Stop Serving that $2 Trader Joe's Wine

Yes, it is a recession. Yes, times are hard. Yes, money is tight. Yes, we're all on a budget. Yes, as the host providing drinks it is your choice to serve your guests whatever you'd like without going broke in the process. But does that mean you should not use creativity when entertaining your guests? We have noticed a trend lately at various events we have been invited to. The well intentioned host has served Trader Joe's two-buck chuck as an inexpensive way to entertain, only to have his party never get lively and to find himself at the end of the night with the same amount of wine he started with. I have actually been forced to bring home several bottles of the unconsumed Trader Joe's.

We are not against using two-buck chuck, but we are against pouring it straight out of the glass and serving it to your guests. We recommend that you try the following recipes and challenge yourself to come up with a few of your own. Please share your recipes with wine as an ingredient.

Absolute Ruby Riviera

Ingredients

1 part(s) Absolut Ruby Red Vodka
1 splash(es) Club Soda
1 part(s) Orange Juice
1 part(s) Wine Red

Instructions

Build equal amounts of Absolut Ruby Red, wine and orange juice over ice in a wine glass. Add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a ruby red grapefruit wedge.

Cranberry Spice

2 oz. Cranberry Juice
1 oz. Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur
1/2 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
1/2 oz. Wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Instructions

Shake well with ice and strain into a martini glass. Use 3 cranberries for garnish on the rim of the glass.