Marketing a Cocktail Recipe Book...

One of the greatest things about being a bartender, besides the generous tips, of course, is the challenge of designing new drinks for people.  When people are out and about and having a good time, they are looking for something special, and when you can prepare a delicious drink that they have never had, it can be exciting to see the expression on their face when they truly love it.  If you are a bartender who really considers himself more of a mixologist and you have some great drink recipes, you may want to consider putting together a recipe book.

Putting the Book Together

Putting together a recipe book isn’t quite as easy as it sounds.  The fact is that as a bartender, you may not have calculated exact measurements when creating your cocktail concoctions, or perhaps you weren’t keeping track of everything that went into a certain drink.  Whatever it is, there will likely be a few obstacles that you will need to overcome in order to get that book done but it will be worth it in the end.

Make it Exciting

If you hand someone a recipe, chances are that they won’t find it very exciting.  Until something is made or until someone sees what they final product will look like, at least, the person holding the recipe will probably just dismiss it.  When you are trying to construct your book, remember that content development is essential, and you should be learning something new with almost every page.  You don’t want to just have a book full of words.  You want a book that will grab someone’s attention as they walk past it.  Once you have it done, you can finally begin marketing it!

Marketing a cocktail recipe book could be as simple as starting a social media page and advertising specifically on social media, or it could be as complex as a nationwide television and radio campaign.  The thing is that people like to drink and they like new ways to do it.  Once you can get the word out, chances are your book will sell very well.

Create the Best Look for Your Business Launch Part...

Whether you’re celebrating the takeoff of a new product line or hosting the launch of an entirely new startup company, your cocktail party is a symbol of what’s to come.  Part party and part business meeting, the relaxed environment of a cocktail party shouldn’t let the focus drift too far away from the main event, your company.

What to Serve

Cocktail parties are traditionally, early evening events.  Food is typically served, but normally not full course meals.  Instead, the menu may consist more of finger foods and hors d’oeuvres.  This allows guest to circulate a bit more and keeps the conversational nature of a cocktail party environment alive.  In keeping with the theme, alcohol is always a part of the festivities.  Although non-alcoholic drinks should always be offered as well.

Location is Important

After you have determined what your budget is going to be, location should be your first concern, when you are planning a cocktail party for your business.  If you are hosting a formal event, a hotel is an excellent choice.  Many hotels specialize in event hosting.  This means just about everything you need is provided.  The catering can also be handled in-house and if your guests are coming from out of town many times, rooms are offered at a group discount rate.  Additionally, most hotels have a media department or equipment, if you need to deliver a presentation of any kind during your event.

If an event at a hotel is way beyond your budget or does not make sense logistically, then you may want to look at hosting an in-house event.  This eliminates the need to budget for a space to host your party.  You will still have to cater the event, but you can find a reasonable rate if you shop around.  In fact, you may find a caterer who also provides a bar service. Hosting an in-house event has many benefits.  It will give clients and associates a chance to see your facilities and gain a greater understanding of your business operations.  For example, if you have recently opened or remodeled, it will give you a chance to show off all the improvements.  If you invested in art for the new office remodel it will be a great backdrop to the festive nature of a cocktail party.

Host A Cocktail Party Without Cigarette Smoke...

Do you have friends who smoke?  Though the numbers are decreasing, many of us still do… or are ourselves smoking individuals.  It wouldn’t do to simply not invite them over for your next big shindig. Then again, you may not want your furniture, drapes, carpeting and clothing to smell like smoke, after they leave.  Many people banish their friends that smoke to a patio or, best case scenario, in cold weather, an enclosed porch with an exhaust fan or an open window.  Is there another solution?

Modern Technology Comes to the Rescue

You, if you are a smoker, and your smoking friends can thank their lucky stars that they were born in a modern, technologically advanced day and age when carcinogen filled cigarettes have been replaced by smokeless, electronic cigarettes. You don’t need to carry a lighter anymore to make an impression on the ladies, guys.  You might consider carrying an extra battery, however.  It wouldn’t do to carry extra cartridges most likely, because with so many brands of electronic cigarettes popping up, it’s hard to know just which brand people will be enjoying.  And, enjoy them they will.  Smokeless cigarettes come in more varieties of flavors than real cigarettes ever did.  Even the nicotine levels can vary, depending on your need or want for the drug of choice.

