YumSugar

Let's Dish: What Beverages Remind You of Your Youth?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:00:54 PDT

While searching for inspiration for my Easter Sunday cocktails slideshow, I came across a recipe for Long Island iced tea that instantly brought me back to college, when I drank them as frequently as I did water. Out flooded a waterfall of memories from my years as a young drinker, and all the beverages that reminded me of that time in my life. Everclear, Bacardi 151, Goldschlager, Jägermeister, anything with schnapps, and last - but certainly not least - jungle juice ladled out of a clean trash can and into red plastic cups. What drinks make you think of your youth?

Source: Flickr User pink_fish13

Link Time! 11/6

BuzzSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:30:25 PST

Megan from Stylista speaks! - TV Filter
Oooh - Joan Holloway (OK, Christina Hendricks) in an old Everclear music video. - Videogum
Dishing on the Top Design finale. - CasaSugar
7 great Michael Crichton movies. - Cinematical
Do these 8 reasons explain why House is such a jerk? - Clique Clack TV
Who are your favorite TV idiots? - Popwatch
Ever wondered what it would be like to watch a video of a nude Steve Guttenberg jogging in Central Park? Well, it happened so you might as well watch. - GiggleSugar
Here's what Project Runway contestants would design for Michelle Obama's inaugural gown. - The Daily Beast
Can the Daily Show survive an Obama presidency? - Vulture

Photo courtesy of The CW

What Happened After Hillary's Speech? Awesomeness Ensued

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:30:00 PDT

I'm just going to say it: Nancy Pelosi is hipper than me. List of concerts I've been to in my lifetime? Amy Grant, MC Hammer, and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Nancy Pelosi on the other hand, hangs with Wyclef Jean.

Last night was an embarrassment of Democratic musical riches (if that's a thing.) After the business at the Pepsi Center concluded with Hillary's bang, Liberty and I saw Wyclef Jean perform (he played his guitar with his teeth or tongue, I couldn't tell but either way, uh wow) and got to meet Nancy Pelosi .

Then if that wasn't enough (and as the early bird around here I kept saying, "there's a 12 o'clock at night, too? What?!"), we played "What Would Nancy Do" and headed to the Grammys Rock the Vote after party. And they did - rock that is. To see what happened,

In a church converted into a nightclub (I doubt there will be a repeat of this venue at the RNC, but stay tuned) we saw Everclear, and I discovered a passion for this Daughtry, who was awesome live - and who at one point asked the crowd if they were planning to vote in November. I think the crowd did a collective check of their "Delegate" ID-tags, and gave him the "duh." The pomp and presentation on the convention floor might still be the star of the show for my convention, but Wyclef, Everclear, and Daughtry could just be my new Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Happy Hour: Baptist Punch

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:28:39 PST

This past weekend I found myself standing by the punch bowl at a neighbor's party. I didn't know too many folks there, so I found comfort in the shimmering peach-colored liquid. I knew it was a spiked punch, but it didn't taste too strong, so I downed more than a few glasses. A little bit later, and just a tad lot tipsy, I finally asked what was in the punch. My neighbor told me that it was his version of "Baptist Punch" and that it contained cranberry, pineapple, and orange juice. Knowing that all of those ingredients were not the ones that got me tipsy, I asked what else was in it and he said: Everclear.

Everclear is a type of grain alcohol that contains around 95 percent alcohol - most liquors contain around 40 percent - although it is sold in a 75.5 percent blend as well . . . I should also mention that the 95 percent mix is illegal to purchase in many US states, including here in California. It's also worth noting that Everclear is difficult to detect as it's relatively flavorless and doesn't smell very strong. My neighbor, who had it specially imported from another state, made sure to mention that Everclear's nondetectable characteristics was the other reason the concoction was called "Baptist Punch." This way no one knows that you've been drinking.

To get the recipe for both a nonalcoholic and alcoholic version of Baptist Punch,

Baptist Punch
From YumSugar's Neighbor
1 part cranberry juice
2 part orange juice
1 part pineapple juice
* Everclear

He wouldn't give me his exact measurements, but said "not to go crazy" with the Everclear. Or "go crazy" after all, it is the holiday season.

I might add that several folks enjoyed the punch without any alcohol added. They also thought it was delicious. Just don't get the batches mixed up!

Print recipe with images | without images

Source

More People Are Making Their Own Natural Perfume

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:00:18 PDT

In effort to eschew conventional, overly potent synthetic scents, some people have been hitting the bottle. That would be the 190-proof bottle of Everclear or neutral grape alcohol, which are commonly used as bases for creating homemade scents. As ambitious as it may be, natural perfumery involves mixing or pressing together stems, herbs, and petals to make tinctures, and it's an art that is on the rise.

Call it a modern form of alchemy, if you will. Or just call it a way to become reconnected with what nature has to offer. "People are so often in front of their computer screens and detached from the sensual world," natural perfumer Mandy Aftel told the NYT. Natural perfumes may not be cheap, but they're appreciated. In fact, instructor Jeanne Rose, who teaches fragrance classes throughout the country and out of her San Francisco home, recently added more classes to her roster due to popularity.

And there's also the Internet, where perfumer Anya McCoy offers online classes as well as an outlet for DIY fragrance makers through her Yahoo group. Making your own scent may take some time and practice, but have you ever tried it out before? If not, would you consider becoming a natural perfumer?