5 Vodka Cocktails You Should Try at Home
Lazy Bartender By DrinksdirectNG
Got a bottle of vodka that’s sitting idle on your bar shelf, and you’re wondering how best to utilise it in creative ways? Vodka may have a reputation as being basic or unexciting, but that’s not fair to the alcoholic beverage, as there are a myriad of great vodka cocktails to try, mixed drinks that are as varied as you could imagine! Because of its subtle flavour, vodka quickly takes on the character of a drink. So it mixes well with almost anything, unlike more distinctive liquors like whiskey.
Plus, vodka is great for various meal plans and dietary restrictions. Varieties of vodka that are made from potatoes are naturally gluten-free, making them a great choice for people with celiac disease or who have gluten sensitivity. And the drink often ends up on roundups of healthier alcoholic beverages, as it’s lower in calories than other alcoholic options.
Here is a list of 5 (FIVE) easy peasy vodka cocktails you could whip up at the comfort of your home;
1. COSMOPOLITAN
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce of
- vodka
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce Cointreau
- ½ ounce simple syrup (optional)
- Lemon twist, lime wedge, or orange peel, for garnish
Directions
- Combine vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Contreau in a cocktail shaker over ice, and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist, lime wedge, or orange peel.
2. BLOODY MARY
Ingredients
- 6 cups tomato juice
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (plus extra)
- 2 teaspoons celery salt (or 1 teaspoon celery seeds plus 1 teaspoon salt)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 18 ounces vodka (or tequila for a Bloody Maria)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Dill pickle spears, lemon wedges, green olives, or celery stalks, for garnish
Directions
- Combine tomato juice, lemon juice, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, hot sauce, garlic salt, and black pepper in a large pitcher or wide-mouth jar and stir or shake to mix.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days to give the flavors time to meld. Ingredients may separate, so stir or shake before serving.
- For a single drink, combine ½ cup Bloody Mary mix with 1½ ounces of vodka and ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice. Pour it over ice cubes and garnish with a celery stalk or dill pickle spear, a lemon wedge, and olives.
3. Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients
- ½ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce silver tequila
- ½ ounce gin
- ½ ounce white rum (or a light rum)
- ¼ ounce triple sec liqueur
- ¼ ounce fresh lemon juice or sour mix
- Splash of cola
- Lemon wedge
Directions
- Add vodka, tequila, gin, rum, triple sec, and lemon juice or sour mix into an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
- Pour the contents, including the ice cubes, into a highball or Collins glass.
- Top it off with a splash of cola and stir.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and serve with a straw.
4. Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces ginger beer (ginger ale can also be used)
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint sprigs
Directions
- Add ice cubes to your cocktail shaker and combine your vodka and lime juice.
- Shake well until chilled.
- Fill a copper mug (or similarly sized cocktail glass) with crushed ice.
- Strain your mixture into your mug or glass.
- Top with the ginger beer.
- Garnish with your lime and a sprig of mint.
5. Vodka Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Dash of orange bitters (optional)
- Lemon twist, pimento-stuffed green olives, or martini onions, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
- Stir vodka, vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass filled with ice cubes. If you prefer shaken, use a cocktail shaker.
- Strain and serve in a chilled Martini glass with your garnish of choice.
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Source; mensjournal
How to Reseal an Unfinished Wine Bottle
Lazy Bartender By Drinksdirect.NG
Saving Wine For Another Drink
Having a glass of wine in your leisure time can be a great way to enjoy life’s simple things, such as a good meal, a time out with loved ones, watching your favourite T.v shows, or even just reading a good novel. But most of the time you won’t be polishing off a whole bottle of wine in one sitting. Even the hospitality industries such as hotels, bars, lounges, and restaurants experience cases where customers order by the glass and have various bottles of wine open at a time. How do you keep the remaining wine from starting to turn to vinegar the next day?
Unfortunately, no matter what you do, wine will begin to turn and produces a distinct vinegar taste once exposed to air. This is caused by bacteria in the air called acetobacter, although harmless to the body but causes wine to deteriorate. However, you can slow the process significantly by minimizing the amount of oxygen the wine comes in contact with. Read on to learn 3 ways to reseal a wine bottle and store it so that you can keep your wine fresh for as long as possible.
