Whisky and Rum Holiday Recipes
It can be stressful when you are making preparations for your Christmas party. You want to make sure your guests enjoy the food and drinks you have prepared. You might think that you should just use your old standby recipes, but this year why not try something new?
Below are some drink and food recipes that will be a huge hit at your party. From cocktails to appetizers to the main dish, your friends and family will have a Christmas dinner to remember.
Dickel Rye Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1 1/3 oz George Dickel Rye
1 maraschino cherry
¼ oz bitters
1 sugar cube
1 splash water
1 orange twist
1 lemon twist
Directions: In an old-fashioned or rocks glass, muddle sugar, bitters and water. Add ice cubes and George Dickel Rye. Garnish with lemon twist, orange slice and cherry.
Bulleit Perfect Manhattan
Ingredients:
¾ oz Bulleit Rye
¼ oz Dry Vermouth
½ oz Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Stirrings Blood Orange Bitters
Directions: In a shaker, combine Bulleit Rye, Dry Vermouth and Sweet Vermouth. Shake and pour over an ice-filled mixing glass. Add dash of bitters and garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
In a shaker, combine Bulleit Rye, Dry Vermouth and Sweet Vermouth. Shake and pour over an ice-filled mixing glass. Add dash of bitters and garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
Maple Bacon Apple Scallop Stacks
Makes 1 dozen
Active time: 15 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
6 strips bacon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
12 dry-packed sea scallops, tough muscles removed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup Crown Royal Maple
2 teaspoons packed dark brown sugar
1 medium tart apple, such as Granny Smith, halved, cored, and cut into 12 thin slices
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
Directions: In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
While the bacon cooks, pat the scallops dry and sprinkle with the salt and cayenne. To the bacon fat in the pan, add the butter and turn the heat to high. When the butter foam subsides, add the scallops in a single layer. Cook, turning once, until nicely browned and just opaque throughout, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Drain any remaining fat from the skillet. Add the Crown Royal Maple and boil, stirring and scraping the browned bits from the pan, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar until the mixture becomes syrupy and thick, about 1 minute, then turn the heat to low. Break each strip of bacon into half and add to the syrup. Cook, turning, until well coated and caramelized.
On each apple slice, stack a scallop and a piece of bacon. Garnish with red onion slices and serve.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Captain Morgan Rum and Cider Glaze
Ingredients:
¼ cup Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
1 lemon, juiced
½ cup apple cider
1 pound pork tenderloins, brined at least 12 hours (recipe to follow)
1 tablespoon peanut oil
3/4 pounds Brussels sprouts, picked, cored and leaved (see note below)
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
2 apples, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 sprig of rosemary
1 tablespoon Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum apple butter, per serving (recipe to follow)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Directions: Preheat the oven to 450°F degrees. Combine the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, the lemon juice and the apple cider and reduce to 3/4 its original volume. Set aside. Heat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add 2 teaspoons of peanut oil when the pan is hot. Once the oil is hot, remove the pork from the brine, pat dry and add to the pan, for a total of 3 minutes, rolling the pork to sear all sides every minute or so. Place the pan in the hot oven to cook for four more minutes, or for an internal temperature of 140°F.
Let the pork rest while the vegetables cook. Once the pork hits the oven, toss the sweet potato, apple and Brussels in individual bowls, dressing evenly with olive oil and salt (evenly divided among the three). Place the sweet potatoes on a sheet pan and roast in the preheated oven for ten minutes, and then add the sweet potatoes and apples on top of the sweet potatoes. Roast for five more minutes. When they are done, remove them from the oven and set aside. When the pork tenderloin is done, remove from pan and rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board.
Present by spooning the apple butter on the bottom of a platter and placing the vegetables over the butter, and then slicing the pork and draping it over the vegetables. Warm the glaze base and whisk in the butter to finish. Pour the prepared glaze over the pork tenderloin.
