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NaBloPoMo- Savory Cocktails

November 6, 2013 by Renee

Savory Cocktails

I’ve really been into cocktails lately. Actually,  since I had an amazing G&T in England back in March. Followed by a visit to a gin bar and my first Pimm’s Cup this past summer.  I also had some amazing cocktails at Maria Loca and Le Mary Celeste in Paris and have even made a few at home. So it was really a nice surprise when Savory Cocktails by Greg Henry, author of the blog SippitySup,  arrived at my door. Just in time to make some for Thanksgiving!

With almost 100 distilled beverage recipes, Henry creates an adventurous array of alcoholic delights.  His recipes have you using everything from classic liqueurs to innovative homemade bitters. Each of the recipes offer a glimpse at an era of elegant sophistication. They are stylish and complex-flavored cocktails. Serious beverages that are seriously good.

The book is broken down into chapters where the focus is on sour, spicy, herbal, umami, bitter, smoky, rich, and strong. As with any cookbook, each recipe demands a bit of preparation and time…these are not just cocktails to be thrown together at the last minute.  There is a certain passion behind infusing flavors and creating your own simple syrups or bitters. Be prepared to invest the time needed for each one well in advance. Despite all this, these tasty tipples are well worth the wait.

With it’s moody yet glamorous photography, the book could easily entice you to try and make all of these beverages at home. Or, better yet, head to your favorite bartender and have them recreate these for you. You won’t be sorry!

The first recipe I tried actually comes from Linda Miller Nicholson, author of  the blog, Salty Seattle, who contributed it Savory Cocktails. A spicy, refreshing Green Gargoyle. With cucumber, cilantro and jalapeno, this is a sassy, South of the Border sipper!

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And because I have a new affinity to Pimm’s, I could not pass up the opportunity to try the Pimm’s Cup Up. This pumped up version of a traditional Pimm’s Cup adds a bit of zing with ginger and ginger liqueur. Plus the ribbons of cucumbers just adds an extra flair. I could drink these all day.

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Admittedly, I did not choose to make my own syrups or bitters this time. But the list of cocktails I’d love to make from Savory Cocktails is long and I imagine I will delve into the infusions at another, less hectic time in life- or when I really want to impress! Like Thanksgiving. Or New Year’s.

Whether you are new to the cocktail scene or a seasoned pro, this book is among the “must haves” for your home or bar library. It’ll have you shaking up, stirring and muddling your own Savory Cocktails in no time!

Cheers!

Click to buy the book! It would make a great gift this holiday season for your favorite bartender…at home or otherwise!

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Disclosure: I received a copy of the book to review. As always, the thoughts and opinions are my own.

PSA: Please drink responsibly! Don’t drink and drive and never get into a car with someone who does. Buckle up. It saves lives. And by all means, take a taxi if you have had too much to drink! Better yet, stay home and make your own!

 

Filed Under: Drink, Kitchen Sink, Cocktails, Cookbooks Tagged With: Book, Book Review, Cocktails, NaBloPoMo

Kitchen on the Road- Le Mary Celeste, Paris (Part Trois)

September 25, 2013 by Renee

Our last full day in Paris started off with Brunch at Le Mary Celeste. David told me all about this place that is renown for their scrumptious cocktails, spicy kimchi , slow-grilled beef jerky and 1 euro oyster bar at happy hour.  They also happen to serve brunch on weekends. Perfect!

Le Mary Celeste gets its name from an American-British merchant ship that was found completely abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. The boat had been at sea for only a month when her crew of seven went missing leaving their valuables and the ship’s cargo untouched.  It remains one of the greatest maritime mysteries of all time.

Even in the heart of Paris, Le Mary Celeste transports you seaside with its rope wrapped columns and white washed bricks. The interior is light and bright with large open windows and stained glassed transoms but also boasts some quirky touches- like the chain saw behind the bar and a large mural of a toucan on the restroom door.

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In addition to their innovative cocktail menu, they also offer a selection of Brooklyn Brewery beers on tap and an impressive list of wines.

Our meal began with cocktails. It’s no wonder they are lauded as much as they are.  I had the Beverly Hills Brunch, a concoction with Nardini Bitters, a brilliant orange flavored and scarlet colored bitter, pamplemousse (grapefruit), agave, romarin (rosemary) and champagne. Slightly sweet, but tangy with a mildly earthy, savory flavor. Just WOW! And such a gorgeous color!

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The Garden Fizz featured Aalborg aquavit, sirop de cumbawa maison, a house made syrup prepared from a type of Asian lemon, citron vert (lime), blanc d’oeuf (egg whites) and topped with ginger beer. This was a seriously sassy beverage! It was spicy, full of citrus and exceptionally creamy.  Simply delicious!

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Watching the bartender create this beautiful blend, the Snowden, a mixture of Laphroaig Single Malt whiskey, pureed peaches, lime and mint with a bit of fizz, was like watching an artist create a masterpiece. Such intensity and care!  It tasted even better than it looked.

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Our food was just as creative and bold. Each dish was so bright, colorful and utterly impressive. They had contrasting textures and flavors. Unlikely partners on the plate that actually worked in harmony with one another.

I had the arepa (galettes de mais), haricuts au four, pickles de jalapenos, oeuf au plat (corn cakes with baked beans and pickled jalapenos topped with a fried egg). This was so good and I am still trying to recreate this at home because I am craving it still! I love how the sweet, tomato sauced beans were given a lively kick from the jalapenos. The crunchy peppers complimented the crispy arepa, whose center was soft and creamy and the egg was perfectly sunny side up. Such a fresh, flavorful dish.

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Who would ever think to pair French toast with mushrooms and fresh tomatoes? Well, this dish was just that-pain perdu de brioche maison, ragout de champignons, gremolata (french brioche toast with sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes with lemon zest, garlic, and parsley). Taking a traditionally sweet breakfast and turning it savory instead. Delightful!

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For dessert (Dessert after breakfast/brunch? Why, YES!) we all shared a creamy panna cotta a la vanille, casseilles confits, chocolat blanc caramelise (vanilla infused panna cotta with caramelized, candied white chocolate and a gooseberry blackcurrant hybrid called casseilles) served in a funky chipped enamel bowl.

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I loved everything about this place and it’s on my list of “must return to’s” for the next time I am in Paris. I can’t wait to try their other creations- bold and beautiful cocktails and fresh innovative dishes.

Reservations can be made for weekday dining but for the weekend brunch you can just show up.

 

 
 
Le Mary Celeste
1 rue Commines
75003 Paris
 
for reservations email:
reservations@lemaryceleste.com

 

Filed Under: Drink, Travel, Cocktails, France Tagged With: Cocktails, Le Mary Celeste, Paris, Travel

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