DrinkedIn Trends

My love for beer is eternal. Yes, it's no joke. Whether I'm relaxing inside my house or going out with my friends for a night out, I always make it a point to order a nice, cold glass of beer. While I can easily buy a can of Budweiser or a nice bottle of Jack Daniels from a local convenience store, it's a whole different story when I'm traveling to another country. Of course, I can still get my favorite drinks from the supermarket, but when I think about it, I might as well try the best that international liquor has to offer.

Germany - Well, let's start with Europe. It's always been my favorite continent, since Germany's there. Germany boasts of certain beers that were made centuries ago. Besides, German beers have quite a unique taste in them. It's probably because breweries follow a very strict rule about the ingredients used for brewing. Some of the best German beers I enjoy so far are Bitburger and Warsteiner. However, Bitburger is the only one that's gotten me hooked on German Beer.

Bitburger has three unique variations, which is called beer mixes. My choice would have to "Bit Sun", which has low on calories.

And who can forget about Oktoberfest? I always make it a point to visit Germany during this occasion. Asides from beer, I also love buying beer shirt a day and Oktoberfest is the perfect time to buy them cheap! It's a drink-till-you drop marathon for me and my friends (along with a few friendly Germans, of course!

Japan - I've been to Japan three times already and it's a Wonderland for beer aficionados. Yes, I've already tasted sake, but you're dead wrong if you think that Japan doesn't have it's own brand of beer. Asahi Beer is one of the most popular beer brands in the Land of the Rising Sun. There's Suntory Beer as well as Hop Aka; these are just a few of the many beer brands available there. One particular Asahi beer, which is the Asahi Funwari, costs around 140 yen. With an alcohol content of 2-3%, it's something I don't mind drinking when walking around Tokyo.

Playing pool at a bar is the best way to play pool because it makes your stay at the bar a fun experience and is also very exciting for both new and old pool players. Pool tables at bars operate on coins, so that means that anyone can play as long as they have some change in their pockets.

Those are the basic rules of bar pool, but to fully understand how to approach the game when you walk into your local watering hole, I have compiled a list of the things that you should know to get the most out of the experience.

1. Rules Depend on Where You Play

It's important that you know your setting, which means that you know how the bar works and how people play pool in the that area. The basic rules of 8-ball and 9-ball always apply, but there are some small differences that can make the game very different for someone accustomed to certain rules that make the game all the more fun specially in a bar where you have your favorite beer mug in hand.

Racking can also be different than you're used to. While it's typical to go stripes/solids/stripes/solids in a home game, this is not always the case in bars. Just make sure that the 8-ball is on the middle of the rack every game that you play in.

2. You Have to Call Your Shot

Your opponent should know what you're trying to do every time it is your turn to shoot. If the ball bounces around for a while and then happens to knock one of your balls in, the shot counts, but it is your opponent's turn because you didn't call that shot.

Now that spring is in full swing and summer is right around the corner, things are starting to heat up. Fortunately, you can always blend a few frozen drinks to cool things off! Here are four of the tastiest blended drinks that you can make to help you and your friends beat the heat and stay cool.

For all of these drinks, have the best blender on hand and enough ice to get the texture that you prefer.

Tip: Use crushed ice if possible to speed up the blending process. This will save your drinks a little time before melting and will also make it easier on your blender's motor.

The Fruit Daiquiri

This mixed drink is a classic for a reason. The basic ingredients are a generous amount of white rum, 2 squeezed limes and plenty of fresh berries and/or fruit. If you don't have fresh fruit on hand, you can use fruit syrups as well. The simple syrup is the part where you are free to mix it up. You can make your daiquiri blueberry, coconut or even banana flavored if you would like. Some folks also add in some triple sec for a bit of extra flavor and kick.

The Pina Colada

Here is another blended drink that is perfect for those overbearing hot summer days. The pina colada was invented in Puerto Rico at the Caribe Hilton's Beachcomber Bar in order to please the frequent celebrity tourists. This drink fully lives up to its reputation as it will definitely help keep you cool when you are relaxing at the beach or by the pool. The standard ingredients are equal amounts of white rum, coconut cream, and fresh pineapple juice. It always tastes better and improves the texture of the drink to throw in some fresh pineapple meat as well. Blend it all together with some ice and feel free to garnish it with a slice of pineapple and a cherry.

