Mixology Monday: Brandy

Cognac: Spot, originally uploaded by Shaylor. The first Mixology Monday of 2008 is being hosted by the clever Marleigh of Sloshed! and she has chosen a warm and friendly theme that’s sure to bring a little something for everyone: Brandy. I’ve written about brandy in the past (most notably here). So many lovely drinks can …

Innovations in cocktail consumption

Hendriks and Cucumber Originally uploaded by Lizard Martini Researchers have developed a way to vacuum-infuse a Martini into a cucumber. And they’ve captured this technique on video. Even without having tried it, I’m pretty sure this is the ideal accompaniment to sushi and sashimi. I don’t know about you, but I’m adding a food vacuum …

Repeal Day! I’ll drink to that

Today is the 74th anniversary of the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reversed the Eighteenth Amendment — that is, today is the anniversary of the end of Prohibition. After thirteen years, Americans could once again legally make, manufacture, and sell alcoholic beverages. Dewar’s Scotch has used this as an advertising …

Mixology Monday: Gin

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by the wise-beyond-his-years Jay Hepburn of Oh Gosh! Our topic this month is gin. A fantastic topic it is too. Too many people lack experience with gin, thinking it’s good only for Martinis and G&Ts. It’s terrific in both, of course, but it’s versatile, and now we get to discover many …

Mixology Monday: Pairings — Hot Toddy and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by Natalie of The Liquid Muse. The theme this month is Pairings, meaning the pairing of cocktails with food. I find it easy to match foods with wine and with beer, but harder to do so with cocktails. My big favorite pairing is a nice Martini with sushi or sashimi, particularly …

Mixology Monday: Boilermaker

It’s Mixology Monday, hosted by the intriguingly introverted Gabriel of Cocktail Nerd. The theme is Fizz, so I thought this would be a good time to try out a Sloe Gin Fizz. Or maybe a Tom Collins, a classic drink I was surprised to realize I’d never had. So last week I started sampling my …

Gwen attempts to help the Butterscotch Stallion

I’ve linked to Intoxicated Zodiac a few times in the last month, and I hope you’ve been reading her site. Delightful? You bet. For example, today we have thoughtful, in-case-you-fall-off-the-wagon tips to Owen Wilson, newly-sober Hollywood hunk: what i’m trying to get at is, c’mon, do you really think poor owen is staying on the …

Mixology Monday: Orange

Recently I clued in to the fact that I’m not the only person on the web who writes about cocktails. There are many, many others with tons more experience, more recipes in their libraries and in their heads, and many more bottles in their cabinets with which to mix. For a few moments I was …

Spirited Cuisine: Creme de menthe

Minty Fresh Originally uploaded by beatnikside This is the eighth installment in the Spirited Cuisine series from Sri Bala (Shaman) and me. Each round, I select a liquor or spirit, and Sri creates a dessert recipe incorporating it. Find Sri’s posts at his blog and mine here within the Lush Life category. Imagine a sweltering …