Pork Brine (Makes 2 cups)
1 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon chili flake
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup of ice
Combine all ingredients except the ice in a pot and heat over high heat. Once the liquid reaches a boil, remove from heat and add the ice to chill quickly. Once cold, pour the brine over the pork and place in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours and up to 48 hours.
Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum Apple Butter (Makes 9 pint jars)
9 pounds local apples
1 teaspoon ascorbic acid powder
2 ½ cups organic granulated white sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup apple cider (NA)
2 cup Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
Directions: Peel and core the apples and cut them into eighths. After coring and peeling, you will end up with about 2/3s of your starting weight. Place the apple pieces in a large bowl of cold water with the ascorbic acid. When the apples are all peeled, drain them and discard the water and then place the apples in the slow cooker.
Combine apples with sugar and all other ingredients and toss well. Turn your slow cooker on high and cook for one hour and then turn on low and cook for about 8 hours, or until jammy in consistency. You will need to be stirring a lot throughout the process but be a careful, as nothing smarts quite like hot jam. Transfer to jars of your choice, just make sure they are sanitized and in good shape. Fill to 1 inch from top and seal with the lids and bands.
Dec 12th
Reebok Paydirt Pump Review
In 1992 Reebok came out with their Paydirt Pump sneaker. For those who don’t follow football, the term “pay dirt” refers to the end zone. So Reebok designed these kicks for NFL players to help these athletes reach the end zone. Two guys from the NFL that rocked these sneakers did just that.
The NFL’s all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith was one of those players. Smith was the face for Reebok NFL footwear in the 1990s. Emmitt along with his Dallas Cowboys teammates won the Super Bowl three times that decade and he was the NFL MVP in 1993.
The other famous player that rocked the Paydirt Pumps was Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas. The Bills electric running back was a dominant force in the NFL. He helped lead the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls. Just like Smith, Thomas would often find pay dirt on game day.
Both Smith and Thomas played on artificial turf in their home stadiums and the Paydirt Pump sneaker was built for that type of surface. Other players, mostly at the running back and wide receiver positions, wore these sneakers on the field as well.
Reebok struck their own “pay dirt” when the re-released these sneakers. One colorway that got my attention was the one decked out in the red, gold, and white colors of the San Francisco 49ers. A few months back Reebok released these kicks that originated from the 1990s and it created a buzz in the sneakerhead world.
The “49ers” Paydirt edition has a metallic gold leather upper with hints of red on the midfoot section. The classic strap that made this sneaker popular is also red while the Reebok logo was done in white. I really appreciated the love that Reebok put into this sneaker. On the midsole they added gold accents all around the shoe and the use of solid black coloring on the midsole made the shoe really standout.
They even used red, gold, and white colors for the perforated midfoot panels. Keeping with their attention to detail the word “preseason” is embroidered on this sneaker. On the heel the background is painted gold and the word “Reebok” stands out brilliantly in red with a white outline.
Last, but not least I have to mention the part that made the Reebok Pumps series iconic. It is the “Pump” bubble on the tongue of the shoe. The bubble is white and the words “the” and “Pump” are in gold. I found nothing wrong with this sneaker.
For me Reebok did an outstanding job of combining the past with the present in the Paydirt Pump. For those sneakerheads that love the retro look, make sure you pick up a pair of these football inspired kicks.
Dec 12th
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Takes a Spin in the “Cardboard Rodeo”
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who just received NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award for a record-breaking 11th consecutive year, recently teamed up with Mountain Dew and thrill-seeking YouTube star Devin Graham, aka Devin Super Tramp, to create a badass new video. Dubbed “Cardboard Rodeo,” the video was filmed at Dale Jr.’s Dirty Mo Acres in North Carolina, and is the next installation in the #DEWRoadTrip video series. Check out the video below, as well as behind the scenes footage. Trust me – you won’t want to miss Dale Jr. on a hot pink power wheel!
