TALK DRINKS

Flavors of the Caribbean - Welcome to Miami

The mixologists at Ortanique on the Mile have been busy mixing and muddling to create a new and exciting coktail menu for their patrons to enjoy. Joel, Evelyn and Carlos will send your taste buds on a journey of the senses with their boldly flavored cocktails such as the Rum Dupee, Ortanique Martini, the Charbay Gigi and Mango Nectar. Experience the flavors of the Caribbean in their delicious cocktails along with Chef Cindy Hutson's Cusine of the Sun. Order off the menu or ask them to create your ideal cocktail, such as Joel Garcia's Partida Passion featuring Partida Tequila and fresh passion fruit juice. Now is the time to stop by for a sip and some bites because it's Miami Spice Month. The top restaurants around are offering prix fixe, 3 course menus $23 at lunch and $36 for dinner. Ortanique's menu changes weekly, and boy, do they feed you! It's a great opportunity to dine at some of your favorite restaurants and sample the cuisine offor an amazing price. Welcome to Miami - Marita

Futuristic Aerobar - Welcome to Miami

Even the rain or the threat of a hurricane won't stop the party on South Beach. DJ Irie and I kicked off the weekend in style at South Beach’s newest hotspot Aerobar. This “Alice in Wonderland meets the Jetsons” sleekly designed venue is the brainchild of Tony Guerra and Philip Boyd. The funky grooves and futuristic atmosphere transport you to a galaxy far far away. DJ Irie invited his closest friends to join him and sip on his favorite Tequila, Partida. The bartenders were serving Partida Margaritas to the hip and trendy crowd as we danced the night away. I highly recommend you check out this latest addition to South Beach. They have definitely upped the ante of the club/lounge scene. Salud - Marita

Guest Bartending at Hummingbird

Hello all. I'm happy and excited to be a part of the TALKDRINKS Blog Bartender Familia. I will be a guest bartender in Washington, D.C. next week and I created a very special cocktail for this event using Partida Reposado and the Partida Organic Agave Nectar. Come and check me out at Hummingbird on Mars and try my unique White Ruby cocktail. - Elba Giron, New Jersey

The White Ruby
Partida Reposado Tequila
Partida 100% Organic Agave Nectar
St. Germain
Lillet Blanc
M&R Bianco
Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice

When: Sunday, August 24th @ 8pm
Where: Hummingbird (for more information about this "hidden" bar, please email me at [email protected])

Red Rocks Aphitheater - Rocky Mountain Times

Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado is arguably the most remarkable venue for live music in the United States. Sitting under the summer stars with the lights of Denver stretched out as a backdrop and a full moon rising on the horizon in the east is just one of the things that has drawn music fans to this venue for more than 100 years. Red Rocks has won the award for outdoor venues so often that they finally removed it from the competition and named the award after it.

Mas Amor - Windy City Post

Here is a delicious cocktail recipe from my friend Matty Colston, the Mixologist at Blackbird, whom I visited recently. Blackbird is a beautiful and elegant restaurant in west central Chicago. Some of their signature dishes include: Seared Tasmanian Sea Trout, Braised Organic Pork Belly, and Crispy Soft-shell Crab w/ Fresh Coconut. Check them out if you are in the area and be sure to have a Toast to "More Love".  Salud - Alex

Mas Amor
1.5oz Partida Reposado Tequila
3/4oz Yellow Chartreuse
1.5oz watermelon puree
1/2oz lime juice
1/2oz simple syrup
For the puree, add seedless watermelon, mint leaves and simple syrup (to taste) into a blender. Bruise 2 leafy sprigs of cilantro in a cocktail shaker, just enough to release aroma. Add all ingredients and a quarter turn of cracked black pepper into a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with cilantro sprig and another small turn of cracked black pepper on top. “I love how the Reposado pairs with the herbal and peppery notes of the drink and watermelon is my favorite summertime fruit.” - Matty Colston

What Can I Mix It With?? - Welcome to Miami

The other night a friend brought me a bottle of Kahlua as a house warming gift. She had been enjoying Mudslides at our favorite pool/bar hangout, The Sonesta in Coconut Grove, and wanted me to create something using tequila for her to share with the bartender at the pool. My first thought was,"What can I mix with it???" There are so many cocktails made with Kahlua and vodka; White Russians, Mudslides, Mind Erases, etc...

Shake It - What happens in Vegas...

Ah the bartender shake, nothing else in the beverage world defines a bartender like his shake. Over the last couple of years throughout my travels, I’ve noticed a regional trend when it comes to the art of shaking a cocktail. When in New Zealand attending a seminar by Angus Winchester, he said the most interesting observation on cocktail shaking “the face you make when shaking a cocktail is in fact the same face you make when having sex” This is so true, so many great bartenders hand craft cocktails, have an enormous amount of product knowledge and are artists in their own right but when it comes to shaking their libation it looks like they are either trying to punish the drink or are fumbling around trying to get it over with.

Shake It in the Big Easy

I just got back from Tales of the Cocktail and what an experience it was. It was great to be back in New Orleans again and seeing the city and cocktail culture coming back to life. While we were there, my good friend John Gertsen from No. 9 Park in Boston took me to M.S Rau Antiques. They had two very rare cocktail shakers on display. The Zeppelin which breaks apart into 18 different functional pieces and a WW1 British Tank. Both are incredible master pieces created by J.A. Henckels Company. You don’t see shakers with this kind of attention to detail anymore. Unfortunately, I did not have the $42,000 on me to spare that day. Bill Rau, the owner was kind enough to send me some photos and descriptions. The next time you are in New Orleans, you must stop by Rau Antiques to see these beautiful works of art. Enjoy and Happy Shaking!!! Cheers - Jacques

London Bar 08 Calling

I survived another London Bar Show. It may not seem like a difficult thing but those English Bartenders can sling back a few cocktails and let's not even talk about Tequila! Every year I look forward to the London show as I really think it is one of the best shows around. Mind you, I have heard great things about the Sydney and German Bar show. Needles to say there is always something to learn or see in London as savvy Bartenders from around the world fly in to impart their knowledge or cocktail recipes.

Wayne Collins was on hand in the Maxxium suite Mixing the "Magnificent Seven" cocktails which he believes has it's roots to every modern cocktail we see today. I have reason to believe this man as he is dedicated amongst a handful of other Bar Historians to learning everything he can about the Past, Present and Future when it comes to mixed drinks. He also had a small handy ice ball machine on hand which was quite spectacular. It would literally take a small square piece of ice and turn it into a perfectly round ball of solid ice within 20 seconds. It fits perfectly in your old-fashioned glass and works wonderfully with a small dram of Macallan. I unfortunately could not pry the machine away from him but should have better luck next time.

Papa Jules from Mahiki Tiki Lounge has a Booth dedicated to Rum Tiki cocktails although Booth is probably not the right word. It was a tennis court size replica of the beach with tons of beach sand flown in to set the mood. It was brilliant as you would step on the sand enjoy a Tiki drink and forget that the London city sprawl was only a few meters beyond those walls.