entertain in style with some serious bling. swarovski crystal stainless steel cocktail shaker ($133), bar tray (309), ice bucket ($$370) and stir sticks ($113/4). VIA BARNEYS

what the hell? down under, ABSOLUT cooks up some interesting recipes for an ad campaign, and over here serves us some cheesy ass absolut bling bling. hmmnn… shows you what ABSOLUT thinks of america’s depth of character… check out the ad they ran a few months back in the australian BARTENDER magazine. these concoctions are so out there, i don’t even understand them! like wattleseed? um, pretty sure we don’t have that here in the states… as for sodium choride, isn’t that something i put on my driveway to melt the ice? my favorite is the human tear called for the in the WEDDING TEAR MARTINI. wring out the tissues… and ring in the creativity.

when i was younger, and knew less about astrology then i do now, i was fearful of anyone born under the sign of scorpio. all i’d heard was that they were intense and vindictive, and that was scary. but then i had my chart done, and found that low and behold—i had scorpio rising! of course, i commenced learning more about the sign immediately and found that yes, vindictiveness is one of our more negative traits. but when it’s used–it’s usually well warranted. ha, now how scorpio does that sound?! so my sun sign is still capricorn, but my ascending, or rising sign is scorpio, which most astrologers argue plays as significant role in a personality as the sun sign. susan miller even goes as far as to say that you should read both-your sun and rising sign- forecasts each month. i’ve grown to quite like having scorpio in my chart and now at least i sort of understand the constant upheaval i seem to induce, and serious persona i am, and drama queen i can be. if you haven’t had your chart professionally done, put it on your holiday wish list. i’ve read many a chart, and i don’t believe one has ever hurt me in any way. i didn’t go slash my wrists, or gamble my savings, or join a sex club (though that might be a good thing). if anything, it has made me understand parts of me that i never did before, and inspired me to improve my weaknesses so well explained in the reading.

Max Heindel in Simplified Scientific Astrology [1865-1919] has this to say:
“Thus, when you have given an astrologer the data of your birth, you have given him the key to your innermost soul, and there is no secret that he may not ferret out. This knowledge may be used for good or ill, to help or hurt, according to the nature of the man. Only a tried friend should be trusted with this key to your soul, and it should never be given to any one base enough to prostitute a spiritual science for material gain.”

i don’t recommend getting an online quickie (unless it’s with owen) chart, as sometimes they are not accurate. try using a real human-what a novelty! alternatively, try using VEDIC astrology, rather than WESTERN. the former takes into consideration the rotation of the earth’s axis, while the latter does not. wherever you decide to have your chart done, you might just find you have some COSMIC BAD ASS in you too! cheers to the scorpio, one of the most invincible signs of the zodiac. happy birthday owen ; )

the classic behemoth, martini & rossi, best known for it’s vermouth, but also a leading producer of prosecco, is sporting a new look just in time for the holidays. a tapered bottle with classic embossing and minimal labeling makes for a new modern appeal. as they say, if you got it, flaunt it. and by it, i mean a hugely iconic logo. that eye-catching red circle has grown 20% in size on the new vermouth bottle. the logo on the prosecco bottle is more understated, but it’s flavor is certainly not. pick up a bottle for thanksgiving dinner-guaranteed to not dissapoint. prosecco is the new champagne, haven’t you heard? it’s tiny bubbles don’t take an eye out while popping the cork and you still get that sparkly fun in your glass. don’t forget about cocktails-prosecco’s the new mixer too. and lest we forget the classic whose namesake spawned a generation of cocktails, mix up a martini for a thanksgiving apertif.

aahh… dear gemini. boundless energy to stir the pot of trouble. she loves a good time. no she loves several good times–all at the same time! this girl’s got a little black book thicker than your yellow pages. fun and exiting to be around, she’s a wicked little heart breaker.

some would say that vanilla is ruled by venus. but due to the lace-like quality of its petals, it can also be viewed as a flower of mercury–and subsequently belongs to gemini. this exotic orchid is known for being one of the most comforting scents to inhale, as gemini is one of the most comfortable sign to share company with. her upbeat attitude is addictive, kind of like vanilla tobacco sazeracs.

source: HO-TINURSERY & orchids and tropicals

WICKED WAY:

2 oz vanilla infused rye whiskey*
1 tsp tobacco syrup*
2 dashes peychaud’s bitters
1/4 tsp pernod

shake all ingredients over ice and strain into cocktail glass.

