SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

Signature David Loves SOLTORO TEQUILA GRILL!

// July 13th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, General, News

If you’re heading to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut’s Mystic Country, there’s one dining destination that is a sure bet…SOLTORO TEQUILA GRILL.  SOLTORO is a tequila lovers dream with approximately 200 different brands stocking their beautifully designed and comfortable bar.  You want it, SolToro has it!!!    I dined at SolToro last night and it was a phenomenal.  From the fast, friendly, unparalled service to the mouth-watering food choices on their extensive menu blending traditional flavor and authenticity with a modern approach, SolToro serves up a dining experience that radiates energy and fun. 

My recommendations for an amazing dinner….you have to start with the Guacamole for two (or four if you so desire…trust me, you’ll want more) freshly prepared for you tableside.  It is OFF THE CHARTS.  I am a big “Guac” fan, and SolToro’s “Guac” rocks!  Next we tried the Crispy Duck Tacos and the Grilled Filet Mignon Tacos.  These aren’t your everyday tacos!  They are perfectly prepared and dripping in nuanced flavor.  YUM!   We topped everything off by sharing the SolToro Flan.  It was so delicious we were scaping the plate to ensure that we got every last morsel. 

Oh, and did Imention SolToro’s atmosphere?  Rich, hip and sexy!   And it’s the perfect place to have a party with plenty of private dining space.   For a dining experience that will leave y0u breathless and making reservations to come back again, it’s SolToro Tequila Grill. 

SOLTORO TEQUILA GRILL is located on the casino floor of Mohegan Sun’s Casino of the Sky (adjacent to the convention center entrance).   For more information and to make reservations, you can visit them on-line at www.soltororestaurant.com or call 860-862-4800.

Cheers Amigos!  David

MANGOLICIOUS! The Perfect Refreshing Summer Cocktail!

// July 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, General, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

It’s MANGOLICIOUS!  For the perfect mid-summer cocktail, whether you’re  on the beach, your deck  or at your favorite bar or restaurant, you’ve got to try my lastest concoction.  It combines all all the wonderful tropical fruits we all love in the summer time with the smoothness of Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Mango Rum and it’s topped off with a bit of bubbly!  You’re going to feel like you’ve just dived into a cool refreshing pool!

Here’s how you make it:   Combine 1 1/2 oz of Captain Morgan’s Parrot Bay Mango Rum with 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1 oz of Cranberry Juice, 1 oz  Pinapple Juice in a shaker filled with ice.  Shake vigorously and strain into a well chilled martini glass. Top with a splash of your favorite bubbly (you can use champagne or club soda) and then garnish with a slice of pineapple.  YUMMMMMY!

Now, go find some friends and pour whip up a big pitcher of this concoction and throw yourself a big party!

Cheers!   David

Shake Up Your Memorial Day Weekend with My Thirst Quenching Strawberry/Rhubarb Martini!

// May 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, News, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

Memorial Day is here and that means a long hot summer is just around the corner!  What better way to kick off the season than with thirst quenching, sweat busting and sinfully sumptuous Strawberry/Rhubarb Martini!   This is one cocktail that you’ll find yourself making over and over again and will have your guests shouting for MORE! 

Here’s how you make it….

Combine 2 oz of vodka, 1/2 oz of Cointreau or triple sec, 4 to 6 large ripe strawberries, 3/4 oz of rhubarb juice (direction on making it below), a drizzle of fresh lime juice and a cup of ice in a blender.  Blend until frothy.  Pour into a well chilled martini glass and top with (or without…depening on your tastes) a dollop of fresh whipped cream and top with a fresh blueberry. 

Warning:  There will always be a little left over for refills!!

Here’s how you make the rhubarb juice…Combine 3 cups of sliced fresh rhubarb stalks and 1 cup of water in a covered saucepan.  Boil for about 1 hour, or until mushy and ugly.  Drain off the liquid through a fine strainer or cheese cloth.  Pray for at least 6 ounces of juice.  Add sugar to sweeten to your taste.  I recommend about 3 tablespoons, which will still leave the juice surprisingly tart.  Cool completely.

Kick back and enjoy this cool and refreshing splash into summer…..AHHHHH!

Cheers!  David

Just in time for St. Patty’s Day! My “MINT CONDITION” Martini and the “DIRTY IRISHMAN” Cocktail!

