Femme du Coupe

Spring Has Sprung, Almost.

revae — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:45:17 +0000

Only in Chicago do you find people on a patio in 50 degree weather, we are so ready for some heat that we’ll do just about anything for once it feels just the slightest bit warm. What that 50 degree day means though is that soon enough it will be 70 degrees, which is followed by 80, and then we’ll be on the beach complaining that it’s too hot outside. This is why we love Chicago.

Another reason we love Chicago is that we KNOW how to drink. Whether it’s day drinking, hanging out on every patio we can, or just having drinks with friends, it’s time to be the life of your party. Join Femme du Coupe and SideTour as we bring those spring cocktails to life! May 9th and May 23rd we will be not only making classic cocktails but bringing a few seasonal ingredients into the mix as well!

From cocktails for 1 to pitchers for 10, we’re talking patio cocktails, drinking for summer, and all things refreshing. We can just nearly taste all of the cocktails we’re going to be sipping poolside. Spring has sprung, almost.

Les Bises,

Do You Ever Wonder….

revae — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:53:31 +0000

Today I was thinking, I haven’t done a blog post in way too long and I have all of these vintage coupes, I wonder where they have been.

I have amassed a collection of over 100 vintage coupe glasses, coupe glasses that are from the 20′s, the 30′s, and years beyond my age. Were these coupes used at some fabulous parties? Were they used for cocktails? Did they just drink champagne from them? How may toasts were made with these glasses? How many celebrations did these attend? Who owned these before we did?

I hope that should my collection ever be passed down that someone knows that the coupes were well loved, they did take part in some fabulous parties, and the drinks that flowed out of them were not only plentiful but delicious!

The next time you’re searching through the aisles of your favorite vintage store, scrounging through the finds at a flea market, or starting your own vintage glassware collection, just take a minute to stop and think…

Les Bises,

Mad Men March Mixology

revae — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:48:18 +0000

It’s almost back, Mad Men that is… We’re setting out our shakers, jiggers, stirring spoons, and more importantly sassy attitudes to get you prepped for the Mad Men premiere on April 7th! This year we’re drinking with your favorite characters from the hit series and we sure hope you’ll join in the fun.

Our first class is inspired by the dashingly handsome Don Draper. Join us for a tipsy and whiskey-ful night on March 15th . Femme du Coupe will be whipping up a brusque Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Boulevardier just the way Mr. Draper likes ‘em! Undoubtedly, our concoctions will leave you feeling steely-eyed and mysterious. Roll up those cuffs and join us…

Throw on your favorite red dress, it’s time to get saucy! The quick witted and always sharp tongued Miss Joan Harris-Holloway is a strong, powerful woman who always tends to find a way to get in the Last Word. Along with a few bubbly moments (always tending to be a bit sweet with an occasional sour finish) we think Joan would have a smashingly good time making a St Germain cocktail, getting a little of that tension out muddling a smash, and finishing by shaking up what else but a Last Word. Grab the girls and grace us with your presence on Thursday March 21st!

The often overlooked Peggy Olson is a Femme after our own heart. We love that she was so bold to stand up for herself last season, we can’t wait to see what happens with her new job. March 28th we’ll be reminiscing the classic Martinez, boozy, a tad bitter, but full of character! Next, you’ll need to throw your cardigan aside to shake up a Final Chapter because just when you think it’s Peggy’s last leg she comes back with a surprise. For the grand finale you will master the classic Daiquiri, sweet but with a sour zing on the end. Make like Peggy and let your presence known, we don’t mind!

We finish off with nothing finer than the Men of Mad Men! The Sazerac, a Negroni, and the ambitious Sidecar (egg-white optional) will be shaken and stirred on April 4th, getting you truly tipsy and hopefully carrying you through until the premiere on April 7th! It’s time to get bold and boozy as we celebrate the return of our favorite show! Won’t you?!

Whether you see yourself as a Joan, a Peggy, a little bit more Don, or just want to get a really great 50′s inspired buzz in good company, we can’t wait to cheers with you!

Les Bises,

Cocktail Class For Two Please

revae — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 21:13:57 +0000

The holidays are over, the tree is coming down, but the spirits are still flowing! Did you pickup a few bottles of alcohol during your fabulous holiday soirees?? Wouldn’t you just love to learn how to make a cocktail or three to keep you warm during the next few chilly months?

Join Femme du Coupe in January and February to do just that. We will be offering classes through our favorite experience partner Sidetour.com! Classes on January 11th and 17th are nearly filled up but there is still room for one and all on the 25th and 30th of the month. If you plan on staying in and just keeping in cozy in January, we don’t blame you, you can also join us on the 7th of February and stay tuned for our Valentines Day plans!

For all of the single Femme’s out there Femme du Coupe will be also partnering with Match.com to host cocktail classes, so come meet Mr. Right or at least Mr. Right Now, learn how to make a few of our cocktails, and loosen up your cocktail shaker while you mingle!! We look forward to seeing you there!

Les Bises,

Luscious Libations No.2: Winter Harp

revae — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:25:29 +0000

To start your weekend off nice and tipsy we are featuring a cocktail that will make any palette whistle. This eloquent mix of Grey Goose, Le Sirop Winter Spice, Angostura bitters, and fresh citrus is perfect for nights by the fire. Topped with champagne, we can’t think of a better way to say cheers!

Staches & Sazeracs

revae — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:01:15 +0000

Wondering how you can put a little hair on your mustache this month? Femme du Coupe has just the recipe! We are mixing up a Sazerac, just the drink to get you in gear for Movember. With our help you will be a glass wash of Absinthe in the right direction!

