I have a real problem with this stuff. The problem is, I can't get enough of it!
Patron XO Cafe is a premium coffee cordial made with Patron Silver tequila. I don't know what kind of coffee they use, but regardless, it kicks Kahlua's butt! XO Cafe is rich and sweet with the best coffee flavor I've ever tasted in a coffee liqueur. At 35%, this packs a little more punch than your average coffee cordial but the alcohol is completely in balance with the sweet coffee goodness.
I have come across a few die-hard Kahlua drinkers who think it's too strong, but most people I pour a sip for love it. For that matter, most buy a bottle immediately after they taste this little luxury.
Speaking of luxury, you probably assume that like most Patron products, it's not cheap. Happily, it's one of the least expensive items in their profile. With Patron's tequila's ranging from $50 to $60 per fifth (excluding the pricy Patron Platinum of course), XO Cafe weighs in at a paltry $23-25. And pint's are available for a measly $14.
Many bars and restaurants now serve XO and bartenders are discovering it's mixability. Though it's perfect straight or on the rocks, it's delicious mixed with Baileys (which I call an Irish Mexican) or with half and half. However, it's not so good in coffee. It just tastes like you just put tequila in your coffee. Not exciting. But pour it over chocolate, vanilla or coffee ice cream and prepare to melt. YUM! I have not gotten to play much with the mixology of this lovely liqueur but I'm sure there are a million other concoctions to come up with. If you discover a delicious drink made with XO, drop the recipe in my comments.
Till then...
Keep on Buzzin!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Pinot File: Cono Sur Pinot Noir
Sideways caused a craze, but pop-culture or no, I've always loved Pinot Noir. Coincidentally, I've always hated F-ing Merlot.
Honestly, the first time I tasted Pinot I found it to be too dry and have a slightly thin texture that I didn't like. However, it was the first red wine I ever tried. It just wasn't fat and fruity enough for me back in my vino infancy. I tried a glass Kenwood, Jack London Zinfandel after that and it was love at first sip. It took a while for my palate to develop a taste for Pinot, but as I tasted more and learned more about it, I grew more of an appreciation for this fickle little grape and all its delicious subtleties.
If you want to gain some Pinot perspective yourself, this wine is a good step without spending a lot of money on a wine that is not the fruit bomb you're used to.
There are many Pinot Noir's out there for around $10, but most of them don't taste much like Pinot. Many lesser expensive Pinot's are commonly fortified with Syrah, but they don't have to mention that fact unless it contains more than 25%. Adding Syrah will beef up the fruitiness of a Pinot, but more importantly, it beef's up the overall yield so producers can get more bottles out of one harvest.
If this inexpensive Pinot contains any Syrah, it doesn't matter because it still tastes like Pinot Noir.
Vina Cono Sur is located in Chimbarongo, Chile and they strive to produce some of the best Pinot Noir in Chile. Although the bottle I tried is from their "good value" profile, they definitely know what they're doing with Pinot. Burgundian producer Martin Prieur was brought to Chile to choose the best places to plant Pinot grapes and teach them classic Burgundian winemaking techniques.
Though Vina Cono Sur produce very fine and expensive Pinot Noirs, some of that juice undoubtedly goes into this bottle that I got for $11. This Pinot exhibits lovely flavors of pomegranate, bright cherry and black tea. The tannins are as subtle as they should be and there is just enough oak to give it some roundness and a bit of spice. Though the reddish-purple hue and the medium body style suggests that there may indeed be some Syrah in this bottle, it remains an inexpensive and fruit forward introduction to Pinot Noir.
But this is not just an introductory Pinot. It's an easy drinker and great for every day meals or just leisurely sipping. Pinot newbies and Pinot pros alike will love this Chilean beauty. And coming in under $15 makes it all the easier to love.
Honestly, the first time I tasted Pinot I found it to be too dry and have a slightly thin texture that I didn't like. However, it was the first red wine I ever tried. It just wasn't fat and fruity enough for me back in my vino infancy. I tried a glass Kenwood, Jack London Zinfandel after that and it was love at first sip. It took a while for my palate to develop a taste for Pinot, but as I tasted more and learned more about it, I grew more of an appreciation for this fickle little grape and all its delicious subtleties.
If you want to gain some Pinot perspective yourself, this wine is a good step without spending a lot of money on a wine that is not the fruit bomb you're used to.
There are many Pinot Noir's out there for around $10, but most of them don't taste much like Pinot. Many lesser expensive Pinot's are commonly fortified with Syrah, but they don't have to mention that fact unless it contains more than 25%. Adding Syrah will beef up the fruitiness of a Pinot, but more importantly, it beef's up the overall yield so producers can get more bottles out of one harvest.
If this inexpensive Pinot contains any Syrah, it doesn't matter because it still tastes like Pinot Noir.
Vina Cono Sur is located in Chimbarongo, Chile and they strive to produce some of the best Pinot Noir in Chile. Although the bottle I tried is from their "good value" profile, they definitely know what they're doing with Pinot. Burgundian producer Martin Prieur was brought to Chile to choose the best places to plant Pinot grapes and teach them classic Burgundian winemaking techniques.
