123 Organic Tequila tasting is the newest and hottest way to make a dinner party extraordinarily fun and unique. Delicious to taste, 100% organic, and very easy to put together, you and your friends will have a blast throwing an 123 Organic Tequila tasting party (just as I did)!

123 Tequila

This past weekend, a group of close friends and I, had the privilege to indulge in a 123 Organic Tequila tasting at Rick Bayless’s Red O Mexican Cuisine Restaurant in Los Angeles. 123 Organic Tequila is a 100% organic tequila created by the friendly and vivacious David Ravandi, who has taken careful steps to produce three incredibly flavored and well thought out tequilas. From the beautiful hand blown glass and numbered bottles, to the cultivation of purely organic agave plants in Mexico, 123 Organic Tequila is unique in every aspect.

Beyond its exceptional organic elements, what is lovely about 123 Organic Tequila is that each bottle symbolizes a different aged level of tequila: 1 (uno) is tequila at its most natural state, 2 (dos) is aged for 6 months, and 3 (tres) is aged for one year. It is these individual aging processes that fills each tequila with distinct and delicious flavors.

The unique differences between 1, 2 and 3, are what makes this tequila such a blast to do tastings with. In fact, throughout the course of our dinner and tasting, competitions arose around the table of which was the favorite. Personally, I chose 2 (which according to Mr. Ravandi is very popular among the ladies), but my friends opinions reached across the board. One friend, and avid tequila drinker, said he preferred the 2-2-3 sipping combo while another was perfectly happy sipping 1 over and over. After we proudly (and slightly embarrassingly) consumed every drop of tequila from each bottle, I realized what a hit 123 Organic Tequila is and want to share with you some tips on how to through the best tasting party!

TIPS ON HOW TO THROUGH THE BEST 123 ORGANIC TEQUILA TASTING PARTY:

Tequila Tasting

- Purchase each bottle of 123 Organic Tequila (see purchasing info below)

- If throwing a dinner party, place three tasting glasses in front of each guest. Riedel sells the perfect Tequila tasting glasses. Three glasses per guest is essential because it allows guests to sip one in comparison to another. With just one glass, you often forget what you tasted earlier.

- Serve great food in between pouring tequilas. Dishes such as ceviche, entrees with mole sauce, fresh fish and lamb, went wonderfully with the tequilas at Red O.

- Learn about the history of 123 Organic Tequila on their website, it’s organic background and tasting notes are fun for guests to learn about.

- In addition to the tasting, have an organic signature cocktail prepared for before and after dinner. (It may sound like a lot of drinking, but because it is organic – hangovers surprisingly aren’t so bad!)

- Plan on dancing after dinner! Have great music prepared, you and your guests will be ready to dance and shake some of the wonderful liquid courage the tequila gave you!

David Ravandi, Julie Skon & Dustin White at 123 Organic Tequila Tasting

To purchase: 123 Organic Tequila can be found online at KL Wines, Wally Wine, Bristol Farms, or at Whole Foods if you reside in California, Nevada or Oregon.

Cheers!

Organic Lavender is soothing, relaxing and smells amazingly! While I love lavender as an essential oil, I have never had the chance to mix it into a cocktail…until now. After visiting the organic lavender farm at Clairmont Farms in Los Olivos, CA, I was introduced to culinary lavender and used it to create this lovely lavender and lemon martini!

Clairmont Farms: 2480 Roblar Avenue, Los Olivos, CA 93441 If you are in Santa Ynez area, do not miss this stop. If you don’t live anywhere near, don’t worry, you can order all of their products online here!

Organic Lavender & Lemon Martini

Ingredients:

- 2 tbls. Organic Culinary Lavender (available online for $7.00 from Clairmont Farms)

- 3 ounces Organic Vodka

- 1/2 ounce Lavender – Lemon Simple Syrup (available online for $10 from Royal Rose)

- 1/2 organic lemon

- Water

Tools Needed: Cocktail Shaker, Cocktail Strainer, Culinary Strainer (for lavender water)

To make the lovely Organic Lavender Lemon Martini:

1. Pour 2 tbls. of Organic Lavender into a mug.

2. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes. Once complete remove the lavender parts with a culinary strainer and let the infused water cool.

3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 3 ounces of your favorite Organic Vodka (I used Ocean Vodka for this. It is a very mellow, sipping vodka, perfect for this combination).

4. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 of an organic lemon into the shaker.

5. Pour in 1/2 ounce of the Lavender – Lemon Royal Rose Simple Syrup.

5. Cover and shake very well.

4. Strain the mix into a chilled martini glass.

5. Top off the martini with 2 tbls. of the strained and cooled lavender water.

Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender.

Cheers!

***If you are a fan of the hardcore straight martini and prefer to skip the sweet stuff, I have made a simple lavender vodka martini, just for you!

Lavender Vodka Martini

Ingredients:

- 2 tbls. Organic Culinary Lavender (available online for $7.00 from Clairmont Farms)

- 3 ounces Organic Vodka

- Water

To make the Organic Lavender Vodka Martini:

1. Pour 2 tbls. of Organic Lavendar into a mug.

2. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes. Once complete, remove the lavender parts with a strainer and let the infused water cool.

3. Pour 3 ounces of your favorite Organic Vodka into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake very well.

4. Strain the vodka into a chilled martini glass.

5. Add 2 tbls. of the infused lavender water to the vodka martini.

- Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender

Voila! you now have yourself a very strong martini with a nice hint of lavender!

Look what just showed up in the mail! Four delicious flavors of Royal Rose Syrups: Raspberry, Rose, Lavender-Lemon and Cardamon-Clove…organic cocktail mixology session with these 100% organic syrups coming soon!

Royal Rose Syrups are handmade in small batches from a partner team out of New York who have a strong passion for their product. They use only organic and fair trade ingredients with absolutely no artificial flavors to create their special and natural syrups.

I am super excited to share with you original organic cocktail creations as soon as I get the chance to play around with these adorable and deliciously flavored syrups!

For more information on Royal Rose Syrups visit: royalroseny.blogspot.com

Who would have thought that Bing Cherry Season would get me this excited, but this weekends trip to the Farmer’s Market in Goleta, CA actually took me by surprise. Personally, I have always liked these sweet cherries, but my family has not always backed my opinion. In fact, when my husband saw them at the market this past Saturday, he literally said, “I hate cherries”. My 4 year old had never tried them before and my 18 month old has allergies to almost every fruit under the sun, so I figured I would be flying solo on the “Bing Cherry Facebook Fan Page”. (No, I don’t think this page actually exists).

My expectation of cruising right past the cherry stand was halted, when my usually not-so-adventurous-eating oldest daughter walked right up to the bing cherry stand and took a sample, announcing “mmmmm….I LOVE cherries”. Not to be left out, my husband snuck behind my back and ate one, surprisingly saying “hmmm….I guess I don’t hate them after all”. With two wins in a row, I was feeling pretty brave and offered my little girl a small sample, which of course she loved, and miraculously, she did not even have an allergic reaction! In this family, this is a cause for a huge celebration! So, a large bag of organic bing cherries later and a beautiful Santa Barbara sunset, it was time for a mixology session. The result? An amazing 100% organic Bing Cherry Margarita! Cheers!

ORGANIC BING CHERRY MARGARITA

Organic Bing Cherry Margarita

The Organic Bing Cherry Margarita Cocktail Recipe

- 2 ounces Organic Tequila

- 5 organic sweet Bing Cherries

- 1/2 organic lime

- 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar

- 1 cup crushed ice

Tools Needed: muddler, cocktail shaker

To make the Organic Bing Cherry Margarita: Remove the pit of 5 organic bing cherries and split them in half. Place the cherries into a cocktail shaker and muddle very well to release the cherry juice. Squeeze the juice of half of an organic lime over the cherries and add 1 cup of crushed ice. Muddle the ingredients together a bit more. Pour 1/2 ounce of organic agave nectar and 2 ounces of organic tequila over the ice. Cover and shake well. Pour the contents into a margarita glass.

Garnish with a beautiful bing cherry by slicing it on the bottom just a bit and placing on the lip of the glass.

Enjoy!

Health Benefits: Organic Bing cherries are wonderful antioxidants, contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C and healthy fiber. In addition, studies performed on bing cherry extracts have shown that they are anti-inflammatory and may greatly benefit those with arthritis.

Organic Choice: Cherries are among the most pesticide sprayed fruits. Farmers of non-organic cherries may say that it is impossible not to use chemicals, but this is not the truth, in fact, there are many ways to grow organic cherries that lead to healthy and chemical-free produce.

Buying Guide: Bing cherry season is short and typically last from mid-may through June. Select cherries that are tight and shiny. Avoid cherries that have blemishes or are rotted. It is a good sign when bing cherries come in pairs, so grab these if you can.

