Guinness Releases Stock Ale Just in Time for the Holiday Season

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

Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore recently announced the next beer from a line of new barrel-aged beers at the brewery – the Guinness Stock Ale Aged in Bulleit Bourbon Barrels.

The newest beer is the endgame of a Guinness Barleywine and a Guinness Imperial Stout – both brewed in Baltimore and aged in Bulleit Bourbon barrels before being blended together. The high gravity stout and malty barleywine lead to a hearty and full-bodied beer with notes of nutty chocolate, raisins, roasted barley and sweet dark fruit with an ABV of 10%. Aromas of vanilla, coffee, stone fruit and ripe berries come off of this intense and luxuriant stock ale.

This limited release is sure to be the perfect gift for any beer lover this holiday season and surely the best one for gatherings with friends and family.

Buy It:

You can purchase Guinness Stock Ale Aged in Bulleit Bourbon Barrels on shelves at specialty beer stores across the U.S. in 4-packs of 11.2oz bottles for a limited time for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

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

Holiday Gift Ideas for Spirits Lovers

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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.

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.*

A Bottle of Wine for Every Holiday Event!

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

A good bottle of wine is a must-have this holiday season - whether you are looking for one to bring as a gift to your dinner host, one to serve at dinner or just need a really big glass of wine at the end of the holidays once all the guests have left, I have you covered today!

Check out all my favorites below:

ONEHOPE WINE

ONEHOPE was founded as a company that creates thoughtfully-crafted products that empower people to do more good. Each of ONEHOPE’s wines support a different charity through its proceeds, whether it’s finding homes for shelter animals or planting trees in global reforestation projects – it is truly the gift that gives back!

Some of their tasty varieties include:

• Silver Brut Sparkling Wine ($59)
• Gold Brut Sparkling Wine ($59)
• Rainbow Glitter Edition Brut Sparkling Wine ($59)
• Edna Valley Pinot Noir Red Glitter Edition ($69)

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

This youthful wine has an easy drinkability and is fresh, fruity and flavorful. It pairs well with light meals such as tapas, cheese, charcuterie, poultry and salmon and is best served chilled. Beaujolais Nouveau is made from hand-picked gamay grapes that are harvested six to eight weeks prior to bottling. Each year, the new vintage is received with great anticipation on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, the third Thursday in November, right in time for the holidays.

The 2017 Beaujolais Nouveau is available at most wine retailers across the country at a suggested retail price of $11.99.

The WEEKLY TASTING

The Weekly Tasting is NOT another Wine Club. There are NO Strings, just superb selections from Certified Sommeliers. At $69.99, this affordable wine pack would make the perfect gift for any wine lover!

They are all about finding the perfect wine for you! Variety, quality and balance is everything to them. They offer high quality wines from all over the world. Each and every wine in the Weekly Tasting packs have been carefully selected by our dedicated Sommeliers, Elizabeth Schneider and Laura Maniec.

WHAT DO YOU GET WITH EACH TASTING EXPERIENCE?


Each Weekly Tasting experience includes a new themed 4 pack of wine for just $69.99+free shipping, hand selected by our experienced Sommeliers. Your tasting experience also includes a 10-minute tasting video, highlighting each wine profile, a food pairing with recipe cards, as well as social sharing capabilities. The wines featured in Weekly Tasting packs will always include 4 different wines, and may include a mix of varietals or regions.

Bachelor Wines 

Bachelor fans rejoice! The fan-favorite show has launched The Bachelor Wines, a collection of wines inspired by the award-winning television series. The Bachelor Wines features three varietals: The Fantasy Suite, One on One, and The Final Rosé. Available for purchase at bachelorwines.com.

($15.96 per bottle)

NPR Wine Club

This unique wine club was created for public radio supporters and wine enthusiasts alike, allowing listeners to enjoy premium wines from around the world and their stories - combining two of life's most enjoyable pleasures. As a member of the NPR Wine Club, consumers will receive a fully customized case of wine, shipped to the address of their choice every three months. As part of the introductory offer, new members will receive the inaugural releases of three NPR-Inspired Wines: All Grapes Considered Malbec, Weekend Edition Cabernet Sauvignon and NPR Uncorked Merlot. Alternatively, consumers can shop from a range of hundreds of different wines – and purchase in any quantity they wish (based on their taste and preferences) directly from the NPR Wine Club at NPRWineClub.org.

Epicurious Wine 

Epicurious, the pioneering digital food brand and one of the most trusted voices in food, has recently launched a new collection of custom designed wines for culinary and wine enthusiasts alike. Perfect for pairing with your favorite meals, Epicurious Wine varietals include a robust Cabernet Sauvignon and a delicate Chardonnay - both work well with cooking and drinking. To purchase the Epicurious Wines, visit epicuriouswine.com.

