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Welcome to the New Digs

Thanks for coming–please, take a look around the new place and let me know what you think.

If you’re a regular visitor perplexed by my recent silence, this redesign should answer the question, “so if he’s not writing about drinks, what the hell is he doing?” And if you’re completely new to the site, then, well…welcome.

I’m still making changes to the format & appearance (and going kind of slow, since I’m learning WordPress by trial-and-error), and some of the features (like the pages arrayed up top) are works in progress, but I think the new layout will give me a chance to more fully explore some of the topics I’ve been wanting to cover on this site, while making it easier for you, dear reader, to find what you’re looking for–whether it’s a good drink with rye whiskey, or a breakdown of decent cocktail guides–and also to better access this info via your favorite RSS feed (though that, as well, is a work in progress).

Anyway, most of the major renovation work is complete, so I’m looking forward to getting back to exploring the world of fine drinks. Thanks again for stopping by, and be sure to bookmark this new address.

Mixology Seminars

It’s been a while. Funny how the stomach flu can do that to a person’s interest in drink.

But now that I’m hale and healthy again, I’m overdue in posting some events of BIG BIG significance for mixology-minded folks in the Seattle area. A little while back, I mentioned how I was privileged to participate in a “history of the cocktail” seminar hosted by Seattle’s homegrown cocktail expert, nay, mixological celebrity, Robert Hess, more widely known to those in the know as “Drinkboy.” I also mentioned how my only disappointment in the event was that such things didn’t happen more often in our sometimes sleepy burg.

This spring, my disappointment comes to an end. Beginning March 7, and continuing into May, the Museum of the American Cocktail is holding three mixological seminars at Oliver’s, in the Mayflower Hotel in downtown Seattle. Each seminar begins at 6:30 and lasts until 8:00, and the per-person cost is $45 (note that prices will be higher at the door, so be sure to register early on the seminar page on the museum’s Web site–better yet, sign up as a museum member and receive a discount on early registration).

The March 7 “History of the Cocktail” event is, I believe, a reprise of Robert’s January seminar at Mona’s, and for anyone interested in a broad, comprehensive overview of cocktail history, this event is invaluable.

On April 11, Robert will be joined by Ryan Magarian, a renowned local bartender and bar consultant, for “Cocktails 101: How to Stock, and Use, your Home Bar.” This is the kind of seminar I wish I’d taken when I was just getting started on messing around with cocktails. And even though I’ve been a fan of culinary cocktails for a few years now, and my home bar is now taking over my kitchen, I think there’ll still be some valuable pointers for getting the most out of my booze collection.

Finally, on May 9, Robert and Ryan will be joined by Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller for “Shaken & Stirred: Everything about the Martini.” Jared & Anistatia have been writing about martinis for more than a decade, both on their website, Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini, and in their book of the same name. This kind of focus on a particular drink and its different manifestations is exactly what I was pining for, and I hope plenty of other people join me at Oliver’s in May.

(don’t forget–REGISTER EARLY)

Algonquin

I sincerely doubt this was a favorite at the legendary round table. A bit too indirect and a bit too fruity to be a regular tipple of the Parker, Benchley and Woollcott group, I suspect.

Still, this one tastes like history. It’s a deceptive cocktail–a counterintuitive blend of three distinctly flavored ingredients that, when combined, erase the individual characteristics of each while forming something altogether new. A low hint of spice and herbs, with a gentle pineappley aroma, the Algonquin is drier than a glance at the recipe might lead you to expect.

A handy drink to know about when you’ve got some extra pineapple juice on hand but don’t feel up to the work of mixing an eight-ingredient tiki punch from the Grog Log.

Algonquin Cocktail

  • 1.5 ounces rye
  • .75 ounces dry vermouth
  • .75 ounces pineapple juice

Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass.

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