Earlier this year, Mountain Dew began working with Devin Super Tramp, who has over 1.2 million subscribers and over 230 million YouTube video views to date. He created the following videos as a result of his partnership with Mountain Dew and both have been viral sensations.
Dec 12th
Chris Cole Interview
“Live rad and die proud,” is a saying that street skater Chris Cole lives by. At the age of 14 Chris found his passion. That passion was and still is skateboarding. As a kid living just outside of Philadelphia, Cole started to participate in local and regional skateboarding contests.
As he won more and more contests, Chris started to make a name for himself in the skateboarding industry. Not only did fans pay attentions, but so did corporations. At age 16, Chris got his first corporate sponsorship, which helped to launch his career.
Chris was named Thrasher Magazine’s “Skater of the Year” twice and won back-to-back street skate gold medals at the X Games. Check out all his accomplishments at his website!
Even with all the fame, I found through talking with Chris that he is still a down to Earth type of guy. Chris loves to give back to the community with his skate camp called “Chris Cole’s Excellent Adventure” at Camp Woodland. As you read his answers below you will find out just like me that Chris gets it and knows what is important in life.
Art Eddy: When you were growing up did you ever imagine that you would become a professional skateboarder?
Chris Cole: It was funny because when I started I didn’t know it could be a profession. Some people were pros and I have seen them in magazines. It was so far out of my reach at that time. There were only a handful of pros. It is not like today where there are hundreds of pros.
I would look at magazines and it wasn’t until I started looking at colleges that I realized that I wasn’t going to college. I was sitting there looking at the Savannah School of Art and I thought to myself that I am really not going to fill out any applications. I was probably about 15 years old at that time.
I was going to finish high school because I spent all this time in high school. To go without a high school diploma I felt was so wasteful. I stuck it out. I didn’t have any dire reason to leave anyway. I stuck it out because I knew that skateboarding was going to be my future.
AE: Do you remember the first trick you ever performed?
CC: I remember when I started I was skating alone. When I first stepped on a skateboard it consumed my thoughts and consumed everything that I was. I never stopped skating. I didn’t have anyone to skate with. There was one kid who taught me how to Ollie. He just taught me how to Ollie and that was it. I mostly skated alone.
I started doing tricks myself. A lot of them I thought I made up. There is a pop shove it which is basically a 180. Your body doesn’t turn 180, but you just pop the board it does a 180 and you land back on it. I remember telling my friend about it.
I would do boardslides on the curb, but I would Ollie and turn 180 into a boardslide. That is called a lift slide, but I thought I made it up. Out of all of those the first kickflip I did was over a Campbell’s soup can. I did it totally wrong. My foot placement was completely wrong because this dude showed me how to do it. He showed me the completely wrong foot placement. I did it like that. Later that week I realized that I was doing it wrong. I broke it down in my head and did it correctly from then on.
AE: Was there a significant moment in your career where you felt like you made it in the skateboarding world?
CC: Man that is a good question because you are always achieving a little bit more. I did a few video parts on some skateboarding videos. Each one was a little bit of a milestone. I didn’t feel that I fully made it until a year after a very monumental video part. When kids come up to you and tell you that you are the reason why the skate.
They tell you that they saw you skate in a video and that is why they started skateboarding, that is the moment where you feel like you have made it. Through my love for this sport and what I have done and sacrificed to be really good at it, I have done exactly what I wanted to do with my talent. That is to inspire others and make them want to go out and do it for themselves.
That’s all you wanted in the first place. You want to pay it forward. These people inspired me. I picked up a skateboard. Now if I can inspire others to pick up a skateboard and enrich their lives like that then the world is a better place.
AE: I am a sneakerhead and I was taking a look at your DC shoe line. How cool is it to have your own sneaker?
CC: It is incredible to have my own shoe. Like you I am a sneakerhead. I am not nearly advanced as the dudes who go to sneakers cons, but I have a rolodex in my mind of shoes that have inspired me. I try to take all of that information that is in my brain and use it to make my shoes. I try to put out a shoe that embodies all of the others ones that have inspired me.
