Category Archives: Recipe

It’s Finally Summertime, and the Sipping is Easy!

17 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Cocktails, Recipe, summer entertaining, Uncategorized, Wine

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Summertime, and the sipping is easy. Whether you’re throwing a backyard barbeque, a Taco Tuesday, or just grilling by the pool, we offer everything you need to have the best day for you and your guests all summer long. Try our delicious and refreshing cocktails, explore our wine and food pairing tips, and see what’s new up our sleeves this year!

Cool Down With These Cocktails

BAHAMA MAMA

Bahama Mama cocktail

Serves: 1   Preparation Time: 5 minutes   Difficulty Level: Easy

Ingredients

¼ oz. coffee liqueur
1 fl. oz. silver rum
1 fl. oz. coconut-flavored rum
1 fl. oz. grenadine syrup
2 fl. oz. orange juice
2 fl. oz. pineapple juice
½ oz. lemon juice
1 cup cracked ice
Strawberry, pineapple wedge, and cherry for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend until a slushy consistency.
  3. Pour into a glass.
  4. If desired, garnish with a strawberry, pineapple wedge, and cherry.

More of a visual learner? Don’t worry, we have a video for you too:

WATERMELON FROSE

Watermelon Frose Drinks

Serves: 4   Preparation Time: 8 Hours   Difficulty Level: Medium

Ingredients

1 Standard 750mL bottle of Rosé
1/2 cup fresh watermelon syrup
1/2 cup fresh watermelon juice
1/2 Lime, juiced
Watermelon slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. The night before, pour Rosé into 2 ice cube trays and freeze.
  2. In a blender combine Rosé and ice cubes, watermelon syrup, watermelon juice, and lime juice.
  3. Blend until it is a slushy-like consistency.
  4. Scoop the Frosé into your glasses and garnish with a Watermelon Wedge.

Another video? Don’t mind if we do:

What’s New?

Stay up to date this Summer with the latest trends & our newest additions. From wine to vodka to YETI coolers, we have everything you do not want to miss out on!

TINY UMBRELLAS

Tiny Umbrellas | Cali Wine

Kick back. Breathe. Smile. Laugh. These new Cali wines are the perfect ingredient for everyday enjoyment, and yes, virtual happy hours too!

Tiny Umbrella wines are as bright and fun in the glass as they are in the bottle. From the mouthwatering Pink Moscato to the delicious Red Blend – you’ll find yourself immersed in the moment no matter which you choose.

Oh, almost forgot to share… for the spirited and crafty… check the back label for a surprise tasty little cocktail recipe.

VEIL VODKA

Veil

Check out the bold, fresh new look of Veil and meet your new favorite vodka, with the same great taste! Made in Minnesota, using only premium grains, the cleanest, purest water from the land of 10,000 lakes, and a complex multi-column distillation process. Distilled five times and cold-filtered through charcoal to remove any trace of impurity, Veil has a creamy texture and a soft, smooth finish.

If you’re looking for flavors, Veil has more than 20 of them—all made with natural ingredients. From orange, to citron and strawberry as well as seasonal flavors like peppermint and gingerbread, there’s a flavor for everyone!

Great chilled on its own, over ice, with soda or tonic, or flavoring an exotic cocktail.Crisp, clean and pristine—with an amazing assortment of natural fruit flavors. 

YETI

Long days fishing and hunting in the Texas heat had brothers Roy and Ryan Seiders in search of a cooler that could stand up to the demands of serious outdoor pursuits. But since what they needed didn’t exist, they decided to create their own. Through tireless innovation, YETI now offers a range of superior outdoor products, from hard coolers to rugged cargo and insulated drinkware, all of which are over-engineered to perform in the most extreme and demanding conditions. This is what makes YETI Built for the Wild.

Looking for even MORE summer entertaining tips and ideas? Head over to our summer entertaining page to make sure you have everything you need to host the best Summer parties yet.

All You Need is Love, Cocktails, & Bubbly This Valentine’s Day

04 Tuesday Feb 2020

Posted by in Champagne, Cocktails, holiday, Recipe, Spirits, Valentine's Day

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Valentines bottle with rose petals

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and with that comes love, laughs, and of course…expectations. Some people cannot wait for Valentine’s Day while others would rather it be nonexistent…regardless of your relationship status, we could all use an excuse to celebrate. Total Wine & More has got champagne selections and cocktails for your night of choice.

