cocktail

How to Make a Hot Buttered Rum (video)

In the video above, partners at the Small Screen Network will show
you how to make a hot buttered rum, which is a great cocktail to have on a cold winter day. Robert Hess, host of "The Cocktail Spirit", will show you an easy to follow way to make one, without much advance prep work.

What you will need: a pre-heated coffee cup or mug, a teaspoon of butter, 2 teaspoons of sugar (preferably brown), 5 ounces of hot water, a cinnamon stick, nutmeg, and rum (Mount Gay Extra Old rum is what Hess uses).

For more innovative cocktail recipes, please see the ones offered to us by The Hurricane Club.

Tags: awards-main, cocktail, cocktail recipe, hot buttered rum, hot buttered rum recipe, luxist-awards, Robert Hess, rum, Small Screen Network, video

AGWA de Bolivia Coca Leaf Liqueur

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Looking for something interesting to serve or drink at a cocktail party? Look no further than AGWA de Bolivia, which is considered to be the world's first and only spirit derived from coca leaf. The translucent green liqueur is delicious and needs little else but some fresh lime juice and a couple of ice cubes, if you prefer it chilled (see the gallery below for cocktail recipes featuring AGWA de Bolivia).

AGWA contains guarana, an extract from the seeds of Paullina Cupana (which contains caffeine); ginseng (a stimulant); and approximately 40 grams of coca leaf in every bottle. The effect of drinking AGWA is different than that of other types of alcohol due to the coca leaf. The coca leaf alkaloids work by speeding up the rate of absorption of oxygen into the body's capillary system. It is a natural 'rush' that improves stamina and is similar to the "oxygen buzz" one gets when chewing coca leaves or drinking coca leaf tea at high altitudes in the Andes (as anyone who has visited Machu Picchu or Cusco, Peru can attest). Biting a lime after drinking AGWA activates the alkaloids in the coca.

Gallery: AGWA de Boliva Coca Leaf Liqueur Cocktails

Tags: Agwa, Agwa de Bolivia, Coca leaf, coca leaf liquor, cocktail, cocktail recipes, cocktails

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Hot Holiday Cocktails from Hornitos Tequila

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Video

You may not think of tequila as a traditional holiday tipple, but in fact more of it is consumed over the holidays than at any other time of the year. It certainly fits the bill when you're looking for a party crowd-pleaser, for one thing. Hornitos Premium Tequila, the 100% puro agave tequila from Beam Global Spirits & Wine, named after the small agave ovens which played a central part in the great Don Francisco Javier Sauza's revolution of the tequila industry 50 years ago, has created some unexpected holiday drinks designed to "instigate a night of endless celebratory possibilities" using their acclaimed Plata, Reposado and Anejo expressions. They've also come up with an extra-special concoction for New Year's Eve which will be served at the Official Times Square New Year's Eve Party at the Hard Rock Cafe, while debuting a cool new commercial (above) set to run from December 27th – January 2 tied to the occasion. Read on for recipes and bottoms up.

Hornitos Holiday Smash

1 ½ parts Hornitos™ Añejo Tequila
2 slices fresh pear
1 wedge of fresh lemon
1 half moon slice of orange
½ part simple syrup
3 whole cloves

In a sturdy double Old Fashioned glass muddle the cloves. Add to the glass the orange, lemon, and pear and muddle with simple syrup. Fill glass with ice, add Hornitos and stir. Serves One. [cont'd]

Tags: cocktail, cocktail recipe, cocktails, Holiday 2010, holidays, Hornitos, New Years Eve, Sauza, spirits, tequila

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Piaget Limelight 'True' Cocktail Rings

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

I am not a woman, nor do I wear rings, but I will be the first to admit these are very cool. They are so cool, I think most people will almost forget these are high-end luxury goods. From the Limelight collection by Piaget, these are a new line of cocktail rings that actually look like real cocktail drinks. And I've always wondered why they were called cocktail rings... These rings are very fun and well designed. Piaget did an excellent job replicating the look of popular cocktail drinks in jewelry.

There are six rings in this particular Limelight collection, each has a name of a drink. Seen here is the Piaget Limelight Cocktail Mojito ring. It is in 18k white gold with 182 diamonds (1.52 carats). The "drink" itself is a 24 carat cushion-cut green tourmaline, with a 3 carat citrine stone cut to look like a lime - covered with a white gold and tsavorite "peel.' The "mint leaves" are emeralds. Stunning and so creative!

Other rings in the collection are equally nice and use stones and gold applicable to the look of the drink. In addition the Limelight Cocktail Mojito, there is also the Whiskey on the Rocks, Cosmopolitan, White Tonic, Blue Ocean, and Blueberry Daiquiri. Truly charming - and will not be cheap.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Piaget Limelight Cocktail Rings

Tags: blue ocean, cocktail, cosmopolitan, daiquiri, G34LP200, G34LP300, G34LP400, G34LP500, G34LP700, G34LP800, jewelry, limelight, mojito, piaget, ring, rings, tonic, whiskey

Oak Bar Creates Mel Gibson Cocktail

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

Want a drink that just might be a career-ender? Meet the Mel Gibson. The Plaza Hotels's Oak Bar in the Oak Room, a recent Luxist Awards winner for best hotel bar, has come up with one whopper of a drink. The Mel Gibson is a "bi-polar cocktail" that is a stomach-churning blend of Van Gogh vodka, Bols Genever Gin, Vermouth, club soda, and cocktail onion juice. The drink sells for $19 enough to elicit a rant perhaps from even the most mild-mannered drinker.

[via Black Book]

Tags: cocktail, mel gibson, oak bar, oak room, plaza hotel

Patron Tequila Introduces "The Art of the Drink"

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Inspired by the number of fresh, mixable ingredients available in the warmer months, Patrón, the world's #1 ultra-premium tequila, is inaugurating a new series called The Art of the Drink dedicated to re-thinking the elements that make up the perfect summer cocktail. For the first installment in the new series, Patrón reached out to mixologists and bar chefs across the country to re-imagine the classic margarita and examine the perfect balance of salty and sweet that has made it one of America's favorite cocktails. Kyle Fountaine, the mixologist at Blackbird in Chicago, created the Rubia Bonita (below, left), re-examining the sour element of the margarita with unripe strawberries, and adding cilantro, lime juice and orange bitters to showcase the balanced flavor of Patrón Silver tequila (above, middle).

Tags: Chicago, cocktail, cocktails, margarita, mixology, New York, Patron, Patron tequila, summer cocktails, tequila

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National Drinks on Display in Pyongyang

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

It's been called a contest but seems more like an expo ... either way, it's typical of the ambiguity of communication coming from North Korea. "Crude liquor and sweet drink" – more than 100 types – were on display. These beverages were made with "grain, non-grain and by-products."

Yummy! I can't wait 'til the clock strikes noon and I can have a double-shot of by-products without regret.

The purpose of this event of indeterminate type is to use science to improve the traditional methods for creating these "traditional" drinks, "thus making the dining table of the people more bounteous" (no, you can't make this stuff up). Several years of famine and general consumer goods shortages make this a laudable goal, but one wonders if a trade show will be enough to solve the country's state-sponsored problems.

Though spirits would seem like luxuries in the "workers' paradise," peasants have been able to enjoy the "sour and refreshing crude liquor" when taking breaks from toiling in the field. Depending on the region, the crude liquor is called: thakju, thakbaegi, nongju or nongthak. In Yodok, it's called "nonexistent."

Interested in serving thakju at your next dinner party or cocktail reception? Just ferment boiled rice after "maturing" it with germ barley. Pour, threaten to drown the United States in a sea of fire and enjoy!

