Archive for the ‘Mixologist’ Category

With Halloween just around the corner, why not give your guests something to howl about?  We’ve found the perfect thing to spice up your Halloween party and have your guest talking for days after.  It’s the Frightful Freeze Ice Trays!

Add a gnash of Transylvanian teeth to your next Bloody Mary with the fangtastic Frightful Freeze Ice Tray or chill your favorite drinks – cold to the bone with the Skull and Crossbones Ice Cube Tray.

Easy to use, just fill with water or fruit juice and put them in the freezer for a bit. Then, pop them out to create an icy array of terrifying refreshment chillers. Flexible and almost indestructible, these food-grade silicone ice trays are simply immortal…in that they can be used over and over again. For extra fun, try Jell-O!

These Frightful Freeze Ice Trays are sure to keep you guests in a ghoulish spirit!  They are also great for any kids parties that you may be having…  And at only $6.49 each, you can’t go wrong in treating yourself to this great little find, or give it as a gift to someone else as it’s the gift that keeps on giving as you can use it for years to come.  For more information, please log onto: www.HomeWetBar.com.

We have two of these for the taking…  If you would like to sample one of these neat ice trays, simply fill out this entry form for your chance to win.

Good luck!

Maureen

American Grana Delicious with Rich Red Wine and Dark Sipping Rum

Grana Padano is a cow’s milk cheese primarily made in northern Italy.   To me, Grana is a sweeter, less salty relative of Parmesan. Grana is one of those sleeper cheeses many cheese lovers pass by when shopping for cheese.  But not me.   I discovered a USA-made Grana called American Grana.   It’s a hard cheese with a highly fragrant nose.   The nutty richness of the quality cow’s milk will make your mouth want more.    American Grana can travel from eating a chunk on its own to a being a headliner on your antipasti plate…or, with dark sipping rum for a different and delicious dessert.

Many fine restaurants also grate American Grana as a recipe enhancer or piled on pasta.    I love to shave it in thin ribbons and lay them on a selection of charcuterie…more

I am not a whiskey drinker, so I don’t confess to be too knowledgeable of whiskeys.  I spent the afternoon with a whiskey expert and Glenfiddich Ambassador who introduced me to a limited edition. Glenfiddich is unique because it is ‘doubled matured’ in two different casks – traditional oak and Sherry.  The taste of Glenfiddich Malt Master’s Edition is of zingy sherbet, which slowly turns to spicy and tempting flavours of plum and cherry with hints of toasted almonds and wedding cake.  With that being said the taste experience was lively and vivid. On the nose it’s damp earth and whisky-soaked wood intermingle with deep vanilla and smoky embers.

For you true hearted whiskey drinkers take note the release will be limited to only 18,000 bottles in the United States and will be available nationwide this September 2012.  I understand the bottle will be about $80.00 per bottle.

Have fun with it; glasses up!

Kenneth

Did you know that today is National Lemonade Day?  Well let’s celebrate with a lemonade cocktail!  Below is a quick and easy recipe perfect for the adult version of this occasion to share and enjoy with friends. 

Enjoy!

Viktoria

Avión Lemonada

Ingredients:

2 parts Tequila Avión® Silver

4 parts Fresh Lemon Juice

½ part Agave Nectar

1 Lemon Wheel for Garnish

Directions:

Add 2 parts Avión Silver, 4 parts Fresh Lemon Juice and ½ part Agave Nectar into a shaker with ice. Strain the cocktail over a tall glass of ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy!

Cruzan Rum’s Mixologist Jesse Card, straight from the island of St. Croix, has created specialty cocktails to help you celebrate this ”holiday” properly!  These cocktails are perfect to enjoy while kicking back, relaxing and embracing the “Don’t Hurry” that the Cruzan rum tribe embodies.  Enjoy these favorites by Jesse below…

CRUZAN® ”DON’T HURRY” CANE

Ingredients:

1 part Cruzan® Vanilla Rum

2 parts Cruzan® Aged Light Rum

1 tsp Sugar

3 Lime Wedges

Method:

Combine 2 of the lime wedges, sugar & Cruzan Vanilla Rum in a tumbler and lightly muddle for ten seconds. Add Cruzan Aged Light Rum and a scoop of ice and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Hurricane glass and garnish with the final lime wedge.