For more cocktails by Organic Fit Bar Click here

*”Organic Bing Cherry Margarita” is an Organic Fit Bar Original Recipe

Berry Caliente is a wonderful blend of sweet, sour and spice.  The wait time of jalapeno-infused tequila is only 24 hours and absolutely worth it!

The Organic “Berry Caliente” Cocktail Recipe

- 2 ounces jalapeno infused organic tequila (see recipe below)

- 5 organic Blackberries

- 5 organic Raspberries

- 10 organic Blueberries

- 1/2 organic lime

- 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar

- 1 slice of a jalapeno pepper

Tools Needed: juicer, cocktail shaker, cocktail strainer, jar, small cooking strainer.

To prepare the organic jalapeno infused tequila: (Infusion time: 24 hours)

- Pour half of a bottle of organic tequila into a jar that can be completely sealed. Slice 2 organic Jalapeno Peppers lengthwise in half and place in the tequila. Seal the jar and place in a dark area (pantry or cupboard). Let sit for 24 hours then use a small strainer to remove the jalapenos and their seeds. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip: I like to use 1/2 of a bottle of organic tequila. That way, if the tequila is too spicy for you or a guest, you can dilute it with the remaining tequila.

To make the organic “Berry Caliente” : Juice all of the berries together and pour into the cocktail shaker. Squeeze half of a lime into the juice and add 1/2 ounce of organic agave nectar. Add about 1 cup of ice to the shaker and pour 2 ounces of  jalapeno-infused organic over the ice. Shake very well and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a slice of organic jalapeno pepper.

Cheers!

Alternative option: If you don’t like the heat of the jalapeno peppers, this cocktail is great without the infusion as well, just use regular organic tequila and your taste buds will be pleased!

Health Benefits: Fresh, organic berries have strong antioxidant properties and are wonderful for your immune system. Jalapeno peppers are natural fat-burners and are known for their aphrodisiac properties! Enjoy!

Organic Choice: Pesticide residues thrive on berries and are on the “must have” organic list, in addition, organic berries taste better and the organic choice is MUCH better for the environment.

For more cocktails by Organic Fit Bar Click here

*”Berry Caliente” is an Organic Fit Bar Original Recipe

Organic Champagne Cocktails

- Blood Orange Sparkle Organic Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients: 1 organic blood orange, 1 organic sugar cube, 1/2 ounce Thatcher’s Blood Orange Artisan Liqueur, Approximately 6 ounces of organic champagne or sparkling wine.

To make the Blood Orange Sparkle: Place 1 organic sugar cube into a champagne glass. Gently pour 1/2 ounce of Thatcher’s Blood Orange organic artisan liqueur over the sugar cube. Juice an organic blood orange and add to the glass. Fill the glass with organic champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with an organic blood orange wheel.

- Champagne Dream Organic Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients: 1 organic Lemon, 1 ounce organic simple syrup (recipe below), 6 ounces Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine.

To make the Champagne Dream: First prepare the simple syrup by boiling 1 cup of water and 1 cup of organic sugar in a saucepan. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. Then, remove the rind from the organic lemon and place in a juicer. Pour the juice into a chilled martini glass. Add 1 ounce of organic simple syrup. Gently add the Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine. Garnish with an organic lemon wheel and sprig of fresh organic Thyme.

- Mango Magic Organic Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients: 1/4 of an organic mango, 2 organic strawberries, 6 ounces Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine, 5 pomegranate seeds.

To make the Mango Magic: Juice 1/4 mango and 2 organic strawberries. Pour the fresh juice into a champagne glass. Slowly fill with the organic champagne and garnish with 5 pomegranate seeds.

Organic Sparkling wine tip: Domaine Carneros is the only organic sparkling wine currently produced in the United States. It can be ordered from their website or found at Bevmo!

Cheers and Happy Mother’s Day!

Earth, Sun and Fire

The preparation of organic jalapeno infused tequila is absolutely worth it for this tasty cocktail! This drink has a wonderful spiciness mixed with a bit of sweet and sour from the organic tangerine and lime that makes it an unforgettable must have!

The Organic “Earth, Sun & Fire” cocktail recipe

- 2 ounces jalapeno infused organic tequila (see recipe below)

- 1/2 organic tangerine

- 1/2 organic lime

- 1/2 ounce organic agave nectar

Tools Needed: jar, muddler, cocktail shaker, small cooking strainer.

