Red, White & Booze

The 4th has stumped us this year. Falling smack in the middle of the week has led party goers all over the country scratching their heads. Do we celebrate the weekend before? The weekend after? Rage the day of and forget work is eminently approaching the next day? My answer dear followers is all of the above!! We are young and need not worry about the suffering that we will incur on Thursday. Here are some cocktails recipes and inspiration to get you rage-ready for this year’s patriotic celebration…tomorrow my fellow Americans, we answer to no one! ENJOY!

Summer in the U.S.A

• 1.5 oz. CîROC Vodka
• 4 Slices of Cucumber 
• 5-6 Mint Leaves 
• Juice of 1 Lime
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

GLASS: Rocks 

GARNISH: Cucumber

• 1.5 oz. CîROC Vodka
• .75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice (or 1/2 Lemon Muddled) 
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup 
• 6 Mint Leaves 
• Fill to top with Club Soda

GLASS: Highball 

GARNISH: Mint Sprig

Rocket Pop

• Strawberry Daiquiri: 1 oz. Tropics Strawberry Daiquiri mix, 3/4 oz. Bacardi Dragonberry, ice - blend
• Pina Colada: 1 oz. Tropics Pina Colada mix, 3/4 oz. Bacardi Rock Coconut, ice - blend
• Blue Frozen Margarita: 1 oz. Tropics Margarita mix, 1 oz. Blue Curacao, 3/4 oz. Tequila, ice - blend

Directions: Layer each mixture in an 18 oz. tumbler and enjoy!

SAIA Salute

• 2oz. Pisco Patron
• 1 fresh egg white
• 1oz. lime juice
• 1oz. blue Curacao
• 1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Directions: Combine the first 4 ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake, strain into martini glass. Pour a dash of Bitters in the center and create the star using a toothpick.

Firecracker Pop

• 2 oz. CîROC Coconut
• 1 oz. Simple Syrup
• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
  
• 1 slice of Jalapeno
• 3 oz. Watermelon Juice

GLASS: Highball

Garnish: Watermelon Wedge

Berry summer smash

• 1.5 oz CîROC Red Berry 
• 4 blueberries 
• 2 strawberries 
• 4 wedges of lime
• 2 spoonfuls of sugar

GLASS: Rocks 

GARNISH: Strawberry

Dive in Movie at The Standard, Miami

No, it’s not a typo. I meant DIVE in movie. This weekend, I had my first experience at The Standard, Miami’s pool past sunset. My love for pool parties is no secret, but this weekend the party changed as we took the festivities from day to night. We traded the Chevy Malibu and roller skates for pool loungers, inflatable sharks and vodka…the heated towels were a nice touch too!

With JAWS on the “big screen” and perfect weather, we couldn’t ask for anything more! Seriously, tell me a better way to close out the weekend than with good friends (star worthy appearance by Mr. O’Donnell), a good movie (horror classic) and good cocktails?! The only downside…these cinematic pool fiestas are few and far between as The Standard crew only hosts movie night once a month, but you better believe I’ll be making an appearance next month for the 9PM showing of Blue Lagoon!!

Wet n’ Wild

Nothing says vacation like a pool party with 5,000+ of your closest friends. Between the sun, the vodka, and the lack of clothing, it is hard not to enjoy these fine aquatic activities. Here is a list of my favorite pool party fiestas thus far…

Wet Republic

It’s not new, it’s nothing you haven’t heard about before, but it is still one of the greatest pool parties in Vegas, if not the world. An adult playground to say the least, this Miami-style venue attracts the hottest people in the tiniest bikinis. Want to feel like a big shot? The cabanas are 100% worth it, with massage therapists to put on your tanning oil (Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil) and ever flowing vodka, it really doesn’t get any better. So for this summer’s Vegas trip, forget REHAB and head over to MGM Grand’s fabulous Wet Republic!! (Location: MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas; Hours: Thursday - Monday, 11AM-6PM)

Shore Club SUNDAZE

Still the best pool party in South Beach, this secluded oasis never fails to deliver a good time. Just walk through the swank all-white lobby, through the magical secret garden, and out to the pool and you’ll find the fabulous pool party that is Shore Club SUNDAZE. DJs Jason Vernau & Tavin Reiter keep the crowds dancing and loving life till the sun sets with their fresh take on today’s house music. Want a taste? Check out the latest from DJ Tavin Reiter, Price…Across the World. It’s a fact that people are happier on vacation and getting to live in one of America’s hottest vacation destinations leads to a lot of happy SUNDAZE for this girl. (Location: Shore Club, Miami Beach; Hours: Sunday, 12PM-Sunset)

The Hotel Gansevoort

New York City might not be the first place you’d think to go to for a pool party, but don’t be so quick to discount the concrete jungle’s finest summertime hot spot. Located in New York’s Meatpacking district, the sleek and sexy hotel gives new meaning to Urban Luxury. This more “adult” pool party tends to stay away from the sloppiness that usually comes with a good pool fiesta and you won’t see any flotation devices, but the people watching is worth the visit up top. Even if you don’t feel like getting wet, check out the roof top bar, Plunge, for delicious cocktails and spectacular city views. Perfect for a drink or two any night of the week. (Location: Hotel Gansevoort, New York)

Shore Club Sundaze

There is nothing I love more than day drinking!! Whether it’s in Jersey at Martell’s Tiki Bar or in Vegas at Wet Republic, I prefer my kettle one on the rocks under the bright hot sun, alongside a pool and/or beach than in a crowded club. Maybe it’s the abundance of hot bodies and tiny bikinis or maybe it’s the hallucinogenic effects of alcohol and heat, but the fact is a high-quality pool party never fails to deliver a good time.

It is for this reason I am shocked (and disappointed) that I have not attended the Shore Club Sundaze Pool Party…until this past weekend. Located between the two infinity pools, the Rumbar offers 75 different rums and an endless menu of signature cocktails. The pool and more importantly, the pool bar, open early but the party doesn’t get started till 2:00 PM. A little late for my taste but this is a more “adult” pool party then I’m used to. The music (by resident DJ Jason Vernau) provides the latest House music and is the perfect addition to get everyone in the mood. 

With the beginning of the 2011 summer season approaching this is the perfect time to grab your tanning oil and bikini (if you choose to wear one) and book your trip. Come experience this little Miami treasure!!

YES!! That is an orange icee!! HUGE props to the Shore Club for passing out this delicious treat to their parched patrons…