The Falcons-tini - Super Bowl LI

It's that time of year and we're all getting ready for Game Day.  As always, TSD is ready with great dishes (Check out the Posh Super Bowl Menu) and team-themed libations, such as The Patriot-tini and the Falcons-tini!  Whichever team your cheering for, enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 part preferred vodka

2 parts sparkling cran-raspberry juice

ice

Optional glass decorations:

black icing

red icing

white sprinkles

black or maraschino cherry

1. Prepare glass rim by lining half the rim in black icing and the other half in red icing.
2. Pour white sprinkles onto a flat plate, and roll the rim of the martini glass in sprinkles where the icing is lined to adhere the sprinkles to the glass.
3. In a martini shaker, add vodka and ice, and shake vigorously (you can add the cran-rasperry juice if it's been open for awhile to let the carbonation settle, but I prefer the carbonation)
   
4. Pour vodka into martini glass, add sparkling cran-raspberry juice and stir with a spoon.
5. Finish off with dropping cherry in the bottom...Enjoy!

Please Drink Responsibly..!

Snowboard Chick Coffee

Ski & Snowboard Season is here..! And for me (as well as many others out there) it's time to buy those lift tickets, make cabin and hotel arrangements, and plan those long weekends.  For me, my fondest memories are of me and a group of my friends using a timeshare cabin up in Vail, snowboarding hard all day, getting massages after our last run, enjoying a true Colorado game dinner near a lodge fireplace and ending the day in the outdoor hot tub overlooking snow-capped mountains.  And since most of us were dragging by the end of our runs, I was relied upon to always have batches of my Snowboard Chick Coffee on hand to enjoy our evening activities without falling asleep prematurely.  But whether you ski, snowboard or just stay in on cold winter nights watching movies all night, this is a great little cocktail.

Ingredients:

10 cups of Hazelnut flavored coffee

1 shot of Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

pinch of cinnamon and/ or nutmeg 

Optional:

whipped cream

white chocolate shavings

1. Brew coffee
2. Pour cups of individual servings
3. Add shots of Godiva liqueur and cinnamon/ nutmeg
4. Add optional toppings...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

  

Amazing Halloween Cocktails

One of my favorite annual holidays is definitely Halloween.  Whether it's putting up amazing decorations or coming up with unique Halloween-themed food and having friends and family over to see creative costumes, it's always fun.  But of course no Halloween Party is complete without truly creative Halloween-themed libations!  This year I got my inspiration from my favorite television shows and a few of the classic Halloween horror movies...Enjoy!

Halloween Cocktails

Freddy-tini

Exorcist-tini

Zombie-tini

Blood-splatter-tini

Freddy-tini - Inspired by the sweater from Nightmare on Elm Street movie franchise, this is sure to be a hit for all those Freddy Kruger's out on the 31st!

Ingredients:

chocolate icing

tape

2 parts Crown Royal

2 parts apple liqueur

2 parts cranberry juice

ice

Rim Garnish (optional)

red & chocolate cupcake sprinkles

agave nectar

1. Take tape and put two strips around the inside of the martini glass, one at the very top by the rim and one in between the first tape ring and the bottom (essentially making two stripes)
2. Using a knife, spread a layer of chocolate icing all around the inside of the martini glass.  The layer should be thin, but cover the glass completely.
3. Using either your fingers or tweezers, carefully peel up and remove the tape (this should result in chocolate stripes of icing on the inside of your glass.
4. Rim the martini glass with the agave nectar.  
5. Pour the chocolate and red cupcake sprinkles onto a flat plate (make sure they are mixed together) and roll the rim of your martini glass around in the sprinkles where the agave is.
6. In a martini shaker mix the remaining ingredients, and pour in glass...Pleasant Dreams!

Exorcist-tini - of course my homage to this classic horror flick has to be inspired by the pea soup projectile scene.  Rim garnishes are always listed as optional in my libation recipes, but I have to say the veggie rim on this cocktail makes the drink what it is.  And although this looks really gross (it's supposed to after all) it's actually quite delicious, and a most interesting way to eat your veggies!

Ingredients:

2 parts preferred vodka

1/2 part Midori liqueur

1 part irish creme

a few drops of green and yellow food coloring

ice

Rim garnish:

green icing

1-2 tbsp. frozen mixed veggies (carrots, peas, corn, lima beans, etc.)