It is such a cool position to be in. It is great to help out with the design especially when I nitpick things. I don’t freak out about small things, but I do notice certain things. For my shoe from the DC line that comes out next year in March, is the most advanced shoe that we have done. It has every piece of technology that DC does in one shoe.
AE: Tell me about your camp called Chris Cole’s Excellent Adventure and the great work you do with the Police Athletic League in Philly.
CC: We team up with the Police Athletic League in Philadelphia. They have a bunch of kids that they work with that love skateboarding. Unfortunately those kids just don’t have the means. Whether they come from a broken home or they have two parents who are working as hard as they can and can’t make ends meet for their kids. We help them out.
These kids love skateboarding just like I did when I was their age. They don’t have the money to get them to a place like Woodward Skate Camp. It is the greatest place for a skateboarder to go. It is just acres and acres and acres of skate parks in central Pennsylvania. It is gorgeous out there. It is a place that they would never get to go to.
We work with the Athletic League and handpick kids to go to camp with us. Along with Reign Skate Shop we pick out kids we think that would really benefit and appreciate going to the camp. We take them out for a weekend. It is fully comped by Woodward Skate Camp. The Police Athletic league shuttles them out there. Plus a bunch of my sponsors chip in and give these kids a bunch of products.
They have a great time. What we really want is to make memories. I hope that they will remember it for the rest of their lives. I tell them every year that this time right now is the best time in their life. You don’t have responsibility, but you are old enough to have freedom. I tell them that they might not be able to process that right now, but live in the moment and enjoy it.
Dec 9th
New Crown Royal Whisky Unveiled
Miami turned into the art capital of the world with Art Basel well underway in the city notorious for sandy beaches, hot sun and glittering nightlife.
Drawing 50,000 visitors each year, Miami Art Basel is not only known for leading international galleries showcasing artists’ work (paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, etc.), but also the swanky and sexy celebrity-filled parties including an annual birthday dinner and after-party for record producer, Rico Love (most notably known for his work with Beyoncé, Nelly, Kelly Rowland and TI).
In recent years, Love has celebrated his birthday during Miami Art Basel with a select group of his celebrity friends ranging from Diddy, Kelly Rowland and more. This year, his celebration was made extraordinary by legendary whisky company, Crown Royal. Guests attending Love’s party were among the first in the world to try the new Crown Royal XO – an extraordinary whisky finished to perfection in cognac casks.
Dec 8th
MANjr’s Gift Guide Part 2
So if you missed the first MANjr. gift guide from last month, well we have another guide to help you out. These will make great gifts for you to put on your wish list or for those you need to shop for.
Griffin Technology’s Case Creator 
Griffin Technology, one of the world’s foremost creators of innovations for everyday life, introduces Case Creator, a custom case designing web application. Just in time for the holidays, Griffin’s new online Case Creator offers a simple and easy way to create personalized iPhone cases from your computer or mobile device.
I got one of these cases for someone on my list and I was VERY impressed with the quality of the case. I am not just talking about the quality of the case, but the image that was on the phone case. The image was as clear and crisp as it was on my computer. I know that my friend will love their case for Christmas.
If you can imagine it, you can turn your idea into a durable custom case for iPhone. Upload your favorite picture from your computer, Facebook or Instagram, or create your own design using several artistic options.
There are six layout options to arrange colors, patterns and photos. You can choose from millions of color options for an individualized look. Edit your uploaded photo with filters including black and white, sepia and color inversion. Add a personalized message with over a dozen fonts in an array of custom colors.
Users can select from two types of cases offering different levels of protection: a slim, impact-resistant polycarbonate shell, or a premium two-piece case with a polycarbonate shell surrounding a shock-absorbing silicone lining. Each case uses dye sublimation printing and heat-cured inks to create a long-lasting, scratch-resistant case.
