I'm in the closet....

As some of you know I moved recently...

I moved from a 5000sq, where about 1000 sq feet of that footage was closet space. They were huge and plentiful!
I sacrificed many spaces for my new home, large closets, masterbathroom , did I mention large closets?

In return I have an amazing, character filled home in a fabulous neighbourhood...more than a fare trade...Did I mention it has a huge wine seller...? Now "The Booze & Shoez" room...

With much less closet space, I need to make every inch count...isn't that always the way...any whoooooooooo..............

I decided to tackle my bathroom closet first, this seems to be where we (me) as a family have the most crap...bottles, tupes, gels..Oh MY!

Here is my pitiful BEFORE...............

I did not want to go with conventional baskets and I no longer wanted to look at all the crap when I opened the door... For some reason, the shopping gods were smiling down on me...

ALL decorative boxes at Michael's were....60 % OFF !!!!

Oh Sweet Organizational Heaven...it's too good to be true!

They are sooooo PEERRRRTY..........and hide all the CRAP!!

Hair Crap, Face Crap...and...."Ladies Day" Crap.....................

I also made use of some left over wallpaper to give the shelves some Fabulous'ness...Just because it's a small space, doesn't mean it can't be a beautiful one...

I even had a fantastic assistant...as every good D.I.Y Deeva project should...or maybe I should call her... D.I.Y.Weeva...

Soooooooooo....the AFTER...turned out SO great...I am thrilled with the results and now want everyone to look in my closets...Well at least this one, the others are still on the "To Do" list!

AFTER.....

This D.I.Y Deeva project took me all of 45 minutes.....and cost.....

UNDER 50 DOLLARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All done with a Fabulous cocktail in one hand of course...

Cheers to Pretty things and Organization...!!

D.I.Y.Deeva Martini...

2 ounces Absolut Orient Apple Vodka

2 ounces Lychee juice

4 ripe cherries

1/2 soda water

squeeze of fresh lemon

Muddle pitted cherries with 1/2 ounce of vodka and fresh lemon zest. Add to a shaker filled with ice and the rest of the ingredients except the soda. Shake well and strain into a martini glass and top with soda...Serve with a fresh cherry or gooseberry.

Be sure to serve these up for your next D.I.Y project!!!

I'm in the closet....

Summer Party Do's...and Dont's...

So summer fun and entertaining season is here...
Finally after a long cold winter, we can shave the thermal stockings off our legs and let them see the sun once more.
And of course it is time to through the annual Backyard Party!!! To ensure a great time had by all, I have put together a list of Summer Party Do's and Don'ts...
Keep in mind that these are all open to interpretation,...if your idea of a great backyard party involves deep frying a freshly shot turkey in a vat of Bud-Lite, then your list will be very different...To each his own!

Summer Party Do's and Dont's...

1) DON'T be vague on the invitation...If you don't want your Cousin Eddy to show up with his 5 villainous children and dog Pickles!!! Be specific that it is an
adult only event...

2) DO make your house party friendly...This would be a good time to shelve the precious baubles and snow globe collection your great Aunt Edna gave you. And if need be cover all furniture in plastic .This is a good idea if mud wrestling is involved...remember to each his own!!

3) DO have a wide variety of background music. Just because you think David Hasselhoff's music is widely unappreciated Does Not mean your guests will. Try and keep it light, upbeat and well known.

4) DO inform your neighbours your having a party. The last thing you want is for the police to show up..that is unless they were hired..wink wink...chicabowbow ....to each his own!

5) The most important one...DON'T let your friends drink and drive...have a cab number handy or an extra couch to crash on. Or my personal favorite, invite a pregnant friend who can then chauffer everyone home at the end of the night...Yes I am speaking from personal experience!

Check out this FAB Blue Summer Mocktail brought to you by www.deflatetheelephant.com, a sure fire hit at any summer party...

Enjoy every last second of sun, remember January? Need I say more...



Be sure to check out the Deflate the Elephant website for more amazing tips and recipes...Also see what they are up to on their FaceBook Page...adn take the pledge!!!

Cheers to a happy and safe summer.

Summer Party Do's...and Dont's...

CHEERS Canada !

You have to love the classics...

The hot cocktail trend this year is all about bringing back the classics, in my libation world, they never left.

