The Beautiful People at Candleroom

You have to love Candleroom. Dallas's classy "Place to be seen" was rocking Thursday night as the "Bottles and Boots" program kicked off and I had to say, I watched these peoples eye brows raised as they wondered what the hell was going on with this music. "Bottles and Boots" mashes Country with Hip Hop to amazing results. One minute your listening to Kenny Chesney and out of nowhere 50 Cent is in the club. Go figure, but it worked!!

Now about the people, it's blend of the hip and the ultra hip. Bottle Service (Zodiac is available there) cuts off the wanna be rich from the rest of us, but they sure are fun to look at. People "Dress" to go to Candleroom, and it's nice to see a place in town that so hugely resembles L.A. or NYC.

Cretia's on McKinney goes "Bottles and Boots"

Cretia's, the ever-popular restaurant, turned SMU hangout is going to feature a very interesting concept over the next few months: Starting this coming Wednesday, they will feature a "Mash Up" of Country music and Hip Hop that has to be heard and not read about. It's impossible to describe. One moment you're hearing Faith Hill and then there's Lil Wayne somehow blended into the beats of the song. They started this at "Candleroom" last week and it was truly amazing to watch people dancing to what I'm sure they didn't quite get, but loved it anyway. If you haven't been to either Cretia's or Candleroom lately, there are no hotter spots in Dallas than these two places right now. Candleroom tends to get the beautiful people there and Tommy D and Shaun are great hosts. Cretica's, which has just re-opened is at the far north end of McKinney almost too close to Highland Park for it to be truly fun, but it is. You need to check this out. Of course Zodiac Vodka is the "bottle" part of this promotion. You can't miss out when you're only paying $100 for a bottle service at either of these places!

PARTY IN THE PENTHOUSE

The Dallas Film Festival was kicking off, and there was an invite to the "Party in the Penthouse" that went around. Last minute, we decided to go. You walked into the "Red Carpet" area of this incredibly nice high rise apartment complex--The Mondrian, kind of on the corner or West Village, but across the street. Why I had never heard of this before now is beyond me. I was met by a smiling young man and a photographer who took our pictures making us feel very VIP. Then we went up. Up to the 17th floor, which does sound all that "High" but it was. The apartment of this guy was nice, but the balcony and the view, uh, dude, amazing. By some miracle, it had stopped raining and there were quite a few VIP's around, including one Hershel Walker. Met the owner, and he's a Rep for Zodiac Vodka, which rocked. They were making pear martini's and watching the sunset. This is how I want to live when I grow up! Nice way to start AFI Dallas! One last serious note: I met a very nice lady, her name: Repunzel. Yes, Repunzel showed me to the Tower! Go figure!!! The Mondrian rocks!

Nightclub and Bar Show in Las Vegas!

It's here!! The annual Nightclub and Bar show, the biggest in the world, is here in Vegas over the next couple of days. Imagine: Every Liquor, Beer, Wine supplier in the USA, along with every fast food, glassware, computer programmers(The ones that run restaurants) and anything and everything that has to do with the Nightclub/Bar/Restaurant business is all under one gigantic roof. Free samples of Zodiac? Free samples of Baileys? All here. Then stop and get some French fries, and whatever newest food those companies are trying to sell and you have the picture. 35,000 people come to this show! It's one big ole party!!

Humperdinks to Feature Zodiac for 2 months

The Dallas area Humperdinks are lock and loaded with an incredible 2 month program featuring 4 new Zodiac Drinks! The Dallas locations will start March 1st and continue throughout the next two months. You truly need to stop by these locations if you haven't in a while.l Great food, great place to watch a game and hell, just watch people! The management and waitstaff are truly some of the best in the area!!

PM Lounge to do Zodiac Nights!

