Cocktail of the Week: Courvoisier Cognac

By Rissabelle…@CBellesCloset (*Pure Editorial, Non-Paid Post*sample)

It’s summertime and the weather is sweet! Kick off your shoes, throw your sundress on and enjoy the activities that are so much better this time of year: Outdoor BBQ’s, picnics in parks, drive-in movies, long hours at the beach and rooftop soirees. For any summertime scenario, the perfect cocktails to enjoy with friends can only make the festivities better. The warm weather welcomes classic refreshers such as punches, sangrias and sparkling champagnes, which we discovered can be made even more delicious by adding Courvoisier® Cognac! So without further ado, here are our yummy cocktails of the week, all made with Cognac by Courvoisier®.

COURVOISIER SPARKLING SANGRIA

4 parts Courvoisier® VS Cognac

4 parts DeKuyper® Peach liqueur

2 bottles Prosecco

½ cup white grape juice

2 peaches

Green grapes

Directions
Thinly slice peaches. Cut the grapes in half. Put sliced fruit in a pitcher with Courvoisier, peach liqueur and grape juice. Let sit in the fridge for 1-3 hours. Immediately before serving, pour 2 bottles of Prosecco and stir. Serve over ice.

COURVOISIER SUMMER PUNCH

250ml Courvoisier® VS Cognac

750ml Lemonade

20 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters

3 orange wheels

6 lemon wheels

Directions
Add the freshly cut fruit into a bowl or pitcher, pour in remaining ingredients. Infuse for a few minutes. Serve on ice.

COURVOISIER SPARKLER

1 part Courvoisier® VSOP cognac

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

1 sugar cube

Top up with Champagne

Directions
Soak a sugar cube in bitters and drop into a Champagne flute. Cover with Courvoisier® VSOP Cognac and slowly top with Champagne.

21+ – please drink responsibly

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BEST OF NYC: SD26 San Domenico Italian Cuisine

By Christabelle…@CBellesCloset (*Pure Editorial, Non-Paid Post*sample)

WHAT: SD26 Contemporary Italian Cuisine

WHERE: 19 East 26th Street
Madison Square Park
New York NY, 10010
T. 212-265-5959
sd26ny.com

SD26 – 19 East 26th Street NYC

WHY WE HEART IT: SD26 combines the necessities of a classic Italian fine-dining experience with a warm welcoming, part-of-the-famiglia feel. Owned by legendary father-daughter restauranteurs Tony May & Marisa May, SD26 promises and delivers  an authentic Italian dining experience…one that transports you right to that boot to the east.  From the Northern Italian-born and bred Executive Chef Matteo Bergamini, to the pristine service, mouth-watering menu and the always delightful visit from Marisa May herself, you start to wonder if the SD really means San Delizioso!  With a beautiful culture-inspired decor spun with a modern, sexy NYC vibe, incredible Italian food and a 750-label wine list, Italy is miles closer than you think. No passport needed.

WHAT TO ORDER: If you can only order one thing from SD26, make it the “Uovo”- a Soft Egg Yolk filled Raviolo with Truffled Butter ($23). BRACE YOURSELF  for the deliciousness of this dish may be too much for you to handle. In fact, do yourself a favor and order one to eat there and one to go. You will find yourself having psychotic cravings for it’s buttery goodness in the middle of the night.

WHEN: Brunch (weekends only), Lunch and Dinner

Monday through Friday Lunch from 11:30-2:30pm; Monday through Thursday Dinner 5:30-11pm; Friday and Saturday Dinner: 5:30-11:30pm

Delivery, Private Dining and Reservations are available

WHO:
Tony May, Owner SD26 ; Marisa May, Co-Owner SD26 ; Matteo Bergamini, Executive Chef SD26

Tell Marisa May that Christabelle sent you (and then ask her to send me an UOVO to my new office!)

Mangia! Mangia!