So I am thrilled to have a FABULOUS Classic Cocktail Contest just in time for Canada Day....

All Hail to The Caesar...Canada's Cocktail

This is a Fab contest open to Twitter and Facebook and I LOVE the prize !!!

Everything you need to make up deelicious Caesars for your guests, or self!

HOW to win...

1) Leave me a comment telling me what your favourite Caesar garnish is...with an email or Twitter handle..some way to find you if you win...

2) Also leave it on the Canada's Cocktail FaceBook Page...so you will have to "Like" it, But what's not to like...;)

3) If your not on FaceBook...really?? and only on Twitter then follow @canadascocktail and tweet them...and me... @cocktaildeeva your favourite Caesar garnish...hashtag #IHeartCaesars

That's it...!! If you do BOTH...then you get an extra entry for being a Social Media Maven !!!

Cheers...

** Contest open to FaceBook & Twitter and Canadian residence only. Contest ends Sunday July 3, 2011 at 12am. Winner will be announced Monday July 4th 2011.**

CHEERS Canada !

OH CANADA!

Canada Day is by far my Fave summer holiday...To me it is the best way to kick of my favourite season...

With 4 kids, 2 teens and 2 toddlers, it is always a chore to try and decide what to do for Canada Day. Mama wants low maintenance and indoor plumbing. Dad would prefer to pee in a bush and eat grubs off a rock. Guess who wins?

Here are a few fun, easy and some have indoor plumbing, ideas on what to do with your friends or family for Canada Day...

CAMPING

Anyone who knows me knows I DO NOT CAMP...I GLAMP...no bugs, indoor plumbing and room service are preferred. Also with toddlers,1 still in diapers, I am sorry it is not fun...So this year I have given into my husbands desire to go camping and we will be pitching a tent...right in our own back yard . So mommy can sleep and pee inside ... It is FREE and fun and the kids

could care a less where we are so long as they get to sleep in a tent...WIN WIN!

PICNIC

I LOVE picnics, with wine...I love the whole idea of the fun foods you can wrap up. The pretty blanket you can sit and eat on, the cool picnic kits that you can find, so fun. See I'm an outdoors'ey girl. The best part is you can have them anywhere!! No reservations required and they are always kid friendly.

POOL PARTY

If you have a pool, you are so lucky! if you don't , makes friends with someone who does, even better, no maintenance! I have always loved a good pool party, the sun, the surf...well sort of, Kids splashing around, so fun! This can be a great way to spend a day with the family and friends, just be sure to be safe, both around the pool with kids and with the sun screen!!

FIREWORKS

There is something about fireworks that makes me feel like a 5 year old kid, I LOVE them. What I don't like is driving to a "place" to see them, paying for parking, peeing in port'a'potties, paying $7 for a bottle of water and then waiting 60 minutes at the end of the night to get out of the parking lot. Oh goodness what a mess... What I DO like is fun, neighbourhood firework parties, lawn chairs, coolers and indoor plumbing. I suggest to talk to some families in your neighbourhood and creating a Fab HOOD firework extravaganza at someones house or a local park. Just be sure to check into your cities by-laws to make sure you wont get busted...There is no fun in spending the night in the "Big House."

BACKYARD BBQ's

By far these are my favourite as I LOVE to entertain. I do believe that Canada Day is about hotdogs and potato salad, cold drinks, family and good friends. There is nothing more invited then having people over to your own home. If you are having one, I will be waiting for my invite!

Regardless of what kind of party you are up for on Canada Day, the main thing is to be a great host or help a friend be a great host. The best way to do this is to visit...

www.deflatetheelephant.com , where you will find FABULOUS Mocktail recipes, tips and ideas on how to help make sure non of your guest drink and drive.

Be sure to also visit their FaceBook page and take the pledge today!

Here is my favourite Canada Day Mocktail recipe...Enjoy and have a Happy and Safe Canada Day...

Cheers

OH CANADA!

I BELIEVE

I believe 1 + 1 = endless possibilities...

I believe drinking an entire bottle of wine is very European...

I believe that hard work DOES pay off...

I believe my mother...

I believe love, sex and vodka cures everything...

I believe in the power of the stiletto...

I believe one day I will meet George Clooney...

I believe in karma...

I believe in second chances...

