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Tasting France’s La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Rouge and Extra Dry (Plus Cocktail Recipes)
Honestly? Even though I’ve studied wine and spirits, been certified by the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET 2) and made plenty of cocktails with Vermouth I had never 1. Studied Vermouth in a single spirit tasting sans cocktail or 2. Looked into what makes a Vermouth. So, considering that most of my readers are…
Vintage Eve Circa 12/2011: My Scotch Explorers Club FIRST Sample
A few weeks ago I teased Beacon readers about the new Scotch tasting club membership that I purchased for my husband, Eddie, for his birthday from ForScotchLovers.com. Well, five wax-sealed sample bottles arrived, along with the proper nosing glass, and we were off! Our first allocation, as there would be several more in the upcoming…
Recipes for California Fruit Wine, Part One
The California Fruit Wine Company products can be found locally at: Whole Foods Valencia Pinot’s Palette Valencia and Encino LA Rail The Santa Barbara Vino Train (www.larail.com) Cocktails on the Roof 9/9!
Celebrate Negroni Week 2016 at Bar Toscana with Imbibe Magazine and Campari | June 6-12
William Perbellini Serves Seven Interpretations of the Italian Classic in Seven Days to Benefit the Gordon Brown Fellowship The talented William Perbellini, resident Mixologist at Bar Toscana, presents two special events and seven cocktails to celebrate Negroni Week 2016 in Los Angeles, June 6-12. Bar Toscana, Imbibe Magazine and Campari join together to celebrate one of the world’s greatest Italian drinks in an effort to raise…
An Invitation to TASTE THE WORLD (of spirits) 2016 with Henry Wine Group
We recently enjoyed a “grand tasting showcasing the Wine and Spirits of over 300 producers from around the world”, at The Beverly Hills Hotel and hosted by The Henry Wine Group, a “Fine Wine and Spirits distributor serving California since 1985.” In this event, just as we’ve done in the past, I covered the spirits’…
Oakland Urban Wine Trail, by Barbara Barrielle
Little known but fast emerging on the ultra-hot Oakland food and drinks scene is the Oakland Urban Wine Trail. As the name suggests, these are not tasting rooms surrounded by acres of vineyards because they exist in the confines of Oakland, California. In this case of tasting rooms popping up among restaurants, hotels and boutiques,…
How I Know it’s Spring: Newhall Refinery Spring Cocktail Rollout Offers New Spirits and More
Newhall Refinery has kind of set the bar on the craft cocktail movement in Santa Clarita Valley. I applaud earlier efforts made by Mojitos, SAKE, Mixers and Roman Holiday. And, just so you know it’s not always Newhall Refinery for me, I also appreciate the cocktails at Le Chene, Salt Creek Grille, The Social and…
Recipe: Thai me up Thai me down
From LALovingCup.com Ingredients 1 1/2 oz vodka or gin 1 1/2 oz thai basil infused saki or dry vermouth 1 oz lime juice 1 oz kaffir lime leaf simple syrup 2 dashes Miracle Mile Yuzu bitters opal basil flowers to garnish Directions Take everything and toss into your boston shaker with 3-4 ice cubes, remember…
Cocktail Recipes for your Valentine’s Day
Lover’s Lagoon. McCoy’s Oceanfront at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, Fla. Think of as a moonlit stroll on the beach — in a glass. Ingredients: 1 oz vodka 1 oz spiced rum 1 oz peach juice 1 oz pear juice 1 oz plum juice ½ oz blue curacao Preparation: Stir all ingredients…