Tags: cocktail, cocktail recipes, CocktailRecipes, cocktails, dprk, north korea, north korean, northkorea, northkorean, pyongyang

2009 Tiffany Watch Co. Ltd Brand Watches Underwhelm

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Let me get this straight? For years Tiffany & Co. have been selling watches with their name on it. I don't just mean the watches that they append their name on, but their own watches. Now Tiffany & Co. Ltd. is claiming that they just launched something new with Tiffany Watch Co. Ltd. What about the existing watch brand? This leaves me scratching my head. They can of course claim that under the new Swatch Group ownership, their watch division is "under new management." Maybe that is what they mean. Just to clarify, Swatch now owns the watch making division of Tiffany & Co., not all of Tiffany & Co.

At Baselworld the new line of watches was displayed. There weren't many, and at least one line, the "Atlas watch," retained a name carried over from the existing Tiffany & Co. watch line. The new watches come in quartz and mechanical varieties - each heavy on the use of Roman numerals that Tiffany & Co. is well known for. The watch designs were nice, but not Tiffany & Co. nice. There was no magic appeal or charm, and the timeless look that Tiffany & Co. watches typically have was absent - in my opinion. As of writing, the Tiffany & Co. website is still stocked with their existing line, with no mention of the new watches, but that is to be expected so soon after launch.

While the Swatch Group has the ability to produce beautiful watches, I am concerned that due to their many brands, they will attempt to segment Tiffany Watch Co. into a niche, so as not to compete with its other luxury watch brands. On a plus side, Tiffany & Co. is also known for carrying other watch brands in their stores such as Patek Philippe and Baume & Mercier, so there will still be a nice variety of watches at each retail location.

It is likely that as the Swatch Group becomes more comfortable with the brand, design will improve. For now I feel like the watches don't have enough stylistic staying power to still look good a few years from now as poignant luxury watches. We are seeing a lot of the similar designs in entry level or designer watch brand, and that is simply not what buyers of Tiffany & Co. watches have come to expect.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Tiffany & Co. Watches Basel 2009

Tags: atlas, cocktail, swatch group, SwatchGroup, tiffany co., tiffany co. ltd, TiffanyCo., TiffanyCo.Ltd, timepiece, watch

SUSHISAMBA 7 Shares their Valentine's Day Cocktail Recipes

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits, Events

SUSHISAMBA is a staple restaurant for many New York sushi lovers. Though Japonais normally has my vote for best sushi, SUSHISAMBA 7's Valentine's Day plans look amazing.

SUSHISAMBA 7, at 87 Seventh Avenue South, will be featuring a number of delicious dinner specials, including Maine Lobster Taquitos, Tuna Tataki, Lobster & Palmito Salad, Oysters & Pearls, Pan Seared Foie Gras, Austrialian Wagyu Beef Tataki, Kobe Gyoza, Japanese Style Salt & Pepper Mongo Ika, Broiled Alaska King Crab, Seared Muscovy Duck Breast, and Braised "Bone In" Short Ribs. Yum!

Best of all, they're featuring Naughty and Nice Valentine's Day Cocktails, and we have the recipes. Here you go:

Naughty
3 strawberry halves
1 piece of watermelon rind
Muddled jalapeño peppers
1.5 oz tequila
0.5 oz creme de fraise des bois liqueur
0.5 oz sweet and sour

Muddle fruit and jalapeno peppers in glass until pulverized. Add liquor, shake vigorously and strain. Serve in martini glass and garnish with a pierced strawberry and jalapeno.

Nice
3 strawberry halves
1 piece of watermelon rind
1.5 oz tequila
0.5 oz creme de fraise des bois liqueur
0.5 oz sweet and sour

Muddle fruit in glass until pulverized. Add liquor, shake vigorously and strain. Serve in martini glass and garnish with a pierced strawberry.

You can keep those delicious drinks on the books all year! If you haven't finalized your Valentine's Day plans yet and are in New York, call 212-691-7885 for reservations.

Tags: cocktail, cocktails, drinking, drinks, entertainment-awards, sushi, sushi samba, sushisamba 7, valentine, valentines, valentines day

Too Tired To Shake Your Own Cocktails?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

Has it come to this, do you really need an electric martini shaker? The Waring Pro Electric Martini Shaker/Stirrer delivers your martini shaken, or stirred (Rick at Martini Groove reminds us shaken for vodka drinks, stirred for gin). The martini maker has a 20-oz. brushed stainless steel shaker and a one oz. measuring cap. Personally I enjoy the theatrical aspect of creating drinks and I don't think I'd trust a bartender who used one but this might be a fun gift for the gadget-obsessed. It sells for $99.95.

