Category Archives: cocktails

October 14, 2013 · 9:11 am

Lola’s Cocktail ‘Pink Love Affair’ for Breast Cancer Awareness

No one is EVER shocked when I tell them I have an obsession with the color PINK. It’s a FUN color and definitely my signature (among other things) hellllooo boa?!

Anyway, given that I’m a girl and somewhat an ambassador for the color pink, I felt it was very fitting to dedicate October to Breast Cancer Awareness on Lola’s Travels. I had already started #PinkMonday on Facebook because, you know, most people dread Mondays and pink makes me happy. So, in the month of October, for every like on my #PinkMonday posts on Facebook, I will be donating a $1.00 to Breast Cancer Awareness & Research. Including today, 3 more Monday’s to go folks!

This #PinkMonday I also wanted to showcase a yummy PINK cocktail made just for moi and in honor of my #PinkMonday October Facebook posts. After the color pink, cocktails might be my next favorite thing! I got to name my drink and thought ‘Pink Love Affair’ was an appropriate name since I do have a huge love of pink.

BUT, I’ll be honest, although I wanted a pink drink, I don’t love sweet cocktails so this was a big challenge. I love this delicious drink because it was fresh & fruity but not too sugary. AND luckily for you, here’s the scoop on how to make ‘Pink Love Affair’. Go on and toast to all the lovers of pink and ladies in your life!

PINK LOVE AFFAIR

Ingredients:

3 oz house infused cranberry vodka
1/2 oz Cointreau
Splash of simple syrup
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon
Touch of cream
3 strawberries & 3 raspberries

Method:

Place 3 raspberries and 2 sliced strawberries in the base of a mixer & muddle.
Build remaining ingredients over ice.
Shake vigorously and pour with strainer into a martini glass.
Garnish with remaining strawberry.

Now I should sing the praises of the creators of my special cocktail. A fine bartender, Mike Dillon, over at The Wild Horse made it up for me. The Wild Horse, newly renovated and reopened under new ownership, is a delicious and fun restaurant and bar in Lola’s neck of the woods – the North Shore, 30 minutes outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

I’ve always been a fan of this establishment but love it even more now that it’s been revived by the new owners. They serve locally sourced fare wherever possible BUT, no surprise, I’m a huge fan of the house infused spirits! Same idea, made with farm fresh sourced ingredients, some of the current offerings are Pumpkin Puree Vodka, Cinnamon Vanilla Bourbon and my personal favorite for my dirty martinis – Jalapeño & Habanero Pepper Vodka for what they call ‘Hot & Dirty’. MMMMMM LOVE!

I truly appreciate The Wild Horse creating a special drink for Lola for my month of celebrating PINK. Consider liking my #PinkMonday Facebook posts during October…I’m glad to donate to Breast Cancer Awareness & Research since breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, behind skin cancers, and about 1 in 8 women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2013 are:

About 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
About 64,640 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
About 39,620 women will die from breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

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Filed under boston, cocktails, massachusetts, travel

Tagged as breast cancer awareness, pink cocktails, pink love affair, pink monday, the wild horse in beverly

October 3, 2013 · 9:15 am

#MTLMoments – My 3 Favorite Drink Experiences in Montreal

I’ve said it before about the lovely city of Montreal – I feel we are kindred spirits. I was thrilled to return to Montreal this August and get to experience it in summertime. I had so much fun there in the throes of winter but really appreciated all I adored from that visit even more this one. People really get out and enjoy Montreal and I think that’s so cool. From wandering the streets, the foodie treats, dancing the night away at a club or just out for evening cocktails on a terrace about town, Montrealers are mixing it up in their city. I, fortunately, got to do all of the above but for now wanted to focus on 3 of my favorite drink experiences while in Montreal.

Classic Cocktails on the Patio

Baldwin Barmacie – located in the ultra hip Mile-End area of Montreal, Baldwin Barmacie feels like a retro throwback. I loved the simple decor and the cocktail menu did not disappoint. I decided on one of my usuals, a dirty martini, it was so yummy that i had to order 2! Plus the petit glass it arrived in was tres cute. You can expect a stylish crowd here but not a pretentious one. Ladies, look out for firefighters on duty down the street at the Firefighters Museum. DELICIOUS!

Impromptu Market Picnic with Vin

Atwater Market – located on the edge of the Old Port neighborhood of Montreal, what a treasure this market is. Quebec products abound here and they pride themselves on delivering local gourmet treats. Fruit and produce can be found as well as butchers and cheese mongers. The flowers aren’t to be missed either. My magic drink moment was found at Première Moisson within the market where they sell delicious pastries and sandwiches. I collected a ham and cheese croissant but not like any I’ve had before as well as a little bottle of vin and a last-minute addition of a chocolate chip and caramel cookie. When I was rung up the woman checking me out said she would have ordered the exact same thing. BINGO!

