Chinese New Year Cocktails

The Chinese New Year is here, and celebrations are in abundance. Whether we choose to celebrate the Chinese New Year in the traditional way, or celebrate it with a little more creativity; the fact that celebrations and merry-making seems to attract good luck remains true. And since we are a people with a love for Chinese food, throwing a Chinese-themed New Year Party should not be a problem. We all have our Chinese food recipes stored in some old cook book or in the inner recesses of our minds. However, Chinese-inspired cocktails are not that common. So to help you celebrate the Chinese New Year with good taste, and a little alcohol, here are some cocktail recipes for your enjoyment.

 1.)    This Asian take on the traditional Bellini was actually created in honor of the Beijing Olympics and is gaining popularity in that part of the world. Celebrate the Chinese New Year with one of the most beloved Chinese fruits, the Lychee, in this recipe for the Beijing Bellini. To make it, combine three ounces of chilled Champagne (or Sparkling White Wine) and one part Lychee Wine (or Lychee Liquor or Lychee Syrup) in a Champagne Flute. Then drop one piece of Lychee Nut into the bottom of the glass.

 2.)    According to Feng Shui, Mandarin Oranges bring in good luck when served and enjoyed during the Chinese New Year. Attract good fortune by enjoying the fruit in this tangy and tasty drink. To make the Mandarin Orange Cocktail you would need at least three days to prepare, but it is soo worth it. On the first day prepare about sixteen ounces of Dark Rum and put it in a pitcher. Then, add to it half a cup of Mandarin Orange Peels and let it steep for three days in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve the drink, simply strain the Rum over some Old-Fashioned Glasses filled with Ice and add some simple syrup (make simple syrup by heating up equal parts sugar and water until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture has slightly thickened) and add some Mandarin Orange segments.

 3.)    What is a Chinese Banquet without some tea? This ingenious cocktail combines citrus flavours with the beloved Tea to create a refreshing cocktail that hits the spot. To make the Royal Tea Cocktail, simply combine two shots of Gin, two shots of brewed and chilled Earl Greay Tea, a squeeze of lemon, and some sugar to taste. Stir the cocktail and then transfer it into an Old-Fashioned Glass with Ice and top it off with Lemon or Lime rounds.

4.)    Tsingtao Beer is one of the most popular Chinese Lagers in the world. Enjoy the golden drink in a different way with this Asian take on the Bloody Mary. To create the Shandong Mary, simply fill a highball glass or any tall glass with ice cubes and then add half a cup of Tsingtao Beer, half a cup of canned tomato juice, and two tablespoons of Vodka. Then, finish the drink off with a couple dashes of Hot Sauce. Serve with a wedge of Lemon.

Chinese Party Horoscope for 2012

Snake: This will be a great time for you. You will be promoted and your salary will be increased. Unfortunately, your waist line will increase with it as well. Remember to drink light beer when you go out.

Dragon: Female Dragons will have better luck than Male Dragons especially in the love department. To find love this year, Male Dragons will have to find a stable career, a supplementary source of income, a nice car, and a good hair stylist. Female Dragons would only need to wear short skirts.

Rabbit: This year will be difficult for the Rabbit and unexpected surprises will make its way into your life. So when you find out that all your friends have left you to pay for the bill, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.

Tiger: You will be very popular this year. Use this to climb the partyphile social ladder instead of just gaining followers on Twitter. Take your luck to the dance floor, and you just might be rewarded in the form of gold…beer.

Ox: You will find this year very challenging. At work you will find yourself in many heated arguments. If you are attached, you might want to take extra care of your relationship, as it is bound to be rocky. If you are single, the chance of you getting into a relationship is close to zero. Remember: suicide is not an option.

Rat: This year you will be given the opportunity to shine and excel. So when your friends ask you to chug down that bottle of Tequila, go on and do it. Remember, it will make you shine!

Pig:  This will be a fantastic year for you. There will be strong indications of movement. This implies that you might be moving house, traveling, or relocating to other countries this year. However, if you are wise about it, the only movement you will be doing is in the middle of the dancefloor.

Dog:  Your wealth will be good and there will be a high probability for you to increase your sources of revenue. Celebrate in advance by throwing a party for everyone you know. This will attract more good luck.

Monkey:  It is best not to make enemies now especially with your girl friend. Although it may be tempting to date other people, remember that relationships formed inside the club should only last until the club closes for the night.

Cock:  There will be a lot of trouble for you this year, but you will be given adequate time to prepare for them. SO before that hot lady pours her drink all over your face, you will be given enough time to run for cover, or grab some tissue paper.

Goat: This will be a difficult year for you. The best thing to do is wait for your bad luck and then gather all your friends for a drinking session as you tell them all about it.

