Fentiman's Soda

Off-site for training one week I found myself in fairly short supply of decent lunch options apart from a specialty goods grocery store. After a couple of days I realized in the fog of lunch hunger I had picked up a different Fentiman's soda each time I went to the store, and decided to continue the trend the rest of the week.

• Curiosity Cola
• Victorian Lemonade
• Cherrytree Cola
• Dandelion & Burdock 
• Traditional Ginger Beer

Made in the UK, each one is unique and not overly sugary in taste (although there's plenty of sugar in them, averaging 11.6g per 100mL). Fentiman's prides itself on it's historic origins and line of "botanically brewed" products - including cocktail mixers - with potent ginger root and other natural ingredients. Since they're all so different, it's not fair to compare them against each other, but my favorite is probably the lemonade. Not too puckery, it has a natural, mild sweet lemon taste that is very refreshing. Lemonade for grown-ups so to speak. The novelty of Dandelion & Burdock (similar to historic versions of root beer) is hard to ignore, but admittedly it's not something the average palate is used to. If given the choice I'll probably try something else over it...perhaps either their pink lemonade or shandy? Not sure.

You can get Fentiman's at most major grocery stores for about $4.99 for a 4pk of 275mL bottles.

Mayan Hot Chocolate by Moonstruck

Image source: Moonstruck Chocolate

As often mentioned...my hometown, Portland, OR, has a lot of delectable treats and tasty offerings, but none quite so outstanding as Moonstruck Chocolate. Every trip home either sees me at one of their chocolate cafes or picking some truffles at the airport on my way back to DC.

When the air gets brisk like it is now...as autumn slowly fades into winter...nothing could be more perfect than curling up on the sofa with a fuzzy blanket and a cup of their Mayan hot cocoa. The powder mix is based on the spice blend of cinnamon, almond, and some undisclosed magical yum in their exotic best-selling Mayan truffle. When whisked into a cup of steaming milk the taste is downright sinful. Looking forward to indulging in it spiked with some Grand Mariner soon!

Image Source: Plush Puffs

You can order it online for $12.00 for 9.5oz., or $2.00 for a single serving packet...great gift idea for the holidays!

For the first cocoa of the season, I splurged ($5.99 - wth!?) on some Plush Puff marshmallows in caramel swirl (peppermint puffs with plain cocoa for next time). Wasn't sure if it would take away or enhance the cocoa; still not sure. I was sent into a velvety smooth coma of legal addictive stimulants and hardly able to focus on the particulars of anything sensory, let alone what flavors I was experiencing. Sorry about that. Totally recommend it though. Hands down.

Shot Flask OF AWESOME.

Oh. Em. Gee. Saw one of these Shot Flasks while browsing Laughing Squid. 

Must. Acquire.  




**Afterthought: This might also be an appropriate gift item for someone on my list.  Hmm.  

Cider Smash

Another drink I plan to make for Thanksgiving this year is one I encountered randomly perusing What's Up? Annapolis magazine. It is SO fabulous, easy to make and deliciously smooth it will likely make the annual favorites list as a new fall tradition! 

Omit the bourbon and it still tastes like fall bubbly for a non-alcoholic version. 

You can easily substitute ginger ale for the ginger beer (even diet tastes fine), but for the inaugural go I used Barrit's, which is easier to find in grocery stores (runs about $5). Curious to know what it tastes like with applejack instead of bourbon...probably very similar to the Stone Fence. Either way = YUM. 

Cider Smash

Makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce bourbon
2 ounces ginger beer
2 ounces fresh apple cider
Thin red-apple slice (optional)

Combine the bourbon and apple cider in a shaker with ice. Strain the bourbon mixture into an old fashioned glass over ice, and fill with ginger beer. Garnish with an apple slice.

*Note: Curiously enough the online version of the same recipe is very different than the one they printed in hard copy from the same magazine. the one posted here is the hard copy version.