1) Cork
If you still have the original cork on hand, be sure to inspect it for damages before inserting it into the bottle. When opening a bottle of wine, the spindle of the opener should not go all the way through the cork, or else an airway can form in the cork, allowing oxygen into the bottle.
- Place the bottle on a sturdy surface.
- Angle the cork so one end is in the bottle and the other is resting on the lip.
- Simultaneously twist and press down on the cork.
- Push the cork about halfway into the bottle.
2) Rubber Stopper
A rubber stopper is a great reusable option for resealing a wine bottle. They are made to fit the opening of a wine bottle, and they grip the inside of the bottle to keep air from getting in, slowing down the oxidation process. Rubber stoppers also require minimal effort, since you only need to press down into the bottle opening. They tend to be a popular option, as they are available in a variety of colours and are affordable, so you can purchase some extra stoppers to keep on hand.
3) Wax Paper
The cork will expand when you remove it from the opening of a bottle, making it tricky to recork the wine. If the cork is struggling to get back into the opening or is slightly damaged, wax paper can help reduce the friction and prevent cork pieces from falling in the bottle.
- Cut a piece of wax paper that is approximately the same length as the cork so it goes all the way around without overlapping.
- Wrap the paper around one end of the cork.
- Place the bottle on a sturdy surface.
- Place the wrapped end of the cork directly on the opening of the bottle.
- Gently push down with a rocking motion, but do not twist the cork or the paper will wrinkle.
Knowing how to reseal and store open wine bottles is not only an essential part of running a proper wine service at your restaurant but can also be a great tip for home use to avoid unnecessary wastage. Although there isn’t much that can prevent oxidation entirely, there are ways to slow it down so you can enjoy another glass of delicious wine for at least a few more days.
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Spicing up Gifting with a “Thank you” Note
Capturing unexpressed emotions when Gifting
There is value in a handwritten thank-you note when gifting, most especially when gifting someone so dear to you, someone that has contributed to your growth, or when trying to be romantic with a partner. You may be thinking “well times have changed” and we have so many social media platforms literally at our fingertips just about 24/7. It’s so easy to call, email or send a text with an emoji expressing thanks.
However, technology is really no excuse for not handwriting (yes on paper!) a note to express your gratitude. A thank-you note may seem old-fashioned, but it carries a big message of admiration and appreciation more than any text ever has when sending gifts. There is something so vintage, and especially heartfelt about writing it down by hand for both the writer and the recipient. Receiving a tangible piece of note alongside a gift to a recipient saying, “I am thinking about you”, “I am thankful for you”, is a big proof that authenticates your actual emotions when the recipient takes a gaze at your gift. It’s nice and thoughtful to give gifts, but it’s nicer and more thoughtful when the gift is accompanied by a note indicating your true intentions which is part of what makes the whole process feel so special and celebratory in the first place.
According to psychology, a gift accompanied with a Thank-you note can elevate our relationships, strengthen new or existing friendships, turning an acquaintance into a close friend. Putting pen to paper can even benefit your self-esteem, as well as your physical, intellectual and psychological state. A thank-you note should capture that smile, handshake or hug you would give the recipient in person and pen it in a form that can be read over and over again, by employing your literature skills into action. For some reason, most of us have our reserves when it comes to sending out those heartfelt missives through gift with a thank-you note, but perhaps we need to adjust our mindset because penning a thank-you note is not just great for lifting someone’s spirits, they are also great for lifting our own.
At Drinksdirect.NG we understand the art and benefits of a Thank-you note accompanying a gift, for this reason, we’ve been giving our customers an avenue to express their emotions to their loved ones when they make a purchase of any drink of their choice with Drinksdirect Thank-you note, and have it delivered to their doorstep. For more information on Drinksdirect Thank-you notes and Gifting send us a message and we’ll be glad to respond.
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Source; howlifeunfold
Cooking with wine?
