The newest Hennessy Limited Edition bottle by Shepard Fairey

Ile de Re - Fine Island Cognac from Camus

Please believe that we will be telling you a whole lot more about this amazing brand in the next few days, until then stop by your local libation purveyor and ask if they are in supply of any of Camus’ amazing line of perfectly blended Cognacs, they are truly smoother than a glass of silk. 

For more info on this and all of their other wonderful releases, check out: www.camus.fr/fr

End of Summer Refreshment Recipes

I don't know about where you live, but where we are located these last few weeks of nothing but incredibly hot days and annoyingly hot nights have begun to take their toll on our abilities to withstand wanting an ice cold libation. Ok who are we lying too, we just were looking for a reason too try out some new recipes and with the last few days of Summer sitting before us and it being so hot as of late, how many more reasons do we truly need to do some out of the box drinking, I mean thinking.

As always enjoy these recipes, RESPONSIBLY.

National Rum Day Recipes courtesy of Captain Morgan

It comes as no secret that we are lovers of Rum here at The Supreme Plate. So much so that when our favorite holiday, “National Rum Day” rolls around we shut down and have ourselves a much needed party. Seeing as how that great day happens to occur on a Friday this year, we figured lets get to putting up some recipes in advance so everyone and their mama can have a chance to enjoy the greatest liquor to have ever been created, Rum. The good folks over at Owl’s Brew created a few incredible recipes for Captain Morgan and sent them our way, so in turn we place them in front of you.

Remember with everyone running around yelling “Turn Up” take a moment and relax with some good friends and enjoy your libations responsibly, just because you want to look like a fool doesn't mean the rest of us should have to suffer for it.

Happy National Rum Day!!

PORT ROYAL PUNCH (Serves 25)

Ingredients:

2 46-oz. cans of pineapple juice

3 cups mango juice

1 750 mL bottle of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum

4.5 oz. grenadine

3 oranges sliced thinly and quartered

3 cans of Sprite for fizz

Directions:

In a punch bowl or large serving vessel, add the above ingredients and stir. Serve over ice in a punch glass – or glass of your choosing.

BLACK & GINGER TEA

Ingredients:

3 oz. Ginger Tisane (tea base)

1 oz. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum

1 Tablespoon agave nectar (or sweetener of choice)

1/4 oz. lemon juice

Directions:

Brew tea base or tea bag in 6-8 oz. of water. Brew hot for four minutes and flash-chill, or cold for one hour. Shake with Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, sweetener and lemon juice, and pour into rocks glass over ice. Created by Owl’s Brew.

CAPTAIN’S INVASION

Ingredients:

1 ¼ oz. Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum

¼ oz. Grand Marnier® Liqueur

¾ oz. lime juice

2 dashes of bitters

Directions:

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir to blend and garnish with lime wedge.Created by Owl’s Brew.

Hot Buttered Bacardi (Recipe)

With the heat crushing your desire to go outside, now is the time to try new things indoors with old friends. Our affinity for fine libations knows no limits and lately we have been trying things that we might’ve looked over previously just because of the nature of such a mixed drink. When it comes to certain drinks, much like bad news we like it straight and well occasionally over ice too. As soon as the temperatures drop in the evening, the best way to warm up besides human contact is to drink incredibly delicious concoctions.  

Check out the Hot Buttered Bacardi recipe below and prepare to enjoy yourself.

Ingredients:

1 part Bacardi Gold Rum

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp butter

4 whole cloves

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a mug

Fill with boiling water, stir and enjoy (don't swallow the cloves obviously)

LA Street Food Fest (Recap)

Standing in front of the World Famous Rose Bowl in beautiful Pasadena as the temperature crept into the 100’s, you could literally smell excitement permeating from afar as thousands of fans began to line up at the gates like a scene straight out of “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.” The 4^th annual LA Street Food Fest was moments away from starting and with over 100 food & beverage vendors ready to hand out those sought after goods that we all find ourselves flocking to every form of social media to diligently showcase day after day, it was truly a foodies dream.