DATE NIGHT

Valentine’s Day is that one “Hallmark” holiday some people love yet secretly hate. We hate it because drug store chocolates and life-sized stuffed teddy bears aren’t an actual way to measure love. But on the other hand, for those who actually don’t mind celebrating, we love it because date nights are fun, any excuse to get dolled up is always tempting, and dark chocolate in the shape of hearts just makes it taste that much better…especially when served up with your fave champagne. For all my lovebirds out there that are looking for something to sip on with their significant other whether you’re staying in or going out on the town, I’ve got the perfect cocktail for you.

CUPIDS MULE

Serves: 1   Preparation Time: 10 minutes   Difficulty Level: Easy

Cupid's Mule Cocktail

Cupid created yet another perfect match with this cocktail. It’s bright, floral and refreshing, which makes it so easy to fall in love with. Plus, it’s a great drink for dining in and relaxing with Valentine.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pour vodka, elderflower liqueur, and a splash of lime juice into a cocktail shaker over ice.
  2. Shake vigorously, then strain into a stemless champagne flute.
  3. Top with pink ginger beer.
  4. Garnish with a sliced strawberry.

Need a visual? Like always, here’s a video:

Learn how to make a Cupid’s Mule

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT?

Against chocolates and stuffed animals? Forget that cliche stuff, what about our 50ml Fireball Anti-Valentines gift set you both can enjoy? Spice up your evening with these mini sips that taste like heaven but burn like hell.

If you’re looking for something that is a bit easier on the taste buds, grab a bottle of New Amsterdam Pink Whitney. The Pink Whitney is New Amsterdam Vodka infused with fresh pink lemonade flavor, creating the perfect balance of sweetness, natural lemon zest, and clean refreshing taste. Not only is it pink, but it’s delicious.

New Amsterdam Pink Whitney

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES (& GENTS)

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that glorifies those in relationships, but single people deserve all the loving too am I right? If you’re spending Valentine’s Day alone this year, don’t fret. What’s better than sipping on your favorite drinks alone for some well deserved ~you~ time, with your closest friends watching a terrible rom com, or over a Fortnite game with the boys? No matter how you choose to celebrate this year, we have all the best sips for you to not 100% hate this Hallmark holiday.

ENJOY SCOTCH LOVERS

Curl up with a bottle of Glenmorangie The Original and you will not be disappointed. This delicate Scotch contains notes of candied apple, light toffee and pear drops…nuances of rose petals, carnations and lightly toasted malt. The palate entry is grainy and moderately sweet; at midpalate there’s a burst of red pepper backed by tastes of pears, peaches, mushrooms. Sounds like it’s a date!

Glenmorangie Single Malt Whisky
Photo Cred to: @GlenmorangieUSA

CHAMPAGNE ALL DAY

Not feeling a Scotch night? Let’s pop some bubbly then and by bubbly we mean a bottle of Borrasca Rose Cava. I mean besides the amazingly beautiful bottle, this Spanish Champagne is fresh, fruity and floral, what more could you want from a bottle of bubbles! Floral notes on the nose lead into red berry flavors dancing across the palate. The finish is fresh and fruity, leaving you wanting another sip. Pairs well with salads and appetizer foods, enjoy! Perfect for Valentine’s Day festivities.

Borrasca Rose Cava

Perhaps you’re looking for a bottle of wine to count as flowers and the perfect gift? Then look no further than Bertrand Cote des Roses Rose!

La Côte des Roses celebrates the Mediterranean lifestyle. On the nose, the bouquet releases aromas of summer fruits, cassis, and redcurrant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit, complete the picture. On the palate, the impression is fresh and full, with great aromatic persistence and balance. The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy. The bottle is original with its rose-shaped base, which makes it the perfect wine to give as a gift this Valentine’s Day instead of a bouquet of roses!

Looking for even MORE info on how to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Regardless of your relationship status, head over to our Valentine’s Day page to learn all the tips on how to make it the best one yet.