Have you ever had a night out and woken the next day with little to no memories of the previous night? This is a common problem that many drinkers have after drinking heavily. Since blackouts from drinking can be scary and unsafe, it is wise to try and avoid these occurrences.

In order to avoid drinking blackouts, you first have to know how and why they occur. Surprisingly enough, there are no clear scientific reasons for blackouts-only several theories. The most likely theories are listed below:

• Drinking too quickly: A 1970 study by Ryback RS showed that blackouts are probably caused by drinking excessive amounts quickly. The faster your blood alcohol concentration rises, the more likely you are to black out. If you drink alcohol slowly, even if you end up just as intoxicated, you are less likely to black out.
• Alcoholism: According to a 2004 study published in European Addiction Research magazine, showed that blackouts are associated with loss of control and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol abuse. Individuals who drank compulsively tended to black out more than individuals who could control their drinking throughout the night.
• Past trauma: Strangely enough, past trauma can be an indicator for how likely you are to black out. A 2008 study published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse showed that individuals who suffered from childhood sexual abuse, PTSD, and other past traumas were more likely to black out from excessive drinking episodes.

How to stop blackouts

Obviously, there is no way to stop blackouts from drinking due to trauma, and if you are addicted to drinking, you probably shouldn’t be drinking anyway. However, there is one easy way to reduce the amount of blackouts that you get from increasing your blood alcohol too quickly. Here are some easy steps you can take to reduce your chances of blacking out while drinking:

Fill your stomach: Everyone knows you’re not supposed to drink on an empty stomach, but thousands of people do it anyway. Food helps slow the speed of your blood alcohol concentration, which will help reduce your chances of blacking out.

There is a certain classy feel to Norway that inspires you to dress that bit smarter and take a little bit more time over your makeup and hair. The country is immaculate and something of its appearance always seems to rub off on its visitors. This is truer than ever when you visit the capital city of Oslo as the place is an unbelievably tidy and attractive city, with smart and interesting architecture and a wonderful history. So when you have a night out in Oslo you always want to pamper yourself and make the evening a refined experience and there is no better way to do this than at one of the city’s many fantastic cocktail bars.

Bar Boca might lack a little in size with only enough room for 5 tables but it makes up for it with its marvelous 50’s style décor and great cocktail menu. You should expect standing room only as this is a firm favorite with locals and tourists alike, the friendly atmosphere and cozy surroundings are the perfect place to start your night on the town.

For a bit more room try Hell’s Kitchen and here you can also order a bite to eat to enjoy with your drink. Pizza and cocktails might not sound like the perfect combination but they actually do complement each other quite nicely. This is a trendy place to be that is always popular with the locals, although it does tend to attract a younger crowd. That said the natives are always friendly and if you fancy making some new friends with a bit of local knowledge then this is definitely a good place to start looking.

Whilst we are talking about trendy we have to mention The Sense. This 2 storey cocktail serving wonder bar has award winning bar staff that really knows how to shake a positive drinking experience. So if you like your martini shaken and not stirred then this has to be the right place to order it. Live music is often on the menu and you might get a wonderful rendition of your favorite tune played on the electric piano and accompanied by bongos. They are even available for birthday parties and corporate events and that makes The Sense.

The pizza and cocktail theme continues at Yatzi; a place that describes itself as a club/restaurant. Comfy settees and a happy party vibe are everything here and resident DJs mix the weekday tunes then hand the decks over to guest artists at the weekends. So if you like a Margarita pizza with your, urm, Margarita cocktail in a big comfy seat whilst enjoying the latest tunes then you might have to throw the dice and shout Yatzi.

There are many more places to try and get a Tom Collins or a Screwdriver in Oslo and many of the pubs selling beer and wine will also rustle up a mean cocktail. So after a long day sightseeing around one of Europe’s finest capital cities what better to do stay in your nice hotel in Oslo (in Norwegian they say hotell Oslo) or take the weight off and enjoy a shaken surprise?
 

Alcohol is one of those tricky things in life. Found almost everywhere and enjoyed for a variety of reasons. Most people think of “being drunk” when they are partying, out with friends or just downing alcohol because of sorrow.

