VODKAS NOT STUPID...

The Globe & Mail recently ran an article about Bartenders waging war on VODKA...

First of all how this is even a news story is beyond me, must have been a slow news day. However since it has to do with Vodka and someone waging war on it I had to give it a read. Who knew that what I was about to read would get me so angry...I know...getting angry over Vodka? Silly...

However it was not the vodka issue itself that got me irritated it was the high and mighty attitude of the people interviewed for it. COME ON...A restaurant owner who WON'T serve cocktails with Vodka in them before dinner because HE feels that Vodka is not a good match with food...Ummm HELLO...remember me...THE CUSTOMER... what the hell happened to what I want.

Damon Clements, a chef-owner of the new Toronto restaurant Ortolan...and I quote...

“We’re trying to have things that are genuine aperitifs that open the palette, or digestifs,” he says. “And vodka and gin are more of a let’s-go-to-the-bar-and-get-loaded drink.”

Well La-De-Da aren't you so fancy..huh...You know where I WON'T be eating...

So sorry that us minions are not intelligent enough to make a decision for ourselves. Thank you kind sir for educating us what we NEED, cus of course you know best.

The cocktail culture is Canada is booming as of late and this is exciting and fabulous. Unfortunately it's snobbery and pretentious'ness like this that ruins it for everyone else...There always has to be one kid that pees in the pool!

Mixology has been around for centuries, as have bartenders and servers. Mixologist have been around since someone felt their penis was too small and they needed a bigger, fancier title...Yes I am blaming a man...It's been around since someone thought that being a fabulous bartender just wasn't cool enough. It's been around since someone thought they might get laid more if the were Fancy ...huh...It's like calling yourself ... "The Fry Manager" at McDonalds...and you still just make fries...

But of course that wasn't good enough and someone came along with an even smaller penis and felt their title had to be BIGGER AND BETTER...and on that day...The MASTER Mixologist was born. Wax on....Wax off...

I was lead to another article while reading the Globe & Mail article, that reflects this I AM THE GOD OF ALL THINGS BOOZE attitude quite well...

Another restaurateur and another restaurant I won't be eating at...wrote and article called Vodka is Stupid... Now normally I don't like to give small minded, I am better than you, blogs or bloggers a bigger soap box or liquor crate to stand on. But the author of this piece does such a good job of making herself look like an ass, it's worth the read...because as far as she is concerned...we are all DUMB...and she uses big words like DIATRIBE ...

The whole point of my rant...cus I think I have one...is...

WHO GIVES A SHIT....stop taking yourself so bloddy seriously...

Anyone can mix and pour a drink, it is NOT rocket science.

Need I say more...

You can use all the fancy ingredients or micro whatever you want. It's simply a recipe that anyone can follow...Anyone can also create a drink...my 13 year old does it with fountain pop whenever he gets the chance...Swamp Water Baby...guess we were all Mixologist at one point...

BUT...Not everyone can be a great bartender , this is a true talent...GO TEAM BARTENDER!

Besides, anytime I have ever had a Mixologist make me a drink...it takes TOO DAMN LONG...Just get me a drink already, I'm thirsty!!! As much as this deflates your ego, I came to drink a drink...not watch you make one.

My name is Dee Brun and I was and always will be...a Proud Bartender...

Only now I wear better shoes...and Cocktail'ista sounds funner...see...it's all about the fancy title...

Cheers

VODKAS NOT STUPID...

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....

Canada Day Giveaway!!!

Just in time for Canada Day...

Summer always is the best time of year...Backyard parties, pool parties, parties of any kind!! All with fabulous food and libations of course...

I LOVE to have the inside scoop on new products and I LOVE me some small kitchen appliances, it may be an addiction...So when I had a chance to see both, I was over the moon.

Hamilton Beach has some amazing new products coming out this year and here are 3 of them...Have a look at the video and you can have a chance to win 2 of the products I chat about...gush over really...

LOVE all of these...

So how and what can you win???

Let's start with the WHAT... I , thanks to Hamilton Beach, am giving away the deevine Red Blender and Quesadilla maker!! LOVE me some Red...These 2 appliances are sure to make your next party a hit!

Hamilton Beach® Wave MakerTM 2 Speed Blender

• Wave-Action™ system eliminates Ice

Chunks – Every time!

• 700 watts peak power

• 48 oz. dishwasher safe, thermal shock

resistant glass jar

• Easy clean touchpad

Hamilton Beach® Quesadilla Maker

• Makes 6 wedges

• Locking lid for less mess & upright

storage

• Power & preheat lights

• Nonstick surface wipes clean

Now for the HOW...It's easy...