1. Spread a thin line of green icing around the rim of the martini glass.
2. Lay out the frozen veggies on a flat plate and roll the rim of the martini glass, where the green icing is, in the veggies so that they adhere to the rim.
3. Mix vodka, midori, irish creme and ice in a martini shaker. 
4. Check coloring and add green and/ or yellow food coloring as needed until you get a dull green (like split-pea soup) color.
5. Pour into prepared martini glass and have fun grossing everyone out! 

Click Here for the Zombie-tini

Blood Splatter-tini - Inspired by the infamous Dexter Morgan, these are sure to be a hit, even if you didn't like the way the series ended.  For this martini I simply use the same concoction as for a White Nile with of course some blood splatter.

Ingredients:

1 part triple sec

1 part creme de cacao liqueur

1 part amarula creme liqueur

ice

red icing in a tube

red sprinkles

1. Drip the red icing starting at the rim of the martini glass and let it drip down in a few different spots around the glass.
2. Mix triple sec, creme de cacao, amarula creme and ice in a martini shaker and shake vigorously.
3. Pour mixture into prepared martini glass.
4. Add a few more icing drippings as desired and draw out across the glass to make some strings float. 
5. Add red sprinkles for additional spots and splatters and remember...Blood Never Lies!

Please drink responsibly...!

Pumpkin Spice-tini

When Autumn is upon us, some people can't wait to start getting their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. For those folks who start their cold mornings off with this popular beverage, this libation will be a great way to stave off any cold evening!

Ingredients:

3 parts Pinnacle whipped vodka

1 part unsweetened almond milk

1 tbsp pumpkin puree

1 tsp. pumpkin spice

1/2 tbsp. maple syrup

ice

Shake of Cinnamon

optional garnish - 1/2 - 1 tbsp of maple syrup

gold cupcake sprinkles

cinnamon stick

1. Prepare martini glass by applying a thin line of maple syrup to the rim.
2. Pour gold sprinkles on a flat plate and roll the martini rim, where the maple syrup is, in the sprinkles to adhere them to the rim.
3. In a martini shaker, mix vodka, milk, puree, pumpkin spice, syrup and ice until all ingredients are well blended.
4. Pour into prepared martini glass, sprinkle with a shake of cinnamon (or more if you prefer) and garnish with a cinnamon stick...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

The "New" Old Fashioned

So anyone who is a bourbon fan or watched the AMC series "Mad Men," knows about the classic cocktail, The Old Fashioned.  The Old Fashioned is based on four main ingredients: sugar, water, bourbon and bitters.  There have been different additions that became popular over the last century such as muddling in fruit and adding various liqueurs, such as Curacao or even absinthe.  

Because I didn't have bitters on hand when I originally thought to have this libation to accompany my Bourbon & Bison Dish, I set about to try and find how to utilize an alternative, which proved exceptionally difficult.  I saw things that ranged from using Worcestershire sauce , soy sauce and various herbs, ranging from about 10-15 different ingredients.  So I decided to go ahead a purchase a bottle of bitters deciding there was no easy "recipe" alternative.  

Although I didn't have trouble finding it myself, in 2010 there was a bitters shortage, making it exceptionally expensive.  I paid about $10 for a little bottle, but now that I had it, I decided to make both the traditional Old Fashioned, as well as come with an easy alternative cocktail without bitters that tastes very similar, and voila! The "New" Old Fashioned was created.

The "New" Old Fashioned Recipe

The aim with this alternative was to use more common ingredients as well as I am not a fan of processed sugar, and prefer to use healthier alternatives for sweeteners.  There is a slightly stronger orange flavor to this recipe and sweeter after-taste to the original but it's pretty close and the ingredients can be adjusted to use less grand marnier to lessen the additional orange flavor.

Ingredients:

1 tsp. of truvia, or agave nectar, or raw honey

splash of water, about 2 tbsp.

1/4 tsp of cinnamon

1 shot of grand marnier

2 shots of preferred bourbon

ice

optional - orange peel for garnish

1. Muddle truvia (or other sweetener) and water in serving glass until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add cinnamon, grand marnier and bourbon, and top with ice.
3. Lay orange peel over side of glass and serve.

Enjoy this with my Bourbon & Bison Dish!

The Old Fashioned Original Recipe (Basic)

Ingredients:

1 sugar cube, 1 tsp of sugar

splash of water, about 2 tbsp.

4-6 dashes of bitters

2 shots of preferred bourbon

ice

optional - orange peel for garnish

1. Muddle sugar and water in serving glass until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add bitters and bourbon, and top with ice.
3. Lay orange peel over side of glass and serve.

Please drink responsibly..!