*simmer on stove top for twenty minutes, 1 cup raw organic sugar, 1 cup water, 1 large tobacco leaf. strain into final storage container adding splash of vodka for preservative.

NOTE: teflon coatings have been found to release carcinogens when being heated. i recommend using an uncoated pot. (VIA GREEN GUIDE)

*place one vanilla bean pod, slit in half, in a 750 ml bottle rye whiskey. allow to sit in cool, dark place for 1-3 weeks. strain into final storage container.

recipe created by gwen sutherland kaiser

thanks to WHAT GEEKS EAT for hosting WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING #109.

hows this for a thanksgiving napkin? imagine placing them around a table with grandma. remember, the hands belong to gemini. how fitting…

VIA TRENDHUNTER

BARNEYS is wishing us a green holiday this season! which means next christmas, target will be wishing us the same! shoppers are cheerfully greeting at the door by rudolph the recycling reindeer made entirely out of cans. how many contained beer, that i don’t know. anyway, by the time you finish shopping barneys, empty cans will be the only thing you can afford to decorate with! love em to death though : )

it suddenly dawned on me that while i had taken the time to blog about the SQUARE ONE SQUARE OFF COMPETITON, i had failed to announce the outcome! shame on me : (

1st place ESPANOLA SOUR by Ronaldo Colli:
* 1 ounce lemon juice
* 1 sprig lemon basil leaves (about 4 leaves)
* 3 teaspoons orange marmalade
* Agave nectar, to taste
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* Ice
* 1 burnt orange zest, for garnish
* 1 slice lemon, for garnish
* 1 lemon basil branch with leaves removed (except top 2), for garnish

also 1st place: HUGGING THYME by Ronaldo Colli:

* 4 thyme sprigs, toasted in a pan
* 2 teaspoons dry chamomile tea leaves
* Lemon juice of 3/4 lemon
* 3/4 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
* 1 egg white
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* Agave nectar, if necessary
* Ice
* Lemon twist, for garnish
* Thyme sprig, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pint glass, muddle thyme, chamomile, and lemon juice, then add elderflower liqueur, egg white, vodka, and (if necessary) agave nectar. Add ice, shake, and fine-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twisted around thyme.

2nd place: THE CONCORD FIZZ By Abigail Gullo
This one reminded me of summers at my grandma and grandpa’s farm. I love the grapy taste of Concords, and the basil added a very pleasant herby flavor. The color is gorgeous! If you don’t have lemon basil, Thai basil, lemon thyme, or lemon verbena is also great in this drink.

* 1 bunch lemon basil
* 4 ounces Concord grapes (a handful)
* 2 ounces raspberries
* Squeeze of lemon
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* 1/2 ounce maraschino liquor
* Ice
* 2 ounces (or as needed) cava or other sparkling wine
* 1 sprig lemon basil, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle basil, grapes, and raspberries; add lemon juice, vodka, and maraschino liquor; and shake with ice. Strain into a collins glass filled with cracked ice, and top off with cava. Garnish with a sprig of lemon basil.

also 2nd place: THE DUET OF PEARS-TINI By Abigail Gullo

INGREDIENTS

* 1/2 teaspoon lavender, ground with a mortar and pestle
* Seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean pod
* 1 ounce Marshall pear, juiced or muddled
* 1 ounce puréed Prickly pear
* 2 ounces Square One® Organic Vodka
* 1/2 ounce Cointreau
* Ice
* Caramelized sugar, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle lavender and vanilla with pears, add vodka and Cointreau, and shake with ice. Strain into a caramelized-sugar-rimmed martini glass.
2. To garnish the rim, heat natural cane sugar in a small saucepan (do not use a nonstick pan) over low heat. Add a split vanilla bean if you like. When the sugar has browned, let it cool slightly and dip the martini glass in the pan to coat the rim. Note: If the glass is chilled before coating, it may break.

