Monthly Archives: September 2010

Monday Night Football Kickoff Cocktails

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Comments Off

If you listen closely in the distance the constant buzz and commotion of a fan base simmering with enthusiasm for the love of football can be heard before the first leaf of fall drops from the trees. Love of football begins with small towns and little leagues to Friday night high school cross town rivalries and continues through college and beyond. Living for the weekend isn’t just a saying when football season begins. It makes Monday a little more bearable when the work week rolls around too. Thank goodness for that little thing called Monday night football.

Go Team! – created by Joel Meister, Chicago

2 Lime Wedges

5 – 8 Mint Leaves

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 ounce Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka

1 ounce Stolichnay Ohranj Vodka

1/2 ounce Midori Melon Liqueur

Club Soda

Muddle lime wedges and mint leaves with simple syrup in bottom of mixing glass. Add ice, vodkas and liqueur. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda.

Chicago Sour – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Effen Cherry Vodka

1 part Simple Syrup

3/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Egg White – optional

3 drops Angostura Bitters

Skewered Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Place liquids (and optional egg white if including) in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly until frothy. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Add bitters to top of drink. Garnish with skewer of maraschino cherries. Pasteurized Egg Beaters can be used in place of fresh egg whites if desired.

Green Sneaker

2 parts Vodka

1/2 part Melon Liqueur

1/2 part Triple Sec

1/2 part Orange Juice

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass or strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with orange wedge.

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Football & Tailgating

National Comic Book Day: Super Hero Cocktail Recipes

Posted on September 25, 2010 | Comments Off

Do you follow a favorite super hero through the pages of comic books? If so, you might be interested to know that today has been set aside as National Comic Book Day. Perhaps a masked man wearing spandex tights will be lurking around the corner handing out free comic books. Better yet a damsel in distress (with broken high heel shoe of course) about to be preyed upon by some evil bad guy will be in your path today and you can swoop in to save the day. You will be the super hero of your own comic book.

Who are the favorite super hero comic book stars of all time anyway? I don’t really have the answer to that question, but the top answer on my Twitter page hands down was Spiderman.

White Spider

1 ounce Gin

1 ounce Lemon Juice

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1 teaspoon Simple Syrup

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

White Spider starts sweet first and then moves to tart quite quickly. Right away it smoothes again with a vanilla finish leaving one with the feeling that another sip is in order to decipher what just happened. This is similar to extremely well made lemonade that will come around full circle and bite you where it really counts if you keep sipping and wondering what just happened. Soon enough the White Spider will let you know it just did you in.

Back in the day of Spiderman cartoons on television all the guys thought Angelica Jones, A.K.A. Firestorm, was the bomb…or bombshell that is.

Bombshell

1 part Tequila

2 parts Dry Marsala

Splash Campari

Splash Cherry Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine the ingredients in a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with lemon twist.

Iceman was also one of Peter Parker’s college friends who always plunged from the sky on his own super ice ramp. Sure beats a ski lift any day, but imagine the melt down cleanup…

Frostbite

1 ounce Tequila

3/4 ounce White Crème de Cacao

3/4 ounce Heavy Cream

Grated Nutmeg Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cream becomes nice and frothy. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Frostbite makes a fabulous dessert style cocktail. Use tequila with kick to it; something with depth of character, spicy in base. Skip the mixto and go for 100% agave with pepper, vanilla and caramel note to complement the cacao and nutmeg. This drink recipe isn’t too heavy on sweetness, but long on satisfaction.

Batman fans are truly in luck. As one Twitter user pointed out Batman’s character strengths were his lack of ‘super human power’. His super power happened to be detective work and dedication to honing his physical perfection. It didn’t hurt that he was massively wealthy and could afford every super toy imaginable, but that’s another story. Batman’s character list is long as well as the cocktail recipe possibilities that could be paired with any number of them friend or foe.

The Dark Knight

1-1/2 ounce Sambuca

4 ounces Cola

1/2 ounce Homemade Grenadine

Maraschino Cherry Garnish

Build in a highball glass over ice, topping off with grenadine as float. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Gotham Martini

3 ounces Smirnoff Vodka

1/2 ounce Blackberry Brandy

1/2 ounce Black Sambuca

3 Blackberries for Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled one-third full of ice. Shake ten to fifteen seconds. Strain into a well chilled martini glass. Add blackberries on a skewer for garnish.