The Zombie-tini

This is a fun libation to include at your Halloween celebrations, or in my case, as the signature cocktail at a "The Walking Dead" Screening Party or any other zombie-themed gathering.  It looks gross but trust me, it's so delicious, it's scary..!

Ingredients

2 parts vodka

1/4 part Midori liqueur

1/3 part Grand Marnier liqueur

squeeze of lime wedge

Approximately 1/2 tbsp. of grenadine

ice 

Optional garnish:

Strawberry sundae syrup

gummy worms

1. Drizzle your martini glass with strawberry syrup starting at the lid and allowing it to drip (like blood) down the inside of the glass.
2. Mix all the ingredients, except the grenadine in a martini shaker.
3. Shake vigorously the contents in the martini shaker and pour into glass.
4. Over a spoon, slowly pour grenadine until you have the desired amount of "blood dripping."
5. Strategically hang 1-2 gummy worms off the lid of the glass...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly...!

See below for decorating ideas for a zombie cocktail table:

My Sassy Pineapple Margarita

This is a completely different and new way to enjoy the summer flavors of pineapple and margaritas.  This is an edgy cocktail to shake things up and it's perfect to serve at summer BBQ's or my personal favorite, to accompany my Best Beach-side Picnic dish. 
Ingredients:

2 shots preferred tequila (Reposado, or gold in color)

1 shot pineapple juice

1 shot ginger beer

5-7 drops hot sauce (also to taste)

ice

Optional garnish:
fresh pineapple chunks

1. Mix all ingredients together except for hot sauce over ice.
2. Stir in hot sauce to taste.
3. Spear pineapple chunks on a cocktail toothpick and serve.

Please drink responsibly..!

Dreamsicle-tini

One of my favorite summer treats is without question, a Dreamsicle.  These were somehow always hard to find when I was growing up so it was always a very special treat.  This summer I decided to create an adult version of this treat and it's every bit as dreamy and delicious as its ice cream counterpart.     

Ingredients

1 shot Triple Sec

2 shots Pinnacle whipped vodka

1.5 tbsp of vanilla ice cream

1 shot orange juice

1 tbsp powdered sugar

ice

Optional garnish:

orange sprinkle, clear sprinkles

honey for rim

1. Optional - Prepare your martini glass by running a strip of honey around the rim.
   
2. Add orange and clear sprinkles to a flat plate, and roll the martini glass rim in the sprinkles in the same place you put the honey.
3. Stir orange juice and powdered sugar together in a small mixing bowl until smooth.
4. Mix triple sec, vodka, ice cream in a martini shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
5. Take the orange juice and sugar mixture and pour into prepared martini glass about 1-2" to fill bottom of the glass.
6. Pour the shaker contents slowly over a spoon to create a layered effect...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Piña Colada-Tini

"If You Like Piña Coladas..., and Getting Caught in the Rain..." Then you will love this Piña Colada-Tini!  One of the reasons I don't indulge in piña coladas is the calorie factor that accompanies the traditional rum and coconut creme version.  But my version turns this classic vacation cocktail into a skinnier version without losing any of the tropical flavors.

Ingredients

2 oz. pineapple-flavored vodka

1/2 oz. lite coconut milk

Agave nectar to taste (approximately 1/4 - 1/8 tsp., depending on how sweet you prefer your martinis*)

Shredded coconut & additional agave nectar for the rim (optional)

Ice

1. Prepare your martini glass by running a strip of agave nectar around the rim.
2. Add shredded coconut to a flat plate, and roll the martini glass rim in the coconut in the same place you put your agave nectar.
3. Combine vodka, coconut milk, desired amount agave nectar and ice in a martini shaker and shake vigorously.
4. Strain and pour into prepared glass...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

*Tips: I've made this with and without Agave nectar added in, and it's delicious both ways. Again, it just depends on your personal preference for sweetness.

The Patriot-tini - 4th of the July Celebratory Libation

Anyone who follows my Instagram account knows I am a huge patriot, a strong believer in American values and an avid supporter of troops and all they sacrifice to ensure our freedoms; as several of my close family members have served or are currently serving. Independence Day is indeed not just a tradition but a true celebration in my life and without a doubt, we celebrate big with family, barbecue and even though I stay on the healthy side of celebrations, I refuse to have a 4th of July pass without having one Patriot-tini and a slice of my American Flag Cake.  This libation is so festive and delicious, it's impossible not to get inspired and into the spirit of this important holiday!
Update: As it turns out we have the New England Patriots playing in Superbowl LI 2017, so this libation works perfect for a team-themed libation and pairs well with my Posh Super Bowl Menu!  And if you're rooting for the other team, check out the Falcons-tini here.

