Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Wonder Woman Cocktail Party Recipes!





Today we're toasting the amazing Wonder Woman! She was too busy saving the world to sip cocktails, but we have the time, so we have a tropical libation inspired by here Paradise Island home, along with a red, white and blue snack mix that pairs perfectly with TV viewing!

Monday, May 29, 2017

Mocktail Monday: Paradise Island Cooler

I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend! Here's a cooling beverage the entire family can enjoy, inspired by our cocktail which will be featured in tomorrow's "Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en" episode paying tribute to the 1975 TV series "Wonder Woman." The "Wonder Woman" movie opens later this week - can't wait!


Paradise Island Cooler

2 oz Bigelow Vanilla Caramel Tea, brewed and cooled
2 oz Ocean Spray Cranberry-Mango Juice
2 - 3 oz Italian lemon soda

Combine all ingredients in a chimney glass with ice and stir.

Cheers!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Put the BAR in BARbecue!

Memorial Day is upon us and thus the unofficial start of summer! It seems as though I was just shoveling snow, although I'm not complaining - this is far better! If you're thinking of venturing outside and firing up the grill, here are some serving suggestions from the mid-century booklet Seagram's Week End Bar and Barbecue Book. You'll note that many of the recipes call for Seagram's Golden Gin, which hasn't been produced in a years, which is a shame, as it was 94 proof. Go ahead and use another dry gin - I won't tell!





Have a fabulous weekend!



Thursday, May 25, 2017

It's Time for a Happy Hour Trip Back in Time!





It's time for a happy hour trip back in time and I could not be more ready! Goodbye bad weather, unsolicited advice and crazy people! I'll be drinking back in mid-century New Orleans!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Cocktails with Ingredients Found at AIDS Walk New York! Recipes Included!





What's better than discovering new cocktail ingredients? Discovering FREE cocktail ingredients! Here are some cocktails we improvised with ingredients we found along the route at AIDS Walk New York yesterday! Cheers!

Mocktail Monday: Daytime Passion

Pining for a daytime cocktail? It's Mocktail Monday, so this one is safe to sip right now!


Daytime Passion

1/2 oz passion fruit syrup
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Chilled white grape sparkling cider

Combine al ingredients in a champagne flute and stir gently. Cheers!

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Uncle Val's Handcrafted Peppered Gin: Tasting & Impromptu Cocktails





Thirsty?! We have cocktail recipes to rectify that! We really need to visit the Pacific Northwest. They have it going on in terms of liquor!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Tiki Drinks & Tropical Popcorn in Our Tiki Room, Recipes Included!





We're wrapping up our home tour today with a visit to our tiki room, also known as the Velvetiki Room! Shake up one of our tropical libations and join us!

Monday, May 15, 2017

Mocktail Monday: Peaches & Kitsch

It's Mocktail Monday and today we're in a tiki mood, with a little something you can enjoy right now, without fear of being fired or thrown out of school, Peaches & Kitsch!


Peaches & Kitsch

2 oz Ocean Spray 100% Juice Cranberry-Mango
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
2 dashes Angostura bitters
4 oz IZZE Sparkling Peach soda

Combine all ingredients in a small tiki mug or double old-fashioned glass and stir gently.

Have a fabulous week!

Friday, May 12, 2017

Ant Invasion? You Need A Drink!

I live for spring, but there is one yearly ritual that comes with the warmer weather that I could do without: the ant invasion. Our house was built in 1938 and let's just say it's a little porous. At some point (sometimes more than once if it warms up, then gets cold again, then warms up again) the ants make their way in and proceed to thoroughly gross me out. Like Frank Costanza on "Seinfeld," "I will not tolerate infestation!" They're huge, too. I feel like James Whitmore, battling the giant ants in the movie "Them!"


It's enough to send a sensitive soul straight for the bar! I don't have a vintage cocktail specifically related to ants, but this one is one letter away and I'm ready to up the ante on ant removal! 


A little liquid courage, courtesy of The Bartender's Guide, by Patrick Gavin Duffy (1948), though I'll probably wait until happy hour to start drowning my ant-created sorrows. Wish me luck!

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Cocktails for Killjoys from 1950 with Cuban Rum and Malfy Gin





We got inspired to try the drinks from today's blog, from Bar Guide, Published by TRUE, The Men's Magazine (1950), so of course we needed to share it with the world! Here's the live broadcast, in all its "glory."

