Thursday, July 31, 2014

Herbal Stone Fruit Prosecco Sangria

Gastronomista Herbal Stonefruit Sangria
 
I wanted to create a garden fresh sangria using Prosecco - one of my favorite summertime drinks.  Sangria has always had a random element to it for me - wine, a sweet liqueur, and whatever fresh fruit is in season.

Stone fruits dominate the market lately, so I picked up some gorgeous Pulots and one of my favorite obscure fruits, Gooseberries.  If you can't find gooseberries in your market substitute with red grapes, or other types of plums to add a range of color to your sangria.  I picked up some fresh thyme as well, which is a great floral herb that pairs marvelously with sweet drinks.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Cocktail Picnic with Mouth Indie Foods!


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Gastronomista Mouth Indie Foods Cocktail Picnic
Picnic Time!
I love picnics.  Delicious afternoons spent in the park with friends, laying in grass, nibbling on cheese and crackers, and of course, sipping on a cold libation.  There is nothing better.

But, if you're anything like me, you work hard all week, leaving little time for proper hostess behavior.  By the time Friday rolls around all that is left in the refrigerator is a few sad looking vegetables, and a little bit of half-and-half that I have to ration in my coffee until I next make it to the supermarket.  I would so much rather spend my time in the park on Saturday than shuffling from market to market to source the most delicious cheese, obscure pickles, and perfectly paired crackers to share with my fellow picnickers.

Enter Mouth, the indie food online store that has all your picnicing needs covered.  They've already selected some of the best small-batch food products available today and curated them into Tasters, which are perfect for those who suffer from decision fatigue at the end of a hard day's work (me).


Gastronomista Mouth Indie Foods Cocktail Picnic


Gastronomista Mouth Indie Foods Cocktail Picnic

Monday, July 28, 2014

Tales of the Cocktail Trend Alert - Pineapples!

About a year ago I started seeing these awesome brass vintage Pineapple Ice Buckets popping up on Etsy and Ebay - gorgeous and festive vessels that were popular in the 60s and 70s.  Naturally, I lusted after them, and apparently, I was not alone.

Etsy - The White Pepper Vintage Pineapple Selection

The pineapple has been a symbol of wealth, hospitality, generosity since colonial times, and in turn, a symbol of colonial dominance.  Christopher Columbus penned his experience of first tasting a Pineapple on the island of Guadalupe, and brought the exotic fruits to Europe in 1493.  The fruit immediately became a curiosity, and was highly coveted by Kings, Queens, and hosts who used the Pineapple as a display of wealth to their guests.

The pineapple became a popular decorative element - carved into headboards, incorporated into wallpaper patterns, or cast in metal and used for candle holders, trivets, and ice buckets!


Friday, July 25, 2014

Tales of the Cocktail 2014 with Tia Maria

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Welcome back to my coverage of Tales of the Cocktail 2014!

This year I was a guest of Tia Maria Liqueur and Disaronno Originale for Tales of the Cocktail, and was invited to do an Instagram Take-Over of the Tia Maria Account!  I had a blast exploring the city, and finding new ways to use the classic coffee liqueur!

Upon arriving in New Orleans, I dropped my bags to the hotel, and hustled over to my first event, the Flavors of Jamaica Snack Stand with Tia Maria.  It was already a bit of a madhouse when I arrived, guests lined up through the hotel of the Hotel Monteleone to get a taste of the Jerk Chicken and Tia Maria Cocktails.

Tia Maria Montego Mule and Jamaican Jerk Chicken!
Brand Ambassador Lauren Ritchie prepared Montego Mule cocktails that were a variation on a Dark n' Stormy, made with Appleton Rum, Tia Maria, Fresh Lime Juice, and topped with ginger beer.  So yummy!


Thursday, July 24, 2014

Tales of the Cocktail 2014 with Disaronno

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This year I had the amazing opportunity to travel to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail and work with Disaronno, the Italian Amaretto made in Saronno, Italy.  I was invited to do an Instagram Takeover for the brand, which was an excellent excuse to drink a lot of Disaronno!

Prior to traveling to New Orleans I must admit that had a relatively minor understanding of Disaronno.  I knew the brand, the iconic bottle, and I knew that it was an Amaretto, but other than that I really didn't know how to use it in cocktails.  I'm pleased to report that I'm now bubbling over with ideas of how to use Disaronno in my cocktail creations after what could be classified as a Disaronno Boot-Camp - at the heart of which is the Disaronno Sour, a refreshing and delicious cocktail.   


Wednesday, July 23, 2014

San Miguel - A Casa Dragones Old Fashioned

Friends tell me tomorrow is National Tequila Day.

I generally dislike the media machine that is fake media holidays, but for Tequila Day, I'll make an exception.  That, and I just haven't gotten around to sharing one of the best cocktails I've had this year(I know, I'm holding out on you.  I'm sorry.)



At the Casa Dragones Blanco launch in April, Jim Meehan designed four spectacular cocktails using the exceptional tequila (read my review here).  The San Miguel was my absolute favorite - so simple, so clean, and so crisp.  I could drink this cocktail daily until the end of my days.  It's that good.


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Orange & Chili Coffee Old Fashioned

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It is very much iced coffee weather.  But how about boozy iced coffee weather?  Yes, Yes, and YES!

How about an iced coffee old fashioned?  With say, a touch of sweetness from Grand Marnier, and a kick of fiery chili bitters?  Yes please! 


Monday, July 14, 2014

Rhubarb Lillet Spritz



Happy Bastille Day!

In honor of the Le Quatorze Juillet I propose a toast, in the name of freedom and liberty.  After all, the French did give us the mighty Lady Liberty, one of the greatest monuments to freedom. We should thank them with a cocktail.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Day Trip: Blooming Hill Farm & Don Julio Tequila



I was recently invited on a wonderful day trip to Blooming Hill Farm in upstate New York with Don Julio Tequila.  It's not every day that a working lady like myself gets to play hookey and run around on a farm, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity.  Leading up to the day trip, I couldn't help but to day-dream of fresh farm vegetables, green grass, and sunshine.

We loaded on the bus at about 10 am, and were greeted by warm fresh doughnuts, sweetened with sugar and cinnamon, and jars filled with bloody marys.  After about an hour drive, we arrived at Blooming Hill Farm, nestled in a charming valley and surrounded by acres of farm land.  Rows of herbs flanked the drive welcoming us: green chives, lavender blossoms, lemon verbena, and sprouts of asparagus. Heaven. 


Monday, July 7, 2014

Gastronomista + Trends on Trends - Garden to Glass Sous Vide Bloody Mary


I've been really excited about this post for quite some time now - a boozy collaboration between Gastronomista and the talented ladies behind Trends on Trends, the lifestyle blog that focuses on delicious restaurants, travel, and tempts readers with their gorgeous food photography.


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Happy Birthday America!


The Ginger Shandy!



One of the best travel tips I've ever received is to pack a few extra nips and a small bottle of bitters wherever I go.  This way, whenever I'm craving a proper cocktail and things are looking bleak, I can easily fix the situation.


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Aged Gin & Tonic


The Gin & Tonic is one of the greatest cocktails ever created - a simple trilogy of gin, tonic, and lime.  The combination is nothing less than euphoric, especially in the summer time.  There's something quite magical about the combination of juniper, quinine, and lime.  Perfection.

There are some simple things you can do to up your gin and tonic game: first of all, invest in good tonic, and get good gin.  So you've mastered that?  The Aged Gin & Tonic is your next step to G & T Nirvana. 


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