HEAR THIS: La Satz Say "What About Us" (aka, Drinking with Mel)

This is probably going to be the weirdest hodge-podge hot mess of a Melismatic post I've done yet and honestly, I regret nothing.

The Saturdays. Left to Right: Frankie, Mollie, Rochelle, Vanessa & Una.

Level with me: you're reading this blog, which probably equals itself to being a fan of quality pop music, meaning a lot of it comes from Europe (I'm not Anti-American, ya'll -- it's just the way it is).

My long-standing hearts for the ladies of The Saturdays has been documented here since the blog started back in 2008 (can you believe it's been that long?!?). Finally, the group is putting on their sequined heels and attempting to walk the path carved by One Direction. Yes, they are attempting an American take over. But because they are a group of five glamtastic, perfectly coiffed chicks from the UK with a smattering of UK Top 10 dance hits, what better place for their American take over than the American E! network. Their debut American "reality show" set to be called "Chasing the Saturdays," and will air January 20th at 10PM Eastern.

In a promotion that correlates to I'm not really sure what for their upcoming TV show, the group has been tweeting about the Twelve Sats of Christmas on their Twitter account (#TwelveSatsOfXmas) and a few weeks back, what should land in my Melismatic Inbox but a promise of "Low-Cal Holiday Cocktails from The Saturdays". You know I just couldn't resist...

Now, it may surprise you that a high-rollin' Brooklyn gal like myself doesn't have a complete liquor cabinet (who am I? Ke$ha?). So of the five drink recipe choices, I chose the only non-alcoholic option (because I'm family-friendly like that) in my girl Mollie's "Special Egg Nog". 

Welcome to the Casa de Melismatica.

Egg Nog was always a must in my house growing up around the holidays, pretty much from Thanksgiving (it's in late November, for you non-Americans) straight through the New Year. Imagine my Euphoria after discovering the mixture of my favorite holiday drink with my favorite beverage in general via Starbucks Egg Nog Latte, but then that's another story for another time, I suppose.

Mollie's "Special Egg Nog" (seriously? no better titles than this?) calls for:

1 ¾ Cups unsweetened almond milk
1/3 Cup of Egg Beaters
1 Tablespoon of sugar
½ Teaspoon of brown sugar
½ Teaspoon of vanilla

It also has bragging rights of being just 83 calories, the second "skinniest" of The Satz holiday drink collection. I made a few changes to the above recipe and figured I'd pass them along to you, too -- so I suppose you can consider this "Mollie and Mel's Special Egg Nog":

-The above recipe makes a full large glass of egg nog and it is rather sweet, so suggest "half"-ing the recipe so it's can fit into cute little glasses like you see in my picture.

-Rather than using vanilla extract, I just purchased Vanilla Almond Milk as it is my personal preference anyway. 

-Many people shake a bit of nutmeg on the top of egg nog, mostly so it looks pretty. I never was much for nutmeg when it's being drunk, so instead, I use cinnamon.

-Whether or not you add rum, brandy or even cognac to your Egg Nog, that's your prerogative. You lush.

Lest we all forget the reason why I (and therefore you) should ship La Sats so darn hard, I present to you, their latest single and American debut, "What About Us". The song made it's grand debut in the US this week via the Billboard Dance Club Charts at #41, and one version features reggae-rapper Sean Paul (I guess this explains this song's reggae-esque vocal cadences, then). Because I love these girls, I'm choosing not to feature that version (you're welcome).

"What About Us" is a total grower, but the more I play it the more it gets stuck in my head. Does it need 85 different versions (including one with Sean Paul)? No. But does it get me 'All Fired Up'? Uh, duh.

Try and tell me everything about this campaign is not flawless. Go ahead and try. OK, so the video was shot back in August and yet will come out in January on the back of a brand new album that will be apparently released world-wide. And yeah, apparently "30 Days" was just thrown out there as a single for fun and has no real home in La Satz overall discography. Yes, somedays I do think, "Ladies, whatchu doin' with my heart? Na na na na na!" But it's alright -- because it all boils down to the fact that I have a very real chance of seeing the girls perform live without having to book a flight and cough up the dough for a ticket to the Wembley.

Happy Twelve Sats of Xmas, everyone!

For the rest of The Sats recipes, click the cut.

Rochelle’s Spiked Cider (I'm guessing she'll be having none of this this holiday season as it was recently announced she is with child with her hubby from JLS but...):
4 Cups apple cider
1 Cinnamon Stick
5 Whole cloves
½ cup Apple brandy
2 Tablespoons cinnamon schnapps
Calories: 143

Vanessa’s Blushing Berry:
1 ½ oz Lemon vodka
¼ oz Raspberry liqueur
2 oz  Diet cranberry juice
Top with club soda
Calories: 135

Una’s Winter Wonderland (not gonna lie - this sounds fantastic):

2 oz Espresso Vanilla Vodka

½ Bailey’s

Chocolate shavings (for rim)

Calories: 150

Frankie’s Peppermint Cosmo:
1 Cup pomegranate juice
Juice of 1 lime
4 oz Vodka
¼ Teaspoon peppermint extract
8 Mini candy canes
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Calories: 70