NEW YORK CITY COCKTAILS
The Italians tend to do everything with a little more style than the rest of us, especially when it comes to food and drink. Take for example the concept of "happy hour." In the US, bars will serve discounted drinks usually between 5:00-7:00 p.m. There may be a few bar nuts involved in the mix, but it's mostly about the beer, wine, vodka and gin.
In Italy, the concept of having an aperitivo, or a drink which opens the appetite, before dinner is quite different. Imagine you say to your friend, "Prendiamo un aperitivo." You would go to a bar and order a drink, but you'll notice that it won't be at a discounted price. In fact, it's even more expensive during aperitivo hours (roughly between 7:00-9:00 p.m.). Why the surcharge? Your aperitivo is served with small plates of snacks like small sandwiches, olives, cheese and cured meats. Another difference is the drinks don't fall into the "sticky sweet" category. No apple or chocolate-peanut butter martinis here. Check out how to re-create some of the classic Italian cocktails.
This winter season has been rough. New Yorkers have had their share of blizzards, Arctic winds and icy sidewalks. Though the dipping temperatures may inspire you to hibernate for the rest of the winter, consider stepping out of your apartment to try a cold weather cocktail. These cocktails are made with ingredients that will warm you up from head to toe. Think Kahlua, amaretto and cognac. Some are even served hot. Read on for some of the best cold weather cocktails.
Coming out this month is the newest beer from Sam Adams, Infinium.
Jim Koch, brewer and founder of Sam Adams, describes Infinium as a brew that unites a thousand years of brewing knowledge between Sam Adams and Germany's oldest brewery, Weihenstephan.
This beer is made of only four ingredients: malt, hops, water, and yeast. Then it is put through the champagne method to give it a deep golden color, fine bubbles and a fruity, slightly spicy aroma.
Serve it in champagne flutes as a compromise for your bubbly-loving female friends and beer-loving guys for toasts this holiday season.
Ok…so you want to drink, but you don’t want all the calories?
Then, as much as I hate to say it, Housewife Bethany Frankel has the answer for you, “Skinny Girl Margaritas.”
The name makes me cringe a bit…but all the same; if you love tequila then you’ll want to try this alternative to the overly sweet-is-there-really-tequila-in-this margarita that most places try to get by on. The bottled variety features “premium tequila that is lightly sweetened with blue agave nectar” and despite its cutsey packaging, I think I could get into this premade margarita at $15 a bottle.
The barrage of winter holidays is on its way and while some might be researching recipes or planning table-scapes, there may be a tendency to overlook one of the most important aspects of the holiday season.
I, of course, am talking about the BCS games that will grace our thoroughly debauched eye balls this December.
Regardless of the match ups, most (if not all of us) will need a place to ensure the fullness of our glasses while we spew such behemoth quantities of garbage about rival teams.
It just so happens that I, a well seasoned college football fan, know of just the place. Manhattan's Gin Mill on 79th and Amsterdam has all the essentials at a great price (especially during the happiest of hours) including fully functional beirut tables, foosball, and pool.
And can you say a great deal?
Currently they’re running happy hour from 4-7pm (which includes glasses of wine for $5 and bottles for $18)!
Their slightly underground basement feel helps to make this a cute, tucked away, and could-be romantic spot that is removed from the traffic of 8th street.
My friend and I had three bruschetta ($11), the generous pork sandwich with an Asian flair ($10), and the well-priced cheese plate (5 cheeses for $15 with two kinds of chutney and two different types of warmed bread…yum!) and two bottles of wine (one sparkling and one Californian Chardonnay...hey, it was girl's night!) and managed to keep our bill under a cool $50 each (including tip).
Go by and visit Bonny, the lovely bartender, who is personable and has great recommendations.
In New York, it can be easy to fall into a ‘going out routine’ especially if you have limited funds. That’s why the new “punch bowl” craze is a great way to spice up the usual routine and try a brand new drink (a huge brand new drink).
These punch bowls are popping up all over and offering some unique twists to the usual whiskey sours, vodka sodas and beer pitcher deals. If you are going out with your group of girlfriends or out on a date, these punch bowls offer the delicious twist that you need to have a great night out!
This cocktail, although sweet, isn't overly so. It presents itself like a stately Savannah gentleman in a seersucker suit and belle on his arm. Similar in design to the mint julep, this cocktail coerces the graceful drawl out of even the most jaded yankee. Plus it tastes good! Check it out.
2 oz. Bourbon
1 oz Orange juice
1/2 oz Lime juice
1 tsp superfine sugar
Orange slice for garnish
Mix all of the ingredients together in a shaker with ice and shake to combine strain over ice into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with orange slice.
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