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.

Sure, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the improbable victory in battle of a brave band of Mexican soldiers over a much larger French army in 1862.

But more importantly, it’s that day of the year when Americans bail early from work to go guzzle tequila drinks at happy hour. And drink to the collective cinco-ing of our mayo.

This [...]]]>  

Sure, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating the improbable victory in battle of a brave band of Mexican soldiers over a much larger French army in 1862.

But more importantly, it’s that day of the year when Americans bail early from work to go guzzle tequila drinks at happy hour. And drink to the collective cinco-ing of our mayo.

This year, the preposterously tolerant hosts of Tampa Bay’s Studio 10 show (click here to see segment), Holley Sinn and Jerome Ritchey, had me on to mix up a couple organic Cinco de Mayo drinks. I went with a couple tequila-based drinks – one hot (as in spicy); one cool. Here are the recipes…

Coming in Hot!

In this remarkably multifaceted drink, a few teensy slivers of
jalapeno transform what would be a tasty but ho-hum strawberry
margarita into a modern classic.

 2 organic strawberries (I used Driscoll’s), hulled

4 slivers peeled and seeded organic jalapeno chile (for less heat, go easier on these slivers)

3/4 ounce freshly squeezed organic lemon juice

1 1/2 ounces organic Casa Noble reposado tequila

1/2 ounce organic agave nectar

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries, 3 of the jalapeno
slivers, and lemon until well mashed. Add the tequila and agave
nectar, and fill the shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously, then
strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with the
remaining jalapeno sliver.

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)

1 1⁄2 ounces Casa Noble 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. Or serve it straight up in a chilled cocktail glass.

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.

Tahitian Coffee

1 teaspoon organic orange blossom [...]]]> Today is one of handful of Winter days here in Florida when it’s chilly enough to feel, if not like real Winter, at least like Winter Lite.  In other words, I’m not wearing flip-flops. I’m also looking for warming drinks. Here are a couple I like (shamelessly ripped from the pages of my book).

Tahitian Coffee

1 teaspoon organic orange blossom honey

1 teaspoon Tahitian Vanilla-Infused Organic Simple Syrup (recipe follows)

1 teaspoon organic butter

5 ounces brewed organic coffee

1 1/2 ounces rhum agricole

Pinch of freshly grated organic nutmeg

Organic orange twist

1 organic cinnamon stick

 Combine the honey, simple syrup and butter in a coffee glass or mug. Add the hot coffee and stir until the butter melts and is incorporated. Add the rum, then grate the nutmeg over the top. Garnish with the orange twist and add the cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

Tahitian Vanilla-Infused Organic Simple Syrup Slice three organic Tahitian vanilla beans in half lengthwise and, with the edge of the knife, scrape out the insides. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup organic sugar, 4 ounces water and the vanilla bean scrapings and vanilla pods. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and stir until the sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature. Strain, then transfer to an airtight container. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.

And here’s a recipe for Hot Buttered Maple Rum

1 teaspoon organic maple syrup

1 teaspoon organic butter

1 organic cinnamon stick

2 organic whole cloves

3 ounces organic dark rum

In a small saucepan, bring about 1/2 cup of water to boil. In a mug, combine the maple syrup, butter, cinnamon and cloves. Pour in the rum and stir (the mixture should fill the mug about halfway). Fill with boiling water and stir well. Serve immediately.

 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