RyeGirl - Dreaming in Cocktails

Ladies Sing Tom Waits

2012-01-13T14:11:00.001-05:00

Come hear me sing my longing for love, peace and New Orleans tonight in Red Hook at Sunny's Bar. This may be my penultimate show with the ladies before I move down to NOLA, so don't miss it!

Ladies Behind the Bar

2012-01-13T13:50:00.001-05:00

My favorite battle of the sexes My dear friend Francine wrote a great piece about what it is like to be a lady in this male dominated field and I am even quoted. It won't stay that way for long, I think. I just hope eventually we all get the same respect, pay, shift and job opportunities as the boys do. But as it is culturally in every field, its an uphill climb. "You Can't Grow a

Tattoo You

2012-01-13T13:16:00.001-05:00

Oh what is an inked up bartender gal to do?! To celebrate Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins and his 101st birthday, Sailor Jerry Rum is doing free tattoos tomorrow at various locations around the country. Well my artist is in New Orleans, but I am still here in NYC! Oh well...I do not really have a NYC tattoo yet, so maybe its time. Besides, I am drawn to the the classic Mom and Dad heart

Sunday Brunch

2012-01-08T14:15:00.001-05:00

Its fine and dandy to treat yourself to beinets in New Orleans. Its quite another to bring a box of the mix home and hook up the electric fryer. Ok I don't even have a fryer and never put more than a spash of oil in a pot since the great popcorn fire of 1985. So when our j'adorable waiter said they make good pancakes, a light went on. Throw in an egg, some butter milk and I made Cafe Du Monde

Best Cocktail Bar in NYC

2011-12-24T10:02:00.001-05:00

Boy, am I proud!

Christmas Eve Eve

2011-12-23T21:53:00.001-05:00

Early to bed tonight as I am covering a brunch shift tomorrow at Fort Defiance. So I made a nice brandy milk punch in a coup, well...my size and some cookies I just made. Settling in with an Advil PM and A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart. The Christmas past part always makes me cry. That Fezziwig is a pip! Brandy Milk Punch 2 oz Brandy (I used Pierre Ferrand 1840) 1/2 oz Maple syrup

Pocono Love Potion

2011-12-21T04:30:00.001-05:00

<p>It can get a little lonely coming home at 4am to an empty house, empty bed and empty cuppard. I don't usually drink when I get home, but with a day off (finally) and a cold looming, I thought a knightcap was needed. A knight was too difficult to find at this hour. I have not been to the store in days so a fresh citrus drink is out of the question. I doubt I have fresh vermouth, so no

Movember in San Diego

2011-11-16T04:46:00.001-05:00

Saltbox Serves Sweet Movember Cocktails - DiscoverSD.com

Cherokee Rose

2011-11-07T23:47:00.001-05:00

Chef Julian says I am speaking his language with this one. I was fooling around with a Bartender's Choice for a dear regular, Matt and was inspired to make this twist on a La Rosita. Matt and Julian, and most people I know actually, are partial to a nice Rye. So I subbed out the tequila, added a touch of Benedictine and orange bitters in addition to the Jerry Thomas old fashioned bitters. The

Marconi Wireless

2011-10-20T11:53:00.001-04:00

Carl Nesensohn/Associated Press Norman Corwin died this week at the age of 101. He was a pioneer during the golden age of radio and used this new medium to reach the heights of expression and wonder and make the audience a part of the storytelling. He reported on the front-lines of wars telling the real human stories that made us close to the action, and thus personally invested in the fight

Yes, I read Playboy for the Articles

2011-10-18T12:51:00.000-04:00

Well, for once this is true as Playboy has seen fit to publish their interaction with Hunter S. Thompson over the years. There is even his hangover cure scribbled on a notepad from the Beverly Hills Hotel. I myself have that strange longing for the days of Gonzo journalism when the world could not be explored of experienced by sitting on front of your computer. And I know I have a habit of

What a Photogenic Mustashe!

2011-10-14T18:08:00.001-04:00

Man..I am loving my excuse to take pictures of cute guys with mustaches. I hope Movember never ends! Thanks Jordana, for letting him play!

Mustache Hall of Fame Continues...

2011-10-09T00:23:00.001-04:00

I could not help but ask this j'adorable customer, Michael, to share his mustache. He also shared some amazing "sexy" halloween costume pictures...Sexy George Washington, and himself dressed as Sexy Abraham Lincoln. He has some gams, let me tell you. Nice stems! I hope he enjoyed his time here at Fort Defiance. I enjoyed his face.