To prepare the organic jalapeno infused tequila: (Infusion time: 24 hours)

- Pour half of a bottle of organic tequila into a jar that can be completely sealed. Slice 2 organic Jalapeno Peppers lengthwise in half and place in the tequila. Seal the jar and place in a dark area (pantry or cupboard). Let sit for 24 hours then use a small strainer to remove the jalapenos and their seeds. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip: I like to use 1/2 of a bottle of organic tequila. That way, if the tequila is too spicy for you or a guest, you can dilute it with the remaining tequila.

To make the organic “Earth, Sun & Fire” : Peel apart 1 organic tangerine and place half (including peel) into a cocktail shaker. Slice an organic lime and add half to the cocktail shaker with a squeeze. Add 1/2 ounce of organic agave nectar. Muddle the ingredients very well, until the juice of the tangerine and lime have been released. Add 2 ounces of jalapeno infused organic tequila and about 3/4 cup of ice. Shake well and pour into a rocks glass.

Enjoy!

Extra special touch: Glass straws are a beautiful and fun addition to cocktails (not to mention they are eco-friendly and toxin-free)! Strawsome, a family-owned green company, hand-makes delightful glass straws that are non-toxic and dishwasher safe. The straws come in a variety of lengths and are customizable to match favorite colors and designs. Strawsome even has a lifetime guarantee against breakage; if you break it, they will replace it! Strawsome glass straws make wonderful gifts, and truthfully, not a cocktail should be served without them!

To read more about Strawsome and to place an order, check out their website: http://www.strawesome.com/

Health Benefits: Like oranges, tangerines are full of Vitamin C, dietary fiber and B vitamins. They are super low in calories and help to boost the immune system. Organic limes are natural fat-burners and also a good source of nutrients and vitamins. Jalapeno peppers are a natural aphrodisiac and even help to boost metabolism. Does it get much better?

Organic Choice: The peels of citrus fruits are what contain and absorb the majority of chemical sprays used to grow them. In this cocktail especially, since the peels are kept on the tangerine and lime, buying organic is essential to protect your health.

For more cocktails by Organic Fit Bar Click here

*”Earth, Sun & Fire” is an Organic Fit Bar Original Recipe

Organic blood oranges are full of sweet flavor and when paired with the special touch of Thatcher’s Blood Orange Organic Artisan Liqueur on top of the delightful sugar cube, an otherwise ordinary glass of champagne turns into a very special occasion.

The Organic “Blood Orange Sparkle” Champagne cocktail

- 1 Organic Blood Orange

- 1 Organic Sugar Cube

- 1/2 ounce Thatcher’s Blood Orange Artisan Liqueur

- Approx. 6 ounces of Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine (Domaine Carneros is a delicious organic sparkling wine produced in Napa, California)

Tools Needed: Juicer

To Make the Organic “Blood Orange Sparkle” : Place 1 organic sugar cube into a champagne glass. Gently pour 1/2 ounce of Thatcher’s Blood Orange organic artisan liqueur over the sugar cube. Juice an organic blood orange and add to the glass. Fill the glass with organic champagne or sparkling wine.

Garnish with an organic blood orange wheel.

Enjoy!

Health Benefits: known as the anti-aging orange, blood oranges are a powerful antioxidant and are known to decrease the risk of certain cancers.

Organic Choice: Citrus fruits, including blood oranges have an incredible amount of pesticides sprayed on them annually. While a large amount remains on the rind of the fruit, it is essential for your health to purchase organic.

Thatcher’s Organic Liqueur: Available in enticing flavors such as Yumberry, Tres Chiles, Elderflower and much more, this USDA certified organic company creates liqueur’s by hand in small batches and with great care – it shows!

For more cocktails by Organic Fit Bar Click here

*The Blood Orange Sparkle is an Organic Fit Bar Original Recipe

After taking a sip of Ocean Vodka it is clear that this special spirit is anything but a typical vodka. Smooth and pure, with a lovely hint of sweetness, Ocean completely lacks that medicinal tasting “vodka burn”; the unforgiving signature or many standard vodka brands. What is it that makes Ocean Vodka so refreshingly different? The answer lies within a bit of Hawaiian history, a dash of organic produce and a twist of fate leading to a glacial melt in Greenland that occurred over 2,000 years ago.

One beautiful evening in Maui, back in 2005, Shay Smith sat around with his family, a group of ocean-loving surfers, and enjoyed a cocktail mixed with their favorite imported vodka. Discussing their dream of developing a business that would be enjoyable and also provide a way for them to help protect and preserve the ocean they care so deeply about, they launched a plan to create Ocean Vodka.

Tapping into the unique natural water source that lies 3,000 feet below the surface of the ocean, in a canyon off of the coast of Kona, Hawaii, Ocean Vodka partnered up with MaHaLo Hawaii Deep Sea Water to bring the worlds only spirit derived from this unusual water resource. Traveling the ocean currents all of the way from the massive glacial melt in Greenland that occurred 2,000 years ago, the water that lies in the Hawaiian canyon is perfectly pure, untouched by any possible surface pollutants. At extremely cold temperatures and at such a great depth, a 3/4 mile long pipe is needed to access this treasure of water. Once pulled to land, the water is desalinated using reverse osmosis and the end result is a product that is completely pure and mineral-rich, simply perfect for great vodka making.

Searching for the right combination of ingredients to mix with their pure water, the Ocean team spent some time experimenting with organic corn and rye, only to find that the tastiest and smoothest vodka came from utilizing USDA certified organic sugar cane. Without the use of any blending or flavor additives, a unique and precise four column continuous distillation process, which is the equivalent of hundreds of times distilled, allows Ocean to reach optimal pureness and flavor.

Beyond achieving a great tasting vodka, Ocean takes pride in being an exceptionally green corporation. Their facility is energy efficient, they recycle, and use natural products within their work environment. In addition, Shay, the CEO of Ocean, along with his family follow through with their desire to help protect the ocean by donating a portion of their proceeds to organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation, Reef Protect, and Save Our Seas.

Ocean Vodka is clearly a unique company, one which allows consumers not just an extremely enjoyable vodka to drink, but also a way to give back to the ocean by simply making a puchase.

Cheers to Ocean for being organic, green and simply delicious!

Ready to try this unique and delicious vodka? Ocean is currently available in Hawaii, California and Arizona. A national U.S. released is scheduled for late 2011. Bevmo! online will currently ship to most states.

Suggestions for Ocean Vodka Recipes: A favorite of Don Freytag’s, the CMO of Ocean Vodka is a dry martini called “Ocean Blue” which is Ocean Vodka straight up in a martini glass garnished with 3 blue cheese stuffed olives. Yum!

For more delicious cocktail recipe suggestions, visit the Ocean Vodka Website

Organic Fit Bar Recipe: The “Hawaiian Glacier” – Pineapple Basil Martini

- 2 large organic basil leaves

- 1 ounce organic simple syrup

- 1/4 organic pineapple

- 2 ounces Ocean Vodka

- fresh edible flowers to garnish

Tools needed: Juicer, Muddler, Cocktail Shaker, Cocktail Strainer

To make the organic simple syrup: Pour 1 cup of water and 1 cup of Organic Sugar into a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. To store, cover and refrigerate.

To make the “Hawaiian Glacier”: Tear up the organic basil leaves and place them in the cocktail shaker. Pour in 1 ounce of organic simple syrup and muddle together very well. Juice 1/4 of the whole organic pineapple and pour into the cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup of ice. Pour 2 ounces of Ocean Vodka over the ice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with beautiful fresh edible flowers.

Enjoy!

Cheers to Ocean for being organic, green and simply delicious!

Just a sip of this and you will know why it is called the “Champagne Dream”. Mixed and garnished with 100% organic ingredients, this champagne cocktail is both light and delightfully full of flavor; the perfect touch to a special Sunday Brunch.

The Organic Champagne Dream recipe

- 1 Organic Lemon

- 1 ounce Organic Simple Syrup (see recipe below)

- Approx. 6 ounces of Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine (Domaine Carneros is a delicious organic sparkling wine produced in Napa, California)

Tools Needed: Juicer

To prepare the Organic Simple Syrup : Pour 1 cup of water and 1 cup of Organic Sugar into a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. To store, cover and refrigerate.

To Make the Organic “Champagne Dream” : After removing the rind, place the organic lemon in a juicer. Pour the juice into a chilled martini glass. Add 1 ounce of organic simple syrup. Gently add the Organic Champagne or Sparkling Wine.

Garnish with an organic lemon wheel and sprig of fresh organic Thyme.

Enjoy!

Health Benefits: Organic Lemons are natural fat-burners, low in calories, and are wonderful sources of Vitamin C and Limonene (studies of which have shown to have wonderful anti-cancer effects).

Organic Choice: The skin (rind) of lemons and other citrus fruits, have layers of chemicals and pesticides on them, which inevitably seep into the skin of the fruit. While removing the rind does eliminate much of the harmful chemicals, purchasing organic eliminates any health risk.

For more cocktails by Organic Fit Bar Click here

*The Champagne Dream is an Organic Fit Bar Original Recipe