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Things to do in Chicagoland this month!

Chicago, Destinations, DuPage County, Illinois, Wine, Winter

7 January 2019

January: Fun Things to Do this Month!

Last Updated on February 7, 2020 by JaimeSays

This post may contain affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through these links, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

A Chicago January without snow is no January at all!  I know many people dislike snow for the travel delays and the messiness of it, but I adore winter and miss it when it’s gone.  That being said, I don’t minds spending lots of time indoors when outdoors isn’t an idyllic snow globe. With that, let’s take a look at some of the fun things going on this January….

The Chicago Travel and Adventure Show: January 12-13, 2019

I didn’t realize how awesome the Chicago Travel and Adventure show was before I actually attended.  Why? Because standing around a conference center in Rosemont, IL doesn’t sound particularly adventurous.  But, the show is just a vehicle to introduce you to new destinations and get you excited for your future travels. Not only that, there are fun speakers, great food, and animal rides. The show really does work wonders, as I ended up booking a trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as a result of meeting someone at a booth. The show runs from 10AM-5PM Saturday, and 11AM-4PM Sunday.  One day tickets ar $11 for adults and free for anyone 16 years old or younger.

UGC 2017 Vintage Bordeaux Tasting: January 22, 2019

This yearly event sponsored by Binny’s is a can’t miss (and one of my favorites.) At my WSET Level 1 Class, we all had to go around and name our favorite style of wine, and mine is without a doubt, Bordeaux Blends.  With over 90 Grand Cru French wine houses offering up their 2016 vintages, it is a great way to refine what you like most in Bordeaux Blends, like whether you are a Right Bank or Left Bank person.  The event runs from 6pm-8pm at The Drake Hotel, and tickets cost $60.

Traditional Viennese Opera in Glen Ellyn: January 25-27, 2020

English language operas are fun, y’all! I had such a great time last year at the Mac’s Philharmonic opera and this year is bound to be the same. The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is putting on this lighthearted operetta in English for one weekend only.  Shows are for just one weekend only.  Tickets are $59/person.  Who’s coming with me?

Have anything going on in Chicagoland that you want me to mention? Email me at Jaimesaysblog@gmail.com

