Cheers

If Marilyn Monroe was a bottle of vodka, she would most definitely be dressed in 3, 238 red sequins, sparkling from every angle and causing second glances amidst the usual bottles on the shelf.

No one needs or wants anymore chocolate, so in your pre-holiday rush to the LCBO pick up a bottle of the sequin dressed vodka – it will most certainly cause a reaction underneath the green tree. Alternatively, if you are attending a swank NYE party bring an Absolut Vodka dressed to the nines as your partner in crime. Those who brought merlot will surely be jealous – there’s only one red lush this season.

This special fancied up Absolut Vodka goes best with an Eyes Wide Shut mask and a sexy rendezvous

Make it a Vodka Libre!

1 Part Absolut Vodka
Cola
Lime

Shake the vodka with ice until very cold. Strain into a well chilled cocktail glass and top up with cola. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Classy & chill.

Happy Holidays!

Although you may not be tearing around town ravaging the racks for holiday gifts just yet, you will likely be planning a seasonal soiree in your living room. DO NOT BE A SLOPPY HOST – (i.e running to the LCBO twenty minutes before guests arrive, buying your booze based on the cute bird that accents the label). There are two ways a party can go – good and bad. For example, do you want them leaving with this sentiment:

‘Man, she was organized, those drinks were delicious and everything looked so perfect!”

OR

“I missed saying goodbye to Jane because Jen had me run to the 7/11 for more tonic water. When I got back, everyone was guzzling the bottle of champagne we gave them two years ago and stuffing their faces with leftover ravioli.”

Tsk tsk. Get your shit together and make like a tipsy Martha Stewart!

Not only does the blue Bombay bottle look sexy next to some white lights and holly but you can shake up some fruity cocktails that will surely get people into the spirit.

Try a tray full of Sapphire Merry Berry

To a blender, add ½ cup ice, 1½ oz. Bombay Sapphire ©, ¾ oz. Cassis, ¾ oz/ freshly squeezed orange juice and ¼ cup mixed frozen berries. Blend until slushy. Garnish with mint sprig dipped in icing sugar.

The leaves have turned, there is a chill in the air and I’m desperately trying to find time to head to H&M and pillage the hat and glove department. Sigh. Summer, you left us far too soon – in fact I’m not sure you ever properly said hello. The house is cold and I have to lie in a hot bath to refuge from poorly insulated windows with malicious drafts making me cough. FUCK YOU MOTHER NATURE!

Although I should be contemplating how to bake a turkey and reap the harvest, I only have one thing on my mind – VODKA. What else is new? What better way to watch the sunset then to mix up an Autumn Skyy cocktail and put on some Leonard Cohen while I slowly sip my way to winter.

Join us in a cheers to the remaining months where shoveling snow and slipping on ice is not yet on our agenda.

Autumn SKYY

1 1/2 oz SKYY Vodka
1 1/2 oz Chambord raspberry liqueur
1 oz triple sec
1 splash of lime juice

Mix all ingredients in a shaker (with ice) and strain.
Add an orange slice for garnish, if desired

Now that the weather has changed your morning Starbucks order from iced to extra foamy, why not replace your vodka-redbull with a much more delicious alcoholic wake up call? Perfect for all occasions: transitioning from day-at-work to out-all-night, serving after dinner in lieu of dessert, or snuggling on the couch under a homemade afghan, pretending the traffic outside your apartment window is the soothing sound of nature. The Bailey's Latte is creamy and delicious, and way easier than it looks:

In a glass, combine, in order:
- 20 ml espresso coffee
- 50 ml of Baileys
- steamed milk
- froth
- chocolate shavings.

In lieu of the impending film fest, we all must start drinking diry Martinis – immediately. They must be named by the likes of local talent; let me introduce the Stellar McKellar!

Classy, sophisticated and with a bite, the SKYY Stellar McKellar is the perfect accessory while you shuffle through the house in a lavish old Hollywood gown. Dripping with shiny costume jewellery, saunter with a slither while sipping your drink, drawing out sentences that start with “Daaaaaaarling…did you know…”.

You are Eva Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Bette Davis, Grace Kelly – you are all rolled into one tipsy lady.

Dear Don would be proud.

3 oz. SKYY Vodka
Dash of Dry Vermouth
Lemon twist and / or olive

Pour SKYY Vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, add a dash of Dry Vermouth and shake. Pour into a chilled martini glass. Plop in olive.

Nothing cuts through a hot smog soaked city skyline like a refreshing and sweet Mojito. There is just one month left before the entire city sweeps into back to school, film festival, fashion week fall frenzy, so sweep out that balcony or back patio, put on some Manu Chao tunes, invite your friends over and be happy that it’s midnight and you are sporting a tube top.

For six servings…or about a pitcher:

18 fresh mint sprigs – FRESH BEING THE OPERATIVE WORD
12 tsp sugar
18 tbsp fresh lime juice
9 oz light rum
club soda

Smash and crush mint to get all those juices out. Put the mint in the glass and wipe it around for maximum taste. Throw in all that sugar and mix with freshly squeezed lime juice. At this point you should add a whole whack of semi-crushed ice for ultimate coolage. Pour the rum and club soda and stir. Serve with a slice of lime.

If you want to be experimental feel free to throw in some raspberries or blueberries.

SALUD!!