Ingredients
2 parts vodka
1 part Curacao
1/2 part - approximately 2 tbsp. grenadine
ice
whipped cream
Optional rim garnish:
Red, white and blue sprinkles
Red, white and blue icing

1. Empty approximately 1 tbsp. of each of the colored sprinkles onto a flat plate and mix together.
2. Decorate the rim of your martini glass in third sections with each color of icing.
3. Roll the martini glass on its rim through the sprinkles where you put the icing to stick the sprinkles to the rim.
4. Add vodka, Curacao and ice into a martini shaker and shake vigorously.
5. Pour into the martini glass.
6. Place a spoon at the edge of the martini glass, up side down and slowly pour the grenadine over the spoon into the glass (this creates the layered effect) and the grenadine will sink to the bottom of the glass.
7. Top with a spiral of whipped cream (from the can) and sprinkle with red and blue sprinkles...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly...and Here's to America!

'Orange Is The New Black' Signature Martini

This signature martini was created to compliment my 'Orange Is The New Black' themed party.

Ingredients

1 part orange juice

1.5 parts preferred vodka

1 part Grand Marnier

Ice

Optional garnish:

Chocolate icing, small squeeze tube

Chocolate sprinkles

Fresh blackberries on a toothpick

1. For optional garnish: Prepare your martini glass by carefully applying a thin line of chocolate icing to the outer rim of the martini glass.
2. Empty approximately 1 tbsp. of chocolate sprinkles onto a flat plate.
3. Roll the martini glass on its rim through the chocolate sprinkles where you put the chocolate icing to stick the sprinkles to the rim.
4. Mix the orange juice, vodka and Grand Marnier over ice in a martini shaker.
5. Shake vigorously and...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Toilet Hooch - OITNB Libation

We came up with this recipe to accompany my 'Orange Is The New Black' party theme because I happened to have an unused, dog water bowl that is in the shape of a miniature toilet bowl; which happened to correspond well with the character Poussey Washington, played by actress, Samira Wiley.  Although her character's hooch fermented in the prison ceiling, I thought 'Toilet Hooch' made my table spread extra prison authentic! 

The following recipe makes a large quantity because we had to serve it via a 2-liter soda bottle to accommodate the 'toilet bowl' (and to keep it discreet from the correctional officers) and this concoction gives a certain coloration that would do well to fool anyone into thinking it is not a suitable substance for consumption.

Ingredients:

2 cups preferred dark rum

1 cup tequila

1/2 cup Kahlua

2 cups Dr. Pepper

3 cups club soda or seltzer water

1. Mix all ingredients and chill for at least 4 hours.  
2. Or if serving outside of a toilet bowl, serve over ice...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Tit Punch - OITNB Libation

This is a great adult punch to serve at an 'Orange Is The New Black' themed party, inspired by Season 1, Episode 2.  The following recipe makes a large quantity to accommodate a punch bowl to serve it in.

Ingredients:

2 cups preferred vodka

1 cup blackberry brandy

2 cups pomegranate juice

2 cups of Sprite or 7/Up

1. Mix all ingredients with ice...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

Moscow Mule

Although a Moscow Mule can be misinterpreted as a winter drink due to its Russian ties, it is in fact more a summertime libation, as well as a great addition to an 'OITNB' Party Spread. Some recipes call for lime juice and a lime wedge for garnish.  Although you can use this, I personally prefer a simple two-part recipe where the lime juice does not dilute the flavor of the ginger beer.  The most signature piece of a Moscow Mule is its serving in a copper cup or mug.  

Ingredients:

1 part vodka 

1 part ginger beer 

ice

1. Mix all ingredients and pour over ice, preferably in a copper cup or mug.

Please drink responsibly..!

Raspberry Bellini

Bellinis can be nice brunch alternative to mimosas, but when it comes to a Mother's Day Brunch, I prefer a beverage with a feminine color to it, and thus the Raspberry Bellini was created.

Ingredients:

1 part peach nectar

1 part raspberry schnapps liqueur

2 parts chilled champagne

1. Mix well the peach nectar and raspberry schnapps over ice.   
2. Pour into serving glass and pour in champagne on top when your guests are seated and ready to begin the meal...Enjoy!

Please Drink Responsibly!

