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National Margarita Day with Casa Noble Crystal

/ Dani DeLuna / 2 Comments

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February 22 is National Margarita Day and I have been #blessed y’all, #BLESSED with this fabulous bottle of Casa Noble Crystal to make Margaritas. I was totally blown away by how tasty this Blanco Tequila is and will try to describe it in a few words.

  • On the Nose: Pineapple, Strawberry, Grasses
  • On the Tongue: Banana, Citrus, Chocolate, Nutty, Agave
  • In the Mouth: Smooth and velvety, almost no “Tequila burn”

In other words, Casa Noble Crystal is a truly special Tequila. It’s definitely unlike any other Blanco Tequila I’ve ever tasted and therefore, the first thing I did was make a classic Margarita with it. I highly recommend taking this approach when testing a new Spirit. Like, when I get a new Rum, I always make a Daiquiri with it. This way I know how the Spirit is going to interact with Citrus, sweetness, etc.

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Casa Noble Crystal Margarita

  • 2 oz Casa Noble Crystal Blanco Tequila
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau (yes, that is Cointreau in a jar cause I live in a tiny apartment)
  • 1/2 oz Organic Agave Nectar
  • 1 oz Lime Juice
  • Garnish: Hawaiian Pink Salt and Lime Wheel

In tin, combine Tequila, Cointreau, Agave Nectar and Lime Juice over ice and shake it baby! Rim Rocks glass with Salt, add ice and strain drink into glass. Lime wheel at the end. Fabulous, classic, yum.

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Once I knew how this beautiful Tequila interacted in a classic Margarita, I got fancy. Mint and Grapefruit fancy to be specific.

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Pample-Menthe Margarita

  • 2 oz Casa Noble Crystal Blanco Tequila
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz Organic Agave Nectar
  • 3/4 oz Ruby Red Grapefuit Juice
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • 2 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
  • 5-6 Mint Leaves
  • Garnish: Hawaiian Pink Salt, Mint Bouquet

In tin, muddle Mint leaves, Grapefruit Juice, Lime juice and Agave Nectar. Dry shake to incorporate ingredients. Add Tequila, Cointreau, Orange Bitters, Ice and short shake again. Rim rocks glass with salt, add ice and double strain drink into glass. Lastly, add Mint Bouquet.

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Hello Pineapple Spear Bunny Ears. 

Then I decided I wanted to bring out the Banana and Pineapple notes from the Casa Noble Crystal Tequila. I recalled that whole month of #TikiTheSnowAway and said to myself, “I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna make a Tiki Margarita”. This is also the first drink that I consulted The Flavor Bible and learned Coconut Milk and Vanilla Bean syrup go very well together!

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Island Time Margarita*

  • 2 oz Casa Noble Crystal Blanco Tequila
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz Vanilla Bean Syrup
  • 1 oz Pineapple Juice
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • 3/4 oz Coconut Milk
  • 5-6 Banana Slices
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish: Hawaiian Pink Salt, 2 Pineapple Spears

In tin, muddle Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice, Coconut Milk, Vanilla Bean Syrup and Banana slices. Dry shake until ingredients are incorporated. Add Tequila, Cointreau, Bitters and Ice and shake again. Rim rocks glass with salt and add ice. Double strain drink into glass and garnish with Pineapple Spears.

*Honestly, this is the best Margarita I’ve ever made. It might even be the best Tiki drink I’ve ever made.

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Let’s just look at this again, shall we? Sooooo dreamy, so tasty. 

Thanks to Casa Noble for their magical Crystal Blanco Tequila and thanks to the Baddish Group for the opportunity to use it for National Margarita Day!

You’re So Kind + Recent Acquisitions Jan 2015

/ Dani DeLuna / 1 Comment

NEW YEAR, NEW BOOZE N SUCH! No recipes this time, but I wanted to get everyone excited about all the things I’ll be posting on during Winter 2015! Cheers to you all!

18.21-Bitters-Promo

The lovely people of 18.21 Bitters sent me a whole bunch of stuff! Aren’t they kind? LIKE LEGITIMATELY KIND! AND SUCH TASTINESS!! 18.21 Bitters make not only excellent bitters but also Tinctures, Syrups and Shrubs: Blackberry Peppercorn Shrub, Charred Lime + Jalapeño + Peppercorn Syrup, Earl Grey Bitters, Lemon Ginger Tincture just to name a few! I’ve been working on a bunch of recipes and will be posting them soon!

Purchases-2-Jan-15

INOCENTE FINO SHERRY – YEAH, I DID IT, HERE WE GO! The complexity and depth of sherry is something I am really into experimenting with.

SENIOR BLUE CURAÇAO – YEAH, BLUE CURAÇAO IS BACK, GET INTO THE SWEET BLUENESS! TROPICAL BREEZES.

