Pedro's Memphis BBQ Bitter Pisco Sour

I can take no credit for this one.  Instead, I give it all to my father, a man of many talents, especially when it comes to cocktails.  Which, come to think of it, is probably where I developed such a lively passion for libation. We can all thank family happy hour.

Armed with a new bottle of Memphis BBQ Bitters that I had given him, he used it in a pinch to substitute for the traditional Angostura used to garnish a Pisco Sour.  Although it seems like it wouldn't work, the BBQ bitters were a stroke of genius.  They compliment the bright and zesty cocktail with a surprise of spicy heat, smoke, and that BBQ sweetness we all love so much.  It's almost as though the cocktail had spent the entire day over the smoker with the ribs and then was miraculously served chilled to perfection. 

I love Pisco Portón, made in Peru by the ever charming Johnny Schuler, another man of many talents.  Restauranteur, Master Distiller, Porton Pisco CEO, Television Station Owner and Personality, International Man of Mystery (you get the idea).  He makes his Pisco in the Andes mountains using his method of "gravity distilling" - a process that uses no electricity, and instead utilizes height and gravity to help the spirit through the distillation process.  The end product is a mosto verde pisco that is smooth, dry, yet full of flavors of tropical fruits, hay, and spice.  I think Portón is really lovely sipped neat, perhaps a testament to the fact that I'm ready to move to Peru and retire. 

Just as summer starts to heat up, shake up a few Pedro's Memphis BBQ Pisco Sours adding extra heat to those glorious summer evenings. 

Pedro's Memphis BBQ Bitter Pisco Sour

1 1/2 oz Portón Pisco
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Egg White
5-10 drops Memphis BBQ Bitters

Dry Shake: Build your ingredients in a Boston Shaker (which will help prevent messy shaker explosions, as I have learned) and shake for 45 seconds until the egg is emulsified.  Shake with Ice: Add a few ice cubes and shake again for about 30 seconds.  Serve:  Strain into a cocktail coupe and either spray on bitters using an atomizer, or drop the bitters on the surface of the drink.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the awesome cocktail, Dad!

xx emma

Shimmy Shimmy Spice Spice

The second of Miss Ariadne Ax's three-part series is live on Gilt Taste now! This time, she pays tribute to Bollywood. Video below, full article here.


Gilt Taste Presents: Better Than Basics - SPICES from Gilt Taste on Vimeo.

Every Time We Go To The Grocery

Every time we go to the Grocery, this seems to happen! We lose our unmentionables and our Celery!  Gosh Darn It!

Us Gastro Girls are suckers for vintage pin ups - and today we bring you the work of Art Frahm who was known for his work during the 1940's and 50's for advertising campaigns, for instance, the well known Coppertone campaign (the little girl losing her unmentionables was the company's mascot for years).  These ladies sure cause a scene with their overwhelming discombobulation, strategic clumsiness, and of course, undeniable va-va-va-voom attributes. 

 

 

Check out James Lileks' website for more and his analysis of Frahm's paintings.

The Way to a Man's Heart...

is through his stomach, by way of a flirty apron and sling back heels. The LA-based designer Doll Face Aprons has created a collection of affordable, wearable, machine-washable kitchenwear to accent that LBD (or to be worn on its own) for that next special night in. Pick your favorite at the Etsy store for $32.95-$65.00. They're gauranteed to whet his appetite.

L'Artiste, $65.00
A cap-sleeved tunic smock with three pockets and a convenient button-up back

La Femme Fatale, $32.95
Vintage-inspired round-bib apron accented with a hint of lace

La Provocateur, $34.95

The clean-and simple waist-down style with a hint of grosgrain ribbon

La Mademoiselle, $49.00

A sweetheart bodice with three tiers of flirty ruffles in ladlylike toile

Le Cherie, $32.95

Sweet-as-pie red and white polka-dot with a heart-shaped neckline

Domestic (Punk) Goddess

Believe it or not, but your devoted Miss Emma Emerson was once a wee gal, yes it is true. Back in those days wee Miss Emerson was ever so obsessed with paper towels. Not for their magical powers of absorbency, but instead for their wonderfully charming patterns.

Today your Emma has found other passions in her paper towels.

1. The Brawny Man. No explanation necessary.

Then and now - still making ladies swoon in grocery stores nationwide.

2. Tattoo Art Paper Towels. Making us domestic goddesses feel a little bit more bad-ass.

£5.50 a Tattooed roll from rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Summer Lovin'

Ahhh Summer.  So divine...so delicious.

Your hostesses have been playing in the sun as much as possible - and here's a taste of our summer...or at least what we aspire to. 

Glamour in the Palms

An outing on our Cris Craft

(soon to be acquired, no doubt)

The Timeless One Piece - Eres 2010

(the essential swimsuit for any lady of distinction)

One we're lusting after:

 Channeling Liz::

image via Ezinemark

Looks like it's time to raise the cocktail flag!

Our cocktail du jour:

The Dark and Stormy 

Here's how we do it -

- One part Rum (for the original Dark n' Stormy - go Gosling's Black Seal Rum)
- One part Ginger Beer - or Bruce Cost's Fresh Ginger Ale made with fresh ginger and cane sugar.
- An extra dash of Canton French Ginger Liqueur (Old Man Emerson's secret ingredient).
- Served in a highball glass with ice and a lime

 The Dark.

 The Stormy.

The Secret.

Timeless, delicious, always gets to the point.

Summer on, dear readers, summer on.

 image via Woody Boater