Trends

When the temperatures start dropping and there is a chill in the air, it becomes an appropriate time to sip a nice, warming cocktail, or this case, mulled wine. Mulled wine has been around for centuries in many Old World countries, but hasn't been too prominent in the New World yet. If you ask the average person or even bartender, they won't have a clue as to what it is. It is a traditional holiday beverage that has been warming people for a very long time. Think of mulled wine as the wine drinker's version of the classic hot toddy.

For this week's featured cocktails, I will be introducing the "Tickle Me Pink" for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the "Corpse Reviver" for Halloween (both pictured).

"Tickle Me Pink" is a trendy pink cocktail that I adapted from some other more established pink cocktails that incorporates some newer, contemporary ingredients and is on the sweeter side if that's what you like.

To follow up on my blog post last week titled "Hey Bartender", which was a big hit, here is a discussion on social behavior as it relates to drunkenness with celebrity Mel Gibson as the target. No, I don't have any ill-will toward the Lethal Weapon star, but he is the ideal poster-boy for showing what happens when people drink too much and have certain personality flaws. I have seen it all too often. I'm sure everyone has known someone in their lifetime who will come to mind when reading this. My psychology background helps out tremendously. I look forward to your feedback and comments.

We all know that the month of October brings the Halloween season and the preoccupation with costumes, trick or treat and everything black and orange, but it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month so we must 'think pink' as well. For this month's featured cocktails, I will be offering up a classic ghoulish theme concoction to celebrate Halloween as well as 'pink' cocktails to recognize those survivors and victims of this horrendous disease. For you guys out there, don't be afraid to 'drink pink'. Join the movement and shake up a pink cocktail.

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