My Cherri Amor: Stoli Wild Cherri Vodka Review

Today for review we have the latest addition to the Stolichnaya Vodka Portfolio. Being a big fan of both Stoli Vodka and Cherry flavored anything, it seemed only natural to give this one a try. Those unfamiliar with the brand need definitely consider adding Stoli original to your liquor cabinet. Unlike many quality brands on the shelves today, the price you pay is actually of equal value if not undervalued for the quality of vodka you receive.

Aroma: If you are a cherry lover, this one will be quite appealing. The first thing that hits you is the perfectly captured strong sense of cherry aroma. Though the initial press release mentions vanilla tones, I don’t notice any. The tartness of the cherry and familiar vodka smell are most apparent.

Taste: When enjoyed straight, specifically in shot form, the taste of vodka dominates over the flavor of the cherry at first leaving a natural cherry and medicinal taste to linger. Though cough syrup is not a popular after taste it’s a taste that has become mostly associated with Cherry Vodkas, but is in fact similar to the true taste of cherry which Stoli captures perfectly. When added to popular mixers the cherry flavor becomes more apparent. It’s almost as if the additional sugar added from your favorite mixer combines with the natural medicinal cherry tone to bring you a more familiar cherry taste offered by popular beverage companies such as minute maid or Tropicana. Pick up a bottle today and try giving one of your classic vodka cocktails a cherry spin.

Price: 19.99 USD (avg)
Grade: B

Stoli Wild Cherri Ricky

2 oz Stoli Cherri
1/2 oz Lime Juice
4 oz Lemon Lime Soda

Stoli Cherri Smash

1 1/2 oz of Stoli Wild Cherri
3/4 oz of Lemon Juice
3/4 oz of Simple Syrup
4 brandied cherries
Splash of cherry cola

Summer Kool-Aid

2 oz Stoli Cherri
4 oz Lemonade
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Lime Juice

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Beer Cocktails: Who needs Hard liquor for a good time?

…..When you think of the word cocktail, the first thoughts that come to your mind are often “fruity”, “girly”,  “not strong”, or “complicated” due to the many ingredients some involve. No so often though do we realize that a cocktail can be as simple as two ingredients and as strong as you want to make it. With the Superbowl right around the corner, hard alcohol will be flowing endlessly but not to be left out, Beer will be flying off the shelves as well. Some of us prefer a cocktail, some of us prefer a beer, but why not kill two birds with one stone? Though it can be done, I’m not talking about adding anything to beer…. other than more beer. Here are some tasty beer cocktails for the “purists” and “manly men” in the world featuring Guinness and several other well known brands.

Belgian Waffle:

1/2 pint Guinness Stout
1/2 pint Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Beer

Directions: Pour Blue Moon into a pint glass or beer mug half way to the top. Fill the other half by pouring Guinness over a spoon for the layered effect.

Black & Tan:

1/2 Pint Guinness
1/2 Pint Bass Ale

Directions:
Pouring a perfect black and tan requires you hold your pint glass at an angle as you would when pouring a Guinness. Fill just over halfway with Bass Ale. Pour Draught Guinness over an upside-down spoon to disperse the flow. Let settle.

Half & Half

1/2 pint Guinness
1/2 pint Harp

Directions: A variation of the Black and tan. This is poured the same as a Black & Tan only substituting Bass with Harp

Chocolate Covered Raspberry

1/2 pint Guinness
1/2 pint Framboise

Directions: Pour in your framboise followed by your Guinness but no layering needs to be done. The result should leave a pinkish red tint to the froth on top.

Black & Blue

1/2 pint Guinness
1/2 pint Seadog Blueberry Wheat Beer

Directions: Pour Seadog till about halfway followed by a layering of Guinness with the use of a mixing spoon.

 

Today is National Irish Coffee Day

Today is National Irish Coffee Day ! Here’s a bit of history courtesy of Wikipedia before we get to the classic recipe below.