What about that after-work happy hour cocktail, the two glasses of red wine with a fancy steak dinner, the local art show champagne reception, the two tall beers washing down the chicken wings on game night? These alcohol amounts are definitely not topping the charts, and when you factor in age, weight, sex, food eaten driving should be safe, right? WRONG. While these factors play a role in the overall picture, alcohol still influences you and your system no matter the amount. No one is immune to its effects, coffee isn’t going to sober you up as it takes time to fully leave your system.

How much time?

It takes about an hour for one unit of alcohol to leave your system, give or take. To be honest, a unit isn’t that much. For example, one shot of tequila is a rough unit. So that means one shot takes one hour to leave your system. Think about that before taking another sip.

Can you drive?

When a person suffers from alcohol poisoning, they've drunk too much alcohol for his or her system in too short a period of time. The dose of alcohol that leads to alcohol poisoning is different for different people. What happens is that the amount of alcohol the person has ingested is so great that it suppresses the reticular activating system of the brain. The RAS controls wakefulness and bodily coordination, which includes breathing. As those functions become more impaired, the patient starts experiencing symptoms like staggering, lack of balance, slurred speech, hypothermia, breathing that becomes irregular, pallor and blurry vision. The symptoms progress to incontinence, drowsiness, vomiting and stupor. Finally, when the RAS’ control of breathing is deeply impaired, the patient can fall into a coma and then into death.

According to expert Michael Myles, “it’s crucial that a person who appears to be suffering from alcohol poisoning be taken to an emergency room or to a physician.” The patient doesn't have to exhibit all of the listed symptoms to have alcohol poisoning.

Treatment

A person suffering from alcohol poisoning needs to be watched carefully and his or her breathing needs to be supported, sometimes through oxygen therapy. The patient should be positioned in a way that will lower the risk of choking if he or she vomits. If the patient is still awake, he or she shouldn't be allowed to fall asleep or lose consciousness. Some people are also given intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated and given doses of thiamin and glucose. Thiamin is a B vitamin and glucose is a simple sugar. These supplements can help ward off the effects of alcohol poisoning. A great little infographic by TopRehabs.com shows how people can find relief by sitting in a sauna and allowing the heat to draw the toxins out of their bodies.

Prevention

A person can cut down on their risk of alcohol poisoning by eating before and as they drink alcohol. This slows the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol. Milk and foods high in fat are excellent at slowing down the rate of absorption because they stimulate the body into closing the valves between the stomach and the small intestine. The person should also drink moderately and slowly. Some doctors recommend that a woman shouldn't drink more than one alcoholic drink per day, and a man shouldn’t have more that two drinks per day.

Also, alcoholic beverages aren’t the only things that cause alcohol poisoning. Rubbing alcohol, mouthwash, and other products that contain alcohol should be put out of the reach of children. Even alcoholic beverages in the home should be locked away.

Nowadays, beer isn't just a guy thing anymore. My friends and I have started getting into the habit of drinking beer every once in awhile after hearing from a doctor-friend that the stuff's supposedly good for you. While it's just fruit beer that we're drinking, it's just the same thing that guys love. Most girls just can't take the bitter taste.

However, not ALL girls are into drinking beer. Some still hold the age-long tradition of beer as a man's drink. As a kid, I've never seen my mother drink beer and my dad never liked the idea of his daughter drinking beer (fortunately for me, he's in Miami). Even if society is slowly accepting the fact that some women really do love to drink beer, tradition still has a firm grasp on people, especially with women.

Well, for girls who strongly believe that beer is only for men, you may want to take at the list below. This will disapprove any notion that says women can't drink beer!

• Women were considered the ideal workers for a brewery. In fact, ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and the Egyptians adored women who knew how to brew. The word "brewster" came from the term given to women in charge of the brewery. Is it because of our nurturing nature? Or perhaps women are really meticulous in nature, which is why beer brewed by women are sought at by men in the old days. The Egyptians prepare a special place for the women working for the palace brewery while the Sumerian men find a woman working in a brewery very attractive!

• The greatest works of literature have mentioned women as the best when it comes to making beer. From William Shakespeare to the Song of Songs from Sumeria, these literary masterpieces have described that beer brewed and prepared by the woman of the house are indeed the best.

