Thursday Happy Hour: Cocktail Recipes, Drinks, Music, and Good Times

Champagne Cocktail

Embracing the Old and the New

After eating a ton of appetizers -- including an experimental bite of seared foie gras; afterall, 2010 is the year for trying new things -- with two of our favorite people, we roll over to an old school hotel bar. Sinking into a dark, vinyl booth, we take it all in.  The hazy paintings of lounging women, the piano player who apparently can play anything, the mustachioed bartender in suspenders, the older couple dancing.

Why don't we get out more often? 

The server suggested a beer, martini, or a Champagne cocktail. Seriously? Yeah, I'll have one of those. Then recreate it for you later.

Here's to an amazing 2010. Cheers!

Electra California Orange Muscat Wine 2007

Serious Cleaning

From the dead pine needles on the carpet, strewn silver tinsel that seems to multiply, and remnants of ripped-open Christmas presents, my house was in desperate need of an overhaul.

But after hours of scrubbing, sweeping, mopping and dusting, I was in desperate need of some relaxation.

Time to replenish with some squares of very dark chocolate with a glass of fruity effervescent Muscat, a gift from my friend Sally.

Scaldis Noel

California Dreamin' . . . of a White Christmas

My trip to the northeast has been planned for months, and I'm really looking forward to trading in palm trees and sandy beaches for a little snow and some mistletoe.

But in the meantime, feeling festive is a tough task. Sunny and 70 degrees does not the Christmas spirit kindle.

Thank goodness the local pubs have packed their taps with holiday ales to help us all get in the jingle bell mood.

I've found three great holiday beers on tap. My favorite so far: Scaldis Noel.

Homemade Aromatic Bitters

Come, Dasher

My sister's baking a chocolate cake for tonight's dessert. I'm baking apple and pear crisps. Mom's brining (yes, that's spelled right!) a ham. The combination of foods will probably be divine, but it may also cause a well-worth-it tummy ache. Thank goodness for bitters. A dash or three of this herb-infused alcohol in your drink should aid in digestion. Not to mention create a well-balanced cocktail.

And we just happened to make some.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Let the Noshing Begin!

With the seemingly endless stream of holiday parties this time of year comes the equally endless array of chips, dips, crackers, and cheese spreads. (And, of course, the subsequent vow to hit the gym come January 1st.) But nevermind that for now—let's enjoy the snacking while we can.

And while we're at it, how about a fruity glass of Sauvignon Blanc with a homemade cheese spread?

Ballast Point Victory at Sea

Favorite Haunts, Friendly Faces, and New Beers

It had been awhile since I’d hung out at my favorite watering hole, so I spent a recent evening there with the Thursday regulars. Good times, great people, and a football game on the big screen to boot.

But I decided to shake things up a little and try a new beer -- a Ballast Point Victory at Sea.

I’m not a porter drinker typically, which is probably why I had avoided this great local beer until now. But all the rumors had me intrigued. (“It’s like chocolate in a glass!” one friend assured me). Plus, it was on cask tonight. An extra special treat.

I sipped my pint and by the second swallow was wondering why in the world I had waited so long to claim my first Victory at Sea . . .

Bronx

Aromatherapy

It may be dark and damp outside, but it's bright and warm somewhere, because the oranges are only pennies per pound at the market. Juicing a pile of oranges and making orange peel twists for cocktails is like winter therapy; the orange oils from the peels spritz the kitchen. By the time our guests are knocking, the wet, tense commute is a just a foggy memory.

Mulled Red Wine

Baking and Simmering

The weather outside is frightful. Dreadful, really. Right now it's about 4 degrees, and despite the beautiful blanket of snow on the ground, I'm especially grateful to be indoors. And baking. The two week countdown to Christmas is on, so it's time to pull out the cookie recipes of Christmases past and get to work measuring, mixing, and rolling.

First, though, I'll need to do a bit of simmering--mulled wine, that is.

