The Liquid Muse Easter Spritzer

I celebrated the Holiest day of the year like any good Catholic girl would... by creating a themed alcoholic libation. (Hey, we drink wine in church - why shouldn't we continue our 'worship' at home?)

This refreshing little sipper is fab for a summer dinner party, book club meeting or to dress up a casual barbeque. It looks pretty but it is easy and cheap to make!

Step 1) Make raspberry lemonade ice cubes by filling an ice tray with lemonade and plopping one fresh raspberry into each cube. Freeze overnight.

Step 2) Fill a large wine glass with about 3 regular ice cubes and 2-3 raspberry lemonade ice cubes.

Step 3) Fill about 3/4 with cheap white wine. I used two-buck Chuck chardonnay. (aka: Charles Shaw from Trader Joe's).

Step 4) Add a splash of lime-flavored sparkling water.

Sidenote: Make this drink non-alcoholic by using my favorite alcohol-removed chardonnay, Fre by Sutter Home! Speaking of which... have you sent in your recipe for our wine cocktail contest? The winner gets a trip for two to fabulous Las Vegas!

Customized Gifts are the Trend, This Christmas!

The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails Makes Gift-Giving Intoxicatingly Easy

In a world where everything is mass produced, luxury brands are available worldwide and a “double tall, no-foam, skim latte” tastes the same in Paris, Tokyo or Chicago, isn’t it nice to find ways to personalize gift-giving with a truly unique spin?

As seen on the Today Show, there are more and more options to partake in this growing trend – and with the Holiday Season approaching, that is a relief! Couples can pony up $4000 to take part in a wine-making workshop at Crushpad, in San Francisco. They get to name the wine, create their own label and crush the grapes. (which sounds like a gift in and of itself, if you ask me!)

However, for those of you who don’t have 4-grand laying around, yet are looking to buy a special gift– which requires very little effort and lots of fun on your part – why not consider The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails for your loved ones? Packages include a recipe for their very own personalized holiday drinks, along with The Liquid Muse Recipe Coasters featuring that drink!

I have created The Liquid Muse Signature Cocktails for wine and spirits companies; fancy shin-digs and even some famous people. Don't your friends and family deserve the same? You may even be tempted to give yourself a gift this year…

E-me at Natalie@theliquidmuse.com for a list of packages and prices!

What does Billionaire Bachelor Calvin Ayre Drink?

His Own Signature Cocktail, of course!

Whether taking in the Kentucky Derby, hosting a $2,000,000 Poker Tournament or lounging poolside in Monte Carlo, Bodog.com founder, Calvin Ayre is the top dog when it comes to living the glamorous life.

Maybe you saw him on last year’s cover of Forbes Magazine’s "Billionaires" issue? Or, noticed his name among People’s “Hottest Bachelors.” Perhaps you caught him on VH1’s Fabulous Life Presents: Secret Lives of the Mega Rich? The underlying message: Calvin’s average day is the stuff of an Average Joe’s fantasies.

So, when Mr. Ayre was ready for his own Signature Cocktail to complement his jet-setting lifestyle, his peeps summoned The Liquid Muse!

Now, creating a cocktail for a billionaire is not to be taken lightly! Let’s face it, he is used to having the best of everything. So, armed with a bottle of Bombay Sapphire (his spirit of choice) and my trusty cocktail shaker, I pulled out my shot glass and got to work! Pulling from a couple of classic cocktails (the Negroni and the Salty Dog) I added a billionaire twist – and I hear Mr. Ayre is quite pleased with the result…

Billion-Ayre’s Bet
3 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin
2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
3/4 ounce Campari
Squeeze of lime
Champagne
Ice Cubes

Shake gin, juices and Campari with ice cubes. Strain and pour into Rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes. Top with champagne. Garnish with lime wheel.

Today, Bodog.com is an Entertainment Empire with a multi-media focus. However, ten years ago, it began as a gambling site, which millions of people still visit to bet on a variety of games and events. With the Kentucky Derby coming up, Bodog.com shares their own version of the traditional Mint Julep for its “dawgs” to enjoy.

btw - I created this, too, and will be enjoying one at the Kentucky Derby myself, this year. (I’ll take big hats over big hair, anyday.) Throw your own Derby Day party and let me know how you like the drink!

Bodog JetSet Julep
3 ounces bourbon (Woodford Reserve is the "official" bourbon of the Derby)
1 ounce Gran Gala orange liqueur (made with VSOP brandy)
1 ounce *mint-infused raw sugar simple syrup
Ice cubes
Crushed ice

Heaping bunch of fresh mint Shake bourbon, orange liqueur and simple syrup vigorously, with ice cubes. Strain into Collins glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a handful of fresh mint and a short straw.

*Mint-Infused Raw Sugar Simple Syrup
1 cup raw sugar
1 cup water
large handful of fresh mint

Boil water, sugar and mint until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Then, simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat, let cool and strain into a small glass pitcher or jar. Refrigerate.
*Drink photos: Claire Barrett Photography

And, while you’re living the life of a super star, don’t forget to give back. Calvin does. The Canadian-born philanthropist comes from a rural background and funneled his early ambitions into selling fruit from his truck. Early on, Ayre embraced the basic principles of hard work and humility as a “sure bet” for success. He chairs the Calvin Ayre Foundation, which has a strong focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and education for disadvantaged youth. Hmm… If the new Bad-Boy Mantra is 'live large, play hard and give big,' I’ll drink to that!

*Drink like a billionaire! Order your own signature cocktail from The Liquid Muse... (email natalie@theliquidmuse.com)

Your Very Own Signature Cocktail

The Must-Have Party Favor

You still don't have your own cocktail? The Liquid Muse is here for you...

Just ask fashionista, DC Celine. When throwing a bridal shower for lil sis,' TLM came up with two versions of the Sparkling Sarah: one with champagne for the bride-to-be, and one non-alcoholic version for her pregnant sibling.

Some other happy "custom cocktail" clients nclude Planned Parenthood, Clothing of the American Mind, the Great American Condom Campaign Masquerade Ball in DC, Diva Bugs, the Very Vain Fashion Show in LA, Snow Queen Vodka, Avid Exposure's star-studded party at M.A.G.I.C in Las Vegas, and more!

My cocktail book, featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic recipes, is in the works, and my cocktail seminar, Cocktails 101 starts up this Spring, in Los Angeles and Washington DC. Learn to make your own creative drink, or hire me to do it for you. Either way, your guests will know they experienced something unique.

(Email natalie@theliquidmuse.com for more info!)

Sparkling Sarah
Rim a champagne flute with sugar, then add:
dash blood orange bitters
2 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Top with champagne
Garnish with a blood orange wheel (a slice of blood orange, with one small slit cut so it can sit on the rim of the glass)

Non-alcoholic version:

Prepare as above, but top with Trader Joe's Blood Orange Italian Soda (you can use grapefruit flavor, or any citrus-flavored Italian soda you prefer) instead of champagne.