TLM Does the Playboy Mansion – Again

Toasting St. Tropez With Provencal Absinthe in Beverly Hills

I had one of those “I’ve arrived” moment when I received an invitation to the 4-Star Byblos Hotel's 40th Birthday Party at the Playboy Mansion. Forget Disneyland. St. Tropez’s hottest hotel and its nightclub “Les Caves du Roy” throwing an anniversary bash at the Playboy Mansion is the “happiest place on Earth” as far as I’m concerned.

I stayed at the Byblos, a few years ago, with some friends from Paris. We had our own table at “Les Caves” at the side of the dance floor for the week. By the end of our stay, I’d probably had one too many champagne showers spewed from $1000 magnum bottles all over my sticky sunburned skin and party dresses. But, as you can see in this photo from that vacation, I reveled in the hedonistic French Riviera none-the-less.

(Sidenote: I grew up spending summers with my French grandparents down the coast in Beaulieu Sur Mer. Let's just say that its way better as a grown up, and without a chaperone...)

World famous DJ Jack E’s nightly declarations at Les Caves are almost as famous as the discotheque itself. “Weeelcooome Back to Saaaaaaaint Tropeeeez!” reverberates around the world beckoning the high-flying “rich and famous.” Guests at the Playboy Mansion were treated to Jack E’s spinning during the party (pictured here).

Unsurprisingly, my friend, photographer Claire Barrett (pictured here raising a glass near the Grotto) and I were the first ones up and dancing!

Anyone who checks in with The Liquid Muse knows that I am a Playboy fan, and have seen every episode of "The Girls Next Door.” I even have a collector’s edition of Playboy from 1981 featuring “Playmate Roommates: Imagine These Girls Next Door.” Kinda weird to think that Kendra (current girlfriend #3 in ranking) wasn’t even born when that pictoral was shot!

One of the most fun projects during my career as a Mixologist was creating four poker-themed cocktails for the Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Playboy Mansion, last April. Although the "girls" weren’t there I had a blast and even got my photo taken in the Grotto (wearing a suit, like a total dork)! This time, Holly, Bridget and Kendra were at the party being filmed and photographed with Hef, sequestered in a tiny section of the giant tent party surrounding the infamous Grotto. So, we didn't really get to mingle with them, much to my chagrin...

However, just like my last visit to their legendary home, my big dilemma for the Byblos party was: “What do you wear to the Playboy Mansion when you’re 30-something, married and packed on a few pounds since the wedding?” Luckily, over time, I’ve realized that people are more inclined to overlook imperfections if you dazzle ‘em with cleavage. Which was exactly what I went for when I bought this dress.

Other party guests included American Idol’s Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest, shown here lounging on the couch. Matthew Modine and Dr. Gary Atler of Dr. 90210 also took in the festivities.

All the while, a couple of little minions from TMZ snuck in and out of their environ to make notes on who was picking their nose or other such oh-so-fascinating reports for which TMZ is known.

Back on the red carpet, these adorable Playboy bunnies posed for photos with guests. I just love the little fur coats and matching furry tails! Apparently the Byblos and Caves du Roy team did, as well. Pictured here are the Byblos / Caves du Roy big-wigs: Stephan Personi, DJ Jack E, Antoine Chevanne and "Junior."

The party was a smashing success despite the unusual rainy weather. The bartenders were awesome, and Joe (in this picture) has worked for Hef for a decade!

At this party, I also tried Versinthe Absinthe for the first time. Versinthe is made in Provence and won the “silver” place at Absinthiades Pontarlier, a French absinthe competition.

In addition to traditional absinthe, Versinthe also makes "La Blanche," or white absinthe. It is crystal clear and has a wonderful, smooth anis flavor. It also has the maximum legal thujone level, so the absinthe-champange cocktails this bartender and I experimented with were potent, indeed!

Jack E.'s music made me wish I could follow the Byblos crew around the world as they continue on this global anniversary tour. After LA, they hit Moscow, London, Paris, Milan and wrap up with its closing bash at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Antoine Chevanne, owner of the Byblos, extended a personal invitation to Hef and the girls for to stick around for a bit this summer. (No, I’m not jealous. Ok, maybe just a teeny, weeny bit. Alright, I'm green with both Absinthe and envy!)

Which made the goodie bags we received upon leaving extra sweet. In addtion to Sisley Cosmetics, we were presented with the not -yet released Volume 3 Byblos CD and small bottles of Versinthe Absinthe - both the traditional and “La Blanche.” They thoughtfully included an absinthe spoon, absinthe-infused chocolate and even absinthe perfume for him and her.

