A little while back, I thought it would be fun to do favourite things kind of post. Feature books and products, homewares to skincare—stuff I’ve seen on the interwebs in a roundup style post. But then, from memory, it was Afterpay Day. And the very idea of sending out a post flogging stuff, even if it was for entertainment, was a no thanks.
But, some time has passed, and I’ve found more interesting things. I added an extra book and some sunscreen, an old favourite brand has a new offering, and some new-to-me products popped up. And since I feel a little better about the scale of emails in my inbox, I thought it was time. So, here they are, the many things that caught my eye on the interwebs lately; let’s do this.
12. Mr Consistent Mixers are refreshing, delicious and just as good alone or with soda water. Yum yum.
What have you discovered this month, team? I’d love to hear more about what is landing in your cart. Big or small, silly or serious, I’m sure some retail therapy has been helping us all through these weird and wonderful times. Enjoy the post, and as always, shop responsibly.
While I have smugly advanced past the cheapest of wines, that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in getting value for money. I think maybe I just drank too much of the Accomplice Sav. Blanc back in the day to even stomach anything like it these days. Haha. Recently I shared a post asking for wine suggestions and the hot tip. You delivered, as always, so I went on the hunt to see if I could find the wine that would become my new favourite.
Now, I’m no wine expert by any means.
But, I’ll try anything once and like what I like, whatever the price tag. My taste leans a little drier than your average white wine drinker, but not all the way. As I flicked through the pages of wines, I started wondering how good some of these wines could be for under $20! One was under $7, which is the limit of cheap and cheerful I go these days if I’ve learned my lesson. All can be bought in larger quantities that reduce the price further.
Would they taste okay? Would we enjoy them, and would I be able to share them with family and friends without being exposed as a cheapskate? Not that that should be your primary concern when making purchases, but come on, who doesn’t love to find an excellent drinking wine to bring that has people asking about it?
Lord of the wines, that’s my goal in life.
But also, is it possible to enjoy an inexpensive wine and not suffer the consequences of the preservative hangovers. Precisely what happens to me with some low-cost wines. Does that ever happen to you? One glass or many, it makes no difference. When the preservative hangover comes for you, you’re done for. If you know, you know. Yikes.
With a determination to enjoy another hot girl summer, I went hunting for the best summer wines. They had to be drinkable and perfect for beachside, poolside, picnics and BBQs. I’ve included Uncle Dan links in the list below and the complete product name if you want to find them elsewhere. I figure, who doesn’t (other than us here in Gympie) have access to a Dan Murphey, right? Anyway, who’s thirsty? Let’s dive into that, shall we?
Now, I can be a little partial to a pretty label, which is reflected in most of my choices. If it was a toss-up between two similar wines, I chose the prettiest. I’m a shallow and horrible human being, I know. But they wouldn’t have made this list unless I personally love them or the reviews gave them four or more stars with reviews that said they were highly drinkable. That’s what really matters, right? What’s on the inside.
And one last favourite!
One of my favourites, not under the $20 mark, but well worth the try, is the 6Ft6 Prosecco Nv ($25). I first tasted this at one of the Melbourne Fashion Week events and had to buy more once home. Plus, black and white stripes are so on-brand for me. Haha. Once, I even worked with them to do a giveaway on the blog (I made prosecco cocktails, you’re welcome). While it’s the highest-priced on the list, I find that you can often score an offer or deal that reduces the per bottle price. I’m keen to try their new 6Ft6 Prosecco Rosé, so if you score a bottle, let me know how it is.
How about some wine subscription action?
Something else that I enjoy doing to discover new wines is getting my Good Pair Days box (that’s my referral link, FYI. Sign up, and we both get a free $40 bottle of wine; score). I have a four wine bottle subscription delivered per month and have had the best time discovering new wines via their deliveries. Not to mention their packing rocks and they send all these presents as you order and reviews wines. Things like tea towels, bottle openers, champagne corks and even a thermal cup and bottle; I love that.
