Cocktail Pairings for FT with Friends Movie Night | Taffer's Mixologist Libations

Day….. something? of quarantine (who knows anymore?) and if you’re like me, I am desperately looking for different ways to entertain myself after work hours and am trying to have things to look forward to! Don’t get me wrong, I love a wine and tv show night, but that can get old pretty fast considering we have no idea when life is going to get back to normal again. Let’s face it, I miss my cocktails (!!!) and I can’t be the only one. For those looking for the perfect cocktails to add to their next Netflix Party or FaceTime with Friends Movie Night, Taffer’s Mixologist wants to make it easy for everyone stuck at home by pairing some of their favorite recipes with fan-favorite tv shows and movies! Taffer’s is hands down my go-to cocktail mix and it NEVER disappoints. It’s fresh, makes all the flavors in a cocktail pop and it makes creating a drink so simple.

Created by Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer to bring the craft cocktail experience to the home, Taffer’s Mixologist cocktail mixes come in seven different flavors: Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Mojito, Piña Colada, Skinny Margarita and Strawberry Margarita. The line is available at Walmart stores nationwide and cost under $5.00 a bottle, making it the perfect thing to grab the next time you go to restock your pantry. 

Here are a couple fab recipes I am into, with matching show and movie recs!

Taffer’s Mixologist Mango + Grapefruit Strawberry Float

Show Rec: LOVE IS BLIND

3.5 oz Taffer’s Strawberry Margarita Mix
1.5 oz tequila
1 oz grapefruit juice
1 scoop mango sorbet
Fresh grapefruit slice 
Rose petals

Add Taffer’s, tequila, and grapefruit juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into a large coupe glass. Add a scoop of mango sorbet and garnish with fresh grapefruit and rose petals.

Taffer’s Mixologist Cosmobellini

Movie Rec: SEX & THE CITY 2

2.5 oz Taffer’s Cosmopolitan Mix
1.5 oz citrus vodka
1.5 oz champagne or proscco
¼ cup frozen berries

Add Taffer’s mix and vodka into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Place frozen berries into a chilled cocktail glass. Strain cocktail mixture into the glass. Top with champagne or prosecco. 

Taffer’s Mixologist Bloody Rosemarys

Movie Rec: THE IRISHMAN

3.5 oz Taffer’s Bloody Mary Mix
1.5 oz vodka
3-4 large sprigs of rosemary

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Pour into a glass filled with ice and garnish with more rosemary.

Taffer’s Mixologist Peach and Pomegranate Sparkler

Show Rec: THE CROWN

1 oz Taffer’s Strawberry Margarita Mix
4 oz Prosecco
2-3 peach slices
1 Tbsp pomegranate seeds

Place peaches and pomegranates into a champagne coupe. Add Taffer’s, then top with chilled prosecco!

Quarantine on Holiday | St. Patrick's Day Celebrating from Home

Since nearly the entire world has been practically self-quarantined over the last few days, naturally St. Patrick’s Day festivities are the last thing that anyone is thinking about. However, to prevent yourself from going stir crazy, in the next few weeks we have to figure out ways to bring some type of normalcy into our homes.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day and just as you’d probably have a drink after work on a normal day to celebrate, why can’t you do the same after WFH? Most of us associate St. Patrick’s Day with over-consumption of cheap whiskey and dark beer and mornings after when we wonder, “What exactly happened last night?” But as we all get older, we still want to celebrate but without the excess. And besides, who wants to sip on those when you’re in the comfort of your own home? Elevate it without devolving into “amateur hour.” Here’s a simple way to incorporate the festivities at home today, whether you’re spending it with a friend, significant other or family member(s) that will hopefully bring at least a little bit of a smile to your face!

Easy-to-execute recipes

All this really depends on what you currently have in your pantry. If you’re fully stocked, think Irish nachos and mini corned beef sandwiches on soda bread. If not, see what dips and chips you have. An open-faced sandwich (a tartine) can work as well. Jazz it up and get in the spirit in your own way using the resources you have.

Better Irish whiskeys

Brian Murphy, founder of The WhiskyX, says “Jameson has very much been the bell cow for the Irish whiskey category” and what most people associate with shots on St. Patrick’s Day. “But people are discovering, enjoying, and — perhaps most importantly — valuing Irish whiskeys in a way that was long reserved for single malt scotch.”

 If you can make it out to the store (or if you prefer ordering online), try:

·         Knappogue Castle (pron: “nah-POGUE”) 12-year is a single-malt Irish whiskey.

·         McConnell’s is from Northern Ireland and is new to the US this year.

·         Writer’s Tears is aged in American oak barrels. 

The best part? Each of these can be had for under $50 a bottle. You and your quarantine friend(s) can choose one, or you can set up flights (1/2 oz per whiskey). Also, make sure you have plenty of good club soda on hand for guests who prefer their whiskey with a little soda. I love Q, which has among the highest levels of carbonation on the market.

Guest gifts

If you’re running out to your local grocery store again today, check the flower section to see if it carries shamrock plants (or seed packets). In California they grow easily year-round. It is recommended keeping them in a pot, though they naturalize without negatively impacting the rest of your garden. No luck finding shamrock plants? Grab a bouquet or two of your favorite white or green flowers. There is nothing like fresh flowers in your home, and there’s just something about them that boosts your mood instantly; something we all need right now!