The Slow Food Nation Conference in San Francisco recently and spirits were nicely represented. The slow food movement is a reaction to fast food that champions sustainable, local ingredients. The showing was a nice change for distilleries, who have not been the most eco-friendly. On hand were several Bay Area producers including Square One Vodka, Anchor, George Spirits, and No 209 Gin.
A nice take away? Even large commercial distilleries are adopting sustainable processes. For example, Maker’s Mark recently started using anaerobic digestion to turn waste into a bio-fuel.
It’s convention season! That special time that occurs every 4 years, where the nations political parties get together and confirm their nominations for President.
To celebrate, the ever patriotic folks at SKYY Vodka & Cabo Wabo Tequila, created two cocktails for the occasion and rest of the election season. One red, and one blue. No mixing!
Barack’s Rocks
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
1 oz. Blue Curacao
1/2. Squeezed lime
3 oz. Sprite or 7up
Shake all ingredients in a shaker and pour into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice and garnish with a slice of pear.
McCain Straight Up
2 oz. Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila
1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
6 Fresh Pomegranate Seeds & Juice
1 oz. Fresh Passion Fruit mix
1 Edible Petal, garnish
Muddle pomegranate in base of shaker. Add other ingredients; shake with ice and fine strain into chilled glass.
This is by no means an endorsement of either candidate. We do, however, endorse responsible drinking!
From Apartment Theray’s Kitchn comes Five intriguing Cocktails Names. the article goes into deatil on the orins of each. Here’s the list. We’ve also linked to the recipe for each.
Who knew there was a whole day devoted to one of the greatest Popsicle ever, the Creamsicle. What a great idea, I enjoyed these so much as a child and occasionally as an adult.
Yum, they are awesome!
Of course, we have a version that comes in a cocktail glass.
Every four years the world gathers for the Olympic Games. In a few short days the Games begin in Beijing, China. To celebrate the folks at Castle Brands created cocktails made with ingredients from the 4 corners if the World. Italian Limoncello, American Bourbon, Irish Whiskey and Bermudian Rum anchor this international cocktail relay. Have a favorite cocktail with and Olympic twist? We want to hear about it. Add your drink to the competition.
Bermuda Torch
1 oz. Gosling’s Gold Rum
½ oz. Amaretto
3 oz. pineapple juice
Splash of grenadine
Build ingredients in a tall glass with ice.
American Relay
3 ½ oz. Jefferson’s Bourbon
1 ½ oz. Pallini Peachcello
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass.
Italian Double Gold
1 oz. Pallini Limoncello
1 ½ oz. Alize Gold Passion
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. cranberry juice
Shake ingredients and serve on the rocks.
Irish Triathlon
1 oz. Boru Vodka
1 oz. Celtic Crossing
1 oz. Brady’s Irish Cream
Shake ingredients and serve over ice in a rocks glass.
“In reference to Vodka you stated “you get what you pay for”. Not true. Vodka is a neutral spirit because it is distilled at such a high temperature. It has no natural flavor or odor. So, when buying Vodka you should always buy the cheapest brand as long as it is the same proof as other brands.”
Sure, Karl, it is true that vodka is a neutral spirit devoid of flavor. However, just like anything, refinement makes for a better product. Typically, cheap spirits are single distilled, which is the quickest and cheapest way to get your product out the door. More expensive brands, double, triple even quadruple distill their product. This multiple distillation process removes impurities at every pass. These premium vodkas are then filtered with charcoal or other means. Premium vodkas are also made of quality ingredients such as potatoes or wheat while cheap brands are made with corn, sorghum and other cheap starches. Of course, all this costs more to produce, as does the packaging and marketing.
The Slow Food Nation Conference in San Francisco recently and spirits were nicely represented. The slow food movement is a reaction to fast food that champions sustainable, local ingredients. The showing was a nice change for distilleries, who have not been the most eco-friendly. On hand were several Bay Area producers including Square One Vodka, Anchor, George Spirits, and No 209 Gin. 
The NFL and College Football are back in full swing. Here’s a few cocktails to celebrate. 
Barack’s Rocks
From Apartment Theray’s Kitchn comes Five intriguing Cocktails Names. the article goes into deatil on the orins of each. Here’s the list. We’ve also linked to the recipe for each.
Reader Karl writes in about vodka quality: