Pairing Wine With Pie

As we approach the holidays, many of you might find this information very useful.  I know we will!

As you’re choosing wines for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and other holiday events over the next few weeks, this guide may come in handy. 

• Sauvignon Blanc for Key Lime Pie

• Riesling for Apple Pie

• Chardonnay for Pumpkin Pie

• Champagne/sparkling wine for Apple Crumble

• Pinot Noir for Peach Pie

• Rose for Lemon Meringue

• Merlot for Chocolate Cream Pie

• Petite Sirah for Blueberry Pie

• Syrah for Cherry Pie

• Muscat/Muscato for Pecan Pie

Whatever you drink or eat this holiday season, do so responsibly and decadently. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more on this and other wine pairings, check out:

http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/blogs/your-guide-to-pairing-wine-with-holiday-pies

Decadence Is What You Make It

Decadent drinks start with premium booze.  That's pretty simple.  But, that isn't the extent of it.  The art of decadent mixology is about creating decadence, or better yet, not even considering anything less than decadence in every drink.  Decadence is what you make it.

Scott and I recently returned from a vacation to Fraser, Colorado.  It was a three week trip all told, but ten glorious days in the Rocky Mountains.  While we did enjoy drinks and meals at a few local establishments, and we did  avail ourselves of the local cuisine (yes, much to my surprise, Rocky Mountains Oysters are real...I always thought it was a joke,) most nights we cooked in and made drinks from our own mobile bar.

Before leaving the Keys, we stocked up on 4 bottles of Ron Zacapa rum, the best rum in the world.  It's not easy to find outside of the Keys, so we weren't taking any chances.  Our mobile bar also included a bottle of El Dorado rum, a bottle of Grey Goose and a large Skyy.  When we got to Fraser, we picked up a bottle of Stoli Blueberry Vodka, a couple nice bottles of red wine and 2 bottles of bubbly.  Found a bottle of Orange Bitters in the spice cabinet of the rental house.
That was pretty much the extent of our bar.

Since we were cooking in about half the time, we had some basic ingredients in the 'fridge.  Juices, limes,celery and other assorted fruits and veggies, olives and hot sauce provided ingredients and garnish.  In addition, the rental house had a very well stocked spice cabinet.  Using these basic ingredients, we managed to create and enjoy quite a few Decadent Drinks.

Here are some of our Rocky Mountain Vacation Decadent Drinks -

Rocky Mountain Martini (Blueberry Martini)

As soon as we got to the mountains, the notion of rocky mountain oysters struck us as funny and the jokes just went on and on.  We found a local restaurant serving them, actually tried them (this story will be told at a later time) and the jokes just didn't stop.  At some point we decided that Rocky Mountain - anything - just meant it was made with balls!  

So, a Rocky Mtn Martini is like a regular martini, but made with balls! ... or blueberries. 

Simply shake Stoli Blueberry vodka on ice, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with 2 blueberries.


Enjoy!  (Best if served while enjoying a view of the Rocky Mountains.)

Goose Balls

Again, it's all about the joke...  

One thing our mobile bar did not include was vermouth.  So, martini's with Grey Goose, a tiny splash of olive juice, and 2 olives became Goose Balls.

The jokes about "Rocky Mountain" drinks even included the bartender at Smokin' Moe's Tavern in Winter Park, the proud server of the aforementioned "oysters."

Something of a mixologist himself, Austin whipped up his specialty, cherry-limeade, for our enjoyment... which we promptly garnished in the appropriate manner... much hilarity ensued ...

Angry Orange

This is a good example of making any drink a Decadent Drink.

Basically a screwdriver.  But, use good vodka, premium "not from concentrate" OJ, and add half a dozen good shakes of some orange bitters, and it becomes so much more than a boring old screwdriver...it becomes the Angry Orange.

Watermelon Mojito's

Another classic example that decadence is what you make it.

Last day in Colorado, we were trying to eat and drink up the ingredients of our kitchen before packing up to start the road trip home the next day.  With a little premium rum remaining, good fresh watermelon from the local market, limes, and some dried mint found in the spice cabinet, Scott made us a couple batches of Watermelon Mojito's.  Yes, he is tending bar in his Star Trek robe...it was a good vacation!

Hot Tub Bloody Mary's

Normal Bloody Mary's, made with V8 juice and Louisiana Hot Sauce, garnished with olives and celery ... 

Best when enjoyed while soaking in a hot tub looking at the Rocky Mountains.

Elk Shots

 

Then there were Elk Shots.  We found these fabulous shot glasses that just scream "Rock Mountains!" 