PM Lounge, the hottest spot in Dallas has just signed up to do event after event for Zodiac. Their new, ultra Chic place in the brand spanking new Joule Hotel, is a rooftop lounge right in the heart of Downtown Dallas. It's the current place to be seen. Stay tuned for more details!
http://www.pmnightlifelounge.com/

Country and Hip Hop?

There's a new promotional company out there called "Bottles and Boots" what it's attempting to do is combine the country twang of the fiddling artists with the raw energy of today's current hip hop giants! Sounds wild doesn't it? I, like you, was very skeptical at first and then I heard it. It stops people dead in their tracks with a "Dog caught eating your pillows" look. It actually works. I ran into the gentleman who created it and talked to him for a few moments. "It's a great way to expose the Country world to Hip Hop Music and another way to show Hip Hop, Country" He's booking shows all over the country and you have to hear this to believe it. David Taylor is his name and he can be reached @972 951 8129. The Bottle's part comes from Zodiac vodka which just became his sponsor

Mardi Gras and Zodiac

Mardi Gras will never be the same! This February, starting the weekend prior to Fat Tuesday (February 24th) there will be 3 different Zodiac Hurricane's featured during this event and all Three different drinks, three different colors! That's what Mardi Gras is all about!! . O'Tooles, Mr. B's, BD's Mongolian Bar B Q, and several more will be the primary source of all the fun. You want beads! EARN THEM IN ROYAL OAK MICHIGAN! The city will shut down for the event for Fat Tuesdays and Bus Rides will feature Zodiac Hurricane's on the buses! WHAT FUN!! if you're planning on coming down, arrive early and plan on taking a cab home!!

More Drinks!! Strawberries and Mint!!

This martini is bursting with great flavor! Featuring Zodiac vodka, strawberry puree, fresh mint leaves and fresh squeezed lime juice.

Glass: Martini
Method: Shake w/ Ice & Strain
Garnish: ½ Strawberry
Ingredients: 1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka
½ oz. Strawberry Puree
3 Fresh Mint Leaves
2 Lime squeezes, discard
½ oz. Simple syrup
Combine ingredients in shaker w/ ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into martini glass. Garnish and serve.

Zodiac Blueberry Pomegranate Lemonate!

You know this is the cold season and everyone is drinking HOT drinks! BOYCOTT!! Boycott I tell you and try this drink

Blueberry Pomegranate Lemonade
1¼ oz. Zodiac Vodka Sugar Rim Glass: 14½ oz. Hi-Ball
½ Whole Lemon, squeeze, discard Combine ingredients 1-4 Garnish: Lemon Squeeze
½ oz. Monin Blueberry in mixing tin w/ ice
½ oz. Monin Pomegranate Shake vigorously
Top w 1½ oz. Soda Strain into glass w/ ice

Studio Movie Grill and Zodiac Team Up for Super Bowl!

What a great place to watch the Super Bowl! Giant Screens, Great food, and great drinks. Zodiac and Studio Movie Grill have teamed up to take over one or more (Depends on the crowds) screens to broadcast the Super Bowl in February. Look up Studiomoviegrill.com and check out locations near you and come join us, it should be a riot! Go Cardinals!

Zodiac/Dallas Film Festival Team up again in 2009

The massively growing Dallas Film Festival (AFI) and Zodiac Vodka have teamed up again in 2009 to host the Dallas Film Festival! 7 days of Independent films (Including a few majors) in some of the most unique venues in Texas, this star studded event is a must-see in March! Last year, everyone from Mickey Rooney to the "Big Love" man: Bill Pullman were not only there, but caught mingling with the crowd!! Look for massive Uptown promotions, including the new "Drama" Martini and the "Comedian" which is a recipe so secret, we'd have to.....well you know the rest! Look for more information on here soon! Here's to a great 2009!

