Tag Archives: New Year’s Eve

5 Reasons To Drink This Weekend

5 Reasons To Drink This Weekend / January 1, 2016 / No Comments.

We’re not the type of people who need a reason to drink. If we’re breathing that’s reason enough. But for those who need more, here you go:

1. Resolutions: It hasn’t even been 24 hours and you already went back on that promise you made to yourself. Deal with the disappointment that is your life by grabbing a big bottle of wine.

2. No Plans: The holidays are officially over. Take the weekend to relax with a movie marathon and a glass of whiskey. Try your best to ignore the outside world before work starts back up again on Monday.

3. Clean Up: After-party cleaning is miserable. It’s a day filled with other people’s trash, stale beer and random sparkles glued to the carpet. Pray there’s an extra bottle of champagne left over so you can celebrate once it’s over.

4. Leftovers: Chinese food, pizza, anything you drunkenly ordered on New Year’s Eve is now up for grabs. Round two of drunk food doesn’t always taste right, but it’ll be much more bearable paired with a bottle of beer.

5. Hair of the Dog: Recovering from that big NYE party is going to take more than one Bloody Mary. Mix up a batch and throw some mozzarella sticks in the oven for the breakfast your body needs.

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The Stages of New Year’s Eve

Our Stories / December 31, 2015 / No Comments.

Every year we leave our homes and countdown to the new year with family and friends. No matter how many New Year’s Eve parties you have under your belt, you never learn that you’re better off just staying in your pajamas and calling it a night at 10 PM. There’s something about the holiday that gives us enough hope to venture outdoors and listen to the background noise of Ryan Seacrest talking to celebrities all night long. Here’s how it’ll probably go down for you this year:

1. Effort: You style your hair just right, put on an outfit that flatters you at every angle and pretend that you aren’t going to turn into a mess of a human later tonight. You want your last photos of 2015 to make your ex jealous.

2. Hope: For some reason you are under the impression that anything can happen tonight. You’re meeting new people and seeing old friends who you never considered hooking up with until this moment. You’ll probably say ‘This will be my year’ at least once and genuinely believe it. Your friends will agree.

3. Failure: You scope out the scene right away. Drink in hand, you spot the lucky one who you’ll kiss at midnight. You spend the next few hours playing it cool and waiting for them to come to you. They never do.

4. Settling: There’s no more denying it, you aren’t going to steal the heart of the one your have your eye on. It’s time to look to the second tier and snag one in time for midnight. As long as you don’t end up with the dog it’s not a total loss, right?

5. Regret: The next morning you wake up hung over. The New Year is already off to a terrible start and you realize you should have just stayed home with your Netflix queue.

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Wondering Which Bottle to Pop in 2016?

Wine / December 28, 2015 / No Comments.

Whether it is served in a beautiful crystal flute, or simply handed to you in a red solo cup, we know you are bound to have a few sips of champagne this New Year’s Eve. Sparking Wine, Prosecco and Champagne may not be everyone’s favorite day to day beverage, but when ringing in the New Year it’s tradition to toast with some bubbly and we want you to enjoy your first sip of 2016 as much as possible! Here’s a little guide to help you pick out the best NYE bubbles for your palette!

If you like your bubbly;

On the Sweeter Side: Try Ballatore Spumante ($10.00).
“It is made from sweet, tasty Muscat grapes harvested from vineyards near a small Italian town.” – International Business Times

The Dryer The Better: You may like El Xamfra Cava ($14.95).
“ It’s refreshing, dry and surprisingly complex for such an inexpensive bubbly.” – Paste Magazine

Rose All Day: Château Laglios Brut Rose NV Crémant de Loire ($19.99) is perfect for you!
“With some tannins, this is a full-bodied and ripe sparkling rosé. It has strong wild strawberry flavors that give the wine a very fruity character.” – Wine Enthusiast

