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…
Italy- “Amaro Montenegro is a clear, amber-coloured Bitters made from a variety of herbs from around the world, vanilla for a hint of sweet and orange peel for a spicy citrus taste. A special soaking and distillation process helps bring the flavors together and provide a bitter finish.” I was sure that I’d had this…
Found this old Martini shaker in a thrift shop. No idea if it’s truly vintage or a redo of a vintage shaker though. I posted a photo of it and asked on Facebook as it doesn’t have a store’s stamp on it, and nothing looked like it on a Google search. I’m going with antique,…
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. in Louisville and Hartfield & Co. Distillery in Paris are the two newest members of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour®. A total of 10 micro distilleries now comprise the tourism adventure that was founded in 2012 to complement the KDA’s…
Instead of a Moscow Mule in that copper mug…here’s another thought, with a recipe from the 12-Bottle Bar book: The Rye Whiskey Buck. (Read the section on the Buck Bar to see what I’m talking about.) A simple move from flavorless vodka to a spicy rye, and changing out the lemon for orange or lime,…
When I mention visiting New Orleans to people, many respond that they haven’t been back since Hurricane Katrina. Well, it’s been ten years and the city is back – and probably surpassing its earlier vibrancy. The city still has a trashy, sticky all-night party street called Bourbon (yuck!) but unless you are heading to the…
What a treat it has been for me to find an old acquaintance of mine had written what I think is the essential bar book, “The 12 Bottle Bar” with her husband, still lives in my neighborhood, and graciously gave me a copy of my own to devour! Lesley Jacobs Solmonson, who some may remember…
Overdue. That’s what we are here in SCV, overdue for the craft cocktail invasion. Mixers, Roman Holiday and SAKE all had some great versions of old cocktails revived with top shelf spirits combined with muddled fruit and spices, fresh fruit purees, garnish, the correct glassware and captivating presentations. But with all of them now closed I longed for a craft…
Everyone that drinks spirits at home has some sort of home bar. Whether it’s an old fashioned wheeling cart or a locked cabinet in their kitchen, it’s a necessity. So the question is, what do you put in your home bar? I’ve covered some of my favorites below; maybe I can make some of these…
Pasadena, CA – Until now, those passing by on South Lake Avenue may have been blissfully unaware that located in a little 100-year-old craftsman bungalow, there exists a new and innovative craft-cocktail bar. Magnolia House may be the new kid on the block, but take a sip of one of their sensational solutions and you…