1) Leave me a comment with one of the names of the Hamilton Beach Ice Cream makers and tell me what Cocktail would make a FAB Ice cream flavour. Be sure to leave your Twitter name in your comment...

2) Follow Me @cocktaildeeva and Hamilton Beach @HBCanadaNews on Twitter.

That's it...your entered!

For an extra entry...

Tweet this out...

I love George Clooney & Hamilton Beach @cocktaildeeva @hbcanadanews #sillyfunHB

Now you have 2 entries...

And just for stopin by...I want to leave you with my deelish...Tequila Salsa recipe...Cheers

Tequila Salsa

3 Chilli peppers-your choice, chopped- stems and seeds removed

1/3 cup Patron Tequila

2 large chopped ripe tomatoes

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 large chopped spanish onion

2 cloves minced garlic

2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup water

ENJOY! and Happy Canada Day...

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

Canada Day Giveaway!!!

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

Vodka Infused Apple Sauce...

There is nothing I like more than adding Vodka to food...well there a few things I like more, but this is way up there...

Everyone I know, except me, is a fan of putting fruit on their meat...I just don't get it...

So I figured if they insisted on putting apple sauce on their pork...it at least should be good apple sauce. Not the quasi baby formula crap you buy at the grocery store.

And...since I was making it from scratch...why not add a little Vodka to it...

Recipe- Serves 6

3 large apples

2 tbs brown sugar

6 tbs white sugar

Vodka

1/2 ounce vanilla liqueur

Peel, core and dice apples. Place in a jar and add enough vodka to just cover them. Let sit for a day. Pour marinated apples into a sauce pan and add 1 cup of water, cook until apples are tender, about 15 minutes. Strain apples and add to blender/food processor. Blend in sugars, lemon juice and vanilla liqueur. Once all is blended pour back into sauce pan and cook on low heat for another 5 minute...Let cool and serve.

Cheers and Enjoy...I will be waiting for you dinner invitations...

Vodka Infused Apple Sauce...

I Can't Drink That...

So we all have certain Libations that we can do longer drink for one reason or another...

I have many...Tequila - many Mexican Vacations... Southern Comfort - thinking I was Janice Joplin in university...Rye- cus it's rye...Lemon Gin- thanks to a roof top in Paris and a boy named Jean-Luc...oh I could go on...My list reads like a chapter from War and Peace...

I think we all have a favourite..."Oh I can't drink that because"...this one time at band camp...

Here's one of mine and I hope you share yours with me....

I can't drink Peach Schnapps because... I lost my Virginity to a boy named Jason with the help of the good Dr McGillicuddy....

Sex on the Guest room Floor...

1 ounce Vodka

1 ounce Peach Schnapps

2 ounces White Cranberry juice

2 ounces Orange Juice

Shake all ingredients well with ice and serve in a tall glass of ice...

Cheers

www.cocktaildeeva.com

I Can't Drink That...

LAME AND FAB..how can that be???

So this week has KICKED MY ASS...and I have never been happier for...

TVIF- THANK VODKA IT'S FRIDAY!!!

But I am tired and would really like someone else to make me a Cocktail for a change...

Alas...I must make my own...

So this week it is "Brown Paper Bag" easy..and may give me the boost I need.

Cheers

2 Ounces Sobieski Vodka

4 ounces Dragon Fruit Vitamin Water

Garnish with fresh fruit

Enjoy Your Weekend...

www.cocktaildeeva.com

LAME AND FAB..how can that be???

TVIF- Thank VODKA It's Friday!!

So today is an icky rainy day..(here at George Clooney's house anyway...) As a mom I love these days...I call them low maintenance...

I can put on a movie for the kids and enjoy my day GUILT free...After all it's raining, can't go to the park or for a walk...I can relax...

I mean I could get all crafty and creative and "Grow" their brains...but quite frankly...I had a killer week and I am tired...So I am going to give them a little "DISNEY'FICATION" after all, this is a key part to their imagination...

So please save your "Oh here are some great rainy day educational things to do with your kids" emails...this Mama has earned a movie day ;)

TVIF- After you have enjoy a wonderful movie filled rainy day..enjoy this FABULOUS cocktail...

Cheers

"Guilt Free...almost" Collins

1 ounce Vodka

1 ounce Blue Curacao

1/4 ounce Limoncello

3 ounces bottle Orangina

ice

Add Vodka, Blue Curacao & Limoncello to shaker and shake really well with ice. Pour into a large glass filled with ice and top with Or

angina...

