Grey Goose Recipe: Tarragon Twist

We don't have to go to Tales of the Cocktail two weeks from now to know that cocktails with fresh herbs are a hot trend and refreshing for summer. Try this Grey Goose Recipe for a Tarragon Twist.

1 ½ parts Grey Goose L’Orange Flavored Vodka
¾ part Benedictine liqueur
½ part simple syrup
1 part lemon juice
½ part hot tap water
1 tsp tarragon
Garnish with tarragon leaves or citrus twist

In a cocktail shaker add tarragon and hot water, muddle gently. Add ice and remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously, strain into a martini glass, garnish.

Dita Von Teese Cointreau Privé

She already told us the origins of the margarita, now Dita Von Teese is opening her own members-only club, Cointreau Privé in Paris. The club is set to open on Dita's birthday on September 29 -- conveniently during Paris Fashion Week --  and stay open for one month. Dita is in charge of decorating the club, too, and promises lots of Swarovski crystals and feathers. Her signature cocktail, made with Cointreau, apple and lemon juice and violet syrup will be on the menu.

Those who are headed to Tales of the Cocktail this year can catch Dita von Teese at the House of Blues in New Orelans. She's kicking off this year's craziness with a performance on Tuesday, July 20 with the Bustout Burlesque, also featuring MC Murray Hill and Selene Luna.

Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Vodka and Matthew Williamson

When we go to a morning-after brunch, Hope usually orders a Bloody Mary, while Annie enjoys a Greyhound--both with Belvedere Vodka, of course. The new Belvedere Pink Grapefruit is right up our alley and looks promising to become a key ingredient in our new favorite summer cocktails. When sipping at home, we keep it simple and will try mixing this with a lime flavored seltzer. For nights at the bar, we suggest trying it in a Cosmo.

To celebrate the launch, Matthew Williamson designed this special pink kaftan, as modeled by DJ Leigh Lezark (above). The kaftan is made of lightweight silk fabric with a short hemline and has black trim to allow effortless transition from day to night.  Matthew says, "My design for the Belvedere Pink Grapefruit collaboration was inspired by the vitality of sultry high summer evenings, incorporating a vibrant sun-drenched palette, the print is evocative of exotic destinations ventured by the modern-day, global traveler.”

The Belvedere Pink Grapefruit Pop Up space will be located across the street from Matthew Williamson's NYC store at 415 W. 14th Street. It's open to the public on Saturday, May 15 from 1-4. We're told to expect a surprise performance!

Dita Von Teese in the Original Margarita Story

Who knew the Margarita was named after a real life woman? Texan socialite, Margarita Sames, is credited with creating the first margarita back in 1948 in Acapulco. Legend has her tequila, Cointreau and lime juice concoction was such a hit, the party went of for two weeks!

Watch the video above, with sex kitten Dita Von Teese staring as Margarita Sames.

Beauty Bar Now Open in Chicago

The lucky ladies of the midwest can now partake in Beauty Bar's famous Martini and Manis. The newest location of this nationwide chain of bars is at 1444 W Chicago Avenue (the former Sonotheque space) and features the interior of the 1960s Paris Salon of Beauty, from Springfield, NJ. Go during happy hour for the famous $10 dry martini and mani combo!

Tax Relief from the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Now this is our kind of tax relief and one we could use this year in particular!  Sommelier, Todd Brinkman, at the new Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Tucson created this for today; but it looks so good, we bet you can get it there on your next visit.


Tax Relief


1.5oz. Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon
1.5oz. Cranberry juice
0.5oz. Fresh lime juice
0.5oz. Simple Syrup
1 cup crushed ice

Add Knob Creek, cranberry juice, lime juice, sugar, and crushed ice in a blender.
Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds and pour into a 12 oz. Collins glass. Garnish with lemon and lime wedge.

Kimpton Hotels and Lounges Offering Tax Day Relief Deals

Kimpton is taking the sting off of tax day with "1040 Menus" and "Deductible Cocktails."  Washington, D.C. Kimpton Hotels the Topaz Bar, Bar Rouge and Helix Lounge are serving cocktail and food pairings at 50% off on April 15th.  Here's what's on the menu:

· At Helix Lounge (pictured above), enjoy one specialty cocktail and any appetizer, including Pan Roasted Mini Crab Cakes, Beer Battered Vidalia Onion Rings, Crispy Fried Chesapeake Oysters or classic Mac n’ Cheese. Helix Lounge is located at 1430 Rhode Island Ave, NW , Washington DC 20005 . http://www.helixlounge.com/

· At Bar Rouge, pair a Grilled Bistro Steak with a choice of beer, wine—or champagne for those who have reason to celebrate! Bar Rouge is located at 1315 16th Street, NW , Washington DC 20036 . http://www.barrouge.com/