Light on the Bubbles: Pick up some Solletico Prosecco, Veneto, Italy, 2012 ($12.00).
Prosecco is aged in large tanks with less pressure, therefore the bubbles are lighter, and have less of a bite. “This particular Prosecco shows notes of honeydew and flowers.” – Kitchn.com

Cheap Cheap Cheap: Get the most bang for your buck, Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava ($8.00).
“A perennial favorite, this offers clean apple flavors at an unusually affordable price for such a completely dry style.” – Wine & Spirits

I really just DON’T love it: Try some Champagne infused treats, while you toast with your beverage of choice instead! These Champagne Truffles, Champagne & Strawberry Lollipops, and Champagne Cupcakes are all delicious choices!

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Our NYE Drinking Game

Our Stories / December 31, 2014 / No Comments.

The New Year is a time to reflect. A time to evaluate goals and set new ones; a time to make amends and start fresh; and a time to look to the future with high hopes. But before you do any of that stuff, we’re here to make sure that you’re sufficiently inebriated.

For over 30 years, Dick Clark counted down the last seconds of each year with millions of Americans. Although he is no longer with us, his December 31st special still lives on, now in the questionably trusty hands of Ryan Seacrest. So, whether you’re going out, staying in, or doing a little bit of both, try to stay near a television, flip to Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and stick to the rules of our drinking game. You can thank us later. Here it is, folks.

THE NEW YEAR’S EVE DRINKING GAME

Drink when…
• Taylor Swift, Iggy, Charlie XCX, or anyone else is SEVERELY underdressed for the weather.
• Elton John melts your heart.
• Anyone says “Adele Dazeem” when Idina Menzel performs.
• You feel ashamed that maybe, just maybe, you enjoy the One Direction performance.
• Jason Derulo sings his own name.
• Nick Jonas tries, and succeeds, in seducing teenage America.
• Someone you’re with says that they “actually kinda like Taylor Swift’s new song,” when she inevitably performs it.
• Someone changes the channel to FOX and you’re forced to listen to Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull, talk about his New Year’s Resolution.
• Meghan Trainor reminds you that, yes indeed it is “all about that bass”
• Ryan Seacrest annoys you. (game over)

Finish your drink when…
• The clock strikes 12. And then every hour on the hour from then on.

Think about resolutions etc. in the morning.

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Champagne & Potato Chips, A Match Made in Heaven

Featured Story / December 31, 2014 / No Comments.

Much like peanut butter and jelly, Champagne and New Year’s Eve is a classic combination that everyone looks forward to indulging in each year. However, it seems to be a well kept secret that most sparkling wine, including Champagne, is much more versatile than we think. In America, the majority of the time sparking wine is stereotypically consumed when toasting to celebrate a special occasion, even though the small amount of fruity sugar combined with a high level of acidity makes it an excellent food wine. Believe it or not, bubbly goes well with just about everything except for sweet desserts and red meat. In preparation for this evening, we would like to break the mold of simply sipping by passing along a list of food pairings that go down nicely with a sparkling wine chaser.

Suggested Sparkling Wine Pairings:
• Potato Chips
• Popcorn
• Smoked Salmon
• Chilled Shellfish
• Pot Pie
• Polish and Italian Sausage
• Nuts
• Deviled Eggs
• Parmesan, Gouda, and Goat Cheese

So, this New Year’s Eve if you happen to find one of the following items listed on your dinner menu or passed around on an hors d’oeuvre tray, try pairing it with some bubbly for a tasty experience. After all, getting some food down prior to a night full of celebrating seems crucial.

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And When the Clock Strikes Midnight

Cocktail Corner / December 29, 2014 / No Comments.

It is the last big bash before the winter season becomes just that, winter, without the anticipation of Santa Claus or an excuse to eat as many gingerbread cookies as possible. New Years Eve is one of our most celebrated holidays, and we’d like to spread cheer by giving you a couple of recipes to mix up the traditional champagne toast and welcome in the wonders of the New Year.

Cheers!

