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

Cantaloupe Margaritas

Looking outside it appears that Spring has landed. Well it may not have officially touched down on the calendar but in Southern California the weather has been in the mid 70°s and no one is complaining. The official first day of Spring is actually March 20^th, so we wanted to give you a recipe for a wonderful libation that will make even your oldest relative ask for a second glass. Who doesn't love some juicy Cantaloupe on a warm day? And when your relaxing with friends who can resist a few ice cold Margaritas to help get everyone in a celebratory mood? 

Combine the two and you have a recipe for anstant party in a glass. Give it a try, you wont be mad you did, case we sure aren’t.

Enjoy responsibly! 

(click read more for the entire recipe)

Cherry Pie Cocktail (In Honor of National Cherry Pie Day)

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Silver Tequila

½ oz White Crème de Cacao

1.5 oz Brandy

½ oz Cream

6 – 8 Cherries (frozen cherries will be ok if you can’t find fresh ones.

Directions:

Place the cherries & tequila in a drink mixer and muddle until thoroughly mixed together.

After muddling the cherries and tequila, place all of the ingredients in a drink mixer filled with ice, cover and shake until the outside of the mixer feels frozen to the touch.

Serve in a chilled rocks glass.

Enjoy Responsibly

The Captain Black & Ginger

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, ok its not even around the corner anymore, it has rounded that last base and is headed straight for you at this point. The question we must ask is simply, are you ready? Sure everyone thinks that because they have their turkey and ham ready, a few sides they think are up to par for the families partaking in, but what about your libation game? 

Do you have what it takes to satisfy not only yourself when it comes to pouring a drink but can you deliver in making sure that all of your guests are properly quenched and sauced up?  

The Captain Black & Ginger is an easy to consume cocktail, not so pungent so as to have you feeling as if you drank lighter fluid, yet strong enough to keep you well fueled for your evening encounter.

Enjoy Thanksgiving, Responsibly.

(click Read More for the entire recipe)

Labor Day Libations The 8 Rum® Mint Julep

Ingredients:

2 parts Bacardi® 8 Year Old Rum

6 parts Mint Leaves (washed thoroughly)

2/5 part Sugar Syrup

2 dashed Peach Bitters (found at most liquor stores & supermarkets)

Cubed Ice

A few Sprigs of Mint to garnish

Directions:

Gently muddle the mint, sugar syrup and peach bitters in the base of a mixing glass, then pour the rum in and add ice to the top.

Stir the mixture until combined completely.

Fill a chilled High Ball glass with crushed ice, then pour the liquid from the mixing glass using a julep strainer, stir and add more ice.

Garnish with another sprig of Mint and enjoy with some delicious BBQ.

The Bacardi® Superior Rum Mojito

With National Rum Day, right around the corner (ok it’s a week or so away but we love RUM) we figured we’d help you plan out your daily libation of sorts to help get your evening going as well as it possibly can. With some help from the great folks at the Casa De Bacardi, we have for you today, the Official Bacardi® Mojito Recipe. Enjoy it with some Arroz Con Pollo, Jerk Chicken or some sliced fruit if your on a diet, whatever you do, have a great time, RESPONSIBLY.

Ingredients:

2 parts Bacardi® Superior Rum

12 fresh Mint leaves

1 Lime, cut in ½ then cut into wedges

2 TBS Simple Syrup or extra fine Sugar

Club Soda

Crushed Ice

A few sprigs of Mint as a garnish

Instructions:

Muddle the 12 Mint leaves & ½ of the Lime.

Cover w/ 2 TBS Simple Syrup or Sugar and top w/ crushed ice.

Add the Bacardi® Rum and top with a few dashes of Club Soda.

Stir well & garnish w/ a sprig of Mint & a Lime wedge

The Perfect Way To End Any Day: The Original Cuba Libre

The Perfect Way To End Any Day: The Original Cuba Libre

Ingredients:

2 oz Light Bacardi Rum®

The Juice from ½  of a Lime

Coca Cola®

Directions:

Ok here comes the hardest part of it all.

Pour the Lime juice into a chilled highball glass over ice cubes

Add Rum, fill w/ Coca Cola® until your content with the ratio, stir with a straw or swizzle stick

Serve to a good friend, repeat as many times as needed throughout the evening.

Make a few toasts and enjoy the good times.

Cognac Root Beer Floats - A Great Summertime Treat For Grownups.

Let us enjoy the warmth of the Sun, the conversation of good company and the smiles of our loved ones as the day turns into a beautiful evening. It may be Monday, but any day can be turned into a good memory, with the right ingredients. Pour up a few of these Grown Up Root Beer Floats and Enjoy the moment.

Ingredients

1 Orange

1 oz Heavy Cream

2.5 oz Bourbon or Cognac (preferably Hennessy Black)

2 dashes Orange Bitters (sold at most liquor stores and major grocery stores)

¾ cup Root Beer

1 heaping scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream (optional)

Directions:

Use a vegetable peeler to remove a long piece of zest from the orange, working your way around the fruit.

Combine the bourbon and bitters in a tall glass.

Twist the orange zest over the glass to release the oils, then drop it in.

Fill the glass halfway with ice.

Add the scoop of ice cream, if using.

Add the root beer.

Slowly pour the cream over the back of a spoon into the glass so it floats on top.