Are you interested in such things? I’ve done an entire post featuring some of the best-reviewed Wine Clubs and Box Subscriptions out there. If you’re into trying new things and are okay with other people having a go at picking your wines, check them out. I think it’s fun, and it’s like having a present to me, from me delivered every month. It’s the best use of my adult money I can think of. Haha.
We’re throwing things way back here with a Classic Red Wine Sangria from the #sugerDRINKS eBook. Yes, from 2017 and still available as a free download when you sign up for the Suger News. I received an email this week from a recent subscriber who was excited to get making some cocktails (same, what a week). And it reminded me, I haven’t done an update in a while. A long while.
So, let’s welcome back those dark, moody, slightly off-centre images from 2017, shall we? I love these photos, even now, but boy can I see how far I’ve come in terms of composition and editing since then. How’s that for a little reminder that when you feel stuck somewhere, taking a walk down memory lane to see how far you’ve come doesn’t hurt. Neither will some delicious red wine covered fruit. Let’s jump into this, shall we?
What you’ll need
Berries, mixed
2 Oranges (1 x sliced 1 x juiced)
1/2 Lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp Sweetener (sugar or honey)
1 cup Ice 1/2 cup Cointreau
2 cups Red wine, dry
What to do
Combine the ingredients; it’s just that simple. Leave it to sit in the jug until ready to serve. How easy is THAT! If it’s warm where you are, freeze the berries and instead of juicing the second orange, cut it into segments and freeze. Or go all out and add a third into the mix. Go nuts. When ready to serve, make sure everything is combined (in the eBook, I said blend, but well, that’s not exactly what I meant, lol) and serve in a large jug with extra fruit if you wish.
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The ‘recipe’ for this Classic Red Wine Sangria is from the #sugerDRINKS eBook (available as a free download when you sign up for the Suger News). It’s about time that I got off my butt and updated the offer, I think. So, if you have an idea for a download, printable or something that you’d like as a freebie for subscribers, let me know.
Suger’s Summer content has been a light on the ground in the past year or two. It used to be a little more of a thing around here. A function of not being that motivated to create, I suppose. But something about the warm days and long afternoons has inspired me. And what is more inspiring than a cocktail? Something bright and fun, refreshing and light. Something with gin!
I’m not normally a gin drinker. My maternal grandmother apparently was, but from her down we found ourselves to be a wee bit too emotional if we were partaking in gin. Who knows if that’s a real thing, but all the very scientific evidence seems to suggest it is. Anyway, I tend to avoid gin in favour of my favourite child, vodka. But earlier this year, I couldn’t resist (aka was sucked into) an ad campaign for a Bloody Shira Gin.
And it seems, the rest is history. Let’s get into it.
gin and prosecco summer cocktail
you’ll need (per serve)
30ml’ish Gin
1 cup Prosecco
Sorbet
Orange Slices
Glass
do this
add a large scoop of ice-cream to your serving glass
top with gin, followed by prosecco
finish with the slice of orange
some notes
We used a Shiraz gin from Four Pillars. This gives it a darker colour. We may have also been a little more heavy-handed than a single shot… ‘Tis the season and all. Here’s the hot tip, we put the orange in first, layered the gin and prosecco and ended up with a little pocket at the bottom of the drink formed by the orange. It’s way easier to add the orange after.
We had raspberry or lemon sorbet, and both were great. A large scoop with chilled ingredients is enough that you don’t need ice. However, you could easily skip the sorbet and have this over ice with a little added grapefruit juice for a bit of kick. Speaking of which, you could substitute the orange for grapefruit (so good) or blood orange depending on your gin choice. In fact, the gin could be swapped for vodka easily too; so versatile.
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This has been a hot topic of conversation on the socials for a little while leading up to this post. I asked for suggestions of wine clubs you belong to, that you would recommend, and then I went on a mission. I’m committed to bringing you the best in wine. You’re welcome, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Obviously. But how did that adventure into the depths of interwebs wine country go?
So. Much. Wine. Short version.
