Drinks Wire

Mayahuel: Agave-Lovers Paradise

I was doing some research on tequila and mezcal, and one bar was consistently mentioned with raves: Mayahuel in New York.

Tequila has often gotten a bad rap, due to its associations with spring break, hangovers, and the whole “eat the worm” thing. But it’s a very versatile spirit, as is its often-ignored cousin mezcal.

Mayahuel bartender Phil Ward loves the agave spirits, as evidenced by this great quote from his interview with BlackBook:… Read more

Starbucks Dabbles in Beer & Wine

Starbucks is opening a Seattle location that will serve beer and wine—with more to come. If the experiment goes well, the concept could be tested in other cities.

The test move to sell alcohol is clearly an attempt to fight off growing competition from McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts, says Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a restaurant consulting firm.

Starbucks experiments with new name (@USA Today)… Read more

Tales of the Cocktail 2009

This is the first in a series of reports from Tales of the Cocktail 2009.

I arrived in New Orleans on Tuesday, the day before Tales of the Cocktail would be in full swing. Still, there were a few events scheduled for the evening. First off, the bloggers reception held at M.S. Rau Antiques on Royal Street. There, I was fortunate enough to meet many of my fellow cocktail bloggers and see some really amazing … Read more

Oatmeal Stout And Heath Bar Ice Cream

What an amazing idea! “A Good Appetite” came up with this tasty-sounding recipe for Oatmeal Stout and Heath Bar Ice Cream.

I’ll have to try to make this one myself.

The ice cream base has a slight bitter flavor but also a bit of a toffee flavor from the stout. The sweetness of the Heath bar is a good foil to that bitterness while the toffee in it helps bring out more of that toffee

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Red-Headed Slut: RIP

Born in Key West, although some say it was Los Angeles, she was both great as a shot and on the rocks. She had a great run, delighting sorority girls and frat boys on spring break for decades. However, her time has come and the Red-Headed Slut has passed on.

She was given a proper New Orleans burial least Saturday night, complete with a preacher and marching band. The funeral procession began at Harrah’s directly … Read more

Win “Remarkable Experiences” from Guinness

In honor of its 250th anniversary, Guinness is offering you the chance to win “remarkable experiences” like a trip into outer space or to a traveling, underwater bar in Norway or Black Eyed Peas concert at a secret venue.

Personally, I’d go for the space travel, which would be on Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, the world’s first spaceline. But a submarine bar and hanging out with the Black Eyed Peas are also pretty tempting.… Read more

2009 Big Trends in Cocktail Service

The first session I attended during last week’s Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans was a panel titled “2009 Big Trends in Cocktail & Spirit Service.”

The panel consisted of Jim Meehan, Michael Waterhouse, Devlin Tavern, and Simon Difford (Source Guide) and was moderated by Ryan Magarian (Aviation Gin).

The program covered the 4 Ps of Cocktail Service Success, not unlike the 4 Ps of marketing: product, precise execution, promotion, passion.

It was here … Read more

Creole Julep

This week we feature the Creole Julep, a spin on the traditional Mint Julep and the official cocktail of this year’s Tales of the Cocktail.

The cocktail was created by Maksym Pazuniak, a mixologist at Rambla and Cure in New Orleans. This rum-based Julep is made with Clement Creole Shrubb, a unique rum-based orange liqueur from Martinique. It gives this Julep a nice peppery kick with a hint of orange. Created by Maksym Pazuniak, Rambla/Cure.… Read more

Summer Gin Punch

Nothing like a cool cocktail to help you chill out during the summer heat.

This fruity and refreshing cocktail, created by Beefeater London Dry Gin, is a great way to celebrate the season. Cheers! 

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Tales of the Cocktail 2009 Kicks Off

Tales of the Cocktail kicked off today on Royal Street in New Orleans. Ann and Paul Tuennerman, Founder and Executive Director of the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society and Tales of the Cocktail, opened the festivities with Herbsaint Frappés and Creole Juleps, the official cocktail of TOTC 2009.

Joining the Tuennerman’s was Robert Hess of Herbsaint which is celebrating their 75th Anniversary. To honor this unique flavor of New Orleans, the New Orleans … Read more