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

5 Tips for gifts to give the Bartender that you love

HOLIDAY SEASON is in a full swing now, we are about 2 weeks away from Christmas, and while the bars are heating up with guests, us bartenders LOVE to receive gifts as well! So here is my top 5 gifts for the season for the bartender in your life... (hint, if anyone wants to get me any of these, Ill gladly accept)



1. Illegal Mezcal Barrel Aging Gift Set
This gift set includes 3 bottles (750ml) of Illegal Mezcal Joven, a 3 liter barrel, Barrel Aging instructions and a cocktail booklet.
http://www.drinkupny.com/Ilegal_Mezcal_Barrel_Aging_Gift_Set_p/d0022.htm


2. Cocktail Books! Who doesn't love a great read on these cold winter nights. While there are many many worthy publications, the one that stands out this season is one of the new kids on the block, " Apothecary Cocktails- Restorative Drinks from Yesterday and Today" by Author, and good friend of mine Warren Bobrow.  This cocktail book features 75 traditional and newly created cocktail recipes that are medicinally themed.
http://www.amazon.com/Apothecary-Cocktails-Restorative-Drinks-Yesterday/dp/1592335845


3. What bartender doesn't love new shiny things?? Be sure to check out Cocktail Kingdom for all your favorite bartenders new tools, toys, and gadgets!! My personal favorites, the Yarai Mixing Glass, the Copper collection, the silver collection, and the wide array of bitters bottles.
http://www.cocktailkingdom.com/


4.  The GEAR!!! We all like to look nice, especially behind the bar looking approachable and neat is a must. And the Chef wear brand  keeps myself and hundreds of my counterparts looking mighty dapper. If you act now, they are doing free shipping for a limited time..
http://www.chefwear.com/index.asp


5.  AND the one thing that you can always get your favorite bartender for the holidays, "drum roll"...... SPIRITS!!!! Its a wide array of tasty spirits for that bartender that you love, but for some of us who are whiskey lovers, I was doing a little research and found a gem of a Japanese whiskey that just hit the states. Hakushu Heavily Peated is now available, and is different from the Hakushu 12 year that has been available for awhile now. After reading the review on Men's Journal, this seems like it will be on the wish list of Scotch whiskey lovers all over!
http://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/drinks/japans-subtle-peaty-whiskey-20131204


So hopefully these tips will help you find something for the drink slinger in your life, and if not maybe you found something for yourself!!

Be sure to watch our posts starting tomorrow where the " 12 days of Christmas" cocktail series will start. This will be a fun Boozy time!!!

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

Happy Repeal Day!!!

Happy Repeal Day everyone. On January 16th, 1919 congress passed the 18th amendment outlawing alcohol consumption and sales. Repeal Day is the day that Prohibition ended with the passing of the 21st amendment of the United States on December 5, 1933. This year marks the 79th anniversary of this great day! 

During Prohibition, people continued to produce and drink alcohol, and bootlegging helped foster a massive industry completely under the control of organized crime. Drinking in speakeasies became increasingly fashionable, and many mothers worried about the allure that alcohol and other illegal activities associated with bootlegging would have over their children.  
The most effective depiction of prohibition era bootlegging, in my opinion,  and some of the tactics and things that were going on in this time of history is on my favorite television series Boardwalk Empire. Ironically I found out that the state of Utah(a Mormon state) was the one who ratified the 21st amendment, giving the 3/4 threshold needed to enact the 18th amendment. 


So take this day today, go out and celebrate responsibly, and enjoy a classic cocktail. Ill be celebrating with some friends this evening over some Zacapa Rum cocktails. I'll leave this posting with a few visuals from Prohibition and post Prohibition... 

Cheers,

Until Next Time
Mr. Mixologist

Hot Happy Hour Cocktails

Happy New Year everyone! I have neglected my readers on here for way to long.. Expect alot of new posts, some reviews Ive been promising, event pics, and vids and all the new developments that ended 2011, and are continuing thru 2012 and beyond.

Now here in Chicago we have been having an unseasonably warm winter. It almost felt like spring for the last couple weeks. But the last couple days the bottom finally fell out!! Its COLD AS A MOTHER IN LAWS WORDS right about now. Snow, wind, ice, slush, we got hit with it all at the same time... What to do when its cold like this? The traditional Vodka/Cranberry, Rum/Coke, Margarita is not really in season. Why don't you warm up with some "Hot" Cocktails. There are many Hot cocktails that can be made with Tea, coffee, hot water, etc so here's 3 that are my personal favorites and some I'm sure you all will enjoy as well...

Irish Coffee 
Whiskey( Jameson is my preference)
Cream(Bailey's is my preference)
Coffee(Duh..lol)
Brown Sugar

Now there are many different variations of this cocktail, but I like the original which calls for Brown sugar instead of white. So the prep consists of pouring the Coffee in a mug. Add Whiskey, and a Tsp. of sugar and stirred until dissolved. Layer the cream on top, using the back of a bar spoon. It should sit right on top of the coffee and the drink should be sipped thru the cream. This can be a very tasty way to warm yourself up on a cold day!\









Hot Toddy
Whiskey
Hot Water
Sugar
Honey
Lemon

Who hasn't had one of these? This has been a tradition in my family to kill a cold for years.. Actually my 1st ever encounter with alcohol came in the form of my uncle giving me one of these when i was younger! Thanks Unc! It is a mixed cocktail where you take some boiling water, add a little whiskey( Old Grandad is my preference) Hot water, squeeze about an ounce of fresh lemon juice, and about half an ounce of Sugar and honey. Now Ive heard some people like to add a dash of cinnamon or garnish with a cinnamon stick, to add to the flavor.

And finally one of my NEW favorite hot cocktails and Today is the NATIONAL day for this cocktail, the Hot Buttered Rum.



Hot Buttered Rum
1 small slice soft butter
1 tsp brown sugar
Optional spices to taste: ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, allspice
Vanilla extract
2 oz Dark Rum
Hot water

All I can say is this is Deliciouslessness(yes I made that word up!) in a glass!! I like Rum, actually I love Rum! And if you've been out all day, on a cold Chicago winter day and you come in and whip one of these up, makes for a great evening. Muddle your butter,sugar,vanilla, and your choice of additional spices, Add your Rum, and hot water. Give it a good stir and enjoy!

So here are a few of my favorite hot cocktails, and hopefully during this cold Chicago Winter you'll be able to enjoy one from time to time. And if you ever catch me at the SL Sports Lounge working a shift and you want to warm up, feel free to ask for one. Ill make it just right for you :)

Until Next Time
Mr.Mixologist