Pomegranate Cider

Apologies for the delay between posts. Needed a break! This year I've been invited to no less than three Thanksgiving feasts, and no joke, they all asked me to bring drinks. Guess there's no getting around my reputation now! (For those that care, I prefer the term luscious over the more tactless lush, thankyouverymuch.)

One of the recipes I plan to bring to the feast is a pomegranate cider...shamelessly mashed together from Imbibe Magazine (they have re-posted it from last year - it must be popular!) and Rachel Ray. Her idea to jab the cloves inside the ginger slices is really quite brilliant, as nobody likes getting whole clove stuck in their teeth!

For the wine, I'm using DeBeaune Beaujolais Nouveau. The season's first release just came out for $9.99/bottle at Total Wine. A little spicier than years past, but fruity and light - great for cooking or blending with other flavors.

There are variations on the cider that include the juice of one orange or store-bought orange juice, but honestly there are so many flavors going on here that it is not necessary. Try it out though and see if you like it! Also, for a non-alcoholic version, just omit the wine. The taste will be less robust and slightly more sweet, but it will still work out just fine. The recipe multiplies easily for larger groups as well.

Pomegranate Cider: 

2 cups fresh apple cider
1 cup red wine
1/2 cup pomegranate juice
2 cinnamon sticks
5-7 thin slices of fresh ginger
10-15 whole cloves

Stick 2 cloves into each slice of ginger. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over high heat and bring  to a boil. Reduce to a simmer over low heat and ladle into mugs, removing the ginger before serving. 

Serve with cinnamon sticks, an orange slice, or pomegranate seeds if so desired.

For a fancier version, use rimmed Irish coffee glasses: On a small plate combine 4 barspoons of super fine sugar with 1/4 barspoon ground cinnamon. Run a fresh lime wedge around the rim of the glass to moisten. Roll the damp rim in the sugar mixture, set aside.

Joel Gott Riesling 2010

Image Source: Amazon.com

At a September wine tasting seminar at The Curious Grape in Arlington, VA I had a chance to pick up a bottle of 2010 Joel Gott Riesling from Washington State (Columbia Valley), but hadn't had a chance to open it until this week. Oh. Em. Gee. What on earth was I waiting for, and mark it down I need to buy some more of this stuff.

Retailing for about $13, it's rated at 89 Points on Wine Spectator magazine's scales, for good reason! Hands down, this is one of the best white wines I've ever had. Clean, clear, simple and fruity, it's not very sweet and yet with a low alcohol content, shouldn't be described as dry. Notes of peachy-apple and just a tiny hint of citrus make the riesling great for sipping or substantial enough to pair with a hearty meal (mine was a Parmesan shrimp risotto).

Highly recommend acquiring a bottle for yourself or as an affordable gift!

Election Night with El Presidente

Taking inspiration from one of my favorite publications, I'm drinking the vintage cocktail El Presidente tonight while the states change colors on the map:

El Presidente
1½ oz. rich white rum
1½ oz. vermouth
1 barspoon triple sec
½ barspoon real grenadine
Thinly cut orange peel
Cracked ice
Tools: barspoon, mixing glass, strainer
Glass: cocktail
Garnish: maraschino cherry (optional)

Stir ingredients well with cracked ice and strain into a chilled glass. Twist a thinly cut orange peel over the top and drop in or discard as you prefer. Garnish, if desired, with a cherry.

*Note: I didn't have some of the ingredients, so I substituted with those listed in red.

**Also Note: choosing this drink in particular in no way should be interpreted as an endorsement of either political party. It should be interpreted, however, as an intolerance for an empty glass during the insufferable election coverage.

Autumn Manhattan

Tonight's glass holds an Autumn Manhattan...a recipe I scored from Bar None Drinks whilst searching for new drinks to make with applejack liquor. Fell in love with the site as it lets you search by ingredient, so if you have a particular bottle you'd like to use up, try a new recipe here first!

2 oz. bourbon
1 oz. sweet vermouth
1 oz. applejack
2 dashes bitters

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into martini glass.