One of a Kind Glass of Champagne

La Champagnerie – located in Old Montreal, it totally makes sense to have a bar that specializes in champagne – so romantic! But this isn’t your usual champagne bar. First of all, let me be clear, champagne is FAR from my favorite but this experience and what I had to drink were the top of my drink experiences. SOOOO that’s saying something. The “Sabrage” technique became popular from Napoleonic France times. The sabre was the weapon of choice at that time and with all of Napoleon’s victories, the calvary would open champagne with their sabres. OK so that’s where the tradition started but have you ever been somewhere where they encourage you to do the same? No, I thought not. Pick a delicious bottle of champagne and open it with a blunt knife all on you own! Suddenly it’s the very best tasting champagne on earth. But really…IT WAS.

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Filed under canada, cocktails, montreal, travel

April 25, 2013 · 8:29 am

Travel Style – a #FriFotos Special Edition

Stylin’ & Profilin’

Lola’s #STYLE is #lolafied

I’m excited to share that I’ll be co-hosting #FriFotos on Twitter this Friday, April 26. In case you aren’t clear what #FriFotos is exactly, it’s a 24-hour chat that trends internationally. People worldwide share their photos that match the week’s theme and you can play along if you’re on Twitter or Instagram by following the #FriFotos hashtag and including it in your Tweets with your photos.

The usual hosts will be there: @FriFotos who can also be tweeted to as @TravelDesigned, @EpsteinTravels & @CharlesYap. I’m sharing co-hosting with ooo lala @purplepassport AND you can find me @LolaDiMarco. NOW onto this week’s theme. After a little discussion we decided on #STYLE. I think this is a fantastic topic for #FriFotos because it can apply to lots of things with regard to travel. Like is your #STYLE solo travel, backpacker or luxe? Is your accommodation #STYLE swanky, hip or budget? What’s your travel food #STYLE or even libations #STYLE? You get my point, right?! #STYLE is about the LIFESTYLE of travel too. Of course, I think the more creative the better and to help inspire you I’ve put together some ideas to show you LOLA’S TRAVEL #STYLE.

LOLAPINK

Theres no doubt about it. My travel #STYLE involves lots and lots of PINK wherever I can pull it off!

Lola’s drink #STYLE of choice is COCKTAILS

Seen here are a Dark & Stormy at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Ultimate Gin & Tonic at SLS Beverly Hills, CA, 3 different versions of Negronis at Four Seasons Florence, Italy & the delicious Eastern Standard at Soho Beach House, Miami.

my travel #STYLE most certainly includes LUXURY hotel stays

Don’t know what your #STYLE is for accommodations but mine’s definitely one where I’m looking for something special! These properties absolutely fit the special #STYLE bill. Seen here are two Four Seasons properties: Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, CA and Four Seasons Milan in Milan, Italy. AND two Relais & Chateaux properties: Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy and Villa Galicci in Aix en Provence, France. I can assure you that I have never stayed in any Relais & Chateaux or Four Seasons property that didn’t meet every expectation in GREAT #STYLE.

Lola’s #STYLE also goes with HIP hotels

My travel #STYLE enjoys finding the new hot spots too. These hotels certainly exude a HIP #STYLE. We’ve got Mondrian SoHo in NYC, W Barcelona in Spain, The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas & The James Royal Palm in Miami. All very HIP. All very COOL.

FACT: Lola hearts the #STYLE of a beach vacay

It’s gotta be NO surprise that my travel #STYLE is definitely one that leans toward beach vacations. Sun, sand & the sea make me so happy! Here are a few of my favorite beachy spots: Miami Beach in Florida, Gouverneur Beach in St. Barts, Lucy Vincent Beach in Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Cas Abao Beach in Curacao.

very important in my world…minibar #STYLE

One thing that I’ve found that really sets some properties apart is a beautiful, well-appointed minibar! First up is the BEST up so far – Soho Beach House, Miami. To the right is Mondrian SoHo, NYC. Below is Four Seasons Florence, Italy. To the left is W Barcelona, Spain. If you love a cocktail to start your evening off right or to have a night cap at days end, a minibar with serious #STYLE is essential! Just sayin’

Lola’s #STYLE is definitely all about a FAB hotel pool

I don’t care if it’s not even warm enough to sun yourself, there’s something amazing about the #STYLE of great swimming pool. Granted, I prefer the sunshine & warmth option in my travel plans. Found here are Delano South Beach in Miami, W Barcelona in Spain, Petit Palace in Santorini, Greece and Soho Beach House in Miami. I ask you what’s not to LOVE about these pool’s #STYLE?

