Sunday Cocktails: Mexican Mimosa

03 Saturday May 2014

Posted by totalwineandmore in & More, Tequila

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To get an early start on Cinco de Mayo, we recommend this bubbly and delicious cocktail from Victor Ponce, the head bartender of Zapata Tacos & Tequila Bar (Norcross, Georgia) and a certified Tequiler by Academia Mexicana del Tequila, A.C.

Ingredients:

1 oz Jarritos Grapefruit soda (or Q Grapefruit)

0.25 oz (scant) of Grenadine

2 oz Rudo Reposado Reposado

1 Oz Arrogante Damiana liqueur

1 dash of coffee liqueur

1.5 oz Dole’s pineapple Juice

0.25 oz simple syrup or several drops of Agave nectar

Glassware: Champagne flute

Preparation:

Gently pour 1 oz of Jarritos Grapefruit soda* in the champagne flute. Add .25 oz of grenadine (or slightly less). Combine in a shaker 2 oz of Rudo Reposado tequila, 1 oz Arrogante Damiana liqueur, a splash of coffee liqueur, 1.5 oz of pineapple juice and .25 oz of simple syrup (can be replaced by several drops of agave nectar). Shake with ice and strain into the flute.

Victor’s comments:
Jarritos adds bubbles, grenadine gives the cocktail a pretty pink color. Rudo Reposado was selected because its taste and flavor are very dominant and will not be masked by other ingredients. The resulting cocktail is insanely delicious. Perfect for Sunday brunch and any time when you feel like indulging yourself. Despite of almost 3 oz of potent liquor, the cocktail is smooth and you just want to keep sipping. The rich flavor profile is really outstanding.

*Other grapefruit sodas could be used instead of Jarritos (Q Grapefruit is our suggestion), but Jarritos is the best and can be found in any Latino grocery or farmers markets with Hispanic sections.

How to Make Hot Buttered Rum (Recipe)

23 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by totalwineandmore in & More, Cocktails, Rum, Spirits

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Baby, it’s cold outside!
Warm up with some hot buttered rum scented with freshly ground nutmeg.

Hot Buttered Rum

(serves four)

We take a few turns with the basic recipe, but if you use a tasty dark rum and add a touch of richness with some butter and spices, you have a savory winner that will blast off the winery chill!

Recipe:

4 ounces (1 stick) room-temperature unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
6 ounces dark rum (Tapping House rum is one of our favorites)
3 cups boiling water
Fresh orange juice

STEP 1

Beat butter, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with a mixer on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute.
STEP 2

Combine 2 tablespoons spiced butter with 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) dark rum in each of 4 heatproof glasses. Pour 3/4 cup boiling water over each, and stir. Top each with a squeeze of fresh orange juice.

Top with whipped cream and freshly grated nutmeg.

Tecnico Azteca Mexican Hot Chocolate

09 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by totalwineandmore in & More, Spirits, Tequila

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Cocktails, hot chocolate, hot chocolate recipe, hot drinks, Tequila

It’s super frosty for many of you out there, and one of our favorite ways to ward off the chill is with a piping hot mug of cocoa — especially when it’s given a caliente kicker with the addition of reposado tequila and spices!

What gives this delicious and unique hot chocolate recipe its authentic Mexican character is the combination of bitter or bittersweet cocoa powder with aromatic vanilla, cinnamon, allspice and the mild spicy addition of red chile powder.

Preparation:

In a small pan combine:

2 oz. strong black coffee

6 oz. whole milk

1 oz. agave nectar

2 tablespoons of spicy cacao/bitter chocolate powder (see recipe below)

Heat ingredients until steaming. Pour into a heated mug and add 2 oz. of Tecnico Reposado tequila. Serve hot. Optional touches to decorate the cocktail: sprinkle with cinnamon powder, ground cocoa nibs or add a cinnamon stick.

To make the Spicy Mexican Cocoa Powder

Take 4 tablespoons of bitter or bittersweet hot chocolate powder to make two servings of drink and add to it one little pinch each of the following:

Vanilla powder (you can substitute a dash of vanilla extract if powder isn’t available)

Ground cinnamon

Ground allspice

Red chile powder

The original recipe was developed by Warren Bobrow, the author of Apothecary Cocktails book, recipe adapted for home use.

Total Wine & More Celebrates Our Communities on #GivingTuesday

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by totalwineandmore in & More

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#GivingTuesday, Donations, Philanthropy

Excited for our Black Friday deals? We’re excited to announce a new “deal” for you and your community – #GivingTuesday

This year, Total Wine & More will join thousands of other corporations, volunteer organizations, charities, and foundations as a partner of #GivingTuesday, and we will celebrate the holidays by giving back to our local communities.

For those of you new to #GivingTuesday, it is a national holiday that started in 2012 as a day to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – December 3, 2013 — families, charities, businesses, and individuals will come together to improve their local communities and contribute in whatever way possible to the causes they support and help create a better world. You don’t have to be a billionaire to give back; #GivingTuesday is about ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things. Everyone is encouraged to be generous in whatever ways matter to them, whether it’s is volunteering locally, donating to a favorite cause, or reflecting on meaningful experiences that they have had.

Since opening our doors in 1991, Total Wine & More has been committed to enriching the lives of wine lovers, as well as being active and supporting the communities in which we work and live. Total Wine strives to be a responsible corporate citizen and make a difference in our communities through philanthropy and social responsibility programs.

In support of #GivingTuesday, Total Wine & More will double all in-kind donations granted to registered charities for requests received on December 3rd. Don’t worry, California! You will have until 3 a.m. EST to make a request for your charity.

If you’ve never requested a donation for a local charity that you support, make sure to check out how to apply for an in-kind donation for one of your upcoming fundraisers here: www.totalwine.com/donations

Celebrate with us! What will you do for your community on December 3rd? Share your story below or on our Facebook page.