#SCBDRecipe: Ring in #MDW2013 with the #BigDeal Martini

Posted on May 24, 2013 by smallchickbigdeals

Who else is thankful its Friday and of course, Memorial Day Weekend (aka MDW)?! If you are as excited as I am, you’ll want to kick off your MDW festivities with the #SCBD #BigDeal Martini which was served at the #SCBDLaunchParty! The cocktail was created by mixologist Theresa Fowler especially & exclusively for the site and had been in the works since last October. Since it was such a hit at the launch party, I figured it would be the perfect weekend to share the recipe with you all to enjoy at your party. I know I plan on making it this weekend!

The #SCBD #BigDeal Martini on the rocks YUM!

#SCBD #BigDeal Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

Coconut Rum
Orange-Infused Vodka
Blue Curacao
Coconut-Infused Vodka
Fresh Orange & Pineapple Juice (can use store-bought if unavailable)
Fresh Lemon

Instructions:

In a shaker add equal parts rum, both vodkas, and blue curacao followed by both juices and squeeze fresh lemon. *Note: You can substitute one of the infused vodkas with regular vodka if needed*
Shake and serve in an iced martini glass straight up or on the rocks in a pint glass.
Sip and enjoy!

Cheers to a great and memorable #MDW this year whatever you are doing! Planning on making the martini? Let me know what you think and leave a comment or tweet me @smchickbigdeals!

#DealAlert & #SCBDExclusive for the Big Brew Beer Fest on this Saturday!

Posted on February 11, 2013 by smallchickbigdeals

Unsure what to get the beer lover in your life for Valentine’s Day?

Well I’ve got you covered! This Saturday, February 16th is the The Big Brew Beer Festival at the Morristown Armory.

Some of the best craft breweries from the area, around the nation and the world will be showcasing over 100 unique tastings. It will be the perfect opportunity for beer aficionados and beer lovers to speak to brewery representatives and discover new beers.

“I fell in love with craft beer when I went to an event four years ago” says Allison Kohler, President of JMK Events, which has created shows for antiques for 40 years. “Much like antiques, craft beer is an art form and we’re thrilled to pay homage to it with The Big Brew Beer Festival.”

One action-packed session will last from 4:30 to 8:30 pm, with featured entertainment from legendary Jersey band The Nerds. Event games include a Doubles Beer Pong Tournament with a $500 prize (free entry with ticket). The Morris Area Society of Homebrewers will be providing brewing demonstrations, make home brewing your new hobby!

Some of the featured VIP beers will include: Boulder Killer Penguin-Barleywine, Dominion Millennium (2 Year Old) Barleywine, Flying Dog Green Tea Imperial Stout, Stone Vertical Epic 12/12/12 Belgian Abbey Spiced Ale, Wyerbacher Riserva American Wild Ale, 21st Amendment Marooned on Hog Island American Stout, Duvel Tripel Hop, Ommegang Art Of Darkness.

Advance ticket prices are: $80 VIP ticket, $50 General Admission, $10 Designated Driver
At-door prices are: $90 VIP ticket, $60 General Admission, $15 Designated Driver.Use my exclusive SCBD discount code SCBDBBF for $10 off General Admission & SCBDBBFVIP for $15 off the VIP tickets!

All tickets include unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass.

There are a limited number of tickets available. Discounted advance tickets are available online, here.

For VIP ticket holders, rare beers, complimentary hors d’oueuvres provided by Morris Tap & Grill, Morris Tap and Grill VIP lounge access (presented by Morris Tap and Grill of Randolph, NJ) and an extended hour of tasting will be made available.

Follow @BigBrewBeerFest on Twitter or on Facebook for updates, special promotions and giveaways. Join the conversation #BigBrewBeerFest.

I know I’ll be in attendance and am really looking forward to it!

See ya there! Cheers!

Upcoming #NJ Events To Look Out For!

Posted on January 30, 2013 by smallchickbigdeals

Mark your calendars NJ– there are some hot foodie events underway:

The Big Brew Beer Festival
Saturday, February 16th 2013

Make sure you use the exclusive SCBD discount code SCBDBBF for $10 off General Admission & SCBDBBFVIP for $15 off the VIP tickets!

This is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the beer lover in your life

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New Jersey Food & Wine Festival at Crystal Springs Resort #NJWFF

March 15-17th 2013

Photo Courtesy of NJ Food & Wine

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs, which takes place March 15-17, 2013 and celebrates the best chefs of the region. This year, the Festival welcomes acclaimed Chef Jose Andres of Minibar, The Bazaar, China Poblano, Jaleo, Oyamel and Zaytinya in Washington DC, Los Angeles and Las Vegas among others, as the Guest of Honor.

The pioneer of molecular gastronomy in the US and recipient of multiple James Beard awards who was named “2012 American Chef of the Year,” Chef Andres will prepare an exclusive cellar dinner in Restaurant Latour’s award-winning 135,000 bottle wine cellar on Friday March 15 and also greet the attendees of the Opening Gala Dinner that night. On Saturday March 16, Chef Andres will sign his books during a special event and one of his restaurants will also be featured during the evening’s Grand Tasting.

More event information & tickets can be purchased, here.

Resort reservations can be made starting January 16 at 888-881-6991.

These events are not to be missed, make sure you buy your tickets today!

The Martini Glass Every #JerseyGirl Should Have…Cheers To Being A #JerseyGirl!

Posted on January 26, 2013 by smallchickbigdeals

Looking for the perfect gift for the Jersey Girl in your life? Then look no further then the Jersey Girls Martini Glass by Designs by Lolita ($24 value).

The glass has Jersey Girls written right in the middle of it (shown above) and has cute little Jersey sayings around it like a ferris wheel with Atlantic City, the parkway sign, hairspray, and more. Oh yeah I can’t forget it says that we don’t pump our own gas! I love how fun, cute and creative it is!

It also comes in the signature Designs by Lolita gift box and a recipe for the “Jersey Girls” Martini (shown below).

This glass is an ideal gift for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any celebration!

Cheers!

*Disclaimer: The PR team sent me this product. I was not required to write about these experiences and my opinions are my own and unbiased.*

Happy 1st Anniversary Small Chick Big Deals!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by smallchickbigdeals

Looking back I cannot be happier than I am today with the decision and commitment I made to post weekly from this day last year on to Small Chick Big Deals. I’ve had the opportunity to meet, speak & interview my idols in the food world, share some recipes, reviews of the latest and greatest restaurants that won’t break your budget in the tri-state area and have opportunities many people my age, could only imagine. I am also so thankful and incredibly proud of the team I was able to take on this journey with me this year. Of course, my biggest thanks to all my readers near and far– SCBD wouldn’t be as successful as it is today without your continued support and viewership!

I am looking forward to your tweets @smchickbigdeals with your favorite posts with the hashtag #SCBDAnniversary today!!

Cheers to a great one year anniversary, what 2013 has in store for #SCBD and many more!

Cheers! #SCBD Holiday Cocktails

Posted on December 21, 2012 by smallchickbigdeals

‘Tis the season to be jolly & nothing screams jolly more than enjoying a holiday cocktail. Here are some of my favorite cocktail recipes provided my the hottest bars/restaurants in the tri-state area:

SideBar’s Mint Chocolate Candy Cane, credit: SideBar

Mint Chocolate Candy Cane (SideBar)

Ingredients:

1 oz. Vision Vodka
1/2 oz Green Creme de Menthe
1/2 oz. White Creme de Cocoa

Method:

Combine all ingredients
Shake until chilled (strain optional)
Rim martini glass with crushed candy cane
Enjoy!

Snow Cap, credit: Pig & Prince

Snow Cap (Pig & Prince)

Ingredients:

3 oz. 9 Spiced Rum
2 oz. orange vodka
1 oz. cinnamon syrup
1 oz. cream

Method:

Shake vigorously with ice
Line the bottom of 2 martini glasses with 1/2oz chocolate syrup
Strain into glasses
Top with shaved nutmeg
Garnish with an orange twist
Served chilled in a martini glass

Deck The Halls, credit: Pig & Prince

Deck the Halls (Pig & Prince)

3 oz. rosemary infused vodka (add rosemary and let sit for 2 days to add flavor to the vodka)
1 oz. blood orange juice

Method:

Combine rosemary vodka and blood orange juice
Add ice
Top with Sprite

Kentucky Hot Seat, credit: Pig & Prince

Kentucky Hot Seat (Pig & Prince)

Ingredients:

3 oz. bourbon
2 oz. house spiced sweet vermouth (Cinnamon Cloves Star Anise)
10 oz. hot cider

Method:

Add Bourbon and Vermouth to the hot cider
Garnish with an apple slice
Serve in a coffee mug

Cheers!

#SCBD Halloween Spooktails!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by smallchickbigdeals

Halloween would not be complete without a cocktail or two. Here are some delicious cocktails some of New Jersey & New York’s finest are offering during their Halloween parties this week and weekend:

Devils Tuxedo (Blue Moon Mexican Cafe)

2 oz Patron XO Cafe
1 oz Irish Whiskey

Devils Tuxedo!

Oktoberfest Milkshake (Big Daddy’s)

Vanilla Milkshake
Oktoberfest Beer
Whip cream
Caramel

Oktoberfest Shake

The Spooky Spicy Bloody Mary (Maxwell’s)

Stoli vodka
Maxwell’s house made old bay bloody mary mix

Shaken & served over ice!

Bloody Spooky Mary

Killer Transfusions (Maxwell’s)

Stoli Vodka
Ginger ale

Served over ice with a splash of grape juice!

Killer Transfusions

Blood Orange Margarita (Maxwell’s)

Tequila
Simple Syrup
Blood Orange Extract
Fresh Lime

Shake and serve in a martini glass!

Blood Orange Margarita

Cheers to a great Halloween!

#SCBD Friday Inspiration: Favorite Foodie Quotes!

Posted on August 17, 2012 by smallchickbigdeals

Hello fellow #foodies! I’ve been inspired by these food quotes after getting back into my cooking jive again thanks to the simple recipe for Salmon Cartoccio Serena Palumbo gave me. So without further a due, here are some awesome Friday #foodie quotes I came across for some weekend inspiration:

With that being said, Happy Friday!

Cheers to the weekend, ’til next time…