I believe you always have a choice...

I believe in my children...

I believe in the people I call friends...

I believe in change...

I believe in Santa Claus...

I believe in myself...

I believe you should never skip dessert...

I believe that I can be a better person...

I believe in the power of good coffee...

I believe in cocktails with lunch...

I believe gay is more than just o.k...

I believe a toddler running through a sprinkler constitutes a bath...

I believe in the power of good over evil...

I believe my father...

I believe in social media...

I believe in acceptance...

I believe my husband loves me deeply...

I believe in being real...

I believe bacon & Reese's Peanut butter cups are the perfect foods...

I believe facebook was created so I never forget birthdays...

I believe in tolerance...

I believe teaching a child to tie their shoe is the hardest job in the world...

I believe in accessories...

I believe reality t.v...

I believe in singing in the shower...

I believe in the perfect handbag...

I believe I will have another drink...

What do you believe...?

I BELIEVE

Steven and Chris Show..

I had the fabulous pleasure of mixing up some Cocktails with Steven and Chris for their fantastic show...Be sure to mix yourself up a Libation (or 2) and watch us shake up a Kitchen Sink Martini...

This Friday January 14th at 2pm on CBC...

For all you Libations Lovers south of our fine border...the show airs in many cities...Hope you can tune in...

Cheers!!


LOS ANGELES-CA - KABC (DT) - 9AM

WASHINGTON (HAGERSTOWN), DC , WJLA , 2AM

SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND-SAN JOSE, CA , KICU ,12NOON

HOUSTON, TX , KTBU ,9 AM

PHOENIX, AZ , KAZT SATURDAY ,4AM & 4PM

MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MN , KSTC , 11AM

SACRAMENTO-STOCKTON-MODESTO, CA , KCRA-DT, 2PM

PORTLAND, OR , KGW-DT2 ,9PM

SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND-SAN JOSE -CA - KFTY -10AM

INDIANAPOLIS, IN , WNDY, 5PM

PITTSBURGH, PA , WBGN, 2PM

BALTIMORE, MD , WBAL ,12NOON

HARTFORD-NEW HAVEN, CT , WCTX, 11AM

KANSAS CITY, MO , KMBC-DT2 ,9PM

SALT LAKE CITY, UT , KCSG , 9AM

MILWAUKEE, WI ,WMLW, 6AM

SAN ANTONIO, TX , KCWX , 4PM

BIRMINGHAM (ANNISTON-TUSCALOOSA), AL , WVUA , 2PM

HARRISBURG-LANCASTER-LEBANON-YORK, PA ,EHP, 8AM

LAS VEGAS, NV, KTUD ,9AM

NORFOLK-PORTSMOUTH-NEWPORT NEWS, VA, WSKY , 2PM

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK , KOCO ,10AM

AUSTIN, TX, KBVO, 3AMLOUISVILLE, KY, WBKI , 4PM

PROVIDENCE (RI)-NEW BEDFORD (MA), WLNE , 9AM

NEW ORLEANS, LA, WDSU SATURDAY 1AM

FRESNO-VISALIA, CA, KAIL , 9AM

LITTLE ROCK-PINE BLUFF, AR, KLRT , 11AM

MOBILE (AL)-PENSACOLA (FL) , WFNA , 11AM

FT MYERS-NAPLES, FL , WXCW , 10AM

WICHITA-HUTCHINSON PLUS, KS , KSCW , 9AM

HONOLULU, HI , KHONDT2 , 8AM

TOLEDO, OH , WT05 , 11AM

OMAHA, NE , KETV , 8PM

PORTLAND-AUBURN, ME , WPFO , 6PM

MADISON, WI , WISC , 3PM

SOUTH BEND-ELKHART, IN , WSBTDT2 , 4PM

JACKSON, MS , WRBJ , 10AM

CHARLESTON, SC - CW PLUS , WCSC-DT , 5PM (5.2 Channel)

JOHNSTOWN-ALTOONA, PA , WHVL , 9AM

EVANSVILLE, IN - NOT CW PLUS , WAZE , 9AM

YOUNGSTOWN, OH - NOT CW PLUS , WBCB , 4PM

TYLER-LONGVIEW (LUFKIN-NACOGDOCHES), TX , MYTX , 8AM

SPRINGFIELD-HOLYOKE, MA , WGGB , 10AM ( ABC 40)