Mustaches for a Cure

2011-10-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

So Movember is right around the corner, and we have finally caught up on this side of the pond. Do you part and help sponsor bartender brother Brad Ferran and these handsome lads from the Clover Club. Brad has been know to grow a killer Mustache/porkchop combo in the past. Its a favorite face of mine for sure. On my Baseball and Boys Blog I have begun cataloging some of my favorite

The Speakeasy

2011-10-07T17:54:00.000-04:00

This week I was lucky enough to appear on my friend and comrade in cocktails, Damon Boelte's radio show, The Speakeasy. Have a listen! It was so good to be back in a radio booth, even if it was in shipping container attached to the back to a pizza joint in Bushwick. My dad was a radio broadcast journalist so this kind of stuff comes quite naturally to me. It was an extra special episode as

Auchentoshan Switch

2011-10-04T11:29:00.001-04:00

I have been selected as a finalist in the Auchentoshan Switch contest! Later this month I will be whisked away to Las Vegas to compete with 19 other finalists for a chance to work at the famed London bar 69 Colebrooke Row for a few weeks. Masterclasses! That sounds divine! I have been looking for inspiration from across the pond since my trip to Scotland back in March. I hope I have a

Rye Girl Approved

2011-09-25T22:48:00.001-04:00

So you know I love all things Rye, right? Even Triscuits! Maybe I can crumble this up and rim a cocktail with it. Ok..seriously. Sunday at The Beagle needs to be a bit more busy for me, people. At least I get a moment to be creative. Made a nice boubon honey chartrueause cocktail for my kitchen. And of course I went though the last of the concord grapes. What fun fall fruits and veggies will

Fall Cocktails

2011-09-16T18:08:00.000-04:00

A chill has fallen over New York City and I am looking for ways to warm up my insides. Good thing I love good booze. With Oktoberfest right around he corner, I am enjoying more beer cocktails. My colleague at The Beagle, Tom, has created a refreshing cocktail called the Hop Over. Its a refreshing mix of IPA, lemon, Genever and Velvet Falernum, or rather Velour Falernum since Dan has

Palito's Way

2011-08-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

Squirrel Watching Pal. Palbert. Palberto Gonzales. Bert. PBG. Sneezy McSneezerson....My dog went by a lot of names. And he answered to them all if you had love in your voice. Yesterday I had to say good-bye to my dear little friend and companion. I knew the end was coming and spent that last few weeks spoiling him with Turduckan, Lamb chops and trips to the park to watch the squirrels.

Barrel Aged Cocktails at The Beagle

2011-08-10T13:36:00.000-04:00

Pal resting by some Tuthilltown Barrels I had my doubts about barrel aging. First of all, what is the point is there in putting barrel aged cocktails back in a barrel, hence the wealth of aged negroni's. Second of all, make a mistake and its an expensive experiment gone awry, hence the wealth once again of aged negroni's. But I now have first hand knowledge on how delicious these cocktails

Luke...man of my bivalve filled dreams

2011-07-22T17:01:00.001-04:00

Ok, so maybe there is no actual Luke, but John Best's casual CBD cafe is my oasis in this mad Tales of the Cocktail storm. I have already been here 3 times and this is my third day. First it was a crabmeat and beet salad with a glass of Luke's own amber beer. It was the first mean I was able to keep down in 24 hours and it was a good one. I have become a terrible flyer, getting airsick. What a

Lemon Basil Julep

2011-07-19T15:42:00.000-04:00

In this hot summer heat wave, its good to look to the drinks that our Cocktail forefathers turned to before the days of air-conditioning. You may be filled with visions of fine southern gentlemen and their dainty ladies sipping Juleps on the porch of their plantation, but this drink is rooted in pre-antebellum times and was far more global. First of all, as a classification, it does not

Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan

2011-07-10T14:00:00.002-04:00

Yhay! I finally found a great bar in Vegas! The Vesper Bar at the Cosmopolitan hotel is staffed this fine desert morning by lovely ladies who are making me a bartenders choice. I saw the darling Dori pour in some Cynar, so she and I are obviously sisters. Its a newly made up cocktail with orange bitters, fresh fig infused sweet vermouth and Don Julio reposado tequila.

The Sloe Flight South or the Pan Am

2011-07-06T16:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I competed in the Macchu Pisco competition with wonderful people and wonderful drinks. I didn't come out on top, but I think all the drinks were really good so it must have been tough for the judges. We were in the secret hideaway in the Hells Kitchen Pio Pio..what a neat space! Thomas Waugh from Death & Co took the top prize (a trip to Peru) with a Peachy Pisco Sour, but I went a

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-06T12:47:00.002-04:00

Feeling Punchy after Burger Night Fort Defiance kept the holiday weekend going this 4th with a special burger night punch. We got a big ole watermelon, hollowed it out to make a punch bowl and filled it with watermelon gin punch. It was good to the last drop! The punch is from St John and was first published in Fine Cooking Magazine. Watermelon Gin Punch

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-06T12:22:00.003-04:00

Ok so this post is a bit belated..but I am old and this technology is new. Don't worry. I'll catch up. I learn fast. Just look at my mad leaps in my Mixology skills over the last year or so! Then again, I always had the talent..and you are just born with that, Darlings!Speaking of Darling, I had the pleasure of spending happy hour on friday in the lovely abode of Mr and Mrs Cocktail Daddy.

