barkeep

Sophisticated ‘Tilt’ Barware

On the lookout for cool barware, I found the Nambe Tilt collection. This unique glassware will add flare to any home bar.

Nambe Tilt Barware … Read more

Grapefruit Campari Sorbet

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Chef Jamie Oliver created this refreshing granita as an easy, light and elegant dessert. Yummy!

Ingredients

1 & 3/4 pints fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, strained

    14 oz superfine sugar
    7 oz Campari
    Juice of 2 lemons
    Juice of 2 oranges

Instructions

Whisk together the grapefruit juice and sugar. Add the Campari, lemon and orange juices. Freeze in an ice cream maker, or in a metal container for a granita texture.

Photo & recipe courtesy Campari.… Read more

Low-Calorie Cocktails for the New Year

Is “lose weight” on your list of New Year’s resolutions? If so — or if you’re just trying to maintain your current weight — here are a few ways to cut calories without cutting out cocktails.

Skip the dessert in a glass

We all know that sweet drinks are higher in calories.

However, you might be surprised to find out just how many more calories they contain. A pina colada has nearly 400 calories, and … Read more

Fancy Cointreau Cocktails

Recently Cointreau show cased some of the cocktails being created with the iconic triple sec. Here’s a few:

Renowned mixologist Xaviar Herit from DANIEL in New York created the “strawberry & pearls” cocktail, a traditional strawberry margarita with strawberry-infused Cointreau caviar served on the side.

STIX Restaurant and Lounge in Boston takes a traditional champagne cocktail to a new level with thePiper-Heidsieck Golden Cointreau Caviar which includes “pearls” of Cointreau featuring edible 24-karat gold flakes.… Read more

Drinking Outside the Temple

Paul Clarke of The Cocktail Chronicles wrote this recent post for the the New Times Proof Blog laying out his view of today’s cocktail landscape. His journey begins in Manhattan, but explores the merits of America’s great cocktails cities.

Be sure to check out the comments as well; some people just don’t get it.

Drinking Outside the Temple – Proof Blog – NYTimes.com… Read more

Toast the New Year With Great Sparkling Wines for under $20

When it’s time for the champagne toast to celebrate 2009, why start the year by spending a fortune? These three sparkling wines (which is just the term for what most of us call champagne if it is made outside the Champagne region of France) are a good-tasting, budget-friendly way to start the year.

Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, $20
Made from mostly pinot noir grapes, this sparkling wine is fruity without being too sweet.

Piper … Read more

Rum & Coke

Ingredients

    1 part coke 
    1 part rum
    2 cubes of ice

Instructions

Mix. Enjoy.… Read more

iBreath, the iPod Breathalizer

The ultimate iPod accessory, the iBreath, aims to keep us all safe with an easy to use breathalyzer for the iPod and iPhone. The small device attaches to the iPod’s charging port, needs no additional power and even doubles as an FM Transmitter to stream your tunes in the car.

Some drink driving prevention advocates say that the iBreath may be misused and allow drunk driver to “practice” taking a breathalyzer. There will always be … Read more

Bourbon Picks for the Holidays for $25 – $50

One of my favorite things about bourbon: It is possible to find great bourbon at nearly every price point. And while there definitely are $400 bottles of bourbon out there that will knock your socks off, it’s possible to find something impressive that fits a normal person’s budget. Here are picks in a few price ranges:

Under $25

Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, 100 proof

Wine Enthusiast praised this bourbon’s “buttery feel on the palate” and “tangy … Read more

Drink of the Week Holiday Scotch Picks

My holiday picks for scotch are not for the faint of heart. While they are very different from each other, they both are cask strength and neither is chill filtered. They are, well, strong. But hey, if you’re going to drink a scotch, why not go for it. These are great to serve at an intimate holiday gathering or to give as a gift to a real scotch lover. Both picks will run you about … Read more