The Rick Grimes – The Walking Dead Premiere

On October 12, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn Originals2 Comments

At this point, the zombie apocalypse is probably inevitable. Whether through some weird variant of ebola, enterovirus 68, or something as yet unknown (bath salts?), we’re eventually going to have to fight against a horde of the living dead, either surviving for just one more day, or turning against our friends after we pass.

To me, that’s way too stressful. So, instead, let’s just watch other people do that on TV. This Sunday, the Walking Dead returns to AMC for its 5th season, and we’re all ready to watch. In honor of the show, I’ve made the Rick Grimes, which is just the thing wind you down from your post-apocalyptic murder haze. In keeping with the theme, I tried to use only things that you might be able to find after civilization has ended, with the possible exception of ice because, well, let’s just say it’s in winter and they cut it out of a lake. Or whatever.

For those of you who don’t know, the show is set mainly in Georgia, hence the peaches — the cornerstone of the drink. Anyways, without further ado:

The Rick Grimes

3 oz bourbon (whichever will pair best with your particular dish of brains, served warm)
1.5 – 3oz lemon sparkling water (this is up to you. If you want a strong drink after a day of zombie-fighting, use 1.5. If you want to relax and chill and sip for a while, use 3.)
1.5 oz heavy peach syrup (open a can of peaches, and drain out the syrup. That’s what you’re using!)
all the peaches from the above can

Mix together the three liquid ingredients in a mason jar or other appropriately end-of-the-world-type glass. Add some ice (if you’re okay with breaking the illusion) and fill up the rest with the peaches from your scavenged canned goods. Enjoy!

Tasting Notes:

BN: I couldn’t decide which version of this I liked better — with more or less sparkling water. I think I lean towards the 3 oz version, because the flavors mix together a little better, with the bourbon being less overpowering. I was surprised as to how much of the syrup I had to put in to make it taste like peaches, so the solution of using the peaches itself worked out pretty well. Now that I think of it, though, it might be cool to drain out a bit of the syrup from the can, just pour the booze and the seltzer straight into it, and drink from that! Dang, I wish I had thought of that before. But still, pretty good drink, nicely fruity without being too much so. And definitely Southern.

PiC: I liked this better after you added more sparkling water, but I think it might actually be a better drink with less (I’m just not a huge whiskey girl). The sweetness was perfect, though, and it got more peachy as it went on which was nice.

The Bent Apple – iPhone Bendgate

On September 26, 2014September 30, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn OriginalsLeave a comment

Apple’s new iPhone has had a few problems lately. From blocked cell phone service to erased user data, it hasn’t had the easiest of rollouts. But the picture above (from a video by Unbox Therapy) shows what, to my mind, is the weirdest flaw — they bend, and they’re not one of those fancy curved phones that are supposed to…

So, in honor of this problem (and the reason I’m glad I’m on the Xs series and not the main one), I give you The Bent Apple. It’s a little weird, something that would be typical (spiked cider) but changed in a way you wouldn’t expect. And, of course, it’s an apple. See what I did there?

The Bent Apple

4.5 oz cider (if you can get fresh, unpasteurized cider, do that, because it’s awesome, and if you leave it for too long it gets fizzy and alcoholic all on its own. Yum.)
1.5 oz rum
1/4 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp ginger simple syrup (Yup, it’s back again. Not 100% sure you need this, though.)
apple (for garnish)

Mix it all up in a Boston shaker, strain and pour into a fancy looking glass. Garnish with an apple slice. Pro tip: I cut a little notch into the apple so it would easily stay on the edge of the glass.

Tasting Notes:

BN: I liked this. While it smelled intriguingly like cumin, its taste wasn’t as strong, but other tasters disagree so I could just be immune (cumin is my favorite so I use it in everything). It had enough weirdness to be unique and tasty, and all the base ingredients (particularly the cider) were great on their own but melded together well. We learn that whether or not your phone is flexible, a Bent Apple is not necessarily a bad thing.

PiC: I thought the drink was very tasty – I was prepared to really taste the alcohol and you really can’t with this one, it’s like cumin apple cider. That sounds weird, but it was actually good and not too sweet even with the syrup (though more ginger flavor might have been nice). I bet it would be good hot!

The No Thanks – Scottish Referendum

On September 17, 2014September 18, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn Originals1 Comment

“Hey, wait a minute,” you might say, “wasn’t the whole point of this blog that you would craft cocktails around current events and news stories? Why haven’t you actually done that at all yet?” Fair point, dear reader. But now things are changing! It’s a news story, that’s happening right now, and now I have a cocktail! Hurray!

As you may know, tomorrow (the 18th) is the date of a potentially historic vote that’s going to be taking place in Scotland. They’re deciding whether or not to remain as part of the United Kingdom, or split off into their own country. This of course has all sorts of geo-political ramifications, from currency exchange to energy rights and so on. Last time I checked, the poll was at 51% for independence and 49% to stay together. So we’ll see what happens!