($15.96 per bottle)

Turner Classic Movies Wine Club

The TCM Wine Club curates originally produced wines inspired by classic films as well as expertly selected varietals from renowned vineyards around the globe – all with the convenience of home delivery. As part of the inaugural offer, new members will receive fifteen special bottles including the first-ever release of Café Zoetrope, a custom-crafted red from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Members will also enjoy True Grit Limited Edition Zinfandel along with The Essentials Cabernet Sauvignon – the first in a series of single-varietal wines, specifically curated for TCM Wine Club members, to showcase the world’s great grapes.

Maschio Prosecco Brut

The roots of Cantine Maschio’s passion for wine run deep in the Veneto hills. The story began in 1973, when Bonaventura Maschio turned his family’s century-old distillery into a winery that even then was state-of-theart in terms of its technology and production methods. Cantine Maschio devotes extensive resources to innovation, which include experimenting with pioneering techniques of cold extraction that accentuate the natural release of aromas and flavors.

Rosa Regale

Festive cranberry in color with a haunting, aromatic bouquet with hints of raspberries, strawberries and rose petals. A fresh raspberry taste, with crisp acidity, enticing the palate with an initial softness, graduating to a round and clean and dry fi nish.

Rosa Regale is produced using the Charmat process, fermentation with brief skin contact, filtration and storage at 32˚F, followed by refermentation in stainless-steel vats, and isobaric bottling. A unique and festive sparkling wine and a seductive aperitif. Pairs well with seafood, cheeses, spicy fare and chocolate. Serve chilled.

Riunite Sangria

Riunite wines have been one of America’s most-loved, best-selling wines for 5 decades – an unparalleled accomplishment in wine history. Best when served chilled, Riunite’s refreshing

wines are perfect for any occasion.

Grapes are harvested, soft pressed, and macerated with kins on for 48 hours. The juice is then racked
off from the skins and seeds, and placed in stainless steel tanks for fermentation at 18-20 °C. Orange juice and natural flavors are added before isobaric bottling.

Detectable aromas of dark berries, strawberries, and peaches, with a hint of citrus.

A refreshing aperitif, our Sangria pairs well with everything from burgers to BBQ and any dish that offers a touch of spice. Enjoy chilled.

*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.*

New Master Shake + Blast at @sonicdrivein!

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

Are you looking for a tasty way to ring in the holiday season?? Then head to SONIC today for the New Holiday Mint® Flavored Shakes and Blasts!

Tis the season to celebrate and SONIC® Drive-In is putting a spin on a traditional holiday classic with the Holiday Mint® Master Shake™ and Master Blast®. This holiday dessert favorite will add to SONIC’s flavorful lineup and satisfy all holiday cravings.

Combining seasonal flavors of cool, refreshing mint and OREO® cookie pieces*, the Holiday Mint® Master Shake and Master Blast create a festive, seasonal dessert experience that guests will love. These desserts are hand-mixed and perfectly blended with SONIC’s Real Ice Cream, made with fresh milk and cream.

Bring the family together at your local drive-in this season with the new Holiday Mint Master Shake and Master Blast. It's a great way to enjoy a special sweet treat and spend time together this holiday season!

This seasonal treat is available for a limited time, so hurry over to your SONIC Drive-In!

Buy It:

Find a local SONIC Drive-In near you!

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

Stock the Coffee Lover's Stocking with @CommunityCoffee #Giveaway

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

If you have a coffee lover on your list this year, Community Coffee Company and one of its gift sets is perfect for the coffee lover in every family. Community is the largest family-owned & operated coffee company in the U.S. and uses 100% Arabica beans for all its products, meaning they’re brewed with heart and taste delicious!

A brand new holiday item this year is the Holiday Tumbler Coffee Set, which includes a festive tumbler and 3 of their ground blends: Breakfast Blend, Golden Caramel and Café Special.

Add their newest holiday tumbler to your collection and stock up on your favorite blends with this gift set. Includes ground 12-ounce Breakfast Blend, Golden Caramel and Café Special® coffees, along with a holiday tumbler, all packed in a gift box.

This set makes a great gift for any coffee lover on your list this year!

Buy It:

You can purchase the Holiday Tumbler Coffee Set for $24.99 from the Community Coffee website.

Win It:

Community Coffee is generously offering THREE blends of their choice (in ground, whole bean or K-Cup) to a lucky winner!

