Literary Monday – Seasonal Cocktail Companion

Whether you have mastered the DIY cocktail and are looking for your next challenge or need a unique, homemade gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, this book will keep you busy and entertained for months! The Seasonal Cocktail Companion by Seattle bartender and self-described “cocktail nerd” Maggie Savarino is aptly-described as “Arts and Crafts…with booze!”

This is not just another cocktail book. You probably already have half a dozen of those sitting on your shelf. This … Read more

Presidential Cocktails

It’s Presidents Day. Not all of our Commanders in Chief have been drinkers, but many have.  George Washington and Thomas Jefferson even ran distilleries as part of their households. Distilling and brewing were quite common in those days.

Here are cocktails our Commanders in Chief preferred.

Gerald Ford: Gin and Tonic
Herbert Hoover: Martini
Richard Nixon: Rum & Coke
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Scotch or Brandy
Harry Truman: Bourbon
Lyndon Johnson: Scotch and Soda
Warren Harding: … Read more

Spring Training Brew Crew: Grapefruit League

Baseball fans, rejoice! Pitchers and catchers are reporting in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues for spring training and we’re one step closer to baseball’s opening day! To prepare you for the full slate of spring training action that’s on tap for the month of March, it’s time for us to introduce you to some of the best local craft beers in Florida and Arizona! Break those pint glasses out, pour the brew of your choice … Read more

Vieux Carre

Vieux Carre or “Old Square” is how the local French refer to the French Quarter.  Created at the Hotel Monteleone in 1938 by bartender Walter Bergeron, the Vieux Carre has become one of the quintessential New Orleans cocktails.

… Read more

Arehucas Ron Miel Rum Review

Our friends at Copa Spirits recently sent us a bottle of Arehucas Ron Miel Rum, a honey rum from the Canary Islands that they recently introduced to the United States.  Arehucas is the oldest and largest rum distiller in Europe with its founding back in the 1880’s.  But, the history of honey rum or Ron Miel, as its known, goes back even further in the Canary Islands.  For over 300 years, the inhabitants of the … Read more

Quinta de Cabriz Dao Colheita 2008 Selectionada – Wine Wednesday

This week’s selection comes from Portugal.  While we don’t import tons of wine from Portugal in the US and the wines can be challenging to find, in my humble opinion, they are worth the effort.  Portugese wines are generally reasonably priced and I am a fan of the style – somewhere between old world and new world.  The wines typically exhibit ripe red and black fruit redolent of the new world but maintain an earthy … Read more

Visit the Hills of Abruzzo, Italy Without Leaving Home! – Part 2

Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Justin Gallen, an Italian importer and one of his producers, Francesco Cirelli, a winemaker from the eastern Italian region of Abruzzo. This week Cirelli emphasizes the importance of organic and biodiversity farming, a concept he puts into practice back home in Italy.

Drink of the Week (DOTW): What types of wine does Cirelli produce?
Francesco Cirelli (FC): First of all, we are respectful of the … Read more

Guide to Sparkling Wines

For certain events and holidays, like Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, the issue of sparkling wine takes a precedence in your daily life that it doesn’t take on other days.  You may become consumed with what type of sparkling wine to purchase and serve to your loved ones.  I am sure that for many of you, the first thing that comes to mind is Champagne.  I certainly understand why.  It’s the granddaddy of them … Read more

His and Her Cocktails For Valentine’s Day

Are you wondering how to spend your Valentine’s Day tomorrow?  Are you thinking about what to buy your sweetie?  How about His and Her Cocktails?  It’s certainly more romantic than a Snuggie or a Slanket or the ones built for two and costs less than an expensive night on the town. Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving as it’s highly unlikely you are going to down a whole bottle of whisky in one … Read more

The Burgundy

Ingredients:
1.5 oz Canadian Club Classic 12
4 oz ginger ale
Splash of cranberry juice

Directions:
Build cocktail over ice in a rocks glass. Stir.

Courtesy of Bobbly Gleason and Canadian Club Whisky.… Read more