MACON, GA , WPGA , 11AM

LA CROSSE-EAU CLAIRE, WI , WKBT , 4PM

ROCKFORD, IL , WIFR , 1AM

PALM SPRINGS, CA , KMIR , 11AM

ANCHORAGE, AK , KYES , 1PM

ROCHESTER (MN)-MASON CITY (IA)-AUSTIN (MN) , KIMT , 10AM

MERIDIAN, MS , WTOK-DT , 10AM

GREENWOOD-GREENVILLE, MS , WABG , 6AM, Saturday 5AM-6AM

PARKERSBURG, WV , WTAP-DT 15.3 , SUNDAY 8AM

PRESQUE ISLE, ME , WAGM , 10AM

JUNEAU, AK , K17HC , 1PM

Steven and Chris Show..

FLIRTY THIRTIES are almost up!!!

So as of today I have exactly 6 months left in my Flirty Thirties...On June 21st 2011 I will enter my FABULOUS 40's...

I am very excited about this...but then realized that time is running out...for what you ask? For me to do all the things that a women can do while in her 30's...but could not dream about doing in her 40's...

I am really not sure what they are but there has to be something...So here is where I need your help...Tell me what it is I have to make sure I do before I become a "Respectable 40 year Old Women"... (it could happen)...

Leave me your a comment with your idea on what I NEED to do and I will do my best to complete and document it of course...

Please keep in mind that I am happily married to George Clooney so no debauchery requests please... (send those to my personal email...)

So looking forward to these next 6 months and all your FABULOUS..and maybe some what scary...ideas...

Cheers

FLIRTY THIRTIES are almost up!!!

Talkies & Drinkies....

So last week, just like so many I headed out to Blissdom Canada for their first Talkie North of the boarder. It was also my first Social Media Talkie...

( Talkie = Conference)...

As s former member of the sales & marketing world, I have attended enough Talkies to choke a horse...My former employers Coke & Mars loved to hoard all their employees into a dull, badly decorated hotel ball room and melt our minds with powerpoint after powerpoint. Feed us stale sandwiches and force us to be inspired. The when we were good and numb we'd roll into a local pub for the Drinkies, and that's when the real work would begin.

So these events for me are broken down into two sections...Talkies & Drinkies... I know, I know...I am linguistically gifted...

So on my way down to Blissdom my fabulous travel mate Tricia ( @mumby) kept correcting me on the Talkies and informing me they are called Sessions... By Friday night she was throwing the word Talkies around like her wig...1 Convert...now to take over the world...

As this was my first Social Media Talkie experience I was not quite sure what to expect, there was an "Agenda" afterall...I had been to a day Talkie the week before and was

seriously disappointed, UN-inspired and frankly...pissed off when I left...Was this going to be the same thing for a WHOLE 3 days ??? Oh pass the Drinkies...

I missed the talkies on the Thursday as I was getting ready to rock it old school style at MabelBliss with the fab gang from Mabels Labels (@mabelhood) ...I heard the Talkies were great...but I KNOW the Drinkies were Deevine...

So on Friday morning I stumbled into a Talkie, no clue what is what about...But this Eric Alper guy

( @ThatEricAlper) was a presenter and I had seen him on Twitter and heard he was a dude and worth a listen...So I did...I mean I DID..I actually listened...and paid attention, and understood stuff. All of a sudden there was a tingly feeling in my special place...Was this the feeling of INSPIRATION ?? YES...I was enjoying a Talkie...The other Talkers ( or as Mumby calls them, Panelists)

were also Fabulous.. Catherine Connors

( @herbadmother), Janice Croze

( @5minutesformom)..she talks REALLY fast so stay alert! Barbara Jones ( @barbarajones) a.k.a. Grand Master Flash a'la Swiss Miss ... and Duri Alajrami ( @duriajrami)...not sure what he was really saying...I was mesmerized by the sultry sounds of is voice...

