Bridesmaids at the Oscars

Every year the Oscar nominations are released I always ask myself where I have been the last year. I am ashamed to say I have only seen a few of the movies up for nominations this year... and when I say a few I mean two. Moneyball and Bridesmaids. At least I know most of the actors and actresses up for Oscars, but I really must get on my movie watching. Now that theatres will be serving alcoholic beverages...the only question I have is whether the drinks themselves will actually be more expensive than your ticket?

One movie I did happen to see in theatres this summer, four times in theatres to to be exact, was Bridesmaids. I guess it is obvious by how many times I paid to see it, actually enough to buy it on DVD or Bluray twice - that I am a HUGE fan. Bridesmaids by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig, and being the Saturday Night Live fan that I am, I couldn't wait to see it. If you haven't seen it and have no intention of watching all of the Oscar nominated films, this is your one exception. 

Also up for nomination as best actress in a supporting role from the film is Melissa McCarthy.

Bridesmaids Trailer

My drink of the week is inspired by one of my favourite scenes from the movie. The scene on the plane when the Bridesmaids travel to Vegas.


Double 7&7

- 2oz. Seagram's 7 whiskey
- 7-Up
- lime wedge

good wine with great friends

With the cold Winnipeg weather most want to stay indoors, especially with busy school schedules. Last week my friends and I braved the elements for our friend Sam's 22nd birthday. We made our way to Hermanos on Bannatyne. 

My mom works on Bannatyne just down the street and often meets clients there for lunch. She had always told me great things, so I was excited to try it for myself. 

The food was great, the service was excellent, and the wine...perfect ending to a busy week.

We all tried something different for dinner and sharing is always the best part of going out with a group. From the watermelon and cucumber salad, or the fish of the day, or even the burger and fries, everyone seemed to love whatever they ordered. Which isn't always easy for one server, a packed restaurant on a Friday night, and a table of 20 young women.

A few of us shared a bottle of Graffigna Pinot Grigio - an Argentinian wine grown in Tulum Valley, San Juan, Argentina. I would highly recommend this wine. It was a delicious wine, that could be paired with a variety of different tastes and dishes, or just a casual glass on its own. With hints of jasmine, peaches, and apricots, they recommend serving along with "stews, seasoned ethic foods: Peruvian, Mexican, Indian, Asian dishes, and cheeses.

Retails for approximately $14.00. Pick up a bottle this weekend, or try it out at Hermanos restaurant.

Hermanos

Birthday bevy

http://www.sugarushuk.co.uk

One goal I set for myself this semester is to tweet more and check my Twitter more often. The first tweet I read this morning Duncan McMonagle’s tweet about his new baby granddaughter Isadora, born this morning January 8, 2012. This got me thinking about birthdays. 

What would we do without Facebook birthday updates anymore? Before Facebook I knew all of my friends birthdays. I would wake up and actually dial their numbers and call them rather then text them “HBD.”

As I got older and got my first cell phone I remember I would actually have to enter each important birthday under my friend’s and family’s contact information in my phone book. Now with Facebook, it’s almost like forgetting someones birthday isn’t an excuse anymore...because with an iPhone no one will ever believe that you didn’t go on Facebook that day. Not only that you’re expected to send a text and write on their wall.

All of this thinking made me remember the the Entertainment Tonight, and the ET Birthdays. When I was younger I would always wait anxiously for 6:30 p.m. on Global to see what celebrities were celebrating on that day. On April 16th I would always get excited to see who shared a birthday with me - and the only person I ever recognized was Charlie Chaplin.

So today I went on Google search and looked up celebrity birthdays for January 8th and I found this link...

Celebrity Birthdays

So today a happy birthday goes out to David Bowie, R.Kelly, and Elvis Presley, and of course Isadora McMonagle...

Here is a drink to celebrate January 8th birthdays...

Elvis Presley cocktail

1. Vodka - 1 1/2 oz. 2. Bailey's Irish Cream - 1/2 oz. 3. Banana Bols - 1 oz. 4. Frangelico - 1 oz.

add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and do as the King does and “shake, rattle, and roll,” it in to your favourite glass and enjoy!

