Spirited Cocktails

Wild Times

Josh — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:47:17 +0000

I’ve had a crazy year. Some may even call that an understatement. It’s been a year packed with radical change, both personal and professional, which has often kept me from my duly appointed drinking rounds. Though let’s be honest: I’ve still managed to sneak in a few cocktails here and there.

I certainly can’t complain. I’m as happy as I’ve ever been, with the small exception of the sadness that comes from the reduced frequency at which I see my friends in the cocktail world. But life is good. And those friendships – for which I am truly grateful – are steadfast, and shall perservere.

So while I haven’t written here nearly as often as I’d like, know that as 2011 comes to a close, all is well, and there’s more to come. I wish you and your families a holiday season filled with health and happiness, prosperity and peace. May we all share a drink in 2012.

Until then, (with Pappy van Winkle 20yr in hand) cheers to you.

-Josh

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Beautiful Combinations: Tequila & Chartreuse

Josh — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:58:16 +0000

I have a confession to make. I don’t love tequila.

I know. “For shame!” you shout. “Blasphemy!” But it’s true. All things being equal, I would always prefer a cocktail with gin, rum or whisky over the agave spirits (which includes mezcal as well…gasp!) It may be that my palette tends more towards the sweet or bitter vs. the savory flavor or smokiness of tequila. Or it may be that many years ago, at my 22nd birthday bash, a kind benefactor started buying my friends and I shots of tequila to celebrate (no doubt the best brand available at our college-town dive bar), and I ended the night sicker than I had ever been (or since).

So maybe my dislike isn’t fair. Of course I know that there are far superior brands than the one that ruined the day after my 22nd birthday. In my defense, I’ve been working to break myself of this dislike, and I’ve found a terrific way to easy myself back in. The beautiful combination that is tequila and green chartreuse.

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The Way to Go

Josh — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:15:50 +0000

Last night, I joined hundreds of Ray Deter’s friends and fans, along with his family, to pay tribute to Ray with a New Orleans-style Second Line march. (Deter died on July 3rd after a bicycle accident.) Musicians from New York and New Orleans led the gathered crowd from d.b.a., on First Avenue and Second St, around the block past Marble Cemetery where Ray will be laid to rest, then through the East Village to 6th St. between Avenue B & Avenue C, where Ray lived.

I took a moment to capture just a short piece of video, to give you a sense of the atmosphere of the occasion:

It was easily the most touching send off I have ever experienced. It surpassed the cliche, and truly was a celebration of Ray’s life. I wish this tradition existed more often outside of New Orleans. In my mind, it’s the way to go.

Many gathered back at d.b.a. after the march to toast Ray’s memory. Good beer was free flowing, as I’m sure Ray would have liked it. EV Grieve has more photos of the gathering.

Cheers,
Josh

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A Toast to Ray

Josh — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:56:47 +0000

I’d like to take a moment to remember Ray Deter, owner of the famed beer and whisky bar d.b.a. here in New York and in New Orleans. Ray passed away this past Sunday, July 3rd, as a result of injuries he sustained in a bicycle accident last week.

I wasn’t around when d.b.a. burst onto the scene in New York in the 90′s, but by all accounts, Ray – and his partner Dennis – in many ways transformed drinking in New York. They were pioneers in helping to introduce the craft of beer (and later whisky) to a city that had been languishing in mass-produced malted water for far too long.

I came to really know d.b.a. much later, through my good friend Simon Glenn, who hosts Tchoup Shop – a pop-up New Orleans barbecue in the backyard of d.b.a brooklyn every Sunday during the summer. I went to d.b.a. for the good food and friends, but found a wonderful community of people, and a new appreciation for truly good beer. I’m grateful for both.
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We’ve Got a New Look

Josh — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:40:06 +0000

You may have noticed that we have a new look. (Though if you’re reading this by RSS or e-mail, maybe not. Click here.)

After over two years of writing Spirited Cocktails (granted, somewhat intermittently), and having created the site on my own from a canned template, I thought it was about time for a more professional look that was in line with what we do. I turned to the expert guidance and skill of Orion Harbour of FromNoise, who masterfully crafted what can only be described as a complete identity for Spirited Cocktails. I think he’s done a damned fine job.

Let us know what you think of the new look. Questions, comments, tirades, etc. all welcome.

Cheers,
Josh

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The Fight Over Painkiller

Josh — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:20:31 +0000

A few weeks ago, during the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, I told you about my visit to Painkiller. After only a year in business, this Lower East Side tiki bar has become an instant classic, and a favorite among bartenders and cocktailians around the country, myself included.

