Delicious Tequila Recipes for Your Cocktail List

TASTY TEQUILA RECIPES

                                                  

What better way to celebrate an engagement or wedding than with some tequila!!

Our expert mixologist, Cara Lynn Brady (who has been a bartender in bustling NYC for over 5 years!), has some great recipes. Here are her recommendations for some tasty tequila drinks to have the bartender serve at your wedding:

FOR THE NO FRILLS MARGARITA FAN

Classic Top Shelf Margarita:

I like this margarita because it doesn't use sour mix. Sour mix is essentially sweetened lemon-lime juice so replacing it with simple syrup and citrus juices makes for a much cleaner tasting margarita.

2 oz 100% agave silver Tequila (Patron Silver, Don Julio, Herradura, etc)

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau

1/2 ounce simple syrup

Splash fresh squeezed lime juice

Splash fresh squeezed lemon juice

Splash OJ

Shake well with ice and serve in a glass with a kosher salted rim.

FOR THE ALCOHOL AFICIONADO

Chupacabra:

Even though this is a pretty potent drink, it's amazing flavor hides the taste of the alcohol.

Fill pint glass with ice and add:

2 oz Tequila

1 oz. Peach or Pear flavored vodka (my preference is Stoli)

Splash lime cordial (like Roses' Lime)

Splash sour mix

Fill one inch from top with Peach Puree Juice or Pear Puree Juice (match to flavor of vodka)

Shake well

Add Champagne floater on top, filling up the rest of the pint glass. (can substitute club soda according to preference)

FOR THE HEALTH BUFF

Light Margarita:

This is a good diet drink because it's easy and low calorie plus it tastes way better than "The Skinny Girl Margarita".

2 ounces 100 percent agave silver tequila

Splash fresh lime juice

Drizzle of agave nectar

Fill the rest of the glass with half club soda and half fresh grapefruit juice

Stir and serve

FOR THE SPICY PEPPER LOVER

Infused tequila:

This can be done with anything from candy to fruit to herbs. I feel that it is best with hot peppers or an herb like cilantro.

Take 4-6 large jalapeño peppers, sliced into strips (without seeds)

And/Or a small bunch of cilantro.

Pour out some tequila from a 100% agave silver tequila bottle to make space and put in the jalapeños and/or cilantro and cap the bottle.

Soak from 6 hours to overnight until desired level of spice is reached.

Strain the tequila into a pitcher, leaving behind the jalapeños.

This can be chilled and served as a spicy tequila shot or used in place of regular tequila in any classic margarita recipe for a jalapeño margarita. Garnish the margarita with a jalapeño slice and a sprig of cilantro.

FOR THE MARGARITA CONNOISSEUR

Earthy Margarita:

This recipe is a bit complex, but is the perfect selection if you want something that tastes smokey and savory.

1 cucumber slice, muddled

2 oz. Reposado or Anejo Tequila.

3⁄4 oz. red pepper purée (made in blender or purchased)

1 oz. fresh lime juice

3⁄4 oz. agave nectar

Dash of orange bitters (or regular bitters)

Shake and serve in a glass with hickory salt or seasoned salt on the rim.

Enjoy! ;)

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Bridal Beauty Countdown. Look Your Best on the Big Day.

Mark Your Calendar For A Countdown To Your Wedding-Day Look.
By Eleni Elias. 

5-6 Months Before

A GOOD FOUNDATION 
Let’s start with nutrition. Every bride has an image in their mind of how they want to look on their wedding day. By paying attention to what you eat now, you will achieve your goal. Replace processed foods with lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Also drink plenty of water which will help hydrate your skin and flush toxins from your body. Additionally, start getting serious about exercise! Develop a routine that works for you. Whether attending a yoga class or going for a run several times a week, being active will help you to keep in shape and feel great!