4 Varieties that are Basically Foolproof
As magical as red wine is to drink, it can really work wonders in sauces, stews and desserts. The red wine your best friend falls head over heels for might not necessarily be your jam, as each wine has it’s own unique tasting notes and aromas to draw in your senses. There’s no limit to Red wines that suites perfectly for a recipe as most Red wines can be used interchangeably at any time when cooking, but there are a few specific styles to stick with to get a desired result. When you’re on the hunt for the best red wine for cooking here are some classes of wine to consider:
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir (When cooking beef, lamb, sauce or stew)
- Merlot (When cooking chicken, duck or pork)
- Pinot Noir (When cooking seafood,)
- Merlot or Chianti (When cooking vegetables or sauce)
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet sauvignon is the progeny of cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc, two grapes still prominent today. It originated, probably spontaneously, in Bordeaux in France, in the mid-1700s. They’re usually full and rich like Pinot Noir, but since they’re made from a blend of grapes instead of just one, they may help balance the flavor of your dish better. Be sure to use Cabernet when cooking meals like steak, short ribs, brisket or stew. This style’s oak notes can turn harsh and woody when cooked too quickly or with weaker ingredients, so skip pan sauce and tomato sauce.
MERLOT
Merlot is typically soft, silky and fruit-forward. And thanks to its low to mild tannins, it’s pretty much always safe to cook with. Merlot is great for pan sauces and reductions, offering jamminess and structure—just simmer it over low heat to thicken it and concentrate its juicy flavors. Depending on the quality, Merlot can range from simple to mind-blowingly complex. Rich Merlots are similar to Cabernet Sauvignon, full-bodied and structured with notes of stone fruit, chocolate, coffee and tobacco. Use a lighter, fruity, medium-bodied Merlot for chicken and sauces and a full-bodied one for short ribs, steak and lamb.
PINOT NOIR
They’re silky, earthy, acidic, smooth and come light- and medium-bodied. This style is versatile, great for both stews and soft, fatty meats, thanks to its tenderizing properties, as well as seafood and poultry. It tends to be fruity and earthy in flavor with berry and mushroom notes. Pinot Noir aged in oak barrels, like Cabernet, isn’t best for quick sauces, but rather low-and-slow recipes. Keep an eye out for red Burgundy when you’re at the liquor store too—some winemakers use that name for Pinot Noir after the region where the grapes are grown (they may be a little pricier). Use Pinot Noir for salmon or stew recipes.
CHIANTI
If you’ve never sipped a glass alongside an Italian dinner, you’re missing out big time. Chianti is famous for its herbaceous, earthy, peppery flavor, but it can also be on the fruity, delicate side. Sangiovese wines, named for the main grape used in Chianti, have a signature tart acidity and spiciness that make them an uncanny stand-in for Chianti. Chianti is best for tomato sauce, pasta dishes and pan sauces rather than hearty stews. Even higher-quality Chianti that’s more tannic and fuller-bodied isn’t bold or dense enough to do a cabernet sauvignon’s job.
TIPS FOR COOKING WITH RED WINE
- Cooking wine and regular wine are two different things—so you shouldn’t substitute them interchangeably.
- Avoid using old wine. If you opened a bottle over a week ago, it’s been oxidizing and likely tastes different than you remember.
- Don’t use expensive or fancy wine either. Most of its delicious intricacies and complexities will be cooked off once the wine is heated, so it’s really a waste of quality vino.
- Cook wine low and slow, cooking it over high heat (say for a pan sauce or tomato sauce) will often result in an edgy, sour taste. use low and moderate heat temperature when cooking with Red wine.
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Champagnes to make every celebration corker
Six (6) Must have champagnes at your occasion
champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, where winemaking dates back to the 1700s and vineyards span some 84,000 acres. Not too far from Paris in the northeastern corner of France, its main growing regions include Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne and The Aube.
But there’s more to it than that. Champagne also gets its name from the grapes used in production, most commonly including pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. It gets its sparkle from being twice fermented in the bottle via a technical and labour-intensive practice often referred to as méthode traditionnelle.
But there’s more to it than that. Champagne also gets its name from the grapes used in production, most commonly including pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay at a 2:3 ratio (though variations such as blanc de blancs are made entirely from white grapes). It gets its sparkle from being twice fermented in the bottle via a technical and labour-intensive practice often referred to as méthode traditionnelle.
Whether you’re after a magnum to really get the party started or are simply after a slick bottle to bring out next time there’s a promotion or wedding announcement in the family, we have had enough champagne aperitifs between them to know which champagne brands go down best. From well-established French houses such as Taittinger to a rather surprisingly good take, here’s our edit of the best.