Gotham – created by Robert Hess 2002

1/2 teaspoon Absinthe

3 dashes Peach Bitters

2 ounces Brandy

Lemon Twist Garnish

Coat a chilled small rocks glass with absinthe. Add peach bitters and brandy. Garnish with lemon twist.

Cat got your tongue? Drooling over the feline qualities of Cat Woman with her nicely ripped up and haphazardly sewn together leather duds? Every girl needs an outfit like that with whip and high heels to match.

The Reluctant Tabby – created by Gary Regan

1-1/4 ounces Dubonnet Rouge

1/2 ounce Limoncello

1/4 ounce Scotch Whisky

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a wine goblet. Garnish with lemon twist

This is just a fun little cocktail. The Reluctant Tabby plays up Dubonnet Rouge with fantastic appeal. Possibly it’s the Scotch that downplays the sweet factor of limoncello. Whatever it is, it just works. Dubonnet just rolls over the tongue with luscious sophistication and flavor. Love this little sipper. Gary Regan created a winner here…of course.

Cat’s Eye

2 parts Gin

1-1/2 parts Dry Vermouth

1/2 part Kirsch

1/2 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Water

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frost forms on the outside of the cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled goblet.

If the Joker happens to be your favorite villain with his wicked grin…

Dry Smile

1 part Mandarin Vodka

1 part Cinzano Extra Dry

1/2 part Orange Curacao

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

1 tablespoon Strawberry Syrup

Pineapple Juice to Taste

Strawberry Garnish

Combine vodka, Cinzano, Curacao, lemon juice and strawberry syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice. Taste. Add pineapple juice to create the desired finished taste to your liking. Garnish with strawberry.

The most bizarre, albeit fun, answer I received when asking about superhero favorites was Bananaman. This was one I’d never heard of, but saw a short video firsthand as ‘proof’ of his existence. It appears he begins as a boy, so it seems appropriate this superhero begin with a Mocktail recipe rather than cocktail.

Banana Coffee Break

10 ounces Milk

4 tablespoons Coffee Powder

5 ounces Vanilla Ice Cream

2 Bananas – sliced and frozen

Brown Sugar to taste

Pour milk and coffee powder into blender and combine. Add half of the ice cream and combine again. Continue to add remaining ice cream until all is thoroughly blended. Add bananas and brown sugar to desired sweetness level. Blend until thoroughly combined. Divide mixture between two glasses. Garnish with fresh banana slices if desired.

Since adults enjoy a good read about Bananaman…the adult cocktail to suit those needs.

Banana Cocktail

1 part Advocaat

1 measure Crème de Banane

1 ripe Banana

Club Soda

Combine Advocaat, crème de banane, and banana in a blender with one cup ice until thoroughly blended. Pour into a chilled highball glass. Top with club soda.

Find a few more interesting daily cocktail dates and holidays to celebrate by following the link.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com – Copyright 2011 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved – All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

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Posted in Daily Holidays

Tagged Absinthe, Advocaat, Blackberry Brandy, Brandy, Campari, Cherry Brandy, Cointreau, Creme de Cacao, Dry Vermouth, Dubonnet, Gin, Kirsch, National Comic Book Day, Sambuca, Scotch, Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey

Black Beard Spiced Rum: Smooth Sailing for Cocktails

Posted on September 21, 2010 | Comments Off

Black Beard Spiced Rum has been named after the notorious English pirate who commanded the ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. His moniker and reputation stems from the formidable look of thick black beard, rough appearance and rumors that he often lit fuses under his hat to scare his enemies. Though he is sometimes portrayed as cruel and murderous, Black Beard exploited his terrifying image and clever skills as leader to obtain the desired effect in those he robbed and held captive. Black Beard has become the inspiration for pirate themed books, movies, parties and now rum.

Black Beard Spiced Rum

86 Proof

Aroma: Faint, barely there molasses or dark honey…maybe. Mostly vanilla with bits of floral buried deep. Slight tinge of fishy scent coming across. How’s that for a little note of Black Beard’s fresh from the sea treasure?!

Taste: Large amount of burn at the forefront but more taste than the aroma lets on. Caramel notes. Spice comes greatly from the heat burn. Some cinnamon fire possibly. Difficult to decipher. Vanilla roundness with touch of cinnamon roll softness straight through the middle. Floral just barely there, but comes across rather unassuming at the back of the tongue.

Black Beard Spiced Rum’s labeling comes across dark and menacing with a wee bit of snaggle tooth sword sinister style to it. Don’t let a bottle’s appearance fool you. The spirit begins with liquid burn but softens in the middle toward smooth sailing. Spice factor won’t cause one to buckle at the knees, but does manage to pack a modest smack when shaken in mixed company. This isn’t typical sipping style rum, but manages to shake the ordinary light rum experience up a bit.

