Countdown to 2009

2008 was definitely the year of pear and lots of bubbly as well. So what flavor will we be sippin' in '09? Mango perhaps? It's too soon to tell, but you can be sure Martini Talk will bring you the latest, tastiest cocktails in the new year. Here are my faves from 2008.

10. The von Tobel
9. The International Cocktail
8. Clementine Blush Gimlet
7. The Take Off
6. Jamaican Firefly
5. Lemongrass Kicker
4. The Diego Martini
3. Texas Nectar
2. Coda
1. The James-hattan

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!

Happy Holidays!

Looking for a last-minute holiday signature cocktail? How about mixin' up a batch of coquitos. Also know as Puerto Rican egg nog, this creamy, coconut sip is insanely delicious and packs a big punch, which we all know is very much needed when a lot of time with the fam is on tap. One sip, and you'll be singing Mele Kalikimaka in no time (even though that's Hawaiian...).


Coquito
Courtesy of The Food Network
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 (14 oz.) can condensed milk
2 egg yolks
2 cups fresh coconut milk or 1 (15 oz.) can coconut milk
Pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup Bacardi white rum

Place all ingredients in a blender and process for 3 minutes at high speed until frothy. Store in a glass container in the refrigerator and serve chilled, dusted with a little cinnamon.

If I get stuck in Chicago....

Right not I'm in Kansas City on business, waiting to hop a plane to Chicago. There's a good chance I'll get stuck there since one of my flights today has already been canceled, and its major snowin' in NY. But if that happens, I'm not worried. It'll give be an excuse to finally go tiki!

There has been a lot of tiki talk lately on cocktail blogs and magazines. I've been meaning to get some tiki drinks up on Martini Talk, but haven't had time to check out a real tiki bar myself. So if I get stuck in Chi-Town, it's Mai Tai's for me in at new outpost of Trader Vics. Otherwise, I promise to get some tasty recipes from New York up here soon. Stay tuned...

The Original Mai Tai Recipe
Courtesy of The Food Network
1 1/2 oz. Myers's Plantation Rum
1 oz. Cuban Rum
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
1/4 Falernum*
1/2 oz. Cointreau
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash Pernod
1 cup cracked ice
Slice squeezed lime, for garnish
Pineapple spear, for garnish
Mint sprig, for garnish
*Falernum is a lime/ginger based syrup and can be found in some large liquor stores.

Pour all the liquids into a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake for about 30 seconds. Pour it all into a 16-ounce double old-fashioned glass. Garnish with lime slice, pineapple, and mint sprig.

Tis the Season for Bubbly

My 2008 sip of choice? Champagne (more specifically, a little Veuve), and all the bubbly cocktails that go along with it. So I was so excited when Kim Haasarud's 101 Champagne Cocktails arrived in my mailbox. There are so many recipes that are perfect for the holiday season. Here are two to try:



Poinsettia Cocktail
1/2 oz. Combier
3 oz. cranberry juice, chilled
Orange twist
Champagne

In a champagne flute, combine Combier and cranberry juice. Add the orange twist, top with champagne and serve.

Champagne Celebration
Created by Tony Abou Ganim
1 sugar cube
Peychaud's bitters
1/2 oz. Hennessy VSOP
1/2 oz. Combier
Chilled Moet & Chandon White Star
Long orange twist for garnish

Soak the sugar cube in Peychaud's bitters and drop into a champagne flute. Add cognac and Combier. Slowly fill with champagne and garnish with orange twist.

To good health, good fortune, and infinite happiness!

mmmm....White Russians

From today's New York Times, an ode to one of my all-time favorites:

White Russians Arise, This Time at a Bowling Alley

AMONG the significant dates in the history of Kahlúa, the Mexican coffee liqueur, surely March 6, 1998, rates a mention. That was the release date of “The Big Lebowski,” the Coen Brothers movie about an aging slacker who calls himself the Dude, and who, after a thug urinates on his prized rug, becomes caught up in a Chandleresque mystery.

Played with slouchy brio by Jeff Bridges, the Dude’s chief pursuits involve bowling, avoiding work and drinking White Russians, the sweet cocktail made with vodka, Kahlúa and cream or milk.

Click here for the full article.