Taittinger Prelude Grand Crus Champagne Non Vintage;
Coming on 300 years in the biz, Tattinger is a family-run house headed up by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger. Known for being an excellent fizzy accompaniment to chicken and pork, the blend of Grand Cru pinot noir and chardonnay lend it an especially tangy, citrusy profile, warmed up with the toasty notes of cinnamon and stone fruits.
Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial NV
Though Queen Elizabeth’s heart belongs to Bolly, Moët & Chandon came up tops for Queen Victoria II, which is why the label holds a Royal Warrant (it was also the champagne of choice at Charles and Diana’s wedding). Owner also of Dom Pérignon and Hennessy, Moët & Chandon also claims to be the first ever established champagne house, with origins in 1743. Its crisp and refreshing Brut Imperial NV is made on vineyards classed as Grand Cru, with a delicate palate that lends itself especially well to champagne cocktails with a sprinkling of sugar, Angostura bitters and a lemon twist.
Aldi Monsigny Champagne Brut;
Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne;
Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne;
Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne Brut;
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Source; gq-magazine.co.uk
Gifting gone Digital
THE INCEPTION
Since being introduced back in 1995, digital gifting has gained momentum particularly over the decade. In this fast-paced world of technology that we live in today, digital gifting is an essential requirement for any business that wants to keep up with the pace and maintain their market position. Over the years, more and more companies have started offering the option to purchase eGifts and digital vouchers – especially those that have a dominant online presence. At the very beginning, gift cards came in the form of paper vouchers. Before long, paper was swapped with plastic due to counterfeiting, and then finally as technology advanced, digital gifting became mostly digital. There are two main reasons that digital gifting has continued to increase in popularity over the years: speed and personalization.
Most people find gifting on any occasion a task! First, they are clueless about what to gift, then if they decide on something, they don’t know if it will be liked, etc. In the end, the gift usually ends up being an amount of cash! However, a more refined, safe & convenient gift can be a Gift Card!
Unlike cash, Gift Cards show that you have put in some thought & effort in gifting. This, without actually being worried about whether the receiver will appreciate the gift or not, as you give a certain monetary power to him/her to purchase what the heart desires.
What is a Gift Card?
When terminologies such as Gift certificate, Exchange coupons, Gift voucher, or Gift token, are used ,it means exactly the same. A Gift card is a type of stored value card loaded with funds for future discretionary use. Only it contains a specific amount of money. Once this sum is spent down, the card can no longer be used. Gift cards also have expiration dates, which are often much shorter than that of prepaid cards.
Gift cards can be open-loop or closed-loop. An open-loop gift card can be used anywhere that brand of card is accepted. For example, if you have a gift card that’s branded with the Visa logo, you could use it to make purchases anywhere Visa is accepted. A closed-loop card, on the other hand, can only be used at specific merchants. For instance, if you purchase a gift card from Starbucks or Amazon, you or the gift card’s recipient would be able to use them to make purchases only at the retailer issuing the card
With the ability to buy eGifts and vouchers online, digital gifting is the first choice for many when it comes to present buying. Being able to shop quickly and effectively, without much effort, is a very appealing concept to a lot of people. With the option to swiftly go online and buy a gift voucher or eGift at the click of a button, traipsing round high street shops and online stores are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Convenience and ease are very much basic requirements for many in this modern-day world that we live in.
Why choose Gift Cards?
Gift Cards can receive more appreciation if you buy it keeping in mind the likes & interests of the receiver. Besides giving the joy of shopping, the other technical benefits of Gift Cards are:
- Freedom to choose: With the entire world available online, Gift Cards give the receiver the freedom to choose whatever they want from a retail store or online.
- Safety: Gift Cards work like a debit card and are safe as they can be frozen in case of loss or theft, without losing the money in it.
- Easy Access: Gift Cards are prepaid cards that simply have to be swiped by the receiver to make electronic payments!
- Convenience: Mobile Gift Cards come directly on the receiver’s mobile phone through email or SMS. This makes it easier to carry in the mobile phone and safer as the card is then associated with that mobile number.
- Tracking: Gift Cards prove to be useful when given to young shoppers. Grown-ups can monitor and control the spending (unlike cash) by restricting the amount of money and locations of spending.