 From big names like the Grilled Cheese Truck, Currywurst and Sushi Roku to the amazing curry chicken from Badmaash and the cupcakes from local Pasadena fan favorites Sugar Fix Dessert the variety and quality of food to be had was superb to say the least. It became evident upon arrival that staying properly hydrated was going to be crucial to thoroughly enjoy the entire day. Seeing the amount of ice-cold water stands strategically placed throughout the various areas, let guests know that not only would they be able to eat until their hearts were content, but they could also take in quite a few high quality libations without having to worry about becoming dehydrated.  

Arriving well before the VIP call-time so that we could people watch & see who the guests were going to be making a mad dash towards when the gates opened, we had a good time just mixing it up amongst the attendees before the bash even began. Taking a quick stroll around the set up to see the entire layout of the grounds we grabbed a few cold beers courtesy of the good folks over at Singha and proceeded towards the opposite side of the venue to get our hands “dirty.” 

Stopping at the Honest Tea booth we grabbed a couple cold bottles of their peach tea and stepped over to the Sushi Roku booth for some spicy tuna hand rolls that were incredibly fresh. On a hot day such as this, its always a crap shoot when eating fish outside, but a well prepared provider of any kind has more than enough supplies to help keep all of their foods well within the safe zone in regards to temperature. With so many spots to choose from and only so much room in the stomach our next notable stop was Badmaash (which translates to Bad Ass) for some perfectly seasoned and spiced Curry Chicken & Rice. 

Curry flavor whether it has been derived from a Caribbean or Indian recipe is such a complex layering of flavors that add so much depth to even the most bland of proteins and grains, is a staple in our test kitchens and on our menus. We did the smart thing and began to double fist every location so that we could take it all in as effortlessly as possible, which began with double helpings of delicious tacos from La Flor de Yucatan, Bulgogi boneless Pork Rib Tacos from Street Foods Co and 9021Pho. 

A special note must be made about the cool folks who worked the Street Foods Co truck, they had the perfect set up going with their selection of funky instrumentals and vintage theme, to us they had the best presentation of the day.

Stopping for a few great libations from Raymond 1886 we were treated to an impromptu show from the mixologist who tossed drink mixers and bottles around like her was performing a circus trick, something that was unexpected to say the least in this heat. Looking for a little bit of meat, potato and gravy in our lives we stumbled up The Lobos Truck for their incredible Wacho Fries & Sliders.

 Before we knew it we had tried just about everything we could and were rolling ourselves towards our two favorite desserts, Fluff Ice and Sugar Fix cupcakes. We couldn't decide which to tackle first so we hit them both at the same time and walked away with a sense of accomplishment that can only be described as a stimulating moment in our food career. 

When you get a bite of a warm freshly made Smore’s style treat from Sugar Fix Dessert and double that up with some ice cold fluff ice (shaved ice with a twist as they so accurately describe it) you know you made the right decision by coming out such a heatwave to eat, drink and be merry as only fully stuffed individuals can do. 

When we slid back ove the beer garden side of town, we couldn't help but get our dance on to the music played by the authentic Mariachis who came out with the livest truck in game, The Jarritos LA truck who is on hand at all of the freshest events throughout the Southland and always handing out thousands of bottles of their delicious (and always cold) flavored sodas.

To be honest a cold Lime Jarritos and a cup of crab gumbo with a buttermilk beignet from Starry Kitchen went so excellent together that it may quickly become my guilty Friday pleasure for a while, replacing my usual Friday fair of fried fish and strong mixed drinks… 

After all of the amazing food, awesome conversation with everyone from the vendors, volunteers and other attendees as well as the entertainment it was time to take a nap. Any event that sees you leaving on a different belt size than when you arrived is a complete success in our book. We must thank everyone who helped make the day memorable for us from Rachel and her hard working staff to all of the Chefs, Sous Chefs and meticulous assistants all working together too put together a successful day we say Job Well Done and we cant wait to on hand for the 5^th annual LA Street Food Fest.

Anisette the Teachers Pet & Surfers On Acid (Drink Recipe)

“Greg Nice called this girl named Anisette, Anisette the teachers pet you sure she’s gonna come on this set?” The previous lyrics came from a Hip Hop duo who went by the name Nice & Smooth in the 90’s and while they truly have nothing to do with the Anise flavored liqueur, the rhymes were forever imbedded into the minds of “Hip Hop Junkies” forever. What is the point of all this you ask? Well today just so happens to be National Anisette Day and while the taste of Licorice flavored drinks doesn't always rank high on everyone’s list of demands, there are those diehard fans who truly love their Jägermeister as evidenced by the drinks staying power and cult like following.

