TALK DRINKS

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

One of the best things about being a bartender for almost 20 years are the anecdotes we have to share with each other. Here is one of my favorite:

A few years back while working at what was the hottest nightclub of its time in Arizona, I had developed a rather simple method for addressing customers when the bar was six deep with hot, thirsty people. Since you have so little time to get to everyone, it is prudent to keep the conversation short. Depending on the gender of the customer, I simply said "What can I get for you bud?" or "What can I get for you hun'?"

Sun Worshiping in the Mile High City

Summer brings about many rituals to Coloradans; opening day of baseball season, skiing in shorts at A-Basin, white water rafting and kayaking, hiking, biking, volleyball in the park and pool parties. There are few things that we here in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains love more than the getting outside after the long dark winter. 

Perhaps my favorite activity is whiling a summer day away on one of the many roof top patios that adorn the city. From the three distinct patios of Lodo’s Bar & Grill, to Uptown Downtown, to late night at the Funky Buddha, or the beer garden at My Brother’s Bar, the nightlife and cocktail culture of Denver spills into the outdoors as soon as Mother Nature relinquishes her wintry grip.

Apothecary or Bar??? – Hotlanta Times

As a bartender, I love all the extra things such as bitters, syrups and nectars at our disposal to add to cocktails. Why not get creative and put all of those special liquids in the various empty bottles that you have around the bar. By removing the labels and properly cleaning these bottles you can give your ingredients the home they deserve. Our bar will look like an Apothecary, with all of the different colored and shaped bottles that we have displayed, labeled and ready for use. We can also purchase other containers, bottles and even medicine droppers to store specialty items. It becomes an interesting talking point with your customers when they see you dash a special ingredient from a strange looking bottle. Have fun! - Navarro Carr, Bartender at Trois (Atlanta)

The Avocado Margarita - Orlando

I've got a great new twist on a classic cocktail. It's a delicious and refreshing recipe for the hot steamy days of summer. Salud - Ryan

The Avocado Margarita
2oz Partida Blanco Tequila
1oz Avocado puree
3/4oz Partida Organic Agave Nectar
1oz fresh squeezed lime juice (juice from 1 lime)
First, puree half an avocado with enough lime juice to get a smooth paste. Add all ingredients into a Boston Shaker and shake well. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a few slices of avocado. Enjoy!!!

The Big Easy Fundraiser - Windy City Post

Since Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans is going on as we speak, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to blog about the Post Katrina work we in Chicago have been involved in. The other night I had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser sponsored by the USBG (US Bartender's Guild). Peter Vestinomos, a mixologist from Sepia (Chicago), has been working on a post Katrina based project with the service industry from New Orleans. The downtown business area was one of the hardest hit sectors and they are working to develop a Bartender’s Guild chapter in N.O. to organize and strengthen professional bartenders. Ann, the developer of Tales of the Cocktail, was present along with a few key bartenders from The Big Easy. The event was held at Weeds Tavern which is a historic corner bar from the 60’s here in Chicago. The bar members helped to repair the patio area of Weeds in their agreed sister city bar make-over plan. They painted, nailed and did a little bit of everything, all in order to raise awareness and money to fund the New Orleans BG. Later this year the Chicago bar team will be headed down to the Big Easy to help repair a historic “Nawlins” bar. Weeds looked great with its new face lift and we had a great evening tipping them back. Cheers to everyone for the hard work and dedication to this project and this industry. - Alex

The Bachelorette - The Colorado Rockies

Here's a recipe that I've been working with for the last few days and is a hit here at the Cigar Bar. Give it a shot.

The Bachelorette
1 pint of heavy whipping cream and confection sugar
3/4 oz Organic Agave Nectar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 oz. Partida Anejo Tequila
Blend the first 3 ingredients adding the sugar to create a whipped topping. Layer kahlua, bailey's and anejo in a shot glass and top with the whipped cream.

You could also use the left over cream on top of mexican coffees or desserts like apple pie, etc. Cheers - Scott

JAZZIZ - Welcome to Miami

Recently, I attended a great party at JAZZIZ Bistro.  JAZZIZ is a new and exciting dining experience replete with great food, specialty drinks, unique atmosphere and the best music in South Florida. A state of the art sound stage, indoor and outdoor bars/lounges and retail space makes JAZZIZ a one of a kind destination for people who enjoy great food, entertainment and a place to hang with friends and loved ones. They serve fantastic fresh cocktails perfect for the hot steamy days of S. Florida. Along with the fabulous cocktails and delicious hors d'oeuvres that evening, there was a fashion show and the night closed with the amazing voice of KJ Denhart. I'm adding JAZZIZ to my list of regular hot spots. Salud - Marita

St. Germain Cocktail Competition - NYC

I flew into New York last weekend as a guest of Cooper Spirits. Their acclaimed St. Germain Elderflower liqueur cocktail competition had finally finished and being very fortunate to have had my submitted cocktail win a round of the contest I was there for a shake off.

The competition was hosted at acclaimed cocktail bar Employees Only, and only 12 were allowed to compete for the cash prize. The competition was stiff.

Taking a dip with your favorite spirit - What happens in Vegas...

(And I don’t mean swimming with a bottle of vodka)
Welcome back. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July Holiday!!! I surely did.
OK, this is a little off the beaten path but something that can be useful behind the bar as well as at home. Here’s the deal, I’ve always included some form of alcohol in my cooking whether its drunken pasta boiled in wine, a beer sorbet or bourbon burgers but lately I’ve been so busy I don’t have the luxury of cooking for myself. Now it’s a strange request when you ask the waiter if the chef can sauté the shrimp in mango rum so spare yourself the cross-eyed looks. Instead, you can try these very simple and tasty dessert ideas. 

Back to the Glamour Days - Welcome to Miami

Happy 4th of July!!! Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to see Alice Russell, one of the UK's hottest singers at the Delano's Florida Room. From the soulful, jazzy music to the master mixologists behind the bar; not to mention my ever so dreamy companion for the evening, you could not have asked for a better night out on South Beach.

Walking into The Florida Room takes you back to an era of glamour and class of Miami Beach that the South Beach of today has made us forget. Mind you I am not old enough to remember!! All I have are the stories from my parents and pictures of the land that neon and velvet ropes have erased from our minds.