Case Creator, regularly $29.99 and up, launches today with special holiday pricing starting at $19.99 through the end of 2013. Case Creator is now available for iPhone 5/5s and iPhone 4/4s, and will be available soon for Samsung Galaxy SIII and Galaxy S4.
Kinivo: BTX350 Wireless Compact Bluetooth Speaker
Conveniently portable and stylishly compact, this lightweight speaker system streams powerful audio from any Bluetooth enabled device. Enjoy rich, full-bodied sound and dynamic bass from virtually any device with the option to wirelessly stream via Bluetooth, or connect your favorite gadget with a standard 3.5mm plug. Measuring just eight by three inches, this speaker system features a rechargeable battery that lasts for 5-6 continuous hours, allowing you to enjoy your favorite tunes anywhere, anytime. Easily charge your device while listening to music through a built-in USB port while the speaker is connected to an AC power source. For more info on the BTX350 check out the Kinvio website.
SOUL® Electronics Combat+ Over-Ear Headphones
SOUL® Electronics is turning up the volume on athletic training with their new Combat series athletic performance headphones including the new Combat+ Over-Ear Headphones – the first-ever over-ear headphones built for athletic performance. The Combat+, inspired and rigorously tested by SOUL ambassadors Usain Bolt and Tim Tebow, was designed to deliver premium-performance comfort and superior audio to help athletes and fitness buffs get and stay in the zone during even the toughest workout.
These headphones feature Comply™ body heat activated, breathable memory foam ear pads provide perfect fit and comfort. There is an additional pair of breathable, washable mesh ear pads and breathable wide grip headband provides secure fit during exercise.
The interchangeable ear pads make for easy cleaning. The noise canceling feature is for improved concentration and it is also sweat-resistant with a compression fit. The Combat headphones sell for $199.99. SOUL is also introducing the fashion forward Loop series, a perfect gift for a girlfriend who is as passionate about great music as she is about style.
Waterpik® Complete Care
Waterpik’s new Complete Care combines superior Water Flosser and Sonic Toothbrush technologies in one product and is up to 70% more effective than Sonicare® FlexCare. Now all of your brushing and flossing needs can be accomplished with one convenient device that saves counter space and power outlets. So don’t just brush, go complete. This model offers an easy and more effective alternative.
The Waterpik® Water Flosser is clinically proven to be significantly more effective than traditional dental floss and Sonicare® Air Floss for reducing plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease and was proven to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas. Waterpik® Complete Care is ideal for anyone with braces, implants, crowns, bridges, or periodontal pockets.
Fulton & Roark’s Cologne
Cologne stinks, well, sort of. For as long as anyone can remember, cologne has been part of a man’s daily 
grooming routine. Most colognes serve their purpose of smelling good. Even so, for many men, the risk of a leaky or broken bottle, confiscation at the hands of the TSA, and even the embarrassment of over-applying can make cologne not worth the hassle.
Fulton & Roark’s new solid wax-based cologne solves all the downsides of cologne through a total rethinking of what a men’s fragrance should be. The solid metal case means there is nothing to break, and the ultra-concentrated formula means that even though it lasts as long as many bottles of conventional cologne, it is carry-on approved. Additionally, the wax formula allows for a more controlled application, which makes it easier for men to apply just the right amount of cologne precisely where they want it.
The solid cologne is designed to go anywhere, from a gym bag to the pocket in a favorite pair of pants, and comes in three distinct fragrances.
Tybee: a clean light musk accented with notes of cedar and rosewood
Hatteras: a fresh take on a men’s classic, with notes of vetiver and light spice
Shackleford: a sophisticated blend of sandalwood and warm amber
Dec 8th
Celebrate National Repeal Day
Today marks the 80th anniversary of National Repeal Day, the day that put an end to Prohibition. This act allowed Americans to drink again and ultimately led to modern cultural phenomenons like speakeasies and TV hit show, “Boardwalk Empire.”