CRUZAN® TAKE 9

Ingredients:

1 1/2 parts Cruzan® 9 Spiced Rum

3/4 part Dry Vermouth

1/4 part Curacao

1/2 tsp Grenadine

Orange Twist

Method:

Combine all ingredients over ice in a tumbler and stir for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled Martini coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

CRUZAN® COCONUT OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients:

2 parts Cruzan® Single Barrel Rum

1/2 part Rich Simple Syrup

3 dashes of Bitters

Coconut Water Ice Cubes (see additional recipe below)

Method:

Cut a wide swath of orange peel and lightly press it in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add rum, syrup and bitters. Now drop in a few Coconut Water Ice Cubes and stir gently.

Coconut Water Ice Cubes Recipe: Pour a can of Coconut Water (strain the pulp out first, if needed) in an ice cube tray – the bigger the cube try the better – and freeze for several hours.

The 4th Annual 2012 San Diego Spirits Festival August 25-26, will draw international attention and offers a multi-faceted thrilling event combining the three most important elements to any festivity…Cocktails, Culinary and Culture. From the prestigious mycologists, to the local foodie, and all the way to the novice cocktail enthusiast, the two-day festival promises to delight and excite all who attend.

The Port Pier Pavilion will once again be transformed into a classic lounge which will ignite the senses and set the mood for an exciting weekend of festivities! Drawing attendees from around the world, guests will be invited to mingle with brand ambassadors as they sip and savor the latest cocktail creations, whilst soaking in the breath taking view of the San Diego Bay. Learn more on the world of mixology or have a small history lesson on your brand of choice…all from the 2012 San Diego Spirit Festival guest brand Ambassadors.

The 2012 San Diego Spirits Festival will transform every cocktail desire into a reality with some of the hottest brands, as brand ambassadors tease your taste buds with our 2012 featured brands. Just to name a few…. Ozone Vodka, Pisco Porton, Java Juice, Milagro Tequila, Glenfiddich Whiskey, Conjure Cognac, El Cartel Tequila, Berentzen Liquors, Pink Pigeon Rum, Chinaco, Double Cross Vodka, Distillery 209 Gin, Spicebox Whiskey, Quint Sangria, Quick Strain Tinis, Naughty Cow Liqueur, Twisted Shots, Ron de Jeremy Rum, Magners Irish Cider, 619 Vodka, VeeV, Bendistillery’ s portfolio of award-winning small batch American vodkas and gins including Crater Lake Vodka, Cascade Mtn Gin, Mazama Vodka, Cofia Vodka, Tequila Sin Rival, Cocula Tequila, Nobeleza Tequila, Corazon Tequila, Semental Tequila, Mezcal Los Javis, Alquimia Organic Tequila, La Nina del Mezcal, Tequila Tres Mujeres, Tequila Dos Artes, Tequila Amor Mio, Whipsy, Fee Brothers Mixers, Partagas Cigars, Naked Juice, Joia All Natural Soda, Icelandic Water…and many more still coming on board.

Wait, there’s more! Cocktails, culinary, and competition. The 2012 San Diego Spirits Festival will feature bartender competitions from top rated talent with a first prize from our Silver Sponsor RestaurantConnect! http://www.restaurantcx.com.

This year we welcome demonstrations by executive chefs from leading local restaurants. Participating Chefs to include: Katherine Humphus of BO-beau kitchen and bar, Karl A. Prohaska of Handerly Hotel, Alberto Morreale of Fig Tree Café; Brandon Brooks of Sol Markets, Misty Birchall of PubCakes with a special presentation by Chef Tyler Stone and more!