I trawled the interwebs for the best deals, the stand out places to order wine, via some kind of a club, in Australia. The first thing I learned about the ‘new school’ of wine clubs is that there are a number of ways to participate. Hence, why I added boxes to the title. Some don’t even require you to subscribe, but you can still access a seasonal box or ‘sampler’ type selection. Fun, right?
Each wine club or membership has its own unique way of doing things and for most of them, you can tailor what you receive to suit your tastes. Waaay essential. Actually, that was THE number one reason for giving up wine clubs according to the folks on Facebook; too many wines you didn’t like and/or drink. Well, the new school has you covered. Ready to check it out?
New school wine clubs + boxes
6ft6 Wine/Austins & Co
Boasting a range of sample and gift boxes, I’ve worked with these guys on a giveaway for the blog previously, and everyone LOVES this wine. I can personally vouch for the Prosecco, the Rosé and Sav Blanc after they ran the bar for the last Plus Fashion Week in Melbourne. Believe me, I more than sampled the range. So good. It’s not a subscription box, but from what I can see, their gift box contents change regularly so it’s a choose your own adventure type thing. Check them out and support an Australian, family-run company. Plus, striped bottles. Hello.
I found these guys on Instagram and fell in love with their branding too. I’m a branding geek, what can I say. After a little investigation, they do boxes WITH a guarantee that if you don’t like a bottle selected by your wine advisor, they will replace it the next month no questions asked. That’s a win. To quote directly from their website each month our three-time Australian Somm. of the Year sends our wine squad on a personalised wine adventure, with three delicious bottles, matching recipes and the stories behind each winemaker. Sounds good, yeah? This is the box that I signed up for. And If you end up doing the same, I’ll get a free bottle. Win/won. Haha.
Black Sheep Club
Brought to you by Hugh Hamilton of McLaren Vale Wines this is an exclusive members club with a selection made monthly {you can choose as few as two deliveries per year}. The membership of the Black Sheep Club comes with some other members-only benefits including access to exclusive releases, newsletters and behind the scenes access to the winery. Sounds like fun I enjoy a good wine tour. Black Sheep also offers a replacement guarantee ensuring that you get the wine you enjoy. Love that.
CRFT 100
One of the team on the Facebook page, the owner I believe, put me on to this club. And again, can I just say how strong this branding is for me? Swoon. Anyway. This is an exclusive 100 member club {yes, there’s still room for you} and when you join you receive the pack of exclusive wines shown above. Score. As a member, you continue to get access to their wine first, club discounts and VIP invites. CRFT wines are based in the Adelaide Hills, so it’s a chance to invest in Australians making really beautiful wines. Plus, they’re part of Team Suger, that’s worth some love.
The Naked Wines wine club is called the Naked Angels, so you really can’t argue with that. Created to support independent winemakers I’ve purchased from Naked Wines directly before and if there was ever a club I’d join, this would probably be the one. To quote directly from their website, our Angels support independent winemakers by investing $40 a month into their Naked Wines account, to spend whenever they want – in return for discounts, freebies, exclusive wines and more. See how that works? Plus, as with all the clubs there are bonuses to be had. And let me tell you, the Engine Room, The Mechanic Shiraz is pretty freaking great.
VinoMofo came onto my radar a wine ago because of a story I read online outlining their business development story. If I remember where I’ll update the link. These guys are crushing it and their wine club came up over and over again when I asked. They currently have two levels of clubs with a third coming soon. They say “There’s no lock-in contract and no bullshit. You just pick a club that works for your budget, personalise it to suit your tastes and decide how often you need your wine delivered. And before you ask, daily isn’t an option. Yet.” Daily, now that would be dangerous.
And there you go, team! Hopefully, this fulfils all your wine requirements for a little while. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these suppliers {or others!} so we can get a bit of a conversation going to support those who are buying. Until next time, cheers!
Ummm, prosecco fans, get yourself ready for your summer beverage of choice. You’re going to love this prosecco cocktail with blackberries and mint. The best news is it is easily adapted for one or for a crowd. And speaking of a crowd, it makes so well ahead of time you won’t even be mad at it. Entertainer win.
