Archives for May, 2008

The Black Manhattan

188px-shabbybooz_cynar_double.jpgA quick search of cocktail recipes will find a class of drinks called “the Black Manhattan.” Many substitute Irish Whiskey for Bourbon (or Rye). Others substitute an amaro for the sweet vermouth.

Basically, these all drinks are extensions of the classic Manhattan recipe (3 parts Rye or Bourbon, 1 part sweet vermouth, bitters), shaded towards the bitter side.


Here’s my current favorite:

Black Manhattan
a darker, more bitter version of the original

3 ounces Russell’s Rye
3/4 ounce Cynar
dash Fee Brother’s Orange Bitters

stir briskly, serve up with a cherry

The original Manhattan can seem too sweet to some. Not this one.

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05/21/2008 | Spirits | 1 Comment

How about a Texas Flight?

Camper English (who blogs at www.alcademics.com) recently posed a question:

“So now I need a word or phrase that describes having every drink on the menu in one night – the cocktail menu equivalent of a triple crown or marathon or Iron Man.”

For me, the answer was easy. Here’s my logic:

  • Trying three or more glasses of wine (or food or cocktails, for that matter) is called a “flight.”
  • In golf, a team scoring method where the strokes of several players contribute to the final score is called a “Texas Scramble.”

Writing here from Houston (where the cliche is we do everything in a big way), a cocktail adventure where a team of cocktailians together have every drink on the menu in one night sure sounds like a “Texas Flight.”

05/21/2008 | Spirits | No Comments

Houston Wine Geeks at 13 Celsius

June 4, 2008

global_3107490.jpgScared of WineSpeak?Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?

Houston Wine Geeks is a group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.

This is the first meet-up after I take the Certified Specialist of Wine Exam (CSW) in New Orleans on May 31, 2008. Come celebrate!

The Houston Wine Geeks weekly meetings are my study group. I’m sharing what I learn and I’m there to learn from you, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

  • There’s no fee!
  • Each attendee pays for their own wine and food.
  • Meetings start at 6:30pm in a wine bar somewhere in the Houston area and last about an hour.
  • Some people stay around after the meeting to enjoy the venue and the company.
  Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every week or come when you can!

FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you!

Our Meeting

Join us at 13 Celsius (Midtown/Downtown near Toyota Center). We’ll be at this location for a few weeks as we check out everything they have to offer.

13 Celsius Wine Bar
3000 Caroline St
Houston TX 77004
(713) 529-8466
www.13celsius.com

About 13 Celsius

13 Celsius is the optimal temperature to store and maintain the integrity of great wine. With an aim toward providing Houston with the best wine possible, 13 Celsius prides itself as the only wine bar in town to actually keep its wine in a temperature-controlled cellar. Located in the heart of Midtown, this circa-1927 Mediterranean-style building creates an atmosphere reminiscent of the wine bars and Enotecas of Europe. We have an open air courtyard, luxurious seating, and nearly 40 feet of white marble bar from which one can partake from a bold and unique wine list focused on low-production, high-quality wines. We also offer choice meats and cheeses from Joseph’s Cooler to accompany and enhance the total wine experience. We serve locally roasted espresso from the finest of European machines. Come at night for a glass of wine and take home a retail-priced bottle or two.

05/14/2008 | Events, Wine | No Comments

The Carousel Lounge’s Vieux Carre

monteleone.jpgA couple who are friends of mine are going to New Orleans for the Memorial Day Weekend.

“Be sure to find Marvin Allen at the Monteleone Carousel Lounge and order a Vieux Carre,” I told Barbara. Somehow, just because I visit there every other month or so, I’m supposed to be an expert on everything New Orleans.

“What’s a Vieux Carre and how do you spell it?” Barbara asked as George furiously wrote down my suggestion on a cocktail napkin.

“Not sure how to spell it, exactly. It’s French. Who can spell in French?” I replied. “You don’t have to spell it right or pronounce it right, Marvin will know what you want.”

Vieux Carre Cocktail

1/2 ounce rye whiskey
1/2 ounce cognac
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1/2 teaspoon Benedictine
dash Peychaud’s bitters
dash Angostura bitters

Shake, serve on the rocks with a twist of lemon

Vieux Carre is the traditional French name for the French Quarter and this classic drink is hard to find elsewhere.

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05/08/2008 | Spirits | No Comments