These days almost every ounce of planning takes a front seat when it comes to weddings, and that often includes the bar menu itself. Many couples are choosing to serve a signature cocktail alongside the beer, wine, champagne, and other choices. In fact, some are serving them exclusively to save some cash in the long run. It may be the perfect idea for your wedding, too.

What Do I Choose?

Most couples take a quick inventory of their own preferences before deciding what to serve. You may want to think about your favorite ingredients in mixed drinks. You may also want to think about the items you certainly don’t want in a drink. Review your relationship briefly to see if there’s a certain type of cocktail the two of you love to drink together. Think, too, about your wedding plans. Is there a certain color scheme you’re looking to fulfill with your plans. If so, choose a cocktail that fits in with your theme and/or color scheme.  In addition, you may want to decide if you plan to come up with your own cocktail or go with an existing one.  Also, you should consider sending your guests home with a little something like a cocktail party favor that is personalized with your names and wedding date for that extra special touch. 

A Little Help Here?

Like the idea of signature wedding cocktails, but you’re not exactly sure what you should serve? Here are a few ideas that might help you get started:

When we picture a vineyard, it is typically in an exotic location such as Chile, South Africa or Australia. We have grown to expect that our finest wines found their way to the UK from elsewhere in Europe or further afield.

However, this is a changing story as UK vineyards are beginning to be taken more seriously on account of their high quality produce. Combine this with the growing number of quality retailers offering UK wines and the proliferation of local websites and UK restaurants offering wine-tasting events, you no longer have to search far and wide to find some quality English wines.

Recently, I had an opportunity to join some like-minded wine lovers at Boisdale of Canary Wharf where I discovered English viticulture.

English Wine

The volume of British wine produced yearly is dramatically increasingy, now producing in excess of 4 million bottles annually. The demand for British wine is growing amongst UK restaurateurs and wine connoisseurs as well as the general public and the industry is more than ready to answer.

Over the recent years a trend of extreme health and safety at all costs has developed, and it is affecting the way we see driving, drinking, our eating habits and our daily activity. Don’t get me wrong, we can all benefit from a more health-oriented way of thinking - going about our daily lives stronger, more focused and generally just feeling good. The problem I have with things getting too politically correct and safe is that it kind of negates the need for the individual to be responsible for his or her own actions and try to indulge in certain behaviors in moderation, instead of being bullied by people around them and/or the government into thinking a certain way or behaving according to some “master plan” that is guaranteed to make everything better.

A good example of this bullying by forcing newfangled social conventions on us is the “lose weight, stay fit, only drink water and eat grass” movement that is gaining strength as it is being perpetuated by the media. It used to be quite alright to have a few drinks with friends on the weekend and even a bit of binge drinking during the holidays and special social occasions was considered normal. We all have to let of some steam from time to time and enjoy ourselves. But what about staying healthy? There are a lot of overweight and obese people that are changing to a healthier diet because they genuinely are at risk of heart failure and other serious conditions, and there are also younger people who enjoy working out and want to prevent these potential problems that can occur in the future by being careful about what they put in their bodies.

Moderation is the key

Does staying healthy and relatively fit mean that you have to give up all alcohol forever? Of course not – only fanatics deal with black and white solutions. Our bodies are made to be tough and resilient, so as long as we don’t push ourselves too far we can engage in a bit of “bad behavior” every so often. There is a way to incorporate alcohol in even the healthiest of meal plans and strictest of diets, but you need to know what you are doing and have some basic knowledge on how your body works. First of all, the can get used to a lot of abuse, especially if you built up resistance slowly. This is why it is important to have a plan in place to effectively control your drinking in order to stay healthy and avoid becoming an alcoholic:

