Champagne Gift Guide 2014

In my opinion, the holidays demand champagne.  And while you're at it, you might as well make it a fabulous bottle of champagne! 

This year there were many wonderful releases - iconic mainstays, limited edition artist collaborations, and adorable little minis that come with a straw and a wristlet.  Seeing that it's 5pm on Christmas Eve, I'm already itching to start popping bottles, so let's get started!

Holiday Cocktails - A Perfect Evening According to Gastronomista

This time of year I receive numerous emails asking me what to serve for the holidays, so I figure I should write a post with all my boozy recommendations!

Drink Responsibly, Y'all

Gift Guide 2014 - Scotch

We are down to the wire for holiday shopping ladies and gentlemen, and if you're anything like me, you're waiting until the last possible minute before you run to the liquor store to buy gifts for everyone you love.  In my opinion, you can never go wrong giving someone a bottle of scotch.  Never.  Especially if the recipient is a lover of things delicious, savory, and boozy.  This year I've tasted some amazing scotch, and herewith, are some of my holiday selections for 2014:

Wild Turkey Behind the Barrel

Just a Lady and a Big Turkey

Earlier this fall I was invited to Kentucky to be one of two journalists to check out Wild Turkey's new Behind the Barrel program.  The program hosted 30 bartenders selected from over 400 applicants, and flew them to Kentucky for 3 days to have a unique behind the scenes look at how Wild Turkey is made.

Let me begin this post with the basic fact that I love Wild Turkey.  Wild Turkey was the first bourbon I ever had, and after a few trips along the American Whiskey Trail, I have always found their approach to be refreshingly honest.  You can read the story I wrote this Spring, The American Whiskey Trail: Booming More Than Ever for more of my notes on many of the changes happening on the Whiskey Trail right now.

Coffee Gift Guide - and a Nespresso VertuoLine Giveaway!

In honor of today's Gift Guide, I'd like to quote my best friend who so eloquently says, "I like myself on caffeine".  And I do.  I like myself on caffeine very much.  In fact, it's the only way I ever get anything done.  But coffee is so much more than a vehicle to help us all get our work done, it is a ritual, and there is an art to making a great cup of coffee from the beans to the mug it's served in.  I've rounded up some of my favorite coffee gifts to the coffee lover in your life - for the people who like the ritual of a morning brew, to the coffee cocktail aficionados, to the people who need their caffeine quickly (ahem, me). 

Wonka Vision - A Raspberry Chipotle Chocolate Old Fashioned

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This cocktail was inspired by the Tabasco Smoke Chipotle Dark Chocolate Ice Cream created by Denise Woodward from Chez Us.  Denise was on the Tabasco Tastemakers trip with me in March.  She was an absolute delight to get to know, as were so many of the other bloggers.  But her Chipotle Chocolate ice cream had my mouth watering and got me thinking about a smoky chocolate cocktail.

Holiday 2014 Gift Guide - Copper

One of this year's biggest trends is copper, from copper bar tools, to copper pineapples, to copper jewels - and I could not be more thrilled!  To kick off this year's holiday gift guides, I've pulled some of my favorite copper accoutrements for your bar and for you!  Enjoy!

The Spirit of Gin Book Giveaway! - CLOSED

Happy Weekend!  I've got a series of great Giveaways for you this holiday season, and I'm kicking it off with a signed copy of The Spirit of Gin - A Stirring Miscellany of the New Gin Revival by Matt Teacher.

Introducing the Gastronomista Collection on Print All Over Me

 
I'm so excited to share with you a project I've been working on a for a while now, a collection of cocktail patterns just in time for holiday,  Cocktails, Shots, and Polka Dots through Print All Over Me.

Inspiration came one evening while out for cocktails, of course.  I was sipping a martini prepared by Jack Hubbard, who was wearing a fabulous mushroom shirt that I was instantly wishing I could find as a dress.  Without even thinking, I blurted "I want to design a Cocktail Polka Dot Dress", and without missing a beat, Mr. Hubbard named the collection, Cocktails, Shots, and Polka Dots.  Genius, I say!

Buy Me

Buy Me

I will be rolling out different styles and different patterns over time, so please check back frequently.  If you have any cocktail-attire requests, please leave a comment below!

I'm really excited about these patterns, and I hope you are too.

Buy Me

Buy Me

Thank you for supporting Gastronomista - I love working on this blog, and all of your positive feedback makes all the hard work worth it.

Buy yours HERE>>

O.M.G. I Need - Coupe Stack

 
Sometimes I come across amazing things, and they just *can't* wait for a gift guide to share, and this is one of those times.  To display the urgency and complete infatuation I have for these kinds of cocktailing finds, I've decided that Gastronomista needs a new series - O.M.G. I Need.

To kick off this series, please let me introduce you to your new favorite drinking accessory and party trick, The Coupe Stack.

I Can't Take You Anywhere - A Cocktail

I have to be honest, I cannot for the life of me recall how this cocktail received its name.  Likely a joke about how I tend to spill whatever I'm eating or drinking all over myself, despite being the lady that I am.  Either way, one night, here at Gastro HQ, the recipe was created, the name was given, and well, here we are.