· At Topaz Bar, select any one of the lounge’s twelve signature cocktails to enjoy with Soy Grilled Chicken Wings, Bolivian Beef Empanadas or Stir Fry Chicken Wraps. Additionally, while the government may not be cutting taxpayers any slack, Topaz Bar will with a “Deductible Cocktails” deal. On April 15, when patrons purchase any two signature cocktails, they will get the third “deducted” from their bill. http://www.topazbar.com/

If you're looking for a night out, check the "Sweet Tax Relief" packages offered across the country (except in Virginia) where Kimpton picks up the tax on your room and pays for the tax on you dinner.  Available through the month of April. Rates start at $139.  http://www.kimptonhotels.com/promotions/sweet-tax-relief.aspx.

Have a Drink and Plant a Tree with Treetinis by Veev and the Morgans Hotel Group

Here's a cocktail we can really get behind.  This month in celebration of the 40th anniversay of Earth Day, the Morgans Hotel Group is offering to plant a tree for every Treetini they serve.  They're hoping to plant 1,000 trees in April.  We wish they'd offer this when we were at the Mondrian Miami in March!  Other Morgan Hotels that are participating include the Delano and Shore Club also in Miami, the Clift in San Francisco, the Ames in Boston and the Royalton and Hudson in NYC.

The Treetini is the inspiration of Veev liquor, the first Acai spirit and the only certified carbon-neutral spirit on the market.  The Treetini is a combination of Acai spirit, agave nectar, lime, mint and club soda.

To learn more about the Treetini program, visit www.veevlife.com/treetini.

2010 Best Night Club and Bar Winners

Congrats to the winners of Night Club & Bar Magazine's 2010 Best Night Club and Bar Winners. We've made it to several--it's now our goal to make it to the rest by the end of the year!

Club Awards
    •    Mega-Club of the Year - XS (shown above), Las Vegas
    •    New Club of the Year - XS, Las Vegas
    •    Nightclub of the Year - Tao, Las Vegas
    •    Ongoing Promotion of the Year - Hard Rock, Las Vegas – Rehab
    •    Resident DJ - Paul Oakenfold – Rain, Las Vegas
    •    Single Promotion of the Year - Midsummer Night’s Dream – Palms, Las Vegas
    •    Ultra-Lounge of the Year - Blush Boutique Lounge, Las Vegas
Bar Awards
    •    Bartender of the Year (category sponsored by Absolut Vodka) - H. Joseph Ehrmann – Elixir, San Francisco
    •    Beer Bar of the Year - Willimantic Brewing Company, Willimantic, Conn.
    •    Cocktail Lounge of the Year (category sponsored by Absolut Vodka) - The Drawing Room, Chicago
    •    Hotel Bar - POV, W Hotel, Washington, DC
    •    Small Wonder Bar of the Year - Manifesto, Kansas City
    •    Sports Bar of the Year - Jerome Bettis Grille 36, Pittsburgh
    •    Wine Bar of the Year - Flute Midtown, New York

Burger King to Serve Beer

One of our favorite things when we travel is to see what specialty items McDonald's has on its menu--a McFalafel in Cairo; McCrab Cake in Maryland and McBeer in Germany. Mind you, we're not eating there--just checking out the diversity.

Well, now, thanks to Burger King, we can get a beer with our fast food burgers stateside. A Whopper Bar is set to open in Miami next month. (There is already one at Universal Orlando Resort.) Even with the temptation of 24 hour service, a toppings bar that includes jalapenos and blue cheese sauce and a can of $4.25 Bud, Miller Lite or Budlight Lime (except between the hours of 5 to 8 a.m.), we doubt we'll make it there on our next Miami trip! But if we do, we'll definitely order a Bud Light Lime--there's nothing like it to cut the burn of salsa and jalapenos!

New York City's Provocateur

Provocateur in NYC's Meatpacking District Gansevoort is serving up cocktails created by Scott Vincent Borba, the founder of the Borba skincare line--Borba makes those yummy gummy bear vitamins. Each cocktail is meant to address a specific skincare issue like firming, anti-aging and hydration (no idea how a cocktail can pull that one off!).

Further adding to the hip factor, the mini leather sheath dresses the waitresses wear were created by Rag and Bone. If you like them, they can be special ordered at the nearby Rag and Bone store in the West Village. Apparently Rag and Bone designed the uniforms from the staff at the Turks and Caicos Gansevoort, but we've been and we really don't remember them. Of course, we were on our honeymoon, so our eyes were focused elsewhere.

Smart money is on Provocateur being the site of many a fashion week party!