Low stress cocktails

I’m the sort that likes to keep options open, so friends dropping in for a drink or a sudden urge to picnic at the beach are often on my agenda.  That’s one of the reasons why I’m liking these new cocktails from Smirnoff.

Die hards will say they are not as good as the real thing, but given that they take a fraction of the time, I’m prepared to compromise (and it’s not much of an ask).

With one or all three of these bottles in the fridge, I am ready for a Friday night drink on Monday or Tuesday or Sunday.

I reckon I could hide the bottle and impress some of my friends with my cocktail making ability as well.

There are three flavours:
Vodka Mojito –a  blend of Smirnoff Vodka, Kaffir Lime Liquor and natural mint flavour.(my fave)
Grand Cosmopolitan  -Smirnoff Vodka, Triple Sec Liquor and a splash of cranberry juice.
Pomegranate Martini - Smirnoff Vodka, pomegranate juice, Meyer Lemon Flavoured Liqueur, and natural lemon flavour.

Here are some comments from my testing panel of seasoned drinkers-

Baristerboy: I was surprised by the Mojito - it wasn't syrupy and sweet. The Pomegranate Martini was like a Double Black with red stuff.
Perpetualstudent: A cheap solution to a cocktail when you're out that hasn't lost any of the taste. Sweet but still has a subtle bite.
Che13: The Mojito had an interesting taste - definitely a cheap but still classy way to drink. Not too sweet or strong. I really like it. It's good with mint.

Top tips

• Keep your Smirnoff Cocktails chilled in the fridge
• The Grand Cosmopolitan is good chilled, poured straight into a tall glass over ice, or shaken with ice first. Garnish with lemon or lime.
• The Vodka Mojito can be topped with soda water and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime and a handful of mint
• The Pomegranate Martini can be served chilled or with the juice of 1/2 an orange and a 1/3 lemon squeezed in a Martini Glass

Smirnoff Cocktails retail at $22.99 at bottle shops.

Win a three pack of Smirnoff Cocktails!
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Search for the best brekkie - Seafood Lovers Cafe, Margate

It sounds a bit silly to send you to a seafood cafe for bacon and eggs, but I can tell you it's worth it.  

This place is a little gem with well priced food and great ocean views. At $9 for a 'big brekkie' I was not expecting the world, but when it arrived I was amazed at how much there was on the plate.  A little inspection showed that careful arrangement created the illusion of abundance and there was no more food than normal, but it certainly was good value for the price.  My only criticism is that they used cheap margarine on the toast instead of butter or something that tasted like butter, and the sausage - not my sorta thing at all. The rest of the meal was great and the views, despite the cloudy, sometimes rainy day, were of the sandy shore of Moreton Bay. 

For the uninitiated, Margate is near Redcliffe, about 50 minutes' drive from the centre of Brisbane. It is a coastal strip which features one of Moreton Bay's longest mainland stretches of sand beach. It also boasts a long, flat boardwalk promenade, making it ideal for those who like to walk, cycle, rollerblade or even scooter.

Seafood Lovers Cafe, Shp 2/ 139 Margate Parade, Margate.

 

Best burgers - Freestyle Tout

On a recent visit to Freestyle Tout I discovered their Freestyle burger special which includes a gourmet burger, chippies, alioli and a beer - all for $15. If you don't want the beer, you can have a soft drink instead.
I loved the burger and the chippies (I am something of an expert on chippies) were just as I like them - crisp, hot and not at all fatty.

Freestyle's menu has quite a few things I would like to try including Chilli salt calamari served on an Asian style salad $18.90 and a Peking Duck Salad with watercress and bean sprout salad $17.90.

If you have a late start on the weekend but still crave a real brekkie - Freestyle Tout at Emporium and West End do all day breakfast from 9am on weekends. There's nothing more disappointing than being unable to get a bacon fix when you need it - thumbs up to all day brekkie!

Of course Freestyle is best known for it's desserts. I've tasted many of them but my favourite is the chocolate macadamia brownie which comes swimming in dark chocolate sauce with chocolate fudge ice cream - be still my beating heart!

I've also seen a Chocolate Delux Sundae, which includes marshmallows, vanilla, chocolate fudge and macadamia ice creams, disappear amazingly fast.

Freestyle West End also has The Red Room, a semi private room which seats 14-18 guests.

Freestyle Tout, West End
Corner of Browning, Melbourne and Boundary Street
West End +61 7 3255 3288

Search for the perfect cupcake - Dukes Deli

My eagle eye spotted this cupcake while I was shopping for lunch on Sunday at beautiful Sunshine Beach, just south of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.

This area is the world's best kept secret. Great coffee shop, great deli, several very good restaurants and a welcoming bar all in one strip of shops in Duke Street.