Well, as you may have seen on Twitter or Facebook yesterday, Painkiller has found themselves in a legal dispute over their name. Pusser’s Rum, a brand based in the British Virgin Islands, claims a trademark to the name Painkiller, and filed suit in federal court against the bar’s owners claiming irreparable harm to its brand, unfair competition and unfair business practices. You can read all about it via The LoDown or Robert Simonson.

The result: Painkiller’s owners – Giuseppe Gonzalez and Richard Boccato – have agreed, according to The LoDown:
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The Negroni

Josh — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:03:08 +0000

In my last post, I wrote about gin cocktails at Eleven Madison Park. Many of my cocktail friends know that I’m a latecomer to the Negroni, having not been a particular fan of Campari in the past, which is a key ingredient. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t been a good fit with my taste. But to me, the highlight of my afternoon at Eleven Madison Park was the Negroni cocktail, so I thought it would be worth a bit more discussion.

As I started to write about this cocktail, my mind went to that joke about The Aristocrats? Content of the joke aside, the idea is that every comedian has their own version of the joke, and having a version of your own is seen as something of a secret handshake among comedians. I think the Negroni is the Aristocrats of the cocktail world. It’s a perfect template, but everyone has their own version.
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MCC 2011 – British Invasion at Eleven Madison Park

Josh — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:22:32 +0000

Simon Ford of Pernod Ricard and Will Guidara of Eleven Madison Park with the British Invasion Crew

I know – finally. This post is long overdue, but you know what they say: save the best for last.

On the Sunday of the Manhattan Cocktail Classic, the British Invasion event was held at Eleven Madison Park. The event was sponsored by the gin portfolio of Pernod Ricard (Beefeater, Beefeater 24 and Plymouth), and featured classic gin cocktails including the Pimm’s Cup, the Tom Collins, the South Side, and the Negroni. To accompany these delicious gin cocktails? Fish and Chips a la Eleven Madison Park (which is to say, the best fish and chips you’ve ever had). All this, served al fresco on the patio of the restaurant opposite Madison Square Park, with The Crooners (regulars at Eleven Madison Park) playing through the Beatles catalog. What could possibly be bad?
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Interlude: The Emotional Impact of a Manhattan

Josh — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:40:31 +0000

Editor’s Note: I meant for my next post to be a wrap-up of my time at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic with a recap of the British Invasion event at Eleven Madison Park. I promise – that’ll come next. First, I wanted to share this long-overdue story, as it was relayed to me by my good friend Michael this past holiday season. Michael and I worked together years ago, and have stayed in touch via Facebook, talking mostly about food, drink and guitars (mutual interests, all). I found Mike’s story to be a very touching tribute, and a commentary on the emotional energy that can be unleashed by taking a drink in your hand and raising it to one we love, so I wanted to share it with all of you.

As told to me via e-mail by Michael Feuda, December 24, 2010:

Growing up, I have vivid memories of my Dad and Uncle Al (twin brothers) mixing up Manhattans every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My sister and I were always curiously drawn to watching them, mainly because of the little jar of maraschino cherries. I remember my Uncle poking one with the little plastic buccaneer’s sword, and handing it to me, only to roll in laughter as my sister or I tried it; watching our faces as the bourbon-soaked cherry burned going down our throats. I also remember thinking to myself, “How could anyone ever drink that? It tastes horrible.”
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MCC 2011 – Behind The Bar: Painkiller

Josh — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:28:22 +0000

In some fit of insanity while planning my agenda for the 2011 Manhattan Cocktail Classic, I chose to schedule a Behind the Bar session at Painkiller early in the afternoon on the day following The Gala. As excited as I was to learn more about the bar that is leading the Tiki Revolution, I was dreading another drink so soon after the prior evening’s revelry; especially from a bartender as renowned for knocking his patrons on their asses as proprietor Giuseppe González. Fortunately, he was relatively kind!

Painkiller is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, and in its short life to-date (they just celebrated their one year anniversary earlier this month), it already has a reputation. Ask anyone who has been there about their Painkiller experience and more likely than not, they remember simply that they enjoyed it; not much else! But Painkiller has also established their reputation as a world-class cocktail bar, particularly in the tiki style. Not a surprise, given the pedigree of owning partners Giuseppe González (Flatiron Lounge, Clover Club) and Richard Boccato (Little Branch, Dutch Kills).
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