Entertainment provided by: Alas de Mosca, Alex Arndt & Sonic Universe; Bruce Sanborn Band, Dirty Minds, Flash Point Rocks, Funky Munky, Jamilla, JC Villafan, Latex Grenade, Mathew Zeltzer, Sacha Boutros, Josh Damingo

The 4th annual San Diego Spirits Festival will be the event of the Summer and will be held on August 25-26 2012- get tickets here. Use code SDSF20 to get 20% discount

Applaud the spirit that is quickly rising in popularity on its national day of celebration ~ National Tequila Day is July 24^th!

5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Tequila

• Blue weber agave plants only flower once, but when they do they are pollinated by bats
• Tequila is made from agave which is actually a desert lily
• The leaves of agave are so sharp that they are used as cutting instruments
• Margaritas are the number one cocktail in the United States
• The United States is the largest tequila consuming market (yes, even more than Mexico!); almost half of which is women

This year, vodka’s prestige is falling fast while artisanal, 100% agave tequilas are more chic than ever. While popularly considered for only shots and margaritas, tequila—specifically premium tequila—is becoming the spirit to sip and mixologist’s choice spirit to use in intricate cocktails.

On National Tequila Day, go with only the best and choose premium Tequila Avión. Tequila Avión stole the show this year at the San Francisco World Spirits Challenge winning Best White Spirit (beating all vodkas, gins, rums, and tequilas) in addition to Best Tequila. Sip and enjoy Tequila Avión Silver, Reposado and Añejo, or go with a classic and make an Elevated Margarita on this fine summer holiday!

The Elevated Margarita

Compliments of Tequila Avión

Ingredients:

2 parts Tequila Avión Silver

1 parts Fresh Lime Juice

½ part Agave Nectar

Directions:

• Add all ingredients in shaker.
• Shake and strain over fresh ice.
• Enjoy!

Join your host, Chef Jennifer Booker, and this week’s guests!  Josh & Mike Greenfield join Basil Radio to share some recipes from their great new show on HUNGRY called The Brothers Green.

Also, tune in and hear from Jon Taffer, Host and Co-Executive Producer of SpikeTV’s Bar Rescue, as he shares his insight on what it takes to be a top notch bar and nightclub!

The show goes live every Monday at 6PM EST / 3PM PST. Call in and join in the fun! 714.242.6215 

You can also listen in at: www.blogtalkradio.com/BasilMagazineRadio

www.YouTube.com/Hungry
www.JonTaffer.com

It’s Time for a Little Sparkling ICE

Summer Grilling Season is officially upon us, and as the perfect beverage to accompany outdoor cookouts, Sparkling ICE wants to celebrate!  Sparkling ICE is giving away a Weber One Touch Silver Kettle Grill on its Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/SparklingICE) every Monday and Wednesday throughout the entire months of July and August!

Sparkling ICE is an excellent source of B-Vitamins, Vitamin D and antioxidants. B-Vitamins are known to play an important role in helping your body obtain energy from food. They may also be important for normal appetite, healthy skin, good vision, a healthy nervous system and red blood cell formation. Vitamin D is widely known to play a significant role in overall health – in particular bone strength. Sparkling Ice also contains caffeine-free Green Tea Extract, which is known to have powerful levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect your body’s cells from harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are a by-product of your body’s normal processes, and are also thought to be caused by pollutants and other environmental exposure.

So how do you enter to win? Just “Like” the Sparkling ICE Facebook Page and watch for the Monday and Wednesday posts. Send an email to the given address (include your name and physical address) and you will be entered into that days drawing. Winner selected randomly and announced via email and Facebook.

Also, when Sparkling ICE hits 20,000 Likes, they’re going to giveaway an extra 5 Weber Grills! The fun begins on July 1, 2012…