1. If you are alone at home a glass of wine or a can of beer is just fine, but avoid hard liquor or drinking more than a single serving of your preferred alcoholic beverage.
2. Avoid drinking in the early hours of the day. The body runs on a precise biological clock and it has phases of high and low activity throughout the day. By drinking in the afternoon you are making sure that your body is up to speed and ready to take on the task of dissolving the alcohol.
3. Never drink on an empty stomach. There is a reason why in almost every old culture drinking is associated with feasts or small snacks. You can even find lists of preferred drinks to go with certain meals right here on the internet, and you would be surprised how many healthy meals call for some white wine. So be sure to check out some cool recipes – you won’t get too drunk too quick and you will take your taste buds for a magic ride.
4. If you are on a weight loss diet, say no to beer. Beer is a tricky thing, as it can take quite a bit of it to get a good buzz going, it has quite a few calories, makes you bloated and is an extremely effective diuretic – meaning that it makes you go to the bathroom a lot which drains you of water and nutrients. So if you are out with friends a bit of wine or some stronger drink might be a better choice as you will drink less of it overall, if you don’t do 10 shots in a row but instead sip your beverage like a true gentleman or lady.
5. Don’t mix drinks, stick to what suits you best. The comedian Kat Williams has a joke about how black people drink vs. how white people drink that serves well to demonstrate my point. What he says is that a black person will have a drink that he likes, and he will stick with it and drink it on all occasions, possibly having another “backup drink” if the first one is unavailable, while white people will usually go out with the intention of getting wasted and drink several different beverages throughout the night. Choose the first option and you will find that you will not only be limiting calorie intake, but you will be better able to control your drinking and you will know when to stop and how you react to the drink.
6. Be careful when choosing cocktails. Some cocktails are very deceptive, especially the “girlish ones” and tropical cocktails. They might be a little lighter in alcohol content, but they will be packed with sugar and high on calories. Mixing shots of tequila with beer is a very bad combination as the diuretic properties of the beer will be enhanced by all the salt you consume with your tequila shots. Cocktails that have salt along the rim of the glass will have you fool of sodium in no time. A single Long Island Ice Tea is a potent mix, but it will go a long way and you can drink it slowly as no one will be egging you on to down it in one shot (unless you have chosen your drinking buddies poorly). There are lists of good cocktails which go with your diet with low-to-moderate calorie counts available, so do your research before heading out.  
7. Have a light snack ready to go if you don’t have immediate access to food. The problem with drinking is that you go out, don’t eat anything while drinking and then get really hungry and carried away with fast food orders after all the partying. Munching on snacks like chips and peanuts while drinking is also a good way to add more unnecessary fat and salt to your diet, and this is why I prefer going to restaurants. Having some carbohydrates at hand will be very helpful, especially if you are dancing as well as drinking, and a protein bar can be just the thing you need to get you through the night. Have a small meal waiting for you at home instead of going to a drive through on your way back from the club.
8. Drink a fair amount of water throughout the night. Instead of having a can of Red Bull beside your Vodka, ask for a glass of water every now and then. This will help you stay properly hydrated and it will make it easier to pace yourself.

These are the golden rules of drinking in moderation. It is important to try and drink less as this will not only benefit your liver, which can only deal with so much alcohol, but will enable you to have fun while still limiting calorie intake. Remember, drinks are very tricky as they will fill you up with calories that your brain doesn’t really count and you will be more likely to deviate from a well thought out healthy diet if you are drunk and driving by a fast food joint.

The time for holiday parties has arrived, and with the party season comes the fun of selecting the perfect holiday drinks to delight and impress your guests. These drinks will be welcomed at a sophisticated soiree or a casual drop in affair. Many of these are kid friendly but can also be kicked up to adult level with a shot of your favorite spirits. These festive beverages are easy to set up in advance for guests to help themselves or hire a bartender to do all the work and allow you to shine as the host.

Peppermint Twist Cocktail

This delicious cocktail uses crème de menthe and vodka to create a light, refreshing holiday beverage. Add a splash of peppermint extract for a higher dose of flavor.

Cranberry Champagne Cocktail

This simple cocktail is champagne with a splash of cranberry juice and a few frozen cranberries dropped in the bottom of the flute. It brings an elegant touch of Christmas to any party.

Spiced Wine

This tasty old world Christmas classic is served hot to enhance the aroma of the heady spices. Select a bottle of your favorite red wine slow cook with cinnamon, cloves, a quartered orange, brown sugar, slices of fresh ginger and brandy. 

Cherry Margarita

Tequila, cherry drink mix and cherry liqueur combine into a beautiful red cocktail. Add green sugar to the glass rim for extra holiday cheer.

