Before you know it, the warm weather will be here. If you are looking for a refreshing cocktail for your spring parties and backyard barbecues, check out this recipe for the In-the-Black Berry Mojito from The Kitchens of The Food Channel.
A wonderfully light, slightly tart, and refreshing rum drink flavored with mint, lime juice, and fresh blackberries. The birthplace of the mojito is Cuba, so it makes perfect sense that the cocktail is prized around the world for its ability to tame tropical days and nights.
Foodie Byte: Frozen blackberries may be substituted for the muddled berries, but not for the …read more

Are you looking for some last minute cocktail recipes for your Super Bowl party? Check out these drink recipes from Grey Goose using their L’Orange flavored vodka. There is one recipe for each team, plus a neutrally named drink that everyone will enjoy!
Grey Goose L’Orange Big Easy
Ingredients:

1 ½ parts Grey Goose L’Orange Flavored Vodka
1 ½ parts pink grapefruit juice
¾ parts fresh lime juice
½ part passion syrup
Dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Method:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients and fill with cubed ice. Shake hard until shaker is beaded with sweat. Double strain into chilled martini glass.
Grey Goose L’Orange Colts Cooler
Ingredients:

1 part Grey Goose …read more

It seems like an oxymoron to place “Hybrid” in the same sentence as a HEMI but here it is… the all new 2010 Dodge Ram Hybrid/HEMI. The truck promises to be a fair compromise between the need for a powerful workhorse as well as a fuel efficient gas saver.

The Ram comes with their patented Two-Mode Hybrid system. The two mode hybrid just means that you can choose to use the electric motor to assist the gas engine or use the electric motor on it’s own (power allowing). So far the hybrid system has worked well for Chevy with their Silverado …read more

Give her a sweet kiss this Valentine’s Day with the Agave Kiss. This creamy drink recipe uses Tequila Herradura Silver and cream for a delectable after dinner cocktail.
Ingredients

2 oz. Tequila Herradura Silver
1 oz. white crème de cacao
1 oz. double cream
1/2 oz. Chambord
white chocolate flakes for rim
fresh raspberries for garnish

Method
In a shaker with ice, add Herradura tequila, white crème de cacao, double cream and Chambord. Shake for 15 seconds. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass, rimmed with white chocolate, add a spear of fresh raspberries, and serve.
Image and recipe courtesy of Herradura.

Last year was crushing for U.S. automotive dealerships – 1,605 dealerships closed in 2009 whic represents an 8% drop.  It was a significant increase over the 881 that shut their doors in 2008. 

Some cities were hit harder than others.  The five centers that saw the greatest declines were Charleston, SC (16.3%), Stockton, CA, (16.2%), Albany, NY (15.5%), Poughkeepsie, NY (15.2%) and Greensboro, NC (14%).
Some people argue that this is a good move since it gets rid of the weak dealerships so that the focus can be on the stronger ones but I’m not sure I agree.  Either …read more

Hyundai Canada could go back to producing vehicles in Canada after having a record year in 2009.  The president of the company said that their final decision will depend on whether “sales volumes rise to a high enough level.”

The numbers really are pretty impressive.  I was at a Dodge dealership just yesterday and they said that their sales were down 50% in comparison with this time last year but Hyundai is reporting that their January sales jumped 32%, adding on to gains in 2009.  That makes 2009 its best year ever since they sold 103,000 vehicles.
Hyundai hasn’t manufactured in Canada …read more

Yazi Ginger Vodka is one of only a few ginger-flavored vodkas in the world and it’s perfectly suited to pair with Valentine’s trademark candy –chocolate. Julian Rose, a chocolate expert and master chocolatier for Moonstruck Chocolate, suggests pairing Yazi ginger vodka with dark chocolate and truffles.
“Yazi is exceptional with Moonstruck’s 68 percent dark chocolate and brings out the deep roasted cocoa notes as well as complements the bitterness of the chocolate,” said Rose. “The ginger flavor is complementary, yet doesn’t overpower the chocolate. I would also pair Yazi Ginger Vodka with Moonstruck’s milk chocolate orange caramel, our Grenada Truffle or …read more

Get her in the mood for romance. This Valentine’s Day turn up the heat by concocting unique aphrodisiac cocktails. Using sensual ingredients like fresh basil, ginger and of course chocolate, these cocktails, created by Brian Van Flandern, Tequila Don Julio Global Brand Ambassador, will increase one’s desire and set passions aflame.
The Casanova
Ingredients:

1 1/2 ounces Ketel One vodka
2 ounces fresh tomato water (not juice)
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce cane sugar simple syrup
Muddled fresh basil leaves
Balsamic vinegar reduction

Preparation:

Combine Ketel One vodka, fresh tomato water, fresh lemon juice, cane sugar simple syrup, and muddled basil into a cocktail shaker with …read more

Tequila is great for shots and margaritas, but it’s also terrific for other cocktail recipes too. In this Valentine’s Day drink, Dos Lunas tequila and chilled champagne are a perfect match.
Makes 2 Cocktails
Ingredients

2 ounces Dos Lunas Silver Tequila
2 ounces Orange Flavored Liqueur
2 ounces Pomegranate Juice
Chilled Champagne

Method
Place Dos Lunas Silver Tequila, orange flavored liqueur and pomegranate juice into a large cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain evenly between two champagne flutes. Top with chilled champagne. Stir gently.

I’m always fascinated by the new concept cars being created. Sometimes a company like GMC will have a terrible new car released that bombs on the market. Then at other times they really come through designing a car that is both stylish, practical and enjoyable.
The 2011 Detroit Auto Show was the platform in revealing the all new GMC Granite, a concept vehicle that promises to be a hit for consumers.
The Granite is not exactly a SUV or minivan, the car is a small five seater but it was designed for space and comfort. Similar in concept to the Dodge Caliber, …read more