 For a taste of Louisiana, besides gumbo, crawfish, jambalaya, and shrimp creole, bathe your taste buds in spiced rum from Bayou, who have been bottling their rum since 2011.
Bayou Rum is craft distilled from locally grown sugarcane in Lacassine, Louisiana. Their signature ‘sugarhouse’ recipe uses a blend of 100% natural, unrefined Louisiana sugarcane and molasses. Every batch of Bayou Rum is distilled in copper pots and bottled by hand. Hand Crafted, Pot-Distilled, & Naturally Gluten-Free. Bayou Derby (pictured on the left) 1 1/2 ounces of Bayou spiced rum 1 ounce Grapefruit juice a small amount of honey (to taste) Lime garnish
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 On 5 November every year, the effigy of Guy Fawkes is still burned on bonfires across England in recognition of his part in the failed 'Gunpowder Plot' of 1605. Fawkes didn't devise or lead the plot to assassinate James I, so why is he still singled out as one of British history's greatest villains more than 400 years after his death? The term, "A penny for the old guy" is spoken on November 5th when one mentions Guy Fawkes as a way to commemorate his brazen act. GUY FAWKES COCKTAIL recipe by Anthony Caporale. adapted from drinkingmadeeasy.com
 Prior to walking your children from door to door threatening strangers and neighbors alike with the admonition - "TRICK OR TREAT," give yourself a treat at your next Happy Hour. Order a Bucket of Blood, but quickly inform the bartender that you really mean a Bloody Mary (lest he commit some horrible atrocity in the name of service). The Bloody Mary originated (though there is some debate) at Harry's New York Bar in the 1920s by Fernand "Pete" Petoit. The name Bucket of Blood possible came from Chicago's infamous saloon by the same name. Likewise, "Mary" might honor a waitress who worked there...but who knows?
Be creative this Halloween, and serve this spicy drink with fake eyeballs, or any other prosthetic body part. (Recipe is on the picture)  A wise man once wrote, "It's our sameness that brings us together, but it's our differences that keep us together." Who would have thought that an IPA beer (with its stout and hairy chest) and a glass of whiskey (with its notes of cocoa, coffee, and butterscotch) could ever share one mouth? The people at Jameson Whiskey saw the pairing not as a conflict or a challenge, but as an opportunity to bring two contrasting flavors, the bitterness of the IPA and the sweetness of the whiskey, together like an arranged marriage that endures as the differences begin to somehow balance each other out over time. Jameson Caskmates IPA Pairing 1 measure of Jameson Caskmates 1 half pint measure of a hoppy IPA First sip the whiskey, letting the flavors come alive, and then sip the beer.    As Halloween approaches, and we try to offer gifts to our holiday party hosts that fit the theme of the season, bring a bottle of Espolòn Reposado tequila to your next Halloween gathering. Sporting the eerie Day of the Dead art on its label, this fruity and spicy distilled spirit, a gift from the blue agave plant, becomes the backbone of a wealth of enchanting signature cocktails. I tasted the Espoloma (actually three of them!) at the Hotel Chantelle where a party was going on to celebrate the citywide art exhibition by installation artist Ai Weiwei entitled Good Fences Make Good Neighbors. Bold in his political statements, Ai Weiwei is addressing the worldwide migration crisis rather than referencing the repeated line in Robert Frost's Mending Wall. I couldn't help connecting, though, the Mexican tequila, the migration crisis, and the Day of the Dead art that surrounded me. Yet, it all came back to the Espoloma, a refreshing and simple mix of tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and grapefruit soda. For a moment I thought about Ai Weiwei's message, his installations all around the city, and how fortunate I am to be free, to have a home, and the only obstacle I encountered while seeking entry to this event was a fairly conciliatory bouncer at the door checking IDs. Espoloma 2 parts Espolòn Reposado A splash of simple syrup 1 part Lime Juice top with Grapefruit Soda Pinch of Sea Salt     If L. Frank Baum were to belly up to the bar at the Pierre Hotel, he would surely order an Ozmopolitan. Especially if he took advantage of the new and exciting series – Broadway at the Pierre. The first featured show is WICKED, and with a valid ticket stub or receipt, one can enjoy a free, show-themed cocktail with the purchase of one.
Pay no attention to the man (or woman) behind the bar…just close your eyes, tap your shoes three times, and repeat “There’s no place like the Pierre Hotel.” Then sit back and enjoy this wickedly fruity and refreshing cocktail, whose bold flavor and big city presentation assures “you’re not in Kansas anymore.” The Ozmopolitan · Bombay Sapphire 2 oz · Midori Melon 3/4 oz · Dry Vermouth 1/2 oz · Shake and garnish with Thin Lime Wedge & Cherry  Taking its place next to its naughtier cocktail neighbors, namely Sex on the Beach and Screaming Orgasm, is Woodnotes Grill's (at Emerson Spa in the Catskills) "Summer Fling." Yeah, perhaps no eyebrows will be raised at this suggestive cocktail name, more reminiscent of a Frankie Avalon beach scene than some NC-17 fare, but what's in a name anyway? Summer Fling engages the citric spirit of summer with the dark flavors of the woods, and like its namesake, is consumed too quickly, leaving one thirsting for more. Summer Fling 1/2 ounce of lime 1/2 ounce of Cointreau 1 ounce of Giffards pampelmouse 2 ounces of greenalls gin 2 dashes of grapefruit bitters Combine all ingredients over ice in tin. Shake single strain in large rock glass, and garnish with lime wedge (Woodnotes Grill added a green olive to the garnish)
 While kicking back on a beach in Portugal, who wants to think about complex cocktails? Simplicity is as much an ingredient of luxury as is the blue of the Atlantic and the light tan of the clean Portuguese sands. Thus, one requires a simple and refreshing cocktail, popular in Portugal - White port and tonic.
Port wine is produced today on the banks of the Duoro River, and dates back to the 2nd century B.C. when the Romans arrived to conquer the area, as was their motive in the region. Today, any adventurer can relax on the beach, drink the wine with tonic, ice and an orange slice, and feel like a conquering Roman soldier. White Port and tonic Fill a glass with ice Pour I part port wine 2 parts tonic Garnish with a slice of organge - Michael Alpiner To see more about the wonders of Portugal, visit our Instagram page...follow us, too! Enter our Instagram sweepstakes as well.  Whether you're cooling off at home in front of the TV or filling the scrapbook of memory on a rooftop bar in NYC, Jack and Coke is a simple and classy way to end your work week right.
Jack Daniels, named for Jasper Newton Daniel, the company's founder, has just the right taste to smooth out the nerves of a first meeting, intoxicate the soul, and linger on the taste buds of passion. Jack and Coke 1 part Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 3 parts cola (we know what brand) Serve over ice and garnish with a slice of lime  If you're looking for a sweet drink to make Happy Hour just a bit happier, then order a Tootsie Roll. Of course, your bartender will shake his/her head and flash you a confused look (could be he/she can't hear you over the raucous sounds from the crowd), but, nonetheless, ask for the two simple ingredients shown below, and prepare to be catapulted back to childhood. We ate Tootsie Rolls our whole lives without wondering what distinct flavors were being paired to create that unique flavor. Well, it was a delicate mix of chocolate and orange. Now, as adults, we can transform our childhood joys into mature pleasures...well...not too mature I hope. Over ice, combine: 2 ounces of creme de cacoa (dark variety) 2 ounces of orange juice (no pulp) stir gently  |