Cocktails for Trolls

A self-appointed officer of the Internet Police is apparently targeting YouTube channels that feature alcohol content. She posts long-winded comments on said channels, schooling the creators on why alcohol is (in her not-so-humble opinion) 'as bad as marijuana,' shouldn't be legal and will generally send users to hell in a hand basket faster than you can say "Bottoms up!" She really can go on and on. She hasn't found our channel yet, but give her time. I'm not going to name her (at least not until she targets us) because I'm generally against public shamings and I don't want to give her any publicity! However, I'm not against having a laugh at her expense. Here's my tribute to her, culled from the pages of one of our favorite bar guides, which gets heavy use in our live broadcasts, Bar Guide, Published by TRUE, The Men's Magazine (1950).



As always, if you don't like alcohol or are against it, by all means, don't drink! You'll save a ton of money. Come back next Monday and we'll have another mocktail for you!

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Cocktail Recipe with Herbal Tea and Rum for Sick Days





Under the weather? Here's a little something to make you feel better, strictly for medicinal purposes. 😏

Monday, May 8, 2017

Mocktail Monday: Spring Shower

It's Monday, which means mocktails! Today's is perfect for a gloomy May morning (at least in our part of the world), the Spring Shower!


Spring Shower

4 oz Twinings Honeybush, Mandarin & Orange tea, brewed
1 oz blueberry juice
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
4 dashes of Angostura bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Have a fabulous week!

Sick Day Cocktails & Moxie Cocktail - Recipes Included!





Fortunately I'm getting a little better, because I've been sick as a dog for nine days now! Getting back to health means enjoying a lovely libation. Here's one that I can actually taste! And Paul mixes with Moxie soda!

Friday, May 5, 2017

Cinco de Mayo Highballs: The Easiest Celebration Ever!

Perhaps you don't really care about Cinco de Mayo, yet suddenly feel like getting into the spirit, or maybe you do care, but didn't plan ahead and need an easy drink to serve this evening. Highballs to the rescue! Pick up a few bottles of Jarritos soda and mix with tequila or rum and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Easy! And the mocktail version of this one is a no-brainer - just leave out the hooch! Salud!



Thursday, May 4, 2017

Cinco de Mayo Tequila Cocktail Recipe & Collab with Laurice's Kitchen!





It's time for a Cinco de Mayo happy hour and this time we've partnered with one of our favorite YouTube channels, Laurice's Kitchen! We brought the cocktail and she brought the wings! Salud!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

If You Like It, Drink It

We love creating cocktails that we enjoy and that we think others will enjoy and we love sharing them, since we want everyone to enjoy! Sometimes it can feel like life doesn't have enough enjoyment and we hope, in our small way, to help to rectify that. Adult beverages can help you to unwind and be a relaxing ritual after a long day. But there's nothing relaxing or enjoyable about defending your choice of cocktail or spirit to some beverage bully who would tell you you're "wrong" to like your martinis with vodka or a Bloody Mary when it's not brunch. Those people need to pour a large glass of whatever they enjoy and get lives. Life is too short to not drink exactly what you like, so fix yourself a large version of whatever you love tonight. If you get any comments from the peanut gallery, savor it that much more. It will drive them nuts!

This wouldn't be my choice, but she seems to be enjoying it!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Prosecco Cocktail Recipe & Pretty Appetizer in Our Retro Home Bar/Living...





Our home tour continues in the nerve center of it all - the bar, also known as our living room! It may be small, but we fit a lot of bottles of booze in there, along with related cocktail paraphernalia and more!



One more room to go!

Monday, May 1, 2017

Mocktail Monday: East India Company

Today we're pleased to announce a new feature on the blog, Mocktail Mondays! We always encourage the imbibing of lovely libations and you might need a little hooch on a Monday evening, but if you're laying off for any reason you can still enjoy one of our alcohol-free delights! This one was created by Paul and served to me last night as I binge watched "Girlboss" on Netflix while sprawled on the sofa, suffering from bronchitis. Make a pitcher and enjoy them all night long - you'll still be fine tomorrow morning!


East India Company

4 oz brewed black tea
1/2 oz ginger syrup
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2 dashes Fee Brothers molasses bitters 
2 dashes of orange bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. 

Have a fabulous week!