Mano a Vino

Mini Martinis - Their Time Has Come

Here is a perfect response to our times.

Looking to save some money, yet have some fun?

Want to cut back a little on your alcohol and calorie consumption?

Still want to make a splash at your next party?

Mini Martinis are your answer.

New Cocktail - Ginger Rose- Sparkling Rosemary Ginger Mint Raspberry Lemon Vodka

Here is another exciting cocktail that you will just love.

It takes some work but is beautiful to eye, has a wonderful scent and is deliciously intoxicating.

Made with vodka, white rum or tequila. I also use lemon, rosemary, mint and ginger simple syrup and a splash of seltzer.

I call it Ginger Rose.

Served it at three parties so far and most everyone loved this concoction.

A Perfect Easy Summer Cocktail, Portonic

  I love to make elaborate, interesting and complex cocktails. But when summer rolls around I prefer something that is easy and easily portable to the pool club.

The Portonic fills the bill. A simple cocktail of white port and tonic. I first discovered it in a Food and Wine article discussing the Portonic found at New York’s Macao Trading Co., Food and Wine Article.

It is delightfully refreshing and so easy to make. The biggest challenge is finding white port, not every liquor store carries it. I found mine at Shoppers Vineyard in Clifton.

Gourmet’s Academy Awards® Cocktails

Gourmet Magazine has created an exciting collection of cocktail recipes as a tribute to this year’s Oscar® nominees, some of the most talented actors of our time. Click Here to see them 

I particularly like the Mikey Rourke. A reviving drink of Tequila , Blood Orange Juice  with a dash of Bitters.

Copper Chimney Great Indian Buffet, New York City

My friend and co-worker Danny Estrada and I were on our way to an afternoon meeting on the east side in the low thirties. We had time for lunch and had a craving for Indian so we headed down to 28th and Lex where there are so many choices, 11 Indian restaurants within a few blocks.

The first place we spotted looked good, Copper Chimney.

It is a attractive place with stylish modern decor.

The Best Liquor for Winter Cocktails is Rye

In my humble opinion or rather simply to my taste Rye Whiskey is the hard stuff of choice for cocktails during the winter months.

It is a classic American whiskey although there is also Canadian Rye.

Here are some cocktail recipes and some recommendations on brands of Rye to try. We also share our recipe for Date Infused Rye Whiskey.

Dinner at Macao Trading Company New York City

Went to Macao Trading Company the exciting new restaurant by the people behind one of our favorite places, Employees Only. 

Like EO,  Macao has an unmarked entrance. There it is the begining of a speakeasy theme, here the secret door hides what seems like a wild port bar in Asia. Once inside you are enveloped in a dark aura of mysterious excitment.

From cocktails to dessert everything was wonderful, just all to fast.

New Cocktail, We Called it Red Maven

I have always loved making cocktails, but recently have taken a renewed interest in the craft of making really wonderful cocktails.

Inspired by great mixologists like Alberta Straub, Eben Freeman & Audrey Saunders I created this one that my wife named "Maven."

I added the word Red. Here is the recipe for this delicious cocktail called the "Red Maven."

A Quest for Cocktails

Searching for the holy grail of cocktails has lead me to Macao Trading Company  in Tribeca (review to follow soon) which had many great offerings and to Tailor in Soho, which has delivered the best yet.

Eben Freeman is the master of the bar at Tailor.

"If you think bartending involves a simple mix and match of liquid ingredients, you haven't sampled Eben Freeman's cocktails at Tailor Restaurant in New York City. Not only can he make the perfect classic Manhattan, martini, and Margarita, but he's an innovator, too." Epicurious Making Cocktails with Eben Freeman

Photo by Elizabeth Perrin

Exotic Cocktail Ingredients

Thinking about making some special cocktails for New Years Eve?

Your liquor cabinet may already be stocked with cocktail staples like red and white Vermouth; orange liqueurs like Cointreau or Gran Marnier or a lesser substitute Triple Sec; maybe you also have other popular mixing liquors like the raspberry Chambord.

But if you want to do something different you will need exotic ingredients like these.