Fast Ladies Who Can Toss Back some Likker

2011-06-08T11:09:00.004-04:00

This Sunday June 12 is NYC's first Speed Rack Competition. The fastest Female Bartenders will go head to head in a deadly tournament of both speed and skill to create good tasting classic cocktails. Cocktail heavyweights Dale Degroff, Julie Reiner, Audrey Saunders and Time Out's Jordana Rothman will act as honored judges. It will be a great LUPEC night out!Not just a national competition, this

Perfect Start to the Manhattan Cocktail Classic

2011-05-11T14:33:00.000-04:00

Look what I just got as a welcome present! RyeGirl could not be happier! This year's Classic is off to a rip roaring start. Look for me at The Bitter Truth table at the Gala. I'm the one with blue macaw feathers in her hat thanks to Sheena the punk rock bird.I'll be working day 2 at The Beagle tonight too so stop by for a drink and some fine food! Let the games begin.--

Zombie's gone to Mai Kai Heaven

2011-04-26T08:54:00.011-04:00

Adult Disney WorldRum Renaissance kicked off here in South Florida with a Zombie Jamboree thrown at the legendary Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale. It included a Zombie Seminar by Jeff "Beachbum" Berry and bartenders from near and far throwing down their versions of this classic Tiki drink.Running from the ZombiesI must make a confession. As a child, I was obsessed with 1950's tiki-tacky. I begged

Whiskey Primer

2011-03-19T10:44:00.005-04:00

Whiskey under a Microscope: Cool, FSU!!!Since I got back from Ireland and Scotland, a lot of people have been asking me about Whiskey production. I have a much better sense of it now that I have been to the great distilleries of Islay (its still a lot of waiting though and I am not a patient girl). But my dad has sent me a wonderful little primer from the BBC, always a great source of news.

Holy Trinity

2011-03-09T02:55:00.000-05:00

The three distilleries on Islay that probably receive the most play are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroig. All three are situated by the sea a close walking distance from eachother and the souther ferry town of Port Ellen. Used to visiters, they all have wonderful centers and a friendly staff who is keen on spreading the good word of whiskey.Our first stop was in Lagavulin. After a tour through

Dinner at The Bowmore Hotel

2011-03-07T15:43:00.000-05:00

We fnally found vegtables on Islay! A beautiful seafood salad with fresh local crab and huge piles of steamed veggies! Yes!-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Bruichladdich

2011-03-07T13:22:00.001-05:00

Oh my! Tasted some lovely drams today. We are lucky enought to be staying at the Academy House behind Bruichladdich. We walk a few yard from our front door and have the sea and a very fine small independent distillery. Opened in 1841 with a state of the art design, Bruichladdich today still uses the same system and equipment. It all runs quite well. While the owners took this distillery

Inveraray Cocktail

2011-03-06T15:59:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't the Duke of Argyll be proud?!-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

The Academy at Bruichladdich

2011-03-06T15:58:00.000-05:00

This is the scene I sit at right now dear friends. A much deserved cuddle by the fire with a dram of whiskey and a taste of gin. Yes! Bruichladdich has a gin now...but I'll get to that later.We arrived in preswick near Glasgow after a strange flight on Ryan Air. Bypassing my dear city of Glasgow, we headed straight into the highlands and through the Argyll National Forest. It was a bit foggy

Pure. Dead. Brilliant.

2011-03-06T03:21:00.000-05:00

Hey Scotland...I'm baaaack!Bring on the whiskey and the men in kilts! In that order, please.-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Friends and Loved Ones

2011-03-04T03:16:00.000-05:00

The birds are a sign I am here in Dublin and my beautiful friends Deb and Col's house. We powered through yesterday on no sleep, battling jet lag and shopping and walking all over City Centre; from the Marks & Spencer in the northside to the Marks & Spencer on the south side.We did manager to get in a pint, a kabob at Zatoons and a tour through the beautiful National Gallery of Art. My

Hibernia and Caledonia

2011-03-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

I am on vacation! My first day off since January! I am currently sitting in a delicious massage chair moaning in pure joy at work out my tired tight bartening muscles are getting. So great traveling with my itinerary obsessed friend becaue we have time for mani pedi's at the airport. We would like to have a sexual relationship with this chair. Oh yes.Next stop, Dublin Ireland! Looking forward

Ha Ha ha Ha ha!

2011-02-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Ace Hotel really IS like the Deuce in Portandia! There is a guitar and a pencil shapener in my room! But check out my most excellent view! It's inspiring me to write a song on my ace hotel approved guitar and pretend I am a struggling singer songwriter living in this room in the 70's..paying maybe $50 a week instead of $400 a night. Blame the Man, not us the Ace hotel claims. Jeeze.--

Record Breaking!

2011-02-27T14:02:00.001-05:00

I just witnessed a World Record! The Guinness Book of World Records just certified this motley crew with making the most cocktails in an hour! Congrats!-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Ingenious and Audacious

2011-02-27T09:58:00.003-05:00

Today I have my second nation cocktail competition in two years. In my work haze, I have barely had time to get nervous. I hope I am ingenious and audacious enough (the apparent requirements) to warrant a trip to the world finals in New Zealand. I could really use a nice vacation to check out, fill my cup and mingle with some international bartender booty. This time I don't have to travel to

Blues and Bluegrass

2011-02-24T12:06:00.003-05:00

Still in the midst of my work-a-thon. I don't do drugs, rarely drink coffee (unless its the good stuff at The Fort), have no social life, and hardly drink anymore unless its tasting my own cocktails to make sure that I made them right in my delirious state. How am I functioning? How do I not have the Blues deep in my cold lonely soul? How do I keep my energy up, you ask? Bluegrass, baby.

Wheels and Peels

2011-02-12T19:31:00.001-05:00

I have not had a day off since January, and won't have one off til February. So in this haze of work, it's the little things I am thankful for. For instance tonight I have perfect lemons for both peels and wheels. Small round ones for wheels, big mommas for nice sturdy peels. This is a big deal to me today. This makes me happy.Where is my mind?-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Thank You for Being a Friend!

2011-01-28T13:24:00.006-05:00

I want to send a special thanks to to my good friends, neighbors, and co-workers who came out in support of our snowy night at Fatty Johnsons on Wednesday. Ivy and I had a great time and our drinks were a big hit. The turnout was amazing despite the winter blast. Perhaps we'll be back sometime soon.Here is an early Valentine's day presents for all of my dear friends!

Very Edible (and workable) Manhattan

2011-01-28T10:43:00.008-05:00

The King Bee (Photos: Gabi Porter, Metromix)In this week of Snowpocalypse 2.2, I was lucky enough to have two gigs in Manhattan. Its nice to have a reasonable commute by the glorious MTA and to leave my car buried under feet of snow with parking rules suspended. Double yhay.My wonderful boss was kind enough to ask me to help him at the Edible Manhattan Good Spirits event at Le Poisson Rouge

Pop Up Art

2011-01-26T09:44:00.004-05:00

So if you have been watching Top Chef this season you know that Pop Up restaurants are all the rage. They are a temporary concept for a restaurant that is bare bones and a bit more fun since they are not tied to permanent idea. The boys form Fatty Crab and Fatty 'Cue decided to do just that with their former Cabrito space in the West Village and open Fatty Johnsons. They also have had the

St Lucian Tonic

2011-01-18T16:50:00.004-05:00

I came home in the most lovely little blizzard last night. The streets were coated in a white sheen of quiet clean. Pal and I raced thought the snow covered sidewalks and I couldn't wait to take him for a walk to the park in the morning. He has the cutest puffy orange vest for playing in the snow. He looks like those hot guys in High School I always had a crush on..in their puffy vests

Radioactive Cocktail

2011-01-03T11:30:00.003-05:00

Today my Mom goes into isolation for her own radioactive cocktail to beat out the last of a cancerous thyroid. Our dear friend Maria Knight suggested a Radioactive cocktail with a glow stick so we could all sip in solidarity. This seems like the perfect cocktail for those iridescent "club spirits" you find on the shelf. I myself am particular to Hynotiq. It glows blue and my Cocktail Daddy

Tis the Season: Dream Gifts

2010-12-14T11:36:00.005-05:00

Aaron Keim of Colorado and Beansprout musical instruments has created this wonderful Cocktail/song book. Utterly j'adorable! This book would make a wonderful present for you booze and music loving friends (like myself). Perhaps with a bottle of Stranahans Colorado Whiskey?This boy would also make a great present for me. Can someone please find me the unmarried version? Thanks, Santa!