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Star Spangled Cocktails for the 4th of July…

By Rissabelle…@CBellesCloset (*Pure Editorial, Non-Paid Post*sample) 

Happy Birthday America! What an exciting day to come together and celebrate our patriotism in various ways including sparklers, fireworks and outfits adorned with red, white and blue. One of the most celebrated summer holidays in the states, the day is usually spent outdoors, perhaps at a nearby beach, park or the eminent backyard BBQ. Stay cool while sipping on a Star-Spangled Cocktails that matchy-match your festive attire!

CHERRY LIME MOJITO
Skip that slice of All-American Cherry Pie on the 4th and opt instead for this low-calorie refreshing cocktail that allows you get your sweet cherry fix without the added guilt of sweets!

Ingredients
4 oz.  Cherry Limeade Sparkling ICE
1.5 oz.  White Rum
10 Mint leaves to muddle and garnish
6 Cherries (stems and pits removed)
Lime slices for garnish

Directions
In a large, sturdy glass, muddle together the mint and cherries until lightly-smashed. Stir in the rum and then top with Cherry Limeade Sparkling ICE over ice, stirring in gently to mix. Garnish with fresh cherries, mint leaves, and lime slices.

SWEET BERRY BOURBON
A good old fashion cocktail to sip during a good old fashion 4^th of July BBQ! Sure to cool you off around the smoking grills and will taste great paired with a rich hamburger.

Ingredients
¼ oz. simple syrup
1 ½ oz. VOGA Dolce Rosso
1 oz. bourbon
Fresh Berries

Directions
Mix equal parts water and sugar until sugar is dissolved to make simple syrup. Muddle fresh blueberries and raspberries into a cocktail shaker and add ice, simple syrup, VOGA Dolce Rosso, bourbon. Shake well and strain into a glass. Add some fresh berries and mint sprig for garnish.

BOHEMIAN FIREWORKS
This cocktail is sure to fire up your night! Bursting with spiced rum and citrus flavors, this drink is like having the fireworks right inside your glass.

Ingredients
2 strawberries
1.5 oz Bohemia
1.5 oz spiced rum
.5 oz simple syrup
.5 oz lemon

Directions
Muddle the strawberries and add the rest of the ingredients. Shake all ingredients and pour over ice in a Collins glass. Top with Bohemia beer and enjoy the fireworks!

HERRADURA’S RED, WHITE AND BLUE BERRIES
This cocktail is sure to match your July 4th attire. Crisp, refreshing and patriotic colors, you will look chic and festive with all of your red, white and blue!

Ingredients
1½ oz. Herradura Silver
 2 ½ oz. coconut water
¼ oz. agave nectar
½ oz. lime juice

Directions
Place all ingredients in to a cocktail shaker filled with cubed ice. Shake hard and strain over crushed ice in to a tall glass. Garnish with raspberries and blueberries.

RED BERRY SANGRIA
This cocktail will have your singing You’re a Grand Old Flag!  It’s deliciously sweet, tart and festive looking, so go ahead and sing your heart out…

Ingredients
1 oz Ciroc Red Berry
1 oz Rose Wine
.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
.5 oz Simple Syrup
2 oz Berry Tea

Directions
Combine Ciroc Red Berry, rose wine, lemon juice, simple syrup and berry tea over ice into a wine glass. Stir and add blueberries, black berries and lemon slices for garnish.

CIROC BLUE
This drink is the blue to your white stars and stripes! Refreshing and chic, we suggest you wear red while drinking this cocktail.

Ingredients
1 oz Ciroc Vodka
5 oz Blue Curacao
.25 oz Grapefruit Juice
.5 oz Simple Sugar

Directions
Combine ingredients in shaker and shake with crushed ice. Strain into a martini glass and add lemon slice or strawberry for garnish.

CIROC WHITE
A perfect cocktail to have in your hands while waving your sparklers! It will reflect off your glass, making it look like your sparkling drink is actually, well, sparkling…

Ingredients
1 oz Ciroc Peach
1.5 oz Ginger Ale or Sparkling Club Soda

Directions
As simple as pouring over ice! Decorate your glass accordingly, perhaps with a little flag or cute festive straw, or a real life sparkler!
(just don’t drink it while the sparkler is lit).