…..“The origin of the Irish coffee is highly disputed. According to certain sources the original Irish coffee was invented by Joseph Sheridan, a head chef at Foynes, County Limerick but originally from Castlederg, County Tyrone. Foynes’ port was the precursor to Shannon International Airport in the west of Ireland; the coffee was conceived after a group of American passengers disembarked from a Pan Am flying boat on a miserable winter evening in the 1940s. Sheridan added whiskey to the coffee to warm the passengers. After the passengers asked if they were being served Brazilian coffee, Sheridan told them it was Irish coffee. Stanton Delaplane, a travel writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, brought Irish coffee to the United States after drinking it at Shannon Airport, when he worked with the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco to start serving it on November 10, 1952, and worked with the bar owners Jack Koeppler and George Freeberg to recreate the Irish method for floating the cream on top of the coffee, sampling the drink one night until he nearly passed out.”

Irish Coffee:
1 oz Bushmills Original Irish Whiskey (Or your favorite Brand)
2 tsp Demerara sugar
Strong black coffee
Extra Thick Whipping cream

Preparation: First thing you’ll need is a warm glass and teaspoon to start. To do this take your glass, place the teaspoon inside, and add boiling water. Empty out hot water then : Add your Whiskey followed by your sugar and stir. Next Add strong black coffee until your cup is about 3/4th’s full. Next add whipping cream over the back of the warm teaspoon to insure the cream floats on the coffee. Enjoy !

 

Tailgating Cocktail Recipes

Another intense weekend of NFL football is just around the corner and we want to make sure you are prepared. Whether you’ll be bar tending, hosting a party, or enjoying the game from the comfort of your own home with family and friends, these football inspired cocktails are sure to be a hit. Try one out this weekend and become the talk of the party.

Patron Pigskin (Courtesy of Patron.com)

2 oz – Patron Silver
1/2 oz – Patron Citronage
2 oz – Cranberry Juice

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and strain into a chilled highball glass.

No Huddle Cocktail

1 1/2 oz Tanqueray Rangpur Lime Gin
3 oz Cranberry Apple Juice

Bourbon Blitz

2 oz Makers Mark Bourbon
1/2 oz B&B Liqueur

Combine both ingredients in a Highball glass and stir.

Touchdown Tea

1 oz Jack Daniels
2 oz Lemonade
2 oz Sweet Tea

Strong and tasty. Every time your team scores take a chug at one of these. Combine JD and Sweet Tea in a shaker and strain into a highball glass. Top with lemonade

Liquid Hailmary Shot (Adapted from Liquid Cocaine)
1/2 oz Bacardi 151
1/2 oz Jagermeister
1/2 oz Rumplemintz
1/2 oz American Honey

Much like a Hailmary, this one should only be tried every once and a while. Strong, and tasty this is NO JOKE. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and strain into chilled shot glasses.

False Start (shot)
1 oz Cherry Rum
1 oz Lemonade
1/2 oz Sour Apple Liqueur

Try one of these anytime there is a false start in the game. It’s dangerously tasty and sure to have you yelling at the tv. Combine all ingredients in a shaker and strain into a chilled shot glass.

Fans of the “oldest rivalry in football” might want to try these Rivalry Cocktails inspired by the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Though not a rivalry itself,  Jets and Pittsburgh fans are sure to get an exciting game to watch as well. New York fans can try a “Revis island” while Steelers fans can check out the “Black and Gold” Martini.

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Rivalry Cocktails:Bears Vs Packers

This Sundays showdown between division rivals the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers is already being dubbed by members of the media and each teams fan base as “The most important game in each teams history”. One of the greatest rivalries in sports — and the oldest rivalry in the National Football League — will reach new heights this weekend when both teams square off for a shot at the Superbowl. As these two powerhouses battle it out on the field, millions of  Bears Fans and Packer Backers alike will gather in sports bars and living rooms around the WORLD cheering and rallying for their team to come out the victor. Impress your friends this year by pairing one of these Bears/Packers inspired cocktails with your favorite set of snacks.