Enjoy National Anisette Day by guzzling down a few “Surfers On Acid” and watching the sunset later this evening. Even if you eliminate the sunset part of the plot, trust us you wont be mad, the drinks will have you more than charged for the remainder of the evening.

Surfer On Acid (Drink Recipe)

½ oz Jagermeister Herbal Liqueur

½ oz Malibu Coconut Rum

½ oz Pineapple Juice

Directions:

Pour all of the ingredients over ice in a large metal drink mixer & shake until the mixer is ice cold to the touch.

Strain into a large or old fashioned shot glass and enjoy.

Oh & if your interested in just what song we were referencing up above, Check This Out:

Sinfully Delicious Summertime Cocktails, Las Vegas Style. (Courtesy of MGM Grand Resorts International)

This summer, the pools at MGM Resorts International properties are offering thirst-quenching libations that are anything but ordinary. Edible alcohol-infused fruit cocktails, exotic mojitos, twisted lemonades and low-calorie concoctions deliver tasty ways to combat the desert heat. Everyone deserves an escape from the mundane routines that we all get stuck in, whether it be handling business to get the bills paid or the taxing responsibilities that come with being a parent or caring for a loved one. 

What better way to take your mind off all of the stresses being thrown your way than to relax poolside in Las Vegas sipping on some of the finest cocktails to ever be poured on the face of this planet? Read along to see who is pouring what and where you need to be as the Summer heat begins to become unbearable.

Exquisite Edibles

Edible libations break the boundaries to quench thirst and calm hunger during the hottest summer days. 

Available at Bellagio’s Cypress pool, the Doriae is equal parts cocktail and snack. Fresh watermelon slices vacuum-sealed with Tanteo jalapeño tequila, raspberry syrup and lime juice are presented with a martini glass full of the sweet and spicy mixture. Guests may dip their fruit in the cocktail for an extra burst of flavor or sip the libation as an accompaniment to the infused watermelon slices.

Snow cones are all grown up at Bellagio’s pool with offerings like Simple Cherry, which is crafted with Skyy cherry vodka, cherry syrup and house-made salted caramel sauce. Guests can grab a spoon and escape the heat with this intoxicating blend.

(For more Cocktails & Photos, click Read More)

The Backyard Boogie (Tools To Make Your Next BBQ A Complete Success)

When the Summertime temperatures begin to soar from coast to coast and the wild outdoors (or even the backyard) begin to beckon to your senses with the great smell of BBQ and timeless music, you know only great times are ahead for the next few months. Whether you plan on hitting the beach for some daytime fun in the sun or taking the family on a vacation for the week or two, there are a few tools that everyone should check out to help enhance the entire experience. 

The great smoky smell of grilled food permeating through the air as grown folks sip on expertly blended cocktails while their loved ones tear up on their toys is what life is all about. The backyard boogie in a sense, is what we are all about. Whether it be in the heat of Summer or the dead cold of Winter, we can always be found out and about in the backyard, grilling something for the family or working on a recipe we just cant get enough of, in the backyard it will be perfected. 

That being said lets check out a few new grills and accessories that will liven up any function in an instant. Play some great music, enjoy some great drinks & food and whatever you do, take pictures, because these are the moments you should want to recall down the line.

Let the games begin because Summertime is in full swing. 

Brinkmann Trailmaster Limited Edition - $299 - $500 www.HomeDepot.com or www.Brinkmann.net

Take your smoking/grilling experience to the next level with The Brinkmann Trailmaster Limited Charcoal/Wood Grill and Smoker. Featuring approximately 962 sq. in. of cooking space, welded heavy-gauge steel construction, smokestack damper, and an adjustable side air vent to help regulate heat and smoke. The Trailmaster is great for everyday grilling or large gatherings where you can smoke juicy tender meats of any kind, or fire up the charcoal/wood grill and maximize the flavor of the choicest cuts of meat.