Black Beard Spiced Rum sample for review courtesy Catch 21 Consulting. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Black Beard Spiced Rum, Spiced Rum

Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum: Jazzes the Drink

Posted on September 15, 2010 | Comments Off

One of the newest offerings to the Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. portfolio includes Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum. This spiced rum pays tribute to the nine districts of the island for which it is named in St. Croix and the nine flavor profiles within the spirit; vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, mace, allspice, pepper and juniper berry.

Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum Tasting

Aroma: Molasses, light spice and clove

Taste: Vanilla, bit of anise, quite a bit of burn, thin rather than overly thick with sweetness, hit of pepper spice with clove sprinkled throughout.

Definitely lends itself well to warming blends, but not necessarily hot drinks specific. Ginger could definitely work with this using honey or molasses to sweeten the deal rather than the usual simple syrup or sugar cube suspects.

An interesting factor of spiced rum is the usual inclusion of cola topper as primary mixer. It’s a handy add in for the spirit and lends itself well for blending since the caramel tones of cola work well with cinnamon spices and vanilla, but there is much more room for play within the spiced rum category. Look toward traditional recipes which include light and dark rums or even those that might be light rum specific. Jazz up the flavor of a drink by embellishing it with flavorful spiced rums. Don’t be mislead into thinking that the spiced rum category should be filed within the fall to winter season. This spirit creates divinely pleasant tropical treats for year round consumption.

9 Nova – adapted from classic Bossa Nova cocktail

1 part Cruzan Light Rum

1 part Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum

1/2 part DeKuyper Apricot Brandy

1 part fresh Lemon Sour*

3 parts Pineapple Juice

Pineapple Wedge Garnish

Ground Nutmeg

Combine all liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into hurricane glass over fresh ice. Garnish with pineapple wedge. Dust with fresh ground nutmeg. *Fresh Lemon Sour: 2 parts Lemon Juice, 1 part Simple Syrup

Additional information of interest from the Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum media release: “Cruzan touts one of the cleanest rums in the industry with its low levels of fusel oils, a by-product of the distillation process which, if not removed, can taint the smell and taste of the spirit. Its quality is also linked to the aging process, with most Cruzan rum varieties being aged a minimum of 14 months and up to 12 years.” Cruzan 9 is 80-proof, a blend of 9 spices and retails for approximately $16 for a 750 ml bottle.

Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum sample for review courtesy SHIFT Communications. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Tagged Cruzan 9 Spiced Rum, Spiced Rum

Sampling a Masterpiece: The Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection

Posted on September 14, 2010 | Comments Off

Woodford Reserve Bourbon is a small batch bourbon rather than single barrel spirit, meaning several barrels are tapped and carefully blended together to find the ideal Woodford flavor profile. Every piece of carefully crafted aged stave that goes into the barrel, every day of maturation in the warehouse, every ounce of labor that sinks into the spirited liquid within the gleaming walls of the Woodford Reserve Bourbon bottle flows in graceful fluid movement from bottle to glass for complete fulfillment in every pour.

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve Bourbon is the basis for each Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection spirit. This is the springboard from which each receives its inspiration. Nut, caramel, apricot seed, lilt of rose petals, tinge of dryness on the tongue due to lack of overly sweet.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection

The Master’s Collection honors the rich history of the Woodford County distillery with its innovation and discoveries. A continuation of innovative thinking and creativity is continually bringing new ideas and flavors to the forefront. Woodford Reserve Bourbon introduced ultra-premium bourbons to the market with the Master’s Collection Four Grain bottling and has continued to bring premium bourbon finishes to the forefront time and again. Though these ultra-premium special bottlings are indeed rare and without repeat by the distillery, they should be savored and enjoyed rather than left to evaporated and deteriorate on a shelf for later generations.

There are five flavor sources within the bourbon. Grain, water, fermentation, distillation and maturation. Water is always continual. Currently the distillation process for the Master’s Collection is also a constant. From that point the Master’s Collection varies and finds distinctive paths for each flavor profile.

Four Grain

Uses different yeast than Woodford Reserve. Buttery, smooth, caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, subtle hints of cocoa

Sonoma-Cutrer Finish

Woodford Reserve Bourbon finished in California chardonnay barrels for approximately four to five months. Subtle, sweet nose, chewy, hint of nut, buttery, vanilla

Due to strict rules governing what can and cannot be classified as bourbon, this particular finish is not classified as bourbon, but rather exactly what it says on the bottle: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in California Chardonnay Barrels.