In the meantime, I’ve made a cocktail. Now, I don’t know where I stand on the actual issue, but in terms of ingredients, Scottish and English are better together. To that end, I’ve made a quick and simple cocktail with scotch (what else can you pick?) to represent Scotland, and Earl Grey tea (which is apparently named after a British prime minister) to represent England. The campaign slogan for sticking together is apparently “No Thanks,” hence the name of the cocktail. Here it is!

The No Thanks

2 oz single malt scotch (I picked the Balvenie Doublewood because a) it’s good and b) it’s smoky but not too much so)
1.25 oz Earl Grey simple syrup (I used this recipe though it makes a very large amount)
1 oz lemon

Easy enough preparation: mix together, serve with a big ice cube in a rocks glass. (But see the notes below…)

Tasting Notes:

BN: I really liked this. My only issue was that the Earl Grey flavor didn’t quite come through as much as I wanted in the actual drink. The syrup was very flavored, but I couldn’t put any more in the cocktail without making it too sweet. Perhaps a blended scotch might overpower the light tea flavor a little bit less. The lemon was good to add a little acidity and balance to the palate (don’t I sound fancy). I think the syrup also had a tendency to sink to the bottom, despite a lot of stirring. Perhaps a shaken preparation might work better, if you’re allowed to do that with scotch.

PiC: I don’t normally like scotch, and I actually like this! Well done!

So we’ll see what happens with the vote. Whatever side you’re on, pour yourself a nice big glass of scotch when you watch the results!

Your Older Brother – Boozy Newsie News Flash

On September 15, 2014September 15, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Hi everyone! The News Flash is a new type of post I’m inaugurating, where, instead of describing a cocktail I created, I post a quick review of a cocktail (or other alcoholic beverage) that I’ve come across, whether at home or on various travels. This first one is one of set of bottled cocktail mixers I received as a gift some months ago. It’s from a company called White Whale, which seems to, so far, only make the three types of mixers I got. Presumably, more are coming. They’re super simple, with the ingredients and processes you need right on the bottle. The design’s nice and clean, and it’s quick to make, which is great. This particular one contained primarily lemon and — the weird part — Siberian fir. Here it is.

Your Older Brother

2 oz vodka
1 oz Your Older Brother cocktail mixer
lemon zest for garnish

Stir with ice, strain into a coupe or similar glass, and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Tasting Notes

BN: Well, I was not the hugest fan. The Siberian fir was certainly not as strong of a taste as I was worried about, but it was still a peculiar one. A little too herbal for me, maybe (remember how I don’t really like gin?). But, it mostly tasted like lemonade, with a little alcoholic aftertaste. So, 5/10. Enjoyable, but I wouldn’t have it again too often.

PiC: I don’t hate it. It’s like a less sweet, more alcoholic version of a vodka lemonade. It could use a little bit more flavor, though, the smell is better than the taste. The taste is a little weak, though we’ve had them for a little while I guess. But I don’t hate it! You could probably use it for something a little more interesting, I think.

And I may! If I do, you’ll hear it here first. Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming…

The Kobayashi – The Usual Suspects

On August 16, 2014August 16, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn OriginalsLeave a comment

The regular perpetrators.

I’m out of town this week, for my brother’s wedding! So, this is a quick update from the road.

19 years ago today, The Usual Suspects was released! Last year, the Partner in Crime and I watched this, for her first time, with a friend. For that event, I made a drink (two actually, but the first was bad), and I’ve updated it and hopefully made it better for this year. It’s a little bit Japanese, but maybe not. It’s that sense of mystery that keeps it going. Just like the character in the movie! Or something.

I was alone for this one, so apologies if the camera work isn’t as good. Also, I was the only one to taste it. Might it be horrible for anyone else but me? It certainly might.

The Kobayashi

1.5 oz gin (the only one I even vaguely enjoy is Hendrick’s, but to each their own.)
1/2 tsp soy sauce (yup.)
1 tsp ginger simple syrup (gotta use it somewhere. Again, it’s from this recipe.)
1/4 oz fresh lemon juice (mine wasn’t fresh. Yours should be.)
tonic water
crystallized ginger slices (for a garnish)

Put everything except the tonic water in a rocks glass with ice. Fill up the glass with tonic, and garnish with the crystallized ginger!

Tasting Notes:

BN: This certainly had good flavors, but it was a little weird. However, I don’t really know if that was, say, the slightly flat tonic water (okay it was a little old, but I’m pretty sure it would be good with more fizz) or the fact that I don’t actually like gin… You’ll have to let me know what you guys think, because I’m not an impartial observer. Still, I think the flavors mesh well and it works overall.

PiC: I wasn’t here. I didn’t drink this. STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS.

