dale degroff

No themed dinner party can begin without the relaxing mood enhancer and conversation stimulator that is the specialty cocktail. Since India (outside of the big cities) doesn't have much of a drinking culture, I'm turning to Dale Degroff, the king of cocktails, for inspiration.

According to Degroff, in its day — during the 19th century when East India existed — the East India cocktail was similar to the cosmopolitan in popularity: Everyone enjoyed it. The mixture of cognac, pineapple juice, and orange curacao pairs perfectly with Padma Lakshmi's salty, crispy kahti rolls.

For the main course serve cold beer, a Pinot Blanc, sweet Reisling, or an unoaked Syrah. To look at the recipe for the East India cocktail, read more

Bring a little Mardi Gras spirit into your kitchen this weekend by mixing up a classic hurricane cocktail. Created at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans, this drink is potent, yet incredibly tasty — almost like fruit punch.

Made with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and passion fruit nectar, it's a tropical breath of fresh air, especially delicious in the dead of Winter.

Although the ingredient list is a little long, this refreshingly fruity drink is worth the effort. Traditionally, it's served in a glass that's shaped like a hurricane lamp, but any large glass will do. To get the recipe, read more

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Dale DeGroff. If you've never heard of DeGroff, you'll be surprised to know that he has changed your life. Remember that basil gimlet you enjoyed at the bar last week? You can thank Dale for that. Or what about that perfectly poured martini? Dale's responsible for that, too. Known to food insiders as the King of Cocktails, Dale DeGroff is single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of classic cocktails. Back in 1980s New York, at a time when the majority of bars served drinks made from overly-sweet mixes, Dale was mixing drinks with fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and creating cocktails based on preprohibition recipes. To find out what the master has to say about cocktail trends and to see who he thinks is the best bartender in America today, read more

To salute fall's arrival, I will make a big pitcher of a signature cocktail for my fall dinner party. The cocktail, an orange tequila concoction, has the gorgeous color of an autumn sunset. Make the cocktail an hour or two before the party starts. When guests arrive all you have to do is shake over ice and strain into the prepared champagne flutes.

Get several bottles of the same wine — one white and one red — to pair with dinner. When pairing wine with roast chicken, pay attention to the chicken's seasonings — in my case it's lots of fresh herbs, so a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Barbera would suffice. A delicate and buttery Chardonnay is an excellent choice for a white. At dinner, pour guests a cool glass of water with orange slices and rosemary sprigs.

For the recipe to the orange tequila cocktail please, read more