If you feel adventurous, just wander down the road a bit to the Surf Life Saving Club for above standard club food and views to die for.  On Sunday arvos there's even great live music.

But back to the really important stuff - the cupcakes!  The cabinet included both small and large cupcakes and they were well priced - just $2.90 for a large one.  From experience, I was not expecting much at that price and was very pleasantly surprised.  The cake was moist and flavoursome, despite coming from a cold cabinet, and the icing was shiny, hard and sweet - like royal icing. There was a jaffa on top and a touch of yummy chocolate under the jaffa.  

Bottom line - A good cupcake - well worth the money.

Sunshine Beach Deli, 46 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach  +61 7 5474 5611.

Belle Époque Duck Liver Parfait

This Duck Liver Parfait recipe from new Belle Époque Head Chef Trent Robson could be just the thing for the silly season when we tend to do rash things like entertaining large crowds of people. It would be perfect served with condiments like confit onion, cornichons and warm French bread.

Well travelled, Trent has spent time at The Firestables in Wimbeldon Village, UK and also at Kew Gardens working at two-Michelin-starred restaurants, The Glasshouse and The Trompette under Chef Antony Boyd. Trent won several Gourmet Traveller red stars at establishments like Double Cream in Coorparoo and Luxe on James St and then went out on his own at Noi on Brunswick St; a tapas and wine bar, before becoming Executive Chef at Pier Nine. In 2009, Trent put his stamp on 1889 Enoteca creating some innovative Italian cuisine. He now calls the French Bistro Belle Epoque home, where he creates authentic, inventive French bistro food.

Duck Liver Parfait
Makes 2 large terrines

2kg duck livers cleaned
¼ bunch picked thyme leaves
120g butter
800g softened butter
90ml Cognac
35ml Grand Marnier
750ml Madeira or port

Soften shallots and thyme in butter then add liquid and reduce until liquid is 300ml volume.
Cool. Blend together with the cleaned livers and softened butter. Pass through a drum sieve and repeat (blend and sieve). Season with salt and pepper.

Line the terrine mould with Glad Wrap with a little excess overhang and before placing mixture inside and covering with excess. Cook at 75 degrees Celsius for 25 minutes depending on size of terrine moulds. Serve with

Belle Époque, Emporium, 1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, +61 7 3852 1500

Play and stay

If you are planning a big night in the Valley tonight but have a Cinderella side, The Limes is the place to be at midnight.

Guests on their roof top bar until closing time at midnight can stay the night at for $99 – the price of a nice bottle of wine or a CBD parking fine.

Guests and Cinderellas must visit the front desk in person at midnight to make their booking which is dependent on room availability.

It's another of the quirky differences on offer at Limes. (I'd be tempted to stay the night just to eat the Dello Mano brownies on offer in the rooms.)

You also get to wake up in plush ‘Ploh’ beds and breakfast under blue skies on the rooftop – all inclusive.

I've enjoyed the roof top ambience of the Limes several times and can report that lounging under the cabana is an enjoyable way to pass the time - especially with a few hot chippies (the food kind). When it rains they drap the cabanas with tarps and it's just like having your own cubby house again - true!

This super special offer is only available in person to patrons at the roof top bar and is offered subject to room availability. Rooms for the special cannot be pre-booked over the phone or internet.

The Limes Hotel, 142 Constance St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
+61 (0)7 3852 9000

What are you doing for Christmas - Kingfisher Bay

Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island is another of my top spots to stay. I've been there several times with family and just as a couple and had delightful experiences. I would highly recommend a full island tour with one of the rangers who will take you to places you never would discover on your own.

I like the idea of escaping Christmas madness and heading to an island for the silly season – if only I could take my dog. (Note to my nearest and dearest – I would take you too!)

Kingfisher’s Seabelle restaurant has a six-course Christmas menu featuring fresh produce with a bush tucker twist. Traditional turkey breast will be served with pepperberry and illawara plum stuffing, and the Christmas ham will be glazed with honey – that’s me.

There are several more casual restaurants at the resort and they are serving up local seafood amongst other menu items.

Christmas Day lunch sittings start from 11.30am. Christmas prices start from $90 per person (or $45 for children 8-14 years) and include marine transfers. Ferries will depart from Urangan Boat Harbour to the resort at the special times of 0900, 1000, 1100 and 1145; returning 1500, 1530, 1630 and 1700 (approximately 45 minutes).

My tip would be forget the ferry and just stay.

If you don't know where Kingfisher Bay Resort is - just head north of Brisbane till you hit Maryborough and turn right to Hervey Bay (about 4 hrs drive or fly much quicker). Take a ferry over to the island. It's a world heritage area and absolutely fabulous. Go and enjoy.

Kingfisher Bay Resort