Though Vina Cono Sur produce very fine and expensive Pinot Noirs, some of that juice undoubtedly goes into this bottle that I got for $11. This Pinot exhibits lovely flavors of pomegranate, bright cherry and black tea. The tannins are as subtle as they should be and there is just enough oak to give it some roundness and a bit of spice. Though the reddish-purple hue and the medium body style suggests that there may indeed be some Syrah in this bottle, it remains an inexpensive and fruit forward introduction to Pinot Noir.
But this is not just an introductory Pinot. It's an easy drinker and great for every day meals or just leisurely sipping. Pinot newbies and Pinot pros alike will love this Chilean beauty. And coming in under $15 makes it all the easier to love.
Brewer of the week: Oskar Blues
Oskar Blues brews are the outdoorsmans best friend. Or at least that's what they designed them to be.
The Lyons, Colorado based brewery creates craft style beers in easily carried-in, carried-out cans. Now I can't say that I am much of a fan of canned beer, but pour one of these powerful malts into a collapsible cup and you'd never know it came out of a can. No filling tingling trace flavors of aluminum to be found.
While "Dales Pale Ale" and "Old Chub Scottish Ale" have been around for a while now, the newcomer "Ten FIDY Imperial Stout" was released last year. It's a rich mocha-choc-o-latey, malty stout with the consistency of fine motor oil and enough alcohol content to make the toughest lumberjack tipsy. "Ten FIDY" weighs in at a hefty 10% ABV. But don't let the high alcohol content scare you, all the Oskar Blues cans contain a powerful punch with enough flavor to balance out the bite.
Unfortunately, these cans carry the price tag of craft beer, not crap beer. Most varieties are pushing $9.99 per six pack in these parts. "Ten FIDY" is around $14 for a 4 pack. Is it worth it? I think so, but taste them and decide for yourself. Ask your local liquor store beer geek if they host beer tastings. If so, Oskar Blues distributors are happy to pour samples to change the way you think about canned beers.
So the next time your loading up the Jeep for a weekend in the mountains or a day at the beach, toss some Oskar Blues cans in your cooler. I promise it will be the best can of beer you'll ever crush on your forehead.
Visit: http://oskarblues.com/ for more info.
The Lyons, Colorado based brewery creates craft style beers in easily carried-in, carried-out cans. Now I can't say that I am much of a fan of canned beer, but pour one of these powerful malts into a collapsible cup and you'd never know it came out of a can. No filling tingling trace flavors of aluminum to be found.
While "Dales Pale Ale" and "Old Chub Scottish Ale" have been around for a while now, the newcomer "Ten FIDY Imperial Stout" was released last year. It's a rich mocha-choc-o-latey, malty stout with the consistency of fine motor oil and enough alcohol content to make the toughest lumberjack tipsy. "Ten FIDY" weighs in at a hefty 10% ABV. But don't let the high alcohol content scare you, all the Oskar Blues cans contain a powerful punch with enough flavor to balance out the bite.
Unfortunately, these cans carry the price tag of craft beer, not crap beer. Most varieties are pushing $9.99 per six pack in these parts. "Ten FIDY" is around $14 for a 4 pack. Is it worth it? I think so, but taste them and decide for yourself. Ask your local liquor store beer geek if they host beer tastings. If so, Oskar Blues distributors are happy to pour samples to change the way you think about canned beers.
So the next time your loading up the Jeep for a weekend in the mountains or a day at the beach, toss some Oskar Blues cans in your cooler. I promise it will be the best can of beer you'll ever crush on your forehead.
Visit: http://oskarblues.com/ for more info.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Classic Cocktail of the Week: Cachaça
Hello and welcome to my first "of the week" feature. I've decided to highlight one cocktail, wine and beer each week, but this all hinges on how much I've had to drink of said beverage before writing. Expect numerous spelling mistakes and poorly punctuated run on sentences.
Tonight, I have revisited the wonderful land of Brazil and their national drink of choice: Cachaça. Particularly, in the classic cocktail, the Caipirinha.
Caipirinha are easier to make than to pronounce. I hope I don't offend my Brazilian friend by saying it is pronounced like, Ky-fe-reen-ya. However you say it, it's the most deliciously refreshing drink ever! All you need is a good Brazilian Cachaça like 51 (around $20 in many liquor stores), a muddler, fresh limes and some fine or quick dissolve sugar. Raw or Demara sugar can work too. Here's how you make it:
Slice a whole lime in half and place it into 4-8 oz. lowball glass.
Add 2 teaspoons of quick dissolve sugar and muddle until the lime is juiced and the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour in 2 oz. of Cachaça.
Give it a a quick shake in a Boston shaker or give it a good stir.
Then sip and enjoy!
The sweet, sour and slightly smoky combination is a margarita lovers dream. I think many gin and tonic fans may enjoy the Cipirinha too.
