HALLOWEEN COCKTAIL Featuring MIDORI & V2 MINT VODKA

"Terrors of the Deep" Halloween Cocktail would knock good ole' Captain Nemo right on his Nautilus! Layered cocktails are a fun and exciting trend in the industry right now. Impress your friends with this simple, colorful and potent libation. V2 Mint Vodka, Midori melon liqueur, citrus and a touch of ginger blend for a tasty treat in this concoction. Feel free to mix it up before you drink it down for a scary, murky sea bottom drink! Check out more seasonal cocktails on my web site.

BOLS GENEVER RELEASE IN NYC

   

   The "original gin" has come to the Big Apple, and the US! Bols, established in the late 1500's in Holland, has "updated" its Genever (or Jenever in Dutch) recipe based on the 1820 formula. Lucus Bols began distilling the world's favorite genevers in 1664. The current spirit (now protected in its own catagory) is a combination of Maltwine and a blend of botanicals. 

   Unlike London Dry Gin, this spirit has a rounded malt character to it. The botanicals add depth without screaming juniper.

   Check out my upcoming post this week for my own original GENEVER recipe: "Vermeer's Pearl Earring" and try the cocktail yourself.

MIXED EMOTIONS

My mascot, MIXIE, will be appearing from time to time with some suggestions. With Halloween coming up next month, he suggests using MIDORI melon liqueur in some of your favorite holiday cocktails. I will feature some of those recipes in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

HEATHER MILLS / PAUL McCARTNEY DIVORCE COCKTAIL

I have had many requests to post this favorite from the April 2008 MIXOLOGY MONTHLY. I created it in honor of the Mills/McCartney divorce. Take a look and please comment. Yes, I know it's irreverent, that's the idea!

CHEERS MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

The latest issue of CHEERS Magazine, September 2008, features an article by Martha Russis entitled "One Size Doesn't Fit All, The right glass can make or break a quality drink" on page 44. I was interviewed for the "COCKTAIL CLASSICS" segment. Please check it out. As many of you know, I believe that the proper glass form is important when serving classic cocktails. There is good reason they had stood the test of time. Newer styles of libations give room for play and creativity. Practicality and appropriateness should not take a back seat to inventiveness.

FERGUS IN THE GRASS

Wonderful friends of mine, Jen & Marc, were married this summer in NYC. They hosted a casual rooftop BBQ celebration in honor of their nuptials. I had the pleasure of creating a Signature Wedding Cocktail for the event. When asked what they would like the drink to represent, they said "Fergus, of course!" Fergus is their adorable and very headstrong pup. So, Here's "Fergus in the Grass."

The cocktail featured some great summer flavors, including muddled fresh Kiwi fruit. The garnish was a hand-dipped chocolate & chocolate chip decorated marshmallow; an edible FERGUS head.

Congrats Jen, Marc & Fergus!

MIXOLOGY MONTHLY May 2008

Here's an example of my e-newsletter "Mixology Monthly". This one featured "The Three Candidates" (Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama & John McCain) before the Primary Election. Coming in October: "The Veeps".