Recently I was able to speak with renowned cocktail expert and President of the Museum of the American Cocktail Dale DeGroff. He clued me in on some great drink recipes that you can see below.
Since today is the 80th anniversary of National Repeal Day I thought I should pass Dale’s knowledge to you. He gave me some excellent ideas to make a few Prohibition-style cocktails to celebrate National Repeal Day! Known throughout the bartending community as “King Cocktail,” Dale has authored many of the most famous cocktail books in American history and has a place in New York City lore as the head bartender of the famous Rainbow Room where he brought classic cocktails back to the Big Apple in the 1980’s.
Dale said that it is great to see people come back to using ingredients in cocktails like they do when they are cooking or baking. He is happy to see the people come back to the world of craft beer and cocktails. Don’t just drink your old standby cocktail of choice, but he feels people should be adventurous when they are out drinking responsibly.
When going to a bar Dale says to look for the bartender who is there to craft the perfect drink and not just there to collect tips. Also look for bars that use real juice. When you have at least these two factors in your corner you are sure to have a great experience. So try out one of the cocktail recipes below and celebrate National Repeal Day!
Dale’s Holiday Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1.25 oz George Dickel No. 1
1 dash DeGroff’s Pimento Bitters
0.25 oz Dale’s Cherry Liqueur
0.5 oz Simple syrup
2 orange slices
2 cherries
Preparation: Muddle a cherry and orange slice with the syrup and liqueur and the dash of bitters in a bar mixing glass. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass add the whiskey and ice and stir Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Bulleit Boulevardier (by Erskine Gwynne, editor of the Paris Boulevardier)
Ingredients:
1.25 oz Bulleit Bourbon
1 oz Dolan Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari
Preparation: Pour ingredients into an Old Fashioned glass and stir with ice to chill. Garnish with orange zest.
Gin & It (Amended from Frank Meier’s Recipe)
Ingredients:
1.3 oz Tanqueray Gin
1.5 oz Punt e Mes
Preparation: Prepare in a pitcher 2 hours in advance and refrigerate covered. Serve in a small coup glass without ice or in a small bar glass with ice. Garnish with orange zest.
General Harrison’s Eggnog
Ingredients:
1.3 oz. George Dickel Rye
.75 oz. mixture of equal parts egg white, sugar and syrup
1 dash DeGroff’s Pimento Bitters
2 oz. apple cider
Preparation: Build in a glass or mug and dust the top with nutmeg.
Bulleit Rye Sazerac
Ingredients:
1.3 oz. Bulleit Rye
1 tsp. demerara syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
5 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Preparation: Stir over ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass.
George Dickel Rye Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
1.3 oz. George Dickel Rye
1 maraschino cherry
0.25 oz. bitters
1 sugar cube
1 splash water
1 slice orange
1 lemon twist
Preparation: In an old-fashioned or rocks glass, muddle sugar, bitters and water. Add ice cubes and George Dickel Rye. Garnish with lemon twist, orange slice and cherry.
Crown Royal Black Manhattan
Ingredients:
1 oz. Crown Royal Black
0.25 oz. Cragganmore Distiller Edition
0.25 oz. sweet vermouth
1.25 oz. simple syrup
0.25 dashes of bitters
1 piece maraschino cherry
Preparation: Stir all together in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Dec 5th
adidas Unveils 2014 World Cup Items
adidas is not only getting teams ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but fans everywhere. Recently adidas released images of the brazuca, the official match ball of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil as well as the two top ranked FIFA teams – Spain and Germany.
The kits stand out with fresh designs and top-end tech specs, most notably the 2014 FIFA World Cup federation kits are the lightest ever produced by adidas – more than 40 percent lighter than the equivalent 2012 kits. This advancement will give the world’s best players extra freedom of movement and comfort, while retaining resilience and durability on the field in Brazil.
