Hold On to the Night

More Lush Life Photos here

This past weekend we held our LUPEC/USBG Winter Ball. Early in the planning stages, when the 80's prom theme was suggested, I mentioned that I knew of a great place, and a great band and it just snowballed from there.

We were welcoming members of the USBG Illinois Chapter and had wonderful sponsors on hand to do it up right. Saratoga water, Crif Dogs, Glenmorangie, Hendricks, Sailor Jerry, Zacapa Rum, Don Julio, Absolut Berry Acai, Plymouth Gin, Grand Marnier, Tuthilltown Spirits, Cointreau, Sambuca...oh yes...the punch was very much spiked. And spiked rather well.

My cousin Pete came down to lend his hand in the authentic 80's decorations, music and styling department. And just like real high school, I had a Canadian boyfriend...only this time he is real! Ha ha!

Perfecting the awkward hand hold with your gay Canadian boyfriend

Also just like real HS, when I threw an epic after prom party, I spent more time chaperoning everyone and making sure a good time was had by all than actually drinking and having fun myself. But I did dance my feet raw and was pleased with how the event turned out.

It was great fun having the yearbooks out and finally getting to be the Barbie popular girl. Bunnie England and the New Originals rocked, as usual and Frankie and James stood out as true rock stars. Jamie Gordon and Charles Hardwick literally had the floor bouncing with their rendition of the Beastie Boys "Fight for your right to Paaaaaarrrrtay!" Suck it High School!

What should the theme be next year?

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!

Xante Tasting and USBGNY Luncheon

Mmmmm! In the snow...where are my Dogs?! MUSH!

The fine people at USBGNY (Cocktail Guru Jonathan Pogash) and the Macao Trading Co hosted a luncheon today with the Xante & Heering folks from Sweden. Mixoligist Richard Broni was on hand to whip up some tasty cocktails. Xante does incredibly well in their corner of the world and they are anxious to have more exposure here. Straight I found it sweet and candy like. The pear gets lost in the brown sugar and cognac, but it could add a surprising element to some classic and new cocktails.

A favorite was the Bourbon Bliss, a Xante version of the whiskey sour with mint. Perfect for all day sipping on the porch on a breezy summer's day. Also tasty was the Xante Cucumber Tease with gin, lemon, cucumber and ginger ale and a dry cocktail of Xante, Saki and grapefruit zest.

Nearly 200 years old, Cherry Heering is perhaps most popular in the Blood and Sand and Singapore Sling. It has become a staple in classic cocktail establishments. But Mr. Broni's cocktails take on a fresh fruity vibe that might do very well outside this provincial cocktail geekdom that our corner of New York City has become.

I also had the chance to taste their new Coffee Heering in some cocktails. I first tried this liquor at Tales Of The Cocktail in New Orleans and was very excited. Now, we are still awaiting its launch here in the US, but I was told it should be this Spring. The Coffee Heering, like Brinley Gold Coffee, is also rum based, but adds a layer of dark chocolate flavor. The coffee flavor seems toasted and roasted, almost burned like Starbucks Coffee.

Our favorite cocktail was a sweet burst of lemon, Coffee and a Brandied cherry. Lemon, coffee seemed like a good breakfast drink to myself and Ms. Carmen Operetta (Libation Girl). Clearly most people would be horrified, but I am sure her morning starts after noon, and that is Cocktail-O-Clock to me.

James Menite and myself were quite amused by the very beautiful, very glossy, very European ad campaign for Xante. It is aimed at women, as men are portrayed as dogs, sometimes quite literally pulling a sled and fetching birds, while women pursue activities such as hunting, sledding, croquet. Its nice to see a bit of reverse sexism in liquor ads. I mean, those Jim Beam "Be a real man and rent puppies to pick up chicks" is cute but it does kinda piss me off.

But whatever...these pictures are pretty! Our favorite was the lady lounging in a crew boat while shirtless men rowed. James cast himself as a dainty coxswain with a poodle demanding they row harder, "Abigail likes it fast!"

Indeed, James, indeed.

Come see the Unimaginable Pleasure for yourself here.

Now You're Cookin' with Booze!

I am trying to get into a Vera Wang for the LUPEC/USBGNY Winter Ball next month so I hit the gym this morning..only to see a yummy recipe from Rachel Ray for an upstate NY inspired French Onion Soup. She used NY sharp cheddar, apples and apple cider to give a nice sharp sweet tang to this french classic. I went a bit further by using a touch of Maple Syrup from my cousins, the Pelhams, when my onions would not caramelize, and Applejack Brandy to add that Rye Girl bite!

Try this when you need a cheap yummy soup that fills your house with lovely smells and when you need a good cry. Five onions to chop is not without its hazards. Try wearing goggle..mine were at the gym so I cried like a baby.

French Upstate Canadian Soup
5 large softball sized onions
1/4 cup butter
3 crisp apples
Thyme
Pepper
Salt
1/4 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Applejack Brandy
1 cup Apple Cider
1 quart beef broth

Slice onions and throw over the melted butter in a large pot over medium low heat. Stir in salt pepper and thyme. Cook down til they are caramelized, stirring occasionally for over 1/2 hour. Just before the onions are done, stir in chopped apples and maple syrup. When the mixture is good and gooey, add the brandy, cider and broth. When hot it is ready to serve . Add cheesy toast on top for that bistro style onion soup.