Don’t Be Afraid to Introduce Your Friends To Modern Technology

In fact, if you belong to a group of smokers this may be the perfect opportunity to have a smokeless cigarette party.  Of course, your cigar smoking friends, or you yourself, are all out of luck, if you’re looking for a current smokeless option… For the time being.  Reportedly, the smokeless cigar is being researched and is in development in laboratories.  For now however, you can introduce your friends to the seemingly endless flavors, brands and types of electronic cigarettes on the market.

You don’t even have to leave the house, in order to buy your electronic cigarettes, because as with most things these days, you can purchase them online.  Online shoppers in fact get a discount, from many companies either through the decreased price or with free shipping or both.  What’s not to like here?

Hosting A Profitable Cocktail Party For Your Frien...

Did I hear you right?  You want to host a moneymaking cocktail party ,for your friends?  What are you… going to charge admission?   A cover charge?  Well you better have a seriously kick ass, rockin’ live band, at the very least.  A bartender and a caterer better be in the picture, as well!  And, an open bar.  Are you ready for that?  I’m thinking you’re going to need to look into some easy loans for bad credit just to break even.  Listen, I’m not trying to be a party pooper or anything but seriously?  Who throws a party to make money?

Have I Got a Deal for You…

Hoo boy… I’ve heard that one before.  Those words, when uttered, have been responsible for sending more people screaming into the night than Joan River’s next face lift.  Except maybe your mother-in-law, when she wakes up in the morning.  It’s not uncommon however, to have a friend, at least once in life, that invites you over to let you in on the ground floor, of the greatest money making scheme – I mean opportunity -  ever known to mankind.  And, what a lucky guy you are, that he has decided to share his good fortune, as it were, with you.  My apologies if this sounds even remotely facetious, but those are the kinds of things that you really need to watch out for… Particularly, when the economy is in a mess and everyone is looking for a way to make ends meet.  There is no saying that this awesome deal isn’t truly awesome.  And, maybe you never know till you try it, but you can certainly do your homework and research the living heck out of it, on the Internet before signing over a check.

It’s Just a Little Party amongst Friends

On the other hand however, there are simple, friendly little shows that people throw as cocktail parties, dinners, or just little get-togethers that involve the selling and buying of china, crystal, plastic containers, candles and various other sundries.  There is no harm done here.  In fact, some of the things for sale at these parties are actually quite nice, albeit moderately overpriced.  But, you go in the name of friendship and you’ll buy something for the sake of doing a favor for a friend.

Just remember the next time you have one of these parties, to invite your good friends from whom you bought that certain something.

Add a Piano to Your Cocktail Party...

How many of you have seen the old movies, where there is always, at some point in the gathering, a sing-along around the piano?  I guess that was back in the old days, before video games, DVDs, pay-per-view, and goodness knows what other technological conveniences determined the way parties go these days.  Not only do fewer households have pianos now, but considerably few adults have taken London piano lessons to any great extent.  Heck I played keyboard back when I was with a rock band, but the intro to Europe’s The Final Countdown was the highpoint of my career, on keyboard.  So what ever happened to piano sing-alongs anyways?  Have they all gone the way of karaoke machines?

Let’s Strike up a Song

Want to kick that cocktail party of yours square in the… (martini) glass?  Try learning any one of these songs on the piano, guitar, keyboard – or you could get yourself a player piano!  Red Red Wine by UB40, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield; appropriately, Piano Man by Billy Joel, Hey Jude by the infamous Beatles, American Pie by Don McLean, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison, Sweet Caroline by none other than Neil Diamond, Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey and Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi are the favorites and most requested pop songs for party sing-alongs.  Others include Who Let the Dogs Out, YMCA, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions.  Not exactly the classics or classical piano, but it’s a cocktail party after all, not an orchestral quartet.

So What’s the Big Deal about Singing Anyhow?