Florida Interruption

2010-12-14T10:20:00.003-05:00

The Manhattan project is on hold while I am here in sunny (but COLD) Florida...unless I can find some old man bar who still makes a decent Manhattan. This is Boca Raton after all. Its just like New York, but older and with palm trees.Miami is not to far away either...Crocket! Tubbs! Come get me, man! Lest you forget..this show had style and GREAT music..very artsy for its time...and violent

Happy Repeal Day!

2010-12-06T04:45:00.001-05:00

This year I was working behind the stick with Ivy. As two lovely ladies who bartend, I thought it would be funny if we turn all Employees Only and dress "Old Timey Bartender". A few hats and mustaches later and we were ready to stir up some classic cocktails! And eat some deviled eggs. Don't those twins look handsome? Sexy!-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Happy Holidaze!

2010-12-01T22:03:00.002-05:00

I started celebrating early last night when I saw (via a friend on Twitter, wow, 21st century) that a cocktail of mine was going to be featured in the NY Times. I have my wonderful benevolent boss, St John Frizell to thank for this.Of course he knew I would jump at the opportunity to make cocktails that went with specific occasions during the Holidays. I can't let a Holiday go by without

Really, guys? Jeeze!

2010-12-01T11:24:00.003-05:00

I guess this is just an example of great minds thinking alike. Still I wish I had pitched this idea sooner....They even stole my title!! Jeeze Louise! It would still make a great Cocktail Book! Anyone? Publisher? Friend of a publisher? Hello? I'll Take Manhattan [Imbibe.com]

The Bees Knees Manhattan

2010-11-30T03:11:00.003-05:00

Photo: Ozier Muhammad/The New York TimesWell, what better honey for a Manhattan than this bright red stuff from Maraschino cherry juice loving bees! The NY Times had a story today about NYC bees preferring the fake cherry flavor of Maraschino cherries then the real stuff in our local farm. The nerve of those little stingers! And who is the victim? Our own local at Fort Defiance David (soy

Upper Manhattan

2010-11-28T11:46:00.004-05:00

The Little Red Light House and the Great Gray Bridge.One of the many reasons why I love my neighborhood...she'll get her own drink named after her some day soon...Last night at Fort Defiance I was guilty of getting another regular customer hooked on my own take of a Manhattan. Our accountant loves this drink and it was created for his taste, but apparently it suits a lot of other tastes as well.

The Lazy Manhattan

2010-11-27T03:27:00.000-05:00

As simple as the Manhattan cocktail is, there is still a host of ways to mess one up. And often you find yourself in bars that may not have the best ingredients. Those dried old neon red cherries are not a good sign. You can imagine that the bars one bottle of vermouth may have been open since the late 1970's. But most bars now have a fine selection of rye and bourbon. If you can squeeze a few

You Sadden Me

2010-11-26T12:04:00.002-05:00

Last night we celebrated Thanksgiving with friends at Idle Hands Bar, a good place for bourbon and beer. If you haven't already caught this making the rounds of Facebook, here is my friend Thomas' take on the absurdity of working in the New York City Bar scene these days. Hilarious sir!

Ivy's Manhattan

2010-11-24T21:12:00.001-05:00

My counterpart behind the stick at Fort Defiance, Ivy Mix is getting ready to drive home for the holidays in Vermont. So I am here on Evacuation Day to fill in and enjoy the Pig Roast. I am dressed as Margaret Corbin, heroine of the battle of Fort Washington, natch. Margaret Corbin took over her husband's cannon after he was killed by enemy guns and fired her cannon til it was the last one

Code Noir

2010-11-23T22:36:00.000-05:00

The Manhattan Project continues...Tonight I am enjoying a Code Noir at 1534. This new Soho bar under a French restaurant takes it's cocktail inspiration from former French colonies; Americas, Polynesia, Africa and Asia. The Manhattan variation comes from the Americas, natch. It's a tasty mix of Rye, pineau des charantes, angostura, peach bitters and lemon oil. I think they mean a lemon twist...

A Manhattan a Day...

2010-11-22T17:05:00.000-05:00

So I am going to try to post a Manhattan variation every day. Last night I had this beauty at Lani Kai. It's Rye, Rum, spiced syrup and bitters. Ok I guess it's closer to an Old Fashioned, but it also quite similar to my Upstate Manhattan.More on that later...-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

I'll Take Manhattan

2010-11-21T11:30:00.006-05:00

I have been thinking about what my cocktail book would be like. I'd want to do something that combine history, personal and otherwise, my favorite spirits and the city that has inspired me this past two decades. The answer is simple; the Manhattan. Older than the Martini with countless variations, the Manhattan is the perfect subject. It also happened to be my favorite cocktail to both drink