Our friend, Dan Kaman, from Ketel One encouraged us to ‘stach it up this month in support of his efforts to change the face of men’s health. Kindly take a moment to read these statistics and find out how you can get involved to make a difference!

• 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• This year 242,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed
• This year 8,290 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer

Make a difference, start today:

*Donating online at: http://mobro.co/dankaman

*Writing a check payable to ‘Movember’, referencing Dan Karman’s Registration ID: 2953133 and mailing it to: Movember, PO Box 2726, Venice CA 90294-2726

Les Bises,

Luscious Libations No. 1 Special Edition: Old Fashioned

revae — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:31:55 +0000

We couldn’t think of a better way to get into the voting spirit than by featuring a classic American cocktail and dishing out a little libation history! Did you know that the word “cocktail” was first coined because a curious reader wrote to The Balance and Columbia Repository asking for a specific definition? On May 13, 1806 the paper’s editor wrote back stating that it was a potent concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar. Voilà, history was made! Fast forward to the 1860-70′s, a new wave of snazzy ingredients were being poured into glasses throughout the country. Some people weren’t so quick to jump on the bandwagon of adding anything new to their shelves, they wanted their drink the “old-fashioned” way. Given that tomorrow is election today we thought you should be prepped with the best recipe around to soothe your spirits! Waving an American flag is encouraged during the enjoyment of this beverage.

Recipe:

2 ounces of Bourbon

1/4 of an ounce of Demerara

2 droppers of Orange Bitters

1 dash of Angostura Bitters

To enjoy: Add ice and stir to taste! This can be seved up or on the rocks.

Garnish: Squeezed orange peel

Les Bises,

Luscious Libations No.1: The Gimlet

revae — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:30:32 +0000

Bonjour et heureux vendredi!

Every Friday we will now be introducing a new libation for you to swoon over. This week we’d like you all to give a warm welcome to the gimlet. An enticing mix of gin and lime dance with maple syrup to give it the perfect fall twist for your taste buds!

Thank You

revae — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:23:02 +0000

A year ago today, I took the biggest leap of faith and executed the scariest thing I never realized I would do. I launched a business. I had no preconceived notions about what would happen but I had a few hopes but only time would tell. Needless to say I am so beyond thrilled at where this has gone.

So that being said, I need to say a few thank you’s because I didn’t get here alone and I certainly didn’t do this without lots of help. First, thank you to anyone reading this post, your support means the world to me and I wouldn’t be here without you. Second, every client we have had over the past year, I am so honored that you have welcomed us into your homes, businesses, and events, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making what seemed like a dream just a year ago a reality.

I’d like to say thank you to my parents for always being there and are always willing to lend an ear. Ms Bridget Albert, when I sat down with you and Debbi for lunch at Osteria Via Stato I had no idea how much that meeting would change the direction of my life and I cannot thank you enough. The team at Gilt Bar, I may not have been the fastest but the experience was invaluable. Finally Mike Schatzman, thank you for letting me spread my wings and be creative and really help me get to where I am today.

Ms. Wurzbach, thank you for your constant support, always willing to answer the phone even though you knew it might not be a happy call, and just lending an ear when I was such a ball of nerves. Natalia Cardenas, who always reminds me to be positive and keep striving even when things weren’t easy. Rachel Irvin, I can’t say enough. The infamous Teresa Cesario, the little energy hummingbird, what would I do without you?? Tyler Engh, always pushing me to strive for more in my business and that my dream isn’t so crazy and may actually work. And I can’t forget all of the wonderful event planners I’ve met over the past year who have given me small business advice, have shared their clients and experiences with me, to you I raise a glass and say thank you!! Lastly Steve Paluck, my friend, trash man, and constant intern, you are amazing.

There are too many people to really write down but I can’t say it enough, thank you, merci bien, muchos gracias, danke schoen, grazie, thank you. So have a drink on me and we look forward to sharing all of our new ventures with you in the next coming year!

Les Bises,

Femmebibe: The Gimlet

revae — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:51:26 +0000

One of my favorite cocktails this time of year happens to be a gimlet. It’s light, easy to make, and extremely tasty. The gimlet started out as gin and lime cocktail, according to The Joy of Mixology, a fabulous book by Gary Regan, the cocktail was originally called a Gimlette. Doctor Thomas D. Gimlette would give sailors lime juice to get rid of scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C, on the ship, adding alcohol (generally navy strength gin) made the citrusy, sour juice go down a bit easier. In 1953 the book A Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler made claims that the gimlet consisted of ‘half gin, half Rose’s lime, and nothing else’.

Today you can find a few different representations of this cocktail, this is now usually either concocted with vodka or gin at most bars, it just depends on what you fancy. At Sable, a cocktail bar in River North in Chicago, you have the option of fresh lime and simple or Todd Apple’s Lime Cordial. Todd is a bartender in Chicago who makes delicious cordials, from lime to lemon, grapefruit and more. To find out which you prefer just stop by and say hello to my friend Freddie Sarkis, a lovely chap who makes a fabulous cocktail and his charming quips will make you smile even more than the cocktail did.

The reason I like this cocktail so much this time of the year is the ability to make different variations of this. My favorite utilizing Wisconsin Maple Syrup instead of Simple Syrup. The maple syrup adds another level of depth to the cocktail and ends up being just a touch more complex, it’s great for fall! If you want to stick with simple syrup, adding bitters to the mix makes for a great cocktail. I like using Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters or Regan’s Orange Bitters.