These days everyone is a craft beer lover—enjoying the lesser known brands from micro breweries, maybe dipping your lips in an organic beverage or two, and even taking the reins and attempting to brew your own beer.

But if you’re rather new to craft beer, there are an abundance of apps for your smart phone that can get rather overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The good news is that the following beer apps can help you discover your own love of craft beers…

1. DrinkedIn (Free – for iPhone & Android)

Drinkedin is like a social networking app for beer lovers and the online designation for lovers of all things alcoholic. This app is a fun version of the professional network with the similar name, but this one features a detailed listing of pubs and liquor establishments worldwide, as well as reviews from real beer lovers from folks all around the world.

2. Beer Cloud (Free – for iPhone & Android)

For most American sporting events, spectators can make due with a round of cold beers or a few fingers of bourbon as they cheer on their favorite team. Certain sporting events, however, require a more refined drink of choice than the average six-pack. So whether you’re cheering on your favorite team in a big game or watching a major tournament, here are a few cocktails that will take your party to the next level.

Honey Deuce – The US Open

It’s a ton of fun to say, but the Grey Goose Honey Deuce is even more fun to drink. The official drink of the US Open since 2007, the Honey Deuce has become a favorite of tennis fans. Combining lemonade, raspberry liquor and vodka, this cocktail will have you hitting aces in no time.

Directions: Fill a highball glass with ice and then add 1.25 oz of Grey Goose vodka. Fill with lemonade below the rim and add a splash of Chambord. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish it with balls of Honeydew melon.

Mint Julep – Kentucky Derby

One of the more storied “official cocktails,” the mint julep has been the drink of choice at the Kentucky Derby since 1938. Each year, nearly 120,000 juleps are served at Churchill Downs during the two-day race. Traditionally, the julep is made with only four ingredients (bourbon, sugar, mint leaf and water) and served in silver julep cup. If you’re mixing at home, feel free to use a highball glass and straw in place of a silver cup.

Directions: Muddle 4 fresh mint sprigs, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of water in a highball glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice and add 2.5 oz of bourbon. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve.

People have many reasons for learning how to mix drinks. For of all, many people find straight forms of any alcohol to be either too strong or not come in enough varieties. Also, mixing drinks allows you to control the strength of the drink, the sweetness or bitterness and a lot of other factors (including the look of the drink itself - presentation is very important).

Learning how to mix your own drinks is very simple if you follow simple steps and have the correct equipment. Of course, you'll need a good drink recipe and there are many mixed drink recipes available on DrinkedIn (9000 drink recipes). It's easy to impress your guests with fantastic mixed drinks.

A important factor of any mixed drink is to use the better brands of alcohol and avoid the cheaper varieties. There are many reasons for this as the core ingredients strongly effect the taste of the final drink. Also, the name brands often cost more for a good reason. But don't worry if you can't stock a complete bar and serve dozens of different drinks - just start with a few of your favorites and you'll be able to expand in time.

Terminology - mixing drinks has its own terminology and it's essential to learn a few terms:

1. Blend - add the ingredients to a blender and mix thoroughly.
2. Cocktail Shaker - It is usually made from stainless steel and has a top.  Add the ice and the mixed drink ingredients to the shaker and then shake. When complete, tip the shaker to fill the glass and serve. You'll find your cocktail shaker to be an essential tool in allowing drinks to be shaken properly without making a mess.
3. Dash - A dash of something means to add a small amount of your ingredient. In real measure, it is about a quarter of a teaspoon.
4. To Strain - You will need a small strainer. The strainer will allow the liquid through, but hold the ice back in an easy way.
5. Glassful - Obviously, that is means a full glass. In a future article, we'll talk about the correct glasses to serve in and their sizes.
6. Stir - you can use a long spoon or an drink stirrer to get this effect. Some drink recipes will ask you to stir the ice in the drink and then remove the ice before serving.
7. To Shake - This term means the ingredients of the drink are added to the shaker listed above and then shake the contents about five to seven times to mix properly.

Now find your favorite drink recipes from the thousands available on DrinkedIn. You can search by name or even by major ingredients (such as beer, coffee, liquors, etc). Once you find a good drink recipe to start, you'll be creating your fabulous drinks for your guests. Some of the better recipes are available for printing right from the actual DrinkedIn listings (including nutritional information).