Needless to say, my "happy place" has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse but rather Green Fairies and Hef's Cottontails prancing hand-in-hand around the Grotto, while I groove on the dance floor to the tunes of a world-famous DJ. The only thing that would make it better is transporiting the whole kit-and-kaboodle to the sandy beaches of St. Tropez... and something tells me that party may not be too far off...

"Official" photos are courtesy of: Brian Lindensmith- Patrick McMullan. The rest of the snapshots belong to: The Liquid Muse

TLM Does The Playboy Mans

Celebrity Poker Tournament (and Signature Cocktails)

Things that go great together: Booze, Broads and Betting. And, the more glamorous the combination of the three B’s, the more they lend themselves to Signature Cocktails designed by The Liquid Muse! And, it doesn’t get any more glamorous than the Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Playboy Mansion…

As we were shuttled up the driveway, I first saw the big lawn sprawling out before the entrance, filled with wandering peacocks. That song "Beverly Hills" by Weezer got stuck in my head, immediately.

The thing that struck me about the Playboy Mansion is that, while fairytale beautiful, it seems smaller than it looks on TV. However, it does shimmer like a grandiose castle set right smack in the middle of LA.

Given that The Girls Next Door is my #1 guilty pleasure, I noticed Bridget’s parking spot right away. I could just imagine her making this herself. She comes across as pretty crafty. I was hoping the girls and Hef would be at the party so I could get a photo with them but they were out of town. Oh well, next time…

I did see Brian, though. He is in charge of pretty much everything that happens at the Mansion, including being the middleman between what the girls want, and Hef’s house rules. On the show, he stays very calm under the pressure of female persuasion. I figure he must have a lot of sisters.

After wandering around the grounds a little, I noticed a line of fancy cars slowly making their way near the Red Carpet. As Celebs and Professional Poker Players began to file out of them, the paparazzi went mad!

I was hoping to spot Oscar-nominated Actress, Jennifer Tilly who won the Ladies No Limit Texas Hold'em at the 2005 World Series of Poker. She is also now engaged to Phil "Unabomber" Laak, a mechanical engineer-turned-Poker Star. But, damn it, our camera missed them!

I have to admit that I didn’t know who all the poker players were but I did recognize Mike “The Mouth” Matusow. And, despite his outfit, he managed to rope a hottie escort for this event. (Actually, they were also on my plane from Vegas to LA, that afternoon. I have a ton of fun things to report from my 24-hour Vegas trip, including the Playboy Club at the Palms… that is coming in another post…)

NBA cutie, Shawn Marion rolled up. Too bad he didn’t have a few more cocktails to slow him down on Sunday. Maybe then he and his team wouldn’t have beaten our beloved Lakers. Actors, such as Don Cheadle and musicians including The Game, Nick Carter and others joined the eclectic mix on the Red Carpet.

Proceeds from the evening benefited the Urban Health Institute whose motto is “Responsible Relief with Committed Care.” The organization plans to administer health care in Nigeria, Guyana, El Salvador, Ghana and Ethiopia, and is founded by LA Physician, Kevin Brown.

Inside the walls of the Mansion’s estate, festivities were quickly underway. Hot musicians, their even hotter girlfriends and Playboy bunnies were sprinkled in amidst Poker Personalities and Regular Joes who had the $1500 buy-in to spare.

These ladies sported nothing other than paint. (How happy is the dude with the bad hair and tacky shirt?) I don’t know why I expected the girls to have some sort of underwear on … but no. They were absolutely and quite clearly completely nude. (And, might I say, I admired the balls it takes to walk around showing off one’s well, female counterpart to balls…!)

These more traditional Bunnies posed by the pool. Who’d have thought they would be considered the more conservative Playboy Hostesses?

In addition to the poker game, there were zillions of cool auction items. Among them were a guitar signed by Dave Matthews, Kobe Bryant’s Laker shirt, and the thing I wanted… a poster from the Girls Next Door, signed by Holly, Bridget and Kendra. How fun!

Finally, we ventured into the infamous, watery land of forbidden fruit… The Grotto. Admittedly, I was ridiculously overdressed for this photo but let’s face it, its far better for me to enjoy the crowd lusting over my Signature Cocktails.

Speaking of which, how about The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails created for this event? Given the poker theme and liquor sponsor (Remy Martin) this is what I came up with… Mmmm, the three B’s never went together so well!


Lady Luck
Piper Champagne
Chambord
Freshly squeezed orange juice
2-3 raspberries

Fill a chilled flute 2/3 full with Piper champagne. Add a splash of juice, top with Chambord. Drop in raspberries, for garnish.
*Recipe owned by The Liquid Muse, LLC, all rights reserved.

