Thanksgiving is often a long day in the kitchen (or in front of the TV, depending on your skill set). So, at my place, there is always some kind of special beverage on hand to lighten the toil (couch-potato, or otherwise). Either way, you will definitely be thankful when you get your hands on one [...]
Happy Saturday Night (oops, Sunday morning). I’ve decided I’ll try to post at least one cocktail recipe each weekend. A student in one of my cooking classes prompted me to dream up this fantastic drink. As she said, ”I love espresso and a martini. Couldn’t they be in the same glass?” I think this combination is beautiful and exhilarating.
When I started working on a cocktail book (The Backyard Bartender), my chef’s approach to creating recipes of any kind led me to look for ways to bring more than just a combination of pre-made ingredients to the glass. I decided that spirit infusions were one great way to bring fresh, complex notes to the cocktails I was designing. Infusing spirits with custom flavors has become extremely popular in hip bars around the country for good reason. This simple technique—essentially steeping fresh ingredients in white liquor — allows the ambitious mixologist to create delicious, seductive and very personal cocktails with ease.
Simple syrup is the best way to sweeten any cold beverage, from Agua Fresca to iced tea or a Mojito. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, so I make a large batch to have on hand.
In future posts, I’ll include recipes for creating simple syrup variations with fresh fruit and [...]
I decided that a party to launch the new home (url) for this blog was at least as important as those I’ve thrown for new books. And all of you would be invited to celebrate this beautiful, easy-to-navigate new spot. This post includes recipes for some of the dishes we might enjoy , all of which are in my books, too.
Ohhhhh boy! Welcome summer. This simple concoction magically recreates the flavor of key lime pie—one of my all time favorite desserts. Plus, who wouldn’t want to drink/serve a cocktail this gorgeous? There is something so seductive about a slender stem of alcohol that tastes like a sinful dessert. Talk about multi-tasking!
Juicy melons of every variety are a highlight of my worktable at this time of year. Their colors are so summery and fresh and the flavors blend and complement nearly every recipe from salsa to salad and dessert.
I grew up in Southern California where tequila was practically the official spirit. So, it’s only natural that I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions about the correct way to mix up a perfect Margarita and created an armload of other creative tequila quaffs, as well. Enjoy these recipes for the classic Margarita and some other summer-friendly ways to use up that bottle of Patron, Herradura, or Commemorativo you invested in on your last vacation in Cancun.
Even if they cost a bundle, which they don’t, these recipes are just what you’re looking for right now. Called granita in Italy, granité in France, they are essentially a (very) sophisticated rendition of a snow cone. Yummm.
The Smack showcases the exotic and seductive taste of pomegranate molasses — one of the decade’s new super ingredients in everything from salad dressing to cheesecake—in a seductive , tangy cocktail that’s just perfect for a winter party. This memorable martini was created by the gifted bartenders at Serafina Osteria & Enoteca in Seattle.
