Reading

For this week's posts, I will be changing gears a bit by discussing psychological aspects of the bar as it relates to alcohol service, customer service, and a glimpse behind the scenes of the booming alcohol industry. It is certainly beneficial to be psychologically trained coupled with an extensive knowledge of the bar business, but not necessarily required to understand the basic principles contained in this discussion.

Although the unseasonably warm weather still makes it feel like summer and the desire to drink a cocktail that fits the weather, it is October and the beginning of the Fall, so it is appropriate to feature a Fall-like cocktail for this post. I present to you the "Sparkling Ginger" cocktail, which requires multiple steps to complete, but is so worth it with just the right amount of spice and refreshment for a warm day or evening or a nice, cool, breezy Fall night. It serves as a great before-dinner cocktail with your date. 

Get ready for a double-feature of blog entries today and tomorrow. You should have plenty of reading material and experimentation over the weekend and into next week. I will be thrilled to see comments while I'm away. LOL

Spice Infusions

This feature is going out to my good friend, Jodi, who is a great lady and loyal follower of the site. Being a big fan of Merlot wine, she asked me to write something up on it. Here is my attempt to satisfy her taste buds:

Herb Infusions

Some examples: Rosemary, lemongrass, clove, lavender, hibiscus, basil, mint, tea, coriander, elderflower, thyme, and sage.

Rosemary Infused Gin

Vegetable Infusions

Some examples:  Ginger, chili pepper, serrano pepper, jalapeno pepper, rhubarb, cucumber, carrot, capsicum, and beet

Ginger Infused Vodka

Ginger is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine and cocktails.  It is quite spicy so try not to use too much or it will be overpowering.

Fruit Infusions

Keep in mind that certain fruits are seasonal so they may not be available locally and at certain times of the year. Remember to choose the freshest fruits.

Here is a list of the more common fruits used for infusions and the growing seasons along with the spirits you should use with specific fruits.

Asian Pears = YR (year round), peel/slice small, Gin or Vodka                                               

Blueberries = YR (best Jun-Aug), bruise/infuse, Brandy, Rum, or Tequila

This week I'm going to take a little break from elaborating on drinking personalities and cocktail making and focus on making homemade infusions that anyone can enjoy and make at home with the right equipment, tools, and supplies. This will be the first in a series on infusions and the different types you can make. I will start with the most common and simplest of infusions - fruit infusions next time, but will first discuss what they really are and some common pitfalls and mistakes associated with preparing them.