Wanted to share my latest pieces with y'all. First, for the budget-conscious tippler, 10 Cocktails for $10 or less in Time Out NY. Many thanks to all who came along for tasting adventures, including Rocky, Hal, Jen, Karen, Josh, Jeramy, Colin, Jen, and Matt. Next, my recap of the MCC's Don Q 80's Bash on CitYSip. Many thanks to Kim for coming along for the ride. Totally rad. Enjoy!
Tag: cocktails
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Booze You Can Use: Booze on a Budget & DonQ 80’s Bash Recap
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MCC Time!
It's finally here — tonight is the kickoff of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic! Here's where I'll be this weekend:Tonight
The Gala at the New York Public LibrarySaturday
Stories from Behind the Bar: Painkiller
The Cocktail Club: Don Q 80's BashSunday
The British Invasion at Eleven Madison ParkMonday
Death's Door Pig Roast at HearthIn between, you'll likely find me at the official MCC Bar at Astor Center, home writing or napping, and maybe even sneaking in a run or bike ride if weather and other conditions permit. I'll also probably sneak in a few more seminars/parties/whatnot. Follow me on Twitter at @sweetblogomine for last minute updates!
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Booze You Can Use: Manhattan Cocktail Classic THIS WEEK!
If you're not giddy with anticipation about the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, you should be. Although many events are sold out, here are my picks for those with tickets still available.
- the Gala – not to be missed. Period. Party at the New York Public Library.
- Stories from Behind the Bar: Huckleberry Bar – yes, you have to travel to Brooklyn, but I promise it's worth it. The team behind Huckleberry has a great place, excellent food and drink, and a garden to boot!
- History: What is it Good For? – David Wondrich. Need I say more?
- Spirits in a Blind, or How Spirits Professionals Describe Spirits with Something other than "I like it." – perfect for all of us cocktail writers out there.
- Lustau! Not Your Grandmothers Sherry! – Do not fear the Sherry. At Terroir, so even better.
Check the ticket page for more events, and I'll see you at MCC!
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Booze You Can Use: CitySip
FYI: you can find some of my most recent cocktail writing over on CitySip:
- French Spirits Soiree | citYsip.com
- Ooh La La: The Sippin’ 5 Date Bars in NYC | citYsip.com
- Hush Hush: The Sippin’ 5 Speakeasies in NYC | citYsip.com
Enjoy!!
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Booze You Can Use: The Anvil 100 List
I just came across this list from Dirty Kitchen Adventures of Anvil's 100 Classic Cocktails You Must Try, or "The List." Sounds like a good summer project — on top of triathlon training, of course! It's all about balance. Pictured above: a Sazerac in its natural habitat. -
Booze You Can Use: Women’s History Month
International Women's Day was on March 8th, and as part of the 100th Anniversary of IWD, the lovely ladies of LUPEC NYC (the NYC Chapter of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) teamed up with Compass Box Whisky, Bespoke Chocolates, and Murray's Cheese for Women & Whisky Unite — a wonderful seminar and tasting at Astor Center. Proceeds from the event benefitted Bottomless Closet. This gorgeous drink you see above was created by Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room. As she tells us, this cocktail was "[i]nspired by feminist, journalist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem, who became nationally recognized as a leader of the US women's liberation movement in the late 1960's and 1970's. Steinem also co-founded Ms. Magazine, hence the cocktail's name.
Mr. & Ms.
Dash Angostura Bitters
1/2 oz lime
3/4 oz ginger syrup
1/2 oz Cherry Heering
1 1/2 oz Spice TreeShake, strain into Collins glass, top with soda. Lime wheel, cherry garnish.
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Double Bridge Weekend
This weekend's theme was restoration. Friday night @cocktailspirit and I went to a yoga class, which was exactly what I needed after my busy week. After a quick dinner, I spent some quality time on my couch catching up on my DVR. Saturday I slept later than I thought was humanly possible, then met Bill for dim sum at Red Egg. Afterwards, we wandered around Chinatown and the Lower East Side, then decided to continue over the Williamsburg bridge. Once we got to the other side, we rewarded ourselves with a tipple or two at Dram. On a side note, Dram's new food menu looks great. Have to return at some point when I'm hungry.
Sunday began with laziness and the NYT, then I headed to Maharlika for brunch with @selenawrites and @libationdiaries to support our friends Enzo & Noel, who are involved in this great pop-up Filipino brunch spot. The gorgeousness you see above is the Eggs Benigno: lola mahal's home-style pandesal, thinly sliced housemade spam, calamansi hollandaise and kamote fries (more brunch photos here). Selena and I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and walk off brunch by walking downtown and over the Brooklyn Bridge. Afterwards, I went home, did some writing, and watched the Oscars, which were only bearable thanks to Twitter and a Vieux Carré. Oy.
All in all, a lovely, relaxing weekend.
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Sweet Blog o’ Mine Holiday Gift Guide!
I've already done my holiday shopping, but if you're looking for some ideas, here's a list of books, food, and drinks that have crossed my path this year that would be suitable for any bon vivant in your life.
Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl – this definitive book by cocktail historian David Wondrich details the history of punch and includes recipes that will keep you and your friends full of cheer at any party.
Left Coast Libations — this book from our friends on the West coast contains 100 delicious looking cocktail recipes and drink porn galore.
Salt to Taste – although technically this crossed my path last year, I've turned to it repeatedly since then for cooking guidance from Hearth's Marco Canora.
Class at Pizza a Casa — Mark Bello will teach you how to make kick-ass pizza (and now pasta, too), at home. That said, even if you don't take up pizza making in your spare time, going to Mark's class is worth it just to share in his passion and enthusiasm. Plus, there's lots of pizza!
Karlsson's Gold Vodka — For all those vodka naysayers out there who whine about vodka having no flavor, you may want to check out this potato vodka. I had the opportunity to go to a tasting where the Karlsson's team had us taste several of their vodkas, each made with a different type of potato, which had a huge impact on the flavor profile of each. Karlsson's Gold is lovely on the rocks with a hit of freshly ground black pepper.
Flying Pigs Farm — This may seem like an odd gift, but every time I try a new product from Flying Pigs Farm I am less likely to buy my pork from anyone else. Chorizo, bacon, pork rillettes, chicharrones, Canadian Bacon — pick some up at the Union Square Greenmarket and get cooking.
Beefeater Winter — Beefeater's latest limited seasonal launch has notes of orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and pine, making it ideal for winter cocktails. I used it in a negroni last week and it married beautifully with the Campari and sweet vermouth.
Cut Brooklyn — Want a gift that will last a lifetime? Check out these beauties. Hand crafted knives made from all-American materials by artisan Joel Bukiewicz.
Firelit Coffee Liqueur — Made with Blue Bottle Coffee, this small-batch liqueur from California was handed to me with a warning about its caffeine level and raves about its deep coffee flavor. Since I just got it last night, I haven't tasted it yet, but I'm pretty excited to try it. Maybe tonight — hoping it doesn't keep me up!
Bacon Marmalade — run, do not walk, to Whisk to buy this addictive condiment. You'll mix it into eggs, slather it on a grilled cheese, or maybe just eat it with a spoon to savor its smoky, sweet and tangy goodness.

