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

04 Tuesday Feb 2020

Posted by catieespinoza10 in Champagne, Cocktails, holiday, Recipe, Spirits, Valentine's Day

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Champagne, Cocktails, spirits, Valentine's Day

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

  • 1-1⁄2 oz. vodka
  • 1 oz. elderflower liqueur
  • Splash of lime juice
  • Ice
  • 1 bottle pink ginger beer
  • Sliced strawberry, for garnish

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.

Five Must Have Wine & Spirits to Celebrate Lunar New Year

31 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by catieespinoza10 in holiday, Spirits, Wine

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Tags

Chinese New Year, holiday, Lunar New YEar, Party, spirits, Wine

January is on the horizon which means Lunar New Year is upon us. We have all the best wines and spirits for you to celebrate. Take a look at our list of the 5 wines and spirits you must have this holiday!

https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/chinese-new-year.htm
  1. Glenmorangie
    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.
  2. Moutai
    -Kweichow Moutai is the most revered of Chinese liquors. At $200 a bottle this liquor is primarily consumed as a celebratory drink, its aroma and taste are reminiscent of Soy Sauce, pear, walnut and almond.
  3. Highly Rated Sakes
    –Gekkeikan Horin Sake
    This Sake is a small batch microbrew, with a limited production. Slowly fermented at low temperatures for a more refined flavor. Mild, fruity aroma, hints of cantaloupe and honeysuckle, and a long, clean finish.
    –Gekkeikan Sake
    This sake is herbaceous with hints of grapefruit, mellow flavor with a clean, medium finish. A need for the Holiday.
  4. Highly Rated Bordeaux’s
    – Rothschild Blanc Selection Prestige
    This Bordeuax is a tremendous value from the owners of Ch Lafite Rothschild. This lively, crisp and dry Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon blend serves up lots of lemon and vanilla flavors with a creamy, smooth finish. Very elegant and a classy party wine…perfect for throwing a Lunar New Year party!
    –Chateau Dalem Fronsac, 2016
    This Bordeaux contains super-ripe black cherry, chocolate, blackberry, grilled herbs, menthol, licorice and incense all run though this opulent, unapologetically full-throttle Fronsac. A wonderful sip for the Lunar New Year.
  5. Highly Rated Plum Wines
    –Hoshi Plum Wine
    This plum wine has the taste of succulent plums. Hoshi Plum is light and sweet. Enjoy the smooth refreshing taste at room temperature, chilled, on the rocks or over desert…Yum.
    –Gekkeikan Plum
    This delicious plum wine is made exclusively from Ume plums. Fermented and aged for 3 years it contains hints of apple and pear. This wine is rich and full-bodied with a long, smooth finish.
  6. Best Champagnes
    –Montaudon Brut
    This magnificent French wine is minerally, with a creamy mousse that carries flavors of apricot tart, blackberry pate de fruit. meringue and chopped hazelnut. The lasting finish is well-cut and juicy. A must try this Lunar New Year.
    –Tsarine Cuvee Adriana
    You could recognize this French champagne by it’s beautiful gold bottle designed by Adriana Karembeu. This rich wine full of rounded fruits and ripe, juicy apples contains fruitiness that is balanced by a more structured character that introduces a steely edge of minerality.

What’s Lunar New Year Without Cocktails?

Try out these cocktail recipes at your Lunar New Year party and you will have everyone lining back up for more.

ORIGINAL EMPEROR COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ½ oz Hennessy X.O
  • 1 ½ Sweet Vermouth
  • 1 ½ Campari Served over a rock with an Orange peel

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Pour Hennessy V.S.O.P into a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir gently.
  3. Strain over large ice cube into a rocks glass.
  4. Garnish with orange zest.

FIRST GUEST COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 ½ oz Hennessy VSOP
  • ¼ oz apricot brandy ½ oz of Agave Nectar
  • ¾ oz Lemon Juice
  • 3 oz Rooibos tea

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Add ice to shaker then pour all ingredients on top.
  2. Shake to chill and strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist

Looking for even MORE inspo on what to have for Lunar New Year? Check out our website to shop all your favorite sips & have a happy Lunar New Year!

We’re Opening in Elk Grove, California!

05 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Grand Opening, Grand Openings, Tastings and events

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Tags

Beer, California, Elk Grove, Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, new, spirits, Wine

We’re excited to open our very first store in Elk Grove, California October 8!

The new store is in the Laguna Crossroads at 7707 Laguna Blvd., Suite 140. Head to our website to learn more about the Total Wine & More Elk Grove store and team.

At Total Wine & More, we are committed to supporting the communities in which we work and live. That’s why we’re proud to announce that throughout our Grand Opening weekend, you can help us further our commitment and support the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation! From October 8 through 11 we’ll donate a portion of our weekend sales to support this wonderful non-profit.

If you’ve never heard of Total Wine & More before, we have the best selection and prices on wine, beer and spirits around.  We also have a great lineup of events and tastings to help us celebrate our Grand Opening this week.

Join us October 8 starting at 4 p.m. for wine and beer tastings. You can learn all about which brands will be in store for our upcoming tastings and other events by checking out our events page. Stop by Thursday, but don’t forget to check back in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Grand Opening celebration will be going all weekend long, don’t miss out!

shopping-happiness

Connect with us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events and product arrivals at our latest Sacramento-area store.

Already planning on joining us for our Grand Opening events? Remember to share your experience on social media with the hashtag #totalwineGO.

5 Cider Recipes That Are Guaranteed Keep You Warm This Fall

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Cocktails, Spirits

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Tags

Cocktails, fall, hot cider, Recipes, spirits

October is almost upon us – and so is the cold weather! Luckily, we’ve put together five cider recipes to keep you warm on those chilly fall days!

1. Hot Apple Cider with Rum – via FoodNetwork.com
cider

An oldie but a goodie! Don’t forget to garnish with a cinnamon stick, and we’ve got all the rum you need right here.

2. Hot Caramel Apple Cider – via CookingInCollege.comcookingincollege

These caramel apples are definitely only for those over 21!

3. Warm Vanilla and Bourbon Cider – via HowlAtTheMoon.comvanilla

Vanilla + Bourbon = True love.

4. Mulled Wine – via FoodNetwork.commulled

Okay fine, it’s not technically cider, but it has cider in it so it counts!

5. Maple-Bourbon Cider – via MarthaStewart.commaple

In case you like your cider a little harder (and with a bourbon-y kick)!

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