Libations: The Peach & Mango Cobbler

We figured since we are about to embark on a little bit of a journey why not start the day off right with a nice Libation we call “The Peach & Mango Cobler on Ice.” This drink right here packs a serious punch and goes great after dinner on a hot evening.

Ingredients

Crushed ice

2 ½ oz rye whiskey

2 ½ oz peach nectar

Dash bitters

4- 5 wedges frozen peaches cut into a medium sized dice

¼ of a ripe Mango quartered or cut into wedges

3 to 4 fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

1 lemon wedge

Directions:

Fill a large wine goblet with crushed ice.

Gently muddle the rye, peach nectar, dash of bitters, peaches, mango, mint, and a squeeze of lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.

Pour over ice and serve cold.

Editors Note: At first, the whiskey will pack a mean punch but as the ice melts and mixes with the fruit melt, it will mellow into a wonderful summer drink.

Libations Fit For A King and Queen (directly from The Ritz-Carlton, Naples)

You should by now know that we have an affinity for strong libations, made with ingredients of an abnormal nature. True we love the traditional standbyes such as our Rum & Pepsi or Remy Martin on the rocks, but what about when the events of the evening call for something that goes far beyond the usual?

Have no fear my friends, because these amazing drink recipes from the exceptionally creative minds of the Kitchen & Bar staff at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples are something that should be in everyone’s arsenal.

Enjoy!!!

Smoked Bloody Mary

House-made bacon-infused vodka mixed with a blend of smoked vegetables. Big, smoky BBQ taste; could be considered a pre-meal appetizer, as it's hearty and thick. The smoky bacon and spicy finish is like no other Bloody Mary. Trimmings include an apple-wood smoked pork belly bacon cube and cherry tomato.

Recipe: Bacon-infused vodka, smoked tomatillos, celery, tomatoes, jalapeños and blend. Strain and add V8 juice, garlic, onions, horseradish, cracked pepper and lemon juice.

Bacon-infused vodka: First off make sure you use the right piece of bacon (usually apple-wood smoked pork belly), and fry it properly before adding to the vodka. Place it in the freezer for 48 hours, then thaw, filter and freeze again until all solids are removed. It usually takes 3 days to make.

The Grilled Pineapple

A sweet drink, reminiscent of a tropical island. A pineapple is grilled and marinated with brown sugar and vanilla, then added into a vacuum-sealed bag and sous vided in water for 4 hours. The ingredients are removed from the pouch, chilled and added into a martini glass straight up, with Mount Gay Extra Old premium rum and a splash of brandied Marasca cherry juice and garnished with a cherry.

Grilled Pear Margaritas

A superb mixture of Anejo Tequila, fresh grilled pears, agave nectar, lime juice and pear nectar. Chilled and served straight up. The sweet, smoke, and salted rim create the perfect balance for all of the senses to take in.

A fresh pear is grilled and sous vided for a few hours with agave nectar. Pear and nectar substance is pureed and combined with fresh lime juice, more agave nectar and Sauza Anejo Tequila.

In Honor of National Daiquiri Day... The Kiwi Daiquiri

With Nationwide heat waves creating a record high 9000 new records this month (a first for as long as they have been recording temperatures) it is only right to afford yourself a few moments to relax and get a few cold drinks.

Today being National Daiquiri Day means that after work, before work or sometime during work if you’re a Boss like that, you should take a dip into the pool and make yourself an ice cold, strong libation. Not too strong though, you don’t want to be the person passed out by the pool from liquor and heat exhaustion.

Bringing us to the Recipe of the Day, The Kiwi Daiquiri, goes with just about any form of food you can imagine. From BBQ to Italian to Fajitas Y Mariscos this drink simply doesn’t let you down, especially after having like 5 or 10 of them.

Try them with some grilled shrimp, langoustines and clams tossed in a Rum & Mango Juice reduction.

You wont be mad that you did.

Enjoy Responsibly.

(click Read More for the entire recipe)

Supreme Drink Of The Day: Supreme Cherry Cooler

Today seemed just like the perfect day to try out a new mixed drink and so we did. Ladies and Gentlemen we present to you:

The Supreme Cherry Cooler.

The great tasting drink seen above is fresh out of our test kitchens and we think it truly deserves some play at your next get together, function, soiree or whatever you choose to call your gatherings. 

The mix of the pomegranate tea, sugar and fresh pureed cherries create a fresh fruit flavor explosion that when coupled with the Absolut Ruby Red Vodka is something that must be shared with the world.

Served over crushed ice this drink is a sure hit for those days where laying lazily alongside the pool is all that have to do.

Enjoy!

Drink Recipe Of The Day: Death By Chocolate

I know, we keep telling you about this great holiday, National Chocolate Ice Cream Day, but what does that do for those of us who have no time to sit and eat a bowl of ice cream?
Well that means that we must do our job and give you grown ups a great drink recipe that includes some good old fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream.
If your not a big fan of Irish creams, have no fear the Smirnoff and ice cream completely remove the normal aftertaste from Baileys leaving something more reminiscent of a grown up Root Beer Float of sorts.

National Cognac Day: The Classic Sidecar

This is a good drink to wake up too, like your Grandmothers old school Mimosa. Enjoy this one throughout your day especially while sitting poolside eating some fresh grilled shrimp.