Manhattan Cocktail Classic - Day 4

Cover and Classic, Closed. Photo: Moses Laboy

This 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 have all learned so much from running this event and being Montessori trained, I believe you have to DO in order to LEARN. And Boy, we did a lot this week. Some practical things I learned:

• You can kill two Kold Draft Machines in less than a day
• Be organized when cleaning out a room, slop buckets, wheeled racks
• Make the dishwasher not hate you and do the above, please
• People need water..and lots of it
• People need good food...and lots of it
• Follow through and complete a task
• When you are physically exhausted and possibly drunk, it is really hard to follow through and complete a task
• Its a huge waste to make full cocktails and maybe tasting cups should be in order...
• Then again...certain cocktail need certain glassware and plastic cups are a waste
• Presenters get really really nervous
• Cocktail competitors get really really nervous
• ALWAYS have a full Kitchen when doing an event.
• Surround yourself with people who will get the job done...these people may not be your friends
• Learn to delegate
• Just because a drink looks good, does not mean it tastes good
• Math skills are important for batching...but so is tasting.
• Rotate long shifts so no one feels stuck
• Then again, pick a job and stick to it
• Air Conditioning, bathrooms, lights...these are all important things
• Inventory is important. Make a list and check it twice!
• Its nice to get paid
• Take too many jobs with too many brands and you really can't do your best for yourself or the brand
• But then again, its nice to get paid
• Walk away when you feel like you cannot do any good
• Be ready to jump in when you are needed to do good
• Be very thankful and gracious
• Get some sleep!

Cinco De Mayo

Margarite De Lavende

As the reigning Femme De Agave, you know I am very busy this week.

There is a tasting at Astor Wine & Spirits from 6-8 featuring Luna Sueno and pico de gallo and Guacamole from La Palapa in the village. There will also be a tasting of the Luna Sueno Anejo with the handsome and talented Micheal at Best Cellars on Broadway on the Upper West Side.

I am stopping by Cabrito for their celebration with @rklas since Chef David Schuttenberg (@chefcabritodave) has challenged me to a Family Meal showdown. I am going to broker terms to the challenge and perhaps accept his plea for mercy as there is NO WAY he can compete with the family meal at Fort Defiance. You are going DOWN, Dave!

Then it is off to Bar Celona for Spicy Luna Sueno Margaritas by the pitcher and Beer and a shot of Luna specials.

Hope you can join me in the revelry!

Gin, Sin and Men

I have to quote the great LeNell in my post title because, yes, I have been distracted by all of the above and neglecting my poor blog. Well, actually its more like work getting in the way and that is a sin 'cuz I got no time for men!

With the stretch of good weather we have been having I have been trying to take advantage and sell some rum and tequila for Mojito and Margarita season on the horizon! Also with this great weather I have been riding the bike around a lot (Bike butt!) and want to use it on some sales calls. Can you see me with saddlebags on my bike full of booze? Literally "pedaling" my wares...Har har har. But seriously, how else am I gonna get to Red Hook?

But if there is one thing true in my post title, it would be the Gin. Yesterday Beefeater and Plymouth hosted a Gin Symposium in the beautiful Great Room of the W Hotel in Union Square. I have so much to write about, and shall, once I get a free moment to translate my scribbly notes.

In the meantime, its raining now, my bike butt hurts and I have to go out sell and then have Bar Celona all to myself. So come visit! I will be your waitress/bar wench..and I have some nice new gin cocktails! Perfect for Tuesday night Sinnin'!

Behind The Stick Again!

The Paellarinha

Tonight I start my first shift at Bar Celona in Williamsburg. So come down and give me some money! I will make you tasty drinks and feed you scrumptious food!

Hearts and Cocktails for Haiti

Lush Life indeed! Photo by Lush Life Productions

Last night the Industry folks came together to give some love back to Haiti and the American Red Cross. Organized by Ray Raymond of Leblon Cachaca and Dave Catania of Team Spirits Imports, Hearts and Cocktails for Haiti filled Williamsburg's Bar Celona with good food, drinks and company.

Yours truly got to take the first shift behind the bar. I must say it was an honor to be behind the stick with bartenders I hold in such high regard, such as Clif Travers, Esteban Ordonez, Leo DeGroff and the gifted mixers at Contemporary cocktails. I made my Lavender Mint Margarita with Luna Sueno Blanco, which I was debating renaming the Purple Rose of Jalisco. Naming everything Margarita, just because it uses tequila and lime is getting quite tiresome. And I am confident enough in my cocktails now to give them the names they deserve. This one, in fact, got rave reviews last night!

The Purple Rose of Jalisco?

There we many other delicious drinks and punches too, from the USGBNY, LUPEC, The Rhum Rhum Room and many other generous sponsors and companies. Jill DeGroff was also on had to sign copies of her book, Lush Life. Seeing her great big warm smile is always such a pleasure. She was in full artist mode as well, sketching and drawing the local talent. I really do feel like I am in a wonderful community of artists and bon vivants! Maybe I can finally start hosting that salon at a round table in the Algonquin like I always dreamed of. Can someone sponsor that for me? Maybe that is what The Alchemy Project will turn into!! Hoo boy!

I brought my friend Kim to celebrate her birthday this night and she really hit it off with Ray's mother and sister by the warm fireplace. Two girls; one from Arkansas and the other from Haiti. This is a remarkable country and a wonderful industry that brings such delightful people together in the name of good spirit and fine spirits!

Together I hope we raised a lot of money for the Red Cross and their relief efforts in Haiti that will be going on long after the party fades.

I know we certainly raised some spirits! Many many Spirits!

Drinkin' Good in all Neighborhoods

Had a busy day starting at Los Feliz for the very excellent Agave Luncheon thrown by our very own John Pomeroy. The food, spirits and company we all top notch. I did not win some raffle sway, but was happy to see my basket of witchcraft goodies go to the most deserving Lynette, my LUPEC sister!

Then it was off to Bar Celona for more great food, spirits and company. Cliff and I had a good laugh about washing down my pre-natal vitamins with tequila (fingers crossed!) He introduced us to a new drink called The Mexican, inspired by Hemingways' frequent travels between Mexico and Cuba. I wonder if he visited Freida and Diego...It was an intoxicating mix of lime, brown sugar, Rum (Chairman's Reserve) and Tequila (Luna Sueno, natch).

Bartender's Choice at Bar Celona

We made another stop at Yerba Buena where I had a yummy moeito with a gorgeous big block of ice and julep spoon...FUN! The desserts looked good there..but it was time to go home... ...Or was it? Walking the dog I spyed my old friend Luis sitting at the bar in my local 181. So I stopped in for a beer and a chat. There I discovered that the bartender Abram had invented his own twist on the Manhattan...the Upper Manhattan! It has muddled ginger, orange, cherries and bitters with bourbon and sweet vermouth...Lovely! Just like darling Abram here.

The Upper Manhattan

This picture reminds me that Valentine's day is coming and I'd love to do something for the ladies and post a sexy bartender every week on the bar in a state of undress. Babes on the Bar...Hot! I know I want Justin and Frank and I suppose Jason will just HAVE to a be a part of it too.

Who is game, boys?