Bramble On!

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 down so well in a variety of forms.

At Fort Defiance we make a version called the Warwick Bramble that uses local black current liqueur from the Warwick Valley. Last year Damon from Prime Meats had a Tequila Bramble on the menu using a tasty reposado.

Using the oaky quality of the Luna Sueno Anjeo, I make my Agave Bramble with fresh black berries and raspberries, lemon and agave nectar for sweetness. I guess it is technically closer to a Fix since I like to keep things simple and paired down to showcase the spirit. But if you have some good berry liqueur hanging around, a floater of it on top couldn't hurt!

If you would like to try my Bramble, I will be serving them tonight at a free tasting at Best Cellars on Broadway between 80th and 81st from 5-8pm.

Bramble on!

Agave Bramble
2 oz Luna Sueno Anejo
1 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz Agave Nectar
2 raspberries
1 blackberry

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake well. Strain and serve in a rocks glass over cracked ice. Garnish with some more fresh berries and lemon wheel.

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!

Creme Yvette

Yhay! Spring Cocktails are here!!

With breathless anticipation, the cocktail literati have awaited the arrival of this violet lady, Creme Yvette. A must for certain classic cocktails such as the Blue Moon and the Aviation, this purple liquor similar to Creme de Violette was lost to time and neglect. But Ron Cooper, who recently celebrated 3 years of St Germain success, has resurrected this brand in a classic old fashioned bottle. His family has owned the rights to this recipe for years, but it fell out of favor and was discontinued in 1969.


No more! I got my hands on a the lady Yvette today at a tasting at Astor Wines and immediately popped it open to mix with some Luna Sueno tequila.








I tweeked a recipe created by myself and Jake Sher from Beekman Bar and Books. Jake originally made it with Monin Violet syrup, Luna Sueno Blanco and chocolate mole bitters. The flora notes of the blanco made for a lovely spring-like pairing with the violet and the chocolate rounds it out nicely.

I tried it later with some Creme de Violette, but I really like it with our lovely lady Yvette. The violet flavor is lighter and there are nice round berry and even some vanilla notes and its a strong proof, but still sweet and smooth. Quite lovely. I christened this drink the Violet Beauregarde after the character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

To celebrate my new beautiful bottle and the lovely Ms. Beauregarde, Reid and I got all dolled up in our best for "smaltzing" around the house and then watched the season premiere of Web Soup.

We are so FABulous! Johnny Weir would be proud!

The Violet Beauregarde
By Jake Sher & Abigail Gullo

2 oz Luna Sueno Blanco
1 1/4 oz Creme Yvette
healthy dash of fresh squeezed Lime juice
3 dashes of Mole Chocolate Bitters

I Love Bartenders Who Play

Last night I had the best Margarita ever using my Luna Sueno Anejo. The very talented Miguel at Toloache in mid-town spent a lot of time smelling and tasting my Tequila. That is good I like that. Tequilas can be so different, like the botanical quality in gins, there there is a host of different flavors you can play with and bring out.

I have always liked the salty briny quality of the Anejo (wonder if it would make for a good Pickleback?), but Miguel found a softer side to it. Not a sure recipe, but what I caught going into the shaker was, Luna Sueno Anejo, Agavero (Tequila liquor with Damiana), lemongrass, and an egg white. This was shaken until frothy and served on the rocks with a beautiful lemongrass garnish.

The taste was outstanding. Fragrant and light with a touch of sweetness, but still the unique flavor of the Anejo came through! I was very impressed. Maybe it was the result of the Damiana, a known aphrodisiac, but it was the best Anejo tequila drink I have ever had! It went very well with the spicy guac and fish tacos we ordered too.

Fish Tacos?! Yum yum yum! Like Thanksgiving!*

I would have loved to have taken a picture, but the drink was finished too fast! I guess I'll just have to go back. But how do I order it again? We didn't even name it!

I guess just ask for Miguel, Lemongrass and Luna Sueno Anejo.

*Obscure Stella joke that probabaly only my sister will get.

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?

Lavender Mint Margaritas

Minty Fresh!

I had a wonderful time at the Luna Sueno tasting this Saturday at Ambassador Spirits. The lovely Gents there were kind enough to pick fresh mint, spearmint (in flower...so pretty) and soft rosemary. My cocktails were a big hit and it was very fun to barter margaritas for the delicious Tacos outside at the street fair on 2nd ave. Thanks boys!

Both these drinks require molesting the herbs with your hands. So keep them clean and you'll hands will smell delicious all day!

The Lavender Mint Margarita
3 oz Luna Sueno Blanco
1 1/2 oz Fresh squeezed lime
1 - 2 oz Lavender Simple Syrup to taste
Mint

Slap the mint and put a few leaves in the shaker with the rest of the ingredients. Shake well and serve on the rocks with a flowering spring of mint. Lavender syrup can be strong depending on the brand or your infusion so add carefully so it doesn't get too sweet.

Rosemary Rester
3 oz Luna Sueno Reposado
1 1/2 oz Fresh squeezed lime
1 - 1/2 oz Agave Syrup to taste
Rosemary

Roll fresh rosemary leaves (pick the off the branch) in you hands and throw in the bottom of a shaker. with the other ingredients. Again the agave can be sweet so add carefully to taste. Strain into a highball glass and add more ice and a sprig of rosemary