How to make Suger’s Prosecco Blackberry Punch
YOU’LL NEED
6Ft6 Prosecco
Lemonade
Vodka
Blackberries
Mint
DO THIS
Combine the vodka, blackberries and mint in a jug. I left my mint whole, but tearing or chopping into smaller pieces would work too, as would muddling it in the bottom of the glass or jug. Use one shot of vodka per serve. Add the prosecco and lemonade at approximately a half/half ratio. I prefer mine more prosecco, less lemonade, but you do you. Serve chilled. Frozen berries assist with this on a hot day! So if serving frozen, add berries when all ingredients are combined.
So, you’ve got a giveaway too, huh?
I’ve been on the lookout for a blog wine sponsor for a number of years. My search has proven to be fruitless but it won’t even stop me trying. That’s when I’ll know I’ve made it. For sure. Alas, this is not that moment, BUT the kind people of 6Ft6 wines have provided some goodness to giveaway!
Competition closes Friday 20th October 2017, with the winner being announced shortly after that. You must be 18 years or older and an Australian resident to win. This is a game of skill, Mr Suger and I will be choosing our favourite answer with a little help from the 6Ft6 team.
The prize pack includes THREE bottles of 6Ft6 Prosecco, a set of four 6Ft6 wine glass tags and their new limited edition tea towel valued at $99. Woooo.
To win the prize pack you must be following @sugercoatit and @6Ft6wines on Instagram and tell me in the comments below what YOU would do with your prize pack? Do you have a special occasion coming up or friends coming over? Get creative and the best entry wins. Competition closes Friday 20th October 2017, with the winner being announced shortly after that. You must be 18 years or older and an Australian resident to win. This is a game of skill, Mr Suger and I will be choosing our favourite answer.
EDIT: If you’re having problems with Disqus (my comment system) you can now enter on Instagram!
Oh yeah, this is happening. It’s so hipster it hurts. This mason jar pomegranate cocktail {with ginger and lime!} is delicious. Bonus, it can {and should} be made ahead of time. That makes them party friendly otherwise, they are NOT. At all. Trust me, you’re not going to want to be tackling peeling and deseeding a pomegranate at the last minute in your party best. Even your BBQ best. Nope. Don’t do that to yourself. If prep isn’t your thing, buy them prepared. Otherwise, expect a big, red, crazy ass mess.
You’ve been warned.
Now, my cocktail drinking friends, it’s time to get to business. There’s a list of ingredients below plus my usual casual method of recipe giving. Let me know if you have any questions before you get started, I’ll help where I can. As always, if you want the ENTIRE #SugerDRINKS eBook, just subscribe to the Suger News weekly newsletter and it’s all yours. FREE.
Did I say drink responsibly? No? Yeah, I didn’t think that sounded like me. Haha.
Mason Jar Pomegranate Cocktail
YOU’LL NEED
1⁄2 Pomegranate
2cm piece of ginger (sliced)
1 lime (half juiced/half sliced)
1 cup Soda Water
60ml Vodka
Ice
(per mason jar/serve)
DO THIS
First, let me apologise for this. Pomegranate as delicious and colourful as they are, are a giant pain in the ass. What a mess! So, I will completely understand if you want to buy them deseeded.
This one is pretty simple after you get through that. Muddle the pomegranate, ginger and lime slices in the bottom of your glass or jar. Smoosh them all together, add the lime juice, vodka and ice. Then fill with soda water. Done!
I said earlier you can prepare them ahead of time. And you can! Prep the fruit and even prep the smooshing of them all together. It depends on how far ahead you need to be. Seriously, if you’re smooshing, I highly recommend putting the vodka in with them and it’ll be delicious.
In the continuing attempt to bring back summer by making delicious cocktails, meet the Pineapple Mojito Jug! You’re welcome. THIS is my new favourite drink. Did I say that about the Coconut Margarita too? I forget. Anyway. It’s pretty great, and I don’t just say that because I was raised on a pineapple farm and have a strange affinity for pineapple. It’s so good. If you’re not feeling the rum bases, try it with tequila. Also very good, trust me, I’m a tequila expert.
