The Intoxicologist

Those who become legendary offer more than empty notoriety behind a name.  They are more than the latest movie theater listing or rag magazine headline.  Legends offer a guiding light toward the future.  Dale DeGroff created an exceptional cocktail for a Legends event hosted by Oprah Winfrey in 2005.  This event honored a specific group for their legendary role in history.  There are extraordinary people living among us every day with valuable lessons to impart and amazing stories to share.  These could be those with youthful perception or those who have become frail and dependent.  The question is; will you take time to listen?

Legends Cocktail – The Essential Cocktail, Dale DeGroff

1 small piece Ginger Root

1/2 ounce Cointreau

1/2 ounce St-Germain

1-1/2 ounce Vodka

1/2 ounce White Cranberry Juice

3/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Spiral Lemon Peel Garnish

Orange Slice, Sugar & Ground Ginger for Dusting Glass

Combine 4 parts sugar to 1 part ground ginger in mixing tray.  Rim cocktail glass with orange slice.  Dip outer rim of glass in sugar mix to frost.  Set aside and then chill the glass. 

Place ginger root and liqueurs in bottom of mixing glass.  Muddle.  Add vodka and juices with ice.  Shake well to blend and chill.  Strain into chilled ginger sugar rimmed glass.  Garnish with spiral lemon peel. 

Notation: The Legends Cocktail just wouldn’t be the same without the easy to mix frosted rim.  The sweetly spiced gingered rim tips off this cocktail perfectly sip after sip.  Read about the creative thought process behind the Legends Cocktail in Dale DeGroff’s book, The Essential Cocktail.  You’ll find this recipe on page 240 in the Innovations chapter along with a few other simply irresistibly delightful concoctions.

Modern Classic Cocktails

Hennessy Martini – Seelbach Cocktail – Stiletto – Burnt Orange Kir – American Cocktail

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

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

Copyright 2010 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.

The latest Absolut ‘Cities’ launch brings new flair to the Absolut bottle style with depiction of the omnipresent Brooklyn Stoop.  The bottle, designed by Spike Lee, embraces the foundation of the Brooklyn community with vibrant color.  Look closely to find clever mentions of Brooklyn within the stoop itself.  But most notable, the Lars Olsson Smith seal has been altered for the first time ever.  This limited edition Cities offering seal portrays Lars wearing a baseball cap and glasses reminiscent of Spike Lee.

Absolut Brooklyn Tasting

Aroma: Fresh cut apples; juicy. No alcohol burn. Barely there hint of spice. Simple lusciousness indicating sweetness to the tiniest degree.

Taste: The ginger lies in wait beneath the aroma showing through as primary, glowing forth with subtle spicy charm.  Apple softens from the aroma of red juicy to fresh baked with hints of peel bringing a bit of depth to the fruit flavor.  Lots of spicy play with overlay of cinnamon and sprinkling of pie crust.

This takes me a little off guard, a bit surprising.  Not entirely an apple fan when it comes to cocktail and juice flavorings, I am quite taken by the appeal of this offering.  Though it seems a bit off season as to its spring to summer delivery since the spirit comes across more warming, Absolut Brooklyn delivers well on the palate.  This will definitely make bobbing for apples quite the treat at the next Halloween party when the season rolls around.

Spiked Core– created by Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Absolut Brooklyn

1/2 part St-Germain

1/4 part Benedictine

1 part White Cranberry Juice

1 part Ginger Ale

Crystallized Ginger Round Garnish

Fill highball glass with ice.  Add liquids in order given.  Stir.  Garnish with crystallized ginger round inserted directly in drink.

This drink builds upon the core flavors of apple and spice by gently enhancing the fruited sweetness of apple with St-Germain and building upon the spicy overlay with Benedictine.  Choose to stop building the drink with the first three ingredients and a lovely warming cocktail emerges for fall to winter sipping.  Shake it over ice and strain into a martini glass.  Continue with all the ingredients over ice for a light and delicious apple inspired drink for summertime sipping.

This newest ‘Cities’ inspired offering honors and supports the Brooklyn community with Absolut Vodka donating $50,000 from profits from the sale of Absolut Brooklyn to Habitat for Humanity New York City. 

Find Absolut on Twitter at @ABSOLUTVODKA_US

Find Habitat for Humanity on Twitter at @Habitat_org

Absolut Links of Interest

Lower Calorie Ruby Weekdays Cocktail – Absolut Berri Acai: Mint Condition Cocktail Spirit

Absolut Boston Tea Flavor Parties Well with Drink Recipes

One if by Land, Two if by Sea, Introducing a Bottle of ABSOLUT Boston for Thee

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

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

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

Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

March 2010 saw the dawn of a new day.  The extraordinary Crème Yvette Liqueur once produced and sold in the United States and around the world from the 1890’s to 1960’s once again became available to U.S. shores.  This fruited, violet rich liqueur crafted near Bordeaux, France, had been out of circulation for nearly half a century.  Its unique quality and craftsmanship made it essential as a primary ingredient for many classic cocktails.  Due in part to the efforts of cocktail historians such as Ted Haigh, Dale DeGroff and David Wondrich, the Crème Yvette recipe was revived through Robert Cooper, President of The Cooper Spirits Company.  The Cooper Spirits Company also produces the incredibly luscious St-Germain Liqueur.  (St-Germain on Twitter)

Ted Haigh, Dale DeGroff and David Wondrich are among the greats in the field of bartending and mixology who research the classics extensively and endeavor to educate bartenders and consumers about the rich heritage of cocktail culture.  Their knowledge of spirits, the bartenders who originated the craft, the play of balance in cocktail creation, technique and the importance of fresh, quality ingredients come together to inspire career minded bartenders and at home cocktail enthusiasts.  The knowledge of these cocktail experts and others elevate the field of mixology and bartending beyond a mere glass filled with spirits.  They raise the bar of expectation for bartenders everywhere.  It should no longer be acceptable to stand behind a bar without knowledge, skill and desire to serve well built cocktails with pride. 

Once in a blue moon extraordinary spirits rise from the row of bottles lining liquor shelves.  Crème Yvette sits royally with magnificent color without need to perch above others.  There is no need for gold lacing or crowning significance for the intensity of this spirit to reach out and take hold of the senses.  Her regal color shows through with intensity from the start. 

Crème Yvette Tasting

Taste: Floral, berries, lightly sweet rather than sickly sugared, rolling lilt with deep richness in the flavor, boysenberry, raspberry, blackberry with cassis combined with bouquet of gentle flower petal softness.  A certain velvety feel with layering of fruit and skin of berries rather than one dimensional sweetness only.

Crème Yvette Notes: Blend of four berry fruits, mure, framboise, cassis and fraise sauvage, blended with dried violet petals from Provence and a final touch of orange peel and honey.

Crème Yvetted deeply satisfies.  No doubt as to why this particular liqueur is also enjoyed as an after dinner digestif.  Its subtle deliciousness may be sipped slowly for divine, succulent fulfillment without need to mix.  However the offering of more with added spirits brings creativity to a new level.  One could go spring flair or richly, warming depending on base spirit added.  Definitely see Crème Yvette combining well with champagne, lemonade, rosemary, basil and would go out on a limb to say it might possibly work exceptionally well with Rosangel Tequila.

Blue Moon – Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails, Ted Haigh

2 ounces Gin

1/2 ounce Crème Yvette

1/2 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake to blend and chill.  Strain into cocktail glass.  Garnish with fresh lemon twist.  Notation: Though not specified in the recipe, I chose Plymouth Gin as it mixes easily without heavy overtones.

