tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109629632010-03-06T23:00:27.410-06:00This space is devoted to the art of cocktails, cocktail education, and the rebirth of classic cocktails.bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-71186844106871602752009-02-14T11:01:00.001-06:002009-02-14T11:21:30.038-06:00

For those of you that don't know Chris McMillian, let me introduce one of the best bartender in New Orleans. Chris is the bar keep at the Renaissance Pere Marquette just off Canal St.Chris used to bartend at the Ritz-Carlton. Now his new bar stage is a bit more modern and the bar length is a great deal more, which are both good in my opinion. My wife and I visited Chris two weekends in a row a

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-85204711794710744682008-12-14T18:00:00.000-06:002008-12-16T21:04:19.114-06:00

There is a new ultra-premium vodka that has recently made its way from Vietnam into my hands called KAI Vodka. Unlike European vodkas, which are crafted from wheat, rye, or potatoes, KAI is distilled from rice. The rice used in KAI Vodka is of the rare yellow-blossom variety that grows only in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, the so-called “Napa Valley of rice.” This rice-based beverage

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-28803882896915694202008-10-21T21:11:00.003-05:002008-10-21T21:37:46.543-05:00

Bartending as with all noble professions never stands still.This summer, Apple extended content offerings on their dominating iTunes store to include software applications. Included in the mix are a variety of bartending and cocktail works, which for a nominal sum can be downloaded straight to your iPhone or iPod touch in a less than a minute.Pocket Cocktails, is the newest entry in this field.

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-5114888610953740642008-06-24T23:02:00.002-05:002008-06-25T08:48:32.804-05:00

I have some good/bad news.I just recently accepted a new job that is going to have me and my family moving to Memphis, TN. While this is great news for me and my family it is bitter sweet as I won't really be able to fully experience Tales of the Cocktail this year. At most I will just be able to attend on Saturday.While I'm sad about leaving New Orleans, the cocktail captial of the south, I am

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-67230391050560396442008-06-08T22:07:00.003-05:002008-06-08T23:57:10.640-05:00

As my wife and I were hanging out at Chris McMillian’s new bar stage, the Renaissance Pere Marquette (more on that later), someone asked me what was my favorite gin cocktail. I paused as I had to think for a second or two. I really could not give an answer as there are so many great gin cocktails. So the person replied, "well, how about your top 5 then?"I rattled off a few that I had recently,

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-17729162065421293262008-06-03T21:45:00.001-05:002008-06-03T21:58:34.179-05:00

This post orginally posted at http://www.talesblog.com/As I sit on the beach while on vacation sipping a Margarita my mind wanders off to a cantina were tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice came together for the first time. Was it a Mexican camarero, a Cuban Cantinero, or an American bartender that created this classic cocktail? Who knows?Jacques Bezuidenhout and Robert Hess are planning on

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-91699809978736429072008-05-24T11:21:00.010-05:002008-05-24T15:02:43.968-05:00

My wife is driving me nuts with Sex and the City. She has been watching her DVD collection incessantly since she learned of the upcoming movie. She has the desktop background of Carrie emblazoned on her computer. She is shopping for clothes and shoes worn by the cast (which are not cheap mind you). And yes, she is of course drinking the drink that was made ever so popular by the show... the

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-15959595495062394632008-04-06T18:57:00.002-05:002008-05-24T16:14:30.260-05:00

As a Louisiana resident and a cocktail enthusiast I am a full supporter of the Sazerac as the Official State Cocktail!At this moment there is bill that just passed the Louisiana Senate Committee and is on the way to the full Louisiana Senate. Once the Senate passes the bill it will be looking for sponsorship in the House that will make the Sazerac the Official State of Louisiana Cocktail.The

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-53088641245082647392008-03-20T19:55:00.003-05:002008-04-05T18:27:40.014-05:00

It's that time of year again. Tales of the Cocktail 2008 is July 16-20th!!Tales of the Cocktail is an annual event held in New Orleans that draws cocktailians from across the world. Every year this event has grown in size. Tales started in 2003 and was the brain child of Ann Rogers. Ann has been a consummate advocate of the New Orleans cocktail.What makes this event different from in other bar

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-72442693957706915272008-03-18T20:28:00.007-05:002008-03-19T22:31:54.645-05:00

On March 4, 2008 I was saddened to learn that Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, passed away. Back in 1974 Gary and co-creator Dave Arneson created a fantasy game world that brought the works of J.R.R Tolkien to life. I ask, who doesn't want to be the hero that saves the day by taking out a horde of goblins and orcs. The game-world created by Gary and Dave is a far cry, from the now

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-38421064394965631872008-01-03T22:49:00.000-06:002008-01-08T23:48:07.320-06:00

A reader wrote:Happy New Year! I have a bit of a question that may seem out of the way, but I’m hoping that you may have an answer. As of 12:30am yesterday (1/1/87) I turned 21. Point blank, I hate the taste of alcohol. I’ve had it in varying contexts, strong Cali. Wines, shooters, Dark and Stormys (which I had IN Bermuda and it was nasty as hell) even the “shot” of rum in fruit drinks from time

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-72784671956328442512007-10-28T20:52:00.000-05:002007-10-28T21:08:13.131-05:00

At this past year's Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans I came across a marvelous cocktail called the Fancy Free. Mr. Paul Clark of The Cocktail Chronicles had this fabulous cocktail at his table during cocktail hour. I enjoyed it so much that I continued to run his table even after he had to leave to run is Spirited Dinner.I just discovered it again in my card catalog and all I have to say is

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-21135976410499963062007-10-16T20:12:00.001-05:002007-10-17T19:26:03.655-05:00

