TALK DRINKS

Cilantro & Beer from Randolph at Broome

Here is a very interesting cocktail from our friend Jason Littrell who tends bar at Randolph at Broome. The Randolph is a fantastic cocktail bar that strikes the perfect balance between downtown dive and super-chic hot spot. Their upstairs has several booths line with mahogany walls, while their smaller basement lounge reminds us of the days of partying in your parents' unfinished basement. Jason created this cocktail especially for Star Chef's Editorial Tasting Team. Check it out the next time you are in SOHO. Cheers - TALKDRINKS.COM
Cilantro and Beer
1 1/2oz Partida Anejo Tequila
1oz Fresh Lime Juice
3/4oz Simple Syrup
Negro Modelo Beer
Cilantro
Muddled the cilantro in your mixing glass. Add the first 3 ingredients, shake and strain into a collins glass. Top with Negro Modelo Beer. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

The London Scramble w Jacques

EveryDay Drinker The Brain Hemorrhage Shooter

Apricot Gin Fizz - Hotlanta Times

We recently unveiled our spring cocktail menu at Beleza and the Apricot Gin Fizz is one of many cocktails on the menu that is turning out to be a crowd pleaser!  We infuse apricots in gin for about 4 to 5 days, and then strain the mixture to get the gin. We then take apricots along with sugar and water to make an apricot puree that also goes into the cocktail. Swing by and try the great drinks on our new spring cocktail menu. Cheers - Navarro, bartender, Beleza
Apricot Gin Fizz
1.5oz apricot infused gin
0.5oz simple syrup
0.75oz fresh lemon juice
bar spoon of apricot puree
bottled soda
Shake and strain the first four ingredients into a Collins Glass with Collins Ice. Top off with soda and garnish with an apricot. 
(Note: We are also taking the apricots that were used in the infusion and putting them into a mixture of OJ and pineapple juice to pull some of the gin out of them. We then dehydrate them and re-use them as the garnish. That OJ/pineapple/gin juice that is left over makes a great Planter's Punch, too. Enjoy!)

Chili & Passion Fruit Martini from the Dorchester Collection

Here is a great cocktail recipe video from the Dorchester Collection. The Dorchester Collection is a group of luxury hotels in London, Beverly Hills, Paris, Milan, New York ad Los Angeles. Each hotel has the reputation for offering the most sought-after experiences of good living, charm, elegance and service, but maintains their own original character. They've created a series of very slick videos highlighting the many talented bartenders and mixologists across their properties. It is great to see bartenders who take pride in their craft. It's not just about the drinks, but it's about the experience. Cheers - TALKDRINKS.COM

The Mexican Mule - Welcome to Miami

The National Hotel on South Beach is the place to be for Friday Happy Hour. Relax by the pool with half-off drinks (well) and listen to the groovy sounds of their DJ. It's a great place to enjoy and unwind at the end of a hectic week.
Recently, I visited my friend Carlos Acevedo, bartender for The National and challenged him to come up with a unique cocktail with Tequila. He impressed me with his "Mexican Mule", a delicious and refreshing cocktail, perfect for the hot steamy summers in Miami. It's always a pleasure to see a mixologist who has a passion for his craft. Next time you're on South Beach stop by The National and order one of their tasty cocktails, lay back, enjoy the sun, the view and the breeze coming off the ocean. Salud - Marita, The River Oyster
Mexican Mule
Reposado Tequila shaken with basil, fresh squeezed lemon and grapefruit juice, finished with ginger beer

"Pucker Up" with Copa d'Oro's Popular cocktails - L.A. Happenings

The TastingTable.com wrote a great article about our good friend Vincenzo Marianella, Bar Manager at Copa d'Oro. For those who don't know, Copa d'Oro is a beautiful cocktail lounge in the Santa Monica area with a warm atmosphere and perfect place to meet friends for a drink after work. Vincenzo prides himself on great cocktails using only the freshest ingredients from the Santa Monica Farmers Market just outside. Vincenzo not only uses fresh fruits in his libations, he is has an eye for using non-conventional ingredients such as MUSTARD!!! The article in TastingTable.com is about Vincenzo's The Sour Kraut cocktail. Before you write it off as too bizarre, I urge you to try it first. Cheers - Damian Windsor

Planters Punch - EverydayDrinkers.tv

Tequila Colada

Check out this great Tequila Colada Cocktail video from our buddy Derrick at EverydayDrinkers.tv. EverydayDrinkers.tv great blog/podcast/resource for those seeking to learn more about the cocktail universe and expand their recipe knowledge. Derrick is very good about using a variety of spirits and common ingredients. In this video, he uses the Partida Reposado. The Tequila Colada is a nice twist on the traditional Pina Colada and just demonstrates how versatile Tequila can be. 

Enjoy - TALKDRINKS

Drinks Galore on April Fool's

Over the weekend, I decided to unleash my creative juices and see what new & interesting cocktails I could come up with. Here are the best 3 that everyone can enjoy and that's no April Fool's joke. Enjoy - Mindy, the Hilton in Austin

Cilantro Love
1 1/4oz Partida Blanco
1/4oz Barenjager
1/4oz Green Chartreuse
6 sprigs fresh cilantro
orange zest for garnish
In a mixing glass muddle cilantro and add liquor. Shake extremely hard and double strain with a tea strainer into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish with an orange skin peeled with a vegetable peeler.

I love how this drink is a visual explosion of color with the bright green from the cilantro and blazing pop of orange from the garnish. The aroma is of the cilantro and Chartreuse, the sweetness from the Barnjager is just enough, and the Chartreuse and Partida meld so nicely. Over all this is an amazing cocktail.

Yellow Rose of Texas
1 1/2oz Partida Blanco
1/2oz Yellow Chartreuse
2oz pineapple juice
2-3oz club soda
Build cocktail in a tall or highball glass and stir. Garnish with a candied pineapple slice.

This is a super and light refreshing drink. Perfect for hot summer days in Texas!

Bitter Happiness
1 1/2oz Partida Blanco
1/2oz Campari
1/2 grapefruit juice
2oz Q Tonic
6 tarragon leaves
1/4 tsp agave nectar
In a mixing glass muddle tarragon and agave nectar. Add Partida, Campari, grapefruit juice and shake hard. Double strain into a tall or highball glass over new ice and add Q Tonic. Garnish with candied grapefruit peel or a grapefruit wedge.

I owe credit of this flavor profile to my friend PJ Hanne, an amazing chef from New Orleans.