Sundae Rummy Sundae – National Vanilla Ice Cream Day

On July 23, 2014July 23, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn Originals2 Comments

So, today is not to be confused with National Ice Cream Day, which happened on Sunday, but I’m happy for it to be confused with National Ice Cream Month, which apparently is the entirety of July. Now, I vowed that I wouldn’t do this sort of thing, pulling a random “holiday” that no one has ever heard of off of a marketing calendar, but when you look at the news these days, I think it’s understandable. I don’t want to make light of any of the numerous terrible situations occurring right now, so, instead, ice cream! And a pun about a massacre. But, you know, it’s an old massacre. Ish.

I didn’t want to make a simple float, or anything involving actual ice cream, so I tried to go for something that tasted like it without actually having the real thing. And this is what I came up with, for better or for worse. It’s frothy, it’s vanilla-y, and it looks kind of like a milkshake. I will say up front that this wasn’t my most successful drink, but with some alterations I think it could be pretty good.

Sundae Rummy Sundae

2 oz gold rum (You might want to try dark rum — would add an interesting sweetness)
1 oz heavy cream
1 egg white
1/2 oz ginger simple syrup (I got the recipe from this: Bon Appetit Beetnik Martini)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
club soda or seltzer (I used the former, because I don’t like the latter, but I think seltzer would have been a better choice for its acid)

The only trick to this recipe is the egg white, which I learned, from my partner in crime, is easy enough to separate from the yolk just by slooping (yes, I’m making that a word) the yolk back and forth between the shell halves of a cracked egg until all the white falls into a bowl. If you are worried about salmonella, I suppose that is valid, but I haven’t died yet so it’s probably okay?

Anyways, pour all the ingredients except for the club soda into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake it for five minutes. Yep, five minutes. You might want to wrap a tea towel around the shaker to spare your hands from a lot of pain. Or switch off. Or both! Get it shaken.

When the timer rings, strain the mixture about two-thirds of the way up a tall glass, and fill up the rest of the glass with club soda. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and you should be all set.

Tasting Notes:

BN: As I said before, this wasn’t my favorite. I loved the way it looked and the texture of it, but the taste wasn’t quite there — it needed more ginger, more cinnamon, and just generally more of something that wasn’t rum or vanilla. But, if you stick a little more of those things in there, I think it has a lot of potential. And, it really felt like a milkshake without being one, so that was pretty cool. It also slowly separated, which was fun to watch — but it really means you should drink it quickly.

PiC: I like it! It could use a little more flavor, I think. But generally I think your signature is that your drinks taste like they have alcohol in them.

The Summer Sun – Heat Wave

On July 6, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn OriginalsLeave a comment

Sometimes, I am thankful that I live in Southern California. You would think that most of those times would be in the winter, but no! I’m much happier here in the summer than I was on the East Coast, because it gets really hot and humid really easily. So, in honor of the recent heat wave I didn’t have to deal with, I give to you The Summer Sun.

I was recently in a soda shop searching for ingredients for another, upcoming drink, and I happened across a bottle of sweet corn flavored soda. And I figured, well, why not? (This was after deciding not to buy the buffalo sauce or ranch dressing flavored drinks…) After a few sips, I quickly decided that it was so sweet and so corny that I needed to cut it with something. I looked around, and what did I find? Whiskey! Hurray for whiskey!

The following drink is what came out of it. You’ve got corn for the summer, and chili for the heat. Now, I don’t expect anyone really to be able to make this, since sweet corn soda is probably pretty rare, but it was a nice departure from the usual. Good luck, East Coast! Chill out.

The Summer Sun

2.5 oz bourbon (I used Maker’s Mark; the soda is so strong though that you shouldn’t waste a good whiskey on this drink.)
~8 oz sweet corn soda (I got mine at a place called Rocket Fizz, which is a chain at least in LA, maybe nationwide?)
2 tablespoons lime juice
~6 shakes cayenne

Another easy one. Pour the whiskey over ice into a rocks glass, put in the lime, fill up the rest of the glass with soda, and add the cayenne. Depending on your soda, the proportions could vary widely (I put a lot of the lime and chili in because the soda’s flavor was so overbearing.) So, to taste!

Tasting Notes:

BN: I enjoyed this a lot more than the soda on its own. The corn and the whiskey blended incredibly well together, the sweetness getting toned down and gaining depth. It was a very refreshing drink for the summer (even without a heat wave). The most interesting thing I learned while making it was that if you shake spices onto an ice cube, they stick — a technique I’ll be experimenting with later on, because it could lead to some interesting things…

Partner in Crime: I don’t really like whiskey or that soda, but together it actually worked pretty well!

The Pico de Madre – Mother’s Day

On May 12, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn Originals1 Comment

First order of business: make sure that the name I picked for this cocktail doesn’t seem to be overly offensive. Check.

Then, on to the drinking.