Tequila & Tacos: Tropical Shrimp Taco Recipe for Cinco de Mayo

01 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in Cinco de Mayo, holiday, Recipe, Tequila

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Tequila is just part of the equation for the ultimate Cinco de Mayo celebration. The other part is food. Like delicious, homemade shrimp tacos!

Our friends at Altos Tequila teamed up with author Rebeca Hubbel of Sugar & Soul to come up with this tropical shrimp taco recipe to pair with the Altos Fresh cocktail recipe.

This post is brought to you by Altos Tequila. The content and opinions
expressed below are that of Sugar & Soul.

Sauce Ingredients:
• Sour Cream – 1/2 cup
• Tequila Altos Plata – 2 tbsp.
• Lime Juice – 1 tbsp
• Lime Zest – 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1 tsp
• Minced garlic – 1 tbsp
• Chopped Cilantro – 1 tbsp

Sauce Directions:
Stir all ingredients together and place in the fridge to set while
you prep and cook the other components of the dish.

Shrimp Ingredients:
• Oil for frying
• All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups
• Salt – 3 tbsp
• Black pepper – 1 tbsp
• Cayenne pepper – 1 tsp
• Cumin – 1 ½ tsp
• Paprika – 2 tbps
• Frozen shrimp, thawed – 30 pieces

Shrimp Direction:
Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer on medium high heat, drops of water should sizzle when added to the oil, that’s how you know it’s ready. Combine the flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, cumin, and paprika in a medium bowl. Pat the thawed shrimp dry, and toss them in the flour mixture one by one, shaking a little to remove any excess, then adding to the hot oil. I usually cook 10 shrimp at a time, 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Repeat with the rest of the shrimp, switch out oil if
necessary. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to rest for a few minutes after cooking.

Salsa Ingredients:
• Pineapple, finely chopped – ½ cup
• Mango, finely chopped – ¼ cup
• Chopped mint – 2 tbsp

Salsa Directions:
Stir all ingredients together and place in the fridge to set while you prep and cook the other components of the dish.

Taco Assembly Ingredients:
• Pea shoots or watercress
• Kumquats, thinly sliced – 3
• Pickled onions – 6 tbsp
• Small flour tortillas – 6

Taco Assembly Ingredients:
Spoon a tsp of the sauce down the middle of the tortillas, top with 3 shrimp. Top shrimp with a small bunch of pea shoots or watercress. Spoon on some of the fruit salsa, followed by 3 or 4 slices of kumquat, and a tbsp of pickled onions, and 2 more shrimp each. Top with more tequila lime sauce and enjoy!

Don’t forget to pair it with the perfect cocktail – the Altos Fresh Cocktail!

Big Game Planning and Baked Chicken Wings Recipe

30 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Food, Recipe, Tailgating

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The Big Game is almost upon us. Whether you’re cheering on Philadelphia or New England, we’ve got plenty of tips to help you throw the best football viewing party of the year. Wondering what you’ll need to prepare? Here’s a quick checklist.

  1. Beer, wine, and spirits – scientifically proven to make football better
  2. A keg – for the viewing party with more than 15-20 guests
  3. The perfect snacks for pairing with beer – nachos, wings, and chili, oh my!
  4. Cocktails – the Big Game calls for the perfect cocktail, like this Spike D Lemonade or Sweet Tea Touchdown
  5. Boozy Tailgating Food Recipes – alcohol makes tasty foods even tastier

Speaking of boozy food recipes, our friends over at [ yellow tail ] have a great way for you to start your Big Game planning with this delicious recipe for baked chicken wings in a savory merlot sauce.

Baked Chicken Wings in a Savory Merlot Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons [ yellow tail ] Merlot
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1-1/2 lbs chicken wings
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the [ yellow tail ] Merlot, soy sauce, garlic, honey, and ground ginger. Add the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Allow dish to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a large shallow baking dish with nonstick spray and arrange the chicken in a single layer. Brush remaining marinade evenly over the chicken and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the oven and reduce the heat to 300°F. Baste the chicken with any accumulated juices, return to the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the juices run clear.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately. Enjoy!