If you've been to Brazil and didn't have Caipirinha or some other Cachaça based cocktail, you didn't really experience Brazil. During Carnival, you practically live on Cachaça for 4 nights. The beauty part about Cachaça is that hangovers are rare if you stick to the popular Caipirinha. Must be all the vitamin C in the lime juice. I can personally attest to drinking quite a bit of Cachaça at my friends wedding reception and feeling fine the next day. My friend and his Brazilian wife were over this evening for a cookout and we had a few cold shots of Cachaça with our beers and I'm feeling fine after 4 shots. I never feel fine after 4 shots of anything! Have I mentioned my puke queen status?
Speaking of 4 shots, I'm about ready to sleep it off so I'll wrap it up.
So the next time you're in a Brazilian restaurant like Fogo De Chao, or a hip cocktail joint, order a Caipirinha. Or check you local liquor store for Cachaça and make one yourself. You may be able to find minis of some Cachaça brands so you can try it before you drop 20 bucks or more on a fifth of something you don't like.
Either way, keep your eye out for Cachaça and give it a shot, or 2 or 4. It goes down easy and tends to be easier on you than a night of Jager-bombs.
Felicidades!
Tonight, I have revisited the wonderful land of Brazil and their national drink of choice: Cachaça. Particularly, in the classic cocktail, the Caipirinha.
Caipirinha are easier to make than to pronounce. I hope I don't offend my Brazilian friend by saying it is pronounced like, Ky-fe-reen-ya. However you say it, it's the most deliciously refreshing drink ever! All you need is a good Brazilian Cachaça like 51 (around $20 in many liquor stores), a muddler, fresh limes and some fine or quick dissolve sugar. Raw or Demara sugar can work too. Here's how you make it:
Slice a whole lime in half and place it into 4-8 oz. lowball glass.
Add 2 teaspoons of quick dissolve sugar and muddle until the lime is juiced and the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour in 2 oz. of Cachaça.
Give it a a quick shake in a Boston shaker or give it a good stir.
Then sip and enjoy!
The sweet, sour and slightly smoky combination is a margarita lovers dream. I think many gin and tonic fans may enjoy the Cipirinha too.
If you've been to Brazil and didn't have Caipirinha or some other Cachaça based cocktail, you didn't really experience Brazil. During Carnival, you practically live on Cachaça for 4 nights. The beauty part about Cachaça is that hangovers are rare if you stick to the popular Caipirinha. Must be all the vitamin C in the lime juice. I can personally attest to drinking quite a bit of Cachaça at my friends wedding reception and feeling fine the next day. My friend and his Brazilian wife were over this evening for a cookout and we had a few cold shots of Cachaça with our beers and I'm feeling fine after 4 shots. I never feel fine after 4 shots of anything! Have I mentioned my puke queen status?
Speaking of 4 shots, I'm about ready to sleep it off so I'll wrap it up.
So the next time you're in a Brazilian restaurant like Fogo De Chao, or a hip cocktail joint, order a Caipirinha. Or check you local liquor store for Cachaça and make one yourself. You may be able to find minis of some Cachaça brands so you can try it before you drop 20 bucks or more on a fifth of something you don't like.
Either way, keep your eye out for Cachaça and give it a shot, or 2 or 4. It goes down easy and tends to be easier on you than a night of Jager-bombs.
Felicidades!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Bottle One
Hello and welcome to my first booze blog. I'm on my second Capt-n-Coke already so don't expect much ;-)
I guess I should introduce myself before we get too far. Hello, my name is Sheri the Bartemptress. I have been working in bars and restaurants since the law allowed me to consume alcohol. Currently, I'm an assistant manager for a large wine and liquor store in Maryland. I specialize in wine but I live for creative cocktails. Beer is great but I feel the same way about beer as I do about cheese; some things I like and some things I don't, but I'm always ready to try something new. In my line of work, my palate never gets bored. I try up to 60 new wines every week, as well as tasting whatever liquors and beers my distributor reps are toting along. It's a hard job, but someone's gotta do it.
I hope to be a dedicated designated blogger, but there's only so much time in a day. I've been tasting some awesome stuff lately and have had some cocktail epiphany's after tasting some new vodka's that are just hitting the market. But more on that next time my little booze hounds.
Cheers!
I guess I should introduce myself before we get too far. Hello, my name is Sheri the Bartemptress. I have been working in bars and restaurants since the law allowed me to consume alcohol. Currently, I'm an assistant manager for a large wine and liquor store in Maryland. I specialize in wine but I live for creative cocktails. Beer is great but I feel the same way about beer as I do about cheese; some things I like and some things I don't, but I'm always ready to try something new. In my line of work, my palate never gets bored. I try up to 60 new wines every week, as well as tasting whatever liquors and beers my distributor reps are toting along. It's a hard job, but someone's gotta do it.
I hope to be a dedicated designated blogger, but there's only so much time in a day. I've been tasting some awesome stuff lately and have had some cocktail epiphany's after tasting some new vodka's that are just hitting the market. But more on that next time my little booze hounds.
Cheers!
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