YumSugar

Happy Hour: Sage Lady

partysugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:00:41 -0700

In terms of flavored vodkas, I've always enjoyed Absolut's more creative offerings. So naturally I was excited when I got my hands on a bottle of Absolut's newest flavor - Absolut Mango. The brand crafted several recipes to feature the spirit and I decided to experiment with this innovative cocktail that combines sage, cucumber, and lime juice.

While I've had a cocktail with basil and another with cilantro, I've never had any that uses sage. It adds a woodsy, earthiness to the drink - which is delectable and refreshing. The ingredients meld perfectly to make a cocktail that is slightly sweet, tart, and delightfully fruity. For the recipe, read more.

Sage Lady
From Absolut

Ingredients

3 fresh sage leaves
3 slices of cucumber
1 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounces Absolut Mango Vodka
1/2 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
dash of peach bitters*

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber, simple syrup, and sage.
Add the vodka, cointreau, lime juice, and bitters.
Fill with ice and shake.
Strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with a sage leaf, and enjoy!

Makes 1 drink.

*I couldn't find peach bitters, so I substituted angostora.

Print recipe with images | without images

View 8 Photos ›

In an Absolut World, Affection Replaces Currency

partysugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:30:17 -0800

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Absolut vodka has released a new ad campaign, entitled "Hugs," that's all about spreading love. In the commercial, which debuted last night during the Grammys, money is replaced with acts of affection. For tickets to the movies, the buyer gives the ticket girl two kisses. To pay for a taxi, a young girl lovingly caresses the taxi driver's hand.

At a time when so many large food companies are using aggressive advertising to put down competitors, I find Absolut's ad refreshing, bold, and wonderfully optimistic. After viewing it, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to live in such an idealized world. Watch it below and let me know your thoughts!

Source

Yum's December Must Haves

partysugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:00:36 -0800

With its festive parties and unlimited opportunities to bake and cook, December is one of my favorite months. Here, I've rounded up my must haves for the holidays. Enjoy!

View Slideshow ›

Do You Drink Strong Alcohol?

partysugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:45:31 -0700

The other day I made a martini with Absolut's 100-proof, black-label vodka.

I've never considered myself a lightweight, but you could definitely notice the difference in strength!

How about you? Do you ever drink super-strong alcohol? Anyone else tried the Absolut 100?

The Big Easy - Absolut New Orleans

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:42:19 -0700

Yesterday, at Tales of the Cocktail - an annual New Orleans culinary and cocktail festival - Absolut Vodka announced a new limited-edition flavor appropriately called "New Orleans." Inspired by the Big Easy, Absolut New Orleans combines juicy mango and spicy black pepper. This is the first in a series of limited-edition flavored vodkas named after cities, and this time around Absolut is planning on donating 100% of the profits to charities in the Gulf Coast including Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Gulf Coast, Volunteer Mobile along with a few others. Each foundation will receive a monetary donation in order the help rebuild the area.

The vodka will be available in the usual places (bars, restaurants, stores, etc.) starting August 1st. If you try it let us know what you think of it, the flavor combos sound intriguing, as do the drinks you can make with it. Check out Absolut's website for more details, including a way to vote for upcoming city-flavors. There are 10 cities to choose from, you tell them what it would taste like and why it deserves to be next.

Source: PR Newswire

In An Absolut World: Love It Or Hate It?

YumSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:58:31 -0700

Absolut has spent the last 28 years making iconic ads where the focus was the bottle. However, this year they've decided to freshen things up and embrace change. Their new "In An Absolut World" campaign, features photos from a world where everything is as fantastic as Absolut.

Ads portray pregnant men and their beaming female spouses, Times Square as a fine-art gallery, and protesters and police settling differences with pillow fights.

All of this is intended to show Absolut as the ideal vodka in a landscape crowded with luxury upstarts.

Absolut, has fallen to the number two vodka brand in the world, having lost customers to Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One and other upstart luxury brands. They're hoping these ads will push them back to number one.

I'm not sure what I think about these ads. On one hand I like them, but on the other I'm thinking guys might avoid Absolut from now on - I mean who wants to drink a vodka that will make you preggers? What do you guys think, do you like the new campaign?

Source: Advertising Age

Absolut (Pears) Decor

partysugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:29:45 -0800

PopSugar reported about Carmen Electra hosting last night's launch of Absolut Pears (the latest flavored vodka installment from Absolut) and I, PartySugar, am here to report the fabulous details surrounding the atmosphere and decor of the party. The party was sort of a take on the Adam and Eve theme with young good looking guys and gals dressed in scantily clad nude body suits with strategically placed leaves. One of the girls performed with a live large boa constructor above the bar. The color scheme was (not surprisingly) pear and ivy green, with hundreds of real pears stacked around the locale and draped ivy all over the bar and walls. The lighting was moody and low with tons of pearly white candles. My personal favorite were the pear tree topiaries that adorned each side of the bar. To see all of the pictures of the decor at the Absolut Pears launch, read more.

View 6 Photos ›

TV Dinners: Absolutely Fabulous - Food Things

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:27:18 -0800

To celebrate the New Year, I thought it would be fun to hunt down a New Year's related food clip. I wasn't sure what I was going to find, but I landed on a gem. If you remember the British show Absolutely Fabulous, then you'll recall the long-running joke about how Patsy never eats. Well in a shocking New Year's twist, she actually eats something solid! It's hard to see what this "Food Thing" is, but I've got a list of things it could be!

To check out the video clip where Patsy actually eats something, as well as a list of "Food Things" you can serve at your next party, read more.

"Food Things" You Can Serve at Your Next Party

Chips, Rice Cakes, Rice Chips, Crackers
Cheese Chips
Pistachios, Walnuts, Pecans, etc.
Savory Bacon Bites
Olives
Stuffed Mushrooms With Marsala Wine
Endives With Blue Cheese, Grapes and Walnuts
Peach and Mozzarella on Walnut Bread
Pickles, Roasted Veggies
Dates Stuffed With Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Black Pepper

So do you have any great "Food Things" you would serve?

You Must Make These Brown-Sugar-Caramel Frosted Cupcakes!

partysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:31 -0800

Love pecan pie, but tired of making the same old Thanksgiving dessert? Then bake these brown-sugar-pecan cupcakes with caramel frosting instead! Seriously, these cupcakes are the best dessert I've tasted in weeks.

The fluffy batter is rich, but light with a distinct browned-butter flavor. Although it requires a little time to make, the caramel frosting is absolutely to die for. It's smooth and creamy with a sweet taste similar to caramel candies. The pecans tie the elements together and provide a breakfast-like texture to the cakes.

When I served these at a recent dinner party, I was shocked at how good they tasted. Everyone was simultaneously saying, "mmmm" and "these are amazing." You simply must make these delicious cupcakes. Get the recipe after the break.

Off to Market Recap: Thanksgiving Accessories

partysugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:50:19 -0800

Creating a memorable Thanksgiving is not just about serving a moist turkey and flavorful pureed potatoes. It's also about enjoying a meal with loved ones! To get excited for the big day, I searched the Internet for festive table accessories and functional turkey tools. Then I used our wonderful bookmarking device to save the products in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar Community.

This allows me to share all of my discoveries with you in one easy widget! I'm absolutely crazy for this three-section leaf server ($30). It can be used for appetizers like nuts, olives, and chunks of cheese. Or for the main meal, fill the acorn center with gravy and the surrounding dishes with turkey, sectioning off the dark and light meat.

Interested in learning more about bookmarking and creating product widgets? Check out the complete instructions here.