To die for.
Lately, I've been in quite the tiki state of mind. First I waxed poetic over a scorpion bowl at San Francisco institution The Tonga Room, then I attended a tiki-themed party, and most recently, I found myself guzzling a Singapore Sling at the rum bar Smuggler's Cove. Since all those tiki-carved mugs and pineapple cocktails have been at the top of my brain, I figured I'd make the most of it and Read more
Must make: beef brisket hash. — Hands On Gourmet Cookbook author Katie Lee is working on a television show pilot. — The New York Times Unaged tequilas that you should be sipping.— Serious Eats The Magical Elves, the production company behind Top Chef, will bring an Amazing Race-style cooking competition to Bravo. — Feast Take a look at Pulino's, New York City's most anticipated new Read more
Last Thursday I got an email from a girlfriend asking me if I would make mai tais for a party on Friday night. Considering my profession, and the fact that I take pleasure in crafting specialty cocktails for my friends and family to enjoy, this is not an uncommon request. However, her email was more like a quickfire challenge because it wasn't just any old party, it was her rehearsal dinner and Read more
One of the best seminars I attended at last weekend's Aspen Food & Wine Classic was a cocktail class that focused on tropical cocktails. The lesson was led by Julie Reiner, the owner and bar genius behind such Manhattan hotspots as the Flatiron Lounge, Pegu Club, and the Clover Club. Julie started off by giving us a primer on one of America's favorite drinking pastimes, the tiki bar. Read more
Orgeat Syrup A sweet syrup used to enhance cocktails with a strong almondy taste. Originally made with barley and almonds, today it's made with a mixture of almonds, sugar, rose water, and orange flower water. Read more
Sun. Sand. Beach. Fried chicken. Clams. Salads. Cherry pies. What's missing from this equation? Cocktails of course! This week I've created the ultimate kite flying beach picnic party and a cool, tropical cocktail fits the theme perfectly. In this case, nothing can beat the classic mai tai - they are easy to make in large batches and can be packed up in an oversized thermos. For the designated Read more
Summer time means summer cocktails and what's more summery than a Mai Tai and a Strawberry Daiquiri? Before you dive into tropical delight, take this quiz to see which fruity drink has more calories. Which Fun Summer Drink Has More Calories Mai Tai Strawberry Daiquiri Read more
Start shaking and stirring; it's Friday, which means happy hour is on the horizon. Warm weather makes us feel like we're on a beach vacation where sweet and fruity concoctions are the norm — it all tastes good going down until you realize that you've just undone a weekday's worth of workouts. Instead of passing on the Mai Tais, skip premade mixes, sugary juices, and refined sugar, and sweeten Read more
If a Parisian- or baseball-themed party don't sound like your thing, then watch the Academy Awards on a tropical island with George Clooney . . . well, sort of. Host a Hawaiian-themed evening in honor of The Descendants, to which everyone wears floral shirts. Present the ladies with flowers to put in their hair and mai tais to sip as they walk into a room filled with hula music and the sounds of Read more
We're inching steadily closer to the Oscars, which means it's time to start planning for the big night! If you're going to tune in, why not invite over a few friends and host a festive bash? If you're pulling for George Clooney, best picture nominee The Descendants is a perfect place to draw some inspiration, especially if you're one to dream of tropical climates. Here are a few tips for planning Read more