Now the only negative about these Talkies ...Are the CLICKERS ... I had never really seen anything like it. People were face deep into their laptops typing every

last word the Talkers were saying. It was like their fingers were dipped magic typing dust and they couldn't stop...Every last word had to be transcribed to Twitter or posted to a blog IMMEDIATELY! ...I HAVE TO BE THE FIRST TO TELL THE WORLD!!!...Yes...this was annoying as shit...It wasn't just the clicking and clacking that annoyed me. I felt a li

ttle sad that even tho they were catching every word in print, there faces were glued to their monitors and they were actually missing "It"...The "It" being the real connection to the Talker, their fabulous energy coming through in those words...That is where the real Inspiration lies...

So go ahead Clickers leave your comments...It's all about "Transparency"... (see ...I was paying attention..)

As the day was wrapping up the conversation turned to the Drinkies...There was a party that night, a costume and Karaoke party in the poorly decorated hotel ball room...And the Fabulous ladies of Blissdom Canada rock'ed it out OLD SCHOOL STYLE...It was such a fun and fierce night. Everyone dressed in their Halloween best and was there to enjoy the moment. It was a Deevine Drinkie!

HUGE Cheers to all the Fabulous women I had the pleasure of chatting, drinking and Rockin with...you were all the best Inspiration...

I have a theory when it comes to Talkies and Events in Social Media... Especially those chatted about on twitter...

They are like SEX...

Some are BAD sex, there is lot's of hype and hashtags leading up to them (foreplay) , A decent but not record breaking amount during ( bad sex part) and as soon as the event is over...there is none. Not a hash tag to be found... ( no cuddling). Immediately the attention is turned onto the next upcoming event.

Some are GOOD sex, lot's of hashtag hype before hand, streams and streams of hashtags during, possibly even trending!! ( blow your mind, toe curling sex) ... The tons of hashtag love after...( cuddling, cooing and spooning)

Dear Blissdom Canada...you are getting cuddle to death...You were a FABULOUS lay...Well Done!

Cheers

Talkies & Drinkies....

DIY Deeva- DO (drink) IT YOURSELF!

So I don't JUST do Cocktails...but I like to celebrate everything that I do ..do..with a Cocktail..

So here is my DIY- DO (drink) IT YOURSELF...

I was inspired by my friend Sarah who is the Wall Candy Mummy blogger in the Yummy Mummy Club.

She took something old and ugly and made it fresh and fabulous in a snap...Oh how I wish it was that easy to do to my face...boobs and ass...;) oh and let's not forget underarm waddle...

So I looked around my house ( by passing all mirrors) to find

something old and ugly and tripped over my two sofa pillows. These poor things had taken a beating from the kids and were ugly and starting to fray.

So I decided to make them my DIY and give them a new life.

What you will need for this project...

- Fabulous material - amount depends on quantity and size of pillows

- needle and thread ..(i'm old school...no sewing machine)

- scissors

- bandaids (because I am old school and have no sewing machine)

- Vodka ( merely used as a disinfectant for all the finger pricks)

So I crudely cut out a swatch of fabric a tad larger than the pillow, turned it inside out and began to sew...Now it's not pretty, in fact I am sure Stevie Wonder could of done a better job. But I figure all the mistakes will be hidden when I turn it right side in..right?

And...I was right... they turned out FABULOUS!!

Here is the pillows sad look and home BEFORE....

And now...Their Lush and Deevine new look and Home...

So was it all worth it..the time..the blood loss...the cursing...the cost!! ???

Hell Yes...The Deeva also loves a good deal and I got this Fabulous Fabric for a SO

NG! It was already on sale for $14.98 a yard, a bargain in itself. But was also on the BUY 1 get 2 FREE table...SWEET STRAWBERRY PRESERVES IT CAN'T BE TRUE!!! .....

It was and it took me about a yard to do 2 pillows...for a total cost of....

So with every job well done...we must celebrate with a Fantastic Libation...Cheers

DIY DAIQUIRI...with a splash of Martha Stewart...

1/2 cup frozen peaches

1 dash vanilla extrac

juice from 1 fresh lime

1 tbsp superfine sugar

1 1/2 oz Vodka (or rum)

1 cup crushed ice

1 oz peach schnapps

2 ounces white grape juice

Combine the peaches, lime juice, rum, schnapps, brandy, vanilla, and sugar in the blender until smooth. Add the ice with the blender running and process until smooth. Serve in a LARGE chilled cocktail glasses.

DIY Deeva- DO (drink) IT YOURSELF!