Chicago Bears

Bear Blitz Margarita:

1 oz Malibu Coconut Rum
1/2 oz 1800 Tequila
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Ice

Lovies Lemonade:

1 1/2 oz Russian Standard Vodka
1 1/2 oz Blue Curacao
Lemonade

In a shaker, combine Vodka and Curacao and then strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top off with Lemonade until full.

Green Bay Packers

Packer Punch:

10 oz Midori Melon Liqueur
5 oz Vodka
2 oz Orange Juice

Recipe Makes a large quantity. For individual servings decrease to 2 oz Midori, 1 oz Vodka and a splash of OJ. Combine Midori and Vodka first and then add in Orange Juice.

Wisconsin Old Fashioned

2 oz Brandy
3 Dash Bitters
1 Sugar Cube
1 Splash Water
1 Splash Club Soda
Orange Wheel
Cherry

Old Fashioned fans looking for one in Wisconsin will never find the traditional bourbon ingredients instead being replaced by brandy. Dissolve sugar cube in a small amount of water (or use a splash of simple syrup). Muddle an orange wheel, just to get a bit of juice out of it. Add brandy and bitters. Pack glass with ice and add a splash of soda. Garnish with a brandy soaked cherry.

Hope you enjoy these NFL edition cocktails. Though not a rivalry itself,  Jets and Pittsburgh fans are sure to get an exciting game to watch as well. New York fans can try a “Revis island” while Steelers fans can check out the “Black and Gold” Martini.

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A Reason to Fly United: Sunrise Sunset Cocktail

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–United Airlines is offering customers a refreshing new signature cocktail, Sunrise Sunset, on all United flights that offer beverage service. The sweet and tangy cocktail, developed by United flight attendant Tita Martin, is a mix of cranberry apple juice, a splash of orange juice, a squeeze of lime and vodka.

“Ensuring my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable flight is one of the most important aspects of my role as flight attendant”

The Sunrise Sunset cocktail is complimentary in United First® and United Business® and is available for purchase for $7 in United Economy®.

United invited flight attendants to design a signature cocktail using existing onboard products. Flight attendants submitted 64 recipes, with 10 selected as finalists. In September 2010, United hosted a tasting event in Chicago for users of social media channels to vote for the winning recipe, with Sunrise Sunset selected as the winning cocktail.

“Ensuring my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable flight is one of the most important aspects of my role as flight attendant,” said United flight attendant Tita Martin, who has flown with United for 19 years. “With Sunrise Sunset, I sought to offer a drink that would help our customers enjoy their journey and to bring a bit of fun to the experience.”

The Sunrise Sunset cocktail is the latest addition to United’s in-flight dining options. In May 2009, United introduced the Choice Menu®, a selection of fresh menu options, snackboxes and premium beverages available for purchase in United Economy on North America flights longer than two hours. In October, United unveiled two specialty brunch menu options available for pre-order on transcontinental p.s.® flights departing before 4 p.m., as well as new items developed specifically for United by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Curtis Stone.

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–United Airlines is offering customers, beginning today, a refreshing new signature cocktail, Sunrise Sunset, on all United flights that offer beverage service. The sweet and tangy cocktail, developed by United flight attendant Tita Martin, is a mix of cranberry apple juice, a splash of orange juice, a squeeze of lime and vodka.

“Ensuring my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable flight is one of the most important aspects of my role as flight attendant”

The Sunrise Sunset cocktail is complimentary in United First® and United Business® and is available for purchase for $7 in United Economy®.

United invited flight attendants to design a signature cocktail using existing onboard products. Flight attendants submitted 64 recipes, with 10 selected as finalists. In September 2010, United hosted a tasting event in Chicago for users of social media channels to vote for the winning recipe, with Sunrise Sunset selected as the winning cocktail.