Blackberry Thyme Sparkler

Ingredients
1 cup blackberries + 8 more for garnish
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bottle of champagne
4 ounces or ½ cup gin
4 long springs of thyme
1 cup ice
Gold baking sugar for the rim

Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring blackberries, water, and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, until the blackberries are soft and the simple syrup has turned to a bright pink/redish color. Remove from heat, drain blackberries, and allow to cool. This step can be done well in advance as the syrup will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator.
Prepare your champagne glasses. Okay, so here is a dirty little secret of getting those beautiful salts and sugars to stay atop the rim: butter. It adheres perfectly and you honestly never taste it. Place the tiniest amount between your fingers and rub just around the rim of the glass before dipping the glass into the gold baking sugar.
Next, begin by adding 1 ounce of gin to each champagne glass. Next drop two blackberries in each glass, followed by 2 ounces of homemade blackberry simple syrup. Fill the rest of the glass with champagne and top with a sprig of thyme in each glass. Voila!

Or for the whiskey drinker…

The Champagne Etoile

Ingredients
1 cup sugar (or ¾ cup agave)
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
Bourbon of your liking
Prosecco or sparkling wine, chilled
Lemons, cut into wedges

Instructions
First, you’ll make the syrup. Combine the sugar, water, bean and seeds in small pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature and discard the bean.
For one cocktail, add a shot of bourbon and two tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to a chilled champagne flute. Fill to the top with prosecco. Squeeze lemon juice into glass and drop rind in. Serve.

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New Year’s Eve Champagne Punch Recipes to Please a Crowd

Cocktails / December 31, 2013 / No Comments.

If you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve gathering tonight, champagne is a must have for your guests. It’s the unofficial official drink of NYE and you will look dumb if you don’t have any bubbly to ring in the New Year.

Bottles of champagne are so last year, though. How can you fulfill your obligation to provide champagne while still keeping things interesting? A nice big bowl of champagne punch. A little goes a long way and your guests will love the twist on a NYE classic.

Pomegranate-Champagne Punch

This punch is so easy to make that even if you’re cleaning your house all day and cooking, you really only need less than 5 minutes before guests come to put this Pomegranate-Champagne Punch together.

In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice, 1 cup pear nectar and 1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (like Grand Marnier).

Slowly add a 750 ml bottle of Champagne to the mix

Serve over ice (have it available for the glasses, but don’t put it in the punch)

Canada Dry Champagne Punch

The original recipe for this Canada Dry Champagne Punch is non-alcoholic, but you know us… we love to spike an otherwise innocent drink.

Combine 6 cups champagne, 6 cups pineapple juice and 6 cups Canada Dry Ginger Ale in a big punch bowl.

Garnish with slices of lemons, limes, and oranges.

Elderflower-Champagne Punch

How classy will you sound if you tell your guests you made them an Elderflower-Champagne Punch? Really classy.

In a punch bowl, stir together 1 cup lemon juice and 1/2 superfine sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

Add 2 750 ml bottles of chilled champagne, 1 cup chilled cranberry juice cocktail, and 1 cup elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain).

Stir gently to combine and top with lemon slices to serve.

Ring in 2014 with a glass of champagne punch, good friends and plenty of fun. Cheers to the New Year.

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5 Great New Year’s Eve Bars and Parties You Don’t Want to Miss

Our Stories / December 8, 2013 / No Comments.

2014 is upon us and since a new year means new beginnings, you better make some New Year’s Eve party plans that do not involve your couch, your dog or playing Apples to Apples. Go big and celebrate at one of these amazing bars and venues that always know how to do New Year’s Eve right. Don’t wait too long to buy tickets, though – these events always sell out.

Dream Downtown, New York City

Don’t get caught in the mess of Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The Dream Downtown, an exclusive hotel that’s between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea, hosts an annual party that’s always filled to capacity. The main party takes place in The Gallery, a 5,300 square foot event space. Your ticket (general admission starts at $150, but there are different levels with various perks like bottle service) gets you a premium open bar until 12:30 am, live DJ performance, live feed of the Times Square ball drop, champagne toast at midnight and plenty of party favors.

