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Summertime usually brings with it lots of get-togethers with family and friends and fun activities such as outdoor concerts, swimming parties, barbecues, sporting events and beach time. However, this summer we have an intrusive and uninvited guest, COVID19. And, unfortunately, this pandemic brought a whole new meaning to the word “socializing”. Even though it’s going to be a bit more challenging, there are still many activities that can be enjoyed solo or in small groups.  Courtesy of everydayhealth.com Happily, food and drinks will always continue to be part of most festivities. So, with that in mind let’s shake things up a bit and introduce a few spirits and cocktails into your summer fun. Whether you’re watching a sunset from the comfort of home or enjoying a backyard picnic, these spirits are palate pleasers! Tequila Bribón Blanco This tequila is produced from one of the top three tequila families in Mexico. Fully matured seven to ten-year-old agaves are hand-harvested and cooked for 18 hours at 100°C. The agaves are then shredded and the juice is fermented in tanks and then double distilled.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This 100% agave tequila is un-aged, clear in color and has subtle aromas of floral, pepper, fruit notes and savory. These aromas continue onto the palate with coconut, pepper and a trace of floral on the finish. Enjoy on the rocks or in your favorite cocktail. Margarita anyone? Alcohol: 40% 80 proof SRP: $24.99 Tequila Cherry Sunrise. Cocktail recipe courtesy of Bribón. Fill glass with ice and pour the following into it. 1.5 oz Tequila 1.5 oz orange juice 1.5 oz Cherry Heering (pour this to the side, not directly on top)  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum Diplomático is an independent family-owned company located at the foot of the Andes in Venezuela. This rum is a blend of exclusive rum reserves that are aged up to 12 years. It is carefully crafted with attention to detail from the selection of the purest sugar cane honey to fermentation, distillation, then barrel aging, and finally blending the matured spirits.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Seductive aromas of caramel, vanilla and candied orange peel float onto the palate with hints of cinnamon, ginger and toffee. This is a smooth and elegant rum that I feel is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. I have included a cocktail recipe recommended by Diplomático for your tasting pleasure. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $42.99 Signed & Sealed created by Jon Lister, Brand Ambassador UK  Image courtesy of Diplomático Add all the ingredients to a stirring glass, fill with ice, stir and strain Ingredients 40 ml Reserva Exclusiva 30 ml Strawberry infused Cocchi Rosa 3 dashes of Lavender bitters Serve straight up Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey This is the first Irish Whiskey to be named after a woman. Grainne Ni Mháille/Grace O’Malley was a 16th century Irish Pirate Queen. She was born into Irish nobility and was a natural leader, gifted negotiator and a fearless mariner. Grace was far from ordinary, just like this whiskey, which has 46% malt content, one of the highest in the blended whiskey category. It is a special blend that combines whiskeys with age statements from three to ten years old. Each batch of whiskey is aged in a range of barrel types including French oak, ex-bourbon, and ex-rum casks.  Photo is courtesy of Grace O'Malley Aromas of caramel, honey, nuts and orange zest segue onto the palate with hints of malt, vanilla and toasted oak. This is a smooth whiskey that keeps on talking in a long finish. Enjoy neat, over ice or in a cocktail. Below is a cocktail recipe taken from the Grace O’Malley website. Alcohol: 40% SRP: $34.99 MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW WITH GRACE O’MALLEY BLENDED WHISKEY The Manhattan Smoke Show is a variation of the classic Manhattan. This is a boozy cocktail by nature and this version is no different in that respect. The Manhattan Smoke Show uses different spirits from around the world. The base ingredient is Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey. Cherry Liqueur complements the currant and vanilla notes in the whiskey. Vermouth is included and is typical of a Manhattan cocktail. The smokiness in this version comes from the Mezcal, while the Ancho Chile Liqueur also adds a subtle smokiness, spiciness and sweetness to this drink.  Image courtesy of Grace O'Malley MANHATTAN SMOKE SHOW 30ml Grace O'Malley Blended Irish Whiskey (1oz) 20ml Mezcal (.75oz) 15ml Ancho Chile Liqueur by Ancho Reyes (0.5oz) 20ml Heering Cherry Liqueur (0.75oz) 15ml Sweet or Amber Vermouth (0.5oz) Stir all the ingredients together with ice. Strain into a small coupe-style glass and serve. Disaronno Velvet Disaronno is a liqueur made in Italy. It has a very distinct aroma and delicious flavors of almonds called Armelline (the seeds of apricot stone), sweet fruit, Madagascar vanilla and pure caramelized sugar. Disaronno Velvet has all the familiar flavors of the classic version, but it is also creamy and smooth with a touch of chocolate and vanilla.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a refreshing and perfect “cooling off” drink to enjoy throughout the summer. And thanks to its low alcohol content, this cream liqueur is a great alternative to other spirits. The best way to enjoy Disaronno Velvet is to serve it over ice. A dash of Disaronno Velvet in iced coffee is delicious as well! Enjoy! Alcohol: 17% SRP: $29.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Please share your original cocktail recipes with me and I will be happy to publish them! In the meantime, put a smile on your face, rise to the challenge and let’s embrace the summer of 2020.
