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Yum's October Must Haves

partysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 05:30:52 -0700

Hard to believe October is already here! Although I'm not a fan of colder weather, I am looking forward to everything October has to offer. From harvest meals to Halloween, it's sure to be an exciting month. Here are my top picks for properly enjoying this fabulous Fall month to the fullest.

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Happy Hour: Black Widow

partysugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:15:34 -0700

I've been on a crazed hunt for the perfect Halloween cocktail. I envisioned a black martini, but the only recipes I could find involved chocolate-flavored vodka. Don't get me wrong: There is a time and a place for chocolate vodka, but Halloween is not that time or place.

When I saw this recipe for a Black Widow, I assumed it involved chocolate, but -surprise! - it's actually dark grape juice that gives this drink a glorious hue. To get the devilishly delicious recipe I'll be making on All Hallow's Eve, read more

Black Widow
From 42 Below

1 part vodka
2 parts dark grape juice
1 teaspoon of raw sugar
4 slices of fresh ginger
4 blackberries
2 blackberries to garnish

In a cocktail shaker*, muddle together blackberries, ginger and sugar.
Add vodka and dark grape juice. Fill with ice, shake well, and strain into a chilled Martini glass.
Garnish with 2 blackberries.

Serves 1.

*To make a large batch, simply make in a big pitcher or large punch bowl.

Print recipe with images | without images

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?

YumSugar Gift Guide: Homemade Goodies

partysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:18:30 -0800

Over the past couple of weeks, we've bombarded you with tons of outstanding gift ideas. From cupcakes to wine, we've got you covered. But what about gifts that highlight your prowess in the kitchen? Beautifully-packaged homemade goods - cookies, candies, jams, spice mixes, crackers, etc. - make excellent gifts.

Give baked goods to teachers, babysitters, hair stylists, or anyone who helps make your life easier. Package in clear baggies, festive boxes, or decorative tins tied with gorgeous ribbon. To help you get started, I've searched the Internet and complied a list of fabulous recipes that will make delectable gifts. To check it out all you have to do is read more.

Cookies:

Candy:

Savory:

Alcohol:

Did I forget your favorite homemade gift? Please share your ideas with us below!
Source

PartySugar Behind The Bash: de Young Opening Party for Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion

partysugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:59:58 -0800

In order for me to fully provide you with the most informative advice on everything that has to do with parties, I'm writing a new feature entitled, PartySugar Behind The Bash where I'll give you the scoop on San Francisco's hottest parties and most outrageous nightlife. I'm attending the events, speaking with the party planners, and getting the recipes so you can incorporate the up to the minute trends, decor, and dishes into your fabulous parties. After fretting about what to wear, I attended the opening party for Couture & Cocktails Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion, an incredibly fashionable exhibit at the de Young museum. Despite the fact that I didnt see Ms. Westwood, the party was totally oversold and overcrowded with about 2300 people in attendance and lines, lines, lines everywhere, the majority of the people looked amused, satisfied, and enlivened by the party and the atmosphere was like an old school rave with a grown up make over. For the menu, look, music, an interview with the event planner and lots of pics, read more

Bon Appetit catered the fiesta and the food consisted of two small tables, one upstairs and one downstairs. Although they were dressed in a beautiful royal blue satin tablecloth topped with a black and white damask runner with dimension, levels, and interesting platters, the food tables were extremely sad. The pretzel sticks, grissini, black olive tapenade and roasted garlic spread was picked over and ravaged looking and the poor servers could not restock the tables quickly enough. The candy tables were a wonderful source of decoration as the brightly colored wrappers were both childish and chic.

If you could stand waiting in the mile long lines to get to the bar you could choose from five drinks, one from each of the five major liquors: vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. The specialty cocktail that was advertised on the invite, a Gin Viv (created especially for the party), was either missing or given a different name, because when I asked the bartender for one he gave me a blank stare and said the gin drink was called a Blueberry Crush. I ordered one, which was both too sweet and too bitter due to the pomegranate juice and gin respectively. I'm not much of a gin fan and preferred the vodka cocktail: a refreshing mix of sprite, vodka, and freshly squeezed (at least the bartender swore it was) blood orange juice. The best things about the drinks were the garnishes, which consisted of exotic fruits in vibrant colors: blueberries, blood oranges, prickly pears, apples, and mangos.

The look was staged by Blueprint Studios and was sparse with all of the tables dressed in the aforementioned royal blue and black/white combination creating a regal effect. At each side of the bars topiary floral arrangements of white roses, blue marbles, clear glass, and water were stationed. In the upstairs main room where the DJ was bumping his selection, the decor revolved around five giant paipier maché outfits: three dresses and two suits, all of which I am assuming were modeled after pieces by Westwood. While I enjoyed the arrangement of these sculptures, which was pyramid like with the largest and most beautiful dress being strategically placed above the bar, it felt off. The DJ was to the left side and party going-dancers didn't know whether they should congregate in front of the DJ or the focal point of the room, the bar.

