Reyka Vodka - Green and Clean

Reyka Vodka, Iceland's first and only vodka, is making a big splash and NotCot recently posted their review of Reyka.  Lucky.  If you haven't yet seen their commercials, check them out here.

Image via NotCot

By Robert | May 30, 2007 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (1)

New Style for a Cognac Glass

Save all of that pesky wrist and possible spilling action, with the Swivel Liquor glass by Amsterdam’s own Rikke Hagen. The sip of your favorite cognac will be heightened to a whole new level, especially considering you can get the luxuries of a good liquor and an intense bouquet without all the work.

Swivel Liquor Glass, set of 2  |  $45 at Charles & Marie 

By Lilly Stein | April 19, 2007 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Drinkable Desserts Contest by Baileys

Nothing caps off a lazy evening reading by the fire (or watching American Idol) than a little bit of Baileys and coffee. Well nothing, until Baileys Drinkable Desserts Challenge. Each of the 7 finalists (2 professional and 5 amateur "mixologists") came up with a sweet, after-dinner-skip-dessert drink for you to vote on. The winner receives all manner of prizes, including a trip to NYC and a mention in Gourmet Magazine. Go ahead and take the taste test--I've got my eye on the "Frozen Turtle Truffle", but could be swayed by "Bliss."

By Bryce Longton | January 9, 2007 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Goes into a $2,000 Martini?

In Las Vegas, the city of ultimate extravagances, when you're on a roll, you might be tempted to order a $2,000 martini at Body English, a club at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  What could make this worth $2,000?  Other than getting caught up in a mad moment, or trying to impress, or indulging yourself because you deserve it, maybe you're really interested in what goes into it.

It's called The Aristocrat Martini, and has three main ingredients - Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac, 150 year old Gran Marnier, and a splash of Dom Perignon.

To mix - chill 2 ounces of Louis XIII and 1/2 to 3/4 Gran Marnier 150, pour into a martini glass, then top with Dom.  Served with a ruby and diamond encrusted swizzle stick that's yours to keep when finished - and voilà, that will be $2000 to your hostess.

Of course, word has it that one of the Hilton sisters has indulged in an Aristocrat - Martini, that is.

Related: Got $1,000? Why Not Try a Golden Opulence Sundae?

By Robert | December 21, 2006 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tequila - an Aphrodisiac?

Agavero is a 100 percent Blue Agave tequila that is blended with the Damiana flower, a flower known for centuries as a powerful aphrodisiac.  The Damiana flower gives the liquor an extra kick, and at the same time adds several layers of complexity to the versatile spirit.  As with most aphrodisiacs, its true power lies in the minds and hearts of the lovers themselves.

link:  Agavero Website

By Michael Hepworth | October 19, 2006 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Join the Hollywood Set with Swank Martini Glasses

The Martini boom continues unabated, and a collection of martini glasses from the Swank Martini Company will surely give your home bar the added touch of class to go along with the Grey Goose, Ciroc or Herradura in the cabinet.

The sample pack of 12 entirely different glasses has been carefully selected, after the owners of the company scoured bars around the world to come up with really unique designs, shapes and sizes.

They look at new designs all the time from people who actually create these mini works of art. There are other packages available, and the glasses are also for sale individually.

Some of the individual names of the glasses include Swinger, Metro, Omega, Satin Breeze, Swerve, Parisian, Vibe, Chillin, A Twist, The Diva, Cosmo and Flirtini.

Hardly surprising, the Hollywood set has caught on to these glasses. The obvious high profile celebrities or usual suspects are all allegedly owners of these slick looking glasses, an obvious fit for these modern day icons of the silver screen

By Michael Hepworth | September 18, 2006 in Parties & Entertaining, Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Elixir G - New Ginger Mix Adds Spice to Your Cocktails

In the never ending search for the perfect cocktail or martini, one can easily forget about one of the most potent spices of all, ginger. There are many kinds of exciting ginger beers out there, including such stunners as the cult Blenheim Ginger Ale from South Carolina.

Now a new ginger mix, Elixir G, has just hit the market, and was a “Best in Show” winner in the “new products category” at the just convened Los Angeles Food and Wine Show over some pretty stiff opposition. Elixir G is a dynamic mixer that is extremely versatile with every form of spirit imaginable, giving the cocktail that superb ginger taste, and with tequila in particular.

The drink is not available at retail stores at this time, but you can contact the company directly, although they are very selective who they sell to, and are very keen to offer serving suggestions.  

Most of the top bars in Los Angeles and Hollywood such as Yamashiro’s, MaKai, Ocean Avenue Seafood stock the mixer along with Akwa in Santa Monica. Look for it in October at P.F.Chang’s all across the country, with more outlets to be added as the holiday season hots up.

See some cocktail mixes after the jump. 