Until next time, Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com I recently received a gift from friends that visited Mexico. Knowing how much I like to sample wines and spirits, they brought back a bottle of Balurate Tequila Reposado Reserva Especial for me to try.  “Baluarte means fortress. A baluarte is a stronghold that protects all that is valuable. It protects treasures.” Guillermon - Co founder And this is a treasure!  Balurate tequila is made with 100% Tequilana Weber Azul. These blue agaves are grown at Los Altos de Jalisco. Only organic fertilizer is used along with environmentally friendly farming techniques. Once harvested, the agaves are baked in brick ovens for 24 hours. During the sugar extraction in the milling area, only treated water is used. Reposado means “rested” and this tequila is aged in American Oak for a minimum of two months, but usually up to nine months. The tequila is produced in very small batches and then personally numbered and hand tagged.  The Baluarte Reposado Reserva Especial has a very pale yellow color with fruit, spice and vanilla aromas. This tequila is quite different from any other that I have yet to taste. The palate explodes with layers of tropical fruit, pepper and spice. It is beautifully balanced with a long finish that ends with more pepper and hints of herbs and caramel. I can’t imagine drinking this tequila any other way than “neat”. The flavors are so unique, it would be a shame to use it in a mixed drink. Proof: 80 Alcohol: 40%  More wine reviews coming up this week! Have a peaceful Sunday! Cheers! Penina  The temperature in Puerto Vallarta yesterday was a sunny 77 degrees. I enjoyed a few hours basking in the culture, albeit I was 2766 miles away! Through the wonderful hospitality of Puerto Vallarta Tourism, I tasted the local cuisine, learned about the culture and all the fun activities that are available in this magical resort.
There are vacation packages to accommodate everyone including family packages, honeymoon packages…and wait for it…divorce packages! There truly is something for everyone! Most of the resorts are all-inclusive and offer great deals. My afternoon started with two traditional non-alcoholic Mexican beverages, Horchata and Agua de Jamaica. Horchata is made with rice, ground almonds, milk, cinnamon and sugar. It is delicious and not too sweet. Agua de Jamaica is made with dried hibiscus flowers and water. It is prepared much in the same way as brewing tea. It was tart, but refreshing.  Chef Mario Portillo entertained us with stories as he demonstrated and prepared lunch. Mario began his foray into cooking at the age of five when he helped his father prepare omelets. He has been a chef for the past ten years and will be opening his own restaurant in Puerto Vallarta on October 19th. We were served family style salad and Sea Bass with pineapple-smoked puree on top of bean salad with tomatoes, red onion, peppers and cilantro. It was delicious!   The local fish of Puerto Vallarta is Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Marlin, Oysters, Octopus, Mussels and Shrimp. Using quality ingredients from the sea and land, there is ample opportunity to sample local fare while vacationing. Pescado embarazado (pregnant fish) is a typical representation. It is grilled fish on a stick that has been marinated in lime over coals and served with huichol salsa. Another favorite dish is Birria, using goat or lamb which is cooked in a very spicy sauce. Tamales, chiles en nogada, shrimp stew, Pico de Gallo and plantain empanadas are also local favorites.
Of course, what would visiting Mexico be without tasting Tequila or touring a distillery! Tequila is made from the Blue Agave plant that is native to Mexico. Tequila is only produced in the state of Jalisco and a few limited municipalities. There are over 1377 registered brands of Tequila to choose from. In addition to Tequila, Damiana, Mezcal, Xtabentún, and Raicilla are also native Mexican drinks. Damiana is an herbal-based liqueur made from the Damiana herb. Mezcal is a distilled beverage made from any agave plant that grows in Mexico. Xtabentún is made from anise seed and fermented honey that is produced by honeybees from the nectar of xtabentún flowers. Rum is then added to the mixture. Raicilla is a distilled spirit. Although it is similar to Tequila and Mezcal, Raicilla is considered a “moonshine” product. I’m looking forward to hopping on a plane to Puerto Vallarta and hopefully spending more than just a few hours enjoying beautiful weather, great cuisine and a little adventure! Salud! Penina  With Labor Day Weekend fast approaching, everyone is scrambling to lap up the last days of summer. Whether it is traveling by car, plane or the rails, we’re all trying to savor and hold on to summer just a little bit longer.  I recently purchased a bottle of tequila to make margaritas for an “end of the summer” party. Prior to the festivities, I opened the bottle to have a little taste. My friend and I agreed that the tequila was so flavorful, that it might be a shame to mix it with anything else. Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco uses 100% pure Weber Blue Agave to make their tequila. The agave is grown in the lowlands of Jalisco. They take the best of the piñas and chop them into very thick quarters which are then cooked in stainless steel autoclaves. A thicker cut of the distillate is taken giving the tequila a more intense agave flavor. Hence, the name “Cabo Wabo Thick Cut Tequila”. The tequila is double distilled and then immediately bottled in beautiful hand blown artisan bottles. The aromas of sweet fruit and flowers segued onto the palate mingled with an “earthiness”. Traces of vanilla and spice were present on the finish. We found the tequila to be quite smooth with a hint of oiliness. I have yet to try the tequila in a mixed drink, but I’ll be sure to let you know! Alcohol: 40% 80 proof Price: about $35 to $40 Mexican born Sammy Hager, legendary musician of Van Halen, founded Cabo in 1996. The company has since been sold, but Sammy’s name lingers on in association with Cabo. I will definitely have to try Cabo Wabo’s Reposado and Añejo tequila. http://www.cabowabo.com  Have a great Sunday!
