What an exciting month this is going to be! We kick things off with two celebrations this Saturday and step right up to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic next week. May is starting off right and I will work on keeping the momentum going as I have a lot on the agenda for the month (including a revival of the cocktail contest).
What's up with Saturday? If you have not yet put two and two together, this Saturday just happens to be two wonderful cocktail experiences rolled into one day. It is May 5th and that means it is Cinco de Mayo, which calls for tequila. For that occasion check out the collection of tequila cocktails here as well as this list of great Cinco de Mayo cocktails and 10 Tequila Cocktails You Just Have to Try.
Taking a break from tequila Saturday afternoon, you may be in the mood for a little horse racing and it is a good thing that it is Derby Day as well. For your Kentucky Derby drinking needs, a Mint Julep is the way to go. Within that recipe we also have a video if you need a little visual nudging, and if the mint/bourbon thing isn't up your alley, check out the other Triple Crown worthy drinks in the spring cocktails collection. Just an FYI, I'll be featuring a few more new recipes before Saturday so stay tuned.
Manhattan Cocktail Classic - Next Friday kicks off the Manhattan Cocktail Classic and it sounds like it is once again going to be a grand event. There are tickets available and events are scattered at venues throughout the city, making this a conference that will have something for every cocktail lover throughout the weekend. Go to the title link for ticket info. Also, there are seminar specifically for the bar industry and media, check out that schedule here if you qualify. One not to miss on that list is Camper English and Wayne Curtis talking ice at the Ice Capades. I used some of English's ice techniques this week and it saved the day - more on that later, though.
Read This...
Experimental Cocktail Club: American Drinks by Way of Paris - The NYT's Diner Journal explores the Experimental Cocktail Club that opened last Friday on the Lower East Side.
Day in the Life of a Drink's Ambassador - People are often envious of those of us who work with drinks all day, though it is not all glamorous. One of the titles that catches the most attention is Brand Ambassador. Almost every big brand of distilled spirit has one (or many) and their job is to promote the spirit, often involving travel and creating new drinks, among other things... a dream job of many. On Informed Edinburgh, you can get a glimpse of what Joe McCanta, UK Brand Ambassador for Grey Goose Vodka, does in a typical day.
New Game on the Block: BasketPong! - Move over beer pong, BasketPong is here... These hoops are "lightweight and portable" though not as portable as a stack of Silo cups.
Caorunn Gin Launches Global Cocktail Competition - This is a very interesting challenge because they are looking for a "'modern classic' cocktail that draws inspiration from one or more of Caorunn's five Celtic botanicals: Rowan Berry, Coul Blush Apple, Heather, Dandelion and Bog Myrtle." The other catch is that you need a good story behind the drink. The contest is open through the 20th of this month and the four U.S. finalists go? on to compete at Tales of the Cocktail and from there it is on to the international finals at the iconic Bramble Bar in Edinburgh.
Bourbon Maker Plans Downtown Louisville Attraction - Heaven Hill Distilleries (home of Evan Williams Bourbon)? announced this week that they are going to open a museum in downtown Louisville that "will immerse visitors in the whiskey-making process." Look for it to be open September, 2013.
Soda Maker Puts Bacon, Buffalo Wings in a Bottle - That title is not a typo and if you thought the vodka flavors were getting out of hand, check out what is happening to the world of soda. That said, if you try one of these and come up with a useful (and tasty) mixed drink, let me know. As adventurous as I am in my drinks, I just don't know if I can go this far. Other flavors in the line up are Sweet Corn and (surprise, surprise!) Peanut Butter & Jelly.
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