3-4 Months Before

BODY CLEANSE 
Get serious about your skin care. Remember, makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath! Adopt a thorough regimen that includes a daily gentle cleanser, a toner, moisturizer and a once-a-week mask; look for a moisturizer containing both SPF and active antioxidants which wards off environmental free radicals that damage skin. Treat yourself to a monthly facial by using a gentle exfoliator to banish dead skin cells and improve the overall appearance of the skin. As for tresses, avoid overprocessing your hair and the continual use of blow dryers and curling irons which can often dry out lovely locks. Get in the habit of using a deep conditioner weekly which will restore shine and body to the hair.

1-2 Months Before

PERFECT SMILE & STUNNING HANDS
Want a sparkling smile on your big day? Cut down on culprits like coffee, tea and red wine. Now is the time to start using an over-the-counter whitening system or investing in a professional bleaching procedure. And don’t forget about your lips! Start applying a super-hydrating balm regularly to keep lips moisturized and help prevent chapping in the days leading up to the wedding. Since your hands will be the focal point of the big day, take care of them now. Keep your cuticles healthy and moisturized by applying sweet almond oil or cuticle cream every night. If nails are prone to breaking, then it’s recommended you apply a nail strengthener every couple of weeks. Remember to smooth on hand cream periodically during the day and always wear rubber gloves when doing the dishes!

1-2 Months Before

PERFECT SMILE & STUNNING HANDS
Want a sparkling smile on your big day? Cut down on culprits like coffee, tea and red wine. Now is the time to start using an over-the-counter whitening system or investing in a professional bleaching procedure. And don’t forget about your lips! Start applying a super-hydrating balm regularly to keep lips moisturized and help prevent chapping in the days leading up to the wedding. Since your hands will be the focal point...Continue reading at forthebridemag.com

Writing Your Vows... Choosing The Right Words to Declare Your Love

Writing your own wedding vows can be a daunting task. You may be feeling pressure to perform or suffering from a severe case of writer’s block. Don’t stress! Penning your feelings to paper is a skill that doesn’t come naturally—but it can be done. Here’s how.

Your ring is a symbol of love but words are important too

LET’S BEGIN

Before starting, talk to your officiant. Some houses of worship allow couples to recite only traditional vows. If, however, you get the green light don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourselves sufficient time to complete your vows to become comfortable with them. This process requires time and thought; you don’t want to be rushed.

VOWS TO WOW

Decide on the length, content, or if there is any personal information you don’t want shared with your friends and family. Discuss if you want to share your vows with each other before your wedding day for approval or motivation. Remember that vows are an agreement and should include: A declaration of love (“I’ll love you until the end of my days”), future promises for marriage (“I pledge to love and cherish you through all the trials and triumphs in years to come”), and a personal touch (“you are my friend, lover, a cheerleader through the good and bad”). If faith plays an important role in your life or if it differs from your fiancé’s, discuss this with your partner before the wedding to acknowledge each other’s expectations and how to best incorporate them into your vows.

IT’S ABOUT LOVE

Why not exchange love letters with your fiancé for inspiration. This is a fun way of motivating each other’s wit and a cute bonding experience during your wedding planning process. Consider it a rough draft and have copies of your letters when composing your vows as a guideline.

WRITER’S BLOCK

There’s no reason you can’t rework what others have used in the past. Begin with wedding videos from friends and family members to see how typical vows are composed and performed. Also, do a little research and read through poetry or meaningful passages to help you find the right words. Web sites including Poets.org and Bartleby.com are excellent places to look for creative ideas. You might also want to check out books like The Everything Wedding Vows Book (Adams Media) for even more ideas. If you’re unsure of what you’ve written and need an outside opinion, ask friends or family to read over your vows for honest feedback. Your officiant can also be remarkably helpful, especially if you wish to incorporate faith into your vows.

Continue reading at forthebridemag.com

By Danielle Ling

Win These Gifts for You and Your Groom!

Enter to win a Mr. & Mrs. flask gift set from EFLASKS (eflasks.com) or a pair of Bride & Groom iPhone 5 cases from INCIPIO (incipio.com). Visit http://www.forthebridemag.com/sweepstakes.asp now until August 15 to enter and you could be our winner!