// March 15th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, General, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

Top of the mornin’ to you all!  It’s almost time for my favorite holiday of the year…that’s right, St. Patty’s Day.  So, break out your green shamrock t-shirt and get your Irish brogue in high gear and let’s tip a few back in honor of St. Patrick, our Irish ancestors and leprechauns the world over.  And, what better way to kick off the celebration than with two of my signature cocktails, the “MINT CONDITION” martini and my latest creation, the “DIRTY IRISHMAN” cocktail!

Here’s how you make the “Mint Condition” …1 1/2 oz of vodka,  1/2 oz green creme de menthe, 1 oz Irish Cream.  Swirl chocolate sauce inside a dry martini glass. Combine ingredients in a shake full of ice and shake well. Strain into the martini glass.

And the “Dirty Irishman”…Fill a tall glass full of ice.  Combine 1 3/4 oz vanilla vodka and 1/2 oz Frangelica (hazelnut liquor) in a shake full of ice and shake well.  Strain into glass.  Combine 1 oz  Guinness beer and 1 oz of Irish Cream into a second shaker of ice and shake until frothy.  Strain slowly onto the top of the drink.  To add a touch of  green, add three small drops Green Creme de Menthe onto the top of the cocktail and it will float to the bottom of the drink.

Enjoy the spirit of the day and may you find a pot of gold at the end of your rainbow!  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Cheers!  David

What NOT to Drink on Your First Date!!!

// February 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, General, News

Spring is on the way and romance is in the air. You are on your first date with the man of your dreams and it’s time to order your first cocktail together.   Here are some simple tips on what not to order to drink on your first date!

 A Dirty Martini - The ultimate classic martini especially when made with a great top shelf vodka!  But, a horrible choice for your first date!  It screams “I’m easy and I’m a lush!”  Let him order it and just sneak a sip while he’s not looking!

A Slippery Nipple - Need I say more?  Even JWOWW from the “Jersey Shore” has more class!

 A Sex on the Beach – Otherwise known as “Sex in my Bed!”  it will have him thinking you’re a “Red Headed Slut“, which, by the way, is another drink you want to avoid!

 A Bloody Mary - Not even for brunch….it’s just such an unfriendly looking cocktail…and the name is disgusting.   YUK!

 Now, here are my recommendations on cocktails you might want to order that just may result in him ordering up a second date!

 A White Champagne Cosmopolitan - Basically, it’s a Cosmo but made with white cranberry juice and topped off with champagne.  It’s chic and elegant and will have him thinking he’s on a date with Carrie Bradshaw.  It takes the Cosmo and your dating life to a whole new level.

A Bella Bellini- Fresh peach puree, a touch of Cointreau topped off with Champagne and a fresh slice of white peach.  So Yummy and nothing looks sexier in a woman’s hand than a champagne flute!

A Pure Passion Martini– A sumptuous combination of orange vodka, passion fruit sorbet, fresh lime juice and mint. 

These are just a few winning suggestions that will have him saying yes to another date!   These three cocktails are also part of my new Signature David 2010 Spring and Summer line of “must have” cocktails!   I’ll be debuting them soon, so stay tuned. 

Let the dating and the romance begin!

Cheers!   David

Signature David and Dating Diva Daily….the Perfect Partnership for Your Relationship!

// February 14th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, News

My good friend Kimberly Dawn Neumann, author of two fabulous relationship books, TV personality and Broadway phenom, has just launched the ultimate cyber site on relationships and dating…DatingDivaDaily.com.  I think it’s an amazing site and I’m proud to be partnering with Kimberly Dawn on this new venture. 

Here’s the scoop on DatingDivaDaily.com…

Dating can be an exhausting adventure for many single women. To quote Charlotte from Sex and the City “I’ve been dating since I was 15. I’m exhausted. Where is he?” With that in mind, Dating Diva Daily came into being. The goal? To put the “fun” and “feminine” factor back into dating via a lifestyle interactive blog-zine where women can not only commiserate about their foibles in searching for Mr. Right in a supportive cyber community but where they can also get quality advice on everything that makes a woman feel like she deserves a quality relationship.