Though the color did not appear blue to any degree, the flavor does indeed come across as one of those ‘once in a blue moon’ recipe styles.  Simple.  Easy.  Straight forward.  Memorable.  Classic.  This type of cocktail comes around once in a blue moon as does a liqueur as unique as Crème Yvette.  Ted Haigh describes the Blue Moon as “incomparable” in his book Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails.  He also describes variations on this classic.  Find out what you’re missing by picking up a copy of his incredible book and this magnificent spirit.

Crème Yvette sample for review courtesy The Cooper Spirits Company.  All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist. 

The 75 and The Seelbach Cocktail vintage recipes found on The Intoxicologist site are both referenced from Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails book.

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

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

Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved

There is one reason above and beyond any other rationale that St-Germain Liqueur makes the supreme show stopping sexiest liquid gift for Valentine’s Day this year; it has the sleekest, sexiest bottle ever to hit liquor store shelves.  The St-Germain bottle begs one to gently grace a finger along its silky smooth lines and curvaceous edges.   This beautiful elixir stands tall and graceful tempting the senses, teasing the palates of so many since its introduction to the U.S. market.  

The St-Germain Cocktail

2 parts Sparkling Wine, Sauvignon Blanc or Dry White Wine

1-1/2 parts St-Germain

2 parts Club Soda

Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add Champagne first, then St-Germain, then Club Soda. Stir completely.* Garnish with a lemon twist, making sure to squeeze essential oils into glass.  *St-Germain is heavier than wine, thus it will settle to the bottom unless mixed thoroughly.

St-Germain is an artisanal French liqueur created only once per year in late spring.  It is said to be 100% all natural with no preservatives.  It is created from elderflower blossoms in limited quantities.  Officially St-Germain tastes like tropical fruit, citrus and orchard fruits.  The flavor is soft and lilting on the tongue making it perfect for light sipping or adding that finishing touch to delicate cocktails.

La Rosette

1/2 part St-Germain

Top with Champagne, Brut Rosé or Dry Sparkling Wine

Pour ingredients into a chilled fluted glass and stir lightly. Float half a strawberry, a few raspberries or garnish with a lemon twist. Drink a toast to the elegance of simplicity and the divinity of fraises fraîches.  The addition of Brut Rosé makes this usually named St-Germain & Champagne cocktail the La Rosette due to its beautifully blush color.

My first taste of St-Germain: “I can’t describe what the liqueur even tastes like. It is light, yet abundant, but not overpowering. It is floral, but not flowery and strong like roses. It has a hint of fruit in it, yet there is not a particular fruit to distinguish in the flavor. – It is a complicated liqueur, yet brings a dynamic to a drink that is unmatched. It is a layering effect that happens when a drink is put together with forethought. When you drink a cocktail such as this, you take a sip and think to yourself that it tastes really good. Then you take another sip and realize there is another element in the drink you hadn’t caught the first taste around. That adds new depth and character to it and you want to taste more to see if you catch something else. That is exactly what the St~Germain does for a drink if it is added in the right proportion.” – St-Germain Limon Blossom

Dia Del Amor

1 part St-Germain

1-1/2 parts Reposado Tequila

3/4 part fresh lime

2 dashes hot sauce

Shake and strain into chili salt rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

More cocktails using St-Germain: Maharani Cocktail with Rangpur Gin, G’vine Orchid & G’Fizz from The G’Infusions, my version of the Christi Cosmo with Christiania Vodka and the Christi Kyss created by another mixologist, Quartier Latin with Blanche Armagnac Laubade, Leblon Cachaca’s own Spirit of Brasil created by Charles Joly, NUVO-Dream layers St-Germain with NUVO Sparkling Liqueur, the Widow’s Touch cocktail uses Laird’s Applejack and Bendictine to create a couples cocktail, saké2me Asian Pear gives an Asian influence to Hennessy & St-Germain with the Le Coloniale, feel a bit of summer sun shine with Bombay Sapphire Gin and B&B Liqueur as they combine to create a Botanical Breeze, Dos Lunas offers the Silver Lining… There are many, many more of course!