So I am at the Vegas airport on a lay over for a business trip and Iwas passing by a 25 cent slot machine. I just happened to have a quarter inmy pocket so I said to myself what the heck. I stopped to drop it in to give ita whirl. Alas, there is no coin slot in the slot machine... it only takes bills! Huh!?! I thought to myself well that's interesting. It's kinda like saloonsthat have Manhattans

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-72612665690487806152007-10-13T22:14:00.000-05:002007-10-13T22:32:01.151-05:00

Because I live so close to the great food of New Orleans and my love for cocktails I could not resist this month's topic for Mixology Monday, pairings. So, I decided to try to break my writers block by joining Mixology Monday, which is a group of bloggers that write about the same topic once a month and the host site compiles a round up. This Mixology Monday is being hosted by The Liquid Muse.It

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-45831451452748221122007-06-09T08:50:00.000-05:002007-06-09T09:07:47.162-05:00

This is a true New Orleans classic which was invented in the 1850s by Joseph Santina. Joseph owned and operated the City Exchange on Gravier Street in New Orleans. (1)This drink is unique in its garnish in that it uses a large amount of lemon peel that almost entirely coats the inside of the glass.A Great GrandfatherThe significance of this classic is far reaching into what is today some our most

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-41500770399773016402007-05-26T00:35:00.000-05:002007-05-30T18:34:03.013-05:00

I haven't gone on a tirade in a while so... here we go.I'm sick and tired of going to a "nice" restaurant and ordering a cocktail and getting SHIT! Even when you order a modern classic such as a Cosmopolitan, which my wife orders from time to time, what comes out to the table is absolutely abhorrent. A Cosmo is NOT vodka and cranberry juice in a "martini" glass!The standards of restaurant owners

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-67402322689090928132007-05-19T22:03:00.000-05:002007-06-09T09:11:52.966-05:00

Sorry for the laps in posts... diversions, diversions...Tonight I'm having a very good cocktail that I found in the Nov/Dec 2006 issue of Imbibe magazine. Imbibe, by the way is celebrating their 1 year anniversary. If you have not picked up a copy yet to peruse I strongly recommend it. Great magazine and thank you Paul!The drink I'm having is called Cocktail à la Louisiane. If you are a Manhattan

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-81908806951898769802007-03-04T17:58:00.000-06:002007-06-09T09:12:19.363-05:00

Tonight I'm having a Gin Martini and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I make mine...2.5 oz of Gin1 oz Dry Vermouthone lemon twistStir gin and vermouth for 20 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add lemon twist.After I finish this I plan to experiment with tequila and pomegranate juice. The flavor of pomegranate juice is sweet with an interesting berry flavor. I think the flavor of the

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-79185180801958910672007-02-20T08:39:00.000-06:002007-02-25T15:10:28.650-06:00

Happy Mardi Gras!This cocktail is one of my own creations. I think it captures some of the essence of New Orleans. I started with the key elements from the French Martini switched out the vodka with our own Southern Comfort and started experimenting from there. I think it is the perfect Mardi Gras Cocktail!Southern Comfort was born at McCauley’s Saloon on St. Peter Street in 1874. Tennessee

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1153361766110359222007-02-10T14:02:00.000-06:002007-02-10T14:25:18.512-06:00

My birthplace is Jackson, Mississippi and there is a small Irish pub there that I'd like to make note of. The place is called Fenian's and it is in the heart of J-Town on the corner of Jefferson and Fortification.While I was there recently I met a barman that went by Super Dave! The man was definitely a showman. As he made his drinks he recited poetry. He was often making multiple drinks at the

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1155860812205939092006-11-26T13:26:00.000-06:002006-11-26T13:48:05.074-06:00

Whether it be an entrée or a cocktail flavor is one of our main driving factors in choosing your favorites. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes on what flavors strike their fancy.Obviously this is a highly opinionated topic and everyone's taste is there own. It really depends on your genetics and your perception of taste and flavor. To some people a Bloody Mary is disgusting. To others a

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1157248052701887832006-09-03T14:42:00.000-05:002007-06-09T09:25:50.357-05:00

You must see this...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE2Tp9K0OCYIt is a clip of a documentary that William Knight is making of a group of Cuban Bartenders called the Last of the Cantineros. This video is of Senior Fabio Delgado Fuentes who was known as Papa, Father of all cocktail makers. He worked at Sloppy Joes and is said to have invented 33 cocktails, one of which called The Martini Special for

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1154306385365024492006-08-15T18:33:00.000-05:002006-08-30T20:02:16.873-05:00

This copyrighted phrase is the brain child of Michael Waterhouse who is a co-owner of the restaurant Dylan Prime in New York. He gave one of the seminars at the Tale of the Cocktails where he spoke about dessert cocktails. See the article from the event provided by Gambit Weekly, a NOLA publication.Although I disagree with his use of the words 'Martini' and 'Cocktail' interchangeably I do like

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1153707510473969662006-07-23T20:24:00.000-05:002006-07-23T21:28:41.676-05:00

One of my discoveries at Tales of the Cocktail (TOC) that I must write about first is a new magazine called Imbibe. This may be old news to some of you because the magazine is on its third issue, but I was just blown away with the concept, content, and coverage at the recent TOC.The images in the magazine are spectacular and it is full of flavors vying to be in your next cocktail creation. The

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10962963.post-1149964627799531882006-06-12T19:36:00.000-05:002006-06-12T20:33:28.813-05:00

Southern Comfort and the cocktail community put on one hell of a party every year down in New Orleans in the form of the Tales of the Cocktail.This event attracts cocktail and culinary experts from all over the world for seminars, book-signings, cocktail parties, dinning, and an overall great time as only New Orleans can deliver.This year's event is coming up on July 19th will go until July 23rd.

bar.mix.masterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11355677975177194140noreply@blogger.com1