Let’s first take a look at the brazuca. Brazuca is a breakthrough innovation featuring a revolutionary six-panel design. Created for every player on the field, the ball features six identical panels alongside a unique surface that will provide improved grip, touch stability and aerodynamics on the field. Brazuca has been thoroughly tested to meet and exceed all FIFA metrics for an official match ball, ensuring top performance for every condition.
Brazuca was named in September 2012 following a public vote in Brazil involving 1 million soccer fans. The name “brazuca” is an informal local term which means “Brazilian,” or to describe the Brazilian way of life. The colors and ribbon design of the ball panels symbolize the traditional multicolored wish bracelets worn in the country in addition to reflecting the vibrancy and fun associated with soccer in Brazil.
“The FIFA World Cup match ball is the icon of the tournament as the centerpiece of every goal, every play and every touch,” said Ernesto Bruce, director of soccer, adidas America. “adidas has a rich legacy at the World Cup, providing the official match ball for every tournament since 1970. The brazuca is a breakthrough innovation built for every player on the field.”
The brazuca’s thorough two and a half year testing process involved more than 600 of the world’s top players and 30 teams in 10 countries across three continents, making it the most tested ball ever by adidas.
Lionel Messi, Iker Casillas, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Zinedine Zidane, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Palmeiras and Fluminese were among the top athletes and clubs who tested brazuca. The ball was also tested in competitive international matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup with a different print design and in a friendly match between Sweden and Argentina in February 2013.
“Brazuca has a stunning design that feels inspired by Brazil,” said 2010 FIFA World Cup winning Spanish captain Iker Casillas. “Now that the ball has been launched the tournament feels a lot closer. I’m looking forward to playing in Brazil with a great ball. Hopefully with brazuca we can get the same result as in 2010.”
Fans can purchase brazuca today at www.adidas.com/soccer and starting Wednesday at adidas retail locations, sporting goods and soccer speciality stores nationwide. Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/adidasSoccer or on Twitter via @adidasSoccer #WorldCup.
Now looking at the jerseys, from a design perspective, the jerseys stand out with designs inspired by each country. The new German kit is inspired by a sense of understated brilliance, and the value placed in quality and hard work and makes references to industrial architecture.
While the deep red color of the home jersey unites Spain, while the gold flashes symbolize the current golden era of Spanish football.
Dec 4th
Meet Captain Morgan’s New Pet Gator, Cola
A heated sports rivalry is a cause for tailgates, touchdown dances and raising a CAPTAIN MORGAN® Spiced Rum and cola with friends. To heighten the excitement this season and to ensure responsible decision-making while enjoying a good game, Captain Morgan, the most famous privateer of all time, adopted a pet alligator named Cola.
“Dogs are too traditional, I don’t do cats, and let’s be honest, parrots are bit cliché,” said Morgan. “Every Captain needs a Cola, and I found mine right here in Gainesville. He has a badass personality and is looking for support for all of his gator friends both on and off the swamp.”
The Captain Morgan brand encouraged consumers 21and older to celebrate with Captain & Cola by capturing a picture of the duo and utilizing the hashtag #CaptainAndCola on social media properties (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, etc.) throughout this past weekend.
For every #CaptainAndCola captured, the rum brand donated $1 to the Crocodile Specialist Group up to $5,000, a worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers and independent researchers committed to the ongoing preservation and protection of alligators and crocodiles throughout the world.
Born and raised at St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm and Zoological Park, Cola joined Captain Morgan in Gainesville, FL this past Saturday, November 30th for the kick-off. Captain and Cola toured the greater Gainesville area on Saturday morning throughout the game.
“There is no better pairing than Captain & Cola,” Morgan continued. “I’m looking forward to taking him out on the town this weekend to show Gainesville what true friendship is all about.”
Although Florida fans may have lost on Saturday, they gained at least one more fan when Captain Morgan himself showed up, announcing the official adoption of his live, pet gator, naming him Cola. Captain & Cola toured the greater Gainesville area on Saturday, taking pictures and encouraging adult fans to celebrate responsibly.
