Sweet Blog O'Mine

v. 2.0

  • Booze You Can Use: Swap Your Spirits

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    If you're not feeling particularly creative but want to try something a little different, take a basic cocktail and swap out the base spirit. For example, take a Manhattan, replace the whiskey with Scotch (I like a blended Scotch like Famous Grouse, or Black Grouse for a touch of peat), and you've got yourself a Rob Roy. Make an Old Fashioned, but use an aged rum (I like Zacapa, but have several others on hand that will work as well) as your base spirit and you've got a lovely Rum Old Fashioned like the one pictured above.

    Rum Old Fashioned
    1.5 ounces Zacapa 23 rum
    1 scant barspoon simple syrup
    2-3 dashes of bitters (I use either Angostura, Regan's Orange, or Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters, or some combination thereof)

    Stir ingredients in a mixing glass with ice until well chilled, then strain into a rocks glass, preferrably with one large ice cube (try this). Garnish with an orange twist. If you're feeling lazy, just do it all in your rocks glass.

  • Yasuda

    Flukefin
    Roe
    Sushiroll

    Go to Sushi Yasuda, sit at the sushi bar, order the omakase. Thank me later.

  • Booze You Can Use: Manhattan Cocktail Classic Presale!

    Go to your computer RIGHT NOW and get yourself some presale tickets to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic. If you "like" their Facebook page, you'll get the presale code. Otherwise, tickets go on sale at high noon tomorrow. My suggestions? The opening night Gala at the New York Public Library and the British Invasion at the NoMad Roof. I have to miss them both this year, so it's up to you to enjoy them for me.

  • Weekend Wrapup

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    This weekend was a great mix of much-needed downtime, cocktail explorations with Ceci (like the Oaxacan Dream at Viktor & Spoils, pictured above: Vida Mezcal, Pineapple Juice, Cranberry, Lime, Agave.), catching up with friends over brunch, and hanging out in the park with Moxie, enjoying the weather. It was disrupted a bit by additional canine health and safety issues, however, including another trip to the vet for digestive strife (she is now on liquid, chicken-flavored antibiotis) and a minor incident involving a small paw somehow getting tangled in a radio antenna. I am starting to question my dog-parenting abilities. Thankfully she's not a child or I'd be the subject of an ACS investigation by now.

    And on a food note: really enjoyed the nachos topped with cactus at Viktor & Spoils and the fried chicken at Monument Lane, but was heartbroken to learn that the Chicharrones Jacks are no longer on the menu at Booker & Dax.

  • Booze You Can Use: Have an Americano

    Americano

    As you might have read, I'm a fan of the negroni. Sometimes, however, I'm in the mood for something a tad lighter, with less alcohol. The Americano captures many of the same flavors as a negroni, as it shares two of its three key ingredients — Campari and sweet vermouth — but the gin is absent, and instead, it is served on the rocks and topped with a splash of soda.  When I was in Portland for PDX Cocktail Week, I had the pleasure of enjoying several bottled (and therefore pre-carbonated) Americanos at Clyde Common (pictured above). I'm going to try to replicate that this weekend with my iSi Twist & Sparkle.

    Americano
    1 ounce Campari
    1 ounce sweet vermouth
    Club soda

    Pour Campari and vermouth into a rocks glass (or a highball glass; your choice) over ice. Stir, then top with a splash of club soda (to taste) and garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

  • Poof

    "And like that, poof. He's gone."*

    I am not a person who disappears. At least not deliberately. If I don't return a phone call quickly, I'll likely send an email letting you know I got your message and that I'll call when things slow down. If I don't want to talk to you because you've pissed me off in some way, I'll let you know. I won't just disappear.

    I don't understand how someone can communicate with you on a daily basis and then drop off the face of the earth with no explanation, but I am faced with that situation right now. I alternate between being worried, sad, and furious, and I have no idea if it's something I did or said or if this person just doesn't have the emotional strength to communicate with me or anyone right now. No idea. And that's the part that pisses me off the most; I want to know why almost more than I want to get a response to my last email or phone call at this point.

    But overall, I'm sad that I've lost a friend and I'll never know why.

    *A great line from The Usual Suspects

  • Booze You Can Use: Tequila & Cocktails Workshop

    I just returned from a weekend in Mexico to celebrate Lauren & Jorge's wedding. There was certainly no shortage of tequila; in fact, we officially toasted their nuptials with a delicious Clase Azul reposado.  It was the perfect mid-winter getaway.

    If you can't make it to Mexico, take a shorter trip to Lani Kai, where Liquor.com is holding a Tequila and Cocktails workshop this Saturday, March 10th from 2-4 pm. Proprietress Julie Reiner will be joined by Herradura ambassador Mark Drew for an afternoon of tasting, education, and snacks. $50 tickets also include a goodie bag for the road.

  • The Regal Beast

    Regal_Moxie

    It makes my heart hurt to leave my Moxie for the weekend, even though I'll be in sunny, warm Mexico and she'll be in @jeneanchapman's capable and loving care at my place. Reach out to her if you want to give the Mox some extra love while I'm gone!

    I already miss her terribly. 

  • Food You Can Use: Eat Out in March for City Harvest

    As if you really needed an excuse to visit Gramercy Tavern, Maialino, the Modern, the new North End Grill, or any other Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant, for the month of March, if you make a donation to City Harvest on your check, they'll match your donation.  Reservations, anyone?

  • This

    is what I came home to last night. No idea how long she was stuck in it. Needless to say I won’t be leaving her alone with it anymore…
    UPDATE: For the record, she came to the door with it on her head, wagging her tail. I took it off immediately. I took this picture this morning, when she got it stuck again. Also, this is what it is; it’s an interactive toy that “challenges and develops your dog’s intelligence.” Clearly it’s not working that well. She loves the squirrels, though.

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