Cherub’s Cup

1 part St-Germain

2 parts Vodka, Citrus Vodka, or Hendricks

1/4 part Fresh Lemon

1/4 part Simple Syrup

Muddled Strawberry

Top with Brut Rosé

Shake and strain over fresh rocks in a collins glass. Top with Brut Rosé or Brut Champagne. Garnish with a strawberry.

The Bulldog Rouge at Forge – Sweeney Todd

The ‘Oh Pear’ – The Christiania Artini

Need a little inspiration for taming your 1st date flutters?  Plymouth Gin offers the perfect Butterflies Cocktail with link to conversation starter topics to keep you out of the hot seat.  Enjoy more Valentine’s Day recipes by finding Burning Love in the Red Light District with Mekhong inspired cocktails.  The Hennessy Blackberry cocktail inspired more than thoughts of cocktails where long distance relationships are concerned this Valentine’s Day.  Barefoot Bubbly offers a Kiss from a Rose champagne topped cocktail with raspberry and blackberry with the perfect hint of blush for any romantic encounter, date night or Girl’s Night Out on the town.  175 more cocktail recipes and shots have been chosen to highlight the Fun & Flirty side of life.  Enjoy!

The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon

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

str8upcocktails@gmail.com

Tales of the Cocktail Announces the 2009 Spirited Dinner Series

Presented By Imbibe Magazine and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

“The Spirited Dinners provide an excellent opportunity to not only explore the finest cuisine that New Orleans has to offer, but also to discover firsthand the exciting potential of pairing cocktails with food.”

-Robert Hess, host of “The Cocktail Spirit” on SmallScreenNetwork.com

June 7, 2009–Tickets are now on sale for Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Dinners. Buy your tickets now for a night of dinner pairings presented at 25 New Orleans restaurants. The Spirited Dinners will take place Thursday, July 9, 2009 during the 7th annual cocktail and culinary festival, Tales of the Cocktail. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to dine in style at New Orleans’ finest for an experience that takes pairing to the next level.

Each Spirited Dinner will have a distinctive menu with a range of cuisine from appetizers to desserts, served along with extraordinary cocktails of all variations and flavors. At each spirited dinner, a team of authors, mixologists, and bar-chefs have worked alongside New Orleans’ most prestigious restaurants to bring you a unique and exciting menu. Spirited Dinner guests will learn mixing and pairing techniques straight from the menu designers. To further enrich your experience, these creators will be on-hand for advice on anything food or cocktail.

In order to ensure an intimate dining experience, space has been limited and reservations are required. Spirited Dinners combine quality service, remarkable menus, and an unforgettable encounter in the heart of New Orleans. At $85 – $100 per person, Spirited Dinners will include a fabulous four to six course meal, tax, tip, and a paired cocktail with each course.

For a list of Spirited Dinner menus, please visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com. The list of participating restaurants and contact information is provided below. To make reservations, call your favorite New Orleans restaurant today.

Reserving your seat at Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Dinners Series will not only support the restaurant industry, but will also raise the spirits of New Orleans. Make your toast to our great city on Thursday, July 9, 2009.

About Tales of the Cocktail

Tales of the Cocktail is an internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event brings together the best and brightest of the cocktail community

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society

The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society is a non-profit organization committed to preserving the unique culture of dining and drinking in New Orleans and the storied bars and restaurants that have contributed to the city1s world-wide culinary acclaim. This organization supports members of the hospitality industry through education and the production of events like Tales of the Cocktail and, most recently, Trails of the Cocktail, a scholarship program for emerging talent in the New Orleans cocktail industry.

Every summer spirits from around the world descend on America’s most soulful city. This summer will be no different as Tales of the Cocktail returns. Join us for a spirited schedule of cocktails, cuisine, and culture that will stir even the most idle of souls.

For more information on Tales of the Cocktail, visit www.TalesoftheCocktail.com and register to receive email updates, ticket-sales announcements and to view the exciting line-up of events and celebrity presenters for 2009. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.