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Happy Hour: Kiwi Cobbler

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:42 -0700

Last week at the market, I spotted some New Zealand kiwis for a good price. I know they're not local and organic, but they simply looked too plump and verdant to pass up, so I bought a ton. And, when life handed me a bunch of kiwis, what did I do? Make a kiwi cobbler, of course.

I'm a sucker for muddled fruit cocktails, and this one from Boston fine-dining institution Radius is no exception. I love how fresh it tastes with one whole kiwi, torn mint, and a splash of seltzer. Make it in a minute when you read more

Happy Hour: In-Sandíary

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:00:24 -0700

Remember a month ago when I mentioned my latest obsession was with watermelon juice and tequila? Well the compulsion continues with this cocktail! What makes this drink is the spicy salted rim. It adds a fiery punch that enhances the natural bite of tequila. Be sure to strain the watermelon juice before putting it into the cocktail shaker. This ensures that the final drink is smooth and refreshing. If you're looking for a delicious alternative to the classic lime margarita, definitely give this drink a shake before watermelon season ends. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well the vibrant pink fruit pairs with tequila. Get the recipe when you read more.

In-Sandíary
From Food & Wine Cocktails 09

Ingredients

Chili Salt
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
Cocktail
1 lime wedge
Ice
2 ounces blanco tequila
2 ounces watermelon juice
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Directions

Make the chile salt: In a small bowl, mix the kosher salt, sugar and ancho chile powder.
Make the cocktail: Moisten the outer rim of a highball glass with the lime wedge and coat lightly with chile salt.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients and shake well.
Fill the highball glass with ice and strain the drink into the glass.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Watermelon-Tequila Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:45 -0700

Since today is National Tequila Day (cheers!), I thought I'd share my latest obsession with you. While I'm a huge fan of the classic margarita combination of tequila and fresh-squeezed lime juice, it pales in comparison to the delightful pairing that is watermelon juice and tequila. I'm so crazy about this dynamic duo that I've already made three different cocktails with it. The one seen here - my current fav - is a mixture of watermelon, tequila, mint, blueberries, and lime juice. With its sweet, minty flavor, refreshing thirst-quenching quality, and beautiful blushing color, this cocktail is almost perfect. I say almost because it's far too easy to drink. A problem that's quickly solved with a generous float of tequila. To get the party, or the weekend, started, make this drink tonight

Eat Your Way Through National Tequila Day!

YumSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:50:38 -0700

Unknown holiday alert: Today is National Tequila Day! Friday alone is cause for celebration, but National Tequila Day is an added excuse to get the party started. So . . . you've got the drink settled for the night, but what about the food? Deglaze the pan with some reposado or añejo, and you'll find the toasty, tart, sometimes smoky flavor of tequila packs a punch in your meal, too. Need some ideas? Keep clicking for more.

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Come Party With Me: Annabelle's Birthday - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:50:27 -0700

Since many dogs will be in attendance at Annabelle's birthday party, hostess FabSugar will be sure to place several water bowls around her backyard. These will need to be refilled frequently and I've volunteered to make sure that each bowl has water.

There will be water (both sparkling and still) for the people, too, and endless batches of icy-cold blended margaritas. This recipe uses a mixture of freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice, resulting in a drink that is wildly tart. Don't bother using the most expensive tequila, an affordable tequila works better in margaritas. To look at the recipe, read more.

Iced Margaritas
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1/2 cup coarse salt
1/2 cup (about 4 limes) freshly squeezed lime juice, plus 1 lime cut in half for the glasses
2 tablespoons (about 1 lemon) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup triple sec
1 white tequila

Directions

Pour the salt onto a small plate; set aside.
Rub the outside rim of each glass with the cut lime. Dip each glass into the reserved salt; set aside.
Place lime juice, lemon juice, triple sec, and 3 cups ice in a blender, and puree on low speed until completely blended.
Add tequila and blend for 2 seconds. Pour margaritas into the reserved glasses, over ice, and serve immediately.

Serves 6.

