Jan/31/2008
This Ain’t My Grandpa’s
Gin
By Dan Dunn
Like many a precocious infant, the Imbiber was introduced to gin back in Philadelphia by my grandfather, who used to rub a little on my gums whenever I was colicky. It wasn’t until many years later, however, that I truly learned to appreciate gin, thanks to the silky vocal stylings of one Mr. Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg. He, of course, has the cultivating music that be captivating he who listens. And I listen, friends. I listen. To read the rest click here...
By Dan Dunn
Like many a precocious infant, the Imbiber was introduced to gin back in Philadelphia by my grandfather, who used to rub a little on my gums whenever I was colicky. It wasn’t until many years later, however, that I truly learned to appreciate gin, thanks to the silky vocal stylings of one Mr. Calvin Broadus, aka Snoop Dogg. He, of course, has the cultivating music that be captivating he who listens. And I listen, friends. I listen. To read the rest click here...
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Oct/11/2007
This Rum is a Little Nuts
By Dan Dunn
You
know that stellar part of the Beastie Boys’ song
“Root Down” where Mike D screams “Oh my God that’s
some funky shit!”? Well, your Imbiber happened to be
listening to that very section of that track at the
precise moment I took my first chilled sip of
something called Castries Peanut Rum Crème. And what
went through my mind just then? Straight up, Mike D.
Castries is funky in a kickin’ it root down way —
think Mr. Peanut surfing a wave of molasses on a
sunny beach in the Caribbean. No, for real … let that
image wash over you. You’ll feel better.
Castries takes its name from the picturesque capital city of St. Lucia, one of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea. That’s where they procure the aged rum that is carefully blended with vanilla from Madagascar, cream and peanuts. The taste reminds me of a mouthful of Snickers, peanut brittle, Bailey’s Irish Crème and banana, which is odd given I’ve never actually had all of those things in my mouth at the same time. When asked about the origin of such an unusual product, Team Spirits Imports CEO David Jones said, “with peanuts found in more then 75% of US households, there is an untapped market for a peanut flavored spirit and a luxury cream brand that we are working to fill.” Hell, if Castries ($30) is a success it stands to reason we’ll soon be seeing an array of infused spirits inspired by popular cupboard items — stuff like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese premium gin, and potato chip flavored Quaker Oats liqueur. Now that would really be some funky shit!
PEANUT BUTTER CUP
1 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. Castries
Shake vigorously over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Line the Martini glass with chocolate syrup for additional effect.
By Dan Dunn
Castries takes its name from the picturesque capital city of St. Lucia, one of the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea. That’s where they procure the aged rum that is carefully blended with vanilla from Madagascar, cream and peanuts. The taste reminds me of a mouthful of Snickers, peanut brittle, Bailey’s Irish Crème and banana, which is odd given I’ve never actually had all of those things in my mouth at the same time. When asked about the origin of such an unusual product, Team Spirits Imports CEO David Jones said, “with peanuts found in more then 75% of US households, there is an untapped market for a peanut flavored spirit and a luxury cream brand that we are working to fill.” Hell, if Castries ($30) is a success it stands to reason we’ll soon be seeing an array of infused spirits inspired by popular cupboard items — stuff like Kraft Macaroni & Cheese premium gin, and potato chip flavored Quaker Oats liqueur. Now that would really be some funky shit!
PEANUT BUTTER CUP
1 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2 oz. Castries
Shake vigorously over ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Line the Martini glass with chocolate syrup for additional effect.
Jul/19/2007
BOOZE AND LYRICS
— “The Gutterati?” by The Fratellis
Montecristo
Ginger Mojito
1.5 oz Montecristo Spiced Rum
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
.5 oz ginger ale
6 mint leaves
3 slivers fresh ginger
Muddle mint, lime juice, and ginger in tall glass.
Add rum and crushed ice, then shake. Top with ginger
ale. Garnish with mint sprig and candied ginger
slice.
