Paloma

My new favorite drink of summer is.........a Paloma.  I take 1 1/2 ounces of tequila, and pour it over ice, I like a salty rim, and I add fresh grapefruit juice, a splash of club soda, and a splash of fresh lime juice.
 Delicious and refreshing.  If your daring add a floater of Mezcal.  Ole!

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Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo a Mexican-American celebration to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.  Also, a day to just drink lots of tequila, Mexican beer, and Mezcal.  All, which happen to be my favorite!

In celebration of this holiday, I would like to share my cocktail Diablo with you.  Take sliced serrano chilis or jalapeno and put in a shaker glass, add fresh blackberries, a dash of agave nectar, and fresh lime juice.  Muddle these ingredients together, add ice and top off with your favorite tequila.  For this recipe I use Calavera Reposado.  Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass.  The color is a deep rich berry color.  You can rim the glass with salt if you like.  The heat from the chilis is amazing!  Garnish with a blackberry.

Salud!

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Venice Duck Brewery

There's a new beer in my town, and its made by Venice Duck Brewery.  Yesterday John Henry Binder and Christian Warren kicked off the "Dogtown Duck" IPA yesterday at the famous James Beach in Venice California.  These guys are two bartenders who worked together at James Beach and loved beer, and decided to brew their own.

I happen to love IPA's and Dogtown Duck is every IPA lover's dream.  Citrusy, floral, the perfect amount of bitter that is easy to drink.   Finally, a local beer, by two local guys that really represents the true essence of Venice.  

There's a lot to be said about the gentrifying times of Venice, some good, some bad, and I'm glad to see old school locals are moving forward, yet keeping the true essence of what Venice means so close to their hearts.  

With four more brews on the way, Venice Duck an agave Blonde ale, German malts and a touch of agave.  Stoner Duck an American Brown ale with hints of chocolate, hops, and a mild tea aroma from hemp seeds.   Lone Duck a Belgian Abbey, and Lucky Duck a Belgian White Ale.  There's a lot to look forward to and watching this company grow.

The party was a huge success, with family and friends to celebrate with, and delicious food prepared by James Beach Chef, Jorge Valines.  My personal favorite was the IPA braised duck sausage in a puff pastry.  

You can find Dogtown Duck IPA at James Beach, 60 North Venice, Venice CA
Danny's Deli, 23 Windward, Venice CA, and Bar Melody 9132 S. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

http://www.veniceduckbrewery.com/?m=201307

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Calavera Tequila

Calavera Tequila is a new product you should know about.  From Jalisco Mexico, each bottle hand painted in a skull bottle that is bartender pour friendly.  Right now you can find this tequila in California, and will soon be available in other states.

Calavera Tequila will be featured in the upcoming Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and the silver tequila has already won it's first award in San Diego.  But, mark my words, the Reposado will win multiple awards.  It's amazing!

Follow Calavera on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Calavera-Tequila/540527582660749

Breaking Bad Blue Margarita

I wish I could take credit for this idea, but it was not mine.  I just made them all night at work for our Breaking Bad series finale party.  It was a lot of fun, and the guests loved the reference to the show.

We used Zarco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, blue curacao, and a dash of simple syrup.  The rim was a blue dye salt.  Tasty, delicious, and really helped the ambience and festivity of the event.

It was a great way to say goodbye to Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Skyler, Hank, Marie, Junior, Saul, and every amazing character who made this show the success it was.  We salute you.  Cheers!

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Pumpkin Martini

Fall is pumpkin season.  Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, so I also wanted to contribute a Pumpkin martini that you can make at home.

I like to use Stolichnaya Vanilla vodka.  Pour 3/4 ounces of vodka over ice, pour a tablespoon of pumpkin puree, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, and shake.  Rim the martini glass with pumpkin 

spice.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick.  Simple ingredients, and perfect for the season. 

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Salted Caramel Chocolate martini

I love Stolichnaya's new Salted Caramel vodka.  Yup, I said it.  It tastes like heaven.  Stoli has some of the best flavors in the world.  I just added a chocolate liquor to a martini shaker, add 3/4 vodka, shake and strain into a sugar and salted rim martini glass.  It tastes like this ......