Happy 4^th of July – USA!
21+ – please drink responsibly

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Crafting CupCakes…Brewing up Baked Beer Goods

(*Pure Editorial, Non-Paid Post)
Christabelle is #Obsessed with this…@CBellesCloset

For those that are experienced in the kitchen, wine may be a familiar ingredient to cook with, but many people don’t even consider using craft beer in their recipes. While it may not be commonplace quite yet, more and more people are learning that craft beer can add a flavorful dimension to a variety of dishes. Whether you’re an accomplished cook and a craft beer connoisseur, or just starting to build your culinary and beer knowledge, a few simple tips will help anyone create a meal that is sure to impress.

Look for high-quality craft beers for cooking, like Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Samuel Adams is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year; through the years they’ve remained at the forefront of America’s ever-growing craft beer community because of their attention to quality and focus on innovation. Just as you carefully select the ingredients for your dish, you should be sure the ingredients in your beer are the highest quality. If you like to drink a certain beer, chances are it will be delicious to cook with.

Spice it up: Craft beers are a unique culinary tool that can bring out hidden flavors, balance complex ingredients, and pair well with bold or delicate flavors equally. The ingredients used in craft beer provide an inherent spice package that creates an added depth of flavor without overpowering the taste of other ingredients. This built-in spice packet also makes cooking simpler, infusing dishes with exciting flavors that might be difficult to achieve otherwise.

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try incorporating beer into a variety of dishes. Samuel Adams brewer Jennifer Glanville advocates for experimentation. “I encourage everyone to incorporate craft beer into their cooking. If you have a favorite dish and a favorite brew – find a way to put them together. There are so many options when cooking with craft beer,” she stated.

Craft beer for every course: Because of the variety of craft beers on the market today, there is a beer that fits in any recipe. Various beer types can fit in marinades for meats, sauces, and even desserts. Glanville recommends making a marinade with Boston Lager for steaks and burgers. The malt flavor in the beer emphasizes the caramelized flavors of the meat, and the beer’s citrus and spicy notes from the hops intensify the flavor of the dish.

To show just how tasty a dish made with craft beer can be, Samuel Adams worked with Chef David Burke to create a beer-infused cupcake that is worthy of any celebration – especially the brewery’s 30th anniversary. Burke says of the partnership, “Samuel Adams continues to experiment with ingredients and brewing techniques, just as I experiment in my cooking, so it’s been exciting to see how we’ve been able to push culinary boundaries through our unique partnership.”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Boston Lager and learn how simple cooking with craft beer can be, whip up a batch of Boston Lager cupcakes and toast to your new culinary know-how.

Samuel Adams Boston Lager Cupcakes Recipe (makes two dozen cupcakes):

by Chef David Burke

1/2 cup butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

3/4 cup all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup Samuel Adams Boston Lager

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for Boston Lager Buttercream Frosting:

3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon whipping cream

2 tablespoons Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Directions for Boston Lager Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Beat together butter, sugar and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Add in eggs and mix until thoroughly combined. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients until well combined. Pour in water and beer and finish by adding salt. Stir until mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.

Line a cupcake tin with cupcake liners. Pour approximately 3 to 4 oz into each cupcake. Bake in oven at 325 degrees for approximately 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Directions for Boston Lager Buttercream Frosting:

In a standing mixer, whisk together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla extract, Boston Lager and whipping cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed.

(BPT)

COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: 4 Fancy Mommy Mocktails & Cocktails…

By Christabelle…@CBellesCloset (*Pure Editorial, Non-Paid Post) 

This Sunday, why not pamper Mom and treat her to low-calorie Mother’s Day Cocktails & Mocktails from Sparkling ICE, RealBeanz and VOGA Italia Wine? No Mom wants to indulge in sugary, high-calorie beverages… instead she wants to sip a delicious homemade low-calorie drink while celebrating her special day with family and friends! Below – find some fabulous Mother’s Day recipes- along with calorie counter (for psycho dieters like yours truly).

