Dang. I got lit again at this year's Manhattan Cocktail Classic! Last year, at the first event, I polished off everything put in front of me. And by the time we left, I could barely walk in a straight line. That class was held at Rouge Tomate, with a bevy of fresh cocktails totally made with organic and house-made ingredients. This year, I made sure to eat a good meal ahead of time. I drank plenty of water before and during the event. I poured lots of delicious amazing remnants of cocktails into the slop basket. And I could barely walk straight ...
A friendly bartender makes all the difference. Add a well made cocktail, and life is darn good. We recently cruised from Singapore to India on one of Azamara's small ships. Less than 600 passengers. After unpacking and getting the lay of the land, I set off to check out the bars on board. It didn't take long to find Victor. We felt welcomed, and appreciated his warm hospitality. Part of our daily routine for the next two weeks included sitting at Victor's bar for a nightly cocktail, and sharing the day's events with him. What a charmer, and a new addition ...
Cochin, India - scenic fishing nets, and goats sitting on public park benches. And finding Toddy. Part of the joy of traveling, is the anticipation, and researching what you would like to see in that new part of the world. I listen to the experiences of those who have experienced that area before. That's how I learned about drinking Toddy (pronounced Toady) in India. Our first stop in India was in Cochin, on India's southern coast. We hired a taxi driver for the day, and began seeing the area. I told him I'd love to try a small taste of Toddy, the ...
You know a city is supremely interesting when you choose seeing all sorts of sights - none of which involve having a cocktail! (Although, I did ask about finding toddy - a fermented beverage well known in the region. But no toddy found us this stop.) This was our visit to vibrant Penang, Malaysia. Kek Lok Si Temple - the largest Buddhist temple in southeast Asia. A fabulous batik factory as far away from the tourist trap areas as possible. And our favorite thing to do - walking the streets, exploring local grocery stores, and wandering into lively side streets. We savored Asam ...
A Singapore Sling at the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel in Singapore! I recently was lucky enough to check it off of my Drinking Bucket List. At the same time, seeing many of the magical sights of Singapore got checked off of my Travel Bucket List. The Singapore Sling originated at Raffles Hotel. Delicious. The tradition is to throw your peanut shells onto the bar floor. Loved the ceiling fans. Raoul and I really enjoyed walking around the British Colonial style outdoor areas. Now a future overnight stay at Raffles Hotel has joined our never-ending Travel Bucket List.
When I travel, I'm always on the lookout for edible and drinkable foodie things to bring home as mementos. As I enjoy these treats long after the suitcases are back in the closet, it helps the travel adventure last longer. These flower tea balls came home with us from our amazing journey to Taiwan late last year. As the tea steeps in hot water, the ball slowly opens and blooms. The tea tastes as good as it looks. Of course, you could add a splash of brandy to spice your tea up even more. This is what the package looks like. ...
I received this gorgeous bottle of handcrafted Amer Picon from our friends, Jason and Kathy, at a recent dinner party. Both know their way aroud a cocktail bar. In fact, they soon will be opening the doors of Copperworks Distilling Company in Seattle. (For a glimpse of their beautiful space, remember this?) Amer Picon is a bittersweet French digestif with a unique orange flavor. A very well respected Seattle bartender and owner of Canon, Jamie Boudreau, shared his own rendition of Amer Picon. Lucky me - I am relishing this enchanting liqueur (thanks again Jason!), and can make more when it ...
I have a bumper crop of lemon balm. A bounty, a bonanza, a bush-sized plant. I’m figuring out ways to use it in my cocktail creations. I made ice cubes [...]
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