In response to the overwhelming enthusiasm of Florida fans, the brand made a $5,000 donation to the nonprofit organization.
Dec 2nd
Brian Deegan Interview
Brian Deegan is an innovator in action sports. He is considered to be motocross legend and as a businessman has been nicknamed “The General.” At the young age of 17 Deegan moved from his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska and traveled to Southern California with hopes of making a name for himself in the world of motocross.
In 1997 at the Coliseum in LA, Brian made history with the Freestyle Motocross move called “ghost riding” as he crossed the finish line. Brian has won many awards in actions sports. Brian currently competes in Motocross, Freestyle Motocross, Rally Car, and Short Course Trucks as founder and co-owner of the Metal Mulisha.
I caught up with Brian to chat with him about how he entered the world of motocross, injuries, and his clothing line.
Art Eddy: Let’s go back a bit in time. At age 17 you left Omaha, Nebraska for Southern California. You had big dreams of making a name for yourself in the world of motocross. Can you recall that one moment that made you take that big leap?
Brian Deegan: Growing up in Nebraska and going to high school there I had already traveled all over the United States racing in amateur motocross. I think that just getting to see all the parts of the country and places like Southern California really made me want to do that move there. The lifestyle there made me want to take the leap from Nebraska and go to California. Or maybe it was the girls there. I don’t know. (Both laugh)
AE: Was there ever a time in the beginning where you thought you had made a mistake?
BD: When I moved out there I didn’t have anything. I went out there with a pick-up truck, two dirt bikes and a credit card. I was sleeping on my buddy’s floor. I was renting a room and just trying to make things happen. There were points where it got tough, but I realized that I never wanted to go back.
I had to make it work. If I went back my dad wanted me to go to college. I thought that if I did that I would fall back into the normal routine, which is fine, but that was not what I wanted to do.
AE: When you look back do you have one moment that you can say to yourself that you made it?
BD: Yeah, I think it was the moment where I started getting paid by sponsors. That was when Freestyle Motocross started and X-Games as well. I got my first few main sponsors that were actually paying me really good money. That was when I realized that I was on to something. I feel like I hit the sport at the right time. We were the guys that pioneered in action sports. I realized at that moment that it was the right move. It worked out well.
AE: Out of the many accolades and awards you have won does one award stand out more than the others?
BD: I would say that the biggest moment that stands out the most was when I won the L.A. Coliseum Supercross. I went against all odds and beat the best guys as a privateer. I ghost rode my bike over the finish line, which at that time was unheard of.
I walked away from the sport and started up freestyle and did the first 360 on a dirt bike at the L.A. Coliseum. I won the gold medal there that year in best trick. Those were probably the biggest highlights. That was before I got into four wheels, which was a whole new realm of highlights.
AE: To say that you are fearless is a total understatement. From what I read you have experienced multiple near-death experiences, several broken bones, a lost kidney, and a severe spleen injury. What gets you back on the track time and time again?
BD: I would say it was the will to win. Injuries are never something you plan. So really what they do is just stall you out. They are like hurdles on your way to your original goal. I always saw it as just that. I had injuries and a few near death experiences. Those basically just slowed me up for my goals. I still move forward and was always able to block it out and get back to compete. Yet getting older and having kids your priorities change.
AE: Tell me about the company you started up in Metal Mulisha?
BD: I feel like when I was walking away from racing we were kind of the rebels of the sport. We went into Freestyle Motocross and actions sports at the X-Games as the characters of that sport. We came into the sport at the time where skateboarding and BMX was big.
Motocross stepped in and we were on the big stage where the cameras where rolling. It was time to play it up. We were the guys in all black, in spikes, and heavy metal. It kind of just took off. I was able to use my business sense and with my dad being there to help me I thought how are we going to monetize this. We turned it into a clothing brand and selling other product as well. It just took off. Now it is one of the biggest action sports brands out there.
Dec 2nd
