Cocktails

As the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail took place this past July, it was my 5th journey to one of the world's largest cocktail festivals. Bringing together industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts from around the world, Tales of the Cocktail is made up of hundreds of events including seminars, tastings, Spirited Dinners, cocktail competitions and parties. There are so many things to do and it's impossible to do everything. Even when trying to pick and chose carefully, schedules fill up fast and no matter how hard we try, we still were running from event to event.  Here are the highlights from our 2013 trip. Day 1: The Perfect Respite by Perfect Purée of Napa Valley - What a perfect way to start the day - with Perfect Puree smoothies, hangover helpers, antioxidant nibbles and massages. We were relaxed and at peace, ready to face the day.   Auchentoshan Whisky & Whiskers - From breakfast, we were whisked away on a Pedi Cab to Aidan Gill for Men for an Auchentoshan dram, a cocktail and a hand massage. Going from one massage to another was definitely a treat but the best part were the Auchie Highballs with Auchentoshan Classic, cucumber soda and RX Auchie bitters.
12 August, 2013
Who doesn't love a great Tiki cocktail while sitting on the beach? Or perhaps you have a favorite Tiki bar. But, now you can make the best Tiki drinks at home and enjoy them in your own backyard this summer! P Moss, a Tiki historian who owns Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas and the Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City, recently released his new book LIQUID VACATION: 77 Refreshing Tropical Drinks from Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas.  P Moss and Liquid Vacation  
08 August, 2013
It’s been more than a year since talk began surrounding Chef Michael Cimarusti (of Providence Restaurant) opening a New England clam shack in LA.  Named after his maternal grandparents, Connie and Ted, Chimarusti takes us to the East Coast where he grew up, offering a menu of simple, delicious, familiar seafood dishes. The restaurant is located where the old Silver Spoon used to be in West Hollywood. As you approach the 140-seat restaurant, the large patio, open floorplan and exposed kitchen are bright and inviting.
06 August, 2013
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
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
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
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. Salt AirSalt Air Bar 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
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

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
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