Queen of Hearts
2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz White Chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz cream
1/2 oz maraschino syrup
sugar

Shake above ingredients well, with ice. Strain into a chilled, sugar-rimmed Martini Glass. Serve up. Drop in a maraschino cherry, for garnish.
*recipe owned by The Liquid Muse, LLC, all rights reserved.

Remy© Royal Flush
3 oz Remy cognac
1 oz Cointreau
generous dash Angostura bitters

Shake, with ice. Strain into ice-filled Rocks Glass.
*recipe owned by The Liquid Muse, LLC, all rights reserved.

Hold ‘Em Highball
1 1/2 ounces rum
1/2 ounce Blood Orange bitters
2 ounces pineapple juice
squeeze of lime
ginger beer

Shake rum, bitters, pineapple juice and lime with ice. Pour into ice-filled Collins Glass. Fill with ginger beer.
*recipe owned by The Liquid Muse, LLC, all rights reserved.

**All photos courtesy of Claire Barrett Photography

Celebrity Sips

Toast The Girls Next Door With Me, Tonight!

In honor of my favorite junk-food TV, I'm featuring a cocktail recipe from my very special cocktail book: Playboy's Host & Bar Book, published in 1971. This collection of recipes is compiled by Thomas Mario who became Food and Drink Editor at Playboy Magazine in 1953.

If you've followed The Liquid Muse for a while, you know I was super excited to create drinks for a fete at the Playboy Mansion, swooned over the Playboy Club in Vegas and even covered Larry King's coverage of the happy foursome.

As an avid Girls Next Door viewer, I learned Hef likes to include an element which hints at "the presence of a man" in the magazine's Centerfold pictorals. In other words, somewhere in the photo of the featured Playboy Playmate, there is a baseball cap, or a man's jacket, or something that suggests a man is nearby...

So, building on that concept, tonight at 10:00 pm, when The Girls Next Door airs in LA on E!, I'll be sipping something quite feminine, with a hint of masculine influence...

Champagne Manhattan (from aforementioned book)
1 ounce Canadian whisky
1/4 ounce sweet vermouth
1 dash bitters
3 ounces iced brut champagne
1 brandied cherry

Stir whisky, vermouth and bitters well, with ice. Strain into prechilled champagne glass. Add champagne and brandied cherry.

Cheers, Girls!

*Photo from E! Online pix

Glitter City Getaway (Part Two)

Dining and Dancing in the Fantasy Tower in Vegas

In the cabride from Caesar’s Palace, Carly and I noticed a little camera just below the rearview mirror, pointed toward the back seat, which spurred us to ask the driver about Taxicab Confessions, and if he’d ever had any wacky scenarios back there. With great condor, and considerable enthusiasm, he recounted stories of being paid to drive around while couples did things in the back of his cab that would make ladies at the mustang ranch blush. One story in particular – which he merrily shared in far too much detail – involved two women, him, a banana and a generous tip.

(Suffice it to say that by the time we reached The Palms, I had pretty much lost my appetite, particularly for anything even vaguely resembling a fruit salad.) Luckily, once whisked up to the 51st floor of the Fantasy Tower at the Palms Hotel, and snuggled up to a Pink Pussycat rose champagne cocktail at Nove, I forgot all about the cab ride over.

Nove Italiano melds classic Italian elegance with sparkly Vegas kitsch into one seamless dining and people-watching experience. Rococo meets Louis XIV meets modern opulance, and hulking crystal chandeliers glow pink, then violet, then blue. Dapper waiters, hosts and managers waltz around the room, performing a ballet of impeccable service.

And, might I add that Hugh Hefner himself, and a slew of Playmates, celebrated his 81 st birthday there, just a month earlier...!

We started with a copious seafood platter, overflowing with oysters, crab legs, clams, jumbo shrimp, and other delights della mare. Next, we sunk our teeth into a buttery, succulent steak. Another Pink Pussycat, thank you very much, and I was ready to curl up on the exotically upholstered booth and not move for the rest of the night.

But, that would have been a terrible mistake, as the night was far from over. After dinner, we visited to the glamorous Playboy Club, another floor up. The allure of Bunny croupiers and waitresses (sporting ears and tails) is second only to the stunning and ever-expanding view of Sin City, itself.

Though posing for a photo with these Bunnies may not be the best thing for my "mid-30's-vanity" I couldn't resist grabbing Carly and getting a shot with the lovely ladies of the Playboy Club. (Eat your hearts out, fellas!)

The club is comprised of several Playboy themed rooms with much attention to detail.

