The Drinks of the Night . . .

We got eats, we got swag bags and giveaways, we even got an afterparty -- last but certainly not least, we got the drinks on too! Whether you prefer sipping on our signature cocktail, a simple glass of wine, or an exploration through beers or fine spirits, we got you covered.
First, we welcome Pinky Vodka back again; in addition to supplying our swag bags with mini bottles of their product, they also teamed up with our committee member Natalie (a.k.a The Liquid Muse) to create the signature cocktail of this event! Coasters with the recipe will be available tonight, but just to give you a little preview, here's how it's made:

Pinky Confidential
2 ounces Pinky vodka
1 ounce Chambord
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce egg white (optional & NOT used in the bloggerprom version)
Powdered sugar (for garnish)

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Dry shake for 15 seconds. Add ice, shake again. Strain into a powder sugar-rimmed martini glass.

Additionally we are partnering with the fine beverage sponsors below:

Cabana Cachaca, which will be making caipirinhas on-site.
Zaya Gran Reserva Rum and Casa Noble blanco and reposado tequilas, which you can enjoy straight-up or in a cocktail.
The Beer Chicks will be doing refreshing tastings with locally-made Eagle Rock Brewery beers.
And The Dalmore representatives will take attendees on a tour through their range of Single-Malt Scotch Whiskys.
For wine lovers, Fresh & Easy is again providing some wines that taste great and is even better for the value! Here are their notes on the white & red wine of the night:

The Vine Yard Chardonnay, 2008 – Under $12
From the Columbia Valley of Washington State, the Vine Yard Chardonnay is a fruit-forward wine with impressive length and well-balanced finish. It has fresh green apple accompanied by generous amounts of ripe juicy pear and framed by warm vanilla and a hint of citrus. Pairs well with seafood and white meat dishes.

Chianti Re De Castello, 2007 – Under $10
Coming from the beautiful area of Tuscany, the grapes are picked at optimum ripeness. It has brilliant ruby red color with bright raspberry fruit aromas and a touch of spice. Harmonious and well structured, this is a full-bodied red with persistent length of flavour. Ideal with Bolognese and strong Italian cheeses such as Parmesan.

Finally, another official note from the committee: This year, to ensure everyone has a wonderful BUT safe time and so that all attendees gets to try a little of everything, we are providing each attendees with 3 drink tickets. Each ticket is good for 1) our "Pinky Confidential" signature cocktail, 2) Cabana Cachaca Caipirinhas, 3) the featured red & white wines from Fresh & Easy 4) drinks made with Zaya Rum or Casa Noble Tequila OR 5) for you teetotalers, a non-alcoholic beverage of your choosing. Additionally, each attendee will have an opportunity for a beer AND a Scotch tasting. Afterwards, a cash bar is available for additional drinks.

And if you do feel like you've had too much to drink, Y Drive LA will be on hand at the valet stand ready to drive you and your car safely home. They'll offer all Blogger Prom attendees 10%. Stop by their table for more information!

So raise those glasses and toast in style, and don't forget to tip your hardworking bar staff. Cheers!

The Night is Young: Our Official After Party!

It wouldn't be a proper prom without a proper After Party, would it?

Sure, it's a school night, but there's only one Blogger Prom a year, and, thus, only one Blogger Prom After Party.

We are thrilled to announce that our Official Blogger Prom After Party will be from 11PM to 1 AM at the much-talked about Test Kitchen. We think that if this were the era of Walter Winchell and Hedda Hopper, these two would be printing up a storm about this hot spot.

Since it's after hours, this free, private event will be focused on libations.

In the house and with their brand ambassadors:
Bacardi Rum
Original Moonshine, a corn whiskey/@MOONSHINE
Luksusowa, a Polish vodka
Real de Mexico Tequila, @realtequila
& Cognac Landy, @CognacLandy

Behind the bar:
Julian Cox (Rivera), Joel Black (Caña), and Pablo Moix (La Descarga).

Your bar will be hosted, but do bring some cash to tip your bartenders!

How do you get into the After Party?

- If you're attending Blogger Prom, it's easy: You're already on the list.

- If you will not be at Blogger Prom, but would like to join us for a drink, you must RSVP to us via email BY 1 PM on WEDS. 9/22. *UPDATED

Test Kitchen will take a maximum of 100 Blogger Prom guests.

Hope to see you there!

Where: Test Kitchen @ 9575 W Pico Blvd LA-35
Who: Blogger Prom Guests & Official After Party Guests
When: Weds. Sept. 22 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Photo: Julian Cox behind the Test Kitchen bar/djjewlz via Flickr

Get Your (Jungle) Juice On at Blogger Prom!

Your blogger prom committee has been working tirelessly at lining up all sorts of cool raffle prizes, goodie bag swag, an amazing venue, sumptuous nibbles and, of course, a buzz-worthy array of lascivious libations. In addition to the wonderful spirit and wine companies providing the liquid fuel for this celebration of So-Cal’s blogosphere, we have two specialty cocktails for you to enjoy. My cocktail blog, The Liquid Muse, is the backbone to my beverage consulting & mixology services. So, what better for this committee member to contribute to Blogger Prom Signature Cocktails!

The Prom Punch Jungle Juice is, of course, designed especially for this event. Springboarding off the Jungle Juice of high school days (which was likely some variation on Everclear & Hawaiian Punch) this grown-up version is easy to make, tastes delicious and can be whipped up in big batches (should you decide to make it for your parties). Best of all, this recipe features natural juices and a quality spirit: Pinky Vodka. Touted “the most beautiful vodka in the world,” Pinky is kissed with rose and strawberry notes, making it extremely mixable and delightful chilled, straight up. The sugar rim and lollipop on this “tini” style Jungle Juice are whimsical garnishes because – hellooooo – Blogger Prom is all about the fun!

The Flor de Maria is a slightly more serious drink for the discerning cocktail-lover. Its teeny bit more labor intensive and a recipe I’m rather proud to have created for the celebration of LA’s female mixologists at the Gran Centenario Roseangel tequila party at Malo, a few months ago. In addition to the hibiscus-infused Roseangel, this drink includes a homemade ‘hibiscus cabernet syrup,’ which I created especially for this drink. This cocktail takes the tequila lover beyond the margarita and into the world of creative mixology.

I know I speak on behalf of the whole Blogger Prom committee when I say that we look forward to clinking glasses with you all!

Prom Punch Jungle Juice
© 2009 Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, The Liquid Muse

2 ounces Pinky vodka
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce pomegranate juice
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 lollypop (garnish)
Colored rimming sugar (garnish)

Rim a martini glass with colored sugar, set aside. Shake all ingredients with ice. Gently strain into rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a lollypop across the top of the glass.

Flor de Maria
© 2009 Natalie Bovis-Nelsen, The Liquid Muse

1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
1/2 ounce hibiscus cabernet syrup
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1 1/2 ounces Gran Centenario Rosangel Tequila
Spritz orange flower water
1 - 2" piece lemon twirl

Muddle orange zest in the bottom of a cocktail glass. Add maraschino liqueur, syrup, lemon juice and tequila. Shake, with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Spritz with orange flower water. Garnish with a sliver of lemon zest.