“Ensuring my guests have a comfortable and enjoyable flight is one of the most important aspects of my role as flight attendant,” said United flight attendant Tita Martin, who has flown with United for 19 years. “With Sunrise Sunset, I sought to offer a drink that would help our customers enjoy their journey and to bring a bit of fun to the experience.”

The Sunrise Sunset cocktail is the latest addition to United’s in-flight dining options. In May 2009, United introduced the Choice Menu®, a selection of fresh menu options, snackboxes and premium beverages available for purchase in United Economy on North America flights longer than two hours. In October, United unveiled two specialty brunch menu options available for pre-order on transcontinental p.s.® flights departing before 4 p.m., as well as new items developed specifically for United by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Curtis Stone.

Press Release Courtesy of United Airlines and BusinessWire.com

 

Tailgating Cocktails: The Raven

For all the Baltimore Ravens fans, here’s a delicious cocktail inspired by your favorite NFL Team. It wouldn’t be right if it weren’t purple, and much like the Ravens defense it “Packs a Punch”

The Raven Cocktail:

1 1/2 oz Three Olives Purple
1/2 oz Blue Curacao
1 oz Lemon Lime Soda

 

Press Release: Absolut introduces Absolut Elyx

First market launch of new high-end vodka from ABSOLUT

( AbsolutDrinks.com ) Inspired by 500 years of vodka making expertise, ABSOLUT has spent the last decade inventing a new vodka. Crafted from hand-selected estate wheat, and blended with soft and naturally filtered water, ABSOLUT ELYX is a true expression of quality. It is a small-batch vodka, produced according to craft techniques, in an authentic 1929 copper rectification still. The result: a handcrafted super premium vodka with an elegant, silky texture.

“Aroma and flavor are the obvious and most immediately striking characteristics of vodka. ABSOLUT ELYX goes beyond that. It has a clean and fresh taste with subtle floral and fruity tones, but its most defining quality lies in the texture. Not detectable by the nose or taste buds, texture determines how the vodka feels in your mouth. ABSOLUT ELYX is elegant and incredibly soft, and leaves you with a silky feeling in your mouth. Try it on its own, and your mouth will know the difference”, says Krister Asplund, master distiller at The Absolut Company.

To create ABSOLUT ELYX, Krister Asplund returned to the roots of vodka making, while still addressing contemporary demands of traceability and innovation. He sourced the finest wheat and water, put a 1929 rectification still back into use, and refined copper catalyzation. These four factors are equally important in the production of this exceptional vodka, and they are outlined in the ABSOLUT ELYX manifesto, which guarantees long-term quality and an everlasting commitment to perfection.

THE ABSOLUT ELYX MANIFESTO:

100% Hand-selected Estate Wheat
ABSOLUT ELYX is distilled exclusively from hand-selected wheat from Råbelöf, an estate with a flawless instinct for quality. Every year, the master distiller walks the fields of Råbelöf to select wheat that meet the highest of standards. Råbelöf’s excellent wheat adds subtle fruity and floral tones to ABSOLUT ELYX, and is conducive to its elegant palate and texture.

Pristine Water Filtrated by Nature
The water quality is absolutely essential in vodka production. Luckily, the ABSOLUT distillery rests on its own pristine natural underground springs. Filtered through the boulder ridge and limestone bedrock for thousands of years, this water has never been exposed to modern day pollution. It is exceptionally pure, low in minerals and very soft, which is essential to the silky, smooth character of ABSOLUT ELYX.

Perfected with Copper Catalyzation
Throughout the process, copper plays an integral part in the making of ABSOLUT ELYX. Its unique character is obtained from the vintage rectification still, with columns, pumps and hand-forged pipes all in copper. While the apparatus adds character, additional copper packets are used to purify the vodka in the crude spirit distillation. They react with any sulphur remnants, resulting in an absolutely pure spirit. This is basic chemistry, refined to perfection.

Authentic Craftsmanship
ABSOLUT ELYX is handcrafted in small volumes, according to the best craft techniques. No computers involved, ABSOLUT ELYX is the result of manual operation, old expertise and personal supervision through all details in the process. Each batch is made to the uncompromising standards of the master distiller and his sensory experts, who taste and approve of each batch before it is bottled.

ABSOLUT ELYX is very fresh, clean and silky smooth, with subtle floral and fruity tones. It is all made from natural ingredients, and free from added sugar. One of the first external experts to taste it was Andreas Larsson, Sommelier World Champion 2007, and one of the world’s most renowned sommeliers.

“The color is transparent and brilliant. The nose is plentiful and intense with a lot of character; it displays subtle hints of vanilla and lemon and has a floral touch. The palate is pure and invigorating with a silky, unctuous texture – creamy, subtle and persistent with a fine balance, and a long-lasting finish with a subtle spiciness. ABSOLUT ELYX is a finely tuned vodka with character and elegance”, says Andreas Larsson.

ABSOLUT ELYX is perhaps best enjoyed neat or on the rock (just one single, large, slowly melting ice cube), but is equally good blended – preferably in martinis and straightforward cocktails where the fresh taste and silky feel come to the fore.

On the Rock
5 parts ABSOLUT ELYX
Lemon Zest
Cut a sizeable block of ice into the shape of an Old-Fashioned glass. Measure up and add ABSOLUT ELYX over the ice. Press oil from the lemon zest over the drink and serve.

Charade
4.5 parts ABSOLUT ELYX
1.5 parts Lillet Blanc
0.5 parts white cherry liqueur (Luxardo Maraschino)
A twist of orange peel
Pour the liquid ingredients in a mixing glass. Add plenty of ice and stir until the drink is cold and has a suitable amount of water. Strain the drink into a frosted cocktail glass. Press oil from the orange peel over the drink and serve.

ABSOLUT ELYX is first introduced in Canada, Greece, Korea and Mexico during the fall of 2010, with additional markets launching in 2011.

Drink images, bottle images and images from the production are available at press.absolut.com.

For further information, please contact:
Local Marketing Manager

Press Release Courtesy of AbsolutDrinks.com

 

Cocktail of the Week: Pink Lemonade

This weeks cocktail of the week is the Pink Lemonade cocktail. I chose this because it works great as a tailgaters drink and with the college football’s championship game tonight and the NFL playoffs right around the corner, this fits in perfectly. You’ll be amazed what this combination of alcohol can combine to taste like.

Pink Lemonade Cocktail ( Courtesy of Southern Living)

1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
3 (12-oz.) bottles beer (not dark), chilled
3/4 cup chilled vodka
Fresh cranberries for garnish

Stir together all three ingredients and pour over ice.

 

Sugar Bowl Cocktails: Arkansas vs Ohio State

Tonight the Arkansas Razorbacks collide with the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Two great teams, two great college programs, and two great sets of fans that know how to drink. That being said, tailgating is a must for this game even if you aren’t a fan of one of these two. Try these signature cocktails tonight.

………………………..

The Buckeye Blitz

1 1/2 oz Red Stagg Cherry Bourbon
1 oz Grenadine
3 oz Lemonade (or to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker, shake and strain. Garnish with a cherry.

The Razorback Cocktail

1/2 oz Absolut Vodka
1/2 oz Cruzan Rum
1/2 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
1/2 oz Disaronno Amaretto Liqueur

Pour all together in a mixing tin with ice, Shake to a froth, and strain off the ice into the glass. The ice is just to get it cold and the shaking is to make it froth. Serve in an Old fashioned glass.

For more great tailgating recipes inspired by some of the top college football programs in the country, check out these NCAA Inspired Cocktail Recipes. Don’t forget to “friend” us on Facebook !