Have you ever wondered how that tasty drink at the bar was concocted? You know the one that you can’t seem to get enough of? Well many of those drinks were tasted and tested by people who dedicate their lives to the craft of mixing liquors together in order to get that one perfect flavor. And in this week’s Haute 5, we introduce you to some Vegas’ hautest Mixologist and their drinks.

Shadow Bar

The Apple Martini is a classic, so how to do you make it better? Talk to Mixologist Matt Stober at the Shadow Bar inside Caesars Palace and he’ll say there is always room for improvement. Stober said most bars use products full of artificial colors, flavors, and high fructose corn syrup for their Apple Martini’s, but not Stober. He wanted to bring it to a whole new level of taste and freshness. So instead of the usual liquors with loads of sugar and fake flavors, he decided to use liquors infused with natural flavors and real apples.

Apple Martini by Matt Stober at Shadow Bar inside Caesars Palace

• 1 1/2oz  Stolichnaya Gala Applik Vodka
• 1oz        Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Green Apple Puree
• ½ oz      Hand Extracted Lime Juice
• 3/4oz     Simple Syrup

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Stober said guest have told him this drink tastes like your biting into a Granny Smith Apple. What better place to try this concoction than where it was created at the Shadow Bar inside Caesars Palace. Shadow Bar is a destination lounge featuring stylish décor, a sensual atmosphere, and shadow dancers. The high-energy feel will compliment that natural Apple Martini

Shadow Bar is located inside Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.731.7873

Gabriel Orta, The Florida Room

Master Mixologist of the Florida Room in Miami Delano Hotel and co-founder of BarLab consulting service, talented bar chef and entrepreneur Gabriel Orta concocts award-winning cocktails at this Miami hotspot. Quickly becoming known in bar industry for his work in molecular mixology, Orta suggests his refined variation on the Margarita for the haute reader, the Blossom Rita:

INGREDIENTS

3/4 oz honey blossom water (half honey, half water and a splash
of orange blossom water)

1 ½ oz Reposado tequila

3/4 oz lime juice

Splash of champagne

Garnish: rose petals or edible flowers

Put the tequila, lime juice and honey in a shaker, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass, top with champagne and garnish with rose petals or edible flowers.

1685 Collins Ave., Miami; 305.672.2000

Drinking alcohol in this country is really enjoying an upswing.  Considering an often-sordid history (Prohibition, Vodka mixed with Red Bull), Angelenos and imbibers at large are beginning to recognize all that various spirits and their mixers have to offer.  Thinking back just five years ago, this movement of savory drinks, enomatic machines, and the mixologists that love them was but a seed in the ground.  Now, largely due to the creative alcoholics (er, mixology masters) at New York’s Milk and Honey bar, Los Angeles has let some very creative minds get behind the bar.  We’ve equipped them with a full bar, ice picks, shakers, and spirits and from this we’ve placed cocktails squarely in the limelight.   Here are LA’s haute 5 bars serving up the most delectable cocktails your taste buds have ever dreamed of.  This isn’t drinking to get drunk a la your college days.  This is drinking to enjoy the fruits of fermentation.

Copa D’Oro

If you’re going to try whiskey for the first time, you’ll  want to make sure it’s paired properly with, oh I don’t know, Elderflower Liqeur, Extra Dry Vermouth, and Amaro Averna a la the Smoke of Scotland from Santa Monica’s Copa D’Oro.  A very Westside outpost of cocktail culture, the bar at Copa D’Oro is run by Vincenzo Marianella who has some very particular ideas about what a cocktail is really made of.  According to Marianella, mixers should come from local producers and be at their very freshest when mixed with your spirit of choice. If you’re more of a gin drinker, the Freezing Jess has got to be on your list: Plymouth Gin, Elderflower, Absinthe, Mint, and Fresh Lemon and Lime Juice.  Cheers!

Copa D’Oro is located at 217 Broadway in Santa Monica 310. 576.3030

Any way you mix, muddle or shake it, Mixologists are valued and appreciated members of the what’s haute fraternity because they tickle our taste buds with inventive and alluring alcoholic treats. A night out on the town is perfected only once you have a creative cocktail in your grasp.  In a city with such carefully concocted cuisine, it’s only natural that a perfectly crafted beverage should be served right along side. The five fine gentleman included in today’s Haute 5: San Francisco Mixologists guarantee fine flavors, good spirits and luxe libations.