1838 Sweet Mash

Darker in color and drier on the nose than Woodford Reserve, sweet on the nose, thick on the tongue, sweet, bit of dark chocolate notes.

Seasoned Oak Finish

100 proof. Only 70 barrels. Double Barrel Bourbon.

Dark rich color. Scent of clove in the nose, possibly cinnamon as well.

Rich chocolate, cinnamon, clove, molasses, full and lush. Surprisingly not too much burn with the higher proof. Anise and orange come through in the final taste after a few sips. The anise is extremely subtle. This is an intensely delicious finish. Definitely my favorite of all the ones tasted.

Maple Wood Finish

In choosing the Maple Wood Finish more than a few ideas went into the final thought process. But the ultimate conclusion broke down to a few key elements. The people behind the creative process wanted to use native trees to the state and place the bourbon into custom barrels rather than add sticks to the lot for flavor. Keeping a complex product simple and user friendly meant finishing Woodford Reserve Bourbon with something everyone knows; Maple. The Brown-Forman Cooperage built the first Maple barrels for bourbon use for the Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection. The flavor comes across complex, intertwines with the natural nuances of Woodford Reserve Bourbon and plays out well in the finish.

94 proof. 18,000 bottles available. $90 retail. Due to launch November 1, 2010. The barrels have been toasted only, no charring. Caramel, chewy, grainy, nutty, medium finish, hints of blackberry and blueberry. The Maple Wood Finish sips well as is, but also pairs extremely well in desserts, sauces, cocktails and savory dishes.

This Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection rendition is also not bourbon, but rather in a class on its own: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Maple Wood Barrels.

After tasting the Maple Wood Finish I went back for another taste of original Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Ironically the Woodford Reserve Bourbon stood up even better in taste value than I had imagined possible. In some cases when tasting degrees of goodness the base flavor will diminish in perceived flavor attraction compared to the enhanced varieties. Balancing the Maple Wood Finish directly side by side with Woodford Reserve Bourbon saw a marked improvement in the original spirit. More flavor notes were brought to the forefront that had gone unnoticed before and the spirit retained equal polish. Quite impressive.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon is most definitely excellent sipped neat or on the rocks depending upon your preference. However Woodford Reserve Bourbon also mixes terrifically in cocktails as was demonstrated during several tastings and food pairings throughout my stay in Kentucky as guest of Brown-Forman and Woodford Reserve Bourbon. More photos and recipe ideas from my visit will be shared on site soon.

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www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Brown-Forman / Woodford Reserve, Reviews

Tagged Bourbon, Whiskey, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Master's Collection

Flavorful Seduction for the Price of Peanuts

Posted on September 13, 2010 | 1 Comment

For those of you who don’t know, today is National Peanut Day Rather than partake of this favorite party time snack from a jar, why not take a delicious savory sip from a glass? Perhaps the curvaceous, seductive bottle of Castries Peanut Rum Crème will lure you in for delectable sipping. If you have already sampled Castries you know exactly why it is so alluring. If not, you are missing out on something rather divine, decadent and all around delicious!

You won’t find peanut butter flavor of this sensual feel and quality in any other liqueur on the market. Castries Peanut Rum Crème brings the rich heritage, energy and sensual indulgence of St. Lucia with it in flavor and bottle design. Sipping Castries is a taste extravaganza on the palate. Of course it tastes like peanuts, but the balance of buttery softness is supreme. This is not like dipping a finger in a jar of peanut butter type flavor. It is wispy softness with delicate peanut flavor wrapped in silky cream. There are definite hints of the Madagascar vanilla blended with the St. Lucian rum that lend toward an almost caramel feel. Castries Peanut Rum Crème’s luscious flavor transcends taste, escorting one to a place of indulgence, seduction and exotic pleasure.

The Phantom

2 ounces Castries Peanut Rum Crème

1 ounce Hennessy Cognac

Combine over ice in a rocks glass. Stir. Add fresh grated Nutmeg.

Castries and cognac blend together rather nicely here. The richness of both complement each other well in this creamy concoction, but with this ratio it came off a little too sweet for my taste. Perhaps the key would be an evening of ratios instead – 1.5 ounces Castries to 1.5 ounces Hennessy. This allows the Castries to still shine through while taking the edge off the sweet.

