Showing posts with label Chartreuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chartreuse. Show all posts

Monday, January 30, 2017

Nautical Gin Celery Gimlet

Nautical Gin embodies a spirit I can identify with - that of exploration and to never stop discovering. They searched the world to uncover exotic ingredients for this gin, one of which is a rare coastal ingredient called Pacific Kombu that delivers a subtle hint of sea salt. This special ingredient also the inspiration behind the name.  
This gin presents with aromas that are bright and floral - there's hints of juniper, rose, pepper and lemongrass. On the palate those juniper berries from Croatia lend exotic flavors of pepper and spice, while coriander seed from India delivers notes of citrus peel and sage. The Pacific Kombu is a sea vegetable / edible kelp imparting that subtle hint of sea salt and minerality, leaving you with a clean, smooth, refreshing finish. Overall, Nautical is a powerful yet elegant gin.

Nautical Gin is the perfect starting point for the classic lime based Gimlet cocktail. I thought the clean, refreshing and not overpowering vegetal taste of celery would harmonize with the gin as they embody similar qualities. To make celery juice I pureed two sticks of celery in a food processor and strained through a fine sieve. 
The addition of Green Chartreuse imparts a nice touch of sweetness and complimentary herbaceous notes. Then, there's the Brennivin - an unsweetened Icelandic schnapps or an aquavit - made from fermented grain and flavored with caraway. We discovered Brennivin while traveling in Iceland and seeing as how Nautical embodies that worldly, exploratory spirit, Brennivin felt like a natural pairing! Finally, this dynamic gimlet deserves a dash of Fee Brothers Celery Bitters.  
Nautical Celery Gimlet
1 1/2 oz Nautical Gin
1/4  oz Green Chartreuse
1/4 oz Brennivin 
3/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz celery juice
1 dash Fee Brothers Celery bitters 
garnish: sea salt + lime wheel  

Once you've made the celery juice, simply shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a frosted glass. I tried a couple variations of glassware and found it more enjoyable to sip this gimlet from a dainty, delicate piece
What transpires is a bright, herbaceous, citrusy cocktail that awakens the palate with a contemplative and distinct taste. The more you sip and become accustomed to all the flavors it leaves a soothing finish that lingers thoughtfully on the palate. 
This cocktail was created in partnership with Nautical Gin and is entered into a cocktail contest the brand is hosting.

To vote for my cocktail please like it on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!!!  

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Bols Genever x Jerry Thomas

A collaboration event with five Boston bars + Lucas Bols - a leading distilled spirits brand from Amsterdam and creator of Bols Genever is happening from December 12th - 16th to celebrate the legacy of bartending pioneer Jerry Thomas
Bols Genever is the predecessor of gin created from lightly distilled Dutch grains and a complex botanical mix. With a characteristic smooth malty taste, Genever is perfect for mixing in cocktails. 

Jerry Thomas was a 19th century mixologist and bon vivant who championed cocktail recipes including many that featured Genever. Modern bar programs trace their roots to the recipes in his collection: How to Mix Drinks orThe Bon Vivant's Companionwhich at the height of his reign as King of the bar, were a revelation! 

The weeklong Boston Bar celebration includes specialty Genever cocktails crafted at Mooo..., Highball Lounge, Tavern Road, Blue Dragon and Capo inspired by Jerry’s work. I attended a cocktail crawl event as media last week - enjoy the preview! 

Mooo... | Smokey The Pear | Bols Genever, Belle de Brillet, Ginger-Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice // bartender: Greg Neises

Highball Lounge | Port of Hakata | Bols Genever, bar spoon combier kummel, acacia honey, lemon oil // bartender: Matt Schrange 

Tavern Road | The Professor | Bols Genever Barrel Aged, Zirbenz, Galliano, maraschino cherry // bartender: Tenzin Samdo



Blue Dragon | Brandy Daisy | Bols Genever Barrel Aged, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, splash of soda // bartender: Kate Rapin

Highball Lounge, Tavern Road and Blue Dragon are some of my favorite bars in the city for drinks and atmosphere. Tavern Roads bar pictured directly below features impressive shelving backed by gorgeous city views. 

Highball serves one of my best-loved bar snacks the tater tot nachos and with a room full of board games is always a fun time. Note Highball is not open on Mondays and therefore we didn't taste the cocktail. 

Tavern Road and Blue Dragon both in Fort Point neighborhood offer excellent menus; Tavern Road is Chef Louis Dibiccari's cuisine influenced by global street food, while Blue Dragon is Chef Ming Tsai's modern Asian gastropub. I was glad to eat at both these spots during the preview crawl as I love their food! 

Mooo... is an upscale Beacon Hill steakhouse with a comfortable bar area. The dinners I've had in the past here were top notch. Mooo's bartender Greg really made an impression with his vivacious personality and his inspiration for a delicious cocktail. 

