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Saturday, October 27, 2012

Love Happy Hour - Dia de Los Muertos: Deadly Deals for Drinks


by Maren Swanson
October 27th, 2012




If you aren't already excited enough for Halloween, don't forget about the follow-up festivities for "Dia de los Muertos," aka Day of the Dead. One day after Halloween marks the Mexican holiday that brings people together to remember the ones they have lost. Day of the Dead has recently become very popular in other cultures as well; ornate, yet scary masks with colorful adornments can be found in countries everywhere. What used to seem morbid to some, may now be welcomed as a new tradition in observing our deceased. So whether you are a first-timer or an old soul, here's a chance to honor the passed and party in the present.


Party:


Yxta Cantina - Downtown Los Angeles

Beginning at 9pm, you can dance the night away with DJs and drink specials at Yxta's downtown cantina. $3 Tecate, $5 Sino Blanco shots, $6 Sino house margaritas, Jamaica margaritas, $10 Day of the Dead cocktails, $2 Tacos and $7 for 2 tamales are the reason alone you should make it to this party.


601 S. Central Avenue
Los Angeles 90021
(213) 596-5579


Wine:

If you happen to be the more mellow type and prefer to imbibe in home, you can pick up some decorative bottles for a good time and some scary art. We found most of these bottles at Cost Plus World Market or Trader Joe's for under $10.





Dearly Beloved Forever Red has a skeletal label that screams scary. The Mexican folk art-inspired design on the bottle reminds me Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The best part about this wine - it costs $6.99 at your local Trader Joe’s and has a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Carignane & Grenache.


Dia de los Merlot is a medium-bodied red wine that is produced soby South Coast Winery in the Temecula Valley. It's juicy flavors would pair well with beef, duck, salmon and goat cheese.


Tequila:


KAH Tequila


Inspired by the sugar skulls or "Calaveras" given to the living during Dia de Los Muertos, Kah Tequila has flavors of spicy white pepper and cooked sweet agave, delivering a deadly visual and delicate finish. This tequila may cost a pretty penny more, but it is delicious.







Saturday, October 20, 2012

Halloween Cocktails: Clockwork Orange Cocktail


Makin' It With Maren
by Maren Swanson
October 20th, 2012




Finally the weather is starting to change and autumn has arrived! Between decorating my home and shopping for costumes, I have gathered some fun and festive ingredients to create yet another SPOOK-tacular Halloween inspired cocktail! With just a few ingredients, including some "Orange Dream" flavored vodka from Hard Luck Candy, you can make your own at-home Clockwork Orange cocktail.

Just watch my new "Makin' it with Maren" video and I will show you a quick how-to drink recipe to keep your friends and party guests excited for the Halloween festivities! Remember to drink responsibly and have a hauntingly good time! To find out how to make another Halloween cocktail from Hard Luck Candy, check out the Lemon Pie Martini.




Clockwork Orange:
1 oz Hard Luck Candy "Orange Dream" Vodka
1 oz Ginger Ale
1/2 oz Milk or Cream
Ice

Layer ingredients in a shaker tin.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into glass (mini martini glass recommended).
Garnish (we used candy pumpkins).
Enjoy.





For other drink recipes, check out PourPlay!

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Love Happy Hour - Makin' It With Maren - Halloween Cocktails: Lemon Pie Martini


Makin' It With Maren
by Maren Swanson
October 6th, 2012




Fall is here, and I couldn't be more excited! The air has a slight chill in it and there are pumpkins everywhere. Now that I've cooled off, I have been inspired to create some SPOOK-tacular Halloween cocktail creations. This month, I've teamed up with Hard Luck Candy Vodka to make some fun and tasty drinks. Hard Luck Candy Vodka carries flavors like Root Beer Barrel, Lemond Drop, Red Fish (like Swedish Fish) and Orange Dream. Basically, some our favorite childhood candies have been bottled up with booze for us as adults!




So check out our new "Makin' it with Maren" video and learn how to make a Lemon Pie Martini with some Halloween themed garnishes. Next week we will unveil the "Clockwork Orange" cocktail, which is a great pre-martini drink for your Halloween party guests.





Lemon Pie Martini:
2 oz Hard Luck Candy "Lemon Drop" Vodka
1/2 oz Smirnoff "Whipped Cream" Vodka
1/2 oz Milk
2 Dashes of Bitters
1 Egg White
Dash of Salt
Lemon Wedge
Ice
Sugar








For other drink recipes, check out PourPlay!



Wednesday, October 3, 2012