RASPBERRY LEMONADE SPRITZER MOCKTAIL
(perfect for the preggy momma)
Total Calories: 15 

Ingredients
1 Bottle of Strawberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE
Dash of lime juice
Raspberries for Garnish
Ice

Directions
In a cocktail shaker, combine Strawberry Lemonade Sparkling ICE and lime juice. Stir in ice. Stir and pour in two glasses. Garnish each glass with fresh raspberries.

VANILLA NUT MARTINI
Total Calories: 130

Ingredients

3 oz Vanilla Vodka
2 oz Vanilla Nut RealBeanz
1 tbsp cream

Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add Vanilla Nut RealBeanz, vanilla vodka and cream. Shake well and divide between two chilled martini glasses.

CUCUMBER COCKTAIL
Total Calories: 156 

Ingredients

4 oz. Lemonade Sparkling ICE
1 ½ oz. vodka
Cucumber and lemon slices

Directions
Muddle a few cucumber sliced with vodka. Strain and pour into a chilled glass over ice. Top with Lemonade Sparkling ICE. Garnish with lemon and cucumber slices

MOTHERLY LOVE
Total Calories: 148 

Ingredients
3 oz. VOGA Prosecco
1 oz. Raspberry syrup
Fresh Raspberries for garnish

Directions
Pour in Raspberry Syrup. Top with VOGA Prosecco. Add fresh raspberries for additional taste and garnish.

(21+ – please drink responsibly)

About Sparkling ICE® Beverages

Sparkling ICE has made a great tasting, refreshing, zero-calorie beverage Perfectly Possible™. Combining naturally flavored mountain spring water, fruit juice, vitamins and antioxidants, Sparkling ICE offers a bold flavored, lightly-carbonated beverage that appeals to all age groups. Available in eleven refreshing flavors: Black Raspberry, Orange Mango, Pink Grapefruit, Kiwi Strawberry, Coconut Pineapple, Pomegranate Blueberry, Peach Nectarine, Lemon Lime, Crisp Apple and new in 2014 Cherry Limeade and Strawberry Watermelon. Sparkling ICE Lemonades®, launched in 2013, are available in six refreshing flavors: Classic Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, Lemonade with Tea and new in 2014, Peach Lemonade and Mango Lemonade. Sparkling ICE can be found in retailers nationwide. Sparkling ICE is part of the TalkingRain family of beverages, and retails for $1.19-$1.29. To locate Sparking ICE, visit www.sparklingice.com.

About VOGA Italia Wine

VOGA Italia hails from Italy, the country best known for producing some of the world’s best wine as well as its’ keen sense of style. VOGA Italia encompasses all aspects offering a collection of crisp delicious wine thoughtfully packaged in a revolutionary re-designed bottle featuring a unique resealable cap. Since the company’s inception, VOGA has earned numerous awards and accolades for their sleek and sexy glass cylindrical bottle, presentation and most importantly taste.  The collection retails from $10.99 to $15.99 and includes Pinot Grigio, Moscato, Dolce Rosso, Prosecco, Premium Sparkling and Baby Sparkling. VOGA is available in over 62 countries, hundreds of major cities, and can be found in thousands of the world’s trendiest bars, restaurants and shops. Wherever, whenever, if you are drinking VOGA you are drinking IN Style. For more information on VOGA Italia wine www.vogaitalia.com

ABOUT REALBEANZ™

Founded in 2010 in Brooklyn, New York, RealBeanz is a ready-to-drink gourmet iced coffee company combining premium-brewed beans and reduced-fat milk with functional ingredients such as vitamins and herbs.  Currently available in seven flavors and personalities – Cappuccino/Energize, Caramel/Focus, Vanilla Nut/Relax, Mocha/Resist, Diet Cappuccino/Trim & Fit, Cappuccino with Coconut Water/Refresh and Dark Roast with Coconut Water/Refresh.  Each variety aims to satisfy health-conscious consumers without the extra calories while helping to enhance their lifestyles.  For more information, please visit www.RealBeanz.com, “like” RealBeanz on Facebook and follow on Twitter @RealBeanz.