Rye, Rye, Rye...Down it Goes in my Belly

2010-11-15T10:24:00.006-05:00

With WhiskeyFest in town last week, RyeGirl had the opportunity to try a lot of her favorite spirit in one place. Besides the old favorites, there are some new ones too!Templeton Rye is made in Iowa from some of the same families that used to provide Al Capone with the "Good Stuff" during Prohibition. The batches are small and aged in big barrels. This latest batch is sweet and smooth. Quite

7 Steps to Hell

2010-11-15T09:53:00.007-05:00

I had some extra Black Bella already batched up from WhiskeyFest last week so I brought it into Fort Defiance as a drink special for Thursday. It was Veteran's Day and I wanted to honor all my Grandparents. The Bella is perfect since it is a twist on a Manhattan (Gramps Charbonneau's favorite drink) with delicious Italian Liqueurs (Grampa Gullo would have loved some Cynar). I also wore my red

Black Bella

2010-11-15T09:31:00.005-05:00

I was asked to contribute a cocktail for WhiskeyFest this year at the USBGNY table. Quite an honor since this was my first WhiskeyFest...finally! I was assigned Black Grouse, a new high end blend from the makers of Famous Grouse. Its got a touch of smoke but is smooth as silk. This Whiskey is actually quite close to my heart since it reminds me of a pure dead brilliant trip to Glasgow I took

The First Salute

2010-10-01T08:45:00.004-04:00

There is a new drink going in the menu at Fort Defiance tonight. It captures the historic zeitgeist of my beloved workplace and is one of my favorite recent creations.I wanted to create a tasty rum drink using an aged rum that would be a nice transition from our glorious Indian Summer to the cold winter months ahead. I also have been playing around with making my own version of the tiki classic

The Maplecrest

2010-09-03T03:31:00.004-04:00

Maplecrest Valley, Thomas Cole and Black Dome MountainsThursdays are turning into creative days at Fort Defiance. Maybe its the lag in business during these last dog days of summer. I certainly wasn't feeling up to being too creative tonight as I was fighting off fatigue and a sore throat. I was also fighting off some depression. Its been over a month since I have had a day off and since my

Happy National Woman's Day!

2010-08-26T19:18:00.000-04:00

As a working bartender and a proud member of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) I am proud to present the Pink Pisco Sour as the special cocktail tonight in celebration of the passing of the 19th amendment. It has fresh muddled strawberries and a hint of cherry liqueur. Like a more saucy Pink Lady. The Pink Lady was always the drink on the diner placemats that I

My Favorite Moment at Tales

2010-08-23T08:55:00.005-04:00

Since I have a backlog of memories form this past trip to New Orleans, and since I could not sleep this morning for dreaming of going back, I thought I should start with the greatest moment at Tales of the Cocktail this year. It wasn't some fancy lavish party. It wasn't some amazing cocktail or some award or recognition. It was this free pig and punch party we had in Washington Square Park in

Cool as Don Draper

2010-08-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

We are at out farewell party at Rye House. It's been a fun run, but it looks like the bar is going in another direction. And dear friends are departing. Mrs. Kerns is very put out.So tonight I drink my troubles away. I am starting with a Cool as Don Draper. Just like the man, it is a tantalizing mix of Wild Turkey 101, ginger, lime and pear brandy. Just like the man, it goes down smooth. Just

Tis the Season for Peaches!

2010-08-07T18:45:00.001-04:00

Millions of peaches, peaches for me...This is the second Peach Whiskey Smash I have had in as many days. This gorgeous concoction of peach, Bourbon, maple, lemon and mint came to me courtesy of Raphael Rayes at Yerba Buena on Perry St in Greenwich Village. So tasty and so fresh. Mr. Reyes knows I love me some bourbon and the dog days of August won't stop me from enjoying my brown spirits. The

Oh Greenwich Village...

2010-08-07T17:17:00.001-04:00

You will always have a place in my big gay heart...-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

A Shot of the Black Stuff - Seminar Review

2010-07-29T10:20:00.013-04:00

On Thursday July 22nd Jacob Briars and Sebastian Reaburn hosted an invigorating seminar about the world of Amari and Bitters at Tales of the Cocktail. Mr. Briars, from New Zealand, introduced himself as a child of hippies who still has yet to even take an aspirin. He relies on herbal remedies for all his medicinal needs. And that is of course, where bitters got their start, as an herbal

Swag Cocktail

2010-07-28T18:02:00.003-04:00

I collected some of my loot (yes, all survived unbroken in my luggage) from Tales of the Cocktail and made a nice refreshing cocktail on this sunny hot NYC day. I used my ice spear mold to make a nice tall drink with Summer Edition Beefeater Gin and Sence Rose nectar. This is the same Rose nectar they use in the $21 cocktails at Daniel. But I'll make it for you for fee...if you come over

Dreaming of Frozen Sazeracs

2010-07-28T10:10:00.003-04:00

There is a ton of posts forthcoming dear readers, but first I must share my first dream back in NYC. All my booty and my own boo-tay arrived home safe yesterday. I settled in with my roommate, the dog and some pitchers of frozen drinks to catch up on some sleep and DVR. In my restless tossing (still not trying to roll over on the new tattoo) I had a most marvelous revelation! In my dream I

FDR - Great President or The Greatest President?

2010-07-26T16:16:00.001-04:00

And this is one of the reasons why...-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

And this one's for you Mom...

2010-07-25T18:11:00.001-04:00

-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Morning and Breakfast in New Orleans

2010-07-25T12:14:00.000-04:00

-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Queen Anne Ballroom

2010-07-25T12:08:00.001-04:00

In the Hotel Monteleone.-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Wearing Many Hats

2010-07-25T10:50:00.001-04:00

I am up after about 4 hours asleep. This has been average for this week. At least I woke up on my own with no quacking ducks or ruckus in the bathroom to disturb my slumber. Did you know I have actually gone to the gym and worked out for an hour the past three days? I guess it gave me the energy to keep going...that and the fact that I can't seem to catch a buzz. Perhaps my conscious won't

Milagro USBG Margarita Competition

2010-07-23T19:55:00.000-04:00

Moments before the start of competition.... How do I look?-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Beautiful, but....

2010-07-22T10:20:00.000-04:00

Is it sad that I can't see this beautiful sight without thinking about the WORST President we have had in my lifetime.And Nixon was President when I was born, people. NIXON!!-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Re: This one's for you, Dad

2010-07-21T12:45:00.001-04:00

The King of Lamps!!!On Wed, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:47 AM, Abigail Gullo wrote: -- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.com Dreaming in Cocktails

This one's for you, Dad

2010-07-21T00:47:00.000-04:00

-- www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.comDreaming in Cocktails

Arnaud's French 75 Bar

2010-07-20T20:43:00.001-04:00

This is hands down one of my favorite bars in New Orleans. Great bar keeps, great ambiance and killer drinks. They make all their own shrubs and drams and infuse drinks with all sorts of spicy concoctions.My drink here on the right is the Thamyris, a tasty mix of Boodles Gin, Cynar and house made Polymnia Dram. My friend Rich is enjoying his first Sazerac of the trip. It's good too. Not too

First Abita of Tales 2010

2010-07-20T04:12:00.001-04:00

Last time I woke up in a bed was 7am in the Catskill Mountains. It's now 2:55 am Tuesday morning and I am having my first Abita in Mimi's in the Marigny. i checked into my victorian B&B on Esplanade (not the same one I stayed in 5 years ago, but very close) and walked through this most beautiful neighborhood to twitter stalk @nycocktail. In fact he treated me to this most delicious beer. I had a

Jet Blue Rant

2010-07-19T17:58:00.001-04:00

As I recall, I don't think I have ever been on a Jet Blue Flight that left on time. This was in the front of my mind when I booked my flight to New Orleans on the first flight out for the day. This was also probably in the back of my mind as I was running late on an A train local. Despite the fact that I arrived just as my plane started boarding, I was told it was closed. I waited outside

Note about Tales Posts...

2010-07-19T04:08:00.004-04:00

I had dreamed of having a brand new spankin' ipad or laptop to blog from this year, but alas, my finances are not all they could be. So I will be posting a lot from my phone.So please forgive me, dear reader, for any typos, formatting problems, etc....I swear it is my phone and not because I am drunk...well Maybe.I will attempt to go back and fix any errors when I have a moment to catch up on a

Last Cocktail Before Tales

2010-07-18T22:30:00.001-04:00

Here I sit in my beloved Fort Defiance. Just a few short hours away from boarding a jet plane to take me to the Cresent City. But I had to take in one more bike ride over the Brooklyn Bridge. One more time I take in the salty harbor air of Red Hook.St. John is sening me off in style with a classic New Orleans cocktail. I asked him what his favorite NOLA cocktail to make was and he mentioned he

Training for Tales

2010-07-14T13:40:00.003-04:00

So that is what we have been calling it. But, like marathon training, its time to detox a bit before I head to NOLA. Last night was a Birthday hurrah with Tequila cupcakes, Manhattans and pasta at Landmarc. I also saw some great music at Bar 9 from Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds and danced with friends old and new. Once I get to NOLA, things will be busy, but somehow I am not looking

Happy 4th of Ju-Rye!