One wall of the lounge is a digital mosaic of magazine covers, which fade from one image into another. Behind one bar, the Playboy logo lights up the liquor shelves. An intimate corner of the club is lined with leather wall panels studded with tiny silver rabbit heads. And, the bathroom is wall papered with the magazine’s pin-ups.

Yet another ascent to the 53rd floor of the tower, Moon Bar pumps dance music into the wee hours. Scantily-clad pole dancers loosen up the crowd with syrupy dance moves that leave eye-candy oglers with a cavity, or two.

After getting your groove on, cool off with an icy cocktail on the outside deck. Towering above Las Vegas, surrounded by sexy people and the desert breeze, you may even find inspiration for your own Taxicab Confession…

Chatting With The Girls Next Door

My #1 Guilty Pleasure on Larry King Live

I've mentioned a few times, now, that I love watching The Girls Next Door. Much to my husband's dismay (he can't stand the show... though I can't imagine why... hot chicks everywhere!) So, I'm taking a break from cocktails, tonight, to cover my favorite junk-food TV.

When I was at the Playboy Mansion (keeping an eye on the Signature Cocktails I created for the Celebrity Poker Tournament) I was sooo hoping to meet Hef, Holly, Bridget and Kendra but, alas, they were out of town.

Watching CNN tonight, I can understand why it is hard for someone like Larry King to have a hard time presenting Hugh Hefner and his girlfriends to the public on his show. He is used to asking questions to people who are public figures, groomed to give the "right" answers. But, where politicians and movie stars often lack in genuine sincerity, Hef and the girls are completely candid, 100% comfortable in their own skins and lifestyles, aren't trying to win an election or keep ratings high. Despite their show (and its enormous popularity) they don't come across like they're merely promoting.

Holly is Hef's main squeeze, with my favorite, Bridget, in the Number Two slot. Until tonight, I've not been too crazy about Kenda, ranked third in the pecking order. Although she had to ask Larry King what "fidelity" meant (which I must respect because, again, she was real) she came across as more articulate than usual when she explained that where most reality shows are staged, The Girls Next Door captures their day-to-day lives. Basically she explained that things happened so quickly that they didn't have time to become 'fake' before their reality show.

I also applaud Hef for saying that he doesn't like Girls Gone Wild because of its "exploitive" nature. Amen! Where Playboy presents nudity with pin-up class and style, Girls Gone Wild is merely a string of cheap and tacky T & A shots of drunk (and sometimes underage) co-eds. He also chuckled when King asked Hef what he thought about Joe Francis's arrogant boast that one day he would buy Playboy.

Playboy's EIC also said he doesn't particularly care for Hustler magazine but hails Maxim, GQ and Esquire as quality "laddy" publications, closer to his own.

The girls had charitable words to say about Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Briney Spears. Unlike the usual spoiled pop culture princesses in Entertainment, Hef's girlfriends come across friendy and compassionate... the All-American model of the Girl Next Door.

And, what does Mr. Hefner have to say about all this? "I'm a lucky cat on many, many levels. At my age, it doesn't get any better than this!" No kidding!

Mixology Monday!

I finally got it to together and am participating in a Mixology Monday with my fellow cocktail bloggers. Created by Paul at the Cocktail Chronicles, a while back, these little gatherings have, apparently, captured the attention "big boys," like Food & Wine Magazine blog. (However, MxMo invitations continue to be passed around by the movers and 'shakers' of the Cocktailian Webosphere, so you Sipsters reading this are still getting the inside scoop!)

This month's "cocktail party" is hosted by the lovely Gwen at Intoxicated Zodiac. Her blog blends drinks and astrology - a niche within a niche! As a salute to the sun in Leo, Gwen has chosen "orange" as the theme for this month's cocktails. (And, might I add that I happen to be particularly partial to this sign. My husband, sister, mom and childhood best friend are all Leos. In fact, so are my mother-in-law and a few other good friends. Which reminds me, I'd better get out some birthday cards...!)

Staying with the Playboy theme, I've decided to feature the Orange Shell Cooler, featured in the Playboy Host & Bar Book (1971). I even mixed one up last night, as an "encore" after the Champagne Manhattan. I took a photo, which didn't come out too well. But, as they say, don't judge a book by its cover. Like a Playboy Centerfold, its what inside that counts.

1 extra large California orange
1 ounce 151 proof rum
1/2 ounce curacao
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon
1 slice cocktail orange in syrup

“Cut a cap off top of orange about 1/ 2inch from top. With a sharp grapefruit knife, gouge out the meat, leaving orange shell intact. Squeeze enough juice from meat to make 1 1/2 ounces of juice. Shake orange juice, rum, , lime juice and sugar well with ice. Strain into orange shell. Place orange shell in a bowl or sup dish about 7 inches in diameter. Pack finely crushed ice around orange. Fasten orange slice onto cocktail spear and place across orange cup. Serve with a short colored straw. A show- off concoction for drink hobbyists and rum specialists.”