VELVET FALERNUM – EVEN MORE TROPICAL. Why it took me this long to get this lime/vanilla/spiced deliciousness is beyond me.

Purchases-30-Dec-14

Denizen Aged White Rum – from the Angostura distillery, this is a blended white Rum and more complex than many other white rums and an awesome banana, coconut, mango and pineapple flavors come through immediately.

Hayman’s Old Tom Gin – 19th Century Gin which is a bit sweeter and more botanical than many modern gins. MARTINEZ, here we come. I love this Gin, it’s totally awesome!

Will be posting recipes soooooon!

You’re So Kind: Berentzen Pear Liqueur

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Berentzen-Pear-Promo-Shot

As I’ve stated before, the very kind people at Berentzen sent me a fabulous bottle of Pear Liqueur. Aren’t they kind? I think they’re pretty kind. YOU’RE SO KIND BERENTZEN!

This Liqueur is a total knockout. I love it. It’s so fruit forward, crisp and refreshing. Pear all the way but in a totally different universe than many other Pear Liqueurs. This is not dry, subtle or mysterious. It’s PEAR! It’s happening! It’s fresh! I love it. I been using it with Gin, Tequila, Dolin Blanc, Soda, Tonic, Bourbon, Rum, EVERYTHING! Berentzen Pear Liqueur is awesome!

Bonus: now that it’s winter times, #PEARSEASON! Get into it!

And now, for the cocktails:

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Portrait of a Lady

  • 2 oz Smooth Gin (Plymouth used here)
  • 1 oz Berentzen Pear Liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Dolin Dry Vermouth
  • 1/4 oz Lemon Juice
  • Cinnamon Garnish

In tin, combine Gin, Pear Liqueur, Dry Vermouth and Lemon Juice over ice and shake. Double strain into coupe and garnish with Cinnamon.

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A Long Hard Look In The Mirror

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz Cocktail Crate Spiced Old Fashioned Mixer or Allspice and Cinnamon Simple Syrup
  • 1/2 oz Berentzen Pear Liqueur
  • 1 dash Black Walnut Bitters
  • Maraschino Cherry

In tin, combine Bourbon, Spiced Old Fashioned Mixer, Pear Liqueur and Bitters over cracked ice. Stir and strain into Rocks glass. Add Ice and Cherry.

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The Feeling of Flight

  • 2 oz Dolin Blanc or Lillet Blanc
  • 3/4 oz Berentzen Pear Liqueur
  • 3/4 oz Grapefruit Juice
  • Grapefruit peel

In tin, combine Blanc Vermouth, Pear Liqueur and Grapefruit Juice over ice and shake. Double strain into coupe, express Grapefruit peel and garnish.

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Sandals in Winter

  • 1 1/2 oz Blanco Tequila
  • 3/4 oz Berentzen Pear Liqueur
  • 1/2 oz Cointreau Triple Sec
  • 1/4 oz Bonal Aperitif
  • 1 dropper Elemakule Tiki Bitters
  • Grapefruit peel

In tin, combine Blanco Tequila, Pear Liqueur, Triple Sec, Bonal and Bitters over ice and shake. Double strain into coupe, express Grapefruit peel and garnish.

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Woo, this Liqueur is all worn out and taking a nap now. So many uses, so many possibilities. This has been You’re So Kind, the post where someone nice gives me a bottle and I review it!

You’re So Kind: Berentzen Bushel & Barrel

/ Dani DeLuna / 1 Comment

Bushel-&-Barrel

The very kind people at Berentzen USA have sent me several bottles to taste and review: Icemint Schnapps, Pear Liqueur and Bushel & Barrel. They’re so kind. Aren’t they kind? BERENTZEN, YOU’RE SO KIND! Each bottle is fabulous and totally bursting with flavour but I’m going to start with Bushel & Barrel cause this is America and nothing screams AMERICA more than Bourbon and Apples.

I’ve gotta be honest, this is truly delicious stuff! Upon opening the bottle, crisp, clear Apples come through, then the more complex spices from Kentucky Bourbon settle into your nose. It’s an awesome experience.  First taste also begins with Apple, fresh juicy Apple from Berentzen’s Apple Liqueur and then a bit of spicy kick from Bourbon. Again, awesome. At 60 proof, it’s neither too strong to use in cocktails, nor too weak to drink on the rocks. In fact, everything about this liqueur is super smooth and just right.

If this is the future of flavoured whiskey, then I am so happy to be taking part in the revolution. Bushel & Barrel is by far the best one I’ve ever had and honestly, everything Berentzen makes is outstandingly tasty. (This is the part of the post where you throw that nasty cinnamon flavoured whiskey out the window. There, I said it.)

