The Aviator of Hope Cocktail

I created this drink in honor of President Barack Obama during the elections. Luxaholics ran it again as a suggestion for your Inauguration Party!

Here's to the dawning of a new era of optimism and, yes, hope for a better world.

Cheers, Mr. President!

When Crack Ain't Whack...

If you live in LA and don't already follow Caroline On Crack, its about time you get with the program, bubs! Hipster-in-the-know, Caroline spills the beans on coffee, fashion, food, drinks et al. She's a cool gal with a penchant for sharing. (Awww.)

I am also giving her a warm 'thank you' for helping to spread the word about my "Preggatinis" both on her website and on LAist, to which she regularly contributes.

Thanks, chickie. After all, what's a cocktail without a little crack on-the-side?

Bling in the New Year with Luxaholics and The Liquid Muse

Is your 2009 all about luxury? Are you on a crusade to the cush-life? Will you be living la vida loca? Well, then, be sure to check out The Liquid Muse Luxury Cocktails on Luxaholics - that fabulous website dedicated to all things luxurious and lovely... Here's to 2009!

"Preggatinis" Takes A Ride On American Airlines...

If you're flying on American Airlines for your holiday travel, you can take home three holiday Preggatinis(TM) featured in Haley Shapley's article in American Way Magazine for your festivities!

The Tasting Room Holiday Party!

Listen today (Sunday, Dec. 14) to hear the holiday party panel on The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis radio show.

There is a myriad of fun guests, including a few of my buddies: Adam The Wine Guy, Barrie Lynn aka: The Cheese Empresario, Dan Dunn an LA-based spirits writer and many more exciting people.

I make a nonalcoholic sparkling cocktail with Fre Brut in the first hour from my book, Preggatinis, and I make a fully-leaded sparkling cocktail in the second hour featuring Cointreau Noir.

Tune in today to get lots of holiday cocktail, champagne and wine ideas for gift giving and enjoying with your loved ones...

DIY Nonalcoholic Cocktails for the Holidays!

Watch my appearance on Good Morning New Orleans to pick up some nonalcoholic cocktail tips for your holiday entertaining!!

Snarky Southern Belle

When asked to create a specialty cocktail to accompany the Sloshed Socialite: the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' drinking game, as seen on Luxaholics of ExtraTV.com, I couldn't resist.

Seriously, is there a more satisfying giggle than turning the TV tuner to a gaggle of bubble-headed, blingy bimbos - in a second rung city, no less - getting tipsy and talking about how awesome they are? (Go Hotlanta! Get jiggy with your fabulocity.)

Feel inclined to get in on the fun? Whip up this ever-so-tasty tipple and let the snarking begin!

Snarky Southern Belle
designed by The Liquid Muse for ExtraTV.com's Luxaholics

1 ounce peach purée
1 ounce bourbon
Dash peach bitters (angostura bitters is ok)
3 ounces champagne
Splash of apricot brandy or peach liqueur
2 tablespoons sugar on a small plate
1 lemon wedge

Rub the rim of a chilled champagne flute with the wedge of lemon to moisten it, than dip it into the sugar. Set aside the sugar rimmed glass. Pour peach purée, bourbon and bitters into a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake well. Gently strain the liquid into the sugar rimmed glass, then add champagne. Top it off with a splash of apricot brandy or peach liqueur and toast your sexy self.

Peach purée: blend 1/2 cup frozen peaches with 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 ounce of lemon juice.

What To Drink on Election Night...

In case you were wondering how to celebrate on Election Day, you can check out ExtraTV.com's Luxaholics for 4 cocktails from La-La-Land.

Extra asked yours truly to create two Election Cocktails - one for each camp (featured below). I started with the classic Aviation as inspiration as my hope is that our new leader will help us soar into smoother sailing with regard to both the economy and our global relationships. I added a splash of champange to both of my drinks because, frankly, as far as I'm concerned, there is no celebration without a little bubbly.

The election cocktail feature also presents 2 drinks from my fellow cocktail-lover, Marcos Tello, who is the resident mixologist at downtown's swanky speakeasy-style joint, The Edison. Luxaholics even suggests some liquorless celebrating by plugging "Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be," due in December. (Thank you, Luxaholics!)

Either way the election goes, you will have something to tickle your tastebuds... not to mention, we are all campaigning to bring Los Angeles Mixology into the libational spotlight, one fine drink at a time.

The Aviator of Hope (Obama)
1 1/2 ounces of gin
3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
1/2 ounce blueberry pomegranate juice
1/2 ounce lemon juice
6 - 8 blueberries (fresh or frozen, thawed)
splash of champagne

Muddle 4 blueberries in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add maraschino liqueur, gin and juices. Shake well, with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and top with a splash of champagne.