Seriously?  Take a look at all the places that, whether we realize we’re doing it or not, we sing.  We sing in the car like nobody can see us, we sing in the shower (that’s where the best acoustics in the house are), we sing around campfires, in the mirror using a hairbrush as a mic and even at work, albeit under our breath.  We can’t seem to stop in fact.  So why on Earth would you make everyone stop just for a party?  It’s a great way to break the ice, after all.  Singing is so important to us that we actually use it as a form of praise and worship, as in the singing of hymns in church.  Psychologists say that, whether we do it well or not, singing ends up being a release and it makes us feel great. The classics, show tunes, blues, ballads… it matters not.  We simply love to sing.  And sadly, that applies to the people, who can’t carry a tune in a basket.

In fact ,why is it that the people who are completely and totally tone deaf enjoy singing the most and insist upon doing it at the top of their lungs, at every given opportunity; much to the dismay of people who aren’t tone deaf.

5 Foods Which May Act as Natural Aphrodisiacs...

There are many benefits to eating natural foods. Now when you think of natural foods you may think it means boring and bland meal choices but that is not the case. There are many healthy and tasty foods that not only will satisfy your palate but may have some extra added benefits!

• Asparagus is rich in many essential victims including B6, A and C, it is also a good source of folic acid which boots the production of histamine. Histamines act as a neurotransmitter and increase orgasm potential in both men and women.

   

• Celery is a food which has an effect on sexual attractiveness when consumed. Celery contains the odorless hormone androsterone, which when released through perspiration in men acts as a natural aphrodisiac on women.
• Garlic is known for more than being slightly stinky food. It is also known to increase blood flow. If you know anything about that you may know that increased blood flow is thought to increase both the size and girth of men’s genitalia. No guarantees and there are certainly other natural ways to increase blood flow. You should visit a site like MaleEnhancementBlog.com to learn more about that.
• Bananas are not only tasty but they too have a natural aphrodisiac quality to them. Bananas of course are an excellent source of potassium and other vitamins like riboflavin and B. They also have the bromelain enzyme which is believed to increase libido in men and has been known to reverse impotence as well.
• Packed with tons of good things like potassium and antioxidants, figs are high in amino acid which is believed to increase sexual stamina and libido by increasing hormone production in both men and women.

So can foods you consume really help you in the bedroom? Who really knows, but they sure can be used as inspiration to be more adventurous. Making what you already possess more attractive to your partner. They are all also healthy food choices for your overall well-being.

Make Thanksgiving a Potluck Meal...

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to enjoy food with friends and family.  It also means you have several different options to choose from in regards to what you plan on serving for everyone.  If you are thinking of having a potluck, then you are going to have a great time.  You also need to figure out what the menu is going to consist of.

Creating A Potluck Theme Quick And Easy

Part of having a potluck means, you will need to figure out what the menu should consist of.  Getting a theme together is the first step.  You want foods that everyone is going to love, but also be able to make.  If you are struggling for ideas, it might be time to check out Momswhothink.com Thanksgiving recipes for help.  You might get a new idea that is going to be perfect for the potluck.

Invitation List

Creating your list of people you would like to attend your potluck is going to be perfect, because you can also figure out who is going to bring what dishes.  It might seem like this is going to be a very long task, but it actually is fairly easy, and you can move on to the next process.  The bigger the potluck the more you will need to be sure you have plenty of plates and silverware, that is something that is always overlooked.  Make sure you are in contact with all of the people who will be attending, so everyone will be able to assist in getting all the crucial items set up.

Your potluck is going to be a huge hit.  Everyone is going to love all the cool options to choose from, and you are going to feel great about how successful everything is going to be.

Switching Up Your Salads...

When most people think of salads, they think of lettuce salads and not much else, but there are millions of other salads to consider when finding a great salad to serve up as a side dish, or even the main entree, for your next meal.  If you’re getting bored with the same old salad and want to enliven your palate, here are some must have salad-switch ups you’re guaranteed to love.