So, shots of "Somethin' in the somthin'" were mixed: some rum, OJ, POM, lime and orange bitters. 

Pour into Elk shot glasses and ... antlers up!  

Antlers down...

Last Day Happy Hour Sangria

It's the last day of vacation, and there is still half a bottle of red wine.  Instead of pouring it out, why not make a Last Day Happy Hour Sangria?

Use the remaining half bottle of red wine, add a good big shot of the last of the blueberry vodka, mix in some orange and pomegranate juices, muddle in a handful of blueberries, squeeze in some lime wedges and add ice.  Serve in a glass made for 2, add 2 straws, cheers!

John Denver Iced Tea

Iced Tea and Vodka with a lime wedge.  Simple as that.  But, brewed, mixed and enjoyed  Rocky Mountain High.

We would love to hear about some of your own Decadent Drink ideas and creations.  

Who Pooped In The Pool?

Yeah, you read that right.  "Who pooped in the pool" is the newest decadent drink for island imbibement.

Inspired by a recent problem...an iguana has decided that the branch directly above our pool is his toilet seat.  Therefore, you guessed, that makes the pool the toilet bowl.  Pretty disgusting.  Had to drain the pool when we realized what was happening.  Now we have to keep it covered to protect it from iguana guano.

True story.

So anyway, Scott came up with this drink idea to serve as the cocktail for a recent Game Night.

It was a big hit!


Who Pooped In The Pool
Equal Parts:
Vodka
HPNOTIQ Liqueur
White Cranberry Juice (Mango Peach, White Grape or any mostly clear juice, but White Cran is best)

Shake over ice or stir in pitcher.  Strain and pour into cocktail glass. Squeeze a lemon wedge, but discard.
Add a Tootsie Roll Midgee.
Enjoy!

(TIP: Don't let it sit too long.  Once the tootsie roll starts to melt it kinda looks like sewage.)

Strictly For Medicinal Purposes

As the always eloquent W.C. Fields used to say, "It's strictly for medicinal purposes."

The cold and flu season is in full swing across the country.  Some reports are saying this year's flu will be the worst in years.  Even the colds going around are hard to shake, leaving it's sufferers coughing long after other symptoms are gone.

Everyone is urged to be diligent in trying to prevent contracting and spreading the flu.   Here are some tips to help:
1. Wash hands often
2. "Dracula" cough/sneeze
3. Get plenty of rest
4. Blow your nose regularly
5. Gargle
6. Drink plenty of hot liquids

We especially like #6.  To help you comply, here is Scott's Hot Toddie recipe.  Guaranteed to make you feel better, or at least not care so much that you feel poorly.  They are delicious and can even be enjoyed when you are healthy and just want to knock the chill off.
Stay warm, practice good habits, try and stay healthy, and enjoy plenty of hot beverages this winter.


Dr. Scott's Hot Toddy

1 T. Honey
1 T. Lemon Juice
2 Oz. Bourbon Whiskey
Boiling Water
Lemon Slice (garnish optional)

Mix first 3 ingredients in large mug.  Fill with boiling water.  Stir well.  
Garnish with lemon slice.

Fun Drinking Quotes

“Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” 
― Ernest Hemingway


“I drink to make other people more interesting.” 
― Ernest Hemingway


“Here's to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald


“Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.” 
― Frank Sinatra


“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.” 
― Benjamin Franklin


“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald


“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” 
― W.C. Fields


“A lady came up to me one day and said 'Sir! You are drunk', to which I replied 'I am drunk today madam, and tomorrow I shall be sober but you will still be ugly.” 
― Winston S. Churchill


“I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I'm under the table,
after four I'm under my host.” 
― Dorothy Parker


“Death: "THERE ARE BETTER THINGS IN THE WORLD THAN ALCOHOL, ALBERT."
Albert: "Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.” 
― Terry Pratchett


“I went out with a guy who once told me I didn’t need to drink to make myself more fun to be around. I told him, I’m drinking so that you’re more fun to be around.” 
― Chelsea Handler


“An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.” 
― Ernest Hemingway


“I don't have a drinking problem 'Cept when I can't get a drink.” 
― Tom Waits


“Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so?
There's a support group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.” 
― Drew Carey


“I like to change liquor stores frequently because the clerks got to know your habits if you went in night and day and bought huge quantities. I could feel them wondering why I wasn't dead yet and it made me uncomfortable. They probably weren't thinking any such thing, but then a man gets paranoid when he has 300 hangovers a year.” 
― Charles Bukowski


“I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.”
― Dorothy Parker


“Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.” 
― William Shakespeare