Vacation? Stay-cation? = “PAY”cation

So with buying a new house and 2 of the 4 kids being under 3, we have decided to rethink the summer vacation this year.

Now itʼs up to me to come up with ways to make packing up the house “FUN”. I guess there is always fun to be had with cardboard boxes, duct tape and a sharpie...sounds like an episode of MacGyver.

I have been racking my brain (not at all a long process) to come up with some fun, “Stay-cation” ideas. Having such a different age range with the kids (14,12,3 ans 20 months) is making this more difficult than I thought...

Stay-cations usually i

nvolve camping in the backyard, visit local museums, movie nights, these things are all well and good if all your kids are into them. But taking 2 babies to the museum sounds like a nightmare to me, frankly I would rather chew glass.

Basically my ultimate goal is to find something to do where the older kids are “helping” me with the younger ones, while having fun of course...I just may have to resort to bribery. This could be more expensive than a vacation after all.

I have come up with a few ideas to try and make it through the next 4 weeks or so. I will let you know in September if my sanity is still intact..I know, I know, itʼs a cliff hanger.

Hereʼs my pl

an, cross your fingers that it goes better than the “Cooking Bacon on the BBQ Plan of 2003...” A whole other story...

1) Let the big kids pick the events...From Breakfast all the way to dinner, with fun things to do in between. All kids no matter what age like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, picnics or just running through the yard with a bunch of beach balls kicking them around. This calls for a trip to the party store...

2) “LAWN SALE”...get the kids to pick out all their toys that they donʼt play with anymore and set up a yard sale on the front lawn. Mix up a batch of Kool Aid and let have a blast. Letting them know that the money they earn is theirs to keep is always a great incentive. This sale can last a day, a week, or however long you can tolerate it. In the end, take all the unsold toys and donate the to charity. A win, win for everyone.

3) MONEY...yes this is where the “PAY”cation comes in. Pay your older kids to help out with the younger ones. Make it like a little job for them. Then treat them to a trip to the mall or a movie to spend their (your) hard earned cash. They say money is the root of all evil, but in my world right now it is the root of all “Sanity”.

Hope you all have great Vacations or Stay cations this summer with your family and friends...

CheersMoney Can Buy Happiness...Colada

1 1/2 oz rum

1/2 ounce raspberry liqueur (or syrup)

2 ounces pineapple juice

2 ounces white cranberry juice

Blend all the with ice until slushy. Garnish with fresh raspberries and a line of credit!!! This also makes a fun Moc

ktail for the kids, garnish theirs with a freezy some added fun.

Vacation? Stay-cation? = “PAY”cation

MY Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard...

Cocktail Version-

Deeva Milkshake...

2 ounces Favourite Liq

3 big scoops ice cream

3 ounces milk

Whip cream

Something YUMMY to top it off...

Add all ingredients to mixing cup. Start on low and move to high. Blend until desired thickness. If it's too runny just add some more ice cream..cus that would be so terrible to do..lol

Cheers...

www.cocktaildeeva.com

MY Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard...

MY DREAM DINNER PARTY MENU!!!

So I was sent this Summer menu by Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum. Now normally I would give the once over and see if I

could change it to Vodka...But when I read through this Deevine menu...I couldn't possibly change a thing.

I am going to make this e

ntire menu and when I do I promise to blab all about it...

But just in case I massacre the food I had to share it with you

now...

If any of you make any of these please send your comments and pics...I am excited to have some friends over and have a dinner party!!!

Cheers

Dee

Appetizer

Start with Blue Costello Cheese & Mango Chutney with a Classic Appleton Estate

Reserve Daiquiri. The rich, smooth cheese, dusky spices and deep tropical dried fruits are balanced with the acidity of the classic Appleton Estate Reserve Daiquiri. Your guests are bound to ask for more.

Blue Costello Cheese & Mango Chutney

1 lb. Green mango flesh, seeds removed

2.5 oz. Dates

2 oz. Raisins

¾ oz. Fresh peeled ginger root

5 oz. White wine vinegar

3 Cloves garlic

2 oz. Salt

2 tsp. Masala powder

Pinch Ground cinnamon

Cut mangos into slices, sprinkle with salt and wrap in a cloth. Rinse and pat dry before use. Let dry for 2 hours to draw out water in the mangos. Finely slice dates and ginger. Peel garlic and crush. Heat vinegar, stir in sugar until dissolved. Add garlic, salt, cinnamon and masala powder and cook on high for 7 minutes. Lower heat, add fruit and simmer for 30 minutes, stir often. Cool before serving. Serve with toasted sourdough bread.

