The Spirit World

So summer is officially here and with it come the quintessential summer past times - long days in the park, balmy evenings in the garden and of course a nice tipple to get the party started. Summer is definitely the time of year to enjoy a cooling cocktail, but do we really know what to […]

Over on Spittoon I’ve just posted some tasting notes on the value-packed Griffith Park sparkling wines. Both the pink and the white versions are excellent value for not-too-complicated fizz. Nicely frothy, not too dry, which means they make for excellent party wines.
And excellent bases for cocktails, as these two recipes demonstrate. More cocktail recipes are […]

Marco Pierre White last week crowned Ryan Chetiyawardana of Bramble in Edinburgh, Scotland the UK’s best bartender in the final of World Class 2009 – the Oscar’s of the bartending world. Held at the exclusive Kent House in London’s Knightsbridge, Ryan dazzled the judges by showcasing his exceptional mixology skills as he triumphed over competition from […]

Not long ago, I was trading emails with someone from Flor de Caña about the company’s Nicaraguan rum. She sent me a recipe for what sounded like a delightful summer cocktail called the Flip Flop. Even more delightful, the recipe called for a Chamomile tea infusion. I agreed to give it a try and post […]

Does your almanac include International Cachaça Day. Honestly, mine doesn’t either, but if you embrace the current enthusiasm or Cachaça, and have been wondering how to use it when you’re not in the mood for a caipirinha, an update might be in order.
Sure, International Cachaça Day is a promotional vehicle for Brazil’s national beverage, but […]

To kick off its new line of specialty tequilas, Gran Centenario is serving up a selection of summer cocktails. Gran Centenario’s new tequilas are: Azul Reposado and Rosangel. And while we’re talking about exoctic new tequilas, Maestro Dobel, which bills itself as the world’s first “diamond” tequila, offers up a cocktail of its own.”
First up, […]

Most rum aficionados have heard of Chairman’s Reserve rum from St Lucia. This fabulous golden rum is now sold in most of the UK’s top cocktail bars, either for sipping with ice or as a key ingredient in many sensational cocktails (see recipes below).
Chairman’s Reserve is the first rum to carry the WIRSPA (West Indies […]

The Fitz and the Wheeltapper lounges inside the Fitzpatrick Hotels in NYC are currently offering three exclusive Easter-themed cocktails; the Easter Bunny, a delight for chocolate lovers, the Jelly Bean and the Easter Egg Cocktail. Here are the recipes of these tantalizing libations:
The Easter Bunny
1 1/2 oz. dark crème de cacao
1/2 oz. vodka
1 tsp chocolate […]

For a new twist on a Valentine’s favorite, try the following cocktail. According to Jeff Coleman, president of Distinguished Brands International, “The distinct dark chocolate hints of O’Hara’s Irish Stout pair perfectly with the fresh strawberry taste of Früli to create a decadent drink that tastes like everyone’s favorite Valentine treat of chocolate-covered strawberries.” 
Chocolate Covered […]

To help set the mood on the 14th, Disaronno Amaretto has created the scrumptious Disaronno Amaro Dolce, the perfect cocktail to treat your special Valentine.
The creation of Disaronno Amaretto can be traced all the way back to the Renaissance, one of the most romantic periods in history.  Bernardino Luini, a student of Leonardo Da Vinci, […]