With a Valentine’s Day 2010 launch date, DatingDivaDaily.com is poised to become a new force in the online blog-scape. With a terrific advisory board and contributors lined up to aid with content generation, the site sports creative materials such as “Diva Drinks” with tips and recipes from master mixologist David Brogan of SignatureDavid.com,” Diva-scopes” by Astrologer Patrice Kamins (known as “The Interventionista”),  and a free giveaway of 365 days of love and sex tips created by Dating Diva Daily Founder and Dating/Relationship Expert Kimberly Dawn Neumann (better than a page-a-day calendar!). There will also be a special “Dating Diva Deals” section that visitors to the site can view only if they sign up as a subscriber. Upon joining, Dating Div-ettes will receive a link allowing full access to a page filled with deals, sales and specials available to no one but the Diva-elite.
Dating Diva Daily wants to bring flirty back!

So, log on and take a nice long peak at DatingDivaDaily.com!  I know you’ll love it!   And be sure to look for my latest cocktail creations!

Here’s the link:  www.datingdivadaily.com

Cheers!  David

I’m Back on “BETTER CONNECTICUT”!

// February 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, General, News

I’m back!  Look for me this Friday, February 12th, as I shake up my two new Valentine’s Day creations, “CUPID’S ARROW” and “BAD ROMANCE”  for Better Buddy Teresa Labarbera on Channel 3′s  BETTER CONNECTICUT.  The air time is 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, so set your DVR.  For those of you who don’t reside in the Hartford and New Haven, CT viewing area, don’t fret, I’ll be posting the videos later in the day on Friday!  And if you want to taste the real thing, stop by ultra cool and hip Shadow Room @ 170 Main Street in fabulous downtown Middletown, CT, they’ll be shaking these cocktails all weekend.  Many thanks to Nick and David at the Shadow Room for making this shoot possible!

Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!  David

Be Still My Heart! Presenting “CUPID’S ARROW”!

// February 8th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Events, Food and Drink, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

Searching for the perfect signature cocktail to capture someone’s heart?  Well, look no further than my “CUPID’S ARROW” martini.  It’s a sumptuous and sexy way to say “I love you!”

Here’s how you make it…

Mull 3 to 4 large fresh strawberries in a cocktail shaker.  Add crushed ice to the shaker and combine 1 1/2 oz of lemon vodka, a hefty splash of Cointreau and 1 1/2 oz cranberry juice.  Shake vigorously and strain ingredients into a well-chilled martini glass.  Drizzle Chambord through the center the cocktail creating a secondary layer at the bottom.  Slice a strawberry on the bias and skewer on a metal pick and lay it on the top of the cocktail. 

Light a fire, dim the lights and let “CUPID’S ARROW” slay your lover’s heart!

Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!  David

Signature David presents “BAD ROMANCE”…the Ultimate Indulgent Valentine’s Day Cocktail!

// February 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, General, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

Feeling a tad bitter this Valentine’s Day?  Have you been scorned by your true love?  I can tell you we’ve all been there!  So, to hell with candy and flowers and romantic dinners.  Here’s to celebrating yourself!  I’ve created the perfect cocktail for your very own Valentine’s Day celebration!  It’s called “BAD ROMANCE” and it’s deliciously dripping in self indulgence!

Here’s how you make it…

Fill a rocks glass with ice and combine 2 oz of Patron Cafe Tequila and 1 oz of Frangelica hazelnut liqueur.  Stir lightly.  Pour 1 1/2 oz of  White Godiva liqueur over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake until frothy.  Strain contents over the bottom side of a spoon onto the inside rim of the glass.  Garnish with chocolate shavings.  

Invite some friends over, turn up the Lady Gaga and celebrate the day!

Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!  David

“WINTER DREAMS”!!! The Latest Holiday Cocktail from Signature David!

// December 10th, 2009 // No Comments » // Events, Food and Drink, General, News, Recipes, Seasonal/Holiday

Presenting “WINTER DREAMS”, my newest and most sinfully delicious Christmas Cocktail!  It willl make you think of those magical moments when you were a kid and you woke up on Christmas morning to a sleigh full of presents from Santa AND a foot of new fallen snow to play in…the PERFECT Christmas!

Here’s how you make it.  Oh, and by the way, you might want to double up this recipe as it’s hard to have just one!

Signature David’s “Winter Dreams”

1 oz. Grey Goose vodka, 2 1/2 oz Chambord, 1 1/2 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, Splash of half and half.

Combine vodka and Chambord over chipped ice and shake vigorously.  Strain into a well-chilled martini glass.  Pour Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and half and half over a shake full of ice and, again, shake vigrously…until contents is very frothy.   Stain contents over the underide of a spoon onto the lip of the glass, creating a top layer on the cocktail.

Start a roaring fire, sit back, take a sip (0r three!  and enjoy the magic of Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

David