Zodiac and DIFFA 2009

This is an event you have to see to believe. Over the top fashion world, meets Zodiac Vodka. Over the top delicious American Potato vodka. If you think "Project Runway" meets "Cosmo" that's exactly what you get. One of the largest fund raisers for HIV/AIDS in the Dallas market, it's also a great event for humanitarian purposes too, with they organization donating millions of dollars over the year thru use of this massive event and the auctioning of exclusive denim jackets that 20 designers make just for this event. Zodiac has been very active in the Gay and Lesbian markets with other sponsorships of Lambda and Black Tie events in the past. The funnest part is coming up with the slew of "Designer Cocktails" for this event. You have to be current!!! Look for recipes on here soon!!

Detroit Rocking with Zodiac!

Out of Nowhere, Detroit has championed this brand! Huge venues such as: Lucky Stike, Kickers, Teddy's Times Square, have taken the brand to new heights! Go in one of these (and hundreds more) and ask for a Zodiac based "Naughty Martini" this weekend!!

Dim Sum In Dallas

Ok, this has NOTHING to do with vokda, but I'm telling you, I had to write about it. A friend of mine told me about this place in Richardson (Dallas Burb) and he was very serious when he said I had to get there on a Saturday about 11:00 a.m.--HUNGRY. What a great insider stat, because even at 11, this place was rocking, and this was the only Round Eye in the building. They sit you very quickly, whip a menu at you, which you really don't use anyway, they just use it to mark the items you purchase from the carts of food that are whipping around every corner. It's dumpling paradise and it's non-stop action. My first sweating cart-toting woman, came to the table and had the covers removed from things I'm still not sure what they were, but what the hell, I ordered them anyway. YUM! I mean YUM. Next...sticky rice....next...noodles.....next beef stuff buns, next..hell I don't know what I was eating, but damn it was good. I passed on the chicken feet though. Bring your own bottle, find this place, it's in Richardson and go on Saturdays..at 11:00. Don't miss this

A Perfect Dallas night! Play, Sushi, Martini's

It was a spur of the moment thing. One bud calls up another bud, who calls up another and the conversation went something like this:

Caller One: "Sushi?"

Caller 2:"Uh, yes, but did you know Gary Floyd is in a 2 man play at Theatre Three?"

"No, who's Gary Floyd?"

"Singer who used to play at the Library at the Melrose"

"Ok, let's go, then Sushi?"

"Yes, been to Gui?"

"Isn't that Korean?"

"Yes, but they have the single greatest Sushi chef that no one knows about in Dallas?"

"Really?

"You don't order off the menu, his name is Eddie, you simply say "I have this much to spend, amazing things happen behind that bar"

"Martinis at Gui?"

"One of Zodiac's better accounts, giant Martinis!"

"You're driving then!

So that's how one of the better nights in Dallas came down. The play, called the Big Bang, is hysterical. Located in Theatre Three in Dallas, Gary Floyd and one other guy (Help!) play the every role in a muscial version of everything from The Big Bang to Modern Day USA. It was incredible. Then literally within walking distance of theatre three is Gui. I've talked about this before because of my love for Korean food, but I've discovered "Eddie" and his imagination behind the sushi bar. He's gifted. Place was packed, which is good to see. then those Zodiac Martini's, they boys bought new glassware there, suddenly you have an small fishbowl full of the my favorite potato vodka! Decided to leave the car there and walk the 6 blocks home! Good move! GREAT night!!

Gui: 2719 McKinney, Dallas

Theatre Three Dallas: right in the Quadrangle.

Obama vs. McCain--Martini Style!

Come on, someone had to do it. David Commer, Master Mixologist came up with these two ditties just in time for the Conventions!

Zodiac Obamatini

Leo: Change, Now. Leo characteristics: generous, warmhearted, creative, enthusiastic, broadminded, expansive, faithful & loving (there was also a note about the creativity characteristic and a Hollywood connection with Leo’s)

This true-blue American martini promises to deliver a refreshing change from your old drink! Featuring Idaho produced Zodiac vodka, Blue Curacao and fresh sour mix shaken to perfection with fresh muddled blueberries.