As far as Capo in Southie - we didn't make it that far into the crawl! I've never been but hoping to check it out soon.
Organized by the amazing crew at Bols Genever with a Bustonian (limo bus) to take us from bar to bar, this evening was a blast! Not to mention the signature cocktails these bartenders created are fantastic. 

Everyone get out there and toast to the bartender who started it all; Jerry Thomas!

Also see hashtags: #toastingjerry | #jerrythomasweek | #jerrythomasanniversary

Monday, February 8, 2016

Tiger Mama


A couple Fridays ago after the usual post work drinks and debating where to have dinner, I remembered that Tiffani Faison recently opened Tiger Mama. We arrived to a two hour wait for a table but lucky us, snagged seats at the crowded bar where service was convivial and on point. 

Our cities beloved Top Chef Alum has done it again. Tiger Mama is a GEM. Tiffani's playful take on Southeast Asian food is terrific. Dishes are spicy, crispy, bold, adventurous and inspired. The space transports you - décor is funky and exotic, it gives a vibe in line with the food. 

After some bracingly good cocktails that included an Indo Fizz ($11) old monk 7 year, turmeric-coconut milk, lime, ginger honey syrup, whole egg and the Flushing/Main St ($13) white oak, Dolin blanc, chartreuse, cacao, angostura - I made friends with their disco-ball elephant hostess

We ate Crispy Chili Potatoes ($6) with a sneaky spicy mayo, Hamachi Crudo ($15) with crispy dosa, Viet herbs and a sesame mushroom aioli, and a Crispy Green Papaya Salad ($7) with mint and tomato chili vinaigrette. I was highly impressed with all three! We were planning to order more food but these generous portions filled us right up. I can't wait to visit again. 

1363 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02215

Friday, June 6, 2014

Bronwyn | Union Square


In Somerville's Union Square, Bronwyn serves a fresh take on the food and drink of Germany and Eastern Europe. The deeply wooded interior is warm and rustic, bedecked with handcrafted treasures from the region, notably a mash up of tall, regal looking wooden chairs. The biergarten is open now that we've reached the warmer months! 

The girls and I put a serious dent in the menu. I was really impressed with everything we ate and drank. It all felt so original, so refreshing and much needed. In order of appearance.....

Giant Haus Bretzel | spicy horseradish mustard 
Pierogi | haus-made ham & cheddar cheese dumplings, sweet pea relish, mint
Thüringia Pickled Eggs | habanero mustard
Spätzle | classic schwabian pasta, spring ramps, red onion marmalade, comte cheese
Sieben | Citadelle Gin, Cocchi Amaretto, Aperol, Grapefruit, Sparkling Riesling
Smokey Bone | Templeton Rye, Creme Yvette, Green Chartreuse, Jerry Thomas Bitters
Schmaltz | chicken & pork fat, cracklin, pickled onion, rye bread
Okocim Premium Pils Bresko Poland | light, well balanced hops, biscuity flavors
Schnitzel à la Holstein | pork schnitzel, soldier bean ragoût, soft boiled egg, white anchovies, capers
Mini Wurst Plate | Cotechino - pig skin, cinnamon, clove / Currywurst - pork, veal, curry / potatoes, sauerkraut, haus mustard 
Reibekuchen (unpictured, but amazing) | horseradish potato pancakes, rhubarb chutney, dill crème fraîche

255 Washington St
Somerville, MA 02143

Monday, March 17, 2014

Albert 1er | Chamonix


Luxury (two Michelin star) dining in Chamonix, France at Restaurante Albert 1er was one for the books. Yes, it was a splurge in comparison to your standard meal in Cham, but for a Michelin starred experience, all of it simply exceptional, the six of us who ventured here considered it a reasonable one. (It was 156 euros each and this included two bottles of wine, one was a magnum bottle.) All of us would highly recommend it.

 Robert Blanc green asparagus | black truffle, green herb pasta and parmesan
Foie Gras de Canard two ways | sautéed with mango et passion fruit caramel (pictured) | “ballotine” with quince jelly and apple chutney (not pictured)
Grilled Saint-Jacques scallops | fennel et green apple slaw
"Perle de la Dombes" | duck lacquered in an orange crust w. stewed leg, almond, coriander and lemon preserve, chickpea fritters.
Cheese Trolley | choice of fresh and mature French and Italian cheeses
Dessert Trolley | pastries, cakes, homemade sorbets and ice cream
Warm green Chartreuse soufflé | homemade Chartreuse ice cream
(Unbelievable. Hands down the best soufflé I have ever tasted.) 
Petit Fours, chocolates and caramels

38 rue du Bouchet 
Chamonix Mont Blanc, France 77400