Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Angie's Corner: Skinnygirl Margarita
Skinny lattes, skinny jeans and now: skinny cocktails. New York Times best selling author and reality star, Bethenny Frankel, realized the cocktail market lacked a lower calorie prepared alcoholic beverage. She created Skinnygirl Margarita. Packaged in a frosted wine bottle with a screw top, Skinnygirl Margarita fits nicely in your wine cabinet as another option for these hot summer nights.
Ms. Frankel, who currently stars in the spin-off hit: Bethenny Everafter, was a natural foods chef before she became a reality star. She realized that women appreciate lower calorie options and she decided to redesign her favorite drink. She started by making her own low cal margaritas. These drinks were seen by the viewers of the show that propelled her into her current celebrity status: The Real Housewives of New York City. Viewers demanded the recipe (lime juice, silver tequila and a splash of Triple Sec) She knew she had a product opportunity.
Not only is this beverage a great alternative to the calorie laden pre-made margarita mixes, which use "high fructose corn syrup, yellow dye #5 and preservatives", this little wine shaped bottle is also a story in girl power. Ms Frankel was not well received when she approached beverage companies with her product idea. Stating that she knew women did not want to feel guilty for enjoying mixed drinks; the male run companies didn't agree with her idea.
They should have paid attention. She set out on her own, created Skinnygirl Margarita and according the the Wall Street Journal online, watched it "become one of the largest ready to drink cocktail brands in the U.S." She recently sold it to Fortune Brands, Inc. Coming soon: Skinnygirl White Sangria.
The average margarita has 500 calories for a 4 oz.. drink. Skinnygirl Margarita has only 100 calories in a 4 oz. serving. It is naturally sweetened by agave nectar. www.skinnygirlcocktails.com has a Mock-a-Mole recipe that combines 1 avocado, green peas, red onions, cilantro, Tabasco, salt and pepper. This can be paired with low calorie pita chips or, as I enjoyed it, with celery sticks. (Since, I was going 'skinnygirl", I knew I should go all the way) How does Skinnygirl Margarita taste? Well, this is not your Big Boy Texas Margarita; as the name implies, it is a lighter beverage. Expecting a full service margarita, it took a few sips to grow accustomed to this better-for-you-cocktail. By the time I had finished, I decided that I would definitely choose this cocktail again. If you are accustomed to diet sodas, "skinny lattes" and diet foods in general, this cocktail will be a welcomed delight.
Keep it chilled in the fridge and ready for girls night out. Pre-made, it is ready to be poured over rocks in your favorite salted, margarita glass. The 4th of July is around the corner, If you add this beverage to your cookout cocktail menu, all the ladies and some pudgy boys, will become "skinnygirls." Pass the chips!
Skinnygirl Margarita $13.99
May your champagne be filled with bubbles,
Angie Ann Makuch
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Angie's Corner: Crystal Head Vodka
Father's day is upon us, and one trip to Palate can make your Father's Day celebration complete. We have world class cigars, countless bottles of exquisite wines, and travel cases for these wines. With Father's Day on my mind, I was flipping through PEOPLE magazine this week (June 13, 2011, edition). I thumbed past articles about Meredith Vieira, Brad + Angelina, the Kennedy's....and then I jumped straight out of my chair! Right there, on page 30, featured in the Father's Day Gift Guide was an item we carry in Palate! Dan Akroyd's Crystal Head Vodka is available at Palate, and it is sure to eclipse the tie your brother got Dad this year.
Dan Akroyd is best known as the comedian/actor who was a part of the original Saturday Night Live cast that brought us the Blues Brothers and the Coneheads. I remember staying up late some nights with my dad and watching the SNL skits. Dad thought the Coneheads were a riot and much to my youthful embarrassment, would quote the faux French immigrants when my friends came to visit. Dan Akroyd"s humor was a great pleasure to my dad.
Mr. Akroyd, an Emmy Award winning writer, has expanded his talents and followed his interests into the wine and vodka making business. He wanted to create a "luxury vodka". Electing to use the purest ingredients and the purest water, he turned to the pristine lands of Newfoundland. Stating in a YouTube video that Newfoundland has very little pollution, he decided this country would be the best place to find the purest water to create this superior vodka. Not only is the vodka "quadruple filtered", the Academy Award Nominee also filters the vodka through diamonds. He insists it gives the vodka a distinct flavor. I will be happy to help him discard of any of those pesky diamonds after they have exhausted their little careers as vodka filters.
The crystal clear skull shaped bottle has a story behind it. Mr. Akroyd, who co-wrote and stared in Ghost Busters, is a self professed mystic and "ufologist". I have to admit, while I watched the proud Dan Akroyd give a tutorial on his vodka, once he started talking about the shape of the bottle, I was hoping it was another SNL skit. Apparently, according to Mr. Akroyd, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, was more fact than fiction. His comedic role as an alien posing as a Frenchman on SNL is closer to reality for Mr. Akroyd than we may think! So, this vodka is really out of this world! (Sorry, I couldn't help myself)
Dan Akroyd's Crystal Head Vodka makes a fantastic gift for a physician, a "dead head" or even a Shakespearian actor. The quality of this vodka is exceptional, as it was made with the "purest" of ingredients in a most unique technique. It makes a great conversation piece. If Dad loves comedy, is a skate boarder or even a pirate, he will appreciate Dan Akroyd's Crystal Head Vodka. With it's slightly creamy taste, it can be enjoyed chilled or mixed in your favorite vodka based drink.
"Come, give us a taste of your quality."
Hamlet. Act II, scene 2
Crystal head Vodka is available in 2 sizes:
750ml $49.99 1.75L $99.99 (Human Head Size)
May your champagne be filled with bubbles,
Angie Ann Makuch
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
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