Valentine's Day Dessert, 2010
Death by Chocolate and a bottle of 2005 Renwood Zinfandel Amador Ice.
February 14, 2010
Death by Chocolate and a bottle of 2005 Renwood Zinfandel Amador Ice.
January 31, 2010
Kiliki Cooler
I've been taking cocktail photographs for a couple of years now, and my first efforts were not very impressive, if I do say so myself. Apparently, I've improved significantly, because a couple of weeks ago, Christie (Tiki Kiliki) White asked me to shoot some photos of her signature drink, the Kiliki Cooler, to use with the materials she's sending out to promote The Hukilau in Fort Lauderdale this year. Needless to say, I was honored, and more than happy to do it.
Here's my favorite pic out of the 5 or 6 that I shot. The cocktail itself was created by Beachbum Berry, and it features prominently in the recipe section of his 'blog. I made a couple of them for the photo shoot, and it's delicious. Good thing for auto-focus and a tripod, otherwise this woulda been a pretty blurry shot!
January 2, 2010
Crystal Head in the Hawaiian Sunset
I received a bottle of Crystal Head Vodka for Christmas this year. It's made in Canada at a distillery that's apparently co-owned by Dan Ackroyd. There are clips of him at the official website babbling about Roswell, the "invisible world", and using the skull to manifest your inner Shirley McLaine, or something. It's also been triple-filtered through polished crystals known as Herkimer diamonds, whatever the hell that means. It still tastes like straight grain alcohol to me. I read a couple of online reviews that claim it's got "vanilla and candy notes", but I think they're just trying to rationalize having spent a ridiculous amount of money on a bottle of fermented potatos in a glass skull. Whatever. It's certainly a cool decanter, and a great gimmick that looks terriffic in my Tiki bar.
I looked over some Vodka cocktail recipes in the Bum's books this afternoon, and decided to make the Hawaiian Sunset from Sippin' Safari. Pretty darn tasty, although I really need to start making my own Orgeat. The Torani syrup I'm using is like pure cotton candy with a hint of almond extract.
December 29, 2009
Tabonga and Jerry
Baby, it's cold outside, and nothing goes better with subzero temps here in the Upper Midwest than a steaming hot Tom and Jerry, so I thought it might be fun to try and tikify this classic Winter tipple. I call the result the "Tabonga and Jerry" after the killer Polynesian tree monster in the not-so-classic cult film, "From Hell It Came."
1/2 cup of Tom and Jerry batter (buy it pre-made at the store or google the recipe and make it yourself)
1 oz. Cruzan Blackstrap Rum
1 oz. Presidente Mexican Brandy
1/2 oz. Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 oz. Fee Bros. Falernum
Add all ingredients to a tiki mug with a handle, then add boiling-hot water to fill. Dust with ground nutmeg and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
November 27, 2009
Scorpion Time!
Yes, I'm still alive. I've just been working my ass off nights and weekends for the last month, and now I'm relaxing at home with my family, enjoying a much-deserved Thanksgiving holiday.
I did a little antiquing today, and made an excellent score: this beautiful Orchids of Hawaii R-94 Volcano Bowl. After giving it a thorough washing-out, I decided to make a delicious Steve Crane's Luau Scorpion (recipe courtesy of Trader Tiki), which I shared with my new drinkin' buddy, Tongaroa Ted. Ted's a great guy, but you've gotta watch him, otherwise he totally bogarts the bowl!
October 2, 2009
Aku Aku Lopez
I harvested my bumper crop of Cayenne peppers just before our first hard frost of the season, and I thought they'd make a damn fine cocktail garnish, so here's my South-of-the-Border riff on the classic Aku Aku Lapu from the Bum's Intoxica!:
1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
1 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Falernum (Fee Bros.)
1 oz. Appleton V/X Rum
1 oz. Presidente Mexican Brandy
1 oz. Patrón Silver Tequila
1 oz. Pisco Capel Reservado
Shake with crushed ice, and pour into a large snifter. Fill with more crushed ice. Garnish with a large Cayenne pepper speared and cracked to allow the spicy aroma to permeate the drink.
September 16, 2009
Caipirinha Gusano
Playing with my new bottle of Mezcal tonight, and came up with the following incredibly smooth and delicious variation on the classic Caipirinha:
1 Fresh Lime, quartered
2 oz. Mezcal (Gusano Rojo)
1/2 oz. Cachaça (Ypióca)
1 1/2 oz. Demerara Cane Sugar Syrup
Dash of bitters (Fee Bros.)
Garnish with worm
Muddle lime quarters in a double old-fashioned glass. Fill with ice cubes and swizzle with remaining ingredients.
September 11, 2009
Escorpión Mexicano
My variation on the classic Scorpion cocktail, made with Tequila and Mexican Brandy.
2 oz. Corralejo Reposado Tequila
1 oz. Presidente Mexican Brandy
1 oz. Appleton Special Rum
1 oz. Orange Juice
1 oz. Freshly-squeezed Lime Juice
3/4 oz. Passionfruit Syrup
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1/4 oz. Licor 43 Liqueur
1/4/oz. Orgeat Syrup
1/4 oz. Demerara Cane Sugar Syrup
A few drops of Habanero hot sauce (optional)
Shake with crushed ice and pour into a large goblet. Fill with more crushed ice. Garnish with mint.
August 28, 2009
Drinks on the House!
Great news, folks. My 6 long months of "Funemployment" have ended! I start my new job on Monday. Thanks to all of you who lent me encouragement and support. Regular blogging will resume shortly. In the meantime, watch this space and have a few virtual cocktails on me to celebrate!
February 8, 2009
London Sour II: Trader Vic's Boogaloo
Photo by Chris Osburn ©2008
Just got back from the UK last night. I had an interesting visit, to say the least.
Highlights included watching the entire south of England grind to a halt early this week, due to less than 2-inches of snow, the heaviest fall of the white stuff for 18 years. Lucky for me, it cleared up just in time for me to catch my flight out of Heathrow on Saturday morning. As a hardy Wisconsinite, I can only laugh at the wimpitude of this former world empire, brought to its knees by such tiny amounts of frozen water.
Unfortunately, I was unable to hook up with the Cartoonist this trip, thanks to my dodgy mobile phone not relaying his messages to meet him last Sunday, but I did manage to meet up with Tiki Chris and quaff several cocktails at the London Trader Vic's, including an authentic London Sour, shown here complete with Union Jack and a 3-sheets-to-the-wind Mr. Bali Hai mugging for the camera. It was good, but I prefer my version in the previous post.
More photos of TV at Tiki Chris' joint.