Red, White and Blue Drinks for 4th of July

Independence Day is coming up, and what better way to celebrate it than to serve up some red, white and blue cocktails at your barbecue or block party?

Serve these cocktails (at least one from each “color”) and show your patriotic side!

Red

Americano – Refreshing, sparkling cocktail that include Campari and sweet vermouth

Strawberry Ginger Martini – Fruity vodka cocktail with a bit of spice from ginger liqueur

Raspberry Margarita – Fresh raspberries add … Read more

Bourbon Balls

Bourbon is magic, and bless Kentucky for giving it to us!

This Southern treat takes less than 30 minutes to whip up and is perfect for a whole host of occasions — Kentucky Derby, Christmas, Wednesday nights…

The bourbon flavor deepens over time, so leftovers (if there are any!) aren’t a problem. They keep for 12-15 days if stored in an airtight container.

Ingredients

1 cup crushed vanilla wafers
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons … Read more

Choosing Bourbon for Your Kentucky Derby Mint Julep

With the Kentucky Derby coming up, thoughts are turning to the mint julep. This cocktail has been the signature drink of Churchill Downs since 1938, when they started serving the mint julep in souvenir glasses for 75 cents each.

If you don’t think the word “julep” sounds particularly Southern, you’re right. The cocktail, known as “julab,” originated in Arabia centuries ago. Eventually, it made its way to the US — with little changes along the … Read more

Pollo Asado Tacos

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into cubes
½ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tbs black pepper
2 tbs garlic salt
Salt to taste
Hard taco shells
Toppings to taste

Instructions

Combine chicken, orange juice, pepper, garlic salt and salt in a bowl. Refrigerate and let marinate overnight. Sauté chicken in a hot pan until cooked through. Dish into taco shells and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Courtesy of Tequila Espolon. Recipe By … Read more

Mediterranean Crostini

Recipe courtesy of Campari.

Ingredients

150g tomato pulp
4 slices of homemade bread
30g pitted olives
10g fresh oregano
2 anchovy fillets in oil
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon of capers in salt
1 clove of garlic
Salt

Instructions

1. Cut each slice of bread into 6 square/rectangular pieces. Arrange on a baking sheet and place in a preheated oven at 200°C for 5 minutes (or until toasted), turning halfway through the … Read more

Rustic Apple Tarts Infused with SKYY Infusions Ginger

Courtesy of SKYY Vodka.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. SKYY Infusions Ginger
1/3 cup and 0.5 tablespoons sugar
½ cup apple cider or apple juice
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 lb small gala apples (about 4; left unpeeled)
1 frozen puff pastry sheet (from a 17 ¼-oz package), thawed
3 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook 1/3 cup sugar in a dry, 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. … Read more

Gorgonzola Bites

Recipe courtesy of Campari.

Ingredients

350g puff pastry
250g gorgonzola
1 egg yolk
20g butter

Instructions

Beat the egg yolk in a bowl using a whisk until frothy. Put to one side.
Roll out the pastry dough using a rolling pin. Then, using knife, divide into eight equal rectangular pieces. Spread the gorgonzola evenly over one half of each of the rectangles then close, folding the other half over. Press the edges firmly together, moistening

… Read more

Chocolate Chile Bohemia Ice Cream

Ingredients

1 large pasilla negro chile, stemmed, seeded, deveined
1 1/3 cups half-and-half
2 ounces Mexican chocolate, chopped into small pieces
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
4 egg yolks
½ cup sugar
1 1/3 cups heavy (whipping) cream
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla, preferably Mexican
¼ cup Bohemia beer

Instructions

In a small skillet heated over medium, toast the chile, pressing it flat against the skillet with a metal spatula until it … Read more

Tales of the Cocktail 2010 Roundup

Drink of the Week spent last week in New Orleans with mixologists, liquor companies, cocktail writers, and drinking enthusiasts for the ultimate annual cocktail event, Tales of the Cocktail. It was an action-packed time with something for everyone. We’ll be sharing product reviews, recipes, and techniques soon! Here is a roundup of some of our favorite moments:

The first evening we were all welcomed to New Orleans with a London doubledecker ride to Beefeater Gin’s … Read more

St. Patrick’s Day Party Food: Corned Beef Cabbage Rolls

St. Patrick’s Day may be about drinking, but you still have to eat! Here’s a fun way to turn the classic corned beef and cabbage meal into a finger-food appetizer for your Irish festivities this year.

Erin go Bragh!

Ingredients

6 Savoy cabbage leaves
½ cup stone-ground mustard
2 slices dark rye bread
½ lb corned beef

Instructions

Trim off the white core at the bottom. Steam cabbage leaves for no more than 2 minutes. … Read more