It’s Mother’s Day! And what’s more mother’s day than a brunch cocktail? Well, a lot of things. But that doesn’t mean I can’t write about a brunch cocktail. I must admit that I’ve always been a big fan of Bloody Marys (is that the right plural?), and have been relatively disappointed that I couldn’t order one at a normal bar at a normal time without seeming abnormal, or at the very least like an 800-year-old grandmother.

My goal for this drink was to make drinkable pico de gallo. Because that stuff is awesome. You could have this as a Mother’s Day cocktail, a Cinco de Mayo drink, or pick a date exactly in the middle of those two and make up your own holiday. DO IT.

The Pico de Madre

2 oz vodka (Really whatever will do, as long as it doesn’t make the rest taste bad. You really shouldn’t taste it at all.)
4 oz tomato juice
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
2 tsp finely chopped white onion
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce (for tradition’s sake)
1 pinch cumin
1 pinch garlic salt
2 pinches black pepper
about 2 tsp finely chopped cilantro
about 1 oz lime juice

Put everything into a Boston shaker, with ice. Shake. Strain* into a nice tall glass filled with more ice, garnish with cilantro and lime. You can vary the ingredients earlier, or add a little more of whatever you like at this point — I always like it a little spicier. Enjoy!

* I strained it, which makes it easier to drink, but it doesn’t have quite as much of the “grit” I sometimes like in Bloody Marys. Try it both ways, see how you like it!

Tasting Notes:

BN: This came out really well. It’s a lot more refreshing than most Bloody Marys I’ve had, which can often be really heavy and cloying. The cilantro brightens up the tomato juice and gives it a really nice flavor (as long as you’re not one of those people who think cilantro tastes like soap). The only issue with this cocktail is that you have to drink it really fast, as the ice waters it down pretty quickly. Although, is that really an issue? Hm.

Partner in Crime: Yum.

The Starting Pistol – The Kentucky Derby

On May 11, 2014 By The Boozy NewsieIn OriginalsLeave a comment

A fitting title for a first post, really. Welcome to the Boozy Newsie! I’m your host, the Boozy Newsie (bet you didn’t see that coming, did you). This blog has one purpose, and one purpose only, which is: drinking. Drinking disguised as artistry, experimentation, and relevance. I’ll be making drinks based on something or other that’s happened or is happening, whether a news story or a holiday or a sporting event. So go ahead, toast to current events! Keep watching this space for new and inventive cocktails, ranging from basic to overly complex, depending on how fancy I decide to pretend to be on any particular day. I want to have fun playing with alcohol (and drinking it afterwards), and you can follow my progress in this space.

So where do we start? Where else but the Kentucky Derby! A horse race that got its start in 1875, it’s the time when everyone decides they know something about odds and thoroughbreds and the hand height of horses. They wear fancy hats and put money down and cheer when animals with crazily stupid names beat other animals with even stupider names. My favorite? I’ll Have Another, who won in ’12. A horse after my own heart.

Speaking of which, on to the alcohol. As you might know, the classic Kentucky Derby drink is a mint julep, served ice cold in a frosted tin mug, and you sip between drags on your pipe, adjusting your bolo tie, and fending off would-be admirers who keep calling you “The Colonel.”

This year, I decided to start it off with a variation on the classic that I’m calling the Starting Pistol. It’s a little fruitier than the original, and has a little more interesting spice to it.

The Starter’s Pistol

2 1/2 oz bourbon (I use Woodford Reserve, but any will do. Except Jack Daniel’s.)
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water
6-10 mint leaves
3 strawberries, sliced thinly
7 shakes of Scrappy’s Cardamom Bitters
lime juice to taste

The preparation is essentially “put it all in a glass.” Mix the water and sugar in the bottom of a rocks glass, effectively making a quick simple syrup. Then, muddle in the mint leaves and strawberries. Smash ’em up real good. Then pour in the bourbon and the bitters, and finally get some ice in there too. Stir it up to make sure everything’s mixed, and you can top it with lime juice (I forgot this, and it still tasted pretty good), and some more mint and a strawberry (slice a thin wedge out of it and stick it on the side of the glass) for a garnish.

And voila! Now you can accompany your random horse bets with a little alcohol — because that always helps decisions!

Tasting Notes (provided by yours truly and my trusty assistant/partner in crime):

BN: This was a little less flavored than I was hoping; you could definitely tell the cardamom was in there, and it added a lot, but despite the massive pile of mush at the bottom of the glass, I was missing the strawberry and mint flavors. It could have been, in part, that it was hard to swirl around the mash once the ice was in the glass, preventing too much spreading of the ingredients. Still, it was a nice refreshing experiment, and it certainly looks nice.

Partner in Crime: This was pretty strong, so if you like that sort of thing, it’s probably pretty good. I don’t, so I mostly just tasted the whiskey…