TALK DRINKS

New Tequila Cocktail Menu @ BOBO

Last week our friend Naren Young, the talented mixologist at Bobo Cocktail Lounge, launched their first spirit themed cocktail menu. Using only premium Tequilas and fresh ingredients, Naren and his team of top-notch bartenders have created 12 unique and well-balanced cocktails. In honor of their new menu, Bobo hosted a special Mexican Tequila Party last Tuesday. Bobo was decorated in red, white and green (colors of the Mexican flag), they set up a taco station which served some of the best pork tacos we've ever had, and even invited a Mariachi band to complete the Mexican atmosphere. The next time you are in the West Village, swing by Bobo and try some of their tasty cocktails. The Stealth Margarita is the most popular cocktail on the menu and their best seller. Salud - TALKDRINKS

Tales of the Cocktail!!!

It's that time of the year again, Tales of the Cocktail is just around the corner. Tales is the best spirits and cocktail event for the world's top bar chefs and mixologists. The 7th annual Tales of the Cocktail will be hosted in one of the most historic cities with a vibrant cocktail culture, New Orleans. You will get an insiders look into the cocktail world while seeing, tasting and learning about all the new cocktail trends. Hope to mix it up with you in Nawlins. Cheers - TALKDRINKS
Tales of the Cocktail
July 8-12, 2009
Hotel Monteleone
New Orleans, LA
www.talesofthecocktail.com  

The Spirit Enthusiast of Texas (SET) 1st Mixology Event

Last Tuesday, The Green Lantern was the scene for San Antonio's first ever mixology event. It was hosted by none other than our very own master mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout. As the guest began to pour in, their eyes were wide in wonder at the spread of various juices, fruits, jars and tools. It looked as though a mad scientist (minus a Bunsen Burner) was toiling around in his laboratory. The meeting started and Jacques began to preach about the wonderful world of mixology. Every eye was fixed upon him and drink that was turned out. You could hear "oohs and aahhs" after each person took a sip of each masterfully concocted libation. People were very surprised at what we do as an organization and what can be done in our market in regards to mixology. Because of Jacques I believe the guests now have a new understanding of mixology and what we at S.E.T. (Spirit Enthusiast of Texas) are trying to accomplish. I know at the next meeting, we will have a great turn out and it's thanks to Jacques. Happy cocktailing! - Jeret, President & Co-Founder, S.E.T.

Tequila at La Cantera - Everything's Bigger in TX

Recently, my partner and I held an informal Tequila seminar at the Westin La Cantera  here in San Antonio. We sampled over 100 guests on each category of Tequila; Blanco, Reposado and Anejo; as well as introduced them to the art of mixology. It was a great hit and a sign of the coming Tequila Revolution. Salud - Jeret, Founder/Co-Owner, M&P Concepts

USBG Hosts Cocktail Competiton at World Bar

On May 1st, the US Bartending Guild (USBG) hosted the First NY Chapter qualifying competition for their National Competition. The competition was held at World Bar and was attended by some of NYC's finest mixologists. MCing the competition was the legendary King Cocktail Dale DeGroff, and the judges included Jack Robertiello, Tad Carducci, Jeffrey Lindermuth, and our very own Aisha Sharpe. Jonathan Pogash, the winner of the NY competition, will now get a chance to go to San Francisco next week to compete in the National Competition. The winner of that competition will then go on to the International Bartender Association (IBA) Competition in Germany. To read more about the contest and the winning cocktail recipe, check out Sara Gorelick's article in the eXaminer.com. Good luck to all the contestants. - TALKDRINKS

Cinco de Mayo at River Oyster Bar

Join us at River Oyster Bar for our Cinco de Mayo celebration. $20 for a Partida Margarita, Mahi Mahi Taco Platter, Sopapillas with Cinnamon and Agave Nectar, and a glass of the premium Partida Anejo!!! - Marita Leonard
River Oyster Bar
Tuesday, May 5th from 11:30AM – 10:30PM
650 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33130
Tel: 305-530-1915
www.therivermiami.com

Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites

Joanne Weir, awarding-winning chef and author famous for her cookbooks and TV cooking series, just launched her new book Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites. This is a beautifully written book about the history, heritage, process and types of Tequila, with stunning photographs to match. Tequila illustrates how this spirit can be compared to the finest single-malt Scotches or Cognacs (something we've always felt) and how versatile Tequila is. Joanne Weir also features dozens of Tequila cocktail recipes, some are old favorites like the Margarita and others are unique exotic recipes like Ronaldo Colli's Chaparrita Dorada, as well as delicious food pairings. (Check out our very own Jacques Bezuidenhout on page 38.)
On Sunday, we had to privilege of attending Ms. Weir's book launch & signing at Tres Agaves, one of San Francisco's premier Tequila bars. Nearly 200 guests came to meet Joanne and own the first copies of Tequila. Partida Tequila was also on hand sampling guests on their premium 100% estate-grown Tequila. We would like to thank Joanne and her team, Tres Agaves and Partida for a fantastic evening of fun, education and great cocktails. If you are new to Tequila or are an aficionado who is looking to expand your recipe collection, we highly encourage picking up a copy of Tequila: A Guide to Types, Flights, Cocktails, and Bites. Salud - TALKDRINKS

Get Ready, Get S.E.T., Green Lantern - Everything's Bigger in TX

Our fourth meeting of S.E.T. took place on Monday at The Green Lantern, a destination for great cocktails here in San Antonio. Our feature spirits for the month was Tequila and Mezcal. We got to taste the 1921's Blanco, Corralejo Reposado & Anejo, Del Maguey's Chicicapa, Tobala, and the entire line of Partida Tequilas including the Elegante - Extra Anejo. The seminar was headed by Don Marsh, VP of S.E.T. (Spirits Enthusiast of Texas) and myself. I ended the meeting with a special message and homework for all the members. It is important to educate oneself on all matters of life, but it is even more important to utilize that knowledge to inspire others, especially for us in the bartending community. I wanted everyone to preach at their bars what they had learned, because at the end of the day, it's about the experience. Happy Cocktailing. - Jeret, Founder/Co-Owner, M&P Concepts

Tequila Tasters at Rosa Mexicana - Welcome to Miami

Last week, I attended a happy hour for the Miami Dade Community College Alumni at Rosa Mexicana in Mary Brickell Village. The guests were treated to the traditional Mexican fare of guacamole & other goodies but the highlight of the evening was a Tequila tasting and Margarita demo.
I had quite a diverse group of "tasters" visiting my table. From recent college grads to much more mature alumni. One woman told me she was 80 and loved taking a little nip every now and then "to keep her frisky". The guests tasted Blanco, Reposado and Anejo Tequilas.
Lots of questions were asked and many returned for more "samples". I was able to demonstrate to the crowd how to make the perfect Margarita. Let me tell you...I have never seen pitchers of margarita's disappear so quickly! It was a pleasure educating the alumni of Miami-Dade and I look forward to many more opportunities like this. Salud - Marita, River Oyster Bar, Miami

Sporting Life Anniversary Edition - L.A. Happenings

Last Sunday saw the gathering of Los Angeles' finest at Barkeeper in Silverlake. Since March of 2008 and every month since, Marcos Tello has been organizing The Sporting Life get together for drink slingers, enthusiastic amateurs, formerly jaded bloggers and curious onlookers. This meeting of the minds are treated to food and beverage, lessons in mixology techniques, historic anecdotes and some downright debauchery, which may be considered a bad thing but this was all in the quest for community.
Back in 2008, we started with 8 and a very enthusiastic idea. We wanted to drink good cocktails and in LA these are as rare as an open lane during rush hour. (In the 4 years I have been here, traffic has gone from ridiculous to something inexplicably far more than ridiculous, even with the advent of hands free telephone laws).
Now 1 year later, The Sporting Life is over 60 members strong with a great number of those also having joined the USBG. So what better way to celebrate than go back to where it all started, Barkeeper in Silverlake. A great big thanks to our gracious and ever giving and supportive host Joe Keeper. It was a squeeze, but we ate and drank and made merry with generous donations of time and product from Partida Tequila, St. Germain, Martin Millers Gin, Edison Beer, Luxury Ice and Malo Restaurant. Guest bartending appearances from Leo, Vincenzo, Christine, Eric, Joe, Michel, Pablo, Juan, Chris, John and yours truly. Although he wasn’t on the roster H. Joseph Ehrmann from Elixir in S.F. made a guest appearance too. We have no trouble finding great cocktail these days, the only drawback is finding a parking spot. Happy Cocktailing - Damian