Horse: You have great potential to do well in wealth and career. Make sure everybody notices the difference in your paycheck by purchasing sixteen bottles of Patron Tequila the next time you go out clubbing. This will also attract love.

Drink of the Week: Red Lotus

This Chinese cocktail is refreshing and hits the spot just right.

All you need to do is grab a shaker filled with ice and combine:

• 1 oz Vodka
• 1 oz Cranberry Juice
• 1 oz Lychee Liquer

Shake the shaker until all the ingredients are combined and pour over an Old-Fashioned Glass filled with Ice

Chinese New Yerar is Happening on January 23, 2012

The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and it is the perfect time to throw a Chinese themed party! Take out your Feng Shui books, and discover how to throw a party while attracting good luck.

Almost Lover

So I made a poem, something I rarely do these days. Anyway, a talented young champ named AIdx Paredes (see his website www.aidxparedes.com) put gorgeous photos to accompany the words to my poem. he's gonna exhibit his work (including my poem) at Lions Club, Juan Luna Street, Davao City for a month starting January 27. Please check it out if you are in the area.






Almost Lover


With a sweet, soft whisper, you called my name
But I knew it was all a lie
A curious distraction; a piece in the game
As you waited for new passion to arrive

You gave me your night and day, and in betweens
You gave me all your time
This masked the truth I knew so well
That you were never mine

The game we played brought me somewhere new
Where life was lived in tune
You took me there, to a place where truth
Was never overtly shown

The journey’s stop took me to my mind
That asked to think of you
Where all my deeds were made specially
To please no one but you

But every heart knows how it ends
It’s all been said and done
That everything that wasn’t right
Never has begun

I thought the journey had set flight
But we were rounding rounds
Instead of taking off that night
My inner workings drowned

The truth that we both tried to hide
The facts we never faced
Came alive one night we braved
To face your lover’s face

We gave our soul and mind, and in betweens
We tried to cross the line
But in the end we fell too short
Still, you were never mine

Partyphiles Confess: Why Is It More Fun In The Philippines?

I asked you earlier why you think it is more fun in the Philippines. Here are your answers:

• Because people here are warm, loving, and sincere. Because half of the world's biodiversity is in this country. Because of the endless possibilities that one will discover in the country. -- Aldwin Dumago
• Because we always laugh ad smile -- Christian Tuazon
• Because we find humor in every situation -- Kristine Santos
• Because I'm here -- Ron Chuan
• Because my loved ones are here -- Kimo Pulido
• Because there is no language barrier -- Rudolf
• Because of the rare and beautiful things in the Philippines. i'm only half Filipino but I can't find any place like Pinas. -- Mr. Yoon.
• Because in the Philippines, we can discover a whole new world of pleasure. -- Macky
• Because the country is chock full of natural treasures and the people are hospitable -- Maki
• Because it is the playground of storms and typhoons-- Jerome
• Because in the Philippines, I'm home - Rye rye
• Because we have all the fiestas like Dinagyang, Ati-atihan, Sinulog, Kadayawan, and many more -- Joel
• Because of you, me, and all of us here in the Philippines. Pur hospitality, smiles, talents, and sense of humour make the Philippines more fun than any other place on Earth. -- Harold Geronimo
• We have great local bands -- Enzo Villegas, Vocalist for Eevee
• Because just about anywhere in the country, at any given moment, one may ask any Filipino for help and they will be assured to not only get help, but get more than they ask for. And maybe even take them to a tourist destination to prove that it's more fun in the Philippines. -- Vince
• Because of the festivties, travel destinations, and people - Koko
• Because people here are so hospitable and happy, it's contagious. -- Troy Torres
• Because Filipinos are the sexiest people in Asia -- Geoff
• Impeachment trials every year -- Carlo Yu
• Because we are simple but filthy rich in fun and happiness -- Migz Pangan
• 
  

Drink of the Week: Hobby Cocktail

Since we are celebrating National Hobby Month, I decided to share with you a cocktail recipe for the Hobby Cocktail. It's fast, east, and tastes great. here is how you make it:


In a glass combine:

• 1 and 1/4 ounces of Bourbon Whiskey or any other type of Whiskey
• 1 ounce gin
• 1/4 ounce Orange Curacao (or Blue Curacao if you can't find an orange one)
• 1 dash of orange bitters or leave it out if you can not find any

Stir all the ingredients with ice and then strain over a cocktail glass and serve

January is National Hobby Month

January is National Hobby Month. I suggest you take this time to indulge in your favorite hobbies, document them through photos, and then post them all in a social networking album or create your own photo album that is chock full of photos to help you remember that you started 2012 doing things you truly enjoy.