H. Joseph Ehrmann

H. Joseph Ehrmann, better known as H., became a household mixologist when he revamped one of the oldest bars in San Francisco to create Elixir: A bar known for quality, panache, and perfect drinks. Not only is he a master of his craft, he also founded Cocktail Ambassadors consultancy and works as the brand ambassador for Square One Organics Spirits. His mixing philosophy is all about utilizing first-class, fresh ingredients. Luckily for him, we live inside a culinary cornucopia where every block offers seasonal and organic produce. H. told Haute Living that lately he is digging Campari as an ingredient and is working it into creations for the season. He’s even given us a recipe for a Winter Sour starring his main man. If you need him, or a Winter Sour (I know I do!), he can often be found behind the bar at Elixir (3200 16^th St.) where he will give you a reason to enjoy drinking again. Like you needed one.

Winter Sour

1oz Campari

1.5oz Meyer Lemon Juice

1.5oz Clover Honey Syrup

2. inches of fresh rosemary

1 oz of egg white

In a mixing glass, strip the leaves of 2 inches of rosemary and muddle lightly. Add the Meyer Lemon Juice and egg white and dry shake for 5 seconds. Add the Campari and honey syrup and fill with ice. Shake well for 10 seconds and strain up. Garnish with a few petals of rosemary or a short stem.

Alternate prep (better for bar or event service): Prepare a Rosemary Clover Honey Syrup by cooking 9oz of rosemary in 2 cups boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Add 2 cups Clover Honey, remove from heat and stir to consistency. Use 1.5 ounces of this instead of straight clover honey syrup

Out of Meyer Lemons? Use 2/3 lemon juice and 1/3 orange juice (1oz lemon, .5 orange = 1.5oz juice)

Sunday night the lovely waterfront home of Lois Benson on Allison Island in Miami Beach played host to the new VH-I Reality Show, Basketball Wives.  The evening’s charity event was “Uniting Sports for Haiti” to benefit Project Medishare/University of Miami Global Institute. It was a night full of powerful women working together for a great cause. The three women behind the foundation, “Project Save the World” who organized the fundraiser included Jennifer Williams, Heather Williams, and Deanna Morales. The three local Miamians included Lois Benson, Brigitte Andrade, and Brigitte Britton. Lois donated her home while Brigitte Andrade pulled the Miami power players together and Brigitte Britton cooked up a storm of delicious hors d’ouvres and desserts that kept coming and coming. DJ Snezana kept the tunes going and several live performances wowed the guests. Dr. Barth Green, founder of Project Medishare gave a brief talk telling the audience about all of the trials and tribulations happening in Haiti. The eclectic crowd included former NBA star, Dennis Rodman, Mohammed Ali’s wife, Willard Sheppard, and a few basketball husbands, among others. Mother Nature cooperated for most of the evening so the guests could meander outside to enjoy the gorgeous grounds overlooking Biscayne Bay. The pretty-in-pink tables were accented with lovely orchids including one lone table on the dock with the best view of all. Even the restroom had a Balinese bath full of rose petals, which was a nice touch. The event donated nine dialysis machines compliments of Michael Paul Dreiling of Dreiling Medical Management to Haiti along with the proceeds from the silent auction and door.

Mother Nature cooperated for most of the evening so the guests could meander outside to enjoy the gorgeous grounds overlooking Biscayne Bay. The pretty-in-pink tables were accented with lovely orchids including one lone table on the dock with the best view of all. Even the restroom had a Balinese bath full of rose petals, which was a nice touch.

The event donated nine dialysis machines to Haiti along with the proceeds from the silent auction and door.

To see more images from the evening, check out the Haute Living events page.

Hope Gainer, president of Hope International is a global imagemaker, marketer and branding expert with 30 years of lifestyle experience with a focus today on the luxury market.  She produces unique, upscale events around the world.  Gainer is a founding member of the Florida Luxury Council and a contributor to several luxury magazines including Elite Traveler and Haute Living. She also represents spectacular ‘trophy’ real estate properties.