Cheers! Penina  Between work, company and tending to forgotten “to do” lists, the week got away from me. So it was nice to enjoy a “TGIF” get together with a friend at the end of the day. We were both feeling the need for a festive drink and decided to order Margaritas. Considering we were at an Italian restaurant, it might have been an odd drink to order. However, the bartender was a spot on mixologist. The drinks came to the table in large wine glasses…perfect!  The drinks carried us through the appetizers and entrées. I never ordered any wine! We dined on bruschettaccio, Caesar salad and Pappardelle with shrimp and arugula in a light lemon broth. And yes, as strange as it may seem, the margaritas complemented our meal.  When I got home, there were some boxes of wine waiting at my front door for me to taste and review. I will have lots to share with you this coming week, starting with some delicious Sicilian wine. Until then… Have a great Saturday!
Cheers! Penina The other evening I enjoyed drinks and a light bite at a friend’s home. I was introduced to Casamigos Tequila and Ripe Bar Juice Agave Margarita. We are now best friends! It was one of the most delicious and refreshing margaritas that I have had in a long time.   George Clooney and Rande Gerber, long time friends and die-hard tequila fans, produce Casamigos Tequila. They wanted to make a smooth tequila that didn’t need the adornments of lime or salt. This 80 proof tequila is distilled in Jalisco, Mexico and made from hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves. It was originally made for just friends & family to enjoy. Casamigos was never intended for release to the public. But lucky for us, it debuted in the U.S. in 2013 and we can now find it on store shelves. If you like your tequila neat, then this is the one for you. Casamigos is clear with a clean edge to it. One can discern a hint of citrus on the nose with a silky tease of vanilla and honey on the palate. http://casamigostequila.com   My host mixed the Casamigos Tequila with Ripe Agave Margarita Bar Juice. This is a delicious blend of lime and orange juice that is lightly sweetened with agave nectar. It was the perfect accompaniment to the tequila. Delicious! Check out their website. https://www.drinkripe.com  It’s hard to believe that the Stanley Cup playoffs have begun. The year flew by so quickly! Last night was Game 1 of the eastern conference first-round series. Unfortunately, the NY Rangers got off to a bad start and lost to the Penguins, 2 to 5. Let’s see what happens tonight! The sun is shining, birds are singing and I’m signing off so that I can be out in nature!
Happy Thursday! Cheers! Penina  It’s Friday and the start of a fun but extremely hot weekend. My plan is to stay indoors with the A/C blasting or seek shade poolside!  I’m finally winding down from quite a busy week. Although most of it was work related, I did take a few hours the other day to do my favorite volunteer work with Puppies Behind Bars. I spent a very sweet time with sixteen-week-old Mabel, who is in training as a service dog. She fed my soul! www.puppiesbehindbars.com  Speaking of winding down…
I got together with a few friends last evening and enjoyed cocktails by the water. I decided to honor the sunset by ordering a Tequila Sunrise. It should really be called a Tequila Sunset, but who am I to argue the point. Supposedly, the cocktail was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s or 1940s and was first served at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The original recipe contained tequila, crème de cassis, lime juice and soda water. In the 1970s Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice of Sausalito, CA created a more modern version with tequila, orange juice and grenadine. It seems that Mick Jagger tried a Tequila Sunrise in 1972 during his American tour and liked it so much that he started ordering them all over America. Here is the recipe: 2.5 oz tequila 5 oz orange juice 1 tsp of grenadine Ice cubes Have a great Friday! Cheers! Penina  Yesterday was another series of juggling and balancing acts. So, I was very happy to meet a friend at the end of the day to wind down, have a drink and laugh a little.  Perhaps it was the warm weather or my mood, but I felt like ordering something more festive than my usual “go to” martini. I ended up drinking a Ginger Margarita. Wow! It was delicious. It is made with Sauza Tres Generaciones Anejo Tequila, Cointreau and Ginger-Lime Syrup. Sometimes it’s good for the soul to shake things up a little. It certainly brightened my spirits! I’m off to tackle another day. I hope yours is a good one!
Happy Thursday! Cheers! Penina |
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