- Less cost: In case you decide to send the Gift Card, the cost to do so is a lot lesser than sending any package. Buying a Gift Card is also convenient as it can be done online as well.
- its a source of financial help: Another benefit of a Gift Card can be a subtle way of helping someone in their times of need. Gift Cards can prove to be a good necessity gift for someone who might be going through a rough patch financially. Helping with Gift Cards can be a lot more graceful than giving cash.
Gift Cards can be a timely benefit to the person who has received it during the discount season such as Black Friday sale! Getting more from the money received in a Gift card can be very satisfying.
Gift cards are also great for those who are concerned with losing money or who shop regularly and don’t want the hassle of cash handling. This is why much of the younger generation are receiving more digital gifts – it removes a lot of hassle. The explosion in gift card growth is due to the challenges of traditional gifting methods. These challenges include knowing what a person wants, specific product details, and knowing the shipping address. These problems made gift cards one of the most convenient and easy gifts of the 21st century.
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Are you unsure of what to gift a family member, loved ones, friends, co worker/colleague, or Boss? Or you simply know that they will rather have the freedom of choosing their preferred beverage brand, Send them a Drinksdirect gift card today ranging from 5k- 150k . through this link www.drinksdirect.ng
- Log onto www.drinksdirect.ng
- Create an account and password with an E-mail address
- Click on Gift card option and select preferred amount
- Fill in the recipients info (i.e a functional e-mail, drop a message, and submit)
Source: www.hdfcbank.com
Great upcycle ideas with your old liquor bottles
Old is the New
From being the centerpiece of celebrations at occasion and events, to a romantic meal, and friendly gathering there’s nothing as sad as the last drop from your favorite liquor. There’s still plenty of life to be had yet in the bottle, rather than sending the glass to recycling or disposing of it, a little upcycling can offer a whole range of uses for growing an entire miniature garden, and adding a touch of creativity to your environment. Here are some ideas
Terrarium
A fun upcycle project for gin and whiskey drinkers, old bottles can be carefully turned into terrariums, creating a little garden in a bottle. Make sure to choose a clear, wide bottle to make filling and arranging a little bit easier, and we’d recommend using a Gin bottle which comes prepared with all the essential steps and advice. Try it for yourself and complement your home with a little touch of nature.
Reed diffusers
Turn your empty gin bottle into a beautifully fragranced reed diffuser. Fill your bottle with 350ml of mineral oil, 50 drops of essential oil, then why not add 3 tbsp’s of gin (stronger the better) to put a juniper fragranced twist to it. Mix all in a jug, then pour into your empty bottle. Then put 3-5 reed diffuser sticks in , and then you’re good to go. Remember to rotate your sticks every few days to keep the fragrance going.
Flower Vases
Using gin bottles as flower vases gives a wonderful rustic effect and best of all, they don’t require any modification to be upcycled! For the Instagram fan, a stylish bottle paired with an elegant bunch of flowers makes for a picture-perfect snap. They’re also becoming increasingly popular for wedding decorations, or just for setting on a dressing table. The bottle itself will go nicely with colorful flowers; why not pick a gin with floral botanicals & match the botanicals with what flowers you put into it. Genius!
Bottle Lamps
If you’re looking to upgrade your home décor, regenerate your gin bottle into a classy table lamp, this upcycling technique can be pretty tricky to do most especially when you’re starting from scratch. This idea is brilliant You won’t ever want to purchase an ordinary lamp again. However, there are really great YouTube tutorial videos that can give guidelines for a good starting point:
Garden Lights
We may have a while to wait, but once the evenings draw out again, soft lights can add an elegant touch to a garden party or al fresco dinner. Gin bottles are a great choice, robust enough to withstand any temperamental downpours and keep the lights inside dry. Once you’ve got the bottle and lid clean, fill it with some battery powered LED lights – these specially designed lights are a great choice for their easy on/off switch, but small fairy lights will work well too.
To get an empty bottle, you must first enjoy the liquor beforehand; at drinksdirect.ng we offer various beautiful array of products. Check out our Homepage drinksdirect.ng and start shopping for your favourite brand. If you enjoy cocktails as well, we have you covered; stay tuned as we’ll be dishing out cocktail recipes and how to make them at the comfort of your homes.
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