2010-07-05T09:56:00.009-04:00

For a long time I have been thinking about doing a comprehensive thoughtful post about Rye Whiskey...I mean, this IS RyeGirl after all! But I guess I am lazy (or poor) and I thought if I waited long enough, someone will do it for me. Well that day has arrived. My dear twitter friend and new Daddy Tony Sachs has written a great article on Rye just in time for the 4th of July. He takes us

Great Mexican Cocktails

2010-06-25T19:43:00.000-04:00

You may think that mexican restautants up to my level use fresh lime and agave in La Femme de Agave's margarita. Yes AND...there is one in the east village that goes above and beyond. The La Diablita at Hecho En Dumbo is a glorious mix of Siembra Azul Blanco, fresh ginger juice, and marachino liqueur with home made cherries. The menu says there is a dash of bitters in there too. But Jack says the

Naked Bartending?

2010-06-25T09:35:00.005-04:00

Carlo Romero and Robert Kane get close as they create their all-natural signature cocktails at the Stirrings Naked Bartender Competition. And that is not at all Gay.Honestly, I do not know how I feel about this. My first instinct was to be pissed off that it seemed like no women were included in this competition. Then I was horrified at the casual exploitation of these poor boys. Then I was

2010 Spirited Awards at Tales of the Cocktail

2010-06-18T09:45:00.007-04:00

Mama Needs a New Dress! Its Awards time!The nominees for the 2010 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited awards are out and, like last year, I will be blogging and tweeting live from the event, so if you want to know the winners, tune in here on Saturday July 24th. Make sure you follow me on twitter @NYCBaby!As I vowed last year, there is a chance I will be up on this stage this year when an award is

Top 5 Tales of the Cocktail Seminar Picks

2010-06-15T10:24:00.005-04:00

Its 35 days away from Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Last night at a fantastic Meals on Wheels charity event, a band played a jazzy New Orleans song and my body started dancing that two step. I can't wait to dance on Louisiana soil again!Here are my top 5 picks for seminars at Tales this year:Creative Cocktails and the Power of BrainstormingWed, 21 July 2010The Riverview Room, Hotel

Opening Night at Theatre

2010-06-11T10:39:00.006-04:00

Photo: Guest of a GuestZagat hosted a sneak preview opening of Theatre in Tribeca. Albert Trummer and the lads behind Apothéke created this space as an ode to German cabarets. But the stage isn't for performers, sadly, its for the bar and the bartenders. Still, the locals are pleased to have such a beautiful new cocktail focused bar in the neighborhood. I talked to a neighborhood boy who is

Muy Gracias!

2010-06-09T11:01:00.005-04:00

Punch Girls. Photo: Lush Life ProductionsOne of my favorite haunts, The Summit Bar, and one of my favorite people, Selena Ricks, threw one helluva shindig Sunday night. Latin themed punches were the order of the day along with some tasty tacos and good music to dance too. Punches can be finikiy and they are easy to mess up. But in the hands of pros like Greig Seider at The Summit Bar,

Bramble On!

2010-05-28T10:14:00.006-04:00

The Bramble is known as a popular drink in the UK where bartender Dick Bradcell created it (according to the folks at The Wikitender), but it is based on a much older Jerry Thomas recipe from the 1860's called the Gin Fix. Basically its a combination of lemon, sugar, gin, crushed ice, berry syrup (or liqueur in the Bramble) with seasonal berries. This is a perfect early summer drink and goes

The TRUE Sex and the City Cocktail

2010-05-21T13:23:00.006-04:00

This is clearly NOT Yankee Stadium, but IS how I enjoyed many a game.One of the inside jokes among fellow bloggers at the recent Manhattan Cocktail Classic was the truly horrendous cocktail PR emails we get from groups pushing new Sex and the City cocktails.See, I moved to NYC New Years Eve 1994. On New Years day 1995, I had breakfast next to Sarah Jessica Parker and Mathew Broderick at a Diner

Manhattan Cocktail Classic - Day 4

2010-05-21T10:54:00.005-04:00

Cover and Classic, Closed. Photo: Moses LaboyThis final day of the Classic, I finally had no work! Oh wait..scratch that..I still had my shift at Bar Celona later that night. So I got myself out of bed and hurried down to the Astor Center to finally catch some seminars. Passing through the kitchen again, I was quite impressed with how organized Jeff, Don and the LUPEC ladies had gotten. We

Manhattan Cocktail Classic - Day 3

2010-05-19T12:24:00.005-04:00

Our Beautiful Space on the West Side, aka, my future pied-à-terreToday I had some recovery time in my beautiful Brooklyn pied-à-terre and then headed in for the whirlwind that was the wind up to the Tastemaker's Punch Party. I had left my thyme at home and could not find any at Dean and Deluca. I was running out to try Whole Food in a panic, when Jen Craig and Tad Carducci saved my life...