This past Saturday at the La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach, James Bond came to the rescue for a good cause. Miami Beach trendsetters dressed to the nines for the James Bond Casino Night benefiting CDifferent, an organization founded to inspire visually impaired people around the world to lead active, healthy lives by connecting them with sighted guides. More than 200 visually impaired athletes have competed in marathons, triathlons, and short-distance races across North America thanks to CDifferent.

Clayton Clavette and Michael Capponi and a host committee including yours truly, along with a number of other positive contributors, presented the event. It was a fun-filled evening trying your luck at casino games and high-stakes poker with $20,000 in cash and prizes. Guests were treated to a dinner compliments of Epicure Gourmet Market, open bar with Ketel One Vodka and endlessly flowing champagne, live entertainment, informal modeling, and a silent auction.

The venue itself is wonderful with a rich and colorful past. Many of us local party people had never before experienced the La Gorce Country Club. John Oliver LaGorce, a pioneer in the development of Miami Beach, founded it in 1924. It was built by dredging more than two million cubic yards from Biscayne Bay.  Green fees were only $3.35 back then and attracted celebrities like Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Tex Rickard, John Golden, Babe Zaharias, Betty Hicks, Patty Berg, Eddie Rickenbacker, Will Rogers, Harvey Firestone, Gar Wood, and Edgar Guest, to name a few.

A cross-section of the current membership includes people from across the United States and Canada who, year after year, consider La Gorce their “second home”. Several members are the third generation of some of Miami’s most prominent families. Businesses and professions from accountants to zoologists make up the diverse membership. La Gorce’s heritage is one to be proud of and its place today is well established in the Miami community.

Check the Haute Living events page for more images from the evening.

Hope Gainer, president of Hope International, is a global imagemaker, marketer, and branding expert with 30 years of lifestyle experience with a focus today on the luxury market.  She produces unique, upscale events around the world. Gainer is a founding member of the Florida Luxury Council and a contributor to several luxury magazines including Elite Traveler and Haute Living. She also represents spectacular trophy real estate properties.

Jimmy Choo and Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently hosted a party celebrating Jimmy Choo’s new line as well as Newsom’s documentary titled Miss Representation. The lavish event took place on Feb. 18 at the Millennium Tower located at 301 Mission St. in the always-trendy San Francisco area.  The event was a success as guests adorned in chic and classy looks while enjoying drinks and other celebrations.  The location was as classy as the guests were; the penthouse featured dark toned floors, sleek furniture, and an overall modern feel that blended perfectly with the Jimmy Choo image.

Guests viewed Jimmy Choo’s new line in women’s shoes; the line features heels and flats in a wide array of styles and colors ranging from glossy red for the party girl to smooth black for the more formal appearance maker.  As always, Jimmy Choo guarantees a stylish and sensational shoe for every woman and this line does not falter on its promise.

The design company appropriately labeled the line Choo 24/7 as it offers a collection of heels and flats for any occasion, armed with this selection of elegant shoe wear no debutante could go wrong.

The party was invite only and guests were required to R.S.V.P.  Proceeds from the event went towards Miss Representation.org, the website for Mrs. Newsom’s non-profit documentary portraying successful women across America.  The film intends to battle against stereotypes and hopes to demonstrate how women can be premier players in anything from politics to acting.  It was definetly an extravagant night intended to celebrate not only upscale women’s fashion but also the success they’ve has as strong leaders in various industries.

Check out our Events page for exclusive pictures

When the clock nears rush hour, it seems downtown businesspeople are in no rush in San Francisco, nor headed home. Where are they going? Après-work, the suits from the Financial District, Embarcadero Center, and Union Square proceed to the swanky, yet sophisticated, Americano Restaurant and Bar located at Mission Street’s northern end to mingle and sip tasty cocktails after a hard day’s work.

Although there is no dress code at Americano, the after-work crowd is always dressed to impress. For all you female readers, if not for the colorful drinks, the modern décor or the ambiance, come for the sleek men in suits. It’s like a GQ meat-market at this happening hotspot.

But yes, Americano is more than just its guests. The location is unbeatable as it faces The Embarcadero with views of the water and Bay Bridge. To take full advantage of this exceptional locality, Americano boasts a large, one-of-a-kind outdoor patio. Don’t let San Francisco’s usual chill scare you, the heating lamps (and your neighbor’s suit jacket) are very comforting.

