Amazon says buyers of my book also dig Randy Newman. On plus side, these folks also buy a how-to sex book (mercifully unrelated to Randy Newman).

Finally, a solution to the age-old conundrum [...]]]> A quick roundup today of news and ephemera about cocktails (read: I’m feeling crushing guilt that I haven’t posted in a while, so here, happy?!)

Amazon says buyers of my book also dig Randy Newman. On plus side, these folks also buy a how-to sex book (mercifully unrelated to Randy Newman).

Finally, a solution to the age-old conundrum of how to shake four cocktail shakers simultaneously

NYT reviews Crop Harvest Earth’s just-released organic Farmer’s Gin (I just scored a bottle myself; drooling to try).  I’ll be posting again – and for real - about this soon.

Shameless self promotion alert: Healing Lifestyles & Spas reviews my book, shares organic cocktail recipe from.

Don’t worry, this idiot won’t be reading. He’ll be shaking. As in making tasty cocktails, which if you come to any of these [...]]]> I’m heading this week for a West Coast book tour. Now I know what you’re thinking: Dear god, why would anyone want to go listen this idiot read from some book about cocktails, organic or not?

Don’t worry, this idiot won’t be reading. He’ll be shaking. As in making tasty cocktails, which if you come to any of these events, you’ll be able to drink. Think of these as parties that just happen to have some books lying around. Books you can, if you feel so inclined, purchase. Did I mention what fine photography there is in this book? Along with recipes for great drinks?

In other words, perfect eco-conscious gifts.

So if you or any friends, family, colleagues, non-violent former cellmates, happen to be in Los Angeles, Scottsdale, San Francisco and Portland, come find out why organic cocktails are tasty – and better for the planet.

I’ll be in Los Angeles on Monday, April 19, for an Earth Day kick-off party at the O Bar & Kitchen at downtown’s O Hotel from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by TRU Organic Spirits and Skylight Books.

I’ll be at The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Tuesday, April 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

I’ll be at San Francisco’s Elixir on Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day!) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., sponsored by Square One Organic Spirits.

And I’ll be at Portland, Oregon’s Teardrop Lounge on Friday, April 23, for a happy hour party sponsored by Harvard Common Press and Imbibe Magazine.

Trouble is, green beer is, well, beer (often crappy beer) colored with green food coloring. Most cocktails served today also tend to achieve their emerald color from chemicals not found in nature.

That’s why I’m going with [...]]]> Okay, it’s St. Patrick’s Day, which means you’ll likely be drinking and it’ll most likely be some hue of green.

Trouble is, green beer is, well, beer (often crappy beer) colored with green food coloring. Most cocktails served today also tend to achieve their emerald color from chemicals not found in nature.

That’s why I’m going with cocktails that aren’t swill and get their looks from ingredients that don’t come from a test tube.

Richmond Gimlet

Fresh, crisp and, well, green. A lovely drink. And it’s the right damn color.

2 ounces organic gin

1 ounce fresh organic lime juice

1 ounce organic simple syrup

Large sprig of organic mint

Into a shaker combine all ingredients, add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Fresh Basil Margarita

Here’s a drink that would also be nice with zingy mint, but basil’s spicier herbal flavor really makes this cocktail shine. The basil also wakes up your appetite. Not that you’ll need any help scarfing down everything in sight come midnight.

4 to 6 organic basil leaves

1 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice

1 ounce organic agave nectar (you can find this in most grocery stores)

11⁄2 ounces organic tequila (either blanco or reposado)

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the basil, lime juice, and agave nectar until the basil is bruised. Add the tequila, and fill the shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously, then strain the mixture into an ice cube–filled rocks glass.

Green Tea Mojito

The health benefits of green tea are well known.

But what may not be as celebrated is how well it works with mint and rum to make a remarkably

refreshing spring thirst quencher.

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed organic lime juice

4 large organic mint leaves

2 teaspoons organic sugar

3 ounces brewed organic green tea, cooled to room temperature

1 ounce organic white rum

In a Collins glass (most any tall, narrow drinking glass will work), muddle the lime juice, mint, and sugar together until the mint is bruised. Fill the glass three-quarters full with ice cubes, pour in the green tea and rum, and stir well.

 From BlackBook.com

From [...]]]> Rather than bore readers (all two or three of you) to tears with a series of onanistic postings about recent media coverage of my just-published book on organic cocktails, I’m going to chuck it all in one posting. In other words, all the same blatant self-promotion; just served up quicker… (click in each logo)

 From BlackBook.com

From TheKitch blog

 From the Daytime show

Click on the book cover below for details… Ya’ll come!

You can see the clip by clicking on the station logo:

Click on the St. Pete Times logo…