Peanut Butter Cup

2 ounces Castries Peanut Rum Crème

1 ounce Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

1 ounce Vanilla Vodka

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled martini glass. For added pizzazz, line chilled martini glass with chocolate syrup before pouring liquid into the glass.

This Peanut Butter Cup is definitely not for the faint of heart. Peanut richness runs throughout with a thread of chocolaty goodness. The theme of sweetness unquestionably lies within, but I was thoroughly surprised it was not sticky, gooey burn style since the sugar content is rather high in this particular cocktail. One Peanut Butter Cup drink will suffice for me, but then again straight gin or vodka martinis are usually what I call dessert.

Castries Peanut Rum Crème Official Tasting Notes

Color – Warm to pale nutty brown

Aroma – Natural peanut brittle, butter roasted peanuts, and brown spice

Taste – Full bodied palette that starts with strong notes of creamy peanut butter then fades into subtle spicy notes of cinnamon and brown sugar and finishes with a breath of fine aged rum

Castries Peanut Rum Crème retails for approximately $30 making this seductive spirit an affordable indulgence for on the rocks or mixable sipping.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Daily Holidays

Tagged Castries Peanut Rum Creme, National Peanut Day

Trinchero Tasting & Chat with Wine Maker Mario Monticelli

Posted on September 8, 2010 | Comments Off

A local wine club played host to Trinchero Winery and Wine Maker Mario Monticelli early last year. Mario graciously gave of his time pouring samplings of the Merlot, Chicken Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 and Napa Valley Meritage 2006. He also took the time to sign the bottles. Truly an opportunity to sample a taste of California, chat with the maker and bring home a few treats.

This thirty year old “Rock Star” wine maker spoke gregariously with all tasters who approached no matter the topic. Obviously a lover of the beautiful landscape and fine dining, Mario chatted freely about the spectacular climate Napa offers for growing bountiful grapes and the incredible bike rides. As tasters swirled and sipped, Mario talked about his rich family heritage of wine makers and how he grew up with the grapevine.

Of course Napa is famous for The French Laundry, but you won’t find Trinchero wines featured on the wine list there. Mario explained to one woman who asked that most of The French Laundry’s wine choices fall within the $200 dollar range. Trinchero strives to keep their wines in the more affordable, yet very flavorful category. He also gave the woman and her friend the heads up that if they are looking for the quality of The French Laundry without the waiting list or price Bouchon is the place to go. Mario prefers dining at the bar at Bouchon. I’d have to agree with Mario on that one.

Speaking of bars, once Mario and I began chatting, cocktails were the order of business…after he poured a sample of that lovely Cabernet Sauvignon that is. His recommended cocktail in Napa is the Clear Conscience (not to be confused with the recent Clear Conscience Mocktail post). It is something along the lines of muddled cucumber and fresh oranges with vodka and simple syrup. Shaken with ice and then strained over ice and topped off with soda. Mario said the aroma was like that of a fresh, spring cucumber salad.

If you have an interest in wine, check out the writers found in Gathering of the Vine. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cline Cashmere proudly sponsors organizations that support breast cancer awareness. Since I love a great wine label, Bitch wine made my short list one Wine Wednesday afternoon. Take a tour through a local wine vineyard; Breezy Hills.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

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Posted in Reviews, Winery

Tagged Mario Monticeli, Trinchero Winery, Wine

Republic Tequila is Fresh, Unassuming, Memorable

Posted on September 7, 2010 | Comments Off

Republic Tequila catches the eye in a groovy little Texas shaped bottle. Ironically the bottle seems rather small though the state of Texas boasts images of living large with ten gallon hats, big boots and hearts as giving as the smiles are big and bright. There is a reason for the saying, “Deep in the heart of Texas.” The state is large and one just might get lost in the surroundings of pride and hospitality.

This tequila differs from others by being crafted at La Quemada Distillery, one of Mexico’s only certified organic distilleries. Republic Tequila is handcrafted and uses traditional and alternative methods of fermentation in the production process. According to marketing material, “Unlike other distilleries, La Quemada allows Republic Tequila to rest after it has been distilled in order to produce a purer, smoother spirit.” La Quemada also proudly protects the environment by being a working green distillery.

Republic Tequila Tasting

100% Agave. Organic Plata. 80 Proof. After fermentation and distillation, Republic Tequila Plata rests for three to five days before bottling to achieve light to medium body. $35 to $40 price range

Crystal clear like perfect water.