Amped up pasta salads

A fun way to make a salad is by adding pasta to it; it’s very filling and there are dozens of ways this can be done. You can buy some macaroni and put together a homemade macaroni salad, which is one of the best mayonnaise-based pasta salads around. Or you can boil up some bow tie pasta and toss that with red onions, loose leaf spinach, and finish it with a zesty parmesan oregano vinaigrette.  Another classic pasta salad is rotini rainbow spiral pasta, tossed with broccoli, carrots, cannoli beans, olives, chopped peppers, artichoke hearts, cubes of Swiss cheese and tossed in Italian dressing.  And if you’re a fan of cucumbers, a great salad is spiral pasta, tossed with cucumber, onion, vinegar, sugar and mustard. You can also try making a pasta salad as a main dish, by adding shrimp or ham to it.

Use different veggies at the base

Another fun way to completely switch up your salad style is by trying different vegetables as the base. Instead of lettuce or spinach, use broccoli as the base for your salad.  Another fun vegetable pairing that doesn’t use lettuce at all is chopped carrots, beets and red cabbage. Cabbage is actually a great base for any salad, as it does well in both mayonnaise-based recipes and lighter recipes.  Avocado slices served with chopped tomatoes makes another simple yet beautiful salad to serve. And always remember to add a little salt and pepper to your salad so that the flavors come out beautifully.

Let your mind completely wander when dreaming up different types of salad.  You can do no wrong since they’re healthy.

Why Beer Bread Works...

At first blush the reader may be thinking “Cool! Beer bread! Get drunk and have a meal all at the same time!” Well getting tipsy eating beer bread is not going to happen, but whatever beverage you consume while eating it is certainly your own choice! So what exactly is beer bread? Simply, beer bread is just like any other bread with the added taste booster of a can of your favorite ale. Some folks use a non-alcoholic beer which is great, but most experienced bakers will tell you to add some more yeast when you do. During the baking process, the alcohol is burned off anyway and what’s left is a great taste.

Just Another Ingredient

Baking beer bread is no more difficult than a recipe for banana bread which is one of the simplest breads to make. The normal ingredients of flour and salt are merely enhanced by the beer. For a 1 pound loaf of bread, 12 ounces of beer is just about right. You can make a crunchy loaf with a little butter on top or add butter to the recipe to make the crust softer. Be sure to have enough on hand, though, as beer bread is sure to be a favorite item for any occasion. Also, most recipes for beer bread are much simpler to make than other traditional bread recipes.

The Beer does the Work

Baking bread can definitely be a lot of work and not always turn out like you wanted. You hope for a beautiful, bronze loaf of bread that’s soft and delicious and you end up with a brick. You can spend a whole morning just kneading, punching, pounding and shaping a loaf; then the rising and more punching before you actually put it in the oven. Making a loaf of beer bread is a much easier process that eliminates the need for kneading, punching and pounding. You can purchase a readymade beer mix to which you just add beer, but there are several recipes on the web using normal ingredients that will work great.

Bringing Home a Taste of Tokyo...

Traveling is exhilarating.  However, it can also come with a mixture of highs and lows.  Many travelers delight in their arrival in a new area.  However, when they return home they experience a mixture of sadness and separation.  Fortunately, it is easy to bring home a taste of Tokyo to your own kitchen.  Here are some suggestions.

Make Your Own Meals

There are several popular Japanese dishes that you can make from the comfort of your own home.  Many people love making noodles.  They serve these with their favorite meats and marinades.  You can too.  Look online for recipes.  You can find an easy recipe for the noodles you are craving.  You might be surprised with how much you love them.  And it will help you overcome the sadness many experience when they come home from Tokyo.

Go Out To Dinner

Another way to taste Tokyo in your own city is to go out to dinner.  There are many Japanese restaurants.  Chances are one is in your area.  Find reviews on yelp and visit the restaurant that seems the most popular.  This way you will still be able to experience Tokyo in your hometown.  When all else fails, you can always order some sushi.  Sushi is one of the most beloved and popular dishes throughout all of Japan.

Japanese Style

Finally, consider adding some Japanese elements to your kitchen.  You may not want to forgo the table for the traditional Japanese one.  However, you might enjoy dining with some Japanese ambiance and style.  You can invest in Japanese place mats or napkins.  You can even invest in some dishware from Tokyo.  Every time you eat on these dishes, you will be reminded of your trip.

There is no need to be sad that your Tokyo vacation is over.  You can always visit again.  And you can definitely bring the flavor of Tokyo to your home.