White Pike - Mix Up Your Day

For those of you who have been reading Gastronomista for a few years, you know that I'm a big fan of White Pike whiskey.  The first time I saw the bottle was at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic in 2013, and I was immediately drawn to the bold design of the bottle - it's one of the few bottles on the shelf that looks definitively of the moment and not designed to look nostalgic in a predictable way.

Since then, I've gotten to know the brand a bit better, and have used it in many cocktails here at Gastronomista HQ.  I've always loved the black and white promo materials that the brand has produced, but I'm really excited to share with you a *first* look at some of their new graphics that they've been working on!! 

Louis XIII

Former cellar master George Clot said, “When you discover Louis XIII, you become a different man,” and in my case, it made me a different woman.  Time stopped, and for the rest of eternity, everything will be compared to Louis XIII. 

Read about it on Coolhunting >>

Apothic Dark Sour

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Fall is upon us, and so are cozy blankets, crackling fires, and for me, goblets of big, fruity red wines.  I love a red wine that has lots of different flavors from fruit to tannin to chocolate!

Lucky for me, I was recently invited to try Apothic Dark, the new limited edition wine from Apothic, who you might remember from this summer's Orange & Chile Apothic Rose Spritz.

Tanqueray No. Ten Imperial Shaker

 
A proper hostess knows how to keep all of her guests fed, entertained, and most importantly, knows how to ensure that all of the guests have full cocktail coupes (at least that's what my grandmother taught me).  

Gastronomista's Garden of Eden Cocktail on Glass Backwards

I am thrilled to share with you my recipe for the Garden of Eden cocktail that I created for the Glass Backwards series!

I first saw Jude's videos this spring, and basically lost. my. shiz. because I loved the concept so much.  Since then, we have become fast friends - trading stories from the cocktail scene, sharing Saveur Best Blogs nominations, and plotting on ways to collaborate together.

 
I am beyond honored to be included in this series.  He has chosen so many wonderfully talented bartenders to feature, it was a bit daunting to step up to the plate (and behind the bar) to make this cocktail! 

Speaking of bars, many thanks to Iris Cafe who hosted us.  Thanks for letting me on the other side of the bar from my usual seat to make drinks for you!

Without further ado {Click Play!}

The Garden of Eden from Jugoe / GlassBackwards on Vimeo.

The best part of being a blog-tender instead of a real bartender, is that I always get to drink my own drinks!

Thank you SO MUCH to Jude for this awesome video - I'm blushing with delight! 

 

Follow Jude Here:  He's doing some awesome stuff, and you're going to want to keep up with this one. 

New Zealand Wines

I have had a recent obsession with New Zealand wines - first with the bright and zippy Sauvignon Blancs, and more recently, with the Pinot Noirs coming from the idyllic island.  I'm pretty much dying to visit New Zealand - hopping from region to region tasting how the grapes change from coast to coast.  With gorgeous beaches and epic mountain ranges surrounded by vineyards that make amazing wine, I'm starting to think that maybe I should just retire early as a kiwi and live the good life.

Until then, here are some of my favorite New Zealand wines as of late:

Absolut Vodka - Ethos & Execution

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Portrait of a Bottle - Andy Warhol - 1985

In today’s cocktail scene, vodka has a bad rap.  Vodka is often joked about amongst bartenders for “paying the bills”, and is not even served in some cocktail bars.  Despite what the naysayers say, Vodka is the backbone of the spirits industry, dominating over a third of the sales in 2013 (DISCUS).

Empire Oyster - A Hedonistic Oyster Feast

Last weekend I was invited to the Empire Oyster event at the Maritime Hotel - a hedonistic feast of all you can eat oysters for New York’s Oyster Week.  The event was hosted by Thrillist, and featured restaurants such as the BLT Fish Shack, The Blue Water Grill, Crave Fishbar, Soju Haus, The Liberty NYC, and The Monarch Room.

Cointreau + Eye Swoon Rooftop Soirée

Photo by Winnie Au

I was recently invited to the most gorgeous rooftop soirée hosted by Athena Calderone of the lifestyle blog Eye Swoon and Cointreau liqueur.  The event was hosted at Ms. Calderone's Dumbo rooftop that overlooks the Manhattan skyline, and delicious edibles were provided by Franny's of Brooklyn.  Chef John Adler put together a lovely menu of seasonal, elevated-yet-rustic cuisine.  For those of you who have not yet visited Franny's - run, don't walk, to this gem of a neighborhood eatery.

The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1964 and 1966 - and A Distillery Tour

The Glenlivet Winchester Collection - Vintage 1964

Welcome back to part 2 of my trip to Speyside with The Glenlivet!

So you're probably reeling with anticipation wondering what was this special whisky that I went all the way to Scotland to taste?

I had the privilege to be one of the first to taste The Glenlivet 1964 Vintage and the 1966 Vintage the first two releases of the The Winchester Collection, a series of 50 year old single malts named after master distiller Alan Winchester! 

Speyside Scotland with The Glenlivet

Last month I was invited on a gorgeous trip to Aberdeen Scotland to visit The Glenlivet distillery, and to taste an exclusive product launching in October.   