The Red Baron (McCain)
1 1/2 ounces of tequila
3/4 ounce Cherry Heering liqueur
3/4 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
splash of champagne

Pour tequila, Cherry Heering, juices and agave nectar into a mixing glass. Shake well, with ice. Strain into a martini glass and top with a splash of champagne.

Tune In Today for Live Radio Show!

I'm heading back in the radio studio, this afternoon, to be a guest on the Tom Leykis show. Adam the Wine Guy and Dan Dunn, a spirits writer, will also be guests and we will be fielding calls from listeners.

How totally fun - and slightly nerve-wracking considering there are (literally) millions of them!

The show airs around the country but in LA can be heard on 97.1 at 6 pm (PST). I'll be making a couple of cocktails on the air and hanging out in the boys' club house for a few hours. Care to join me?

Happy 4th of July with the Yankee Doodle Candy Cocktail!

Alcohol Free Cocktails

No, It's Not an Oxymoron...

Want to bring a little non-boozy fun into your summer party repertoire? Watch my latest "how to" video demonstrating how you can be a Thoughtful Entertainer and include everyone in the fun - even guests who are pregnant, on medication or have a long drive home...

In The Mix with The Family Groove

For those among you who have recently become parents, who are thinking of becoming parents or are long-time parents... you may like some delicious summer cocktail suggestions to fit your parenting style.

This month, my article on that very topic appears on The Family Groove. Happy sipping!

"Sustainable Sips" Hits the Kansas City Star

While teaching my classes in Boston, in April, I was interviewed by Vidya Rao who wrote this piece about organic sinful pleasures, which recently ran in the Kansas City Star.

Drink up, folks - and feel good about it!

Global Writes Launches Website!

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association has kicked off a wonderful new website for those of us in the industry... and those of us who simply love food, wine & travel. (And, frankly, who doesn't?)

I happily contributed a piece for their premiere issue on one of my favorite women in wine, the very regal Eileen Crane, of Domaine Carneros in Napa.

This photo depicts Eileen's wonderful sparkling Brut Rose, and The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktail I created for its launch parties in NY, SF and LA, last November.

Cheers and Congrats to Editor Kim Rahilly and the whole Global Writes team!

Drink With Me On The Tasting Room Radio Show!

Sometimes referred to as a "shock jock," Tom Leykis's daily radio show "Blow Me Up Tom" is a totally different experience to his Tasting Room program. Leykis is often reprimanded by feminists for "Blow Me Up's" how to advice designed to help guys get laid without spending a penny. (Personally, I think that if girls are foolish enough to fall for boys' silly ploys, they have no one to blame but themselves!)

Tom's softer - and decidedly more sophisticated side - comes out in The Tasting Room. My good buddy Adam The Wine Guy (who co-hosts with Tom) invited me to be a guest and shake up some fun inside the boys club over at the Paramount Studios lot, on Melrose Ave, right here in Hollywood. The studio is inside the Mae West Building – so you can imagine my senses were reeling with excitement at doing such a fun thing in such a cool place.

(Personal aside: The last time I was at Paramount, I was auditioning for a small role in the movie 200 Cigarettes, about a decade ago, back in my acting days. It is waaaay more fun to do swill The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails with Tom and Adam than nervously recite lines in front of a casting director!)

The Tasting Room airs in 20+ cities all around the country – LA, Dallas, Seattle, Vegas, Washington DC – even parts of Alaska! Go to this site to see if it plays in your city.

Here in L.A. it is on 97.1 from 5-7 pm on Sundays. (Our piece will run around 6.)

Tune in, and tell me what you think! We had some good laughs and a great time, despite a couple of spills on my part. And, please feel free to email me for the recipes for the three Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails we drank on the air. natalie@theliquidmuse.com

Cheers, everyone!

Trendsetting: Wedding Cocktails

If you are a bride-to-be, or know one, Marissa Conrad's wonderful write up on The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails in Washingtontian Magazine's Wedding Blog might interest you...

Photo courtesy: Washingtonian.com

The Family Groove Picks TLM's Brain

about alternatives to the Cosmo...

Read more on their groovy website.

More Holiday Cheer!

This festive article, written by Jenny Adams for Nightclub & Bar Magazine, features two of my holiday creations: Ho-Ho-Hot Holiday Margarita and the White Creole Christmas Punch. A couple of my cocktail-loving pals, Cheryl Charming and Jonathan Pogash, also present their yummy recipes.

And, one thing is for sure - if you're not in the holiday spirit by the end of Jenny's article, you'll - at least - be thristing for a drink!