• A perfect winter moment

    Updated: 2010-01-30 23:35:47
    Go to my Upstate Restaurant Examiner column, my New York Drinks Calendar and my New York Wine Events Calendar.

  • Another underage drinking spot shuttered in Albany

    Updated: 2010-01-30 21:43:58
    Apparently, some people never learn. Despite the recent lesson of the Pearl Restaurant & Lounge being shut down by authorities, the Garage bar in Albany was raided last weekend because, authorities say, it was so overrun with underage patrons — and patrons in general — they were forced to empty the spot and shut it down. The [...]

  • LI Spirits spreading its wings

    Updated: 2010-01-30 20:16:42
    [William M. Dowd photo] Rich Stabile (right) and his cohorts at Long Island Spirits are developing a reputation for never standing pat. In addition to the LiV Vodka that has been getting strong reviews (like this one), the facillity has just started making Sono Rinata, a brandy made from Merlot grapes grown at Peconic Bay Winery. On top [...]

  • Spirits and port for the trade

    Updated: 2010-01-30 19:58:17
    Attention bartenders and restaurant- and club-owners. If you’re looking for a chance to try the latest spirits and ports, “Spirits In the City” will be the place from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, February 8, in Manhattan. The event, for industry professionals only, is set for Liberty Hall in the Ace Hotel, 20 West 29th Street [...]

  • Springbank half-bottle may bring big bucks

    Updated: 2010-01-30 19:43:45
    A half-bottle of one of the world’s rarest whiskies is expected to bring $6,400 to $9,600 at an upcoming auction in Glasgow, Scotland. It’s a 1927 Springbank, distilled by J&A Mitchell and Co. in 1900 and drawn in 1927, It will be among 500 bottles to be auctioned off at the McTear’s Winter Rare Whisky [...]

  • Blood and Sand

    Updated: 2010-01-30 01:33:44
    This prohibition era cocktail was named after the 1922 film Blood and Sand, the story of a young boy who becomes a famous bull fighter staring Rudolph Valentino. It seems like an odd mixture, but it works. What you get is a well balanced drink with a hint of fruitiness and some kick. Top bartender [...]

  • Schumer pushes for NY wine aid on 2 fronts

    Updated: 2010-01-29 21:55:32
    U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY (right), has renewed his call to keep a federal program that protects foreign markets for New York State wines. In addition, he said he has met with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to work on another issue involving Canadians and wine purchases. As I reported back in November, Schumer urged the U.S. [...]

  • Kosher wine-and-food extravaganza in NYC

    Updated: 2010-01-29 20:02:27
    From time to time, I get an inquiry about kosher wine and food events. They’re few and far between in this area. However, if you’re willing to trek down to Manhattan, you can take care of that problem on Monday (February 1). The Royal Wine Corporation of Bayonne, NJ, is hosting a “Kosher Restaurant & Wine Experience” [...]

  • NY craft distillers hitting high notes (Part 2)

    Updated: 2010-01-28 21:44:36
    [William M. Dowd photos] • Second of two parts. (Miss Part 1? Click here.) SARATOGA SPRINGS — New York’s winemakers like to extoll the virtues of the differences in soil and weather that affect the grapes they use to make their wines. New York’s distillers don’t make as much of a distinction. “Marketing our products really depends on [...]

  • Early tickets available for Whiskey Live NY

    Updated: 2010-01-27 18:48:50
    [April L. Dowd photo] NEW YORK — Whisky Live New York 2010 isn’t for more than two months, but tickets have gone on sale. That’s good to know, since the event was close to a sellout last year. The show is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, in Manhattan. That scheduling coincides with Tartan [...]

  • Adirondack Winery welcoming Valentine’s visitors

    Updated: 2010-01-27 18:06:37
    LAKE GEORGE — Figuring out a nice but inexpensive Valentine’s Day gift just got a little easier. Sasha Pardy, president and co-owner of the Adirondack Winery, has set up a free event “for lovers and learners” for Valentine’s Day weekend at the tasting room, 285 Canada Street. Couples will be treated to champagne-style wine and tastings of [...]

