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the sweet scoop
Cheers to Spring! Cocktails to Celebrate the Season
Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 05:04 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsSpring is finally in full swing, and there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. Warmer weather, longer days, shorter hemlines, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, the Kentucky Derby… just to name a few. And what better way to properly ring in spring than with a refreshing seasonal cocktail?
Whether you’re hosting a springtime soirée or just need a reason to raise a glass, here are a few of my favorite fresh and vibrant cocktail recipes to sip this season. Cheers!
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Bartending to Fight Breast Cancer
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 12:10 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsDrink. Tip. Make a Difference. Next time you’re craving a cold beverage, belly up to the bar at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor, where one incredibly generous employee has taken the fight against breast cancer—literally—into her own hands. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bartender Michelle Milton will be donating 100 percent of her tips made during the month of October to Chemo Comfort—a volunteer grassroots organization that provides cancer patients with kits to help with the side effects of chemotherapy.
A former media account executive, Michelle made bartending her new career four years ago, and became a dedicated breast cancer awareness advocate after losing loved ones to the disease. “I’ve lost close friends to breast cancer, including the woman that was my mentor. Also both of my parents passed from other types of cancer, so this cause really hits hard for me personally.” Michelle shared.
In the past three years, she has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer foundations by selflessly dedicating all of her tips—the bulk of her salary for the month. And at the end of October, Michelle will shave her head as an act of solidarity to everyone with the disease.
Be sure to stop by Neely’s Barbecue Parlor and say hi to Michelle. Drink up, tip till your heart’s content, and help in the fight!
Image courtesy of Neely’s Barbecue Parlor
Cheers to the 2012 Spirited Awards Finalists!
Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 11:05 AM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsWith a killer cocktail scene and some of the bar industry’s best talents, New York City is a spirited force to be reckoned with. So when the Top 10 Finalists for the 2012 Spirited Awards were announced, it’s no surprise that the Big Apple is representing across the board.
Held during New Orleans’ annual mixology festival, Tales of the Cocktail, the Spirited Awards will honor the world’s best bars, bartenders, writers, cocktail experts and more. Following a rigorous evaluation of hundreds of nominees, ten finalists have been selected in each of 17 categories.
Finalists from NYC include Dutch Kills, The Clover Club and Mayahuel for Best American Cocktail Bar, while The Tippler, Flatiron Lounge and Macao Trading Co. are among those nominated for Best High Volume Cocktail Bar. Best Restaurant Bar standouts include The Beagle, Lani Kai and Saxon + Parole, and my dear friend Todd Richman of Sidney Frank is up for the Best American Brand Ambassador award — not only can Todd mix up a serious cocktail, but he’s also one of the most stand up guys you’ll ever meet. Congrats!
Check out the full list of finalists here. The top ten in each category will then be whittled down to a final three on Thursday, June 7th. Winners will be announced on Saturday, July 28 at the Spirited Awards ceremony, as part of the 10th Anniversary Tales of the Cocktail celebration.
A heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees, but of course, I’d like to especially raise a glass to my NYC friends and favorites who made the list this year. Cheers!
Image courtesy of Tales of the Cocktail
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Añejo Tequileria
Friday, May 4, 2012 at 12:05 PM - Posted by Megan - (0) commentsOne tequila, two tequila, three tequila…more! How about 50+ of the best tequilas that Mexico has to offer? Recently opened Añejo Tequileria y Restaurante boasts one of the most extensive selections of tequilas, mezcals and sotols this side of the border—and serves them by the ounce, by flight or in a carafe. Add to that a menu of flavorful small plates from chef-partner Angelo Sosa and you’ve got yourself a fiesta.
Since opening in late January, the lively Hell’s Kitchen haunt has already received numerous accolades for its advanced beverage program, expertly crafted cocktails (recently rated #1 margarita in NYC), and Sosa’s series of intensely tasty tacos, tamales, dumplings, ceviches, guacs and more. So what better place to seek out some delicious Cinco de Mayo inspiration!?
Añejo’s Beverage Director and resident drink slinger, Joshua Wortman, shares a couple of the restaurant’s classic tequila-based recipes to help get your Cinco celebration started early. And to complement these festive libations (and soak up a bit of the agave-based spirit), try dipping a few warm tortillas into chef Angelo’s fresh and creamy red snapper ceviche. Check out the mouthwatering recipes below. Salud!
Mexican Firing Squad
Recipe from Joshua Wortman
Shake vigorously. Strain into a chile-salt** rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice. Add lime wheel to garnish.
*bring pomegranate juice to a boil. Add an equal amount of sugar. Simmer for 10 minutes. Cool.
**mix your favorite blend of ground chiles (Josh uses chipotle, guajillo, arbol) with kosher salt.
Tequila Julep
Recipe from Joshua Wortman
Muddle mint and agave in a julep cup or collins glass. Add crushed ice, then half of the tequila. Stir until glass frosts. Add more ice and the rest of the tequila. Garnish with mint sprig and three dashes of Peychauds Bitters.
Red Snapper Ceviche
Recipe from Angelo Sosa
Combine all ingredients together and mix well, until ceviche has a creamy texture. Serve in chilled bowls with warm tortillas.
Thanks again to Joshua and Angelo for sharing the love and happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!
Añejo Tequileria y Restaurante, 668 10th Avenue at 47th Street, 212.920.4770
Images courtesy of Añejo Tequileria y Restaurant
Classic NoLa Cocktails To Kick Off Mardi Gras
Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 07:02 AM - Posted by Megan - (2) commentsIt’s Mardi Gras time! And there’s no better way to start off the debaucherous, pre-Lenten festival than with a traditional Fat Tuesday cocktail. To celebrate like a true New Orleanian, check out this clip of one of the Big Easy’s best drink slingers showing me how to mix things up N’awlins-style.
Shake up your Mardi Gras celebration with these classic libations from the world-famous Sazerac Bar and let the good times roll. Or, as they say in New Orleans — laissez les bons temps rouler!
Sazerac Cocktail
Combine first three ingredients in a tumbler while chilling a second tumbler. Remove ice from the second tumbler and coat glass with Herbsaint. Stir first three ingredients with ice and strain into Herbsaint-coated glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
Ramos Gin Fizz
Combine all ingredients, except club soda, in a Boston shaker. Shake vigorously with ice until egg is completely emulsified. Strain into a highball glass and top with splash of club soda.
Cheers!
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