Be sure to go easy with the Limoncello as it is very strong and can take o

ver the flavour of your drink...

As you know I am all about using what you have, and I opened the fridge and just happened to have Orangina...If you don't, not to worry..Orange Juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice...these will all work just as well...

Use what you have and have fun...

After all, it's a Cocktail...supposed to be fun!

www.cocktaildeeva.com

TVIF- Thank VODKA It's Friday!!

A PLACE FOR VODKA LOVERS....

So I was recently asked to try out a new on-line bar, Belvedere Bar ... Why I don't know, as quite frankly, I really don't like anything. Especially when it comes to on-line bar tending or "mixology" sites. As they tend to try and be all fancy pants and technical, bla bla who cares. After all we are just making cocktails here people, not saving the world...although we are making it a hell of a lot happier...

I am a firm believer that when it comes to mixing up a yummy Libation, it should be fresh, simple, too the point and of course...FABULOUS...and Belvedere Bar does just that. I was pleasantly surprised at how "UN-fancy pants" the site was. The site is clean and functional, with loads of fabulous pictures of the cocktails...all making me so thirsty at this very moment...The recipes are simple, innovative and fresh without going over board on trying to be uber trendy and gimmicky. The ingredients are easy to source, fresh and will not go to waste at your next party.

The site itself is not cluttered with ...well...drivel...It has some mixing tips, cocktail inspiration, a blog and of course Fabulous recipes. It also has some fantastic videos from Claire Smith the head of Spirit Creation & Mixology for Belvedere. She is fabulous at what she does and keeps her demos fun and so easy to follow. No need to get into detail, you just need to check it out...

www.belvederevodka.com/bar

I also had the opportunity to get a preview sample of one of Belvedere's new products, Belvedere Silver Limited Edition...oh I love my job...
As most of you know...I consider vodka to be the nectar of the gods...and Belvedere Silver does not disappoint. The bottle itself is... FA...BU...LOUS...both whats inside and out. This vodka is polished and has a great finish, makes a killer martini...straight up with two olives please...
I don't recommend dumping a bottle of this into your Aunt Ethel's punch. This is a high end vodka and should be used for your own pure selfish enjoyment...I reserve mine for people I actually like...So if your ever at one of my shin digs and I don't offer up the Belvedere Silver... well you get the picture.

Cheers

A PLACE FOR VODKA LOVERS....

Girls Night Out Sweepstakes

Girls Night Out Sweepstakes


Here is a heads up of a great Girls Nite out Contest..More info on their web site...
http://www.macerationisnatural.com/#/vodka


Also check out some fun videos on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/belvederevodka

You can also follow Belvedere on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/belvedere_vodka
to find out about upcoming events, drink recipes, bar recommendations, and more.


“Girls Night Out” Contest Information

Concept
Win the ultimate “Girls Night Out” courtesy of Belvedere Vodka. One Grand Prize Winner and 7 of their friends (all age 21 or over) will get a night out on the town (closest major market city to the winner’s hometown). Consumers should be encouraged to invite friends to enter and increase their odds of winning!

Prize Description

One Grand Prize Winner:
The prize is one night out in the city closest to the winner’s hometown. The winner +7 friends (party of 8) will be responsible for transportation to the city, ground transportation will be provided starting at 7pm. Pick up will be from the hotel. The prize night will include (1) 2 mini suites at a luxurious hotel determined by sponsor, (2) dinner at a fine dining establishment determined by sponsor, (3) access to a trendy lounge/nightclub determined by sponsor (MH to purchase max 2 bottlesalcohol beverages not included as part of prize) and (4) limo transportation for 9 hours. Grand Prize winner will also receive in advance of the trip the Jonathan Kelsey designed Belvie Bag to use.

One Second Prize Winner
One winner will receive a full day of spa services at a luxury hotel/spa in their hometown / closest major city. Winner will be responsible for transportation to/from spa.

Third Prize Winners
10 Third Prize winners will receive a Macerated Tote Bag.

Contest Entry
Contestants will enter the “Girls Night Out” sweepstakes online through a link on the macerationsisnatural.com microsite. No purchase is necessary. The contest is This Promotion is open only to legal residents of the forty eight (48) contiguous United States who are 21 years of age at the time of entry (except California, Tennessee and wherever else prohibited or restricted by lawUtah) and the District of Columbia who are at least twenty one (21) years old at the time of entry. This Promotion is void in California, Tennessee Utah, Alaska, Hawaii, outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited. There will be one grand prize winner, one second prize winner, ten third prize winners

Girls Night Out Sweepstakes