Advice

Let's face it - it is difficult to construct 'green' cocktails for St. Patty's Day...There aren't a lot of choices out there to make your cocktail look 'green', but what is St. Patty's Day without sipping a luxurious and delicious 'green' cocktail...March is the gateway to spring cocktails so why not incorporate some 'spring' flavors with 'end of the winter' flavors...This a purely a seasonal cocktail-based post so don't expect to read much commentary on the history of St. Patty's Day and all the highly commercialized info that is available on the web.

I recently did a country western-themed cocktail party at a private residence, which included an unofficial bourbon tasting for newbies and more experienced bourbon drinkers and signature bourbon cocktail called “The Wrangler” (recipe below). It was a fun time. This post is dedicated to my good friend and client, Alan Weinstein. The offerings were spread out across the spectrum of bourbon choices, i.e. small batch, single barrel, straight, reserve, high wheat, high rye, and traditional mash.

What is Absinthe?

In time for "National Absinthe Day" on March 5th...The term “absinthe” comes from Artemisia absinthium, the scientific name for its key ingredient, wormwood. Long before distillers discovered it, the herb was used for medicinal purposes.

Celebrate with a classic Black Russian or White Russian or Screaming Orgasm or in a modern-day cocktail...

Toast that distinctively coffee-and-sugarcane laced liqueur from the Veracruz state of Mexico this February 27th. That’s National Kahlua Day.

For nearly 80 years consumers the world over have been enjoying the deliciousness that is Kahlua. Today, with international sales reaching two million cases per year, Kahlua is a popular choice for cocktails, in recipes both sweet and savory or in coffee. Its name is derived from the Arabic slang for coffee, kahwa.

In celebrating “National Margarita Day” on February 22^nd, I give you a fully loaded post with info and recipes galore.

February 17th marks the beginning of Mardi Gras 2015 in New Orleans. New Orleans has a rich cocktail history, one that includes many of the famous classic cocktails of all time created by the best bartenders that have ever lived. The tradition of this significant lineage lives on in many of the city's bars and lounges and there is no shortage of fantastic sips when you visit NOLA.  New Orleans is also home to the Museum of the American Cocktail and host to the annual Tales of the Cocktail event.

First cocktail of the week dedicated to V-Day is called "Forbidden Love"...Here is my twist on the recipe -

2 oz. Hendricks gin or Bloom Strawberry Gin
1/2 oz Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
3/4 oz. blood orange juice (freshly squeezed or bought)
1/4 oz simple syrup (equal parts sugar to water boiled)
2 strawberries (sliced, remove stem)
4 slices of English hothouse cucumber (keep peel on)

I have been very busy lately putting together specialty cocktail menus for clients. We now have over 25 events for 2015 and 4 more events already booked for 2016. My cocktail menus have been a real difference maker for clients wishing to have something extra, special, and unique for themselves and their guests. Below you will find a collection of cocktails with recipes that we are serving right now for the winter and early spring months. This is the time of year when darker spirits are in vogue and can make some really good cocktails.

http://liquor.com/video/boulevardier-cocktail/

Hot Buttered Rum is a favorite winter drink because it is both sweet and warm, which is just the kind of comfort we gravitate toward on the coldest days of the year. It is celebrated nationally on January 17th. It is an easy drink to make (main recipe below), though does take a little bit of time. This is where making the Hot Buttered Rum Mix ahead of time comes in handy.