Archive for the ‘Cocktails’ Category

Toasting to Girls Weekend in Vegas: Laguna Champagne Bar

March 23rd, 2010 aragni09
Toasting to Girls Weekend in Vegas: Laguna Champagne Bar

So we’re still recuperating from our best Vegas trip yet, but as we resurface into the land of the living we had to share some of the details of our girls weekend. Thanks to the lovely folks at The Palazzo we were able to experience the best of the best, starting off with a celebratory toast to the weekend at the Laguna Champagne Bar. Centrally located on the casino floor, we were able to take in the sights and the sounds from the comfort of the lounge.

Since we “strategically” planned our trip to coincide with March Madness, we were able to take in some of the Thursday night games while we sipped our cocktails….speaking of which,  the bubbly concoctions were amazing. We love ourselves some bubbles, but these set the bar high for the weekend as they were fun and inventive – each of us was raving about our individual cocktails. If you go – you have to try the Flower Eclipse (elderflower goodness) or Art Nouveau (strawberry pureed sweetness). An added bonus? the array of olives and wasabi peanuts we snacked on while we sipped.

Loved it – great start to the weekend…

Jill and Mary - two of our favorites!

Bubbles - Flower Eclipse and Art Nouveau

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Posted in Cocktails, Lifestyle, Travel Tags: , , , 1 Comment »

Simple Summer Cocktails

June 25th, 2009 aragni09
Simple Summer Cocktails

ttss_strawberrypeachsangria_01_vWhile we might be waiting for our true summer weather here in San Francisco, it hasn’t stopped us from dreaming of cocktails with summer flair. Recently Pete Wells of NY Times posted the summer drink issue that had us swooning over the possibility of poolside cocktails…

The article takes us through some tips and tricks home bartenders can use in their own kitchen with fairly simple ingredients such as basil and cola. Our favorite trick? The simple raspberry syrup – taking advantage of transforming “past their prime” berries into a simple syrup you can easily store in your fridge whenever you feel like an adult refresher.

While generally our summer go to drink involves whipping up a margarita in the magic bullet, we wouldn’t mind trying some of these concoctions sometime soon – especially the Thai Basil Bliss* (recipe below):

5 Thai basil leaves
4 inch-wide cubes pineapple
1 tablespoon simple syrup
2 ounces blanco tequila
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Soda or seltzer

In a cocktail shaker, crush 4 basil leaves and the pineapple to a pulp with a muddler or wooden spoon. Fill shaker about halfway with ice and add simple syrup, tequila and lime juice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with a splash of soda and float last basil leaf on surface.

Yield: One drink.

*Adapted from “Mix Shake Stir” (Little, Brown, 2009)

Posted in Cocktails, Food Tags: 2 Comments »

Living the Life: The Apres Ski Life That is!

February 23rd, 2009 Meghan
Living the Life: The Apres Ski Life That is!

The Apres Ski life ranks as one of my favorite things in life.

Apres Ski refers to the lifestyle at ski resorts & in mountain towns when the clock runs out on ski/snowboarding time and your day becomes all about warm cocktails (read: delicious concoctions of bailey’s, frangelico, coffee & whipped cream…mmm…), relaxing (in your ski gear, albeit) and reliving the moments had on the slopes earlier and what the rest of the evening holds (for us it was inches upon inches of fresh powder leading to glorious skiing and heading out in Vail.)
During our trip to Beaver Creek last weekend we embraced the Apres Ski life to its very fullest- let me tell you we could do this lifestyle every day if given the opportunity (and a change in the course of our reality unfortunately!) There’s something about being amongst all these other people who share your passion about skiing, good food, delicious cocktails and a love of socializing. And let’s be honest, the view doesn’t get much better than the Rocky Mountains! 
There’s much more to come from our girls ski weekend, but if you happen to have one on tap- be sure to take advantage of the Apres Ski life. And don’t forget to follow it up with a hot tubbing session & then a glass of wine & home made meal by the fireplace. Does life get any better??
Posted in Cocktails, Lifestyle No Comments »

Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice

December 18th, 2008 Meghan
Sugar & Spice & All Things Nice
God knows we’re right in the thick of it: Holiday Party Season!
I celebrated with the girls earlier this week, tonight I celebrate with my boyfriend and tomorrow night with all the colleagues that I adore. We all know what comes with each of those also: cocktails, appetizers, party dresses and all around merriment- love it! Downside? I must get through the holidays without coming out looking like a whale. So what’s a WIT to do?
The answer, I feel, is: to think. Think about everything you consume. Think about what you want to eat for the day. Think about how what you put in your mouth could very well come out on your hips. Leave it to Real Simple to give us WITs some tips and tricks. Their recommendations include:

Order a small serving size
Even if you’re full, you’ll probably eat it if it’s in front of you. So don’t over-estimate your hunger- just always order small.

Skip add-ons
You don’t need chicken or shrimp in the salad or in the pasta. Chances are you wouldn’t miss it if you didn’t think it was an option. So save yourself the calories and sodium and just pretend you were never given the choice!

Too hungry or Too full?
Don’t let is happen! This is where small meals throughout the day can really help. When you’re starving, you’ll over eat to try and compensate. So stay full with snacks like this. When you’re too full, you’ll miss out on dishes or tastes that could have been so eat smart!

Other techniques I recommend?
Say no to bread
In the end, it’s really not your friend. Yes, it tastes incredible, but when around others we often take external cues (like we wrote about here) and eat things because others are. SO not necessary!

All calories count
Even if they’re liquid- calories add up- and quickly! When choosing a cocktail, choose wisely. Remember that they often contain more calories than a WIT could ever imagine so remember that clear cocktails are usually better for you. Oh and anything made with dairy? Stay away!

Need other ways to motivate yourself? Check this book out. You’ll love and hate it at the same time, but it’s totally worthwhile.

Now eat (carefully), drink (semi-moderatly) and be very merry!

photos courtesy of Rachel Ray & Real Simple
Posted in Cocktails, Food No Comments »

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

December 16th, 2008 Meghan
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It’s something about this time of year. It makes us giddy with anticipation, blissful with festivities and shopping galore and it makes us grateful for the blessings we have. And I just love, love, love it!

Last night some of us girls did our annual celebratory holiday dinner. Done pot-luck-style we each made and brought something, drank vino and enjoyed one another’s stories and company.

I know this is the hardest time of year to find the chance to plan a get together with your girlfriends, but definitely try to do so (plus the holidays are the best time to play hostess!) As we leave such a hard year behind us, it’s so important to remember the things that have remained intact and pillars of strength in our lives.

That being said, a girlfriend of mine passed along the link below to a video where an author shares a poignant essay about women and their girlfriends and how they can transcend all that is hard in life and be there for one another, continue to grow and continue to love and move forward. It’s really beautiful and definitely worth the few minutes it takes to watch.

Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q

Hope all you WITs out there are enjoying the Holiday season! Listen to lots of Christmas music, bake cookies and make as many plans as you can!

Photos courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess
Posted in Cocktails, Food, Lifestyle No Comments »

A WIT's Guide to: Light Beers

October 13th, 2008 Meghan
A WIT's Guide to: Light Beers

This weekend marked yet another year of Fleet Week in San Francisco- and what a joy it is. Clear skies see the Blue Angels dancing amidst them and sailboats dot the Bay as everyone gathers for a wonderfully patriotic tradition. One of the best parts of Fleet Week that I have yet to mention, however, happens to be consumable. Yep, it’s beer.

We WITs tend to reach out for beers of the light variety because, let’s face it, no form of alcohol is very healthy for you, so why not try to cut down on calories when possible, right?

It’s been my experience that certain occasions and events call for certain beers. Below you’ll find some favorites of mine and the WITs:

Michelob Ultra
Light-golden in color with subtle notes of citrus, this low-carb American-style light lager has a refreshing body and finish and is perfect for casual nights spend outdoors with girlfriends (i.e.; Nights in Lake Tahoe) or, as I did this year, sipping up on the rooftops of San Francisco watching the Air Show above your head. We tend to refer to this particular light beer as “The Queen of Beers” or “Michey-U’s”.

95 calories, 2.6g carbs and 0.0g fat.

Heineken Light
Smooth and refreshing with a tad of a bite, this beer can be perfect for tailgating or days at the beach.

99 calories, 6.8g carbs and 0.0g fat.

Coors Light
When cost or selection is an issue, I head for Coors light. I find its crisp taste refreshing and, when served at the right temperature, I swear I could close my eyes and picture myself in the Rockies. Coors is aged longer than most beers and this helps deliver its smoothness on your palette. It’s usually my beer of choice for parties.

102 calories, 11.3g carbs and 0.0g fat.

Bud Light
You can find me with a Bud Light in hand when it’s the end of the evening spent out at bars (a sign I should be heading home momentarily) or when I’m at a sporting event. Cubs games cannot be fully enjoyed (in my opinion) without a Bud Light in hand (whether it be no. 2 or no. 7!) It’s the number-one selling light beer in the world as well- it’s internationally loved.

110 calories, 6.6g carbs and 0.0g fat.
(Oh my god- I had no idea how much better Bud Light was for you than Coors Light! My preferences may be changing as a result of this post!)

Corona Light
Warm weather and Mexican food call for the right accompaniment: Corona Light is the answer. Combined with the citrusy juice of a lime slice, Corona Light is the epitome of refreshing and has a sweet, light after taste.

109 calories, 5.0g carbs and 0.0g fat.

time to drink up! Just remember to always grab a light beer and to do it responsibly!

photo courtesy of Michelob Ultra


Posted in A WIT's Guide to, Cocktails 2 Comments »

The Risque Martini

October 7th, 2008 Meghan
The Risque Martini

There’s just something about ‘em…They’re cool. They’re refreshing. They’re chic. They’re bold. And most of all, they’re dirty.

Dirty Martinis are a true love of mine. Thanks to Ms. Heise, I was introduced at the W’s XYZ bar here in San Francisco almost two hears ago and I have not fallen out of love yet. (The best, however, can be found at the Omni Hotel here in SF on California Street. They are huge and seriously the most delicious and delectable beverages ever!)

To shake up a dirty of your own, try the following recipe:

2 oz Gin (make it Bombay Sapphire if possible!)
1 tbsp Dry Vermouth
2 tbsp Olive juice
Add three olives

Mix all ingredients in a chilled cocktail shaker and pour into a martini glass. Place three olives in the glass as garnish. (Yes, it is important to have three olives- a WIT rule of sorts ;) ) Voila!

While not appropriate for all occasions, dirty martinis definitely do the trick of melting stress after a rough work day or provide the sleek and savory feel to your cocktail hour.

In fact, I’ll be grabbing one (or two!) with some of my favorite OPR girls tonight. Is it 5 p.m. PT yet?

photo courtesy of wikipedia
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