Reserve Classic Daiquiri

2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve

1 oz. Fresh lime juice

½ oz. Simple syrup

Shake and fine strain into cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Main Course

For the main course, wow your guests with a Jerk Pork, Mango Salsa & Appleton Estate Reserve “Apple Cooler.” They’ll never believe your culinary abilities.

Jerk Pork, Mango Salsa

For the salsa:

1 cup Fresh mango, diced

1 cup Ripe seeded tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 Serrano chili, seeded and veins removed, finely diced

1 Jalapeño, seeded and veins removed, finely diced

1 tbsp. Fresh pressed lime juice

½ cup Red onion, finely diced

1 tsp. Garlic powder

½ tsp. Sea salt

½ tsp. Fresh cracked black pepper

1 tbsp. Smoked paprika

½ cup Cilantro, finely chopped

1 tbsp. Fresh mint

Mix all ingredients (excluding mint) and refrigerate overnight to allow flavor to develop. Chop and stir in mint before serving

For pork:

1 (6 to 9 lbs) Pork picnic shoulder roast

6 to 8 Cloves garlic

2 Bunches scallions, finely chopped

1 tbsp. Ground thyme or 3 tbsp fresh time leaves

½ cup Group allspice berries

½ cup Packed brown sugar

1 tsp. Ground cinnamon

½ tsp. Ground nutmeg

2 tsp. Kosher salt

½ tsp. Fresh cracked black pepper

2 tbsp. Soy sauce

In food processer blend onions, allspice, garlic, brown sugar, chilies, thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper and soy sauce. Coat pork with spice marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 day. Preheat oven to 450˚F. Place meat in baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Lower heat to 300˚F and bake further for 3 hours. Let roast sit for 30 minutes before carving.

Appleton Estate Reserve

“Apple Cooler”

2 oz Appleton Estate Reserve

1 oz freshly pressed Fuji apple juice

¼ oz Ginger liqueur

½ oz fresh pressed lemon juice

¼ oz simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker fill with cubed ice. Stir and Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with orange zest.

Dessert

Lastly, finish off your exquisite three course meal with Ginger Ice Cream in a Chocolate Cup & Appleton Estate Reserve “Medjool.” The cool but warming gingerbread ice cream and lingering coca and spices combine with the decadent date-infused Appleton Estate Reserve for a long leisurely taste sensation. Your guests will never want to leave this comfort zone.

Ginger Ice Cream in a Chocolate Cup

2 Vanilla pods

¼ oz. Fresh pressed ginger juice (from stem)

1/5 oz. Fresh pressed galangal juice (from stem)

1 pinch Ground nutmeg

16 oz. Heavy cream

3 oz. Granulated sugar

3 Egg yolks

10 Frozen gingerbread cookies

24 Molded Valrhona chocolate Cups

Halve vanilla pods and scrape out seeds. Add pods and nutmeg to cream and bring to a boil, add sugar, stir and dissolve. Whisk egg yolks in a large bowl then strain cream onto them, stirring constantly. Strain out vanilla pods and whisk in vanilla seeds. Place in an ice cream machine until almost set. Pause machine. Add broken gingerbread pieces and stir through. Continue using ice cream machine until fully set. Serve in molded Valrhona chocolate cups.

Appleton Estate Reserve “Medjool”

2 oz. Appleton Estate Reserve

2 Medjool dates, seeded and chopped

¾ oz. Carpano Antica Formula sweet vermouth

½ oz. Fresh pressed lemon juice

¼ oz. Homemade orange syrup

Muddle dates in the base of cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients. Shake and strain into cocktail glass and garnish with orange zest.

For Orange Syrup:

4 Large unwaxed oranges

1 Cinnamon stick

1 Whole star anise1 Small unwaxed lemon

10 oz. Granulated sugar

10 oz. Cold water

Strip zest from oranges and lemon. Place zest in a saucepan with sugar, cinnamon, star anise and cold water. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain solids and drizzle into cocktail.

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