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Tags: bartending, cocktail, drinks, holidash, holiday gifts, martini, shaker

Courvoisier Exclusif, Cognac For Mixing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Cognac for mixing? That's the pitch behind the new Courvoisier Exclusif a new version of Courvoisier that is designed to be mixed in a cocktail. It is a blend of six to 12-year-old cognacs. The Exclusif will not dilute when served in a cocktail and recommended cocktails include a new version of the cosmopolitan and a champagne cocktail. The Courvoisier Exclusif sells for around $50. The recent launch party in Atlanta included Usher, shown at right. Clearly a move to help introduce the younger crowd to the world of cognac.

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Tags: cocktail, cognac, courvoisier

The $51 Margarita

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits

When you think of environments where you might find an outrageously expensive drink a western theme with beef brisket and bull-riding probably doesn't come to mind. But then all kinds of strange things happen in New York, and the restaurant located in Rockefeller Center called Johnny Utah's is no exception. That expensive drink is a $51 margarita called the Vault, and it's made with Herradura Suprema tequila, grilled lime juice, and agave syrup. Seems pretty simple, but then usually simple is best.

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Tags: alcohol, beverage, beverages, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, johnny utah, johnny utah's, johnny utahs, JohnnyUtah, JohnnyUtah's, JohnnyUtahs, margarita, new york, new york city, NewYork, NewYorkCity, ny, nyc, restaurant, spirits, tequila, vault

Botanist Cocktail Table

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Garden

If you are looking to create a funky outdoor living space, you probably aren't in the market for traditional wood and wicker. Enter the Botanist Cocktail Table, a funky and feminine alternative to your standard outdoor table. Made from industrial grade aluminum, the piece is powder-coated and outdoor ready. The botanical graphics are cut from the metal using a water jet process which leaves the edges smooth. Available in five finishes, including a beautiful blue, the tables are lightweight, yet tough enough to withstand the elements. If you like the look and want to bring it inside, the table is also available in a wood veneer. $1920 as shown.

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Tags: aluminum table, AluminumTable, botanist cocktail table, BotanistCocktailTable, Brandon Lynne, BrandonLynne, cocktail, Dario Antonioni, DarioAntonioni, funky furniture, FunkyFurniture, garden furniture, GardenFurniture, modern decor, ModernDecor, outdoor furniture, outdoor table, OutdoorFurniture, OutdoorTable, table

The Billionaire's Cocktail

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

First off, it's not a cocktail that costs a billion dollars (although I'm sure there's one out there, somewhere...) but instead a cocktail designed for a billionaire. That would be an intimidating job I think, to create a drink especially for a specific, very rich, person. Calvin Ayre, billionaire founder of Bodog.com is that person, and The Liquid Muse is the creator of his signature drink, Billion-Ayre's Bet.

Based on his choice spirit Bombay Sapphire, the drink also includes grapefruit juice, Campari, lime, and champagne. See the complete recipe here, and think: what would your signature cocktail be?

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Tags: billionaire, bombay sapphire, BombaySapphire, cocktail, drink, drinks, entertainment-awards, rich, signature, spirits, wealthy

Ethel's Chocolate Cocktail Lounge Collection

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

If you haven't heard yet, gourmet chocolateir Ethel M has undergone a face-lift and revamped their entire chocolate line. Now called Ethel's Chocolate Lounge, the long-time favorite of visitors to Las Vegas, where the company was based, is offering an trendier take on chocolate to their customers. The Cocktail Collection is one of the new assortments. It includes flavors like Mojito, Margarita and Chocolapolitan, with real rum, brandy, champagne and other liquors used to make them. Each one is decorated with a tiny graphic representing the cocktail within. Price: $27 for 24 pieces.

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Tags: chocolate, cocktail