Campari Poached Pears with Raspberry Sauce

Recently arrived from the folks at Campari, a perfect end to any holiday party. Created by chef Nancy Verde Barr.

Ingredients

2 cups cranberry-raspberry juice drink
1 ¼ cups sugar
1/2 cup Campari
3 3xl-inch strips orange peel (orange part only)
6 Bosc pears (each about 7 ounces)
1 lemon, cut in half
1 10-ounce package frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
4 tablespoons orange liqueur
2 tablespoons red currant jelly
1 cup mascarpone cheese (about … Read more

1.0.1 Vodka Review

At around $20 a bottle, 1.0.1 Vodka is a good deal considering the high quality of the spirit. This grain vodka has a strong nose and soft, smooth mouthfeel.

The flavor is smooth, but with a bit more bite than most other American-made vodkas. But this is a good thing. The hint of spice makes it a good candidate for a great vodka and tonic.

If you’re a Ketel One drinker, 1.0.1 could be the … Read more

Sparkling Rye Cocktail

This champagne cocktail is inspired by ri(1) rye whiskey, which I used in this recipe. It has a light flavor without being too sweet or too weak, which is the downfall of some champagne cocktails.… Read more

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy a potpourri of Thanksgiving links:

Manly Ways to Prepare Turkey [Mental Floss]
The History of Thanksgiving [The History Channel]
A fruitful and liberal harvest [Boing Boing]
Thanksgiving Toast [DOTW]
Thanksgiving 2008 [The Food Network]
Pumpkin Liqueurs [DOTW]
Pumpkin Martini [DOTW]
Why do the Lions & Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving? [Mental Floss]
Top 10 Thanksgiving Drinks [College OTR]… Read more

TRU2 Organic Gin Review

I cannot rave enough about TRU₂ organic gin. Of all the organic spirits making their way to market lately, this one is the most impressive and unique.

Just looking at it you can tell it’s different. Most gins are clear because they are distilled twice — once before the herbs are added and once after. TRU₂ is made with 14 botanicals and only goes through one distillation, which is why it has a … Read more

Tailor, New York City – Bar Review

On a recent trip to New York City, I visited Tailor, a restaurant and bar with some of the most amazing cocktails I have seen. The bartenders at Tailor practice the new trend of Molecular Mixology, creating cocktails made with ingredients like smoked Coke and orange foam.

I tried a drink called “Blood & Sand,” a concoction of scotch, cherry ale, vermouth and the aforementioned orange foam. My companions tried a drink called “Swedish Fish” … Read more

Holiday Affordable Wine Pick: Rosso & Bianco

During the holiday season, money’s tight. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have the good stuff … or give the good stuff.

Rosso & Bianco has some solid offerings for $12 a bottle. (I got mine at the tasting room, and it was $11 there.)

You can feel comfortable bringing this wine as a host or holiday gift or serving it at your holiday gathering.

The 2006 Pinot Grigio is a light and fruity white, … Read more

Boozy Pumpkin Desserts for Thanksgiving

Looking around for Thanksgiving dessert inspiration, I found some mouth-watering pumpkin desserts that incorporate a wee bit of booze.

Pumpkin pie with brandy
Bourbon pumpkin cheesecake
Pumpkin cake with whiskey whipped cream
Pumpkin rum cake with brown sugar icing
Pumpkin mousse parfaits (pictured)

Photo by azcentral.com.… Read more

Thanksgiving Toast

Who said Thanksgiving dinner is all about the Turkey, the stuffing and the wine. I say cocktails are in order, and this one even calls for cranberry sauce. What is more Thanksgiving than that? Courtesy of Beefeater Gin.

… Read more

Make Your Own Wine with WinePod

What are these people doing? Giving carnal pleasure to a robot?

No! They are making their own wine at home. And computers are involved!

WinePod is a home winemaking system that “presses, ferments and manages wine” in one unit.

You can connect it to your computer and get instructions, advice from wine pros and online support. It even has its own social network.

And all for only $4,499 (or $6,349 if you include grapes, accessories … Read more