A "witchy" Patron Brew

A Patron bartender mixes up a nitrogen-infused italian ice Patron drink for all the curious attendees to gawk at.

--Photo by Sebastian Dominguez

--Aurora Rodriguez 

We're in the Patron Bash!

I was lucky to sneak in through a shorter line due to the fact that I had a media ticket and my husband was on a separate list. So, as soon as we walked in, we were excited to see what all the fuss was about. We were greeted by dancers in tiny sequined outfits, a photo booth that displayed images of the party-goers on a huge screen and a variety of stations serving all kind of Patron-based cocktails. Nice. 

Being an adventurous cocktail lover, I decided to give the Spicy Mojito a sip. At first, I gagged at the taste, then realized it was made with jalapeno mint. Say what? I waited for the drink to sit for a bit, and sipped again. Not bad, though it's definitely a different taste than what many people are used to when it comes to mojitos. My husband adventurously sucked on a Patron "sno-cone" and we got ready to check out the rest of the event. 

Patron Party Time

We waited for our car at The Standard after calling ahead (30 minutes before, to be exact) just to make sure the valet could get it on time, we headed for dinner and drinks and waited for 11 p.m. to roll around so we could check out the "Patron After Party". I was exhausted, but was willing to give it a go for at least an hour and a half, knowing I wouldn't make it until the 2 a.m. end time of the event. Whoa, what has happened to my youthful exuberance that would allow me to dance well into the dawn during those "college years"? Oh, well...who cares, it's the Wine and Food Festival! And, I was curious to see what goes on inside the Paris Theater.

Cheers!

During the event, Sandra Lee was mingling with the crowd, posing for pictures with fans. As I approached her to introduce myself and tell her the drink I was having was darn tasty, she was quick to 'Clink!' my glass and pose for a picture.

"Let's do it in front of this amazing sunset," the bubbly blonde said with a grin. "It's beautiful out here!"

Once the picture was taken, she asked to look at it.

"Well, it looks like we're having fun," she said smiling.

We sure were.

--Aurora Rodriguez

--Photo by Sebastian Dominguez 

What's up with the silver people during cocktail time?

Ok, the event was fun, despite the lengthy lines and minimal amount of bites to go with the drinks. While I did enjoy such yummy bites like raspberry chicken skewers, cheese and crackers slathered with hummus, I am still surprised at the lack of food at these parties, especially with the amount of money being paid by those in attendance and the amount of booze being offered, which no one ever seems to turn down.

Another puzzling event detail was the "statue-like" models posing on plastic blocks or around the pool deck, just slightly sashaying left and right while staring down those sipping cocktails and mingling with buddies. I was confused, and creeped out, by this choice of "decoration" and at the little clothing they were wearing in the 60-something degree weather which was swifly dipping every minute. I felt bad for some of the models who shivered and looked at each other while sharing little laughs and trying to keep a straight face, their skin filled with goosebumps. I doubt Sandra Lee requested it. In my opinion, it was not necessary. These girls didn't need to be strolling around half-naked and shivering while teetering on silver platform heels. One even almost slipped and fell in front of me as she tried to get on top of her plastic and unsteady platform for some posing. I wanted to hand her a jacket and even tried to lend her a hand so she could pose in peace.

South Beach Sunset

Sandra Lee said she would have a surprise or two in store - cocktail-wise - for those who forked over $100 to have sips at the event, and she definitely wasn't kidding. Her concoction, the South Beach Sunset, was my favorite drink at the event. A mix of tequila, with honey, green tea and other flavors garnished with a sugar cane stick, it was definitely a drink with pure "Miami vibes". Not to mention, it was refreshing. I had to stick to one or I could've ended up in major trouble. Cheers!

P.S. It took me around 30 minutes to actually track down someone with this drink, so I better enjoy it, right? Thank you, husband, for tracking down the "drink girls" so I wouldn't have to wait in line any longer. Sweet!

Cuervo now, Patron later

Jose Cuervo reps busily served their product to those willing to try it out during Cocktail Time! with Sandra Lee, as we all welcome the Miami sunset.

--Photo by Sebastian Dominguez

--Aurora Rodriguez 

Cocktail Time! at The Standard

I admit, after our one year anniversary bash at LIV Friday evening, I was tired. A V.I.P. table and 90's music will get you in the groove, but make you forget that you have to wake up early to run errands and hit up the Wine and Food Festival for two events. Man. I'm definitely gonna need that sugar-free Red Bull today. But, I was looking forward to a relaxed afternoon sipping cocktails. Yum.

Sandra Lee, the star of "Semi-Homemade Cooking" was a sweetie on the phone when interviewed for Miami.com, so I was hoping her cocktail event at the breezy and laid-back Standard Hotel would be a blast.

Why tequila shot glasses are a "no no"

On Friday, I got a last-minute e-mail invite to taste test Riedel glasses at the Setai with Max Riedel himself. Say what? As a cocktail writer, I have had my fair share of drink tastings which have taught me what there is to love and what there is to loathe within a cocktail. Apple schnapps? Loathe...easy way to make an apple martini sweet and loaded with calories. Drinks with flavored "foam" on top? Delicious, but hard to make at home. Anything with champagne? A winner, just don't use the pricey stuff.

Yet, I had never experienced tasting (and I mean taking a short sip and spitting it out) spirits such as scotch, cognac and tequila in glasses designed specifically for each one. After this experience, I realized I don't hate tequila as much as I thought I did...just been drinking it wrong. I never noticed the hints of vanilla in a good reposado, and the fact that it doen't have to necessarily have to "bite you back" as you sip. Take note: shot glasses are a "no no" unless you're at a frat party. Then, you're on your own.

Cooking Unleashed

Guy Fieri is a rockstar and everyone knows it. In his second year on the Food Network he has become one of the most popular celeb-chefs, and his cooking demo at the Grand Tasting Village was his concert. He walked in to the music of Motley Crue’s Kick Start My Heart, and when he made a batch of margarita’s for the crowd, he did so to the tune of Sammy Hagar’s Mas Tequila. He raised $5,000 for charity by auctioning off an autographed KitchenAid mixer, surpassing the bids earned by Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse. And the crowd loved him. Fans were standing on the chairs, yelling and cheering him every time he asked them if they wanted more tequila in the margarita mix. And even Rachel Ray stopped by to say hi – and dub the demo “Chefs Gone Wild”. Nobody remembers the sandwich he made (a recipe inspired by a Chicago restaurant) or what exactly was in it. We just remember he was the coolest, rock and roll chef we have ever seen. “We’re all going to need therapy after this,” he said.