The cocktails, although pricey, are known for their strength so take your time and enjoy. An out of the ordinary blend to try is the Hemingway Daiquiri, which infuses rum with smooth Luxardo Maraschino liqueur and is topped with lime juice and a splash of grapefruit.

Now let’s talk furnishings. It’s not difficult to meet your next business partner or future client with the seating arrangement at Americano. Whether you prefer mingling in the loungey corner for a more intimate environment, an indoor or outdoor table, bar stool, or even the freedom of standing, Americano has the diversity and the real estate to keep any professional entertained.

For more information, please visit http://www.americanorestaurant.com.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN: Edgewater, New Jersey, on the wrong side of the tracks.

NEIGHBORHOOD: Carnegie Hill, where there are more kids per square inch than there are trophy wives.

OCCUPATION: Resident shark on ABC’s Shark Tank and real estate contributor on the TODAY show

FAVORITE RESTAURANT: The bench outside Yura on Madison on the corner of 92nd and Madison. It also is the best people-watching site this side of the Mississippi.

BEST SUSHI: Yura on Madison

BEST ETHNIC FOOD: Yura on Madison

BEST ITALIAN: Yura on Madison

BEST PIZZA: Yura on Madison

BEST LUNCH: Yura on Madison – best breakfast too

BEST PLACE FOR LATE NIGHT DINING: The coffee table in front of our living room fireplace when my husband Bill is too tired to talk.

BEST DESSERT: Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory’s sweet potato pie

BEST PLACE FOR A ROMANTIC DATE: No idea-I haven’t had one in years!

BEST PLACE FOR A POWER BUSINESS MEETING: Outside on the bench at Yura on Madison

IF YOU HAVE OUT OF TOWN GUESTS, WHICH HOTEL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? Hotel Wales close to home on Madison and 93rd for the relatives I like best, and The Hotel at Times Square, $99 a night, for the rest.

BEST SPA: New You Again! (full body is $55/hour, a Chinese cheap joint), 175 East 90th Street.

BEST GYM/ATHLETIC FACILITY: Margaret Dillon, my personal trainer.

BEST MASSAGE: The Chinese cheap joint, New You Again!

BEST LIMOUSINE/DRIVING SERVICE: David from Manhattan Pedicabs, $1 a block.

FAVORITE CHARITY EVENT: I always send a check instead. I can’t sit at one more round table eating chicken francese.

FAVORITE CULTURAL EVENT: New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday nights. After 15 years, I’ve managed to work my way up to the center seats, row D.

ALL-AROUND FAVORITE SPOT IN NEW YORK: On my bike in Central Park. Pedaling with my daughter tucked in the back seat doing the loop.

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Several elegant concerts and shows have emerged from the rubble left by the earthquakes that crumbled much of Haiti.  It is difficult to discover the positive in historical events such as these, but it has given wonderfully talented Haitian artists an opportunity to shine among the art world’s elite.  Moet Hennessey and Louis Vuitton have collaborated to bring forth a silent auction featuring amazing paintings by Haitian artists; the one and only Eli Wilner will frame the paintings.  Each painting will carry one of Wilner’s timeless and traditional frames, as part of the auction, Wilner will give away several priceless pieces.

The paintings offer an insight into the creative splendor of Haitian art, and use of bright colors display the Caribbean style that influences these talented artists.  Through a vibrant and simplistic approach, the paintings demonstrate Caribbean life in its fullest, as flavorful, serene, and full of culture.  The uniqueness of each art piece demonstrates that amidst the pain and suffering Haiti remains a country with a wonderful culture that anyone can appreciate and adore.

The auction will take place March 5, 2010 at the Cooper Square Hotel in New York.  Everything will begin at 7 pm and sponsors include Moet Hennessy, Louis Vuitton, Laka y Pam, Eli Wilner & Company, as well as the Haitian Education and Leadership Program.  Titled Marassa the event will feature invaluable paintings and frames and they will be selling anywhere from $900 to $3,500, the price estimates for the paintings include 10% of the usual retail price for each frame.  Take the time to share in an event that offers culture expressed in such remarkable form as well as exquisite artisanship, the party is sure to be a brilliant experience.