also By Ronaldo Colli, ROSE MARY

* 1/2 branch of organic rosemary
* 4 chunks of organic watermelon
* 1/2 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed
* 3/4 ounce 43 liqueur
* 1 1/2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
* Splash of agave nectar if necessary
* 3 lime wheels for garnish
* 1 long branch of rosemary, leaves peeled off beginning approximately two fingers from the top for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a pint glass, muddle rosemary and watermelon, add lime juice, 43 liqueur, Square One Organic Vodka, and ice. Shake and add agave nectar, if necessary. Then double strain (fine strain) into a chilled collins glass filled with ice and lime wheels, and finish garnishing with rosemary branch inside of the cocktail.

also by Abigail, THE FLYING PIG

INGREDIENTS

* 2 to 3 fresh organic figs
* 1/2 ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur
* 2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
* 1 ounce fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice
* 1/2 ounce raw organic agave syrup to taste
* Fresh organic mint, leaf garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle diced fig in the elderflower liqueur (reserve one slice for garnish). Add cracked ice, vodka, lemon juice, and agave syrup. Shake vigorously. Slap one mint leaf, rim and drop in chilled cocktail glass along with reserved fig slice. Strain cocktail into glass.

VIA CHOW

when i think of gin, i think a gimlet. thanks to some creative thinking british sailors, this classic tipple was born. the story goes that in order to escape scurvy while at sea, the sailors had to consume large amounts of lime. the addition of gin made the lime more palitable and the rest is history. the gimlet is the original health drink! of course i had to adulterate this perfect yet modest recipe and add all sorts of crazy shiz…. the most unusual being i think the addition of rose geranium leaves.

geranium is ruled by sun and falls under the sign of leo. this plant thrives in hot, dry soil. if they don’t get it, they’ll not flower. and if you give them a tad too much water, they’ll quickly drown. i find the bloom of the geranium to be spectacular because of it’s color. be it red, pink, orange, or even white – the petals are always brilliant, just like leo. i have lots of geranium plants sitting on my window ledge. they’re sun hogs. again, like attention-loving leo! this interesting plant, like mint, comes in a multitude of scents ranging from lemon to cinnamon to mint to rose. and the latter is the one used in this cocktail, imparting a very subtle, but pleasant smell and flavour. i’d tell you to garnish with a geranium flower to really impress the lofty lion, but i’ve heard they are poisonous. stick with an orange slice instead!

BEHOLDEN (rose geranium & orange flower gimlet)
1 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz fresh orange juice
1 1/2 oz organic raw simple syrup
1/4 oz orange flower water
5 rose geranium leaves

muddle geranium leaves with orange flower water and lime until leaves are macerated. add gin and simple syrup. shake in ice filled cocktail shaker and strain into martini glass.

NOTE: be sure to store flower waters in the fridge or they will go rancid.

thanks to OH GOSH for hosting MXMO XXI.

it won’t take $20, just a few of these asian-inspired cocktails for cancer to love you long time. the crab loves being in a relationship. she’s rarely single, and thrives in a home setting. she is the zodiacal housekeeper and all though she might be hiding the bottle under the sink, you can be sure she’s hittin it.

the moon rules cancer and all plants cool and wet in nature, like the cucumber. be it a soothing eye mask or a refreshing libation, partaking in either will leave you feeling as cool as a cucumber.

LOVE ME LONG TIME:

3 slices of cucumber
1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz lychee juice (from can)
2 lychees
1 1/2 oz prosecco

muddle cucumber & lychees in bottom of glass. add lemon and lychee juice. shake and shake in ice filled shaker (you can also stir the drink extremely well, in lieu of shaking). strain into champagne flute, top with prosecco and drop a lychee fruit into the bottom of the drink for a pleasant surprise. garnish with cancer’s cucumber.

(recipe created by gwen sutherland kaiser)

thanks to THE EXPATRIATE’S KITCHEN for hosting WEEKEND HERB BLOGGING #108.