White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Martini
Pumpkin pies are one of things that make this time of year so great. I love them. Alice loves them. Heck, everyone other than my friend Bobby loves them, but he’s always been slightly peculiar. Having already crafted a Pumpkin Pie Martini, I wanted to expand our pumpkin horizons. We’d already nailed that one, but it’s good to have some variety. With that in mind, we set out to create a slightly lighter, less ultra-rich dessert edition and we succeeded with the White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Martini!
[Product] Shard
Taking your cocktails to the next level involves getting quality ingredients. Though, a better way to think of ingredients is as components. You shouldn’t just think about the booze in your glass, but what about your glass itself? How’s your garnish? Is there something else you can do to up your cocktail game? Importantly: how’s your ice? If you’re drinking something simple (read, easy to get wrong) in an old-fashioned glass, you’re going to want some clear ice to compliment that. To help build a better cocktail, there’s Shard — helping you get clear ice for your cocktails.
Negroni
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, autumn really is my favorite time of year. Ignoring the fantastic weather change, the seasonal flavors, even the spectacular-ness that is spiced everything, one of the things that I really like about it is the opportunity to reconnect with old friends. There are a multitude of parties, gatherings and excuses to meet with not just friends, but family, co-workers and anyone you enjoy visiting. Those times call for a classic cocktail and one of my favorites is the Negroni.
Pomegranate Tequila Punch
With people gathering to celebrate holidays, life, friends and family, it’s a good time to have a punch in your bag of cocktail tricks. Can you make individual cocktails for people? Of course you can! Heck, I even support this. You can also buy a case of beer, open a few wines and chill some champagne. These are all fantastic ways to entertain large groups. A punch though, that gives you a chance to break out the punch bowl! Don’t pretend like you don’t have one. Get ready for fall and winter celebrations, get your punch bowl ready, because this is the Pomegranate Tequila Punch!
[Destination] The Landsby
What used to be true about the Santa Ynez Valley in general and Solvang in specific is that when you wanted to relax after a hard day of shopping and have cool drink, there didn’t used to be many choices. In fact, outside of generic beer, you were out of luck. Quality breweries like Figueroa Mountain Brewery and Firestone-Walker Barrelworks have changed that. However, as much as he’d like to, man can’t survive on just beer. As luck would have it, there is now an emerging food and burgeoning cocktail scene growing in Solvang. A beacon of light in these growing areas is The Landsby.
[Product] Ginbrew
Both Alice and I are big supporters of the current resurgence (and keep insisting that there is indeed a resurgence) of gin. For some reason, many people have maligned this amazing alcohol. My only guess is that people just don’t like the taste of juniper or other botanicals. That, or their only exposure has been through dodgy collegiate experiences with questionable (at best) quality gin. Heck, if I based my current taste on the quality of the booze I drank in college, I’d probably be left with — uh — nothing. However, for those of you out there who don’t like gin, it’s time to give it a new try. For those who already love it, it’s time to make your own. Let’s check out Ginbrew!
Chocolate Green Fairy
Halloween is a fun time for celebrating the spectral spirits, ghastly ghouls and frightening fiends. Turns out, it also works for alarming alliteration (but that might just be me). When day turns to night, I start to think of both candy (because who doesn’t?) and cocktails. On the cocktail front, there’s always a balance I want to hit. I try to have a cocktail that’ll be fun, but also hint at the mysterious oddities of the season. To that end, the first alcohol that springs to mind is absinthe. You get your fun, funky flavors, but also a little something extra. Knowing that, let’s explore the mystery and wonder that is the Chocolate Green Fairy!
Waking the Dead
I do enjoy October. It’s the beginning of my favorite season (autumn), the start of extra spiced food (the best), it’s finally starting to get cooler (maybe) and holidays. While I’m not one to start tossing up Christmas decorations in October, I am one who appreciates a nice Halloween motif. Along with that, being a good Californian, I can’t help but appreciate the Day of the Dead — it’s like Halloween, but more prettier (fact). Knowing that, we had to come up with something to celebrate the Dia de los Muertos, meaning, hello Waking the Dead!
Flaming Shot of Relaxation
Ever have one of those, “Let’s get out and have some fun” moments? Ya know, you’ve had a tough week, things were a little annoying at work, your team lost, you stepped in something nasty, your burger was overcooked — the usual the universe is out to get me fare. Those are the times where you need to blow off a little steam. That’s precisely when you need to have a little extra fun, get something a little extra special, relax just a little extra hard. Yes, I said relax extra hard. That’s a thing. Those times call for the Flaming Shot of Relaxation.
Nutty Spiced Chocolate
Now that it’s finally (blissfully) starting to get cooler, I’ve shifted my desires from cool, refreshing drinks like the Margarita or an Original Mai Tai to warm, enriching drinks. These cocktails tend to start with darker bases, like a nice bourbon, and play to my favorite seasonal flavors. For a whole mess of people, that means pumpkin spice (which I’m a huge fan of, check out our Pumpkin Pie Martini as proof), but I don’t always want creamy. Sometimes, a nice, clean and pure drink works. With that in mind, let’s get down to business with the Nutty Spiced Chocolate.