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Happy Hour: Casa Noble Tequila and Cheese Tasting

partysugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:00:38 -0700

In my quest to become more educated on the world of spirits, I've taken a liking to high-end tequilas. Beyond Patron, there's a huge variety of wonderfully complex tequilas that are perfect for sipping solo or shaking into a classic margarita. One brand, Casa Noble, produces an amazing collection of authentic tequilas. Packaged in a traditional yet sexy bottle, Casa Noble's tequilas are uniquely modern because they're triple-distilled and naturally produced in French wine barrels. Recently I attended a tequila tasting hosted by the founding partner of Casa Noble, David Ravandi. To illustrate the fact that his tequilas are distinct from anything else on the market, Ravandi paired them with cheese. To find out what I thought of the unexpected combination of cheese and tequila, read more.

Although the idea of tequila and cheese together is shocking, I was pleasantly surprised by the duo. Ravandi paired Casa Noble Crystal (the brand's easy-drinking, award-winning silver) with a creamy goat cheese. The lingering finish of the cheese eliminated the usual bite of tequila.

The delicate Casa Noble Reposado (aged for 364 days in French oak barrels) was my favorite of the three tequilas. Fruity and floral, it has a peppery finish. Paired with roquefort, the reposado was rich, layered, and smooth.

The third pairing - the Casa Noble Anejo and stilton - was the least pleasing to my palate. While I enjoyed both alone, together the powerful spirit and pungent cheese canceled one another out.

After the cheese tequila tasting was finished, Ravandi invited me to sample Casa Noble Crystal in a vibrantly hued cocktail. Created by the bartender at the Fifth Floor, the tequila mockingbird was an interesting, almost salad-like concoction of celery juice, lime juice, and bitters. Rimmed with a mixture of cayenne and celery salt, the drink was refreshing, and the tequila blended flawlessly with the other ingredients. I enjoyed my experience with Casa Noble so much, I plan on adding a bottle of the reposado to my liquor cabinet.

How about you? Do you enjoy tequila? What's your favorite premium offering?

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Yummy Links: From Chinese Noodles to the Pork Party

partysugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:50:45 -0700

Chinese noodles are a simple and delicious meal.- Cooking With Amy
Costco is now accepting food stamps at two New York City locations. - Serious Eats
A new movie, Fresh, puts the food industry into perspective. - Epicurious
Should teens be taught more about alcohol? - Alcademics
Don't miss this crazy video of the 2009 Cheese Roll. - Eat Me Daily
Move over margarita, here's 10 other tequila cocktails to enjoy this Summer. - Chow
The latest on the frozen yogurt front: the Pinkberry Fruit Parfait. - Eater
Wouldn't you love to eat at this pork party for the ages? - The Feedbag

Definition: Mezcal

partysugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:00:50 -0700

Mezcal or Mescal
A Mexican distilled spirit that's made from the fermented juice of the agave plant's core. The core is roasted underground over pits of hot rocks. This technique gives mezcal a characteristic smokiness. The difference between mezcal and tequila is the plant (tequila is made from the blue agave only) and the roasting method (for tequila, the agave core is cooked in an oven). Although it's produced throughout Mexico, the Oaxacan region is best known for its production and consumption of the potent liquid.

Source

Yum's May Must Haves

partysugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:50:11 -0700

Wow! Can you believe it's already May? From the Kentucky Derby to Memorial Day, I'm excited because the month is packed with parties! The warmer weather also means picnics, barbecues, and lounging by the pool. Here are five items you'll need to make May memorable.

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Come Party With Me: Cinco de Mayo - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:50:10 -0700

When one hears the words, Cinco de Mayo, Mexican beer, and classic margaritas come to mind. However, why not shake things up and surprise guests with a different cocktail?

The agave negro combines tequila, lime juice, and blackberries to create a cocktail that is as refreshing as it is beautiful. A splash of Chambord provides the blush color and club soda adds a touch of fizz. To check out the recipe, read more.

Agave Negro
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

2 blackberries, plus 1 blackberry and 1 lime wheel skewered on a pick
1 cup ice
1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
1/2 ounce Chambord
1 ounce chilled club soda

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the 2 blackberries.
Add the ice, tequila, lime juice, Simple Syrup, and Chambord. Shake well and pour into a rocks glass.
Stir in the club soda and garnish with the skewered blackberry and lime wheel.

Makes 1 drink.

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