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JaimeSays
WSET Level 2 Certified Wine Lover, DuPage County Brand Ambassador. DME + Orthotics By Day, Adoring Home Life and Travel by Night.
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Half the battle of dry January is just overcoming Half the battle of dry January is just overcoming the ritual of opening a bottle of wine or mixing up a cocktail. And sometimes, it’s just the taste you are after.  How incredible then, are the alcohol-free options from @dhosspirits ? This 0 proof, alcohol-free Juniper Spirit has the body, taste, and smell profile of a gin, without the alcohol, the calories, or the liquor tax! With only 5 calories per 1.5 Oz serving, you can reduce your caloric content for a gin&tonic by 96 calories per serving. Truly, this changes the game for at home cocktails and bar mocktails, beyond Dry January. •
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#dryjanuary #mocktails #cocktails #athomebartender #ginfree #juniperberry #startenders #dranks #alcoholfree #alcoholfreedrinks #mamajuice #lowcalorie #dhos #yourdrinkyourway
Cocktail vs Mocktail Round Two! Is the cocktail in Cocktail vs Mocktail Round Two! Is the cocktail in the rocks glass or in the coupe?  Would you believe that other than the additional of a clear spirit, the only difference in these two drinks is that one is shaken and one is stirred? Seriously! The composition is the exact same, just one uses the non-alcoholic parts as a base and the other makes it the main event.  What are your guesses?  -3.5 Oz @lacroixwater Limoncello
-.5 Oz Fresh Raspberry  Syrup
-A Squeeze of Lemon
-1.5 Oz @catanpisco (optional) #catanpisco is the first Female Owned Chilean Pisco brand in the US! Available at @target and @binnysbev, this #pisco is 100%  Pedro Ximenez grapes and, at 40% ABV, falls under the Pisco Reserve umbrella.  I added the liquor and ice to a shaker and strained out the final product into the coupe glass. It’s fresh, vibrant, with a floral note  and buttery mouthfeel that plays well with the fresh, hardly sweetened, Raspberry Syrup.
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#dryjanuary #mocktails #mocktail #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailvsmocktail #pisco #chilean #chileanpisco #piscodrinks #piscococktails #piscochile #catan #smallbusiness #familybusiness #nonalcoholic #nonalcoholicdrink #sommelier #beverageblogger #adultbeverages
Cocktail vs Mocktail Time! As you may have been ab Cocktail vs Mocktail Time!
As you may have been able to glean from my stories, I am using this month as a #dryjanuary.  First up, here is a cocktail vs mocktail recipe.  The White Cranberry Mimosa comes from Moersch Hospitality Group, the folks behind #SouthwestMichiganWineries like @taborhillwinery, @roundbarnwdb, and @freeruncellars. The mocktail is my alternative.  White Cranberry Mimosa:
1.5oz white cranberry juice
5oz Tabor Hill Sparkling Demi-Sec
Cranberries for Garnish  Cranberry Mocktail:
5 Oz Sparkling Water or Lemon-Lime Soda, depending on your preferred level of sweetness
5-6 Dashes @Feebrothersbitters Cranberry Bitters
Rosemary Garnish (optional)  #bartender #savesmallbusiness #southwestmichigan #lovewestmichigan #michiganwineries #lockdownsdontwork #winter #winelife #sommelier #sommstyle #sparklingwine #mocktails #alcoholfree #cocktailchallenge #michigan
I finally got to make a Riesling Holiday Punch wit I finally got to make a Riesling Holiday Punch with a Pear and Cranberry Ice Float for Christmas! 10 point deduction for waiting until it had been out a couple of hours and the perfect ring started dropping some cranberries. A great way to be festive if you’re having a pod NYE party: it’s low alcohol, tasty, and the recipe is in my 5 Ways to Enjoy Riesling Holiday post! •
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#riesling #germanriesling #pfalz #holidaypunch #icefloat #decorativeicecubes #decorativeice #cocktailideas #batchcocktails #muellercatoir #youcansipwithus #winelover #winecocktails #sommlife
If you haven't been to a @Fanniemaychocolate this If you haven't been to a @Fanniemaychocolate this holiday season, I HIGHLY recommend you stop by.  There are new candies (Double Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Pixies, anyone?), pre-made, and customizable holiday baskets, and the same great quality you've come to expect. An Illinois business celebrating 100 years, they know how to do holidays. If you've already done your holiday shopping, don't forget that Valentines' Day is 6 weeks into the New Year!  #chocolate #chocoholic #tradition #holidaytradition #supportillinois #institutions #saveillinoisrestaurants #openillinoisrestaurants #lastminutegiftideas #lastminute #holidaycheer #christmasshopping #christmasgifts #gifted #notsponsored #fanniemayisthebest #bestchocolatebox #chocolatebox #chocolatetruffles #wevegotacountrytosave
Not a zoo, no tickets, free entry and parking, and Not a zoo, no tickets, free entry and parking, and spell binding lights. @villageoflombard and @lombardparks put on this magnificent display every year in #lilaciapark.  TIP: bring your mask just in case it’s crowded. The nearer to closing time (9PM) you visit, the less crowded it is. 5 PM is quite jammed.  While you’re in town, stop at @noonwhistlebrewing to pick up a six pack of beer! I like their #swankysmack sour, and fruity IPAs, and I like to support a small business even more. Grab a to-go meal at @babcocksgrovehouse or  sit at #rosemaryandjeans for safe dining.  #shoplocal #holidaylights #yestoyorktown #lombard #dupagecounty #suburbanchicago #westchicago #westernsuburbs #noonwhistlebrewing #christmasdecor #christmaslights #outdoorlights
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