirits store.

* Thank you to Crown Royal for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Relax with a Glass of Noble Vines Without Breaking The Bank!

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

I am a huge wine fan (what mother isn't??!!) but I can't afford to spend a ton on a bottle of wine! So I am always on the hunt for affordable but quality, delicious wines!

I have found all those qualities in Noble Vines - one of my favorite brands of wine! Noble Vines collection of affordable, yet quality wines are farmed in the red, cobblestone soils of their family-owned vineyards in Lodi and on the gentle slopes of their cool-climate San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey, California.

Noble Vines produces exceptional grapes to harvest six succulent wines. They marry the most admired vines with sustainable winemaking innovation crafting wines with concentrated flavors, silky fruit and soft, supple tannins. Best of all, they’re all under $20—check them out below!

337 Cabernet Sauvignon – Exhibiting appealing aromas of black cherry, ripe currant, fresh herbs and lightly roasted coffee, the supple tannins and balanced acidity support from its core flavors can be enjoyed on its own or with herb roasted pork loin, baked chicken, barbecued stead and sautéed mushrooms.

446 Chardonnay – From a beloved Chardonnay vine, this medium-bodied wine offers delightful aromas of ripe pear, pineapple and melon with hints of lemon and toasty vanilla spice. This wine can be also be enjoyed on its own or with soft cheeses, seafood, salads, and pasta in wine or cheese sauce.

667 Pinot Noir – Enfold yourself in the plush tannins and balanced acidity support core flavors of ripe Bing cherry, juicy plum and delicate hints of soft, toasty oak, making it the appropriate wine for dinner parties—enjoyable with nearly any cuisine including salmon, roast lamb, or salads with cheeses or nuts.

The ONE— Dark fruit flavors carry through beautifully to the palate ending with a touch of pepper. Merlot leads the way in this fruit-forward blend followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The addition of Zinfandel adds a touch of softness to the final blend. Noble Vines One red blend offers inviting aromas of blackberry and toasty oak followed by luxurious notes of lush black cherry and pepper with a long and lingering finish.

181 Merlot – A classic merlot, 181’s fresh fruit flavors of currant and cherry mingle gently with spicy cedar and vanilla is the flawless companion to pasta with sausage and roasted peppers or a pan seared steak with mushrooms and parsley.

242 Sauvignon Blanc – Medium bodied with a round mid palate and bright acidity, this refreshing wine offers flavors of guava, passion fruit and a hint of lemon zest. Enjoy it on its own or with just about any seafood or spicy food.

It is really hard to pick just one favorite out of these Noble Vines wine varieties. I really liked them all and with different foods and at differenct occasions! If you are looking for a quality wine that won't break the bank, try Noble Vines!

Buy It:

You can purchase Noble Vines wine at your local spirits retailer.

* Thank you to Noble Vines for their product for review! Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*

Start the New Year Off Right with UNO Malbec 2013 from @AntigalWinery

A product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.

If you are looking for a great wine to toast the New Year or relax with as you head back to the real world of working, children in school and the holidays over, let me recommend Antigal UNO Malbec!

Antigal winery’s gravity-fed system facilitates exceptionally gentle treatment of their hand-picked, meticulously sorted, high-elevation fruit. Consequently, Antigal UNO Malbec 2013 is an unusually elegant expression of its varietal type showing great balance and supple tannins.

The 2013 vintage of Antigal UNO Malbec offers delicious plum and blackberry flavors with enticing hints of tobacco and chocolate. Brightened by carefully protected natural acidity, this violet-red wine is surprisingly versatile at the dining table, pairing well with lamb, duck, game, and pork as well as beef.

APPELLATION: Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

COMPOSITION: 100% Malbec

ALCOHOL: 13.9% | TA: 5.59% | PH: 3.70 | RS: 0.26%

AGING: 8-10 months in French and American oak

Buy It:

You can purchase the UNO Malbec 2013 at your local spirits retailer.

* Disclosure - This product was given for review for my honest opinion. No other compensation was given.*