Enter here for a chance to win:

THREE Community Coffee blends
(winner's choice of ground, whole bean or K-Cup)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Stay Energized This Holiday Season with @HighBrewCoffee

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

High Brew Coffee is a portable, shelf stable, ready-to-drink coffee that comes in delicious flavors such as Mexican Vanilla, Double Espresso and Black and Bold. At only 60 calories per can or less, High Brew provides the perfect caffeine boost during the busy and hectic holiday season.

They never apply heat, but use filtered, ambient temperature water instead to brew their coffee. Cold-brew coffee has a smoother, bolder, less acidic and bitter flavor due to the absence of heat in brewing process. High Brew cold-brew coffee contains a higher amount of caffeine due to an optimal coffee bean, grind, ratio of coffee to water and brewing process. Cold-brew is not to be confused with iced coffee, which is hot brewed coffee that has been poured over ice.

High Brew is also the perfect base ingredient for seasonal cocktails with a kick! Check out this recipe below for Salted Caramel Martini:

The Salted Caramel Martini will give your holiday guests an indulgent, boozy treat with a jolt of energy.

Ingredients:
· 1 part Vodka
· 1 part Coffee Liqueur
· 2 parts Salted Caramel High Brew Coffee

Method:
Add all components to shaker, plus ice. Pour into martini glasses and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Buy It:

You can purchase High Brew Coffee at your local retailer.

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

'Tis the Season for Cocktail Mixing!

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

With the holidays coming up quickly, with it comes many holiday parties, entertaining and...stress! Relax this holiday season with a tasty cocktail or get some great cocktail ideas below to impress your guests this holiday season! 

Check out below some of my favorite cocktails and liqueurs, cocktail recipes and gift ideas for the adults on your list!

Crown Royal Vanilla Flavored Whisky

Crown Royal Vanilla Flavored Whisky is a blend of hand-selected Crown Royal whiskies infused with the rich flavor of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. The result is a unique whisky bursting with vanilla flavor and Crown Royal’s superior smoothness.

A versatile drink for the holidays, Crown Royal Vanilla tastes great when mixed with sodas (for a Vanilla take on hard sodas), used to create a Vanilla twist on classic cocktails (like a Vanilla Old Fashioned and Vanilla Hot Toddy) or simply sipped on the rocks.

Vanilla Hot Toddy

· 1.25 oz. Crown Royal Vanilla
· 1 tsp Fine Grain Sugar
· 2 Small Cloves
· 1.5 oz. Boiling Water

Add Crown Royal Vanilla, fine grain sugar and cloves in a mug. Add boiling water. Stir and enjoy.

Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a premium bourbon perfect for smooth sipping or as the base in your favorite cocktail. Rebel Yell dates back to 1849 and is known for its softer taste of a wheated bourbon with a warm finish.

Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is handcrafted according to the original, time-honored Rebel Yell recipe developed in 1849. As a result, the whiskey has a bold aroma of honey, butter and raisins, which leads to similar flavors on the palate, along with notes of ripe plums. The finish is semi-sweet, with a slight spiciness and hint of candy corn.

Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey earned a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition!

Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream

Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream features cinnamon, nutmeg, and caramel, with undertones of vanilla and sweet pecan.

The buttery caramel taste is followed by rich, sweet toffee, rounded off with a smooth, creamy, warm finish.

Still bottled and aged the old fashioned way, the new Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream is available this holiday season for bourbon connoisseurs everywhere. 

Alize

There’s no need to worry during the most wonderful time of the year because Alizé Passion makes the most delicious holiday themed cocktails for your guests to enjoy!

Holidays are about celebration with family and friends and what better way to celebrate than with a bottle, or two, of this premium French vodka with passion fruit nectar and all-natural flavors found in the world’s most exotic regions. Whether you’re buying for one or for a party, you always want to drink top quality products that are ripe, smooth, flavorable, full-bodied and will make your spirits brighter.

From Red to Gold these cocktails will impress your guests and have them wanting more.

Peppermint Kiss

• 1oz Alizé Red Passion
• 1oz Apple Juice
• 1/3oz Lemon Juice
• 1/3oz Sugar Syrup
• 2/3oz Vodka

Method: Shake and strain into your preferred glass.

Taste: Light and zesty, refreshingly crisp apple with underlying notes of peach, passion fruit and cranberries.

Naughty or Spice

• 1oz Alizé Gold Passion
• 1 Small Slice Fresh Ginger
• 1/2oz Lemon Juice
• 1oz Pineapple Juice
• 1/4oz Sugar Syrup

Method: In the base of a cocktail glass muddle ginger, add all remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into your preferred glass.

Taste: Fresh and zesty passion fruit with a spicy lick of ginger wrapped in a soft sweet shell of creamy pineapple juice.

Enjoy these delicious cocktails - Cheers to the holidays!!

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