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Happy Hour: Peach Donkey

partysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:00:34 -0700

Although this cocktail recipe has a weird name, the ingredients are pretty ordinary and the flavor is absolutely sublime. It's similar to the classic bellini - because it combines peach puree with effervescence - but, thanks to the addition of vodka and Canton, it's much more potent. When blended together, the sweetness of the peach offsets the subtle heat of the ginger. The final cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink. For a rustic feel, serve in mason jars! If you can't find ginger beer, simply substitute sparkling water. Sound interesting? Get the recipe when you read more.

Peach Donkey
From Food & Wine Cocktails 09

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce ginger liqueur
3 ounces peach puree or nectar
Crushed ice
1 ounce chilled ginger beer
Peach slices, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a highball glass, combine the vodka, ginger liqueur and peach puree; stir.
Add crushed ice and stir again. Top with the ginger beer and swizzle by spinning a swizzle stick or bar spoon between your hands. Garnish with peach slices.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy (Repeal Day) Hour: Le Coup de Jarnac

partysugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:07:08 -0800

Listen up, party people: Today is a big day in the world of drinking. It's the 75th anniversary of the repeal of the 18th amendment. On this day in 1933, the 21st amendment was ratified and the celebratory right of drinking was given back to Americans. To commemorate the occasion, I worked with my favorite drinking website, Nirvino, and one of San Francisco's most adorable bartenders, Buffalo, at the Alembic, to bring you this amazing cocktail recipe. Buffalo originally created the concoction for Nirvino's monthly cocktail competition, which I attended at Level III in San Francisco. The drink is made with Canton, apple brandy, and lavender honey. The honey adds subtle body without making it overly sweet. To get the recipe of the le coup de jarnac - which won the people's choice award at the contest - and check out a video of the beloved Buffalo making it, read more.

Le Coup de Jarnac from Nirvino on Vimeo.

Le Coup de Jarnac
From Buffalo of the Alembic in San Francisco

Ingredients

3/4 oz. Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur
1 1⁄2 oz. Calvados (apple brandy)
1⁄2 oz. Sweet Vermouth (recommended: Carpano Antica)
teaspoon of Lavender Honey
Few drops of Allspice Dram
Twist of Lemon

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a pint glass. Add ice 3⁄4 of the way to the top.
Stir for 10 seconds.
Strain into an ice-filled low ball glass. Finish it off with a twist of lemon.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Happy Hour: Jim's Diablo

partysugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:00:17 -0700

When I heard the name of this cocktail, I assumed it would be a devilish drink that was either too spicy or super strong. I was pleasantly surprised when it was neither hot or potent, but rather a delightfully well-balanced, tasty cocktail.

Despite its blushing color, this mix of tequila, Canton, and lemon juice is not a typically girlie, sweet concoction.

Created by one of New York's top mixologists, Jim Meehan, the diablo is simple to make at home. Take the time to chill the glasses before hand, it will make a better drink.

The recipe calls for creme de cassis, but I made mine with Chambord, because that's what was in my liquor cabinet. To check out Jim's Diablo, read more.

Jim’s Diablo
From Jim Meehan

Ingredients

2 ounces Tequila (recommended: Gran Centenario Plata)
.75 ounce fresh lemon juice
.75 ounce Canton ginger liqueur
.25 ounce Crème de Cassis
lemon wheels, optional for garnish

Directions

Place a Champagne glass in the freezer. Chill.
Fill a cocktail shaker with the tequila, lemon juice, Canton, and Creme de Cassis. Add ice.
Shake well and strain into the chilled coupe.
Garnish with a thinly sliced lemon wheel

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy

partysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:00:02 -0700

Now that Fall is here we can start to think about cold-weather cocktails, especially the warming toddy. With its burnt orange color, caramelized sugar rim, and creative name, this modern variation of the classic drink is not your grandmother's nightcap. Made with rum and Canton Ginger Liquor, it's delicious and surprisingly easy to drink. Created especially for my birthday party, by superstar bartender Aaron Smith, of 15 Romolo, the Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy is also a wonderful concoction for a Halloween party. Lighting the glass on fire to caramelize the rim makes for a fabulous party trick! Learn how it's done and read more.

Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy
From Aaron Smith at 15 Romolo

Ingredients

sugar, for caramelizing rim of glass
1/4 ounce fresh squeezed orange juice
1/2 ounce Canton Ginger Liquor
1.5 ounces Pampero Anniversario Rum
1.5 ounces hot water
orange twist, optional for garnish

Directions

To create the sugar rim, lightly wet the rim of a wine glass, and dip in a plate of sugar. Then, using a lighter with a handle or a kitchen torch, light the sugar on fire. Be sure to use a glass that can withhold heat. The sugar will melt and caramelize. Turn the glass while the flames burn to ensure even caramelization. Set the glass aside to cool.
In a cocktail shaker combine the orange juice, Canton, rum, and hot water. Stir to combine.
Strain into prepared glass, garnish with an orange twist, and enjoy immediately while the mixture is still warm.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Happy Hour: Blue Gin Rizz

partysugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:00:23 -0700

The other day I was at the farmers market when I noticed a sad sign saying, "last day for blueberries." I immediately purchased a pint with the intention of using them in a delectable drink. While the original recipe, from H. Joseph Ehrmann of San Francisco's Elixir, calls for kumquats, I couldn't find them, so I substituted fresh peaches.