And now, some Bushel & Barrel cocktails:

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American Rose (Jack Rose Variation)

  • 1 1/2 oz Bushel & Barrel
  • 1/2 oz Applejack
  • 1/2 oz Lime Juice
  • 1/2 oz Grenadine
  • Lime Wheel

In tin, combine Bushel & Barrel, Applejack, Lime Juice and Grenadine over ice. Shake and double strain into coupe, garnish with Lime Wheel.

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Obstacle Three

  • 1 1/2 oz Rye
  • 3/4 oz Averna Amaro
  • 1/2 oz Bushel & Barrel
  • 1/2 oz Carpano Antica
  • Maraschino Cherry

In tin, combine Rye, Averna, Bushel & Barrel, Carpano and stir over cracked ice. Strain into coupe, Maraschino cherry garnish.

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People Watching

  • 2 oz Cocchi Americano
  • 1/2 oz Bushel & Barrel
  • 1/2 oz Cynar
  • 1/4 oz Lemon Juice

In tin, combine Cocchi Americano, Bushel & Barrel, Cynar and Lemon Juice over ice. Shake and double strain into coupe. Splash of Soda or Champagne on top.

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Julian Franco

  • 1 1/2 oz Bourbon
  • 1/2 oz Bushel & Barrel
  • 1/2 oz Raspberry Liqueur
  • 1/4 oz Chartreuse Vert
  • Apple Peel

In tin, combine Bourbon, Bushel & Barrel, Raspberry Liqueur and Chartreuse. Stir over cracked ice and strain into coupe. Apple Peel garnish.

Well, that’s it for now! I’ve definitely got more recipes for Bushel & Barrel and will post them in the future! As for the Pear Liqueur and Icemint Schnapps, I’ll be reviewing them soon! This has been You’re So Kind, the post where someone nice gives me a bottle and I review it!

Overrated/Underrated Cocktails via Thrillist

/ Dani DeLuna / Leave a comment

This is an excellent list. I completely agree about the Moscow Mule sucking. Sorry to those of you who love this drink. It’s still just another instance where Gin would be so much better than Vodka.

Wood & Salt aka Adventures in Nashville

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‘Tis the season for Old Fashioneds and plenty of them.

Recently, I went to visit my mother (heretofore referred to as Mamoo because that what we call her, that is what the Community calls her) in Birmingham, AL and we took a little trip up to Nashvegas, TN. Nashville is a special place, a ridiculous place and a delicious place. In fact, when I mentioned that instead of going to the ATL or the Beach, we should go to Nashville, Mamoo was like, “Um hun, what? What’s in Nashville?”

I feel like most of the country has no idea about the totally awesome country music wackyness mixed with totally cutting-edge-cool-cash-money-$$$ amazingness which is the Nashville food and cocktail scene. It’s Americana mixed with tender love and care. In otherwords, Nashville is really good at ripping other things off.

The best example of this is the whole, “Handmade in Brooklyn”, ahem, cough, “Handmade in Nashville” revival. Even in downtown Nashville, Mamoo and I found Acme, a giant warehouse sized diner-cum-grocer full of “this product was handmade just outside of town at a farm we know.” Not to knock it, this Home Bar Girl is ALLLLLL about the locally made goods. Just funny. Super funny that no matter where you go in America, if there are people who like to burn money, they will totally buy “Handmade in X” products.

I am definitely one of those people.

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And so I bought this incredible Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt by Bourbon Barrel Foods at Marché in East Nashville, who btw, makes perhaps the GREATEST french toast in all the land. Croissant french toast y’all. I mean, I just can’t.

This salt is LEGITIMATELY FANTASTIC. The smell alone is like bacon mixed with bourbon mixed with crack. IT’S CRACK Y’ALL. I cannot wait to use it on everything in sight. I will use it on steaks, I will use it on French toast, I will use it on dessert.

AND I WILL DEFINITELY USE IT IN AN OLD FASHIONED WITH MAPLE LIQUEUR AND BLACK WALNUT BITTERS. Yeeeehaw.

Wood & Salt

  • 2 oz Bourbon or Rye
  • 1/2 oz Maple Liqueur
  • 1 Barspoon Brown Sugar or Demerara Sugar (but brown sugar is like a knockout!)
  • 2 dashes Black walnut Bitters
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters
  • Pinch of Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt
  • Orange peel
  • Maraschino Cherry

Build in glass: first add sugar, bitters and maple liqueur. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Next, add Whiskey and ice, stir again. Express orange peel and garnish with cherry. Lastly, sprinkle a pinch of Bourbon Smoked Salt on top of ice. Santé! Try not to die from the amazingness.

How to Make: The Last Word

/ Dani DeLuna / Leave a comment

via Munchies on YouTube.

One of the great comebacks from the Prohibition era. Please give me ALL the Last Word cocktails.

  • 3/4 oz Gin
  • 3/4 oz Chartreuse Vert
  • 3/4 oz Maraschino Cherry Liqueur
  • 3/4 oz Lime Juice

Shake and strain into coupe. Super refreshing!