We thought that Cookout USA would be the perfect cookbook for Memorial Day. While not technically the start of summer, for many, Memorial Day signifies the start of summer and grilling season. I love everything about grilling season. The smell of the charcoal and grilling meats, the steamy weather and cold, refreshing drinks. Plus, there are fresh tomatoes, corn and watermelon to name a few of my food favorites! To me, summer, grilling and barbeques … Read more
Tony Abou-Ganim, one of America’s elder statesmen of mixology, recently released Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails, a masterpiece on the subject of Vodka. Vodka is America’s most consumed spirit but is largely on the outs with the cocktail crowd. Mr. Abou-Ganim thinks that this is an unfortunate state of affairs, and I happen to agree with him. The same folks that might be guilty of sneering at the Cosmo or … Read more
In the past, I have featured a number of selections by George Tabor, the author of Judgment of Paris. This week’s Literary Monday is another offering from George Tabor and this time Mr. Tabor explores the wild world of wine tourism in In Search of Bacchus. I have to admit that I am always a teensy bit jealous of Mr. Tabor. First, he was the lone representative of the press to see the ascension of … Read more
A number of years ago, we ventured down to New Orleans for the early parts of Mardi Gras and a tour of New Orleans drinking spots. We loved the dog parade but didn’t really love New Orleans. It wasn’t really what we expected. I had romantic notions of New Orleans. I pictured myself sipping cocktails at historic bars and restaurants and gazing upon Mardi Gras parades. I wasn’t expecting that Bourbon Street would be like … Read more
One of my favorite books from 2011 was the Mad Men Cookbook. I mean, who wouldn’t love the drinking and retro-cool food from the 1950’s and 1960’s. Apparently, one of the authors of the Mad Men Cookbook, Judy Gelman, had an earlier book titled The Book Club Cookbook. This book was right up my alley. I love to read. I love to cook. I love to drink. Well, the book had two of out three … Read more
I recently picked up a copy of George Taber’s book A Toast to Bargain Wines. I couldn’t wait to read the book given that I am a big fan of George Tabor’s Judgment of Paris book, as well as budget wine. This was a book that combined the two of them. And, I appreciated the fact that Mr. Tabor was going to champion “budget wines” or “bargain wines” as he called them. Not surprisingly, I … Read more
This week’s Literary Monday pick is a book filled with fun facts about wine. Most interestingly, the book is authored by Dr. Vine. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist – a book on wine authored by Vine. Dr. Vine has been in the world of wine since 1958 and has many fun stories to share with us. In The Curious World of Wine, we discover the origins of the word “plonk”, along with the origins of … Read more
Natalie Bovis, known as the Liquid Muse, brings us a cocktail book brimming with goodness from gardens and fruit trees in Edible Cocktails. In her tome on drinking your fruits and veggies, Ms. Bovis explores the use of wine, syrups, jams, purees and vinegar as ingredients in the ever burgeoning repertoire of cocktails recipes. If that weren’t enough, Ms. Bovis teaches you how to use meat, dairy and eggs in your drinks too! And don’t … Read more
It’s hard to believe the New Year has started. All of the fun of November and December have been replaced with the self-loathing and sense of deprivation that January brings. After over-indulging in the Old Year, you want to start the New Year afresh. Does this require a cleanse or abstaining from fat, sugar and booze? Seriously, who wants to give up their booze? Not me. But, if you are like most of the girls … Read more
This has to be one of the most interesting cocktail books that I have seen in awhile. A man that the New York Times has dubbed the “Sorcerer of Shaken and Stirred”, Alex Ott brings us the ying and yang of cocktails. To balance the affect of alcohol, Mr. Ott has paired with it with a variety of tinctures, juices and spices. I guess this isn’t surprising given Mr. Ott’s background as a chemist, alchemist, … Read more