The music, spun by DJ Shissla, was electronic based remixes of urban classics such as Lady Marmalade and the Pussy Cat Doll's Don't Cha. The crowd was a touch on the raunchy side of scandalous: more punk than glam, more deconstructed than structured, with girls in corsets, men in skirts, and swaying bodies in teetering chunky platform shoes everywhere.

The highlights of the evening were the trio of stylish young ladies who instantly adopted me as their friend and allowed me to cut in line with them at both the bar and the exhibit (thank you Katie Coleman!), seeing the oversized blue alligator skin 7 inch platform shoes that caused Naomi Campbell infamously to fall on the runway, and speaking with the lovely, modestly dressed young event planner.

Ashley, the event planner for the museum, informed me that this party was a test of sorts as it was the first time the de Young had ever opened up its doors for the opening of an exposition to the public. Here's what she had to say:

Party: What was your most memorable party?
Ashley: This is it! There are over 2300 people here and I think this is the best party I've done so far.
Party: What is your favorite flower?
Ashley: Tulips.
Party: What is your guilty pleasure food?
Ashley: Kit Kats.
Party: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
Ashley: You've got to be really organized. Think from the guests perspective and think through everything from beginning to end.
Party: A successful party is...
Ashley: When a lot of people are laughing, dancing, drinking, and smiling. Most importantly laughing.

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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

The Look: Emmys Governor Ball

partysugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:49:11 -0700

The Emmys are this Sunday and the decorating committee is hard at work preparing for the Art Deco themed after party. The look for the post show Governor's Ball is an elegant black and white color scheme that drips of old Hollywood glamour.

The dinner menu -created by chef Joachim Splichal of Los Angeles' Patina restaurant - starts off with a tomato, cucumber, mango, and Dungeness crab tower with a sweet ginger soy reduction sauce. It's followed by a filet mignon and wine braised shortribs aside potatoes fondant and asparagus. Dessert is a milk chocolate mousse with a Champagne gelee served in a dark chocolate cup garnished with fresh berries and cherry vanilla cake. As for the drinks, Voss water, Grey Goose vodka, and Laurent-Perrier Champagne will be served.

And don't forget, there's still time to enter BuzzSugar's Emmy Ballot Sweepstakes!

To take a look at the full gallery - I especially like the diagrams of the decor - read more

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Source: ET Online
Image Source

The Ultimate Bar: Cocktail Napkins

partysugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 14:30:19 -0700

When I was a camarera (bartender in Spanish) at En Boga (in Cordoba Spain) we had the cutest little cocktail napkins with the En Boga (in vogue) logo. When a new customer approached the bar, a clean napkin had to be placed in front of them before asking, que te pongo (what can I get you)? Often overlooked, the cocktail napkin adds a polished touch to the presentation, especially when handing off your drink to a guest. Oh and did I mention they are 100% practical and actually serve the function of acting as a coaster, a plate, or a finger cleaner? Without cocktail napkins, your bar is incomplete. Cocktail napkins come in almost every color and pattern, so you can find the one that best suits your needs as a hostess. For summer - and margaritas! - I love these brightly striped cocktail napkins. A pack of 20 is the reasonable price of just $4.75, so buy two packs.

For a few more styles read more

Cocktail napkins can be monogrammed with a quote, birthday message, or image. These engraved napkins would be ideal for an over the top bachelorette party. Maids of honor factor it into your budget (these will totally make the party more memorable) - 100 napkins for $28.95.

Add a touch of elegance to your bar with these modern black and white floral vine cocktail napkins. The vibrant print pairs perfectly with a Classic Martini or vodka tonic. These are 25 cents cheaper than the striped ones and total at $4.50 for a pack of 20.

Come Party WIth Me: Golden Globes Viewing - Music and More

partysugar — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:53:19 -0800

My Golden Globes Viewing party is just three short days away. I'm so excited I feel as though I really am attending the show! Things have come together quite nicely, my girlfriend's have already received their invites, the menu and drinks are planned, and the decorations are in order. I'm ready to party, but there is one tiny aspect left, the music.

Since this party revolves around watching a show on TV, music is not super important. Instead of fretting about the music, make arrangements to view the show on your largest and best television. There needs to be comfortable seating for all of your guests and maybe a blanket or two in case the girls want to curl up after dinner.

This party doesn't need a playlist, it needs a grocery list and I've put one together for us. If you plan on hosting my Golden Globe party, be sure to check out the grocery list. read more

Golden Globe Viewings Grocery List

red pepper (2)
celery (3 stalks)
red onion
parsley
onion
carrot
medium sized boiling potato
broccoli
lemons (10)
garlic
2 lb white button mushrooms
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 head romaine lettuce
avocado
1/2 cup kalamata black olives

heavy whipping cream
5 oz cream cheese
1/2 pound sharp cheddar cheese
Parmesan
eggs
butter
mustard
mayonnaise
Worcestershire sauce
cayenne pepper
dried basil
dried oregano
extra virgin olive oil
balsamic vinegar

baguette
rye bread

1/4 pound crab meat

chicken stock (1 can)

white wine (Sauvignon Blanc)
Chilean red
sparkling water
vodka
chambord
pineapple juice

flour
powdered sugar
granulated sugar