CocktailsFact or Fiction, The Legend of The Black Mask Lives!
As the story goes, in 1891 Explorer Sir Henry Rhumsfeld was shown a book revealing stories written by “the Medicine Man” along with a map of the undiscovered Pacific...
29 July, 2013
Sunny San Diego Cocktail Bar Tour
Although San Diego is most commonly known for its miles of beaches, beautiful properties and surf perfect waves, this sunny city has more to offer than just good weather. Being the second largest city in California, San Diego is a frequent tourist destination. With 70 miles of coastline and a range of activities, this city offers something for almost everyone. Whether you’re visiting for the day or making a weekend trip out of it, this relaxing So-Cal sensation is the perfect spot to cool down and enjoy a cocktail. With that being said, I’ve put together some of my favorite bar spots where you can try out a refreshing cocktail or sip on some wine. First Stop: Craft and Commerce
26 July, 2013
Cruising with Diageo World Class at Tales of the Cocktail 2013
Every year the United States Bartenders’ Guild and DIAGEO host the yearlong cocktail education program World Class U.S. Over the past 5 years, more than 11,000 bartenders from 50 countries have participated. And each year one bartender is named the "DIAGEO Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year." At Tales of the Cocktail this year, Diageo World Class U.S. took us on a cocktail journey through the Mediterranean. Concoctions were mixed up by World Class finalists and their bartender mentors. As this year’s global final took place along the French Riviera, each room featured cocktails from a different tropical local: South Pacific, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean/East China Sea, Caribbean and Mexico/Central America. With 33 bartenders, there were 33 cocktails to taste......so the journey began. We started in the back of the book and worked our way from room to room, tasting each cocktail and collecting stamps along the way.
23 July, 2013
Owl’s Brew Lightens Up Summer Cocktails
It’s finally summer - the perfect time for a refreshing twist on your favorite cocktail blends. Tea enthusiasts turned cocktail extraordinaires are launching their newest brew, featuring cocktail mixers infused with tea blends - perfect for custom crafted cocktails that won’t weigh you down. Teaologists Maria Littlefield and Jennie Ripps specialize in developing delicious tea blends with flavor profiles made to compliment the essence of your favorite alcoholic beverages. After feeling frustration with traditional options for cocktail mixes (and the added sugars), this duo set out to create unique tea blends that would complement flavor profiles found in other alcohols, while still giving our palates something light and fresh to sip on. Owl’s Brew’s unique, all-natural loose leaf blends can be used in a variety of recipes, using vodka, rum and tequila. For example, the Captain Palmer is a dark and delicious tea base that can be paired with rum, whiskey and bourbon
18 July, 2013
Breathe It In At Salt Air Venice
Restaurateur David Reiss (Littlefork, Sunny Spot, A-Frame) has opened another hot-spot....a New England seafood shack in Venice Beach....Salt Air. Located on Abbot Kinney, Salt Air is a bright, open beach-y bistro with white brick walls and a glass-enclosed open kitchen.
On the cocktail side, Brian Butler (A-Frame, Sunny Spot) has created a wine and beer based cocktail list. I selected the High Ball made with cardamaro, lime, house ginger beer and forbidden bitters which was spicy and refreshing.
15 July, 2013
From Traditional to Today: The Bars of New Orleans
French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Pat O’Briens, Hurricanes, beads, slushies, all night debauchery….these are probably some of the first things that come to mind when thinking about New Orleans. Visiting New Orleans, it is impossible not to find a place to drink. But New Orleans has also entered the cocktail renaissance that has spread around the country. New Orleans is home to many traditional cocktails that can be found in some of the more historical bars in the city. And new bars have been opening at a rapid pace that offer a modern take on classic cocktails, using fresh ingredients and enjoying the art of the cocktail. From classics to originals, there are many places to get a great drink! Many people think that cocktails were invented in New Orleans. While this isn’t true (the name “cocktail” first appeared in an upstate New York newspaper in 1806), there are a few drinks that New Orleans can proudly take ownership of, such as the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz, and a few French Quarter bars worth visiting both for their history and for their “featured” drink.
11 July, 2013
Sparking Tequila? TeQava is the Answer
Sparkling tequila? Yes!! Launched in January 2013, TeQava is the newest product in the tequila category. It is a natural sparkling tequila cocktail. TeQava is...
11 June, 2013
Aviation American Gin Says “Show Us Your Cocktail Art” in a Facebook Photo Contest
From Wednesday, May 22 – Wednesday, July 3, Aviation American Gin is asking fans to upload your best cocktail photos to the Aviation American Gin Facebook page. Enter for a chance to win the ultimate cocktail-lover’s getaway grand prize, including an all-expenses paid trip to Portland, tour and tasting at renowned House Spirits Distillery, bartending classes and more!
Here's what you have to do:- Step 1: Become a fan of Aviation Gin on Facebook
- Step 2: Upload your photo according to each week's cocktail art theme via Facebook
- Step 3: Share your entry with friends and check back often to see if you've won!
06 June, 2013
Vegan Food and Cocktails? Try It at Crossroads
When I was invited to check out the new restaurant Crossroads, in the old Philippe space on Melrose, I was told two things. First, Beverage Director Jeremy Lake is doing the cocktails (Jeremy worked at Rivera and Playa previously and I was excited to check out his new place). Second, it's a vegan restaurant.
I love my vegetables but I especially love cheese, butter, ice cream.....and of course, meat. So naturally I was a bit hesitant about going out to dinner at a vegan restaurant. Would I be satisfied with the flavors? Well, as a proud omnivore, I must say, if I hadn't been told, I would never have known that Crossroads was a vegan restaurant. The cocktails were excellent as was the food (and very satisfying).
18 May, 2013
Southern Cooking at Willie Jane on Abbot Kinney
Govind Armstrong has come to the west side and brought traditional Southern Country cuisine. I first met Govind when I began working in the wine and spirits industry over a decade ago when he owned Table 8 on Melrose Ave. Over the years I would ask him when he would open something on the West Side of LA and he would tease me that he was looking into it but couldn't tell me where or when. And now it is time!
15 May, 2013