The Flan-tini

If you're craving flan for dessert, this libation is an easy and delicious alternative.  These are also great to serve during a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.  Include these with Tequila Lime Jell-O Shots and Key Lime Margaritas to to provide a a fun, festive and well rounded drink station for your fiesta! 

Ingredients:

2 parts tequila

1 part Irish cream liqueur

1 tbsp. caramel sundae syrup

1 part club soda

Optional garnish:
Caramel syrup & colored sprinkles

1. For optional garnish: empty out a row of caramel syrup onto a flat plate.
2. Prepare your martini glass by rolling the rim through the caramel row.
3. Empty approximately 1 tbsp. of colored sprinkles onto a flat plate.
4. Roll the martini glass on its rim through the colored sprinkles where you put the caramel to stick the sprinkles to the rim.
5. Mix the tequila, cream liqueur and caramel over ice in a martini shaker.
6. Add club soda and stir, pour and Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly.

Tequila Lime Jell-O Shots

These are a very cool addition to your drink station for home happy hours and in my case, I used it in my Cinco de Mayo Fiesta spread.  Using tequila over the traditional vodka in Jell-O shots adds a Mexican flare and the lime peel cups lend an authenticity more to your theme than the average paper or plastic mini-cup.  Use these with the Flan-tini & Key Lime Margaritas to provide a fun, festive and well rounded drink station for your fiesta!

Ingredients - makes 12 shots:

1 small box of lime flavored gelatin Jell-O

1 cup preferred tequila, recommend clear or silver

6 limes

1. Halve the limes, and cut a slight piece off the ends so that the peels sit straight on their own. 
2. Use a paring knife to cut around the peel (leave peel in tact) and remove the pulp, squeeze out any *excess lime juice.
3. If needed use a spoon to completely scrape the peel clean of any residual lime parts.
4. Wash the peels thoroughly.
5. Prepare the lime Jell-O as per the box instructions, substituting the cup of cold water with the cup of cold tequila.
6. Pour Jell-O mixture into lime peels and allow to set up in refrigerator for 4-6 hours.  

Enjoy...but please drink responsibly.

*Tip: I put the lime pulp and excess juice in an air tight container and use later for cooking or to flavor water and club soda.

Key Lime Margarita

Everyone knows that margaritas are a staple for any Cinco de Mayo Fiesta spread, but I prefer to always do things a little differently.  Rather than the traditional margarita, which is quite high in calories and sugar from most tequila mixers, I prefer a lower calorie version. But many of the low calorie mixers taste "off" or full of chemicals to me due to the artificial sweeteners.  To get around both these issues and have something a little different and a little reminiscent of the Keys, use this delicious Key Lime Margarita drink recipe.  Pair it up with Flan-tinis and Tequila Lime Jell-O Shots to provide a a fun, festive and well rounded drink station for your fiesta! 

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. of Key Lime Greek no-fat yogurt

2 parts preferred tequila

1 part *key lime juice

1 part club soda

Agave nectar to taste

Garnish with lime slice and rim salt (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients in a martini shaker and serve over ice or
2. Mix in a blender with ice if you prefer frozen margaritas.

Please drink responsibly.

*Tip: Most grocers sell bottled key lime juice if you don't have access to fresh key limes.

The Ballerini-tini

The Ballerini-tini

As some people might know, ballet is a huge part of my life, and my fitness program. However, I have had a few times in the past when I had to take a year or more away from it. 
I developed this recipe after taking my first break and coming back into the studio for the first time.  I was not feeling my best, it was painful to come back into the studio and I needed something beyond just the bananas and bubble bath to soothe my sore muscles...and my bruised ego. 

Ingredients:
2 parts preferred vodka

1 part Razzmatazz (raspberry schnapps)

1 part unsweetened almond milk

ice

Mix ingredients in a martini shaker...Enjoy!

Please drink responsibly..!

the Ballet Buff blog - 3B's - First Class [Back] Tips: Adult Series

The "HOP"py Easter IPA

This IPA-based libation is a beer lover's equivalent to an Easter basket full of candy.   A mix of sweet and strong flavors that will please an IPA connoisseur palate and provide a bit of Easter theme to your holiday.

Ingredients:

1 oz gin

1 oz pink lemonade (frozen, no water added)

1/2 oz of Chambord Liqueur

ice

Preferred IPA beer

Garnish (optional)

Peep bunny candy

toothpick

1. Mix the gin, pink lemonade and Chambord Liqueur in a glass with ice.  
2. Top off with IPA beer to fill glass.
3. Garnish with Peep bunny to make it a 'HOP'py Easter!

Please drink responsibly..!