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Whiskey: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0800

When it comes to spirits, I don't discriminate. It really depends on my mood, but I enjoy vodka, gin, tequila, whiskey, and everything in between equally. When I was younger, my go-to shot was tequila; however, now that I'm a little more refined, I like to shoot whiskey! It's also what I fill my flask with. Since St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, I'm wondering, how do you feel about whiskey?

Happy Hour: Black and Tan

partysugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:00:00 -0800

This was supposed to be a tale about how easy it is to make the glorious drink that is the black and tan. But, instead it is a recount of my struggle and ultimate defeat of the classic beer cocktail. You see, on Wednesday afternoon I had the brilliant idea of making myself a black and tan.

A black and tan is equal parts pale ale and stout. The pale ale is poured into a glass first, and the stout is slowly added over the back of a spoon to create a layer of tan and a layer of black. Although I've never made one before, I assumed it would be simple enough. Instead of purchasing Bass, like the recipe recommended, I bought Harps. I tried over and over again and was, each time, unsuccessful. Thus, I turned to the pros. I called up my friend Aaron, one of the owners of 15 Romolo, and he informed me that I had to use Bass or another ale with a specific gravity higher than Guinness.

A trip to the store later and I was ready to try again. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Guinness to layer even with the Bass, so after wasting six beers, I gave up. If you wish to make the black and tan, best of luck to you; here's the recipe.

Happy Hour: 2007 Paulo Laureano Singularis

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:15:12 -0800

Portugal is best known for Port and Madeira, but lately I've gotten acquainted with the country's other wines, and I haven't been disappointed in the least. Last week, I waxed poetic about an ethereal sparkling wine, and now, it's a deep, dark red that I can't get out of my mind.

If I didn't already know it was Portuguese, I might've thought Singularis ($17) was a Ribera de Duero. Much like the Spanish wine, it's made mostly of Aragonez - which is known as Tempranillo in neighboring Spain.

But, its best qualities were new to me: A bursting black cherry nose, very soft tannins, and a cooling, nearly menthol-like finish. Even though it'd be a great collector's wine, it has zero tightness, making it a wonderful wine for right now. Do you feel the same way about any Portuguese red wines?

Happy Hour: Guinness Milkshake

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:00:25 -0800

With St. Patrick's Day almost a week away, I went off in search of a timely tipple to enjoy over the weekend. I found a number of drinks that called for ingredients like vermouth and hazelnut whipped cream; they sounded delicious but rather contradictory to the rowdy spirit of St. Patty's.

I finally landed on a Guinness milkshake. It embodies the boisterous beer drinking of March 17, with a nostalgic nod to youth. The combination might sound questionable, but I promise that the frothy, chocolaty Guinness is the perfect foil for sweet vanilla ice cream. For the single step recipe, read on.

Cocktail Time With Sandra Lee

partysugar — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:00:16 -0800

One the events I was most excited about attending last weekend at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival was a happy hour hosted by Sandra Lee. It wasn't the hostess that I was anticipating, however, but the location: late fashion designer Gianni Versace's villa, Casa Casuarina. The party went from 5 to 7 on Saturday, and upon arrival, I was grossly disappointed. Not by the location, but by the hostess. It was pouring rain and the entire cocktail time was held outside. The bars were drenched, the guests huddled together trying not to get wet, and the waiters looked positively miserable. How could Lee not have taken into consideration the rain?! Luckily, the party gods were with Auntie Sandy, and the rain let up quickly. Only then was I able to enjoy the event and watch Sandra and her sister, Kimmy, parade around. There was also a best-dressed contest, a synchronized swimming show, and signature appetizers (fried ravioli, cucumber with smoked salmon mousse, and stuffed mushrooms).

Images can better describe the happy hour, so check out my pictures after the break.

Come Party With Me: Oscars - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:00:36 -0800

There's only one thing to pour at an Oscars viewing party, and it's bubbly. While I'm a huge fan of sparkling rosé, sometimes it's fun to make your own pink champagne. It doesn't involve grapes, but simply your favorite sparkler and a little purple-hued liquor called Chambord. A splash of the raspberry elixir will turn a glass of bubbly into a blushing pink concoction that's slightly sweet. It's an easy-to-make, sophisticated cocktail that pairs well with gourmet pizza, so get the recipe after the jump.

Happy Hour: Luis Pato Bruto Espamante

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:15:03 -0800

They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and based on my initial experience with Portuguese sparkling wine, I've been very impressed. Recently I sipped a truly wonderful sparkling, Luis Pato Bruto Espamante ($17), at a tasting led by Eugenio Jardim, sommelier at Traci Des Jardins's San Francisco restaurant Jardinière. "To me, it's inexplicable why Prosecco and Cava would be more popular than this," he commented. I couldn't have agreed more.

The brut bubbly isn't overly perfumed, but just aromatic enough, with fruity-floral notes of apricot and peach and a nice dry finish. With its feminine flavors and pale straw hue, it brought to mind a ballerina fluttering in a tulle dress. It's rare in Portugal to see single-varietal wines, and this is no exception. I didn't recognize the grapes (Maria Gomes is a muscat-like varietal, and Arinto, a lemon-tinged, high-acid grape), but that was irrelevant after one sip. Have you ever tried a Portuguese sparkling wine?

Happy Hour: Sparkling Sidecar

YumSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:00:16 -0800

I'll be watching this year's Academy Awards from a friend's couch, but I've found the perfect drink to sip while getting dolled up for the affair. As a fan of the original sidecar, I couldn't miss the opportunity to try out a sparkling variation of the classic. This version contains all the elements of a traditional sidecar - brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon - but a splash of seltzer and a coarse sugar-coated rim give it an ethereal lift. The beverage itself contains little sugar, so the candylike rim adds a welcome sweetness. With its gilt hue, it's the ideal tipple to serve at an Oscars viewing party. For a cocktail that's worthy of its own golden statue, keep reading.

Happy Hour: 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio

partysugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:00:15 -0800

Isn't it wonderful when you open a bottle of wine and experience love at first sip? Although this situation is rare, when it does occur, it's magical. It happened to me last Friday with this amazing Portuguese blend from the Douro Valley, the 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio ($28). It's a complex wine that hits the tongue smoothly with a rich dark-fruit flavor that's followed quickly with a lovely spicy finish. It has a clean mouthfeel and after each sip, I longed for more of the silky deep-ruby liquid. I enjoyed it with anchovy and garlic pasta, but it would be excellent paired with hearty meatballs, crisp-crusted pizza, or even barbecue.

Have you ever fallen in love at first sip? Share your experience below.

Happy Hour: Hot Rum, Pineapple, and Maple Toddy

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:00:41 -0800

Ever since two Fridays ago, I've been chained to my television watching the Vancouver Olympics. I'm not much of a sports spectator, but I have a soft spot for stories of sacrifice and redemption, and the Winter games have plenty of those.

Last night, I watched the USA face off against Canada in the hockey rink. The match had plenty of excitement and energy - plus those Canadian hotties in their maple leaf uniforms weren't too hard on the eyes, either.

I took it all in with a tipple that couldn't have been more fitting: a play on the hot toddy that's laced with cinnamon, pineapple, and the country's oh-so-emblematic maple syrup. To be the best Olympics couch cheerleader you can be, get the recipe.