posted by admin on Aug 26
Introducing the first beer just for women…Chick Beer!
On the home page of the new Chick Beer, it states:
Chick Beer is the beer for women. A premium light American lager, Chick is the only beer 
brand designed for women, who drink 25% of all beer sold in the U.S.
What makes it appealing for women? The makers say that the lady-loving qualities are:
- 97 calories and 3.5 carbs per bottle
- A softer, smoother, less bitter taste
- Lightly carbonated, “for less of that bloaty feeling”
Brewed in Wisconsin, Chick Beer’s distribution is limited, but they will be expanding their territory.
Chick Beer had also pledged to donate 5% of its net profits to charities that” further women’s interests,” domestically and internationally.
I can’t wait to try some.
posted by admin on Jul 11
Chicagoans, sadly, have had to say good bye to Trader Vic’s, the original tiki bar palace. The Chicago Tribune reported it on July 6. Victor 
Bergeron opened his Polynesian-themed restaurant in Oakland, CA, in 1936 and in 1944 created what would become the quintessential, iconic island drink: the Mai Tai.
The tiki concept, wildly popular in the 1940s through the 1960s, began a shame-filled descent into cheese-land and many of the Trader Vic’s locations have closed over the last several decades.However, it seems that tiki-themed restaurants and bars are returning to reclaim their cheesy glory! There are 14 in New York City alone. And for you nostalgia-lovers out there, there are still Trader Vic’s restaurants to be found, from Sarasota, FL, to the United Arab Emirates, and even in Kiev, Ukraine, where 
it’s called the Mai Tai Lounge. For a list of locations, go to the Trader Vic’s website HERE. And I am not ashamed to admit that I own a copy of Trader Vic’s Tiki Party.
So, in honor of Trader Vic’s, as Chicago bids a sad aloha ‘oe to it, here is
Trader Vic’s original Mai Tai recipe. Just in time for summer. Enjoy!
Trader Vic’s Original Mai Tai
- 2 ounces 17-year-old Jamaican rum
1/2 ounce orgeat (almond syrup)
1/2 ounce orange curacao
Juice of one fresh lime
1/4 ounce simple syrup*
- Lime slice for garnish
- Sprig of mint for garnish
- Shake ingredients and pour into an ice-packed glass.
- Garnish with lime and a sprig of mint.
Makes 1 serving.
*Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
Make Ahead The syrup can be refrigerated in a glass jar for up to 1 month.
posted by admin on May 27
I guess it’s a good thing that National Beer Week and Grape Popsicle Day (May 27) are just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. Well, I’m sure that the beer holiday, at least, was made the fourth week of May because of Memorial Day, but we won’t split hairs.
Anyway, if you want to know all about beer, try 2BaSnob or the beer guide at Food & Wine. As for the 
grape popsicle, I thought I’d go one better than the cold ice on a stick–a cold cocktail. Here’s a recipe for Grape Popsicle Cocktail from GroupRecipes.com. And remember, be responsible…don’t drink and drive!
Grape Popsicle Cocktai
- Combine ingredients over a modest amount of ice in a skinny highball glass.
- Garnish, of course, with a grape Popsicle.
- Be careful — too much ice and the Popsicle becomes unmanageable, and that’s just no fun.
posted by admin on Jan 8
Hi, all. I hope that the first week of the new year has been good to you. I know a couple of people who have lost people very close to them this week, so my heart goes out to them. It’s not an auspicious way to start the year, but one can hope that things can only get better from here.
Let’s get drinking…
Read the rest of this entry »
posted by admin on Oct 30
Hi, gang. I decided to do a product review this week because I enjoy trying new (or new-to-me) products on the market, and when I encounter something that could be useful to others, I like to share.
Read the rest of this entry »
posted by admin on May 15
You might think from the title of this blog that I’m some kind of lush. Far from it. I advocate safe, responsible drinking. I’m often the designated driver and I always check to make sure friends are in the proper condition to drive. I also respect recovering alcoholics’ need to stay away from the stuff.
Having said that, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying the occasional libation. And with the resurgance of cocktail culture and the emergence of the mixologist—which is basically a bartender schooled in chic and complex drink making, versus a bartender, who may not know what to do with Chartreuse (a liqueur made in France by Carthusian monks) but will make you a wicked dry martini—you can really have a lot of fun trying out all different kinds of concoctions, from wild and crazy to sophisticated and classy.
Join the party…
Read the rest of this entry »
