why not host an intoxicated zodiac party? so much cooler than a pampered chef party… so much newer than a sex toy party… so much funner than a jewelry party! it’s most like a candle party, with mixology & astrology thrown in. in short, an astro-bar party will rock your crib like it’s not been rocked before! enjoy some pics below from a recent party, and consider hosting an astro-bar party with gwen here…

thanks to talented tara, who set the joint up beautifully… how jealous are you that she has a bar in her back yard? the bar was as stocked as any you’d find in a bar at one of the better bournemouth hotels. (you can take the girl out of britain, but not the brit out of the girl). she artfully hung the totes and lit the candles, giving me a wonderful space in which to teach her and her peeps the basics of bar cheffing.

here i am showing the girls how to make cocktails from interesting ingredients, such as the rose water gimlet, which is my fave. everyone gets to sample the drink, which is the best part! the rose water gimlet recipe is printed on the taurus tote bag (as it is a cocktail ruled by venus). this is convenient, because when ms. taurus is out shopping, she can pick up the items needed to mix her cocktail. get your zodiac tote here…

anyone who knew their birth date and time was able to find out their rising sign, thanks to wireless internet. some girls then purchased items in both their rising and sun signs… remember, we are actually equal parts rising and sun signs, unbeknownst to most. the colored baroscope shot glasses were also available for purchase. these make a novel and inexpensive birthday gift—check the shots out here…

recipes are merely guidelines to create a good drink…

the girls were thoroughly engrossed in my astrology / mixology lesson… each attendee was also given my personal bar notes to take home for reference in using their new found skill set.

these are home-made infused spirits that i brought for everyone to try. we had an infusion tasting, and the girls dug it big time. i mean, where else ya gonna do that? i explained how to make alcoholic infusions at home and the girls were surprised at how simple it actually was, and tasty they actually turned out.

i’m demonstrating the concept of muddling fresh herbs, fruits and flowers; rimming a glass with salt, and using non-traditional bar ingredients such as marmalade, jasmine tea and lemon oil—all to a group of very interested people.

here are intoxicated zodiac’s celestial cocktail candles. each cocktail-inspired candle comes in a reusable glass, so when you’re done burning, you start drinking! conveniently enough, each sign’s cocktail recipe card is included in the box so the drink can be made at home. as if that’s not enough, there is a tres amusant baroscope printed on the back of each box. did i mention that each zodiac sign has its own color in the vibrational color that the box is adorned with? wait it gets better… the candles are made in the usa, made from 100% PCW recycled paper, are soy wax with essential oils, and a portion of the proceeds goes to animal related charity. in the market for wedding/anniversary or baby gifts? check out our occasion gifts here…

thanks to tara & joanne for hosting this astro-bar party. joanne made the most amazing panini’s i have ever tasted. for real. tara made some delicious sangria that everyone in attendance enjoyed… cheers!

thanks for coming to the party everyone, and for supporting intoxicated zodiac : )

I didn’t know him, but I knew I someday would. After all, he would be my boss. I assumed from his somber character that he was of Scorpion descent, and as it turns out I was right. Later, I’d come to find he was a double Scorpio, none the less… but for now, the boy standing before me appeared chilly and potentially snobby. our conversation lasted less than a minute, but in that time I was intimidated and interested. His few words were soft and careful in their delivery—and they were also genuinely helpful. all though the Scorpion tried to speak them in a easy manner, there was nothing off handed about them. I casually asked, so what is your birthday? He was surprisingly open with his answer, November 3rd why? muttering that he’d learned more about astrology in the last three days then he’d learned in his whole life. (Our new boss was an avid believer in the zodiac and apparently I wasn’t the only one curious about his sign). I answered, no reason, smirking to myself for being dead on. A wave of sweet relief washed over me as I realized he wasn’t uptight, stuffy or a snob. merely aloof, and reserved, as a proper double scorpio should be.

absinthe and horseradish are jointly ruled by mars, and hence this fab brunch fave is a scorpio. the double use of the two martian ingredients make it so apropros for the double scorpio. (keep in mind, scorpio is jointly ruled by mars and pluto).

DOUBLE SCORPIO:

1/4 oz absinthe
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 dash kosher salt
1 dash ground black pepper
1 dash Tabasco
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. horseradish
Dash fresh squeezed clear citrus (lemon or lime)

fill glass with ice and add ingredients, then top with tomatoe juice. stir and garnish with anything green, in honor of the green fairy~

this potent concoction was to be our newest addition to comida’s cocktail menu. but fate, as the old devil would have it, would choose to delay its introduction. unfortunately, comida experienced a fire last night, and like the phoenix rises from ashes, so will comida have to rebuild itself. if you have read my blog dedication you’ll know that i’m no stranger to fire and the baffling devastation it leaves in its wake. what could have caused this? why did this happen? what good will come out of this? what we do know for sure is that no one was hurt, and it was not a kitchen fire. how it started no one knows.

the legendary wise owl is ruled by the sign of scorpio, and that is why i make reference to the phoenix. scorpio is symbolized by so many powerful animals—the owl, the phoenix, the eagle, the snake, and of course the scorpion. and if any sign has the strength, determination, will and wits to win against the odds, it is scorpio. and if anyone has the capability to comprehend the grand scope of tragedy when it strikes, it is scorpio. so here, here, let’s raise our glasses to comida rising with this cocktail of scorpio…

PHOENIX RISING:
2 oz mezcal
3/4 oz maraschino cherry liqueur
1/8 oz absinthe
10 drops agnostura bitters
brandied cherry
***shake all over ice, strain into ice packed glass with a splash of cherry juice and and garnish with a brandied cherry

found a great recipe for brandied cherries in the new york times. thanks to marlene from sloshed, i made these before cherries were in season and used frozen ones which worked out just fine.

1 cup sugar
2 whole cloves
1 2-inch piece cinnamon stick
4 cardamom pods
1 quart sweet cherries, stemmed and pitted
1/2 cup Cognac or other aged brandy.

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and spices with a cup of water. Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

2. Turn off heat and add cherries and brandy to pot. Let cool, then store mixture in a jar in refrigerator for at least 2 days before eating, and up to several months.

we only experience this twice in our lifetimes, so i hear. 040506070809, that is. (4am, 5 minutes, 6 seconds, 7th month, 8th day, year 2009). cool huh? a leo moment in time…

this bottle is one of the most beautiful on earth. and what a bonus that it happens to come filled with some of the most fascinating liquid on earth too. none other than renowned GRAN CENTENARIO, has added hibiscus infused reposado tequila to their line. i love everything about this tequila! it truly is heaven sent… the taste is not quite as flowery as i expected but it brings an interesting and delicate dimension to an all ready complex and well rounded reposado tequila. job well done, GRAN CENTENARIO. ($32-$39)

which new york city bar should you be haunting? let your star sign lead the way! read SHECKY’S “STARS & BARS.”

as a cappie, i should apparently be drinking at GOLD BAR. OK, so now that i know where to go next time i need a drink… provided i don’t mind waiting on line for an hour behind those pesky velvet ropes. SO not doing that! but, here is the funny thing – skulls, and all bones – are ruled by capricorn, and that is exactly what the interior of this establishment is lined with – masses of gold skulls. hmmnn, interesting…

SHECKY’S says: “Capricorns’ ambitions drive them to be successful. They love to make people jealous. Since social status is so important to those egotistical Sea Goats, we recommend GoldBar. They’ll feel like they’re bathing in precious metals (minus the naked part). Gold décor, gold liquor, and pretty much gold everything makes for a very rich experience.”