Wanted: Top 10 Best Indianapolis 500 Inspired Cocktails 2014

Indianapolis is currently infused with the annual excitement that surrounds 500 miles of fast-paced adrenaline. With Indianapolis 500 2014 quickly approaching, once again, I've decided to dedicate a column to drinks inspired by the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Anyone wishing to submit a recipe, along with contact information and an image, please do so by May 22, 2014. The company, mixologist, sommelier, restaurant, or bar's name will be featured, along with the bartender, recipe and image for the drinks chosen. Those selected as the Greatest Spectacle in Cocktails will be announced online with the image, recipe and contact information.

2012 Winner

Entry Format

Cocktail: Smoke-n-Milk
Company: Drambuie
Creator: Anthony Caporale, spirit ambassador
Inspiration: After winning his second Indy 500 race in 1933, Louis Meyer requested a glass of buttermilk. He requested another glass in '36 after winning his third title, but instead received a bottle. With three fingers raised, he was captured by a photographer while drinking from that bottle, and the marketing opportunity wasn't lost on a local dairy executive. Unaware that Meyer was drinking buttermilk, the executive offered a bottle of milk to the winners of all future races, and milk has been presented at the conclusion of almost every Indy 500 since then. In honor of that tradition, Drambuie offers up an homage to this classic racing libation.
Recipe: In a shaker tin, half filled with ice, add 1 oz DRAMBUIE, 1/2 oz Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch, shake until the tin is frosted, add 1 oz milk, swirl to chill thoroughly. Pour into a rocks glass, add 1 dash Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters, garnish with an orange twist. Serve with a cocktail stirrer.
Website: Drambuie.com
Twitter: @drambuie

The main objective is the drink MUST contain alcohol, wine and/or beer and MUST be inspired by the Indy 500.

Not just any drink will do. We receive lots of fun cocktails with great stories and we are looking forward to showcasing yours!

Questions can be sent to me at elizabeth@gottago.us orelizabethjmusgrave@gmail.com.
And, just like with that bold and daring great race ~ Anything goes....

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS). Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Oscars 2012 List of Nominees and Cocktails

The 84th Academy Awards

Sun., Feb. 26, 2012

When is this year's 84th Academy Awards? Sunday, February 26, 2012 will be the evening for rolling out the ruby walkway. Hosting this year's event, thankfully, is Billy Crystal once again. Along with the gowns, glitz and glamour are other noteworthy items ... like nibblers and the smartest of cocktails.

If you are feverishly planning an Oscar party to ooh and aah over the red carpet celebrities and their wardrobe malfunctions, then you might want to review a few of these sassy cocktail recipes.  They were sent to me, and created especially for the gala by, Voli Light Vodka and Belvedere Vodka. I have posted the ones which I felt were most tempting for an award-worthy evening, along with a list of the nominees for the evening...enjoy!

Sweet Revenge

(inspired by "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo")\

2 oz Raspberry Cocoa

2 Raspberries

2 Blackberries

1 oz apple cider

1⁄4 oz maple syrup

Directions:

Muddle berries and maple syrup. Add all ingredients then shake and strain

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Raspberries

Crystal Cosmo

(an ode to this year's host Billy Crystal)

1 1⁄2 oz Voli Lyte

1 oz fresh lemon juice

2 oz Cranberry Juice

1⁄2 oz Agave Nectar Top with Prosecco (OPTIONAL)

Garnish: Lemon twist

Directions:

In a mixing tin, add ice, Voli Lyte, lemon juice, agave & shake.

Strain into a martini glass and top with Prosecco

The Artist

A surprisingly rich and delightful story about the end of the silent film era and the rise of the talkies, The Artist is a front-runner to win the Best Picture.

2oz Belvedere Black Raspberry 

1/4oz simple syrup 

1/2 oz Lemon juice 

6 fresh raspberries or 

1/2oz raspberry puree 

dash egg white 

Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled 

martini glass top with a splash of soda and 

garnish with a raspberry.

THE NOMINEES

Best Picture

"The Artist" Thomas Langmann, Producer

"The Descendants" Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" Scott Rudin, Producer

"The Help" Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers

"Hugo" Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers

"Midnight in Paris" Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers

"Moneyball" Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers

"The Tree of Life" Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers

"War Horse" Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Directing

"The Artist" Michel Hazanavicius

"The Descendants" Alexander Payne

"Hugo" Martin Scorsese

"Midnight in Paris" Woody Allen

"The Tree of Life" Terrence Malick

Actor in a Leading Role

Demián Bichir in "A Better Life"

George Clooney in "The Descendants"

Jean Dujardin in "The Artist"

Gary Oldman in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"

Brad Pitt in "Moneyball"

Actor in a Supporting Role

Kenneth Branagh in "My Week with Marilyn"

Jonah Hill in "Moneyball"

Nick Nolte in "Warrior"

Christopher Plummer in "Beginners"

Max von Sydow in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

Actress in a Leading Role

Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs"

Viola Davis in "The Help"

Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Meryl Streep in "The Iron Lady"

Michelle Williams in "My Week with Marilyn"

Actress in a Supporting Role

Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist"

Jessica Chastain in "The Help"

Melissa McCarthy in "Bridesmaids"

Janet McTeer in "Albert Nobbs"

Octavia Spencer in "The Help"

Animated Feature Film

"A Cat in Paris" Alain Gagnol and Jean-Loup Felicioli

"Chico & Rita" Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal

"Kung Fu Panda 2" Jennifer Yuh Nelson

"Puss in Boots" Chris Miller

"Rango" Gore Verbinski

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Indiana Pacers Hold 2011 Pacers Draft Party June 23

"2011 PACERS DRAFT PARTY” JUNE 23

AT CONSECO FIELDHOUSE 

            INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers will host the “2011 Pacers Draft Party,” on Thursday night, June 23 in Conseco Fieldhouse. The party, which has drawn over 5,000 fans each of the last three years, is free to all Pacers fans. Doors open to the general public at 7:00 p.m.
              The Pacers are scheduled to pick 15th in this year’s NBA Draft, and again at number 42 in the second round. “I think this is a very good draft,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “I’m very confident we will not only get a player with our first-round pick that can help us, but also with our second-round pick. I’m really looking forward to this draft.”
              “We are very excited for this Draft Party,” said Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris. “The way our team finished this past season and how we connected with our fans has given us an extra boost during the off season. We want to share that excitement and energy with the community on draft night.”
               The first 1,000 fans to RSVP online at Pacers.com will enjoy “dinner on us” as the Pacers will provide a hot dog, chips and soft drink to each member of the family. Pacers gold rally towels and a Pacers.com Draft Guide will also be available. Fans at the party can enjoy face painting, balloons and more; and prizes will be awarded to lucky winners. Additionally, all fans attending the Draft Party receive free parking in the Virginia Avenue Garage (subject to availability). Former and current Pacers players, Boomer and the Pacemates will be on hand to meet and greet the crowd throughout the evening.
              The in-arena coverage of the draft, featuring Pacers announcers Chris Denari and Quinn Buckner, will begin at 7:00 p.m. ESPN’s coverage of the draft will begin at 7:30 p.m.
              To get ready for the 2011 NBA Draft, fans can visit All-Access Draft Central on Pacers.com for exclusive scouting reports and video interviews with all prospects as well as frequent blog updates from Conrad Brunner and Mark Boyle and a mock draft database.
            For additional information, contact Pacers Sports & Entertainment’s Public Information Department at (317) 917-2500.