Alpine Duet IPA

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

I’m a little afraid of heights. But I wasn’t going to let it stop me from checking out the wild and wonderful (and safe, they tell me) world of indoor rock climbing.

My climbing partner has skills, so I felt I was in good hands. Plus, there were all those belts and hooks and ropes and things to keep me from plummeting back to the ground . . . right?

As I neared the top of my last line for the day, my arms gave out and off I fell. I didn’t even have time to panic before my harness and line caught me. And my partner on the ground gently lowered me back down.

Canadian Coffee

Warm Their Hearts

Stomping boots, dripping umbrellas and coats reluctantly peeling off -- not a relaxing start to a little after-dinner happy hour at the house with the parents, but definitely an invigorating one. My priority: warm up their insides while the furnace starts clanking.

If we weren't so full, I'd heat spiced cider in the teapot and then spike each steamy cup with the leftover Applejack or rum. But G is already grinding the French roast and I know what he has in mind.

Heavy cream, maple syrup, and just an ounce of a secret ingredient we won't mention till the cups are emptied... it's sure to add a little spark to the night.

Penfolds Koonunga Hills Shiraz-Cabernet 2006

Second Chances

Last Sunday night, too tuckered to prepare a family meal at home, I suggested we take the kids out for dinner. It was blustery, perfect cause to visit our favorite Irish pub with its dark wood paneling, dim lights, and steaming, savory meat pies.

Set to order my favorite Shepherd's Pie, covered with a crust of creamy mashed potatoes, I surveyed the wine list and settled on a Shiraz/Cabernet blend from Australia. The wine was served in a homey, stemless wine glass, a fitting touch for the cozy surroundings. But on first taste, I was disappointed. A slight bitterness worried me that I'd made a poor choice.

But that all changed—after my food arrived.

Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard

Let's Have a Pickle Party! One, Two, Three . . .

Where I grew up, vegetable gardens were like mailboxes. Every house had one.

And every garden had at least one bumper crop each year -- something that you got completely sick of eating after a while. So you stored it away in vacuum-sealed jars and hid it in the basement.

I have a different feeling about the farmer’s market items that my city-dweller friends and I pickled a few weeks ago. I can’t wait to taste them.

I am whipping up a Colby-Jack grilled cheese sandwich on sourdough, with pieces of our pickled eggplant stuffed inside. Picked red onions are divine, too.

And I’ll wash it down with an Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale, a premium brew with caramel, malt, grapefruit, and nut flavors, and smooth oak lingering over a slightly bitter finish. A nice standup to the vinegary, spicy eggplant and the creamy, gooey cheese.

Only problem is, I can’t see myself getting tired of the eggplant. Or the beer.

The Jack Rose

Breaking Tradition (and Making New Ones)

Ask our friends and family, and they'll tell you we are not your typical, traditional couple. We've broken tradition so many times now that that in itself seems to be our tradition. That includes when it comes to making traditional or popular cocktails.

For our visiting pals, we made a great classic cocktail -- that was the request --  but one we were sure no one in the room had tasted: the Jack Rose made with Laird's Applejack. A beautiful rose color (thus the name) with a fruity and floral bite. Much like it's more tame cousin, the Sidecar, this drink goes down easy and looks good doing it.

We've made a new space behind the bar for Laird's and hope this traditional spirit will find its way into more new classics.

2006 Carmel Road Chardonnay

Post-Holiday Traditions

Sick of leftovers yet? Turkey sandwiches, turkey casserole, turkey stir fry—this week in my house we've had them all. But there's one post-Thanksgiving tradition that I don't think I'll ever tire of: Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup.

There's just something about the savory smell of turkey stock boiling away all day that brings me back to my childhood, reminding me of Mom's cooking. It makes the house perfectly warm and cozy, a respite from the growing chill outside. I look forward to making turkey stock every year.

Now, all I need is a great wine to perfect this post-holiday tradition.