In 2007 the U.S. Senate created National Bourbon Heritage Month. To be observed each September, the event celbrates Bourbon as America’s Native Spirit.
To Kick off the month, the folk at Wild Turkey Bourbon sent us their version of the classic Manhattan.
Wild Turkey Bourbon Manhattan
1 parts Wild Turkey 101
1 1/2 parts sweet vermouth
1 dash bitters
Stir well with cracked ice and strain into a Manhattan or chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Building on the success of his restaurant at the St. Francis Hotel, Michael Mina has converted a former jewelry store into a bar worthy of a scene out of Mad Men.
The Bar was designed in “neo-mod” style, reminiscent of cocktail lounges 50 years ago. I was impressed by the extensive cocktail menu, fresh ingredients and attention to detail. Hat’s off to the friendly staff and amazing cocktails.
This cocktail is a shout out to the Hotel and a revival of one of the original Martinis. From the menu:
“The history of the Martini is shrouded in mystery. But most agree that San Francisco was its birthplace. One story credits a bartender at the St. Francis with the olive garnish. This was first know as the St. Francis Cocktail.”
St. Francis Cocktail
Junipero Gin
Dry Vermouth
Orange Bitters
Stir 2 - 3 oz of Gin with a dash each of Vermouth and Orange Bitters in a mixing glass over ice. Strain into a chilled Cocktail Glass.
Garnish with mixed olives.
Brunch is a time honored tradition and a must for summer weekends. Who are we to thank this laid-back bonus meal that defies the rules established by the traditional three-times-daily meal plan?
Some claim brunch emerged as a leisurely privilege for wealthy Brits during the turn of the 19th/20th century and point to Guy Beringer’s 1895 essay “Brunch: A Plea,” in which he argued, “by eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday-night carousers.” Others link brunch’s success in the US to the similarly timed introduction of Eggs Benedict in Manhattan.
Brunch is now a favorite meal that pairs well with a variety of occasions that include Mother’s Day celebrations, weddings, baby showers, birthdays and romantic weekend getaways. Summer, the season of extended vacations, trips to the beach and sunshine-filled days, offers the ideal months for this supplemental sit-down.
Windows Mobile is going to help us chronicle our many travels to bars and events around the globe with their mobile and mapping technology. To kick this off and it being cold every except Florida and Hawaii these days, what would be more perfect than to visit Hemingway hangout in sunny, warm Key West institution Sloppy Joe’s Bar.
Located at Greene & Duval Streets in the heart of Key West, Sloppy Joe’s has been delighting local and tourists since December 5th, 1933 the very day they repealed prohibition. As for Hemingway, his house was just down the street.
“Hemingway and his “Mob” of cohorts were enthusiastic regular customers. In fact, the author once called himself a co-owner or silent partner in the enterprise. The “Mob” was comprised of some of the literary lights of the day as well as a variety of famous and infamous local residents”
Make sure visit Sloppy Joe’s nest time you find yourself in Key West and hoist one for Papa!
If your stuck at home you can still enjoy the fun with their series of webcams focused on the stage, bar and Duval Street.
Q:A Reader Ask’s, What’s the deal with Mardi Gras?
A: Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the final day of Carnival, but incorrectly Mardi Gras has come to include the weeks proceeding Fat Tuesday as well. The most famous US Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans with many others held around Louisiana, the Gulf States, Europe and Latin America with huge celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Venice, Italy.
The New Orleans celebration date from the early 1700’s when the city as the capital of French North America. Skirting the law for many years, Mardi Gras was made a state holiday by Louisiana in 1875. Each year since organizations known as “Krewes” put on parades through the streets of New Orleans in the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. Each parade is unique an one of those “one in lifetime experiences”. If you haven’t been to the French Quarter in February, put it on the calendar.
Great article from Natalie Angier of the New York Times that discuses some of the scientific and sociological reasons for human-kinds love of alcohol.
Every human culture recorded has fermented some sort of beer, wine or spirit. According to Angier, even the first chocolate drinks were fermented. Thus, giving a new meaning to “chocoholic”.
Back in the day sanitation wasn’t always so good, so people used booze to kill bacteria. It seems that those who chose to drink tended to live longer than their teetotaling brethren. This passed the proclivity to drink from generation to generation and here we are, at least in moderation.
Now that Absinthe is once again legal here in the US (and much if Europe), DOTW reader Katha felt we should be featuring a few cocktails to make with old green fairy.
Add
A Drink
Building on the success of his restaurant at the St. Francis Hotel, Michael Mina has converted a former jewelry store into a bar worthy of a scene out of Mad Men. 
Brunch is a time honored tradition and a must for summer weekends. Who are we to thank this laid-back bonus meal that defies the rules established by the traditional three-times-daily meal plan? 
Windows Mobile is going to help us chronicle our many travels to bars and events around the globe with their mobile and mapping technology. To kick this off and it being cold every except Florida and Hawaii these days, what would be more perfect than to visit Hemingway hangout in sunny, warm Key West institution Sloppy Joe’s Bar. 
Q:A Reader Ask’s, What’s the deal with Mardi Gras?
Now that Absinthe is once again legal here in the US (and much if Europe), DOTW reader Katha felt we should be featuring a few cocktails to make with old green fairy. 
