TIP OF THE DAY: Black Cocktails For Black Friday

It’s Black Friday. When you get back from fighting the crowds, it’s time for a black cocktail. Trouble is, the well known “black” cocktails, like the Black Russian, actually brown. But there are options, including using the first three ingredients to color any clear spirit (clear liqueurs, gin, tequila, rum, etc.): Black vodka Black food…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Holiday Martini With A Side Of Olives

If you’re not the type to sip seasonal cocktails with apple, cinnamon, cranberry or pumpkin flavors, here’s a tip to seasonalize that American classic, the Martini*. Recently we read an interview with a fashionable mixologist. Asked, among other things, of his pet peeves, he said, “I sell cocktails, I don’t sell garnishes. Everyone who orders…
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GIFT OF THE DAY: Make-Your-Own-Bitters Kit

This kit from Hella enables any mixologist or hopeful to craft his/her small-batch bitters (photos courtesy Hella Company).   The creative mixologists in your life can perfect their own, homemade bitters recipes for cocktails and mocktails. You can also make coffee and iced coffee more sophisticated with a dash of bitters (check it out). The…
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HOLIDAY: National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day

November 7th is National Bittersweet Chocolate With Almonds Day (National Almond Day is February 16th, National Chocolate Day is October 28th, National Milk Chocolate Day is July 28, National White Chocolate Day is September 22…and National Chocolate With Almonds Day is July 8th [hold the bittersweet]). Most celebrants would run out for a dark chocolate…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Ways To Use Fresh Sage, From Cocktails Through Dessert

We love fresh sage, but seem to use it mostly in the fall. We use it in stuffing, flash-fried as a garnish, and with cocktails. But of course, you can enjoy it year-round. It’s a standard herb blend with parsley, rosemary and thyme, a key component of poultry and sausage seasonings. Our mom put fresh…
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