TALK DRINKS

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

"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

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

Cross Your Fingers, Singapore Here I Come

Heering Liqueur is holding their very exclusive Accessorize 2009 Cocktail Contest. It is a two part contest, where the first part is a fashion contest for a designer cocktail gown. Then, they are looking for inspired mixologists to create a cocktail to "Accessorize" a particular cocktail gown. There are five dresses to choose from which to inspire your recipe. I chose the Vintage Dress because I feel the woman who wears this dress would want a highly fashionable cocktail that is very aromatic and surprisingly garnished. My cocktail is called the Soiree and it uses Le Tourment Vert (a French Absinthe), Heering Cherry Liqueur, Plymouth Gin, rose flower water, lemon juice, and a striking edible flower garnish. Finalists will be chosen from 15 countries and will fly to Singapore, stay at the Raffles Hotel and have a chance to compete for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize is the rights to write one's own cocktail book! I've submitted my cocktail and haven't heard the decision yet, but it's been my dream to go to Singapore. (Incidentally, the famous Singapore Sling cocktail was created at the Raffles Hotel in 1910 using Heering Cherry. If the cocktail is not made with Cherry Heering, it can't be called a Singapore Sling.) I hope I get a chance to represent the U.S.A.!! Cross Your Fingers Everyone - Mindy, the Hilton in Austin

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

Planters Punch - EverydayDrinkers.tv

Hit the Anvil - Everything's Bigger in TX

Recently I visited Anvil, a brand new Cocktail Bar & Refuge in Houston. Bobby Heugel and his team of talented mixologists are some of the best in Texas. All of the spirits they use are hand selected, tried and true brands. Their juices are freshly squeezed and their ingredients/mixers are top quality. Anvil's bartenders are masters at creating fantastic cocktails that are well-balanced and suited to your tastes. The care and attention they give to every single libation is hard to find, and much appreciated by this bartender. Anvil reminds me of an old-school cocktail lounge, where the bartenders take pride in their craft, know what they are doing, and give their customers an unforgettable experience. If you are in Houston, you have to check out Anvil. Cheers - Jeret, San Antonio
Anvil Bar & Refuge
1424 Westheimer, Ste B
Houston, TX 77006
Tel: 713-523-1622

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

Important Women's Health Issue

A friend of ours forwarded this ad for a new medication and I we thought it was very informative. :) Cheers - TALKDRINKS.COM

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas! Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses, you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.

Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may vary and include:
Loss of motor control
Loss of clothing
Loss of money
Table dancing
Dehydration
Dry mouth
And a desire to sing Karaoke

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may cause you to think you can sing.

WARNING: The consumption of Margaritas may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.

Recent studies have shown that red wine and champagne may be interchangeable and compatible with Margaritas.

Don't let that inner shyness and low self esteem go untreated.

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