Recipe - Mardi Gras Cocktails

Hurricane

1 oz. dark rum
1 oz. light rum
1/2 oz. Galliano
2 oz. fresh orange juice
2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
1 oz. passion fruit nectar
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
Dash of Angostura bitters
Ice cubes
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: Hurricane
Garnish: pineapple wedge, orange slice, or any other fresh fruit

Combine all ingredients with ice and shake. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish.

Sazerac
2 oz. rye whiskey
1/2 oz. simple syrup
2 dashes Peychaud's bitters
Absinthe or Herbsaint
Ice cubes
Tools: mixing glass, barspoon, strainer
Glass: cocktail or rocks
Garnish: lemon twist

Give chilled glass an absinthe or Herbsaint rinse and set aside. Stir other ingredients in a mixing glass, strain into the chilled glass and garnish.


Ramos Gin Fizz

1 1/2 oz. gin
1 Tbsp. simple syrup (1:1)
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1 fresh egg white (pasteurized if you like)
1 oz. heavy cream
3 drops orange flower water

1 oz. club soda, chilled
Ice cubes
Tools: shaker, strainer
Glass: highball

Combine first seven ingredients in a shaker without ice and shake vigorously to combine. Add ice to the shaker and shake again for at least a couple of minutes (more if you have it in you). Strain into a glass, top with club soda and stir.

Vieux Carre

3/4 oz. rye whiskey
3/4 oz. Cognac

3/4 oz. sweet vermouth

1 barspoon Bénédictine
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters

Ice cubes

Tools:mixing glass, barspoon, strainer

Glass: Old Fashioned

Garnish: cherry

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir well, strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass and garnish.

Cajun Bloody Mary

1 ½ oz. vodka
4 oz. Cochon Bloody Mary Mix

3 dashes red Tabasco

½ lemon, cut into wedges

Ice cubes
Tools: muddler, shaker
Glass: highball (optional salted rim)

Garnish: pickled okra and lemon and lime wedges
Muddle the lemon wedges in a shaker tin/glass. Add vodka, Mary mix, hot sauce and ice cubes. Shake vigorously and pour, unstrained, into a glass. Garnish.

Happy Presidents' Day

It is no surprise that many of the nations founder fathers were wine & beer enthusiasts. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, amongst others, brewed their own. Obama is the first president to brew his own beer at the White House.

One of my favorite wine quotes comes from, Jefferson "Good wine is a necessity of life for me."
Jefferson was considered a wine expert by many. Jefferson had vineyards at his property Monticello in Charlottesville, Virgina. He owned a large cellar in Monticello and installed dumbwaiters so that bottles could be brought up from the cellar to the dinning room, many credit him as the inventor of dumbwaiters.

John Hailman recently wrote a book called "Tomas Jefferson on Wine," which explores Jefferson's relationship with wine. He spent 5 years as American Minister in Paris, where he learned about fine wines from fine restaurants, elegant dinners, and travels to European vineyards. Jefferson also served as wine adviser to George Washington.

To purchase "Thomas Jefferson on Wine" follow this link: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Jefferson-Wine-John-Hailman/dp/157806841X

Review - Crafty Carton

This is a new product any bar owner should consider carrying. These cartons allow patrons to purchase draft beer to take home. This is exciting news, since some of my favorite bars sell craft beers I can not find in stores.

For more information visit their website http://craftycarton.com/

Review - Banana Bread Beer

I had the pleasure of trying Well's Banana Bread Beer. It is surprisingly rich in flavor, I would not recommend having this with you meal. The flavor is somewhat over powering. It tastes like bananas, cake, and beer; I loved it!

I would consider it a dessert beer, it would go great with dessert or chocolates. However this is categorized as a fruit beer. Fruit beers are any beers that use fruit or fruit extracts in any of the primary or secondary fermentation. This got me thinking of trying other "fruit beers."

The U.S. Open Beer Championship has ranked the top 10:
1. Samuel Smith’s Organic Raspberry – Samuel Smith Brewing
2. Sweetwater Blue – Sweetwater Brewing
3. St-Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale- McAuslan Brewing
4. Raspberry Imperial Stout - Weyerbacher Brewing
5. #9 - Magic Hat Brewing
6. Black & Blue - Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
7. Frambozen Raspberry Brown Ale - New Belgium
8. Wild Raspberry Ale - Great Divide Brewing
9. UFO Raspberry Hefeweizen - Harpoon Brewery
10. Samuel Smiths Organic Strawberry Ale, Samuel Smith Brewery
Happy Sampling!!

Charity Chili Cook- Off J.J. Bitting Brewing Co

On Sunday March 4, 2012 J.J. Bitting Brewing Co. will host it's 5th Annual Charity Chili Cook - Off.
There is a $20 entry fee if you would like to be part of the competition, or $8 to sample the Chili.

The Prizes are
FIRST PLACE- $300
SECOND PLACE- $200
THIRD PLACE- $100

Please come down to support a good cause, and try some great beer/food. For more information check out this flyer.

J.J. Bitting Brewing Co
33 Main St.
Woodbridge, NJ 07095
732.634.2929

Review -Baltika Beer

Tonight I had the pleasure of trying Baltika Russian Beer. I thought it was surprisingly light, flavorful and strong. Unlike most light beers, this really packs a punch. I didn't just stumble upon this beer is was recommended to me by the friendly bartender at "Uncle Vanya's Cafe." They offer authentic Russian food along with a variety of Russian beer and wine. They do not serve hard liquor or vodka. They really do have a wide selection of beer that can't be found in most liquor stores. The food and prices definitely make this worth the trip.


Uncle Vanya's Cafe
315 W 54th St
New York, NY 10019-5137

(212) 262-0542

Product - Wine Label Removers

This is a great product to use on wine/beer bottles to remove the label so you can have the product information for future purchase. You are basically removing the label from the bottle and laminating it.

Use this link to purchase from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Label-Remover-Kit-REMOVERS/dp/B000UVJP6O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1320540389&sr=8-3