By Yolanda Shoshana

When you ask someone which cocktail they love, the Negroni may be the first thing that comes to mind. It’s such a phenomenon that you can find one on pretty much any menu, or simply request it at a bar. As I mentioned in an earlier column, Anthony Bourdain loved this drink so much that he called it “the perfect cocktail”. There’s even a Bubbly Negroni that was invited for Valentine’s Day; the sex appeal can’t be denied. This drink is perfect for date night!

The Sexiest Drink for Date Night: Negroni

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Red Wines For Your Love Life

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By Yolanda Shoshana

Some people still miss sipping red wine while watching Olive Pope and her Scandal squad. The show made drinking red wine on Thursday nights a special occasion. While you can still catch Scandal on a streaming site, there are other fabulous shows with characters getting their drink on. Here are some shows paired with some of the hottest celebrity libations to help you get a binge on when you and your partner want to kick it at home.

Sip and Drink for your next TV binge!

Related Link: Love & Libations: Holiday Cocktailing Like A Celebrity

Killing Eve- Ferguson Crest Viognier by Fergie

If you watched the Golden Globes, you know that Sandra Oh won for best actress for her portrayal as Eve Polastri. Oh plays a detective hot on the heels of a sociopath assassin. It’s all so very cat and mouse. She’s so dedicated to her job that it’s hurting her marriage. Who hasn’t had a partner that’s taken them for granted? I think we can all raise our hands.

That means Eve needs white wine from time to time. The Ferguson Crest Viognier would be the kind of wine that helps up unwind with this series. Hopefully in season two Eve gets that assassin and keeps her man.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Autumn + Red Wine = Love

The Bodyguard- Haig Club by David Beckham

Some of you will remember Richard Madden from Game of Thrones. In this show he plays, Sergeant David Budd, working as a specialist protection officer for the police department. He gets assigned to protect the Home Secretary, Julia Montague. When you get a good looking bodyguard protects a sexy cougar something is going in the romance department. Between his PTSD, failed marriage, sleeping with his boss, and bullets, David needs a drink every now and then.

Scotch is the way go to when sipping during this show. It seems fitting to drink, Haig Club, by David Beckham. It’s like having two good looking Davids at the same time.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Royal Reds for the Royal Celebrity Wedding

Ray Donovan- Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon

Liev Schreiber headlines this show which is headed to its 7th season. Ray Donovan is a Hollywood fixer who finds himself in quite a few dangerous situations. He’s like the Oliva Pope of Hollywood ( season six he hits NYC). Then there’s his hot mess of an Irish Catholic family who is more trouble than his clients. However, Ray’s scrappy wife, Abby, is the glue that holds the family together.

The Donovans are very much into whiskey. It just might be in every episode. Watching the show while sipping a Heaven’s Door Tennessee Bourbon, will make feel just like a Donovan.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Date Ideas & Summer Loving With Rosé

Greenleaf- Night Ender by Aisha Tyler

The family is lead by Lady Mae Greenleaf and Bishop James Greenleaf who have been married forever while running a successful church with their children. Their estranged daughter, Grace, comes back home and all hell breaks loose. This show may be focused on a family in the church, but they are as scandalous as they come. Cheating, stealing, incest, and so much more. Did I mention that Oprah shows up in a few episodes? There’s so much drama, I guess you could say all the characters needs Jesus.

The Greenleafs are a lot like the Donovans, they love libations. There seems to be a consistent theme of red wine so Night Ender by Aisha Tyler/Nocking Point Wines is a great choice for a sip and binge.

For more Love & Libations date ideas and celebrity couple predictions from Yolanda Shoshana, click here.

By Yolanda Shoshana

Tis’ the season for cocktailing like the rich and famous. It’s no secret that celebrities love a good party, but then again who doesn’t? As you entertain or spend quality time at home this season channel your inner celeb with one of the following drinks.

While she may no longer be with us, Elizabeth Taylor is an icon. It’s not a secret that Taylor loved herself a drink. Some of her heavy drinking came due to her rocky yet passionate relationship with Richard Burton. In the Golden Age of Hollywood, drinking was a recreational sport to many. Taylor’s favorite cocktail was the “Black Russian”, she added the Hershey’s syrup for her own special touch. This libation would be great with holidays cookies, watching classic Christmas movies and wearing matching pajamas with your partner.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Sparkling Wine for Holiday Date Nights

Taylored Black Russian

1 oz  vodka

1 oz Kahlua

1 oz Hershey’s chocolate syrup

Heat the chocolate syrup until it gets warm (make sure not to burn it). Add the ingredients to a mixing glass or shaker and stir until well combined. Fill the glass with ice and stir until chilled. Stain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Royal Reds for the Royal Celebrity Wedding

For years I’d heard about a cocktail called the “Pornstar Martini”. It’s a popular drink in places such as London, though most bartenders around the globe know how to make one. I had the pleasure of meeting the inventor of the cocktail, Douglas Ankrah, at an event in NYC. Since I know the drink is popular in the hottest bars in London, I asked him what famous people had been spotted sipping his cocktail. Let’s just say that the Duchess of Cambridge (who we all know as Kate Middleton) use to enjoy this martini when out with her friends.

This drink is obviously a good choice for a party because it would get the guests talking. It’s Also the perfect libation to serve when you are snuggling in with your boo. It’s a little naughty yet nice. Suggestive cocktails have a way of making couples creative. Besides that, it’s a good drink of Netflix and chill.

Pornstar Martini

2 oz. vanilla vodka

1 oz passion fruit puree

½  oz vanilla syrup

½ oz lime juice

Side shot of Champagne ( or go with Crémant)

Combine vodka, passion fruit, vanilla syrup and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake it up then strain into a coup. Serve with a shot of Champagne or Crémant.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Heat Up Your Relationship with a Date Night in the Kitchen

In the past few years, Oprah has been showing us her fun side. Lady O mentioned that she makes a mean margarita, but her favorite drink is a Pomegranate Rosé Martini. When you are living a luxurious life like Oprah, the sparkling wine for this libation has to be champagne, of course. Can’t you totally see Oprah and Gayle kicking back with a few of these over the holidays in one of her stunning homes. This cocktail is great for catching up with your girl squad.

Pomegranate Rosé Martini

2 oz vodka

3 oz. fresh pomegranate juice

½ tsp fresh lemon juice

2 oz rosé Champagne

Fill the shaker with ice, vodka, pomegranate juice, and lemon juice. Strain into a martini glass and top off with the sparkling rosé. Garnish with dried star anise.

 For more Love & Libations date night ideas and celebrity couple predictions from Yolanda Shoshana, click here.