Back with a Bang!

Yes, I know.  It has been awhile since my last post.  There will be more hidden gems to come (see aforementioned last post), but I thought I'd share this video.  I love this guy...


Yes, I also know there are ads, but if you can get through them the content is worth it.

Hidden Gems Part One

I recently came across a non-descript shoe box while cleaning out a closet and found this little gem. I think perhaps it was one of those pull-out ads you'd find in a magazine. This one looks to be sponsored by Southern Comfort. I couldn't find a date anywhere, but I'm thinking this is circa the late 1960s or early 1970s based on this gal's fancy hairdo. And what's with this guy? What on earth could he be saying to her? "How about a roofie-colada nightcap?" They were always having "nightcaps" in those days.


Oh, this is good. I don't even know where to begin. Perhaps with the fellow in the middle with what looks to be a giant tusk protruding from his face? No, no. I must read on. Oh, wait. I like this line, "A man was particularily vulnerable to unfriendly swords while drinking." Well put, that.

Anyhoo, now I have all I need to learn how to be an expert "Toast-Mixer". Thank goodness I found this. The photos in this baby are superb, so I'll post more tomorrow. It's time for my nightcap.

REVIEW: Go Cocktails! Lemon Drop and Margarita

We recently received a nice handfull of samples from Go Cocktails. (Thanks Theodora and Gina!). These are single-serve cocktail mixer packets. Just mix with water and vodka or tequila and you're ready to roll.

Now, I'm not usually a fan of anything diet-y and neither is Jim, but we both agreed that these were pretty darn good. What I love about them is the portability -- perfect for the drunk on the go [kidding!]. Seriously, they're great for picnics or just hanging out on your deck.

I made the Lemon Drop in an actual 16.9 oz water bottle. Per the directions on the packet, I sipped about 3 oz out of the bottle, added two packets and 3 oz of vodka and shook it up. It was pretty tart and lemony, which I loved, but you could add more water or ice to take the edge off. I like the ease of the bottle, but I drank it way too fast. My bad.

The Margarita was made in a cocktail shaker and served straight up. We both agreed the Margarita was the better of the two, but they were both great. There is a slight diet taste, but it's not offputting at all.

I've read that some folks actually take these to bars, order vodka and water and then pop in a packet. Great idea since a margarita could be as much as 500 calories. The Go Cocktails! mixers are only 5 calories and 1 carb per serving (compared with 100 calories and 30 carbs in traditional mixers).

We both thought the Margarita was the best of the two we tried. I'm anxious to try the others, and I'll let you know how they taste.

Check them out at http://www.gococktails.com/.

The packets are also available at amazon.com.

Looking for a low-cal cocktail?

I love a good cocktail, beer or glass of wine, but I don't love the calories. We all know those calories go directly to your waistline. Well, sort of. When you ingest alcohol, your body metabolizes and burns that before any other calories you ingest. So, say you're out having a cheeseburger and a beer. Your body would metabolize those alcohol calories before the cheeseburger ones, thus causing your body to store those delicious cheeseburger calories as fat. Which is bad.

Just how many calories are in your favorite bev? A 12 oz. crappy, mass-market, fizzy, yellow beer (you know what I'm talking about) is about 145 calories. A yummy Red Hook IPA is more like 188 calories per 12 oz. What about wine? A Cab Sauv is about 90 calories per 4 oz. pour. The general rule of thumb there is the drier the wine, the fewer the calories. And the cocktail? The higher the proof of the liquor, the more calories you'll have in your cocktail. An 80 proof liquor contains 97 calories per 1.5 oz while a 100 proof liquor has about 124. Consider, also, the mixer (e.g. juice or tonic water). One of my favorite cocktails, the Gin & Tonic is about 200 calories (1.5 oz alcohol and 8 oz. tonic water). I usually use less tonic water, but still. A Margarita's calorie content could be as much as 500 calories. Holy Margarita, Batman!

How can one enjoy their favorite drink without too much damage? I, for one, have decided to switch to lower calorie beverages. My new favorite low-cal cocktail is the Vodka & Soda. Club soda has no calories (though there is sodium, obviously, so beware). The calorie content of that cocktail is a mere 97 calories if you use 80 proof vodka. I love those with a wedge of lemon and/or lime. Another handy tip: Watch your snacking while drinking. Remember, it's those extra calories in drinking and snacking that make you gain weight, so choose wisely.


Sources: http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_150/150_eating_well.html
http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Health-Fitness/Alcohol-and-Calories-Does-Drinking-Cause-Weight-Gain
Check your favorite beer here: http://www.beer100.com/beercalories.htm.

Oatmeal Cookie Cocktail

I love this guy.



Here is the recipe:

In a shaker with ice add

1/3 oz. Baileys
1/2 oz. Jagermeister
1/2 oz. Butterscotch Schnapps

Shake vigorously and pour into a stemmed cocktail glass (aka martini glass).

Enjoy!

IPA Monday

But wasn't it just... Yeah, it was. IPA Monday is upon us again.

Head on down to the Red Hook brewery, folks. Did you know if you buy a case you get the second half off?

Sweet.

It's IPA Monday, friends!

Had a rough day at the office? Not to worry -- It's IPA Monday! Grab yourself a growler, bottle, or glass of your favorite IPA. Mine, as I've said before, is Red Hook Longhammer IPA. Deschutes Inversion IPA is a very close second with Broken Halo IPA from the Widmer Bros. Brewing Co. coming in at third.