Big Start to 2014

Hello everyone!!

Took some time off from working and writing, but I would like to say Happy New Year from DrinkxXx On Me!!!

So I have some goals for myself in thus new year and one is to bring you all a blog post every day, starting today. Whether its Lifestyle, drink reviews, spirit reviews, some of my adventures in this crazy hospitality that I work in, or just if I want to shoot the Sh*t with all of my readers, you will all get something alcohol related from me. So GET READY!!

But with that being said, its been a hectic couple weeks in 2014 so far ni the liquor world. 2 BIG acquisitions happened in the first 14 days of 2014.

For one Sean "Diddy"Combs, the man behind the emergence of Ciroc, has partnered 50/50 with Diaego to acquire Deleon Tequila. Diddy is a master at marketing and getting the most out of his products. He puts his name on it and its golden. And Diageo, well, no words need be spoken about them. The strong Distribution, and access to influencers (like Combs) and marketing makes them a formidable team to push Deleon to the top of the tequila charts in 2014. Deleon is a 100% Blue agave tequila. Deleon was created in 2008, and hit the US market on Cinco De Mayo 2009. Its expressions are as follows, Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Extra Anejo, and Leona. I'm looking forward to trying it, creating some cocktails and giving all of you a nice
review.

And just when the news of Diddy, started to quiet down, then a HUGE announcement came across all of our social media platforms...
Japan's Suntory ( which boasted the likes of Bowmore scotch and Yamazaki Japanese Whiskey) now has acquired Beam, Inc for a whopping price of $13.6 Billion dollars. Now nothing says America more than some good ol bourbon but now, 2 of the most recognizable names in whiskey, Jim Beam and Makers Mark will belong to a Japanese owner. Along with those brands, in this deal,  Suntory will have, most notably Courvoisier, Laphroaig,  and Knob Creek.

So its been some big moves made in the spirits biz to start the year off.. Cant wait to see what the rest of 2014 brings!! See you tomorrow with a product review of Wilks and Wilson, LLC..

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

New Cocktail-- Blood on the Leaves

The Blood and Sand cocktail was a classic cocktail created in the 1920s. It was a scotch cocktail with Cherry Heering, sweet vermouth, and Orange juice. It was aptly named after Rudolph Valentino's bullfighter movie Blood and Sand. Its one of my favorite cocktails, but I thought about doing a twist on it with Pama Liqueur. Pama Liqueur is a liqueur that consists of Pomegranate liqueur, vodka, and a touch of tequila. Its bottled at 34 proof so it can be an essential modifier in a wide array of cocktails

So I been playing around with it and I came up with this very tasty riff on the classic Blood and Sand....

Blood on the Leaves

Blood On the Leaves

1oz Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
.75oz Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel
.5oz Coochi Americano
.5oz Passion Fruit juice
.25oz Mint Syrup
2 dashes Bitter Truth Creole Bitters

Combine all Ingredients in a shaker, shake hard and strain into a chilled cocktial glass.

So next time you get yourself a bottle of Pama, try this cocktail out and let me know what you think...

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist

TONIGHT!!!!!! Drink for a Cause!! NEW YORK STATE OF MIND!

With Hurricane Sandy affecting New York and New Jersey last week, Some of my USBG NYC brothers and sisters were affected. So now its our time to help them out. TONIGHT at Salud Tequila Lounge. Myself along with 17 other of Chicago's finest will be serving Beer, Punch, shots, and food for any and all who come thru. 8pm-2am in one hour shifts 3 bartenders will be "guest bartenders" to serve you. 100% proceeds and tips go to our friends on the east coast. $20 donation at the door is suggested, and with that gets your food and drink.  Raffles with some AMAZING gifts, dinners, a Fernet Bicycle, a St. Germain Bicycle, and many many more... 

If you re not anywhere tonight this is where you should be!! 8pm-2am. My bar shift is from 9p-10p, So come out and DRINK FOR A CAUSE!!! I'm in a New York State of Mind today and you should be too!! 

See you all tonight!!!! 

National Margarita Day!

Whether you like it Straight up, On the Rocks, or even frozen, the Margarita is a true classic.. This drink never gets old. Easy cocktail to make a home or at the bar. Quick, effective, and when handmade can be a very refreshing cocktail. Margaritas come in so many different colors and variations(I'll share one of mine in a moment) But i typically enjoy this recipe the best...

Margarita
2oz Reposado Tequila
1oz Lime Juice
.5oz Orange Liqueur(My preference is Cointreau)
2 Teaspoon Superfine Sugar
Garnish with a lime Wedge


Combine all the ingredients in a shaker and give a good hard shake. then strain into a chilled Margarita Glass or in a rocks glass over ice(your preference). The original Margarita cocktail calls for Blanco tequila, but my pallet likes alot of flavor in my cocktails so I chose to go with the Reposado Tequila in mine.

Now as I said earlier yo can make your margarita in a number of different ways. Typically if you substitute your lime juice, for whatever you favorite juice is, or cut your portions to balance between the lime and your favorite juice, you will have a great cocktail!

Now Ive been playing around with Tuaca. Tuaca is a Vanilla Citrus Liqueur with hints of Brandy, Orange and Vanilla. But the Vanilla is the dominant flavor. It really comes thru in cocktails that this is added too.. So here is a way to Spice up your margarita if you have a little bit of this on hand. My friends at the Baddish Group sent me a sample and their recipes, but this is what I came up with one my own..

As an ode to the neighborhood that my parents met.. Here is the "Bronzeville  Margarita"

Bronzeville  Margarita
2oz Tuaca
1oz Olmeca Altos Tequila(Blanco)
.5 Lime juice
.25 Spiced Simple Syrup
Muddled Raspberries

Muddle Raspberries, syrup, and lime juice. Add Tuaca and Tequila. Shake and Double strain into a ice filled rocks glass. Cinnamon the rim of the glass and garnish with 2 raspberries.

So with happy hour a few minutes away(Chicago Time) order yourself a Margarita and enjoy National Margarita Day!!

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist