Friday July 13, 2012
I was in a conversation recently about whether or not it is appropriate to teach children about certain 'adult activities.' The debate was spurred by an About.com video: Tips for Explaining Poker Rules for Kids. This brought up the mention of teaching children how to mix drinks and how this may promote alcohol to them.
What do I think? Obviously, there is a line to be drawn here. If you are teaching children to bartend for you then I suggest looking quite strongly at your priorities and morals. However, if you want to share your love of interesting drinks with the younger generation, then we are on the same plane. In no way do I mean to say that kids should be mixing anything with alcohol, that is simply wrong. On the contrary, the interest in mixing drinks can be completely innocent and kid friendly.
There are numerous mocktails - sometimes called 'kiddie cocktails' - that children can learn to mix up and they can be encouraged to create their own unique combinations that are likely to either gross you out or stun you with the ingenuity. The activities involved with mixing drinks can also be a delight to share with the young ones. Stirring, shaking, and blending are interactive and, let's face it, fun. If they were not enjoyable we wouldn't do it; we would all simply pour drinks right out of the bottle while yawning with boredom. Read More...
Friday July 6, 2012
If you have been enjoying your garden as much as I have, are digging the fresh tastes of the season, and want to learn more DIY drink mixers, then you need to pick up Natalie Bovis' newest book. The title is Edible Cocktails: From Garden to Glass - Seasonal Cocktails with a Fresh Twist.
Photo Courtesy: © PriceGrabber.com
I would consider it required reading for anyone even remotely interested in stepping up the freshness of their beverages. It is also a reference tool I can see using for years to come because Bovis has so many great ideas for flavor combinations and ingredients with great drinks like the Tipple Time, (blood orange, thyme, sparkling wine) and the Ginger Sun (ginger, Hibiscus-Cabernet Syrup, pomegranate, gin) that are provocative and fantastic. She includes recipes for flavored syrups, shrubs, and purees as well as drinks with meat, dairy, and eggs.
The book goes beyond cocktail recipes too. One of my favorite parts is Bovis' advice for gardening with cocktails in mind. Another very useful chapter is Grape to Glass in which she gives one of the most clearly stated explanations of wines that I've seen lately. Oh, then there are the homemade bitter and liqueur recipes, the marmalade and jams, and the garnishes galore. It's a book that keeps on giving.
Read the full review...
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Tuesday July 3, 2012
On the Cocktail Traveler's Radar:
Miss Charming's 2012 Visitor's Guide for Tales - The 10th annual Tales of the Cocktail will be rocking New Orleans later this month. New this year, Cheryl Charming has put together a Google Map of all of the hot spots, event locales, cool drinks, and other necessities you will need to navigate the hot city. I love her point of marking grocery stores and ATMs (seemingly forgotten landmarks but very important) as well as her transportation tips (listen to the sidewalk advice). Also, her and Bruce Tomlinson are hosting a "Honoring the Dead Cocktail Tour" on that Monday where you will visit the graves of cocktail legends Henry Ramos (Ramos Gin Fizz) ad Joseph Santini (Brandy Crusta). There are many ways to cool down in NOLA, one way will be at Cocktail Bar in Windsor Court Hotel. There you will find spike popsicles, snowballs, and milkshakes.
2nd Annual Chicago Independent Spirits Expo - Tickets are now on sale for this October 3rd event. Countless spirits will be available for tasting throughout the evening. It is a great opportunity to explore unique artisnal liquors.
London Olympics at The Lanesborough - If you are traveling to London for the Olympics you may want to stop by Library Bar at The Lanesborough for a sip. This summer they are featureing a Gold Medal Martini, complete with a gold leaf rim. Cognac and cigar pairings are also a specialty of Bar Manager Giuseppe Ruo and I'm told they have some pre-revolution Cubans that are impressive.
New Sips:
Grand Marnier Cherry - Fans of the iconic orange liqueur have something new to look forward to and it is nothing less than impressive. I have yet to fully explore it, but my brief introduction to it has been pleasant. I can see it being used in place of other cherry liqueurs and it is begging to be mixed in an Emerson.
Saliza Amaretto and Amaro Tosolini - Add these two new Italian spirits to your agenda. They are due in the U.S. sometime next week and are steeped in traditional craft distilling.
Kahlua Pre-mixed Iced Coffees - If you have not seen these yet, you should soon. Kahlua released new flavors of their RTD iced coffee canned cocktails: Iced Espresso, Iced Mocha, and Iced Coffee with Cinnamon Spice.
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Tuesday July 3, 2012
Back in May we took submissions for one of the easiest cocktail contests to date and today I have the official announcement. I only say easy because vodka's neutral base gives way to literally endless possibilities in cocktails, though for our part, making this decision was the toughest yet. None the less, we have a winner and it is Elijah Venanzi who created the drink Goose in Spring.
Photo Courtesy: © Elijah Venanzi
The cocktail was inspired by Venanzi's gardening mother and he - quite appropriately - submitted the recipe on Mother's Day. The touching tale can be read in his submission, and it evoked the same feeling in each of the panel with Chris Milligan calling it "simple and elevated" and Lance Mayhew commenting that it "literally tasted like the inspiration." It is a lovely drink, made of lavender-infused Grey Goose, two modest raspberries, a touch of elderflower, and a splash of lemon. Simple, inspirational, and freshness at its best, this cocktail will turn the coldest heart into a mushy mess.
Venanzi is a 2008 culinary school grad and recently "dove head first into bartending and mixology and I love it." The California native was head bartender at 606 R&D in Brooklyn and has worked at Toucan and the Lion in the East Village. He and his girlfriend are currently leaving the city behind and headed to Hawaii.
My congratulations to Elijah and sincere gratitude for sharing such a beauty.
Check out the Goose in Spring recipe... Read More...
