Throwing back a few drinks with friends while watching the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton? That’s our kind of night. But this year, in honor of the award show turning the big 5-0, don’t just drink a beer, throw back a few finely crafted cocktails in honor of your favorite country artists. headed over to Lot 5 in Brooklyn with our friendly bartender and comedian Francesca Day to whip up five special concoctions for the Single Record of the Year nominees—Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice and Kenny Chesney—which we’ve dubbed The Drinkies. Heck of a name, we know. Related: Behind the Song: Kenny Chesney – ‘American Kids’ These five drinks range from a pretty in pink cocktail with a surprising kick to a bro-tastic punch perfect for spring break. There’s a fool-proof way of getting drunk on a plane or anywhere else you’d like and a beer cocktail that will have you dancing like no one’s watching.
And below, there’s a truly American concoction that tastes a bit like suntan lotion, in a good way, of course, that honors Kenny Chesney’s Big Revival track. So drink responsibly and may the best song win when the ACMs air April 19 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. Follow Francesca on Twitter for more funny, perhaps even drink-related, musings: @ohfrancescaday Follow Lot 5 on Instagram. 1.5 oz Blue Chair Bay White Rum .5 oz Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum Splash of Sour Mix or Simple Syrup Splash of Tonic Water This fun in the sun drink will take you back to the good ol’ days when you were just an American kid raiding your parents’ liquor cabinet for the good stuff, only to find out that all they had left was some coconut rum. Don’t worry though, this coconut rum—Chesney’s own brand, Blue Chair Bay—will be put to good use in this summertime drink that tastes like a day at the beach. Fill a highball glass with ice, add the white rum, followed by the coconut rum.
Add a splash of sour mix or simple syrup. Want to make your own simple syrup? In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then keep stirring until sugar has dissolved. Cool and add to drink. Add a splash of tonic water, before topping the glass off with a bit of soda water. If you want something a little sweet, our bartender Francesca suggests swapping out the soda water for Sprite to turn this cocktail into a true teeth rotter. Give this drink a truly American feel by adding a red and blue swizzle stick. This simple, sweet drink is sure to get you a little messed up, but you’ll be alright. The 50th ACM Awards air Sunday, April 19 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. Forbes Magazine recently released its list of the World’s Highest-Paid Musicians, and country was well-represented among the impressive list. Garth Brooks ranked at the top of the country stack at No. 6 with a whopping $70 million for the year, thanks to a lucrative comeback tour, which kicked off in 2014 and extends into 2017 and has now grossed well into the nine-figure territory.
Kenny Chesney lands on the list at No. 13, tying Justin Bieber with $56 million for the year thanks to his ability to sell out stadiums across the country repeatedly and his new Blue Chair Bay Rum enterprise. Luke Bryan comes in at No. 19 on the list at $53 million, raking in tons on his Kill The Lights Tour along with endorsement deals with Miller Lite and Cabela’s, among others. Toby Keith also makes the list at No. 22 with $47.5 million from his tour, Ford Truck spokesman cash, and his Wild Shot Mezcal and I Love This Bar And Grill enterprises. The Top 5 Highest-Paid Artists in ascending order include Rihanna ($75 million), Madonna ($76.5 million), Adele ($80.5 million), One Direction ($110 million), and the drumroll please…country’s own now pop-superstar Taylor Swift, who pulled down a cool $170 million, smashing the Rolling Stones’ previous touring record with a gross of over $200 million in North America alone, not counting her endorsement dollars. She was not only the highest-paid musician on the list, but ranks as the highest-paid celebrity of any type according to the magazine.
Forbes compiled the list by measuring pre-tax income from June 1, 2015-June 1, 2016 before management fees. Numbers are based on data from Pollstar, Nielsen, and the RIAA, and interviews with managers, agents, attorneys, and some stars themselves. Comments commentsPowered by Facebook CommentsFire & Ice 2016 to Support Kennebunkport EMS and The Education Foundation The hottest ticket in town is fast approaching! Fire & Ice will take place Friday, Dec. 9th and Saturday, Dec. 10th, 2016, from 5-10pm. With blazing bonfires, cool ice bars and sculptures, local food and live music, the Fire & Ice festivities will cap off Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude celebrations for the seventh year. The event will sell out by November. New this year: guests may add themselves to a wait list for Friday or Saturday tickets. Also new this year: a significant portion of the proceeds will go to support the Kennebunkport Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The event will also continue to support The Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel.
“We are proud to support the Kennebunkport EMS this year,” said General Manager Tina Hewett-Gordon. “They have been a great partner this season in training our staff in CPR and AED use, and their efforts proved of vital importance in helping us to keep our guests safe.” In July, our Activities co-Director Tom Macisso (who also works at Kennebunk High School in season) responded to a mother’s yell from across the lawn at the pool and acted quickly to perform CPR on her unconscious six-year old son and successfully revive him. “We are so grateful that Tom was there in that moment,” said Innkeeper Jean Ginn-Marvin. “It just reinforced the fact that we all need to be prepared.” “Under the leadership of both Kennebunkport EMS and Kennebunk Fire Rescue, and in partnership with the Maine Cardiovascular Council and Nevers Medical Group, the Nonantum Resort and its leadership team should be commended for their forward-thinking and progressive preparedness for Cardiac Emergencies and response scenarios such as the near drowning death of this small child,” said Dean Auriemma of the Kennebunkport EMS.
“Through their community business partner leadership the Nonantum has provided to its staff and the Kennebunkport area critical first response training,” Auriemma continued. “The Nonantum stands out above all of Kennebunkport’s business community for their enduring pursuit of both CPR education and life-saving AED equipment. Because of their community leadership, the Nonantum continues to help the town of Kennebunkport maintain its Heart Safe Community designation.” Tom Macisso, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, has been nominated for a “Going the Extra Mile” award with the Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau. Last year, The Nonantum Resort donated $5,000 to each charitable partner from Fire & Ice. This year’s donation could fund the purchase of numerous AED’s to be placed throughout our community, or support additional CPR trainings for hospitality staff in the area next season. “We are very hopeful other hotels and restaurants will follow our lead and train their staffs in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver so that Kennebunkport will be seen as the safest place you can travel to,” said Innkeeper Jean Ginn Marvin.
“Our hope is that this program will spread state wide.” In February, The Nonantum was awarded the Governor’s Award for Tourism Leadership and Growth at the Maine Governor’s Conference on Tourism for its efforts to expand the second weekend of Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude. The second weekend is now as robust as the first in bringing visitors to the area, and revenues to our local inns, shops, restaurants and beyond. Fire & Ice is generously sponsored by Biddeford Savings, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Blue Chair Bay Rum, St. Elder Natural Elderflower Liqueur, Shipyard Brewing Co., Garrett Pillsbury, Distinctive Tile & Design, the York County Coast Star, Sperry Tents Seacoast, and Clark Insurance. The theme of this year’s Fire & Ice will be stars. Ice sculptor Ed Jarrett will be creating a celestial vision on the resort’s back lawn. The ever-popular ice luge, whiskey bar, champagne tent, and Shipyard beer tent will return. Shipyard’s new Chocolate Milk Stout will be on draft, along with the ever-popular Prelude Ale.