Liquid Deli

There is a place like heaven. Where you can taste your booze before you buy it. You can bring your beautiful bottles back for a refill. The magic elixir comes in many pleasing flavors and colors, handcrafted in small, local batches. Seville Orange Infused Gin, Lyme Bay Apricot Brandy, Wild Bullace Liqueur, just to name a few...And of course Scotch, because after all, if you find yourself in heaven, you must be at Demijohn's in Scotland, UK.

I have been to the Glasgow branch of this wonderful establishment and am still savoring the pretty bottles of goodness I brought home. But alas, puritanical forces in this country prevent any such establishment from existing on these shores (though I am sure it would flourish) and they even prohibit the shipping of such goodies. So torture yourself on the website for now, and a plan a trip to Scotland, but also take action here. Write to your lawmakers to allow heaven to exist here in our country. And if they don't, run for office with this platform, "Liquid Deli's For All". You'll have my vote.

This Girl is my New Best Friend

Hello Sailor!

Its Fleet Week here in New York City and for once the Olde Isle looks like the Manhattan of my dreams: Sailors looking for a night On The Town! In Honor of the Boys and Gals in the Navy I give you the Hello Sailor! It is made with Rum, natch!

Rum was once so important, the British Navy gave every sailor a half-pint a day ration. It is made of fermented sugar cane or molasses (another sugar cane by product) and comes in white, gold (oro) and dark.

I like to make fruity rum punches to bring to Shea for our Sunday Mets games and I usually just throw in whatever I have in the fridge. This has made some of the best punches, so don't be afraid to explore those strange juices in the "Goya" section of your bodega. You'll find a winner!

I am particularly fond of mixing all three rums with different sorts of juice combos, just as I like mixing with the Sailors during Fleet Week!

New York, New York..Its a Helluva Town!!

Hello Sailor!
White, Gold & Dark Rum
Triple Sec
Lemon or Orange Bitters
Fresh lime juice
Mango, Papaya, & Guava Juice
Splash of Pomegranate or Pineapple

PS: Bonus points for those that can pick out Betty Comden and Adolph Green from the original cast photo of On The Town above.

LeNell's Red Hook Rye #4 is Here!

This past Sunday I had the extreme honor of tasting LeNell's 4th barrel of Red Hook Rye. This barrel proof rye is 24 years old and very smooth and tasty. There were nice spicy peppery notes when I drank it straight. With a drop of water, the rye opened up in all that grainy rye goodness. It is not chill filtered so the taste is so pure.

Unfortunately the cost of bottling has gone up and these bottles are going for $175. But here are my top reasons for buying one:

• Old Rye: 24 year old rye is REALLY hard to find, and will be hard to find for the next 24 years or so!
• Great Conversation Piece: The bottle and packaging is gorgeous and comes with cocktail suggestions, because as LeNell proselytizes, "Nothing is too good to mix into tasty cocktails" Agreed.
• Bang for your Buck: The barrel proof is so strong you should add some water, which means you are really getting a bottle and a half..maybe two!
• Think Global, Act Local: Supporting local liquor makers means we encourage other visionary cocktail locals (and kick ass Women) to follow their alcohol fueled dreams! (I will have my Liquid Deli!!)
• It is Your Patriotic Duty: It is the perfect marriage of Frontier Kentucky with Frontier Brooklyn and isn't that pioneering spirit what made this country and this city great?!

Get it while it lasts, my friends.

Jasmine Juleps

The big day is here. The social event of the season…The 134^th running of the Kentucky Derby!

Every year my friend Boyd throws the most fantastic Derby Parties. For the past 5 years they have been held at the Late Great Magnetic Field. This year we are trying out new digs at Park Slope’s Union Hall.

To celebrate this fine day I give you a Brooklyn/Manhattan twist on the classic Mint Julep. The Maraschino liqueur and the addition of bitters is reminiscent of a classic Brooklyn or Manhattan and the St Germain adds floral notes that compliment the jasmine pearl. And I used the Four Roses Yellow label for that mellow taste. I simply used a tea diffuser to steep the Jasmine Pearl tea in the bourbon for about 15 minutes. You can leave it longer if you want a stronger taste. Serve it with soda on top if you wish, but you know I like my drinks like I like my horses…Strong enough to knock a lesser jockey to the turf. You know my thighs can hold tight to that saddle for a long ride. Really. I can stay on a horse. Don't be so dirty.

Oh my hat this year was going very Victorian top riding hat, and with my plaid stockings and buggy whip I am now going to look like the Derby Dominatrix! Giddy Up Boys!

Jasmine Julep

Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
Jasmine Pearl Tea (steep in bourbon for at least 15 minutes)
St Germain liqueor
Maraska Maraschino liqueur
Dash each of Lemon, Orange and Old Fashioned Bitters
Soda (if you like to stay upright in yer saddle)

Garnish with Mint of fresh flowers for that springtime flair