Natalie's notes: I used 10 Cane rum instead of 151. And, I didn't bother with a cocktail orange in syrup. (Not sure where to find one of those, anyway. Sounds yucky.) I love mixing fresh juices and rum. (duh, right?) I am definitely going to play around with this recipe some more and find the perfect Liquid Muse twist...

Cheers, Gwen and all you other MxMo participants!

Musey Fun at the Playboy Mansion

Not everyone may be aware that The Liquid Muse can create a Signature Cocktail, just for you! Corporate events, launch parties, openings, lifestyle celebrations all call for exciting libations. I am here to help.

Imagine my excitement over creating 4 scrumptious delights for the Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Playboy Mansion, next week. (Girls Next Door is my #1 guilty pleasure!) Here is my ad, which will run in the program, featuring one of those delicious drinks. And, I will have photos from the event - bunnies beware!!! :-)

*Ad layout: VeraParas.com

Are We Too Tired to Party?

Interestingly, at the Nightclub & Bar Magazine Tradeshow in Las Vegas, last week, cocktails took a back seat to beverages promising a caffeinated boost. “Upper downers” (my term for caffeinated booze) were the main attraction. I came away with the distinct idea that today’s partiers can’t last though the night without a little help. No, I'm not talking about the good old fashion illegal all-night party drugs of yore. I'm talking about energy drinks.

Apparently, Red Bull is still the King of the Caffeinated Jungle, as proven by the eardrum-rupturing music blaring from the great white go-go dancing installation of amped-up love.

Playboy has gotten in on the act. But, don’t be fooled. The Playboy Energy Drink is not owned by Hef. The CirTran Beverage Corporation has licensed the name. Still, It has less after taste than most, and if I were going to hold a logo in my hand at a party, this would be the one.

Deep Throat energy drink on the other hand, is the last thing I’d be caught dead standing near. I mean, who exactly are they marketing to? Women would look like trailer trash drinking a can of it, and men would seem like total doofuses. I hate to be a hater but even their booth “bunnies” looked they’d turn a trick or two in the parking lot after the show.

Go Girl has the most wholesome (let’s say “normal”) image and tastes the best, by far. It comes in various flavors like the now obligatory pomegranate, among others... Unfortunately, their website is not well put together but try not to let that put you off. This is the energy drink I’d buy a case of. They even donate to breast cancer research.

If you’d like a little liquor buzz with your energy boost, PINK has you covered. In addition to their caffeinated vodka (which tastes better than most of its kind) they are just rolling out caffeinated tequila, sake and more. Tasting PINK, I have to say that amped up booze has come a long way since I wrote about Zygo back in 2006.

Get it on with Mama Juana, whom I didn’t see at the show but sent me samples directly. The company claims that this drink’s ingredients have been used for over 400 years in the Caribbean to enhance stamina and virility. Launched by John Layfield, a WWE wrestler who won notoriety early in his career for taking on a bear at a bar in Texas (sounds like a case for P.E.T.A., if you ask me…). Mama Juana’s sex-boosting formula includes:

• maca (to increase male sexual performance)
• hawthorn berry (improves blood flow around the body… if you catch the drift)
• horny goat weed (pun intended – its an aphrodisiac used in Chinese medicine)
• muira puama (a Brazilian aphrodisiac)
• anumu (used by Peruvians to promote virility)
• eleuthero (“Siberian ginseng,” another aphrodisiac)
• green tea extract (“provides strong antioxidant activity for sperm.” Who knew?)

This elixir doesn’t taste as natural as it sounds but shaken into a margarita it is worth trying out. Just make sure you have a willing partner and a few hours to spare should it deliver the sexual cyclone it promises.

Another burst of energy delivered right to my door is from 5-Hour Energy. This one angles itself more toward the athletic crowd. It claims that it gives “hours of energy now, no crash later.” Now that’s a drug I can get behind! Its packaging is much more technical and even includes reports from a clinical trial favorably comparing itself to other energy drinks. It claims to be loaded with b-vitamins, enzymes and amino acids and comes in berry, lemon-lime and orange flavors. This is one I would definitely down before my next run.

So, there you have it. There are about a million more of these kinds of things on the market, so please share your favorites in the comments, below. And, let us us know if you need this stuff to motivate yourself for a night out. And, definitely let me know if you like mixing these in cocktails… not that I'm too tired to party, or anything. (yawn)

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