Aroma: mild, non-burning on the nose, grassy, slight butter, certain richness

Taste: Extremely light on the tongue, some burn, soft butter to vanilla notes

There was a hint of aroma that also comes through in the taste that is a little difficult to describe. It is a wee bit like the faintness of fresh mown grass as it first lilts to the nose before it is recognizable to the senses as fresh mown grass. Then the scent travels to a glimmer of taste just at the crux of the throat so it is just faintly there. Hardly enough, so one wonders if it was there at all.

Another sip renders heat, mixed with buttery spice and then the waft of flavor is there again. Only this time the recognition becomes freshly dampened, clean soil. The taste is brief, perplexing and intriguing. The tequila is fresh, unassuming, memorable. Oddly enough a definition of unassuming is ‘down to earth.’ The organic tequila that gives back to the environment springs a trace of the earth in its flavor in a marvelously balanced way. Captivating indeed.

Republic Tequila comes across as beautiful sipping tequila neat if a little heat doesn’t dampen your spirit. Excellent on the rocks (two ounces with two or three cubes please); just enough to lighten the load and bring the spirit to easy sipping pace.

Of course, a cocktail or two never hurts either!

Find Republic Tequila on Facebook or follow Republic Tequila on Twitter.

Republic Tequila sample for review courtesy Republic Tequila representatives. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Reviews

Tagged Republic Tequila, Tequila

Easy Two Ingredient Drink & Shot Recipes

Posted on September 6, 2010 | Comments Off

There is definitely no reason to labor over intensive cocktail recipes with multiple ingredients to gain flavorful sips while enjoying the weekend. There are numerous two ingredient drink recipes to put together for easy, flavorful enjoyment. Venture beyond the obvious vodka and cranberry Cape Codder drink or usual ‘go to’ popular shots. Try a new two ingredient drink or shot recipe while soaking up the last few days of luke warm temperatures over the Labor Day weekend.

Say goodbye to summer time heat and hello to cooler temps, football and the beautiful colors of fall foliage with the Adios shot.

Adios

1 part Coffee Liqueur

1 part Tequila

Carefully layer chilled spirits in a shot glass in the order given. Shoot. Say goodbye to the lazy, hazy days of summer.

For beer fans everywhere who want to get the party started with a big bang there is the Baby Guinness. When accomplished correctly this shot layers with the look of a correctly poured mini pint of Guinness. What’s not to love about a mini shot of Guinness?

Baby Guinness

1 part Coffee Liqueur

1 part Irish Cream Liqueur

Carefully layer chilled spirits in a chilled shot glass in the order given.

Find more fun shot recipes filed in the shot category.

Every gathering has that special someone who tells the best stories and knows the funniest jokes. He is the Godfather of the party. He gets the party started simply by arriving. He is classic.

Godfather

2 parts Scotch Whisky

1 part Amaretto

Build over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Stir.

Poor weather sometimes spoils even the best of plans. Don’t let Mother Nature throw a Monkey Wrench into your plans. Pour a little spirited fun over ice, stir and let the good times continue indoors if a little rain falls on your parade.

Monkey Wrench

2 parts Gold Rum

3 parts Pink Grapefruit Juice

Build over fresh ice in a highball glass. Stir.

Do long holiday weekends make you feel like getting away? Buy a ticket, hop a Greyhound and take a tour. Or just sip a long, tall cool one and think about all the places you could go.

Greyhound

2 parts Citrus Vodka

3 parts Grapefruit Juice

Build over fresh ice in a highball glass. Stir.

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Posted in Labor Day, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters

Tagged 2 Ingredient Drinks, Amaretto, Citrus Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, Irish Cream, Rum, Scotch, Shot-tails, Tequila

Cry Me a River Morning After Bloody Mary Cocktail

Posted on September 5, 2010 | Comments Off

The morning after begins with regret for partying too hard, lack of sleep, remembrance of good times shared with friends and the wish to do it all over again…soon! Mornings like this call for a fresh brewed pot of strong coffee followed by a nicely balanced cocktail built Bloody Mary style. Aptly named for its ability to adapt to the varying degrees of morning after situations, Cry Me a River fits the bill for full flavored simplicity; just what the doctor ordered.

Cry Me a River

1-1/2 ounce OVAL Vodka

1/2 ounce Red Vermouth

1/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Dash of Tabasco sauce

4 ounces Spicy V-8 juice

Pepper

Lemon Wheel & Celery Garnish

Place liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Dust with pepper. Garnish with lemon wheel and thin slice of celery.

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All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

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Posted in Cocktails

Tagged Bloody Mary

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