I hope these examples of #STYLE has got your creative juices flowing. It will be so FUN if you come PLAY along on Friday on Twitter with #FriFotos. Don’t forget to tweet to me @LolaDiMarco and add the hashtags #STYLE and #FriFotos to your photos. I look forward to seeing you & your travel #STYLE there!

xo – LOLA

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Filed under amalfi coast, barcelona, california, caribbean, cocktails, curacao, europe, florence, florida, france, greece, hipster hotels, italy, martha's vineyard, miami, milan, new york, spain, st. barts, swanky luxe stays, travel, USA, vegas

Tagged as FriFotos, style, travel photos

February 15, 2013 · 1:43 pm

a Negroni cocktail history lesson

Negroni 101 – in its birthplace – Florence, Italy

it’s no secret. i love my cocktails and i’ve been having a love affair with Negronis for some time now. little did i know, i was traveling to its homeland, the location of the creation of my cocktail of choice, this past fall. when i walked into the Atrium Bar at Four Seasons Florence, i had no clue i’d be learning Negroni history and sample tastings that evening. boy was i in for a major treat getting to experience it first hand.

so, there i was in a loungy bar in the beautiful Four Seasons Florence being served by the handsome, Luca, head bartender and winner of the prestigious “Italian Barman of the Year 2012”. not too shabby for a cocktail lover. to top it off, this ultra cool bar also has its own Negroni cart where they mix you whatever Negroni version you prefer right there at your table side. LOVE!

while Luca did his mixing magic he told the story of how Negroni was born in Florence in 1920. at that time, the cocktail ‘Americano’ was very popular. a particular Italian playboy, Count Camillo Negroni, wanted the barman at Cafe Casoni to add gin to the concoction & thus, the drink took on the name Negroni.

now for the fun stuff. ‘Americano’ is 1/2 Campari & 1/2 vermouth. Negroni is 1/3 gin, 1/3 Campari & 1/3 vermouth. Luca didn’t mix-master any old typical Negroni, however, he made 3 versions.

ONE was known as Old Style, a variation of Negroni using the oldest products out there. Beefeater Gin from 1820, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth from 1786 & China Clementi Bitter from 1884, garnished with an orange peel.

TWO was called Valentino and is a combination of Hendricks Gin, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth & Campari, garnished with a cucumber slice and an orange peel.

THREE was Camillo, the namesake of the inventor, made with gin, white port & Prato Vermouth, garnished with an orange slice and caper berries.

A note of thanks to Four Seasons Florence for hosting my Negroni history lesson & tasting as well as other cocktail treats and eats. my taste buds were delighted and if i didn’t ‘Lola Approve’ it i’d say otherwise. the views here are mine, grazie!

30 Comments

Filed under cocktails, florence, travel

Tagged as four seasons florence, four seasons hotels, negroni cocktails

July 18, 2012 · 8:29 am

Capture the Color with Lola

SHOCKING i’m sure – lola loves color!!

hello my traveling friends. there’s a new contest in town called “Capture the Color” put on by TravelSupermarket.com. the idea behind it is that you publish a post with pictures that capture these five colors – blue, green, yellow, white, and red. (of course, i’m bucking the system and adding pink because…how could i not?) i was graciously tagged by Erin from The World Wanderer and even though i’m no photographer, i’m happy to play along, so thank you Erin!

oh BLUE – i’d be so true to you

nothing was more beautiful than the BLUE BLUE skies of Greece to me

hello GREEN! too much of you could make one mean

cucumber cocktail…a healthy GREEN i like to imbibe A LOT!

look at the sun! look how it shines for you – and everything you do. yeah, it was all YELLOW

this YELLOW-orange sunset in Santorini may have been the most beautiful i’ve ever seen

WHITE – you are pure like the driven snow but i prefer you as BRIGHT WHITE roses instead

the delicate beauty of this WHITE bouquet made me weak in the knees

roses are RED and so is this yummy cocktail called Negroni

RED RED RED – that’s what i said

PINK PINK you make me think…i WANT this car really BAD

deep in the heart of Art Deco Miami lives a PINK car that i must have one day

now for the tagging on my part…

Alex of Crazy Sexy Fun Traveler – no doubt, your photos will be Crazy, Sexy & Fun!

Elyse of Foodie International – we all expect pics of mouth-watering food! NOM NOM

Jen of Scarlett Wonderland – i expect some sassy shots my hot friend!

Will Peach of WillPeach.com & My Spanish Adventure + many more sexy sites found on my ‘links amour’ page – may i suggest for your WHITE photo your shower shot from Alone & Naked in Lisbon