Everyone’s tired of drinking the typical, super filling green beer every year on St. Patty’s day. Why not dazzle your guests with something a little more sophisticated for your taste buds! Demonstrate your chic bartending skills by serving a refreshing, wine infused cocktail. VOGA Italia Wine can be used to make quick and easy cocktails for any occasion. The wine retails anywhere from $5.99-$15.99/bottle which makes entertaining a large crowd extremely affordable. VOGA’s collection ranges from Italian made Pinot Grigio, Premium Sparkling, Moscato, Merlot, and Dolce Rosso.

And if you are concerned about consuming extra calories from too much green beer, try Sparkling ICE’s new Slim & Sparkling™ cocktails. Wow your friends and serve up these festive skinny green cocktails for an unexpected “healthier” and delicious crowd pleaser.  Sparkling Ice can be used to make quick and easy cocktails for any occasion. This beverage retails anywhere from $12.00-$15.00/12 pack, which makes entertaining a large crowd extremely affordable. Sparkling ICE’s collection includes other delicious flavors including new flavors Crisp Apple and Peach Nectarine

Kiss me I’m Irish

2 ½ oz VOGA Sparkling

1 oz Midori melon liquor

1 oz vodka

1 ½ oz lemonade

In a shaker, combine ice, vodka, Midori, and lemonade.  Stir gently and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with VOGA Sparkling. Garnish with lemon slice.

Sparkling Shamrock

5 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE

1 oz. Bacardi Light Rum
6 Mint leaves lightly muddled

Splash of Lime

Shake and pour into a chilled tall glass with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.

Dizzy Leprechaun

3 oz Lemon Lime Sparkling ICE

1oz. Tequila

Splash of Triple Sec

Fresh Squeezed Lime

Shake and pour into a chilled rocks glass rimmed in salt. Garnish with a lime slice.

VOGA Italia hails from Italy, the country best known for producing some of the world’s best wine as well as its’ keen sense of style. VOGA Italia encompasses all aspects offering a collection of crisp delicious wine thoughtfully packaged in a revolutionary re-designed bottle featuring a unique resealable cap. Since the company’s inception, VOGA has earned numerous awards and accolades for their sleek and sexy glass cylindrical bottle, presentation and most importantly taste.  The collection retails from $10.99 to $15.99 and includes Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Moscato, and Premium Sparkling. VOGA is available in over 62 countries, hundreds of major cities, and can be found in thousands of the world’s trendiest bars, restaurants and shops. Wherever, whenever, if you are drinking VOGA you are drinking IN Style.

Karma Tequila, produced from 100% blue agave believes in Karma- the principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished according to that person’s deeds in life. The creators of Karma Tequila, Britney Huinker, Devin Semler, and Gary Eisenberger support the Kids Courage Foundation (http://kidscourage.org/) with a percentage of their proceeds, a charity close to their hearts.

Karma Tequila is produced in the highlands of Jalisco, a region referred to as the Napa Valley of Mexico and is recognized for having the richest volcanic soil and ideal climate. Each agave is hand picked and tested ensuring that only the ripest agave is used. Authentic brick ovens slowly cook the agave allowing all the flavors to be captured in every sip.

Karma€™s distillery is located the State of Jalisco, a region referred to as the Napa Valley of Mexico, and is family owned and operated utilizing traditional distilling methods that have been passed down from generation to generation for over 70 years. Karma Tequila is handmade in small batches through a triple distilled process ensuring a complete balance in taste and smoothness.

REVIEW:

I am not a big Tequila drinker per se’ and typically when I get to review Tequila I am hesitant to actually crack the bottle. Yes this was the case with Karma Tequila; after all it is Tequila. I often find Tequila to be very I don’t know how else to describe it beside gritty!

Karma Tequila however is pretty much like drinking flavored water, in that it is very smooth, and doesn’t tend to have the bad after taste that makes lime and salt unnecessary.

For our money we certainly give Karma Tequila the Green light! You should probably include it at your next party. It’s great in Margaritas as well, get hammered and don’t even taste it happening.

As always however, if you’re going to enjoy Karma Tequila or any other alcoholic beverage do so responsibly, and do not drive! A cab or motel room are vastly less expensive than a DUI!

Let us know your thoughts. And follow us on twitter @FastLaneMag 

Russian Standard Original Vodka is the bottom of the Russian Standard line and is the highest selling premium vodka in the world. We got our hands on Russian Standard Original, and well the bottle didn’t last very long.

The Shot

Russian Standard Original Vodka has a bitter bite that is typical of Russian vodkas. The bitter bite is very soft, though, and quite pleasing given the context. The feel in the mouth is nice, as one should expect from a premium vodka. There is a very light burn on the way down, leaving the light bitter flavor in the mouth. A chaser is far from needed, but the aftertaste doesn’t let me forget that I’ve been drinking vodka. A nice fruit drink or soda helps to clean the pallet. Russian Standard Original Vodka is a great shooting vodka.

The Mixed Drink

I mixed Russian Standard Original Vodka with some fruit punch (Red Kool Aid) and was surprised to find that taste wise Russian Standard Original blends perfectly well, making a really great cocktail.

Opinions

The Russian Standard Original blend is certainly in great position as a premium brand, and the price is low enough that just about anyone can enjoy the luxurious flavor of this great Vodka.

It’s really no wonder why Russian Standard Original Vodka is so popular. It’s a great vodka at a reasonable price. If you favor Russian vodkas, it’d be silly not to try this vodka. We give it the green light!

We want to hear your thoughts so leave us a comment below. And follow us on Twitter @FastLaneMag