  • Mixology Monday - Green Tea Gimlet

    Updated: 2010-01-26 06:53:24
    The theme for this Mixology Monday (hosted by Cocktail Virgin Slut) is tea. Tea cocktails are one of my favorites, so I jumped at the chance to update a classic cocktail with tea. The Green Tea Gimlet is light and slightly sweet while still giving you what you came to a Gimlet for–vodka. And green tea [...]

  • MxMo XLV: Tea - Eglish Cobbler

    Updated: 2010-01-24 20:21:51
    This MxMo (hosted by Frederic & company at Cocktail Virgin Slut has very interesting theme - tea. Tea, as it strikes me, is not widespread ingredients of cocktail. I know a few cocktail with tea but never prepare or taste they. But I like tea and like cocktails and then participate! Actually I am a big [...]

  • WhiskyCast Episode 236: January 23, 2010

    Updated: 2010-01-24 01:22:00
    This time around, I'm on location at the Victoria Whisky Festival in British Columbia, and I'm joined by a panel of whisky experts to ... tags: whisky whiskey Scotch Bourbon Canadian_Club Bruichladdich Victoria from WhiskyCast

  • How to Rim a Cocktail Glass

    Updated: 2010-01-23 18:41:06
    Many cocktails are enhanced with a rim of salt or sugar around the glass. Think of the salt coating a margarita glass. It looks great, and it’s also really easy! Here’s how you do it.  Moisten the rim. For drinks that contain lemon or lime: take a wedge of the citrus with a slot cut into [...]

  • THE AMERICAN WHISKEY TRAIL updated Fri Jan 22 2010 4:19 pm CST

    Updated: 2010-01-22 22:19:29
    The American Whiskey Trail is steeped in our country's history. George Washington, our first president, has ties to the roots of making American whiskey. The Trail runs through 5 states and can be a an exciting road trip or several weekend getaways for the history and travel enthusiast.

  • Pearaschino Bourbon Cocktail

    Updated: 2010-01-22 07:01:15
    Bourbon, pear and cherry … seriously, how can you go wrong with those flavors? Cocktailing alone is not as much fun, so I collaborated with my friend at Savvy Housekeeping on this slightly sweet and sparkling drink for winter made with bourbon, pear syrup and maraschino liqueur. When you see maraschino liqueur in the ingredients, don’t [...]

  • 2010 NASFT Winter Fancy Food Show - San Francisco

    Updated: 2010-01-22 04:36:03
    San Francisco was host to the NASFT Winter Fancy Foods Show this past weekend and WOW!! what a spread. There was miles of cheese, chocolate, oils, dips, coffee, liqueurs, ice cream, sauces, dips, salts (lots of salts) and a ton of other fancy food products from all over the world. My favorite Irish [...]

  • Tuthilltown Whiskey Tasting and Tour

    Updated: 2010-01-21 02:37:13
    We went to Tuthilltown Distillery in Gardiner NY to taste some of their awesome whiskey. NY's first distillery to make whiskey since ... tags: bourbon Movies_and_Television rye whiskey from recent posts - blip.tv (beta)

  • Tuthilltown Whiskey Tasting and Tour

    Updated: 2010-01-21 02:37:13
    We went to Tuthilltown Distillery in Gardiner NY to taste some of their awesome whiskey. NY's first distillery to make whiskey since ... tags: bourbon Movies_and_Television rye whiskey from recent posts - blip.tv (beta)

  • Tuthilltown Whiskey Tasting and Tour

    Updated: 2010-01-21 02:37:13
    We went to Tuthilltown Distillery in Gardiner NY to taste some of their awesome whiskey. NY's first distillery to make whiskey since ... tags: bourbon Movies_and_Television rye whiskey from recent posts - blip.tv (beta)

  • Buffalo Wings

    Updated: 2010-01-20 06:52:37
    Whether it’s game time or just party time, Buffalo wings are a crowd pleaser. They are also pretty simple to make. Here’s a basic recipe that will make ‘em come back for seconds … and maybe thirds! Buffalo Wings 24 chicken wings 1/2 cup butter 1 tbs. Tabasco sauce 1 cup cayenne pepper or Louisiana hot sauce Canola oil Cut the tips [...]