Continue reading "Elixir G - New Ginger Mix Adds Spice to Your Cocktails"

By Michael Hepworth | September 7, 2006 in New Food Trends, Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Visiting Tequila Mexico, Part 2

Part 2 - The Journey Continues 

My journey continued onto the town of Tequila. Rising 1300 meters above sea level, the blue agave plants grow bountifully amongst the evergreens and juniper trees.   To be called tequila, the product must be made from the blue agave located in this specific region of Mexico. Many of the local folks are experts on the tradition and history of their town and famous beverage spirit.  They talk about tequila with fondness relating it to a flat stone called obsidian which is common below the Tequilan volcano.

Continue reading "Visiting Tequila Mexico, Part 2"

By Albert Hayashi | September 5, 2006 in Food & Wine Country Travel, Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Visiting Tequila Mexico, Part 1

Travel writer, Albert Hayashi, recently toured Tequila, Mexico, where the blue agave plants grow to make the alcohol we all know as tequila.  We bring you his travel journal in three parts over the next three weeks.

Part 1 - A Journey into the Past 

Walking around the small town of Tequila, Mexico, one finds a strong sense of the past and history.  Founded in 1530 by the conquistador Cristobal de Onate, the small town (pueblo) of Tequila rests below the base of a volcano amongst the blue agave landscape.   From these beautiful large blue green colored plants exploding out of the rich volcanic soil, Tequila and its relative Mezcal are made.  This is a story of my journey into the past where I discovered certain things in life are never meant to change.

Continue reading "Visiting Tequila Mexico, Part 1"

By Albert Hayashi | August 29, 2006 in Food & Wine Country Travel, Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Herradura Tequila Makes a Bold Claim

Herradura Tequila has been around on the market since 1964, and today the company claims to be the largest holder of barrels in all of Mexico and one of the leading marketers of aged tequilas in the world. The company has five different brands of tequila, ranging from the Herradura Silver (aged for 40 days and perfect for margaritas), up to the Herradura Hacienda del Cristero (pure blanco and exceptionally smooth).

The top of the range is the Herradura Seleccion Suprema, deep amber in color, and aged in French Oak for four years, a highly complex tequila that the producers claim is the best of the world. Supporters of Don Julio Tequila might have something to say about that, but a recent tasting confirmed its quality to this writer.

It remains the only tequila to be 100% Estate bottled, and also the only tequila allowed putting “natural” on the label.

A recent effort to expand their presence in the USA market has seen the brand selling for about $13 a shot in the hot tequila bars of Hollywood.

link:  Herradura Tequila website 

By Michael Hepworth | July 27, 2006 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (0)

Redcliff Liqueur Makes a Stand for the Americans

There is a new liqueur on the block and looking to make a name for itself in the watering holes of America. Redcliff claims to be America’s “first premium liqueur”, and since it is predominately cola based, with a touch of vanilla and about 15 secret spices, that is not an unreasonable claim. Redcliff joins such other national treasures like Baileys Irish Cream (Ireland), Amaretto, Limoncello (Italy), Kahlua (Mexico) and Pimms (England) as the flagship liqueur of a country. It is 65 proof (32.5% Alc/Vol) and is particularly potent when served with equal parts of rum, bourbon, coffee liqueur, amaretto and flavored vodkas.

Site:  Redcliff Liquor

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By Michael Hepworth | July 10, 2006 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (1)

Plymouth Gin bounces back with a new bottle design

Gin is finally making a belated comeback after spending years in the doldrums following the emergence of Vodka as the drink of choice, and the Martini craze has helped fuel the revival. The history of the cocktail dates back to 1896 when gin was used in the original Dry Martini recipe. One particular Gin looking to benefit from this revival is Plymouth Gin from England, that dates back to 1793, and that is widely considered one of the smoothest gins around according to the experts and certainly by this writer.

The secret of this gin according to Master Distiller Sean Harrison is balance. “One ingredient should never empower the others. Plymouth Gin is the perfect balance of seven botanicals made from the soft pure waters of Dartmoor, making it noticeably the smoothest gin in the world.” It retails for about $25 per bottle, and according to Harrison, there is no reason at all to pay more than that for a bottle of Gin, but if you want to pay $50 for the Tanqueray for example, that is up to you.

The Art Deco inspired decanter style reflects the gin heyday of the 1920s and 1930s, when Plymouth in was featured in 27 different recipes in the London Savoy Cocktail Book. Plymouth Gin is already being embraced by some of the top bartenders and mixologists in Hollywood, including Peter Birmingham from Norman’s on Sunset, and at the Hungry Cat restaurant.

link: Plymouth Gin

Continue reading "Plymouth Gin bounces back with a new bottle design"

By Michael Hepworth | June 21, 2006 in Spirits | Permalink | Comments (1)