Cleopatra’s New Year’s Eve Ball, Los Angeles

This party lets you ring in the New Year in the Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre Courtyard, right along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You’ll never go thirsty with the 5 full, premium open bars and there will be a light show, 2 DJ’s playing hip hop, house and Top 40, go-go dancers, private VIP booths in the VIP lounge and an amazing countdown with giant wall projection.

Galactic New Year’s Eve at Tiptina’s, New Orleans

This two-story music venue and bar has been a New Orleans staple since the late 70s and their New Year’s Eve party is always extremely popular. The bands Galactic and Orgone will be performing and with a VIP Ticket, you’ll get a full dinner catered by Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, open bar from 9pm-midnight, champagne toast, access to VIP side entrance to the venue and the VIP viewing section, a limited edition NYE poster signed by Galactic and Tiptina’s merchandise.

Ghostbar at the Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Located on the 55th floor of the Palms, Ghostbar has crazy amazing views you won’t find anywhere else in Vegas. The hip ultra-lounge is where you’re going to find all of the beautiful people on New Year’s Eve, as well as quality drinks and great music. If you want an unforgettable New Year’s Eve, but you want to keep it a little classy, you can accomplish that at Ghostbar. (Seriously, the view alone is worth the cost of the ticket.)

Enclave, Chicago

This New Year’s Eve party is anything but boring or understated. Your ticket doesn’t just get you into the NYE party at Enclave – it also includes a pre-party at Sound-Bar and a post-party at Cuvee Chicago. At Enclave, you get an overstaffed bar (no long drink lines), Chicago’s hottest DJs, champagne toast at midnight, chocolate and desserts, state of the art light and sound system, live video mixing, party favors and noisemakers so you can bring in 2014 properly. VIP upgrades are also available if you’re feeling especially important.

Live it up this year, it is 2014 after all.

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Cocktails For Your New Years Eve Party

Our Stories / December 31, 2012 / 1 Comment.

Tomorrow is 2013. Can you believe it? Neither can we… so we’re going to make some drinks. We checked in with all the happy little pinners on Pinterest because if we’re going to ring in the New Year, we’re going to do it drinking something really tasty.

Royale Resolution

This elegant dark purple beverage was created by the Dana Hotel in San Diego. You need to muddle mint, lime, and blueberries in a cocktail shaker. Then, pour in 1 oz. Blueberry Stolichnaya Vodka and 1/2 oz. Chambord, add ice, shake it up and strain into a fancy glass. You’re not done yet, though! Time to make it pretty. Top it with a blackberry leaf and a homemade drink stirrer (just hot glue a gold pom pom to a wooden skewer).

Blue Champagne Cocktail

Champagne cocktails are a must on New Years Eve, but Hostess with the Mostess improves upon that tradition by making one that is bright blue. Combine these ingredients in an ice-filled shaker:

• 1 oz vodka
• 1/4 oz. lemon juice
• 2-3 dashes triple sec
• 2-3 dashes Blue Curacao liqueur

Shake them up and strain them into a champagne flute. Then, top that off with champagne.

Lemon Drop Champagne Punch

If you’re having a party (or going to one), sometimes it’s just easier to make a giant batch of punch. You will make many friends by mixing up this punch from Martha Stewart – trust us. Get the full directions from Martha’s website (it involves making your own lemon syrup), but here’s your shopping list to get started: 3 lemons, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 bottle of champagne, 3/4 cup vodka and 4 ounces candied lemon peels.

If you are on Pinterest and aren’t following our boards yet, you better get on that. We take our pinning responsibilities very seriously and know you’ll love some of the gems we find.

Happy New Year

Our Stories / December 29, 2011 / No Comments.

We’re kicking off the New Year celebrations a little early. Let’s be honest, there’s a lot of bubbly to be had. Hopefully you’re doing the same.

Cheers and see you in 2012.

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