Two Tequila Cocktail Recipes -- Just in Time for National Tequila Day

National Tequila Day is coming up (July 24) and here are two cocktail recipes from Alec and Ana Tesa of Eleven20 Tequila, an award-winning tequila crafted with traditional distilling techniques and a passion for excellence.

Sparkling Blueberry Margarita

Ingredients:
• 2 oz Eleven20 tequila
• 1 oz blueberry liqueur
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz agave nectar
• Sparkling water
• Fresh blueberries (for garnish)

Instructions:
1. Fill a shaker with ice and add tequila, blueberry liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with sparkling water.
4. Garnish with fresh blueberries and enjoy!

ICON Park to host 5th annual Sip n’ Savor

 Portion of event proceeds to be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida

Get the ultimate taste of spring at ICON Park’s 5th annual Sip n’ Savor. 

From noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 30, guests can join the big outdoor party in the heart of the Orlando Entertainment District with live entertainment, dishes from ICON Park’s famous restaurants and a variety of craft brews, wines, hard seltzers and even moonshine.

St. Patrick's Day in Orlando: Roundup of Events

Here's a round up of events happening around Central Florida to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Promenade at Sunset Walk: Join in on the fun as Promenade at Sunset Walk hosts its St. Patrick's Day Outdoor Street Party and Celebration on Friday, March 17, from 2 pm to 11:30 pm. Guests will enjoy food and beverage specials from participating restaurants, as well as  live music, street performers and lucky leprechauns. Admission and parking are FREE. 

The Edison at Disney Springs: The lavish, 1920s-themed restaurant, bar and entertainment destination, The Edison at Disney Springs will offer a specialty cocktail for St. Patrick’s Day throughout the month of March. The Irish Goodbye is $19 (pictured below) and includes coffee-infused Teeling Irish Whiskey, Benedictine, black walnut bitters and salted caramel.  

Hard Alcohol and Wine Sales Up During Covid, But Beer Sales Are Down

According to a recent data analysis by Ibotta, the leading cash-back app helping people save money with their everyday purchases, there seems to be a lot of truth to this!

Overall, spirits and hard liquor is up the most with a 33% increase during the first part of the pandemic when compared with 2019 sales, followed by wine at a 12% increase. Surprisingly, beer sales overall are down, with a few exceptions! 

Cocktail Recipe: Sweet Tea MargariTEA

Here is a great summer cocktail for to try out this weekend!

Milo’s MargariTEA

1 cup Milo’s Famous Sweet Tea

2 Limes

4 tablespoons Peach Margarita Mix

3 oz Silver Tequila of choice

Sugar for rimming glass

Yield: 2 Milo’s MargariTEAs

Mudbug Brewery in Thibodaux, Louisiana

With names like King Cake Ale and Pelican Pilsner, why would you NOT try Mudbug Brewery!?

While in Louisiana for the week, we decided to meet some friends at the Mudbug Taproom (located about an hour south of New Orleans in Thibodaux). We tried a flight, and I really enjoyed a blonde ale called White Boot. Unfortunately, the beer is only sold in a few local Louisiana stores, so your best bet is to visit the brewery in person!

Longboat Key: Dry Dock Waterfront Grill

This past weekend we went over to the Longboat Key area. Since it was Mother's Day, I wanted a nice(r) dinner, but I also wanted it comfortable for the kids. I read great reviews about Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Trip Advisor, and I'm really glad that we pick this restaurant!

We went on a Saturday night, and many of the reviews said to get there early.  We arrived at 4:30 PM, and by 5 PM there were no tables left. (And by 6 PM the bar area was full of guests waiting for tables.)

We had a choice of seating upstairs/inside or below/outdoors. I'm very happy that we sat outside.  The weather was beautiful. 

Here are my kids relaxing well hubby and I enjoyed a cocktail.

I chose the scallop pasta in a wine and garlic sauce. It was outstanding! The scallops were fresh and the pasta was cooked perfectly.

My husband chose the grouper sandwich, and decided to try a blackened. He said it was excellent and I'm sad I did not get a picture. He also enjoyed this local craft beer, Circa 1926. 

Happy Hour: The ‘Get Flossy’ Luxe Lemonade

The ‘Get Flossy’ Luxe Lemonade

Ingredients:

·         1 oz. Smirnoff Citrus Flavored Vodka
·         .5 oz. Ginger flavored liqueur
·         4 oz. Lemonade

In an ice-filled shaker, combine all the ingredients. Shake vigorously. Strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Garnish with a lemon wheels.

Happy Hour: ‘Totally Fresh’ Sangria

‘Totally Fresh’ Sangria

Ingredients:

·         2 cups Smirnoff Ice Screwdriver
·         2 cups Pinot grigio
·         Fruit slices (optional)

Add all ingredients into a pitcher and serve. Serves 3-4.

Caramel Spiked Cider (Holiday Cocktail)

Caramel Spiked Cider

Serves 8

• 1.5 cups. Smirnoff® Kissed Caramel Flavored Vodka
• 4 cups of Apple Cider
• 4 oz. Lemon Juice
• 2 oz. Grenadine

Preparation: Mix ingredients in punch bowl over ice. Serve as a punch or in a glass over ice.

A great cocktail for this time of year...Applie Pie Punch (from Smirnoff)

Apple Pie Punch

Serves 8

·         1.5 cups  SMIRNOFF® Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka

·          2 cups  Apple Cider

·         1.5 cups  Cranberry Juice

Preparation: Mix ingredients in punch bowl over ice. Serve as a punch or in a glass over ice.

Happy Hour: Jingle Juice

I found this recipe last year in Southern Living and it was a hit at my Holiday Party. It's simple and can be garnished with a fruit-flavored Candy Cane! Enjoy!

Ingredients
5 cups orange juice
1 cup vodka
1/3 cup orange liqueur
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice
Garnishes: fruit-flavored candy cane sticks, cherries with stems, orange and lemon slices

Preparation
1. Stir together orange juice and next 4 ingredients; serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.

Rudolph's Spritzer: Omit vodka and orange liqueur. Add 2 cups chilled lemon-lime soft drink. Proceed as directed.

Happy Hour: Two Thanksgiving Cocktails

Caramel Apple Martini
A crisp fall apple smothered in gooey sticky caramel. This cocktail conjures all the flavours of this fall treat, only it won't leave your fingers sticky or your jaw tired from all that chewy caramel.
1 Oz. Sour Apple liqueur
1 Oz. Butterscotch liqueur
1/2 Oz. Vodka.
Measure all ingredients into a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass. Garnish with a few cubes of caramel candy and some apple slices on a skewer and plunk it into the glass.

Pumpkin Pie
Rather than the traditional warm pumpkin pie, this Thanksgiving cocktail combines pumpkin pie and ice cream all in a delicious cocktail glass. You will need to use a blender or food processer for this delicious cocktail.
3 tablespoons of vanilla ice cream
3 tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling
1 oz of butterscotch liqueur
1 oz of rum
1/3 of milk
3 ice cubes
Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a straw.