The final concoction is refreshing, tangy, and light. The ginger liqueur stabilizes the natural bite of the gin resulting in a cocktail that is balanced and easy to drink. It would be great paired with food, but it's also lovely when sipped solo. To say cheers to the weekend with this recipe, read more.

Blue Gin Rizz
From H. Joseph Ehrmann of San Francisco's Elixir

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces gin (recommended: Bluecoat)
1/2 ounce Canton Ginger Liqueur
1/2 ounce simple syrup
3 kumquats (approx 1” in size)*
Handfull blueberries

Directions

Muddle kumquats and blueberries in a mixing glass.
Add all other ingredients, fill with ice and shake well for 10 seconds. Hawthorne strain** into a highball glass of fresh ice and top with a few blueberries and slices of kumquat.

Makes 1 cocktail.

*I used 1/4 of a ripe peach, peeled and chopped into chunks because I couldn't find kumquats.

**My strainer was missing so I didn't strain the cocktail. It was still delicious.

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Yum's August Must Haves

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:30:08 -0700

The dog days of Summer are upon us, and August is an exciting month this year. Not only is it a time for Summer vacations, but both the Beijing Olympics and Slow Food Nation are happening. Here's my list of everything you need to survive (and celebrate!) August in the most fabulous foodie style.

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Happy Hour: Loft Liqueurs

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:39 -0800

Earlier this month, I was pleasantly surprised to hear about the opening of the world's first all-organic bar. So when I learned of Loft Liqueurs, the first USDA certified organic liqueur, I had to find out what all the hype was about.

Created by two best friends and San Francisco hospitality veterans to save people from "the bright neon color of your average apple martini," the limoncello-inspired spirits are at the forefront of sustainability and eco-consciousness. In addition to being made with all-natural ingredients, the kosher-certified liqueur is sweetened primarily with agave nectar. The company supports small farms and biodynamic agricultural practices when possible, and uses recycled cases, biodegradable inks, and bamboo-based paper.

I tried four flavors - lavender, spicy ginger, tangerine, and lemongrass. To hear what I thought of them, read more.

Lavender: Although I sometimes eschew lavender in food (if it's too perfumy, I associate it with a spa treatment) the botanical notes were sweet, floral, and prominent yet not overwhelming. In fact, it was my favorite flavor.

Spicy Ginger: Contrary to its name, this flavor was not particularly spicy. PartySugar felt the taste was not as prominent or fresh as Canton, another ginger liqueur. Nevertheless, this flavor would impart subtlety to a cocktail such as a lemon drop.

Tangerine: Although I love tangerines, this seasonal flavor was my least favorite flavor. Ironically, both of us thought it tasted somewhat artificial and syrupy.

Lemongrass: This award-winning flavor was PartySugar's favorite. We enjoyed the delicately fragrant and bright flavors of this liqueur, which could be the star of a lemongrass cocktail, or just as refreshing on its own.

Have you ever tried Loft Liqueurs, and are you impressed by their environmentally friendly practices?

BevMo Five-Cent Wine Sale Going on Now

partysugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:00:52 -0700

Over the weekend I stepped into Beverages and More to purchase a bottle of Canton Ginger Liqueur. Imagine my delight when I realized the store was in the middle of a wine sale. Not just any sale, their exceptional buy one bottle, get the second bottle for five cents sale! With over 100 wines to choose from, this sale is a great way to stock up on wine for dinner parties, hostess gifts, or simply to fill your wine cellar. I went for South American wines, picking up two malbecs, a torrentes, and a carmenere blend. Have you been to the sale? What did you purchase?

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Come Party With Me: Olympics Viewing - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:15:54 -0700

When guests arrive at your Olympic viewing, surprise them at the door with a chilled shot of Canton Ginger Liqueur. The shot will loosen up shy friends and get the conversation flowing. Next offer guests a glass of strawberry-lychee punch. Muddled with fresh strawberries, China's most cherished fruit sweetens this delicious rum cocktail.

Also have beer, wine, and sparkling water on hand. To learn how to make this cool, refreshing strawberry-lychee concoction, read more.

Strawberry-Lychee Punch
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

3 small strawberries, hulled
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1 canned lychee plus 1/4 ounce syrup
2 ounces light rum
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
Ice

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries, Simple Syrup, lychee and lychee syrup
Add the rum, lime juice, and ice, shake well, and pour into an ice-filled red wine glass.

Makes 1 drink.

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