COCKTAIL RECIPE: Dirty Martini With Black Pepper & Black Olives

Today, a sonata on the Dirty Martini, offering a different interpretation for its fans. Dirty Martinis are typically made with green olive brine and a green olive garnish. This twist on the Dirty Martini recipe below is black olive brine and black olives. For a touch of heat, it infuses the vodka with black peppercorns…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Valentine’s Day Cocktails

If you don’t have romantic plans for Valentine’s Day, how about inviting friends for cocktails? You can set up a bar buffet with pitchers of three or four red or rosy cocktails: Bloody Mary Cranberry Mimosa Cosmopolitan Crantini   Other options: Mulled wine, perfect for February. Kir, white wine poured atop crème de cassis (blackcurrant…
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RECIPE: Saké Hot Toddy For National Hot Toddy Day

[1] A Saké Hot Toddy (photo © Saké One). [2] A Cider Hot Toddy (photo © Hella Cocktail Co.). [3] A Whiskey Hot Toddy (photo © Ruth’s Chris Steak House). [4] A close up on shichi hon yari label, an earthy, rustic style of saké (photo © Englewood Wine Merchants).   January 11th is National…
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FOOD HISTORY: The History Of Toasting To Your Health

  Do you toast to the New Year? If you’ve wondered how the practice originated: It began in pre-history and evolved over the millennia. And for many centuries, a piece of toast was floated in the punch bowl. The scoop:     AN ANCIENT PRACTICE The practice of toasting to someone’s health goes back to…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Bloody Mary Garnishes

[1] Surf & Turf Bloody Mary with bacon and shrimp from The Wayfarer in New York City. They call it “Fully Loaded,” with a celery stalk and a cocktail pick with cheese, olive and cocktail onion (photo © The Wayfarer). [2] The Hanako San Bloody Mary features an octopus tentacle and a skewer of raw…
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