  • Quick Kick

    Updated: 2010-01-15 08:07:57
    The playoffs are in full swing, so why not an easy drink to enjoy during the game. Sure this drink if just a whiskey & cola, but add a lemon slice and use Canadian Club and you have a Quick Kick. Now isn’t that more fun? Quick Kick 1 1/2 parts Canadian Club Whisky 4 [...]

  • Cocktail Party Tip: How to Batch Drinks

    Updated: 2010-01-14 08:30:34
    If you’re having a cocktail party, it is possible to make your drinks ahead of time for a large number of guests. The pros call it “batching,” which really just means making a larger number of drinks all at once to save yourself some time. No matter what kind of cocktail you’re serving, the first step [...]

  • Cornelius Applejack

    Updated: 2010-01-14 02:13:09
    It’s been too long since my last post, but I’ve got something I’m excited about to kick off the new year: Cornelius Applejack.  Anyone who has read a few entries on this blog has no doubt encountered the fact that I am a big fan of American apple brandies and take every opportunity to try [...]

  • Wine Bottle Thermometer

    Updated: 2010-01-13 18:08:56
    There are so many fun gadgets associated with drinking! Here’s a fun one for the wine geeks — a wine bottle thermometer. It has markings for the optimal serving temperature for different varieties of wine. So no more wondering how cold that Gewurtztraminer should be. And, hey, it’s a lot cheaper than buying a special wine fridge [...]

  • Hotel Drake Vesuvius

    Updated: 2010-01-09 22:24:59
    This variation of classic tropic cocktail Planter`s Punch with pompous name was found on my favorite Cocktail DB. Hotel Drake Vesuvius 30 ml gold rum 30 ml Jamaica rum 30 ml fresh lemon juice 45 ml fresh orange juice 15 ml grenadine 1/2 tsp. sugar Shake. Strain in highball glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with fruit and mint sprig. I use my [...]

  • Jim Meehan of PDT Mixing It Up on Jimmy Fallon

    Updated: 2010-01-08 21:15:01
    Jim mixes up Gin & Tonics and his Tea-quila Highball for Jimmy, John Oliver and the Roots.

  • Charlie the Drunk Guinea Pig

    Updated: 2010-01-08 10:05:36
    He's Charlie - the Drunk Guinea Pig! You won't believe what our little furry friend does once he's downed a couple cold ones. Smosh knows ... tags: charlie drunk guinea pig video drinking fight from recent posts tagged britain - blip.tv (beta)

  • Zombie (Trader Vic`s)

    Updated: 2010-01-04 21:28:39
    The source of this interesting version of famous Zombie Cocktail is Bartender’s Guide by Trader Vic, 1947. It contain one of my favorite spirit - Pernod - strong anise flavored liqueur from France. The Zombie is one of my favorite tiki-cocktail. Zombie (Trader Vic`s, 1947) 30 ml dark rum 60 ml Puerto Rican light rum 30 ml [...]

  • Favorite Whisky

    Updated: 2010-01-04 11:52:31
    Swedish Goose posted a new topic: What is everyones favorite Whiskies? I am in love with the Islay Whiskies, lot's of taste, lot's of character. Smoke and peat in abundance, and don't forget the character of the sea. My favorite so far is Lagavullin. I absolutely love the complexity of it. I feel it has three distinctive tastes. One when you let it enter your mouth, one when you swallow and one long after taste. It is a bit expensive though so I normally buy something a bit cheeper. Like my latest purchase, an "The Ileach". Very peaty in taste, very good and much cheeper than Lagavullin. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/45583513@N02/4235133518/]

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