There is a lot going on in the cocktail world as of late, here is a run down of news stories and other tidbits that I've ran across in the last week...
- A Change in California Law - Last week California finally changed a Prohibition-era law that prevented bartenders from serving housemade infusions, tinctures, and bitters to patrons. I have been hearing about this controversy for a few years from frustrated California mixologists who wanted to offer creative additions to their drink menus and I have to say it is about time. There are other states who are dealing with this issue as well and most of the concern - from what I gather - has to do with health code standards and the fact that in-house mixers are not labeled with their ingredients. At any rate, this is one step in the right direction for creative mixology and with luck other states will follow suit and take care of these outdated laws and allow professionals to (legally) share the craft of modern cocktails. Read more at The New York Times' Diner's Journal blog...
- Ken Burns Documentary on Prohibition - I have been anticipating this event. The reknowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has taken on Prohibition in his latest series and it begins showing on PBS this Sunday evening. I've always admired Burns' work but am most excited about this three-part series (read Imbibe's interview with Burns). It's guaranteed that he has dug up some fantastic images and stories filled with gangsters, bootleggers,? speakeasies, and the heart wrenching act of pouring barrels of booze into the sewers. Read more on PBS. org...
- Solidified Campari - If you do not follow Camper English's blog Alcademics, you should, that's first and foremost. He's always up to something and lately it has been experimentation with making liquids solid. I've been following this and you will be pleased to know he developed Campari Fruit Roll-ups - imagine, the bitter aperitif boiled down and mixed with applesauce then dehydrated into a leather, yum! It is quite cool to say the least and the whole "Solid Liquids Project" is fascinating. Read more at Alcademics.com...
- Cocktail Typewriter - This is just strange and proof that some people have too much time on their hands - though it may be creative time that ends up with some cool results. You may have seen the Cocktail Typewriter as the YouTube video did go viral last week, but it's worth a mention. It seems that Morskoiboy has created a machine to mix your drinks for you, all you have to do is type the letter associated with a specific ingredient. Interesting? Yes, as a creative project that stretches the bounds of mixing drinks into a whole new world. Practical? Not really if you think about the time needed and the limit in ingredients that can be hooked up to the typewriter. Read more at The Cheezburger Network...
- The Jigger Cube - Forget the floating hand picture (I came across this product on Photoshop Disasters), this is a unique jigger design that looks neat but I wonder about its practicality. It is a 6-sided cube, each side with a different measurement. The design is intriguing, its boxy and that seems to be a little awkward for people used to handling round objects (think of the bar: tools, bottles, glasses are all round), but my main issue with this innovation is in the pour. I'm all about ease of use and tend to dump from my jiggers so this design seems - again - awkward because for a clean pour you have to go out of a corner. I do like the novelty and put it into the category? of the Alessi Anomino shaker (here): good eye candy, but usefully impractical. Check out the Jigger Cube on vidafine...
- Sake Day and Vodka Day - Just so you know (and don't feel left out of the loop) two of those special? spirited 'holidays' are approaching.? International Sake Day is this Saturday, the 1st - get prepared with a primer on sake and a few cocktail ideas: What is Sake? Then, on Tuesday the 4th we have National Vodka Day. I'll have more vodka stories next week, but for now check out a vodka cocktail or two.
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