Recipes To Get Your Mind Right: Mixed Drink Recipes from the Great Googa Mooga, in Brooklyn

Last weekend, New Yorkers relished the opportunity to take in the best the city had to offer in the way of music, food & drinks at the annual Googa Mooga festival in Brooklyn.  Despite a rainy backdrop, thousands of adults packed Prospect Park to listen to the likes of Matt & Kim and The Flaming Lips while sipping on some top-notch cocktails made by a few premier NYC mixologists.

Knowing that our readers love strong drinks, one of our good friends shot us a few recipes they had booming in their booth at the event. With names like Quiet Storm & One More Chance, yeah the groups performing might have been a bit on the rock side, but the drinks sounded all Hip Hop. Over all the 3 day event saw over 50 food vendors and 75 beer and alcohol manufacturers do their thing for the lovely people of BK. Heavyweights from the big East Coast in the form of food and drink on hand serving up everything from duck sausage to grilled Maine lobster and Guiness stout brownies to fois gras doughnuts, this years food line up was something to behold.

Check out these drink recipes for new ways to kick up your next back yard function, picnic or whatever you choose to call it.

Enjoy Responsibly.

Uncle Buck

Ingredients:

1 ¼ oz Tequila Don Julio Blanco

¾ oz Pineapple Juice

½ oz Fresh Lime Juice

1/3 oz Ginger Syrup

1 tsp Green Chartreuse

Directions:

Combine Don Julio Blanco, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, ginger syrup and green chartreuse in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well

Strain contents into Collins cocktail glass over fresh ice.

Quiet Storm

Ingredients:

1 oz Bulleit Bourbon

¾ ounce lemon juice

1 oz extra dry vermouth

¼ oz simple syurp

Top with ginger beer

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin

Strain contents into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Garnish with 1 mint sprig and lemon

One More Chance

Ingredients:

1 ¼ oz George Dickel Rye

¼ oz Gran Classico bitters

¼ oz maple syrup

¾ oz lemon juice

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin

Strain contents into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Garnish with 1 orange half wheel

Four Mother's Day Libations Fit For A Queen (Mixed Drink Recipes)

When Mimosas just no longer cut the mustard for your Mom, make sure you check out this list of libations built for a Queen (or King.) Mother’s Day is right around the corner so don’t be that guy or girl who plans to show their Mom some love at the last minute, resulting in a crappy gift and brunch at a packed restaurant. 

Show some class this year, by making a few cocktails to pre-game up before you take Mom somewhere she has never been to eat. Some people love flowers while others love getting liquored up and if your guest of honor sways towards the latter, well then let us help you out with some incredibly easy but amazingly elegant looking and tasting drink recipes. 

The Supreme Plate wishes to say “Happy Mother’s Day to all of the Moms found around the World.” Whether you raised your own or someone else’s children the World appreciates all that you real women have done for us over the years.

To my Mother, I couldn’t have gotten this far without you and hope that I am making ya proud.

Having brunch out or at home with the fam? Order or mix up the Maple Collins – a perfect drink that goes well with any Mother’s Day brunch celebration.

Maple Collins

Ingredients:

1.5 oz. Crown Royal Maple

.5 oz. Lemon Juice

1.5 oz. Pineapple Juice

2 dash Angostura Bitters

.5 Simple Syrup

Preparation:

Mix ingredients in a shaker, top with club soda and strain into a Collins glass. Garnish with half an orange slice and a cheery.

(click Read More for all of the recipes)

The Ginger Julep '68 Fastback

Sometimes all it takes is a bit of classic understated elegance to complete a look. Standing around holding some toxic color cocktail when you're a stand-up individual just doesn't always work. This libation culminates so exquisitely because of the high grade ingredients used and the simplicity in which it is created. Add this recipe to your arsenal of straightforward yet effective cocktails.

The Ginger Julep ’68 Fastback

Ingredients:

1 .5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon

.5 oz. Organic Brown Sugar

¼ oz.  Peeled Minced Fresh Ginger

1.5 oz. Soda Water

1 Lemon or Lime Twist

Preparation:

Muddle the ginger and brown sugar together until all of the sugar is moistened and nearly dissolved.

Add a dash of soda to finish dissolving the sugar, stir in your Bourbon.

Finish with ice, soda to taste and a lemon or lime twist.