Fine wines with Ginny Devine

Kim Crawford - Malborough Sauvignon Blanc - approximately $22.00 (MLCC)

This self proclaimed “Wild At Heart” sauvignon blanc is my mom’s favourite, and I’d by lying if I said we don't keep a bottle chilling in the fridge.

I have to say I still remember the first time I tried this wine a few years ago, and I was torn. I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not. Depending on the day I could take it or leave it, but now I love the sophisticated, sweet, yet slightly, “light to medium bodied aromatic wine taste.”  I guess you can say my mom really does live up to her name with her, "Devine" taste.

This wine includes aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and citrus flavours. They suggest pairing with fresh oysters, vegetarian and/or asparagus dishes, or summer salads.

Kim Crawford

Spy Valley - Marborough Pinot Gris - approximately $23.00 (MLCC)

This New Zealand white wine is another that our cellar rarely goes without. They grow concentrated grapes on a stony riverbed terrace in our Marlborough vineyard.

“A complex mix of tropical, citrus and stonefruit with a gentle seasoning of allspice.

Palate. Lush ripe fruit opens the palate with classic flavours of pear and red apples. The structure gives a lasting finish reminiscent of nougat and apricot pith.”

Full bodied wines too much to handle?

How doI manage to go from from full bodied whites and rich reds, to juice in a wine bottle for $5.00? I still can’t figure it out. Every once in a while, when the Kim Crawford and Spy Valley is running low, I resort to a cheaper, yet surprisingly tasty alternative. I’m a student what can I say? I have a few favourites to share, and a few new ideas.

Spy Valley

Girls Night Out

Girls Night Out was my latest experiment. I was intrigued by the fact that it is an Ontario based wine, but I have to admit I did buy it as a bit of a gag gift (strictly due to the name), for a male friend of mine. He was less than impressed when I showed up to the party and handed him the bottle in front of our friends.

We ended up all share the bottle and agreed that it was the furthest thing from tasting like wine, and actually tasted more of beverage you would have for breakfast. 

MLCC - Approximately $9.00 - $15.00

“For those informal and relaxed occasions, we’ve created Girls’ Night Out Tropical Tango: a refreshing, fruity, lighter alcohol flavoured wine beverage. Because...it’s hard to be serious in flip flops.”

Strawberry Samba: Strawberry and watermelon flavours.

Girls Night Out Tropical Tango - Grapefruit and Pineapple flavours with Lemonade

Citrusberry Twist: Blueberry and Blood Orange flavours.

Darkberry Duo: Raspberry and Blackberry flavours.

Girls Night Out

Relax Riesling -  $11.49

Chill and Unwind with my personal favourite!

The authentic German Riesling, RELAX Riesling, found in a sea blue bottle, is one of America's favourite Rieslings. RELAX® is made for people who want to spend less time worrying about wine and more time enjoying it.

Relax

Mo drinks fo Movember

Movember Mo’jito

Nothing screams Movember like a delicious mojito with a peachfuzz spin.

Ingredients (serves 4-5 staches)

            3 cups chopped ripe peaches

            1 teaspoon grated lime rind

            1 cup fresh lime juice (4 large limes)

            3/4 cup sugar

            1/2 cup packed mint leaves

            2 cups rum

            4 cups club soda

            Crushed ice

            Mint sprigs

Prep

            - Blend peaches in a blender or food processor; until pureed; discard solids.

            - Combine rind, lime juice, sugar, and mint in a large pitcher

              - Add peach puree and rum to pitcher

             - Stir in club soda. Serve over crushed ice

             - add mind sprigs

My Winter Picks

This week I am going to talk about some of my favourite winter drinks to help you keep warm in our always fun Winnipeg winters. I will also share a couple of my favourite party drinks for your winter formals and holiday get togethers.

Winter and Christmas specials are back at Starbucks. 

