Sunday, August 26, 2012
Here's the perfect drink for saying goodbye to summer.
I’m ready for fall – I’ve been longing for a cool, dry breeze since the onset of the dreaded humidity. Curiously, however, I’m in no rush to abandon those delightful summer cocktails ... In tribute, as summer fades, I give a last nod to the Julep, the Smash and the must-have Lewis Bag. I recently purchased a Lewis Bag for my home bar – a great tool for creating perfectly crushed ice. The package's arrival stoked my new obsession for making and enjoying slushy cold cocktails. Half of the fun is beating the bag with a wooden mallet until the ice has reached the desired consistency. Originally intended for use as a coin bag (according to cocktailkingdom.com), the heavy-duty material helps to soak up moisture, resulting in a drier ice. …
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Here's some sipping inspiration for summer's delicious stone fruit.
It’s peach season, and the velvety fruits are showing up at local farmers markets. A ripe, juicy peach stands nicely on its own, but this sweet treat is also a terrific ingredient. What to make with summer’s bounty, you ask? Cocktails, of course! For starters, there’s the Bellini – a summertime classic that hails from Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy. A delightful combination of Champagne (or prosecco – it’s an Italian recipe after all!) and peach puree – this sipper is easy to make and not only tastes great, but also results in a lovely coral toned beverage. An article in the August edition of "Bon Appetit" magazine covers a family’s annual holiday at a Tuscan villa. The photos of Bellinis in hand while the family takes in the Italian …
Sunday, May 27, 2012
It's a cocktail lovers dream.
Tucked away behind an indistinct door inside the popular Washington bar The Passenger, a cocktail lovers paradise awaits – the Columbia Room. I recently enjoyed my inaugural experience at the speakeasy, and now regret missing out on this delightful spot until now. Reservations at the 10-seat bar are required. Guests can opt for the drink tasting menu, or cocktails a la carte. The tasting menu offers three delights: an opening cocktail that greets you on arrival, one pre-selected concoction paired with an amuse-bouche and a third prepared with whatever liquor or flavor you may have a hankering for. My evening began with head bartender Katie Nelson’s concoction of black tea, fresh orange juice and Pedro Ximenez Sherry (“PX”), topped with a …
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Here's a cocktail that tastes like summer.
You might have read my tribute earlier this month about the Tom Collins, a gin cocktail that’s recently become my warm weather go-to. In that article, I also noted my newfound interest in gin. In search of as yet unsavored juniper-based drinks, I decided to give the Gin Rickey a try – despite my previous prejudice against what I thought was a boring, gin-based stand-by. So glad I did! A combination of gin (or bourbon whiskey–the original spirit of choice), fresh lime juice, the lime shell and soda water results in a refreshing, light summer cocktail, with no sweetness overkill. Cocktail historians believe the Gin Rickey was introduced in 1883 at Shoomaker’s Bar, currently Washington's J.W. Marriott (located at 1331 Pennsylvania Ave.). In…
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Two gin cocktails worth trying this spring
Last year, my warm weather drink favorites included the delightful Pimm's Cup and the rum-based Ti' Punch. Sadly, gin was an ignored libation. This spring I plan to give the spirit the attention it deserves. For years I shied away from gin, likely due to the number of mediocre gin cocktails I had the displeasure of sampling. The streak ended when I was introduced to the Old Raj Gin and Tonic at D.C.'s Estadio. The man behind the drink, bar manager Adam Bernbach, modeled his creation after gin and tonics popular throughout Spain. The drink mixes house-made orange thyme tonic and Cadenhead's Old Raj Gin, a slightly spicy spirit infused with saffron. If you get the chance to go to Estadio, I highly recommend the indulgence, it's unlike any …
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is in full swing, and to help celebrate, several local restaurants are serving cherry-inspired concoctions.
The blossoms may have peaked early this year, but the creative beverages below will be available through April 27. I've also included a recipe containing a cherry-flavored liqueur in case you want to whip up something special at home. At BRABO, enjoy the unique take on a Pisco Sour titled the "Hot Cherry Mess", containing Macchu Pisco, Szechuan peppercorn spiced syrup, house-made cherry jam, lemon juice, egg white foam and cherry bitters. The Grille at Morrison House presents two delightful options; the "Sour Cherry Fizz" prepared with sour cherry juice, Tanqueray gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white and a splash of club soda, and a twist on a classic—the "Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned"—Maker's Mark, bitters, house-smoked cherry syrup…