Jun/28/2007
Here's One for Dear Ol' Dad
By Dan Dunn
The Imbiber’s father quit drinking two decades ago. Why? Well, it seems one man’s sublime pleasure is another man’s debilitating disease. My pops seems a whole lot happier sober than he ever did when he was drunk, and I’m grateful for that. The downside of dad’s temperance is that every year come Father’s Day, gifting him some hooch from my bountiful supply isn’t exactly a viable option. So instead of a bottle of Krug or a fine single malt Scotch, Dunn Sr. gets stuff like Brut by Faberge and subscriptions to weird magazines nobody’s heard of. Once I even gave him a tie. A used tie from the Salvation Army embroidered with a piano keyboard design.
My shrink thinks the crummy gifts might be a subconscious effort to drive my dad to drink, thereby making future Father’s Day shopping a whole lot easier on me. What she doesn’t know is that my old man LIKES going out looking like Billy Joel in the “Uptown Girl” video and smelling like a marinated mobster. For those whose dads do consume adult beverages, here are a few Father’s Day gift ideas:
Traditionalists will flip their hairpieces over the Tullamore Dew Gift Crock. The ceramic crock is sealed with a cork and comes with its own porcelain stopper. Looks like something outta the 1940s, no doubt because that’s when Tullamore Dew first started selling them. ($30. www.tullamoredew.com)
If Eisenhower-era cinema taught us anything it’s that after a long day at the factory, there’s nothing dear old Dad enjoys more than a stiff martini. Put a new twist on an old favorite with Tanqueray Rangpur gin. It’s made with exotic limes that are incorporated into the distilling process. As flavorful a gin as you’ll find on the market today. ($22)
Or treat Papa to Patrón XO Café, a tasty combination of coffee and high-end tequila to help him start Father’s Day off right. ($23)
The Mystery of Chartreuse
Jan/09/2007
There are two types of Chartreuse – green and yellow. The former is intensely floral, with strong hints of fennel, rosemary, cinnamon and cloves. Yellow Chartreuse is the more citrusy of the two, brimming with flavors such as blood orange, lemon and honey. Chartreuse isn’t really the type of elixir to be enjoyed straight, but it can really spruce up a cocktail. Fortunately, I know a guy on the inside at the monastery who managed to smuggle out a few cocktail recipes:To read the rest click here...
The debut of "Stuff We're Diggin'"
Oct/04/2006
--We’re digging the new 24-ounce bottle of Red Stripe ($2.99), a revolutionary concept that combines the great taste of Jamaica’s most famous lager with the average American’s penchant for gluttony. Looks great in and out of a brown paper bag.
--Gin is the new vodka, which was formerly the old rum before it used to be whisky. I know, trying to stay current is confusing as hell, but check this my fellow hipsters: Bulldog London Dry Gin ($27.99) is hot. Like, Jessica Biel’s booty hot! Forget the tonic, though, and really go for it in a dirty martini.To read the rest click here...
Martin Miller's Gin is Tops
Jul/20/2006
Miller seeks out the best botanicals – juniper, and other stuff like cassia bark and Florentine Iris – and distills it in hundred-year-old copper still dubbed Grandma. Once the heart of the single batch distillation is extracted it gets shipped from the UK to Iceland, where it’s married with lava-filtered glacial water and bottled. I’m telling you, people, ole’ Marty should have called the stuff Baby’s Ass instead, cuz it’s THAT smooth (and drinking enough of it will get you pretty, uh, crappy). Is it the water? The still? Magic? I dunno, but I can tell you that Miller’s gin is so good it was just awarded double gold at the 2006 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Price is $27.99, which is roughly the cost of two Ricky Martin cds. And if you look at it that way – Ricky Martin versus Martin Miller – it’s kind of a no-brainer. What, you ask, is up with the random Ricky Martin reference? That’s easy – I’m high on gin and tonic, and livin’ la vida loca. Anybody wanna join me?