Said no one ever.
But moving right ahead! Grab a jug or a punch bowl (if you’re old school) and get ready to make this one for your next house party or gathering. I don’t care if it’s cold and blah right now; tropical is in. And sooner or later, winter has to end, right? But first, how about some pretty pictures to make you thirsty. I’ll meet you after them with the recipe.
Pineapple Mojito Jug
YOU’LL NEED
1⁄2 bottle of white rum
A pineapple
5 limes
Bunch of mint
1⁄4 cup organic sugar
Soda Water or Lemonade
Ice
DO THIS
Who’s ready to prep?
Start by peeling the pineapple. Cut half of the peeled, whole pineapple into core-less slices and the rest into wedges. Juice 3 of the limes and slice the other two. Save any of the juice from the slicing for the jug, where possible. Combine the sugar and any spare juice to start it dissolving. If there’s not enough liquid, squeeze a little more. This step makes it easier later if you don’t do it; meh, no biggie.
Ready to serve?
Place the pineapple and lime slices in and around the edges of the jug. Add a cup or two of ice. Pour the rum, juice and sugar mix into the jug. If you’re using lemonade, you probably won’t need the sugar. Place a handful of mint, chopped or bruised (in your hand) on top of the ice. Use a muddler (or rolling pin, whatever works) and smoosh it all together. If you’ve got time, let it all sit there for a bit in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pour the soda water or lemonade (don’t use a combination, it actually tastes a bit weird) over the entire mixture and serve.
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Happy mixing team! And don’t forget, if you subscribe to the Suger News, you can download a copy of the entire #sugerDRINKS eBook for free. We’d love to have you. I send an email every week with a lesson I’ve learned or a trick for living well. It’s pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Emails go on a Saturday morning; Be there, or be square!
Let’s settle into the weekend with a beverage, yes? There’s no better way to kick off sharing the recipes from the recent Suger News subscriber freebie than with a coconut margarita. It is light, refreshing and part of my attempts to reclaim summer as we suffer (miserably, with zero patience as usual) through the coldest day of the year. I say this as someone with zero tolerance for milky booze. Still good. Still worth a quick shake.
It’s all part of my plan to get more posts on the blog more regularly again. I take all these photos for Instagram and forget that the recipes and stuff would be just as useful here in the‘food + drink’portion of the website. I recently took some photos at a local cafe I love to visit too, so keep an eye out for the blog post soon. What’s a lifestyle blog without some lifestyle content, right? If you’re ready, let’s go!
Coconut Margarita
YOU’ll NEED
1 Lime, sliced/wedges 60ml Coconut milk 60ml Tequila 30ml Triple sec 1/2 cup Coconut water Ice
DO THIS
Now, don’t knock this one until you try it. I’m not that into creamy, which is why I swapped out the coconut cream for coconut water. Place ice in your glass to chill, add the other ingredients (squeeze one wedge of lime, the rest are to serve) into a shaker. SHAKE! Pour over the ice, repeat per glass you are serving. This baby has some kick. Feel free to scale back the quantity of tequila, by half. Mr Suger did. Sook. Haha.
Liking the look of the coconut margarita? Make sure you grab part one of the #sugerDRINKS series by signing up to the Suger News newsletter here. I’ll be sharing a couple more of the recipes here on the blog, but who doesn’t love a FREE, ridiculously good-looking eBook, right? Get thee on the list. It’s a weekly newsletter from my desk to your inbox. Casual, personal and always a wrap up of the week’s content on the blog.
Last week I shared a photo of my mason jar full of iced tea. Homemade and all kinds of awesome. A few people asked about what was in it and why I make my own tea at home. So being the obliging blogger I am I took a few more photos of my most recent batch for this post. I want to share this recipe and some tips for creating a yummy blend. Iced tea and I are besties, so let’s get started, shall we? (more…)