1. Caramel Brûlé Latte

 The Caramel Brûlé is made with espresso and your choice of steamed milk or soy. They flavour the beverage with Caramel Brûlé sauce, and top it off with sweetened whipped cream and Caramel Brûlé topping

2. Eggnog Latte

 The Eggnog Latte is Starbucks longest running holiday special. It has been served for 24 years! Order it hot today or make it at home! Espresso and steamed eggnog, topped with some cinnamon or nutmeg on top!

3. Peppermint Mocha

The Peppermint Mocha is a mix of steamed milk, espresso, mocha sauce and peppermint flavouring. Believe it or not you can also make this one at home!

4. Gingerbread Latte

While you’re building your holiday gingerbread house, stop and pick yourself up a gingerbread latte to get in the holiday spirit. Steamed milk, espresso, and Starbucks’ gingerbread sauce.

my good friend Tammy enjoying her holiday special




________________________________________________

If you’re in North Kildonan come see what you’ve bean missing at Mountain Bean.

Holiday spirit is in the air and our most popular blend; the holiday roast is back at Mountain Bean. Grab a cup to go, pick up a bag of beans for your family, or the always popular stocking stuffer.

The have three kinds of hot chocolate to choose from! Try the standard hot chocolate, caramel hot chocolate, or white hot chocolate, always topped with whipped cream!

1. Candy Cane Mocha/ White Mocha

The Candy Cane Mocha is similar to Starbucks peppermint mocha but I will argue more delicious. Mountain Bean offers their holiday mocha in both white chocolate and dark chocolate flavours, mixed with their candy cane flavouring, espresso, steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and candy cane sprinkles.

2. Maple Latte

The holiday favourite and Canadian special is this maple treat! They use espresso, steamed milk and maple syrup flavouring. For an even different taste try it with soy milk!

3. Brown Sugar Latte

The brown sugar latte is a combination of steamed milk, espresso, and their secret brown sugar syrup recipe.

Mountain Bean also offers the Gingerbread Latte and Eggnog Latte.

try this stocking stuffer!
buy a $25 gift card for someone special and get a $5 for yourself!
buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 gift card to buy yourself a treat or two!
_____________________________________________

Earls Sour Grinch Martini                        

- 1 oz sour apple

- 1 oz vanilla
 vodka

- 1/2 oz of pineapple juice

- 1/2 oz of cranberry juice

shake and pour over ice!

                                                                                              
                                                                                              


Oprah’s Pomegranate Martini

Photo: oprah.com

Servings: Serves 2

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice

2 ounces Absolute Citron vodka or white tequila

1 ounce Cointreau liquor

Cup of ice

Splash of sparkling water (optional)

Squeeze of lemon (optional)

Directions

 Shake ingredients in a shaker and put in chilled martini glasses. Put pomegranate fruit into glass as garnish.

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/food/Oprahs-Pomegranate-Martini#ixzz1ddVn8q6S

Frostbite

Use a premium tequila and white crème de cacao (as opposed to brown) for the best results. Serve a Frostbite on the rocks, filling the glass with cream and turning it into a blue White Russian from south of the border.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz tequila

1/2 oz white crème de cacao

1/2 oz blue curaçao

1/2 oz cream 

Prep:

Pour the ingredients and ice into a martini shaker.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry

photo courtesy of about.com

Buddha Bev

Every year for my sister’s birthday we go to the Ichiban restaurant. We started going when she was 10 years old and since then it has become a tradition. 

She just turned 17 on Tuesday Nov. 8 and to celebrate of course we went to our regular spot. It’s always fun to step outside of the box and try something different. The tricks never get old; flipping dishes, tossing eggs, juggling knives and setting the tables on fire, well the grill anyways.

Even though Kate is underage, they still offer fun drinks for all ages! 

Order the drinks below or try Kate's seventeen year old special "The diet Pepsi panda"

Ichiban

Our No. 1 exotic fruit and Rum drink. Served in a BUDDHA MUG YOU GET TO KEEP!

Geisha Girl

A delicate temptress with Rum, Banana Liqueur and tropical juices in a 

Panda

A delicious blend of Melon Liqueur, Peach Schnapps, Rum with pineapple and orange juice 

Ichiban Restaurant