Going in, I knew that this trip was going to be a special one.  I was one of three journalists from the United States invited to be one of the first to taste this new whisky!!

Summertime Champagne Punch

A good friend of mine recently reached out to me to ask for a punch recipe I made last month, so I figure I would share it here as well!

I got this recipe from somewhere, but of course, I did not save the link and now have no idea who to credit for this delicious recipe.  As always, I recommend buying provisions for at least two rounds of punch.  For some reason the punch bowl always goes dry much sooner than I anticipate!  Plan ahead and keep your guests happy!

Summertime Champagne Punch

12 oz Fruit Punch
10 oz Frozen Strawberries
2 C Fresh Strawberries
1 Package of Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate
24 oz Ginger Ale
3 C Water
1 Bottle of Champagne (can substitute sparkling white wine or prosecco)
1 Lemon
1 Large Ice Block

Freeze your ice block the day before.  Extra points for freezing strawberries or lemon slices into your ice block!  (Note: I used cubes because I foolishly did not plan ahead)

Add ice block to punch bowl.  Add all of the ingredients, and stir gently.  Slice the Strawberries and Lemons into thin slices and float on the top of the punch.

Enjoy!

21 Club Wine Cellar with Tanqueray Old Tom

I recently went to the most gorgeous dinner in the legendary wine cellar in the 21 Club in Manhattan - hosted by Tanqueray to celebrate one of their new limited edition releases, Tanqueray Old Tom.  For those of you who are not familiar with the 21 Club, just know that it is a New York institution.  The website lists the preferred tables of celebrities such as Ernest Hemingway, Rod Stewart, George Clooney, and Bill Clinton, so pick your table wisely.

Help Gastronomista Become a Quarterly Curator!

I have exciting news!!!

I have been asked to curate a cocktail tools and toys box for Quarterly!!!

But FIRST I need YOU to sign up and show your support!!!  I need 1500 people to say they are interested in Gastronomista becoming a Curator for Quarterly.

Ideas for the box:

-Exclusive Bottle Opener designed by yours truly
-Stylish Cocktail Picks
-Recipes
-Gastronomista designed cocktail napkins
-Selections of some of my favorite products, including bitters and brandied cherries!
-Emergency Cocktail Kits!!

So much more!!!

Please go to Quarterly.com - and show your support by this Friday 9/12!!!

Let's make this happen!!

emily

Indian Summer Wines

All the kids might be back in school, but I stand by the calendar - summer is not over!!  We've got two solid weeks until the official start of fall, and I plan to maximize every second of it!  Which means, lots of grilling, eating garden fresh veggies, and of course, drinking lovely summery wines. If you're looking for a great wine to serve with a burger, or just to sip outside on the porch, look no further, here's my list of my favorite wines for the Indian Summer!

Survival Guide: The Dog Days of Summer

I can't believe it's Labor Day weekend already - summer really flew by this year!  Even though Labor day is considered the finale of summer - we technically have a few more weeks of glorious summer to enjoy!   Celebrate, we must - break out the pool toys and the pineapple rum!
 

Watermelon Aperol Spritz at Saxon + Parole

If you haven't heard of Masa Urushido by now, you should.  He's running the bar program at Saxon + Parole, The Daily, and Public, in addition to winning global cocktail competitions!  In my opinion, he's one of the insanely talented young guns of the cocktail world creating delicious cocktails that are sophisticated, seasonal, and yet approachable for even the most novice imbiber.

S+P Monthly Cocktail Cabinet

Gastronomista + The American Whiskey Trail

Head over to the Huffington Post to read my latest notes on the American Whiskey Trail.  A lot has changed since I was last there in 2008, and it sounds like there are going to be dramatic changes happening in the next few years as numerous companies are investing millions of dollars into their distilleries.  Looking forward to what is to come (I hope it brings more delicious whiskey!).  

Read on >>

Boxed Wine Hack - Instant Granitas!

This is my new favorite trick for summer.  Freeze boxed wine, drizzle with a delicious liqueur, top with fruit, and you've got yourself and easy, picnic-friendly wine granita!! Genius!!

Honey Solera Aged Daiquiris

 

Happy National Rum Day!  Does one need a national holiday to drink rum? NO!  Will we celebrate anyway, YES!

The Daiquiri has been a long misunderstood cocktail, often drowned in saccharine sweet mixes, creamed coconut, and blended to oblivion with god knows what.  If you've been to New Orleans, you know what I'm talking about.

Watermelon Rum Bomb!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been a long week.  The kind of week that has taxed your hostess.  But it was a good week, a great week in fact, and your hostess deserves a proper cocktail!  The powers that be tell me that tomorrow is National Rum Day, so I took this opportunity to make myself an extremely humble, but strong, lady drink.

Brugal Rum Wants Me to Be The Most Popular Girl at the Party this Summer

The kind people over at Brgual Rum sent over the most incredible party pack that is sure to make me the most popular girl at any party this summer!  Now that I'm equipped with such an awesome cocktail kit, I'll be ready to make cocktails pretty much anywhere!

Herbal Stone Fruit Prosecco 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.

Cocktail Picnic with Mouth Indie Foods!

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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).