Glass: Martini
Method: Muddle, Shake w/ Ice & Strain
Garnish: 3 Skewered Blueberries
Ingredients: 8 Fresh Blueberries, Muddled
1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka
½ oz. Blue Curacao
½ oz. Fresh Sour Mix
Muddle blueberries in shaker. Combine remaining ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain loosely into martini glass. Garnish and serve.

McCain Martini

Virgo: straight talk, country first. Virgo characteristics: uses skills and talents for the good of others, sign of service, industrious, official, neat, organized, focus on health

This all American martini will keep its promise to deliver great taste! Featuring Idaho produced Zodiac vodka, POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice and fresh sour shaken to perfection with fresh muddled cherries.

Glass: Martini
Method: Muddle, Shake w/ Ice & Strain
Garnish: 1 Skewered Cherry
Ingredients: 4 Fresh Cherries, muddled
1½ oz. Zodiac Vodka
½ oz. Pomegranate Juice
1 oz. Fresh Sour Mix
Muddle Cherries in shaker. Combine remaining ingredients in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain loosely into martini glass. Garnish and serve.

Independent Film Festivals Rock with Zodiac

you have to love those edgy folk who attend the growing Independent Film Festivals. Sure, they saw Dark Knight, but they also ensure that movies like: Juno and Little Miss Sunshine make it to our world. On September 16th, in NYC, Zodiac along with Slamdance Film Festival (www.slamdance.com) will honor Steven Soderbergh who, in between his Ocean's films, has a tendency to create some of the most edgy, "out there" movies created in the USA. Zodiac, which also has a fan base, very similar to that, is a proud exclusive sponsor. Stay tuned for pics from this event after it happens!

So Much Going On

Kids, it's been a while, we've been swamped. Very excited to say that Zodiac Vodka is now in over 40 states across the USA. In just 8 months, we've managed to get our vodka all over the country. Now we just need those Western States to wise up. Good news from Dallas too: TGIFridays will begin selling Zodiac in all locations in the Dallas Fort Worth area in September. Using the King Tut exhibit, they are building at "Tut-Tini" in honor of our fallen Pharoah. Cool River Cafes in Addison is going an incredible martini featuring Zodiac in honor of of the birthstone for the month. YOu have to go in and try one of these buggers. this is just two of the many fun things going on with this hot brand. Stay tuned for more!

4th of July. Dump the Beer, Grab the Pitchers and make some Vodka Mojitos and Pomegranate Punch

Come on. I understand tradition. Being a former Detroiter, I can perfectly acknowledge the whole beer/dogs/burgers/ketchup-relish thing you have going for this coming weekend. But isn't it time to just change it up a bit? JUST A BIT?
Marinate that meat son! Go ahead, rub that big ole steak with some good ole Texas beef rub (Or what I like to call a Friday night in a crowded bar) and get it ready for the grill. Soak those ears of corn in some water and put those babies right on the grill, but instead of filling that cooler, grab a pitcher, a big ass pitcher, and do this:

Grab that bottle of Zodiac Vodka
Buy some peach schnapps (Any kind, just don't be cheap)
sweet and sour mix
and while you're at the store, but some club soda and pomegranate juice

In the pitcher Mix:
7 1.2 ounces of Zodiac
3 ounces of peach schnapps
12 ounces of sweet and sour
Shake/stir/rumba with these ingrediants, make it look like you really know what your doing, especially in that apron.
Take a large glass and fill with ice. 14 ounce glass is perfect, and pour in enough to cover the ice, but leave a little room at the top. Add 1/2 ounce of Soda and 1/2 ounce of Pomegranate (more for more sweetness) want watch the pomegranate juice move down to the bottle of the glass. (Make sure the glasses are see thru for the best visual effect!)
2 of these and your guest will not even care that you just burned the steaks.
Look for the mojito recipe later this week.
What are you kids doing for the 4th?